GHANA CARDS The National Identification Authority (NIA) has announced that it will begin issuing Ghana Cards to children aged 6 to 14 years starting Monday, October 6, 2025.Ghana travel guide The exercise will cover children who have already registered and will begin in 56 districts across the country. Cards will be distributed at the same schools where the children were initially registered. To complete the process, each child must be physically present and accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Parents or guardians must also present the registration receipt (Form A) issued on the day of registration. The NIA says the remaining districts will follow in the coming days and assures the public that all backlogs of unprinted Ghana Cards have been cleared.Ghana travel guide Further announcements on when new registrations for children in this age group will be made soon. The NIA has urged all parents and guardians to cooperate to ensure a smooth and successful issuance exercise. 6th October,2025

NEW PM RESIGNS France's newly appointed prime minister, Sebastien Lecornu, resigned on Monday, shortly after naming his Cabinet, the presidency said. During a public address on Monday morning, an hour after announcing his resignation, Lecornu blamed political parties' intransigence for his departure. "I was ready to compromise, but each party wanted the other to adopt its entire program," he said. Lecornu blamed the "egos" of opposition politicians for not being able to strike compromises with rival parties. "You should always prefer your country to your party," he added. France in the midst of a political crisis Lecornu's resignation was unexpected, marking a further escalation of France's political crisis. The Cabinet's appointment came after weeks of consultations with political parties across the political divide. It was about to hold its first meeting Monday afternoon. Political deadlock in France comes as no party or group holds a majority in parliament. France's political situation has become increasingly unstable since President Emmanuel Macron's 2022 reelection, with the leader's decision to call a snap parliamentary election deepening the crisis further. On September 8, former Prime Minister Francois Bayrou lost a parliamentary confidence vote over a planned austerity budget. This led him to step down as head of the minority government. The following day, Macron appointed Lecornu. Lecornu, a close ally of Macron, was France's fifth prime minister in two years. Sebastien Lecornu resigns as prime minister of France 05:02 How did French politicians react to the resignation? Far-right leader Marine Le Pen reacted to Lecornu's resignation by calling for new parliamentary elections as the only feasible solution to the current political situation. "I demand the National Assembly to be dissolved," Le Pen posted on her X account. The far-left France Unbowed party also called for Macron's departure. Meanwhile, voices on the left called for the revival of a coalition of leftists, socialists, greens, and communists. Outgoing French Interior Minister Bruno Retallieau urged President Macron to speak about the current political situation in the country soon. "If there is deadlock, then we will have to return to the voting booth. But I think there are other ways before it comes to that," the head of the right-wing Les Republicains (LR) party told TF1 television. Investors were rattled by the resignation, causing the CAC-40 index of leading French companies to plummet. On Friday, the index closed nearly 2% lower. In Berlin, a German government spokesperson said that the resignation of Lecornu does not hinder Europe and Germany's ability to act. "A stable France is also an important contribution to stability in Europe," the spokesperson said. "But I have no reason to doubt that there is stability in France too." 6th October,2025

COURT One of the men found guilty of sexually abusing Gisele Pelicot is set to appear in court in the southern French city of Nimes. Husamettin D. was sentenced to nine years in prison for rape. He claims that Pelicot's then-husband, Dominique, led him to believe that she had consented. The 44-year-old argues he is innocent, with his legal team appealing both his conviction and the sentence. He visited the Pelicot home once in 2019. He is one of 17 men who appealed their conviction and the last one still maintaining his innocence. In total, 51 men were convicted in the trial that sent waves all around the world. Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in jail for drugging his wife and recruiting dozens of strangers to abuse her over almost a decade. What does D. argue? Facing court in his first trial, the construction worker said he is not a rapist, claiming that Dominique Pelicot had sent him a message saying that he and his wife were sexually adventurous and looking for someone to have sex with her while she "pretended to sleep." He also said that he had received a message supposedly from Gisele Pelicot saying that she had agreed to him coming over. According to the 44-year-old, he told Dominique Pelicot that his wife had been "dead" because she did not react while he was in the couple's bed. The husband replied that D. was "imagining." He then continued for another half an hour, but decided to leave once he heard Gisele Pelicot snoring. A court-sketch showing Dominique Pelicot standing in front of courtA court-sketch showing Dominique Pelicot standing in front of court 6th October,2025

