Western Regional Director of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), DSP Seth Danso, has praised former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare for his transformative impact on policing in Ghana.

Speaking in an interview on Eyewitness News, DSP Danso acknowledged that while he has served under multiple IGPs, Dampare’s leadership stood out.

“I have served a lot of them [IGPs] and I have observed and followed their works,” he noted.

“But with the coming of Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, I think the face of policing in Ghana, seriously speaking, changed, and he did a lot. He set the bar so high.”

DSP Danso further emphasized Dampare’s uniqueness among past police chiefs, stating,

“Among his peers, the IGPs that have come and gone, if he is one, I will say he is unique amongst all of them. He stands out, he stands tall amongst his peers.”

Meanwhile, Dampare has thanked Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for making him make history.

According to him, he was appointed as Ghana’s youngest IGP and lived up to the task until he left office honorably.

Dampare in a statement reacting to his removal indicated that the former president humored him and he is grateful for the opportunity given to him.

To him, the people of Ghana supported him every step of the way and he does not take the support for granted.

Burniton Music Group (BMG), the record label owned by award-winning Ghanaian Reggae and Dancehall artiste Stonebwoy, has announced the appointment of seasoned media professional Vida Adutwumwaa Boateng as its new Head of Public Relations.

With over a decade of experience in the entertainment and corporate communications space, Vida is expected to bring her expertise in media relations, content strategy, and industry communications to the label.

Speaking on her appointment, BMG stated, “Vida’s extensive background in the media industry, including her role as Deputy News Editor at UTV and her contributions to prestigious award schemes like the 3Music Awards, makes her a perfect fit to lead our PR strategy.”

Vida, who holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Swansea University, is expected to enhance BMG’s brand visibility and align its communication strategy with global standards.

The Ranking Member for the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has called for an end to the frequent removal of security heads whenever a new government takes office.

Speaking to the media in Parliament, he emphasized the need for professionalism and stability within Ghana’s security institutions.

“We have the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Fire Service, Ghana Prisons Service, and the Ghana Armed Forces.

“These professionals serve with dedication and a deep sense of professionalism. It is crucial that governments, both NPP and NDC, minimize interference in the appointment and removal of security heads whose tenures have not expired,” he stated.

Rev. Fordjour urged political parties to allow serving Inspector Generals of Police (IGPs), Chiefs of Defence Staff, and other security heads to complete their tenure, regardless of a change in government.

“If the NPP or NDC assumes office while an IGP, Chief of Defence Staff, or head of a security agency is still serving their tenure, they should be allowed to complete it. This will promote professionalism, strengthen our security institutions, and enhance trust in the governance system,” he added.

NPP National Youth Organiser and aide to the former Sports Minister, Salam Mustapha, has strongly refuted claims made by Guinness World Record sing-a-thon contender, Afua Asantewaa, that she received no support from the NPP government during her attempt.

In an interview on Accra FM, Asantewaa stated that the only thing she got from the then NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, was sore throat medicine.

However, Mustapha insists this is untrue and has labeled her remarks as “falsehood and ingratitude.”

“This lady is not being truthful and quite ungrateful,” he stated. “In her first sing-a-thon attempt here in Accra, aside from Dr. Bawumia visiting her—which I played a role in with Sammi Awuku and Socrates—the Vice President donated GHC20,000 in cash, packs of Papaye food, bottled water, and soft drinks to her team. I personally did the donation on behalf of Dr. Bawumia to her husband and father.”

He further disclosed that after the event, Asantewaa and her family personally visited the Vice President to express their gratitude, after which Bawumia sponsored a vacation for her at Senchi.

“So, why the falsehood? We all supported her because we saw a young Ghanaian lady trying to make a mark for herself and challenge the world. I hope she doesn’t repeat this negative narrative again,” he added.

Vice President Jane Opoku-Agyemang has reiterated the government’s strong confidence in the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), describing the institution as a key partner in Ghana’s quest to solve its most urgent development challenges.

In a statement shared on her Facebook page, the Vice President said she used the opportunity to express government’s admiration for the impact CSIR continues to make through its research and innovation work.

“I conveyed the government’s admiration for CSIR’s transformative work,” she stated.

She dismissed claims that Ghana lacks the intellectual capacity to address its own problems, stressing that the country is endowed with researchers whose expertise spans critical sectors of the economy.

“Ghana does not lack knowledge or expertise; we have researchers who can help solve the most pressing national challenges, from agriculture and food security to health, industry and climate resilience,” she said.

Jane Opoku-Agyemang urged CSIR to strengthen its engagement with government and to be more assertive in projecting its work to the public.

According to her, research institutions must actively contribute to policy discussions and national planning.

“I encouraged CSIR to step even closer to Government, to speak boldly, and to make their work even more visible,” she noted.

She emphasised that visibility and engagement are essential if research outputs are to translate into real impact.

“Exhibitions, public engagement and policy support are essential,” the Vice President added.

Highlighting the need for practical, solution-driven research, she said the country requires studies that directly respond to everyday challenges facing citizens, noting that CSIR is well positioned to lead in that direction.

“We need research that answers real problems, and CSIR is well placed to lead that effort,” she said.

She concluded by expressing optimism about closer collaboration between government and CSIR in advancing national development priorities.

“I look forward to deeper collaboration as we pursue the solutions that put Ghana first.”