Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe is steadily establishing herself as one of Ghana’s most development-focused Members of Parliament, with her leadership bringing visible transformation to communities across the Amenfi Central Constituency in the Western Region.

Since taking office as the Member of Parliament for Amenfi Central, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) legislator has embarked on an aggressive development agenda aimed at improving healthcare delivery, expanding educational infrastructure, strengthening security and creating sustainable employment opportunities for residents.

Massive Investment in Healthcare

One of Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe’s key priorities has been improving access to quality healthcare, particularly in underserved communities.

She is overseeing the continuation of the Ankwaso Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Compound while simultaneously constructing new CHPS compounds at Sraha Ayiem, Ankasie, Jedua Kese, Adidaase and Hiawa.

To further improve maternal healthcare services, construction is progressing on a maternity block with a fully equipped theatre at Manso Amenfi.

In another intervention aimed at improving community healthcare, the MP donated GH¢39,000 towards completing the CHPS Compound at Manso Nkwanta No. 2, a project expected to enhance maternal and child healthcare services in the area.

Expanding Educational Infrastructure

Education remains another major pillar of Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe’s development agenda.

She is facilitating the completion of the Wuratrem and Ankasie District Assembly Primary Schools while constructing a six-unit classroom block for Kramokrom Primary School.

Additional educational projects include a three-unit classroom block at Bantoma, a kindergarten block at Agona Camp and a three-unit Junior High School block at Sompre.

Recognising the shortage of teachers in many rural schools, the MP has also employed 35 community teachers across 28 basic schools within the constituency.

The teachers receive monthly salaries ranging from GH¢800 to GH¢1,000, ensuring pupils in remote communities continue to receive quality education despite staffing challenges.

Strengthening Security and Boosting Local Economy

To improve safety within the constituency, Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe is funding the construction of police stations at Sraha Ayiem and Achichire, providing law enforcement agencies with improved facilities to enhance public security.

Economic empowerment has equally featured prominently in her development strategy.

She is spearheading the construction of a 24-hour economy market at Agona Amenfi alongside a modern market at Juabo to stimulate local commerce and create business opportunities for traders.

Through her block factory, the MP is also generating employment for many young people, reportedly spending approximately GH¢40,000 every week on workers’ wages.

National Recognition for Outstanding Leadership

The development initiatives of Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe have attracted national recognition.

She received the Most Impactful MP Award during the AFTAG Philanthropic Awards & Charity Night 2025 in acknowledgement of her contributions to community development, healthcare delivery, youth empowerment and women’s advancement.

The award citation praised her exceptional compassion, visionary leadership and commitment to delivering practical solutions to the needs of her constituents.

Apart from her political career, Hon. Gyan Cudjoe is widely recognised as Ghana’s only female gold exporter and serves as President of Golden Empire Legacy Limited, where she has built a successful business career.

Her victory in the 2024 parliamentary election, where she secured 26,345 votes, reflected the confidence constituents placed in her leadership—confidence she continues to repay through visible development projects.

Leadership Rooted in Compassion

Beyond infrastructure and development projects, Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe has earned admiration for her compassion and commitment to vulnerable people.

During a recent outreach programme organised in partnership with the KN Foundation at a correctional facility, she became emotional after interacting with young inmates and pledged to support initiatives that would improve their lives and offer them hope for the future.

Her empathy, coupled with her commitment to delivering meaningful development, continues to strengthen her relationship with the people she serves.

As the NDC advances its Reset Ghana agenda, Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe has consistently called for unity and collective effort to accelerate development across Amenfi Central.

With ongoing investments in healthcare, education, security and economic infrastructure, the MP continues to demonstrate that effective representation goes beyond political rhetoric—it is about delivering projects that directly improve the lives of ordinary people.

Shattafest 2026, the annual music festival headlined by Ghanaian dancehall star Shatta Wale, has been cancelled after UK police reportedly halted the event over safety and health concerns.