NOBEL PRIZE The Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine for 2025 will be awarded jointly to Mary Brunkow and Fred Ramsdell of the United States and Shimun Sakaguchi of Japan for "for their discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance," the Nobel Assembly of Sweden's Karolinska Institute announced on Monday. "Their discoveries have laid the foundation for a new field of research and spurred the development of new treatments, for example for cancer and autoimmune diseases," the Assembly said in a statement. Show additional content? This content is part of the text you are currently reading. The provider X / Twitter provides this content and may collect your usage data directly when you click “Show content”. Always show content from X / Twitter. The winners will receive a prize sum of 11 million Swedish crowns (€1 million, $1.2 million), as well as a gold medal from the King of Sweden. What is the prize's history? The Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine has been awarded 115 times to 229 laureates between 1901 and 2024. Last year's prize was shared by Americans Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNA, which serves as on and off switches inside cells that help control what the cells do and when they do it. The physics prize will be announced on Tuesday, with the prizes in chemistry being made public on Wednesday, and the literature one on Thursday. Friday will see the announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize, while the Nobel Memorial Prize in economics will be announced on October 13. The awards ceremony will be held on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death. Nobel was a wealthy Swedish industrialist and inventor of dynamite who died in 1896. 6th October,2025

MAHAMA The Ghana Food and Beverages Association (FABAG) has urged President John Dramani Mahama to implement urgent reforms at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).Ghana travel guide According to the association, the persistent increase in utility tariffs, despite ECG’s recurring financial losses, must be addressed as a matter of priority. Speaking to the media on Monday, October 6, the Chairman of the association, John Awuni, stressed that the high cost of electricity is taking a heavy toll on businesses and Ghanaians at large. “There shouldn’t be any tariff increment. Because there’s no amount of tariff increment that can solve the problems of ECG. There must be a reform, and that reform is aimed at reducing the technical and commercial losses to reasonable standards,” he said. The association also gave the government a 30-day ultimatum to set up a performance compact that will measure and improve the performance of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL).Ghana travel guide “There’s no effort VRA or GRIDCo will make that can be realised. The inefficiencies in ECG will eat up all those ones, so there’s a need for reforms. Respectfully, we recommend a presidential compact for ECG and GWL. “We call for a performance compact between the ECG, Ministry of Finance, PURC and the Energy Commission sites under H.E. ECG and GWL reform is more than a utility issue; it is a matter of national security, economic survival and governance legacy,” he stated. 8th October,2025

NAIMOS TASK FORCE The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) Task Force has intensified its campaign against illegal mining in the Western Region, launching a major riverine patrol operation along the Ankobra River to dismantle mining sites located directly on and along the waterway. The operation, conducted on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, in collaboration with the Nzema East Blue Water Guards, covered approximately 9.8 kilometres of the river between Gwira Eshiam and Anyinase in the Nzema East Municipality. According to a statement from NAIMOS, the exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to protect Ghana’s water bodies and environment from the devastation caused by illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as galamsey.Ghana travel guide During the patrol, the Task Force encountered several illegal miners at a site known as “Cocoa Ase” in Gwira Banso, where active mining was taking place on the riverbed. The miners reportedly fled upon sighting the security team, abandoning their equipment and makeshift shelters. The Task Force subsequently destroyed seven chanfang dredging machines used for river mining and set ablaze over 100 makeshift structures belonging to the miners.Ghana travel guide Items seized during the raid included 15 water pumping machines, three gas cylinders, three shovels, four plastic chairs, two water hoses, a generator set, a pickaxe and even a DStv dish. In a related operation, the Task Force discovered that a stream known as Kamei, which flows into the Ankobra River, had been blocked by miners to divert water for their activities. The obstruction was cleared to restore the natural flow of the stream. A nearby machine repair shop, found with over 50 pumping machines awaiting repair, was also dismantled. The equipment was rendered unserviceable to prevent future use in illegal mining operations. The operation extended to the Abrodiem area, where the Task Force immobilised a Hyundai excavator by removing its pump and gear lever to prevent further illegal mining. In total, the operation led to the seizure or destruction of 23 water pumping machines, three gas cylinders, three shovels, four plastic chairs, two water hoses, one generator set, one pickaxe, one excavator pump, one gear lever, and one DStv dish. NAIMOS has issued a stern warning to all illegal miners operating along the Ankobra River and its tributaries to cease their activities immediately. “The Task Force will continue to conduct sustained operations to protect the environment and prevent the destruction of water bodies,” the statement said. “We urge community members and all stakeholders to report illegal mining activities to the appropriate authorities.” NAIMOS reaffirmed its commitment to restoring Ghana’s water bodies and safeguarding the environment from the destructive effects of illegal small-scale mining, also known as galamsey.Ghana travel guide “The Ankobra operation is a clear message that illegal mining on our rivers will not be tolerated,” the Task Force stressed. 8th October,2025

