By Maurice Otoo

A Muslim cleric, Sheikh Arimyawo, has called on Ghanaians to remain calm, embrace peace and resist any actions that could plunge the country into conflict or violence.

Speaking during an engagement between the Ghana Police Service and religious leaders, the cleric said peace must remain central to the country’s national life, particularly at a time when tensions and disagreements appear to be growing.

He stressed that it would be contradictory for people to pray for peace while simultaneously engaging in actions that promote conflict and violence.

According to him, peace is fundamental to the Christian and Muslim faiths and must therefore guide the conduct of citizens.
“Peace doesn’t have a timetable. There is no moment in our lives that we don’t need peace,” he noted, while referencing the words of Cardinal Appiah Turkson that violence may appear abstract, but its consequences are carried out through human action.

He consequently urged Ghanaians to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could worsen tensions.
The cleric expressed concern about the current state of affairs in the country, saying Ghana has in recent days been witnessing developments that could create hostility and division.
He appealed to citizens to reflect on the long history of peaceful coexistence among Ghana’s religious and ethnic communities.
He noted that Ghanaians have traditionally lived together with mutual respect, collaboration and love, stressing that these values must not be abandoned in times of disagreement.

Sheikh Arimyawo also called for mutual respect among Christians and Muslims, emphasizing that the two faiths share important teachings on peace, love, forgiveness and compassion.
He noted that prophets are highly respected in both the Holy Qur’an and the Holy Bible, pointing out that Prophet Jesus is mentioned several times in the Qur’an than Prophet Mohammed.
He said Muslims also respect prophets such as Moses, Enoch, Abraham and Jesus, just as Christians respect Prophet Muhammad.
“We are not different from each other,” he stressed, calling for greater understanding between followers of the two religions.

He further referenced the teaching to “love your neighbour as yourself”, describing it as one of the most powerful commandments for promoting peaceful coexistence.
According to him, the Holy Qur’an also teaches that a person’s faith cannot be complete without love and concern for their neighbour.

The cleric appealed to all those affected by recent events to exercise restraint and keep their emotions under control.
“In the midst of cacophony, let’s all have cool heads to be able to deal with this matter,” he urged.

He called on Imams and other religious leaders to use their platforms to preach peace, forgiveness, pardon and compassion, describing these as virtues taught by both Jesus and Prophet Muhammad.

He also commended the Ghana Police Service for engaging religious leaders as part of efforts to promote peaceful dialogue and prevent tensions from escalating.
The engagement underscored the need for religious and community leaders to work together with the security agencies to preserve Ghana’s peace and stability.
The cleric concluded with an appeal to Christians and Muslims alike to become peacemakers, emphasizing that the responsibility of protecting peace rests with everyone.
“Blessed are the peacemakers,” he reminded the gathering, urging all Ghanaians to choose dialogue over confrontation and peace over violence.

By Maurice Otoo

Kampakuya Naa Yakubu Abukari has officially been outdoored as the Regent of Dagbon following the passing of the Overlord, Ya-Na Abukari Mahama II, on July 11, 2026.

The ceremony was held in Yendi, the traditional capital of the Dagbon Kingdom, where thousands of mourners, traditional leaders, government officials, dignitaries and supporters gathered to witness the significant occasion.

As Regent, Kampakuya Naa Yakubu Abukari will oversee the affairs of the Dagbon Kingdom until the final funeral rites of the late Ya-Na are completed and a new Overlord is chosen and enskinned in accordance with the customs and traditions of Dagbon.

The event was marked by vibrant cultural performances, including traditional drumming, the ceremonial firing of muskets and displays by local warriors, reflecting the rich heritage of the kingdom.

Prior to the public ceremony, customary installation rites were conducted privately by traditional authorities in line with Dagbon traditions.

Security was significantly reinforced, with more than 600 security personnel deployed throughout Yendi to maintain law and order and ensure the safety of residents, visitors and dignitaries attending the ceremony.

Islamic prayers were also offered in honour of the late Ya-Na Abukari Mahama II as part of the regency proceedings.

The installation of the Regent represents an important milestone in Dagbon’s succession process. It clears the way for the final funeral rites of the late Ya-Na, after which the customary process to select and enskin a new Overlord of Dagbon will begin.

The digital department of the National Commission  on Culture must be up to date and work effectively in discharging their duties. 

In this era of digital age, and especially a government agency like National Commission On Culture, they should be updating their website to meet the current situation. 