The festival was scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Copthall Playing Fields, Champions Way, London NW4 1PS. However, attendees were informed that the event would not go ahead following police intervention.

Videos circulating on social media showed disappointed fans gathered outside the venue after the cancellation was announced. Some ticket holders demanded refunds, while others expressed frustration over the last-minute decision.

Footage from the venue also showed police officers dispersing crowds after the event was called off.

The cancellation has generated widespread discussion on social media, with many fans calling on the organisers to explain what led to the decision and provide information on refunds or a possible new date.

As of the time of publication, neither Shatta Wale nor the organisers of Shattafest 2026 had issued an official statement regarding the cancellation.

The Ghana Arts and Entertainment Awards 2026 nominees have officially been unveiled, paving the way for the seventh edition of the prestigious awards scheme that honours excellence in Ghana’s entertainment and creative industry.

The annual event has become one of the country’s recognised platforms for celebrating entertainers, creative professionals and industry stakeholders whose contributions continue to shape Ghana’s vibrant arts and entertainment landscape.

Founder of the awards, Abena Ghana, said the initiative was born out of a desire to appreciate the dedication and hard work of both on-screen personalities and the many professionals working behind the scenes.

According to her, the entertainment industry deserves a platform that consistently recognises talent, creativity, commitment and the positive influence individuals make through their work.

“I started the entertainment awards because I believe those who work tirelessly behind the scenes and in front of the camera deserve to be recognised and celebrated. Entertainment is a powerful industry, and I wanted to create a platform that highlights talent, dedication, creativity and the impact people make while inspiring others to pursue their dreams,” she said.

Ghana Arts and Entertainment Awards 2026 continues to grow

Speaking on the growth of the awards, Abena Ghana explained that what began as a vision to recognise talented individuals has developed into a respected awards scheme with greater reach, improved credibility and wider industry participation.

She noted that although the awards have expanded over the years by refining their processes and increasing the number of categories, the primary mission of celebrating excellence has remained unchanged.

She added that the awards have become an important platform for giving deserving entertainers greater visibility while encouraging professionals across the creative industry to maintain high standards of excellence.

Competitive nomination process

The organisers disclosed that the Ghana Arts and Entertainment Awards 2026 nominees were selected after an intensive evaluation process, describing this year’s competition as one of the strongest in the history of the awards.

According to the organisers, nominees were assessed based on several key factors, including:

• Talent
• Excellence
• Consistency
• Professionalism
• Career achievements
• Industry influence
• Overall contribution to Ghana’s entertainment industry

Abena Ghana explained that an independent jury carefully examined the quality of each nominee’s work, their consistency and the impact they made within the eligibility period before making the final selections.

Although no additional categories have been introduced this year, she expressed confidence that the nominees represent some of the finest talents currently driving Ghana’s entertainment industry.

Notable nominees

Among the personalities nominated for the Ghana Arts and Entertainment Awards 2026 are:

• Abena Kyei Boakye
• Maybel Okyere
• Odehyieba Priscilla
• Jeneral Ntatia
• Quecyofficial
• Kwaku Power
• Ama Oduma Odoom
• Oheneba Jude
• Rosegold
• Afia Sikapa

Several other entertainers and creative professionals have also earned nominations across multiple award categories.

Awards night scheduled for September

The organisers have encouraged fans and industry stakeholders to anticipate an exciting and highly competitive awards season leading up to the main ceremony.

Abena Ghana believes this year’s nominees have all made remarkable contributions to the entertainment industry, promising a memorable celebration of excellence.

The Ghana Arts and Entertainment Awards 2026 will take place on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the Estees Bee Event Centre at the East Legon Underbridge.

Activities for the evening will begin with the red carpet at 6:00 p.m., followed by the main awards ceremony at 8:00 p.m.

Headline sponsor recognised

The organisers also expressed appreciation to Nana Otafregya Owusu Agyeman, Chief Executive Officer of Time Herbal Mixture, for serving as the headline sponsor of the awards over the past seven years.