MURDER CASES The Upper West Regional Police Command has made a breakthrough in a string of murder cases that have unsettled the region since 2021, following the arrest of two key suspects. The Regional Police Commander explained that the arrests came after months of sustained intelligence gathering, investigations, and operations aimed at solving 15 murder cases, including the recent killing of a night security guard in Wa. Timeline of Cases Between 2021 and 2022, 15 murders were recorded across the region, many involving night watchmen attacked while on duty. Victims were typically strangled or fatally struck on the head with cement blocks and other blunt objects. Four of the cases occurred in 2021 at Kpaguri, Loho, Kambale-Mangu, and along the Kaleo–Loh stretch. In 2022, 11 more incidents were reported in locations including the Kulpong-Yeyiri road, Napogbakole extension, Goripie near Bulenga, TI Ahmadiyya School, the Sawmill area, and near the Child Support Orphanage.School supplies The latest case was on September 21, 2025, when 55-year-old night watchman Issah Yahaya was found dead at a motor mechanic shop at Dobile, near the Wa New Market. Police discovered a bloodstained cement block, a knife placed on the deceased’s face, and another cement block with blood behind the shop. A post-mortem by the Upper West Regional Hospital confirmed the cause of death as severe head injury due to blunt force trauma. Breakthrough and arrests To track down the perpetrators, the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, deployed a special investigative team from the National Headquarters to assist the regional command. On October 3, 2025, police arrested the first suspect, 25-year-old Mahamuda Lamin. His interrogation provided leads that resulted in the arrest of a second suspect. With the support of the Assemblyman and residents of Dondoli, police arrested 30-year-old Sherrif Abdulai, also known as Saani, Mohammed, or Critos, on October 6. Abdulai, an ex-convict and cobbler, was picked up at Adabiya, a suburb of Wa. A search on him revealed a Villaon keypad phone and an X-Base solar-powered portable radio, both identified as property of the late Issah Yahaya. Abdulai, however, claimed he bought the items at a galamsey site in Bole. Police say investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will be processed for court. 8th October,2025

UNPAID YEA STAFF About 300 staff members of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) across the country are demanding the release of 10 months’ unpaid salaries. The affected employees have accused the agency of neglect and frustration, claiming the delay has worsened their financial conditions and, in some cases, driven colleagues to attempt suicide. At a news conference in Kumasi on Wednesday, October 8, the aggrieved staff appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to urgently intervene to ensure payment of their arrears. “Mr. President, please hear our cry and save us and our families from further starvation,” pleaded Osei Yaw Akoto, the convener for the group. According to the workers, they were permanently employed in November 2024 after receiving clearance from the Public Service Commission and the Ministry of Finance. However, despite being at post since December 1, 2024, they claim they have not received any salaries. They explained that most of them had served the agency as contract staff for between two and eight years before being regularised onto the payroll. They alleged that after CEO Malik Basintale assumed office, he confirmed during a Zoom meeting in February 2025 that their mechanisation was valid but said an audit would be conducted to address concerns about a few unqualified staff. The workers said the audit was completed in March 2025, but no official communication has been issued since. Several petitions to management, including one through their lawyer in June 2025, have also gone unanswered. “We are starving,” the spokesperson lamented, noting that the prolonged salary delays had left many families in dire hardship, with some unable to feed their families, pay school fees, or sustain their marriages.School suppliesSchool supplies They further cited cases of colleagues suffering strokes and one nearly attempting suicide due to the situation. The group described the development as a human rights issue and accused management of deliberately frustrating them out of their jobs. 8th October,2025