Dr Johnson Asiama says the country is expected to enjoy a favourable exchange-rate environment during the festive season, amid concerns about increased demand for foreign currency.

Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr Johnson Asiama, has assured Ghanaians that the cedi is expected to remain relatively stable ahead of the Christmas festivities.

Speaking at the African Virtual Assets Summit (AVAS) 2026 on Monday, November 2, Dr Asiama expressed confidence in the local currency’s performance, despite concerns about exchange-rate movements and their potential impact on businesses, importers and consumers.

“What I can promise is a good Christmas as far as the exchange rate is concerned. We will have a good Christmas,” he said.

His comments are expected to reassure businesses and consumers who typically face increased foreign-exchange demand as traders stock up on goods ahead of the festive season.

Cedi trading against major currencies

The Governor’s assurance comes as the latest Bank of Ghana interbank reference rates show the cedi trading at GH¢11.6142 to the US dollar for buying and GH¢11.6258 for selling.

The pound sterling was quoted at GH¢15.5549 for buying and GH¢15.5704 for selling, while the euro traded at GH¢12.9559 for buying and GH¢12.9678 for selling.

The rates were published on Monday, November 2, based on average interbank market rates at the close of business on Friday, October 30.

Measures to support exchange-rate stability

The Bank of Ghana has previously indicated that foreign-exchange interventions and remittance inflows are expected to help moderate pressure on the cedi.

In its September Monetary Report, the central bank projected that the currency would remain relatively stable over the medium term, despite renewed demand for foreign currency to finance imports ahead of Christmas.

The Bank also identified foreign-exchange supply through its intermediation programme and support from the Ghana Gold Board as factors expected to ease market pressures.

Market outlook ahead of festivities

The latest assurance from Dr Asiama comes as households and businesses monitor the cedi’s performance amid preparations for the December season.

A relatively stable exchange rate would help reduce uncertainty for importers and businesses whose operations depend on foreign currency, although actual market conditions will depend on demand and the availability of foreign-exchange supply.

The Governor’s comments signal the central bank’s confidence in the outlook for the cedi as Ghana enters the final weeks of 2026.

The Ghanaian entrepreneur has recounted how surgeons removed her left breast and reconstructed it using tissue and muscle from her abdomen in a complex operation that lasted five hours longer than expected.

Ghanaian entrepreneur and breast cancer survivor Dorothy Amuah has opened up about the 17-hour surgery she underwent after being diagnosed with stage three breast cancer at the age of 29.

In an interview with broadcaster Kafui Dey, Ms Amuah explained that the operation involved a mastectomy to remove her left breast, followed immediately by an extensive reconstructive procedure.

She said the decision to remove the entire breast followed consultations with several doctors, after examinations revealed that the cancer had also affected her milk ducts.

Although one doctor initially suggested removing only the cancerous lump, another specialist advised against the option, warning that the aggressive nature of the cancer could make it difficult to remove all the affected cells while preserving the breast.

The recommendation was therefore to proceed with a mastectomy.

Rebuilding the breast with tissue from her abdomen

After the mastectomy, surgeons performed a reconstructive procedure known as a Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous (TRAM) flap.

The procedure involved taking skin, fatty tissue and muscle, together with connected blood vessels, from her abdomen and transferring them to her chest to reconstruct the breast.

Ms Amuah said approximately six inches of tissue were removed from her stomach for the reconstruction.

She explained that she had also been offered the option of using an implant but preferred reconstruction with her own body tissue because she did not want a foreign material introduced into her body.

She considered other tissue-transfer options, including tissue from the shoulder and buttocks, but chose the abdominal procedure partly because she felt the scar would be less exposed.

Operation lasted 17 hours

Ms Amuah recalled that her mother had been informed that the operation would take approximately 12 hours.

However, the procedure extended to 17 hours, leaving her family increasingly anxious as they waited for the surgeons to emerge.

She said she became fully aware of the seriousness of the operation as she was being prepared for surgery. A surgeon used a marker to draw lines across her body to indicate where incisions would be made.

She recalled thinking that she might not come out of the operating theatre.

After being given anaesthesia, she lost consciousness and had no recollection of the operation itself.

Her mother later told her about the extended waiting period and the anxiety surrounding the procedure.

A difficult recovery

Ms Amuah said the recovery was painful, particularly because tissue and muscle had been removed from her abdomen.

She explained that the surgery affected her posture and left her unable to stand completely upright for some time. She remained hunched over for months as she gradually regained her ability to stretch and move normally.

She also had drainage tubes attached to her body to remove excess fluid and had to learn how to manage them during recovery.

In a separate reflection on the experience, she said confronting her body after the surgery was emotionally difficult, but the support of her family helped her maintain her confidence and sense of identity.