A thorough check on the website by Kpdonline.net reveals that Mr Fio Richardson Commey (PhD) is still posted as the Ag Deputy Executive Director of the Commission. This means his personal data (picture, name, and designation) is still on the website of the Commission and not deleted. Mr Fio Richardson Commey is no longer a staff and the Ag.Deputy Executive Director of NCC. He is currently serving as the Special Aide/ Special Assistant to Honourable Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts.  

Kpdonline.net can  confirm that a letter dated on the 30th of July 2025 was written to the Acting Executive Director, Mr Wakefield Wisdom Ackuaku, requested immediate deletion of his personal data on the NCC website. This has fallen into deaf ears. 

The agency led by Mr Wakefield Ackuako should up their game by being proactive in discharging their duties. Kpdonline.net is still playing its watch dog role and will monitor to see the changes done. 

Report by kpdonline.net.

The Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has officially launched Ghana’s revised National Cultural Policy, describing it as a transformative framework aimed at preserving the nation’s rich cultural heritage while promoting economic growth through the cultural and creative industries.

The launch ceremony took place at the National Theatre in Accra on June 8, 2026, bringing together key stakeholders from the arts, culture and creative sectors.

The revised policy serves as a strategic roadmap for safeguarding Ghana’s cultural identity and harnessing the potential of the cultural and creative industries to create jobs, stimulate innovation and drive social transformation.

The new policy replaces the previous Cultural Policy, which was introduced in 2004. It has been aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, positioning culture as a central pillar of Ghana’s national development agenda.

Addressing participants at the launch, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang called on stakeholders across the cultural and creative sectors to collaborate in ensuring the successful implementation of the policy.

“Let this launch mark the beginning of a bold new chapter in Ghana’s cultural journey. Let us come together—government, traditional authorities, the youth and the diaspora—to unlock the full potential of culture and creativity. We must build a nation that draws strength from its heritage, creates opportunities through innovation, and projects its voice with confidence and influence on the global stage,” she stated.

The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, noted that the revised policy is the outcome of seven years of extensive stakeholder consultations. According to her, the framework is designed to support creative entrepreneurs, attract cultural investments and ensure the integration of culture into national development planning.

Work on the revised National Cultural Policy began seven years ago, involving broad consultations with stakeholders across the country.

The policy covers key thematic areas including culture and heritage, culture and society, culture and governance, culture and the economy, culture and technology, as well as oversight, implementation and regulatory mechanisms.

The launch reaffirms Ghana’s commitment to leveraging culture as a catalyst for sustainable development, heritage preservation, economic empowerment and enhanced engagement with the global cultural community.

The Christian Council of Ghana has expressed support for President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to subject the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, widely known as the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, to further constitutional and legal review before taking a final decision on it.

President Mahama, during a recent visit to the United Kingdom, indicated that the proposed legislation would undergo additional scrutiny to ensure it complies with all constitutional requirements before any action is taken regarding assent.

Speaking in an interview with Citi News, the Christian Council’s Coordinator for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations, Rev. Jehodia Godwin Amuzu, described the President’s approach as prudent and in line with his constitutional mandate.

According to Rev. Amuzu, the President has a responsibility to seek legal guidance and ensure the bill can withstand any potential constitutional challenge.

“The President, as Head of State, must allow his advisers to thoroughly examine the bill to ensure it satisfies all constitutional requirements. Otherwise, the legislation could be challenged in court and struck down,” he stated.

He urged Ghanaians to remain patient and allow due process to take its course.

“We must appreciate that this is how democracy works. Decisions of this nature cannot be made arbitrarily. We should give the President the benefit of the doubt and allow the constitutional processes to be completed,” he added.

Rev. Amuzu further disclosed that during previous engagements with religious leaders, President Mahama had indicated his willingness to assent to the bill once it is presented to him.

“He assured us that when the bill reaches his desk, he will assent to it. However, from the indications we are receiving, the scrutiny is necessary because the bill is not government-sponsored. The aim is to ensure it is legally sound and fit for purpose,” he explained.

The Christian Council official also welcomed recent calls by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin for lawmakers to revisit the bill, describing the ongoing public discourse as a positive feature of democratic governance.

“I believe this is healthy for our democracy. We are not operating under an authoritarian system. Democracy thrives on participation, dialogue and accountability. Citizens have every right to take an interest in matters before Parliament and government, while ensuring that the necessary checks and balances are maintained,” he said.

His comments come amid renewed public debate over the future of the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill and the respective roles of Parliament and the Executive in determining its eventual outcome.