General News
Govt takes over Gold Fields Damang Mines
The government has assumed operational control of the Damang Mine, a concession held by Abosso Goldfields Limited, a subsidiary of Gold Fields Limited.
The move follows the rejection of the application by Gold Fields Limited to have its 30-year mining lease at the facility extended for another 30 years.
Abosso Gold Fields Limited’s 30-year lease is set to expire tomorrow, April 18, 2025.
The government’s action, according to a statement by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, represented a crucial step in Ghana’s economic reset, ensuring that gold reserves directly benefited citizens and contributed to long-term prosperity, easing uncertainty over the future of over 1,300 workers of the company.
The statement available to the Daily Graphic indicated that the government’s decision was based on solid, empirically supported grounds.
“This decision aligns with the government’s policy shift away from the neo-colonial practice of automatic licence renewals for mining in Ghana, focusing instead on a comprehensive reassessment of mining licences to maximise national benefit,” the statement said.
The statement gave an assurance that in spite of the government’s control of the concession, it remained committed to maintaining uninterrupted operations, protecting jobs, and honouring existing valid service contracts while ensuring compliance with legal and fiscal obligations to secure Ghana’s rightful benefits from this vital resource.
Continuity
The government, the statement said, had outlined plans to ensure that all essential services — from security to health care and fuel supply to camp management — continued without disruption.
It also stated that valid contracts would be honoured, wages paid, and operations sustained as efforts were made to regularise arrangements under state stewardship.
The statement further clarified that priority would be given to local workforce retention and community-based enterprises in line with Ghana’s Local Content Policy.
This transition, it said, would focus on local hiring and procurement, ensuring that opportunities in transport, labour and auxiliary services primarily benefited businesses within the Damang catchment area.
A dedicated transition team would also engage directly with all workers, contractors, and community leaders in the coming days to address concerns, provide updates and collaborate on the way forward, it emphasised.
“The Government of Ghana is committed to enforcing strict protocols to ensure safety, orderly operations, and protection of all assets. Unauthorised access or disruptions will not be tolerated.
Together, we will uphold the integrity of this transition,” the statement added.
Reasons
The statement cited several reasons for not renewing the licence, indicating that Abosso Goldfields Limited failed to declare verifiable mineral reserves in its renewal application.
According to Regulation 189 of the Minerals and Mining Act (Licensing) Regulation, 2012 (L.I. 2176), an application to extend a mining lease must include a comprehensive technical report and a programme of mining operations.
Any such report, the statement said, should detail verifiable mineral reserves, including the quantity of gold discovered and projected extraction to justify the lease extension.
“Without declared reserves, the Minerals Commission cannot recommend the extension of the lease.
It is important to note that the company’s 2024 Annual Reports, published in March 2025 — shortly after the Notice of Rejection was served — have validated the government’s position regarding the absence of reserves necessary to support the lease extension,” the statement said.
Additionally, it said the application submitted by Gold Fields Limited lacked a detailed technical programme outlining past activities over the past 30 years or future plans for the mine.
The statement emphasised that “without this critical information, the government cannot adequately assess the mine’s historical performance or future direction — a fundamental requirement for responsible and informed decision-making”.
Furthermore, the statement pointed out that Gold Fields Limited had not allocated any budget for exploration at the Damang Mine over the past two years, insisting that this lack of investment raised serious concerns about the company’s commitment to sustainable mining practices and the long-term viability of the mine.
Background
Gold Fields Limited is the seventh biggest producer of gold in the world, and has two operational mines in Ghana, namely the Tarkwa Mine, which is operated by Gold Fields Ghana, and the Damang Mine, which is run by Abosso Goldfields Limited.
In 2011, Gold Fields bought out IAMGold’s remaining interest in Damang, and the company now owns a 90 per cent stake, with the Government of Ghana holding the remaining 10 per cent.
According to the 2024 annual report of Gold Fields, no mineral reserves were declared at Damang, which meant there were no defined gold reserves to be mined there.
Actual mining at the mine is said to have stopped in 2023 as the company resorted to processing stockpiles.
In fact, it is stated in the Mineral Resources and Reserves Supplement to the Integrated Annual Report of 2023 that no exploration was proposed for the Damang Mine in 2024.
No reserves
The lack of reserves and the lack of funds for exploration spending for the Damang Mine appeared to suggest that the company was not interested in expanding mine life for the mine at Damang.
Additionally, the company, this year, intended to continue the processing of stockpiles in line with the life of the mine for at least one year.
The mine has since been considered as one that has not met the requirements and justification for an extension of lease.
Source: Graphic online
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.
General News
CLOSSAG Elections in Dambai: Tension Mounts Over Candidate Disqualifications
General News
GRIDCo Breakdown Triggered Nationwide Power Outage – Energy Expert Calls for Urgent Grid Overhaul
The Executive Director of the Centre for Environmental Management and Sustainable Energy (CEMSE), Benjamin Nsiah, has attributed the nationwide power outage that occurred around 3:11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, to a system failure at the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo).
In an interview with Kojo Preko Dankwa on Kessben Maakye show in Accra, Mr. Nsiah insisted, Ghana’s transmission network is heavily integrated, with all major power generation sources connected through the GRIDCo platform to a single transmission system. He explained that when GRIDCo’s system developed a fault, it disrupted power transmission from generating plants, including those operated by the Volta River Authority (VRA) and Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
He noted that GRIDCo must first resolve the transmission fault before IPPs can restore electricity to the national grid for distribution to consumers.
Mr. Nsiah said reports of electricity returning to some areas indicate that GRIDCo is gradually restoring its network, allowing power plants to reconnect and feed electricity back into the system.
The energy expert, however, warned that the incident exposes the vulnerability of Ghana’s integrated national grid. He called for the establishment of isolated or “islanded” power systems that can continue supplying electricity to parts of the country even when the main grid suffers a major failure.
According to him, such a policy should be developed by the Ministry of Energy and implemented by GRIDCo to strengthen the country’s energy security.
He also urged the government to provide adequate resources to GRIDCo to improve the resilience of the transmission network and prevent similar nationwide outages in the future.
Mr. Nsiah further commended the government for taking steps to decentralize power generation, noting that relocating some VRA generation facilities to the Ashanti Region is a positive move that will improve electricity reliability and strengthen regional power supply.
By Maurice Otoo
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