Turning survival into advocacy

The experience later became part of the motivation behind her breast cancer advocacy work through Dorothy’s Hope Foundation.

Ms Amuah has used her personal story to encourage women to prioritise breast health, screening and early detection.

She has repeatedly called for greater public education and improved access to screening and treatment support, particularly for women who struggle to afford cancer care.

Her account offers a glimpse into the physical and emotional demands of breast cancer treatment and the lengthy recovery that can follow major surgery.

Samuel Christopher Osei Anto, 72, was arrested at Tikrom in the Ashanti Region, with police retrieving a pistol and seven rounds of ammunition during the operation.

The Ghana Police Service has arrested Samuel Christopher Osei Anto, the key suspect in the killing of two relatives at NTHC Estate, Sakumono, in the Greater Accra Region.

The 72-year-old suspect was picked up at his hideout at Tikrom, near Ejisu in the Ashanti Region, on Sunday, November 1, 2026, following an intelligence-led operation by the police.

In a statement issued on Monday, November 2, the Ashanti Regional Police Command confirmed the arrest and said officers retrieved a Smith & Wesson pistol and seven rounds of live ammunition from him.

The firearm and ammunition have been retained as exhibits, while the suspect remains in police custody assisting investigations.

Arrest follows double killing at Sakumono

The arrest follows the fatal shooting of Irene Atuguba, 47, and her uncle, George Atuguba, 57, at their residence in NTHC Estate, Sakumono, on Friday, October 30.

Preliminary police investigations indicate that the incident may have been triggered by a financial dispute involving the suspect and George Atuguba over an alleged GH¢500,000 debt.

Police said Osei Anto had reportedly visited the residence with a 47-year-old woman, Beatrice Mumuni, to demand repayment of the money. A misunderstanding allegedly ensued, during which the two victims were shot.

Mumuni was earlier arrested in connection with the incident, while Osei Anto was declared wanted. Police had also announced a GH¢100,000 reward for credible information leading to his arrest.

The Ashanti Regional Police Command said the arrest followed an earlier police communication issued by the Accra Regional Police Command on October 30 concerning the deaths.

The suspect is expected to assist investigators as they work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the killings.

Meanwhile, the family of George Atubiga has disputed the police account of the alleged GH¢500,000 debt, saying the deceased and the suspect were business partners in a money-lending venture. The family’s position introduces a competing account of the financial relationship, which remains part of the issues surrounding the case.

The police have not announced any court proceedings against the suspect as investigations continue.

Ghana’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) and Free Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Free TVET) policies have eased the financial burden on thousands of families, but concerns remain over the additional contributions parents are expected to make to support the effective running of schools.

An article authored by Seth Afum A. Dankwah of J. G. Knol Technical Institute in Adukrom, Akuapem, Eastern Region, has highlighted the often-unspoken partnership between schools and parents, arguing that government funding alone cannot meet every infrastructural and operational need of educational institutions.

In the article dated Sunday, October 25, 2026, Mr Dankwah explains that although the Free SHS and Free TVET policies have significantly improved access to second-cycle education, schools continue to face challenges involving inadequate classrooms, dormitories, furniture, laboratories, workshops and other essential facilities.

He notes that many parents become concerned when they receive admission letters for their wards only to be informed weeks later about PTA contributions, levies and other financial commitments.

According to him, such requests often leave parents questioning why they are being asked to make additional payments when the government has repeatedly described the education policies as free.

However, he believes the situation requires a broader understanding of what it takes to operate a school beyond providing tuition, textbooks and meals.

Mr Dankwah acknowledges that the government’s free education policies have provided significant relief to Ghanaian families.

He points out that the initiatives have removed tuition costs from parents, provided meals for students, supplied core textbooks and created opportunities for thousands of young people who might otherwise have been unable to continue their education because of financial difficulties.

For him, these achievements represent an important foundation for Ghana’s educational development.

However, he argues that providing access to education does not automatically guarantee that students will have the necessary facilities and comfortable learning environments.

He describes a school as a living community that requires continuous investment in infrastructure, maintenance and essential learning resources.

To illustrate the challenges confronting some schools, Mr Dankwah refers to reported conditions at Esiama Technical Senior High School in the Western Region.

He cites a situation where 641 female students are competing for only 240 dormitory beds, forcing some students to carry their mattresses into classrooms and the assembly hall at night before packing them away at dawn to allow academic activities to continue.

He also highlights the school’s furniture shortage, indicating that its entire student population of 1,642 shares fewer than 700 pieces of furniture.

According to the article, the situation reflects broader infrastructural challenges within Ghana’s second-cycle education system.

Mr Dankwah further points to concerns about inadequate furniture, overcrowded classrooms, insufficient laboratory equipment, poorly equipped technical workshops and inadequate washroom facilities.