According to the organisers, his consistent sponsorship and commitment have been instrumental in the growth and success of the Ghana Arts and Entertainment Awards, helping the event become one of Ghana’s respected entertainment awards platforms.

Ghanaian dancehall artiste Stonebwoy has opened up about the life-changing accident that nearly led to the amputation of his leg, revealing how the experience shaped his journey to becoming a successful musician.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Africa, Stonebwoy recalled the tragic incident that occurred on Sunday, January 19, 2003, when he was travelling with his father from Ashaiman to Akrabang.

According to the award-winning musician, he was still a young and vibrant teenager at the time and had plans to travel to the United States before the accident changed the course of his life.

“I wasn’t Stonebwoy by then. I was just a bubbly teenager who was travelling one Sunday with my dad. We were on our way from Ashaiman to Akrabang when we got into an accident,” he said.

Stonebwoy explained that the crash affected his dreams and left him facing a difficult recovery period. He spent about four months in the hospital and later had to continue seeking medical care while living with a damaged knee.

“I was in the hospital for, give and take, four months straight, and then coming back in and out. I had to live with a stiff knee. It was damaged for about 13 years,” he revealed.

The “Putuu” hitmaker said his condition was eventually treated in Germany in 2016, where he underwent surgery that involved a total knee replacement and the fitting of an artificial prosthesis.

“I had my surgery in Germany in 2016 and got the whole artificial prosthesis and a total knee replacement. We had to replace it,” Stonebwoy added.

Despite the physical challenges, Stonebwoy said he continued working hard and pursuing his music career, describing the experience as part of God’s plan for his life.

“Looking back, I believe all that experience was for a reason. It was like God taking me through something to become what He wanted me to become. Even while I was going through it, I was still hustling,” he said.

Stonebwoy’s story has become an inspiration to many, as he continues to use his journey of resilience and determination to motivate others facing challenges.

Ghanaian Afro-dancehall artiste Stonebwoy has revealed that some of his children do not enjoy watching his music videos because they are uncomfortable with the presence of female models featured in them.

The award-winning musician said his children have become closely connected to his creative process and often pay attention to the decisions he makes in his music career.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Africa, Stonebwoy explained that his daughter sometimes questions why women appear around him in his music videos.

“My daughter will watch a music video and tell her mom, ‘Why is this girl around my dad?’ She actually hates that,” he said.

According to the “Nominate” hitmaker, his children have grown up around music because they frequently spend time with him in the studio. Their exposure to his work has allowed them to understand the creative process and even contribute ideas.

Stonebwoy recalled recording his song “Silent Samurai” while his children were present in the studio. He said they quickly adapted to understanding what he was doing, despite their young ages.

“The time I recorded Silent Samurai in the studio, they were there, and they’ve quickly adapted to what their dad does, even at the ages of seven and eight,” he explained.

The musician added that his son once listened carefully to one of his songs and suggested a slight adjustment to one of the lines because he believed it would make the song better.

Stonebwoy noted that the early exposure to music has influenced his children’s ambitions, revealing that his son has expressed interest in becoming a musician like him.

He said when his son is asked about his future plans, he confidently says he wants to pursue music.

Beyond music and family, Stonebwoy also raised concerns about the growing lack of privacy faced by public figures.

The musician criticised the habit of people taking photos or recording celebrities without seeking permission, describing it as an increasing problem in society.

“One thing that actually annoys me is the invasion of privacy becoming a normal part of society. Anybody who sees you anywhere pulls out a phone first. There’s no, ‘Hello, can I please take a picture?’” he said.

Stonebwoy acknowledged that many people act out of excitement, but stressed that celebrities are also human beings who deserve respect and personal space.

“The excuse is that it’s out of excitement, but we are humans as well. When the tables turn, nobody is doing that to them,” he added.