He references figures from Africa Education Watch indicating that nearly 10,600 schools across the country continue to operate under trees, sheds or unapproved structures.

He also observes that enrolment in several senior high schools has increased significantly since the introduction of Free SHS, while the expansion of dormitories, laboratories, workshops and washrooms has not kept pace with the growing student population.

Mr Dankwah argues that Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) have become important partners in addressing some of the infrastructural and operational challenges facing schools.

He explains that parents, teachers, old students, churches, private companies and philanthropists have continued to support schools through contributions and donations.

These interventions, he notes, have helped provide classroom furniture, repair facilities, improve sanitation and support the construction of essential infrastructure.

As examples, he mentions Wesley Grammar School in Accra, where more than 3,000 tables and chairs were recently donated to ease congestion.

He also cites a private company’s donation of 400 mono desks to Esiama Technical SHS to help address the furniture shortage.

According to him, such interventions demonstrate how collective efforts can improve conditions in schools while government works towards addressing larger infrastructural gaps.

He maintains that PTA contributions, when properly managed and transparently accounted for, should not automatically be regarded as extortion.

Rather, he describes them as an important source of support that can help schools provide students with decent environments for learning and development.

The article also references an infrastructure intervention announced by the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu.

Mr Dankwah points to a GH¢2.5 billion plan for second-cycle educational infrastructure between 2026 and 2027, with support from the World Bank.

The initiative is expected to target the construction and improvement of classrooms, science laboratories, ICT centres and libraries.

He argues that the government’s infrastructure plans demonstrate an acknowledgement of the challenges confronting schools, although the benefits may take time to reach every institution.

In the meantime, schools continue to require resources for routine maintenance and practical learning activities.

These include cement, wood, plumbing materials, laboratory chemicals, sewing machines, welding rods, electrical fittings, replacement of damaged desks and other materials needed by technical and vocational institutions.

He also identifies practical and departmental requirements as areas that may demand additional support to ensure students receive the necessary training.

While defending the importance of parental involvement, Mr Dankwah stresses that transparency and accountability must remain central to the collection and management of PTA contributions.

He argues that parents should be able to see how their contributions are being used, with clear records and visible improvements in school facilities.

He identifies completed dormitory blocks, adequate classroom furniture, functional laboratories and improved sanitation facilities as examples of the results parents should expect from properly managed contributions.

He further believes that schools should communicate their needs clearly to parents to prevent confusion, resentment and unnecessary disagreements.

According to him, the discussion should move beyond blaming parents or school authorities and focus instead on establishing a practical partnership that supports students.

He maintains that the government has an important responsibility to provide educational infrastructure, but parents, old students, communities and other stakeholders also have roles to play in supporting schools.

In concluding his argument, Mr Dankwah emphasises that Ghana’s educational ambitions should go beyond enrolling more children in schools.

He believes that access to education must be accompanied by quality facilities, adequate teaching and learning materials, and an environment that allows students to develop their full potential.

He argues that the ultimate beneficiaries of the education system are the children whose futures depend on the decisions and investments being made today.

He therefore calls for an honest conversation among parents, teachers, school authorities and government about the financial realities of running schools under the Free SHS and Free TVET programmes.

His central message is that government funding and community support should complement each other, provided that contributions are properly managed and do not become an unfair burden on parents.

He maintains that political administrations may change and educational policies may be reviewed, but the responsibility to provide children with a meaningful education remains a collective one.

The article was authored by Seth Afum A. Dankwah of J. G. Knol Technical Institute, Adukrom, Akuapem, in the Eastern Region.

A Syrian national has been arrested at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, after arriving from Accra, Ghana, with approximately 40 kilograms of suspected cocaine concealed in two pieces of luggage.

The arrest was confirmed by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) in a press release dated November 1, 2026.

According to the Commission, the suspect was apprehended on Saturday, October 31, 2026, following a coordinated anti-drug trafficking operation involving Ghanaian and Lebanese law enforcement authorities.

NACOC disclosed that the arrest was the result of a controlled delivery exercise undertaken through close operational cooperation between the two countries.

The operation was designed to identify and apprehend individuals at both ends of the drug supply chain while gathering crucial intelligence to dismantle the wider transnational criminal network believed to be behind the shipment.

The Commission further revealed that investigations are ongoing, with efforts underway to identify and arrest the suspect’s alleged accomplices in Ghana.

NACOC said the joint operation demonstrates the commitment of Ghana and Lebanon to combating international drug trafficking through cross-border intelligence-sharing and coordinated law enforcement activities.

The Commission noted that the successful arrest forms part of broader efforts to disrupt international narcotics trafficking networks and prevent the movement of illicit drugs across national borders.

The statement was signed by P/NCO Francis Opoku Amoah, Acting Director of Public Affairs and International Relations at NACOC.