Copilot Lands Air Canada Flight After Captain Falls Ill

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Copilot Lands Air Canada Flight After Captain Falls Ill

A first officer safely landed an Air Canada regional flight in Boston on Wednesday after the captain suffered a medical emergency, with 61 passengers aboard.

Air Canada Flight 7664 had taken off from Newark Liberty International Airport bound for Halifax Stanfield International Airport in Nova Scotia when the captain was incapacitated about an hour into the journey. The first officer assumed command, declared a diversion and put the Dash 8-400 turboprop down at Boston Logan International Airport at approximately 2 p.m. local time.

Emergency crews were waiting on the runway. Boston Emergency Medical Services personnel brought a stretcher to the cockpit and transferred the captain to an ambulance within minutes of touchdown. The pilot was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital.

The flight is operated by PAL Airlines, a Canadian regional carrier running routes under the Air Canada Express banner. The Dash 8-400 is a twin turboprop with a typical seating capacity of up to 74 passengers. Wednesday’s flight carried 61. Commercial aviation protocols require the qualified remaining officer to take sole command if a captain is declared incapacitated, with removal from the flight deck immediate.

Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Massachusetts State Police confirmed a crew member had suffered a medical emergency forcing the diversion. Air Canada said the crew followed standard safety procedures throughout. The captain’s condition had not been publicly disclosed as of Wednesday evening.

Medical diversions involving commercial flights are subject to standard review by the FAA and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.

Presidential Committee’s findings contradict Fourth Estate claims on NLA-KGL deal – former NLA Official

Prosper Kay
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Presidential Committee’s findings contradict Fourth Estate claims on NLA-KGL deal – former NLA Official

A fierce war of words has erupted following a public statement issued by the former Head of Public Relations at the National Lottery Authority, Dr. Razak Kojo Opoku, who has vehemently accused investigative media outlet The Fourth Estate of peddling “barefaced lies” and “misleading the public” regarding the ongoing review of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) and KGL Group partnership agreement.

The prominent political and social commentator argues that, recent claims by the media house suggesting that a government-instituted committee’s findings validate their previous reportage are entirely false, malicious, and a calculated attempt to twist facts.

The Core of the Dispute

The controversy stems from a series of publications by The Fourth Estate which heavily criticized the NLA-KGL deal, labeling it “terrible” and aggressively demanding its immediate termination.

In a sharp rebuttal, Dr. Opoku pointed out that in the interest of transparency, the President of the Republic ordered a committee to investigate the matter. However, the committee’s final directive fundamentally contradicted the media house’s agenda. Rather than canceling the contract, the committee recommended a stay of execution and a structured renegotiation of the financial terms to maximize benefits for the state.

“The Fourth Estate, right from the beginning, had been calling for the abrogation of the NLA-KGL deal,” Dr. Opoku stated. “However, this description has never been backed with any reasonable conclusion or substantial evidence by the Fourth Estate or its surrogates.”

“Why the Backtracking?”

Dr. Opoku questioned why The Fourth Estate is now allegedly attempting to align its previous narrative with the committee’s actual findings, calling out the media organization for what he described as a lack of professional integrity.

“The Fourth Estate maliciously and mischievously labelled the KGL-NLA deal as terrible and called for the abrogation of the deal. It never called for renegotiation,” Dr. Opoku argued. “Why the backtracking? Why not be truthful? We expected that, if not for cheap sentimentalism and parochialism, the Fourth Estate would have rendered an unqualified apology to KGL.”

He further noted that the media house’s lack of relevance to the actual governance process is evident in their exclusion from the official proceedings.

“Again, if the Fourth Estate were that consequential, it would have been considered as part of the ongoing renegotiation. No one at the Fourth Estate or among its surrogates can pressure the Committee, which has the mandate, to rush and interfere with its professional work,” he added.

Renegotiations Strictly Commercial, Not for Social Media

The statement emphasized that all parties involved in the NLA-KGL agreement are actively engaged in a lawful, structured process aimed at securing Ghana’s economic interests. Dr. Opoku warned that state-level commercial agreements cannot be influenced by media campaigns or public sensationalism.

“Renegotiations are NOT done on social media or at the headquarters of the Fourth Estate,” Dr. Opoku maintained. “This is an important national exercise, devoid of sensationalism, propaganda, and the twisting of narratives. All parties sincerely appreciate the urgency of this important renegotiation, but this is strictly a legal and commercial agreement that must adhere to the legal rights of each party.”

Defense of Indigenous Businesses

Concluding his remarks, Dr. Opoku defended the track record of KGL Group, a major corporate entity and a prominent headline sponsor of Ghana’s national football team, the Black Stars. He criticized The Fourth Estate and its parent organization, the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), accusing them of routinely trying to dismantle local corporate successes.

“KGL is fully committed to the Republic and will never waste its time on those who seek to undermine and destroy indigenous businesses, as is the habit of the Fourth Estate and the Media Foundation for West Africa,” Dr. Opoku concluded.

At the time of going to press, the leadership of The Fourth Estate had not yet issued a formal response to Dr. Opoku’s blistering critique.

Ghana’s Women’s Bank Awaits Licence After GH¢500m Budget Push

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Ghana’s Women’s Bank Awaits Licence After GH¢500m Budget Push

Ghana has applied to the central bank for a licence to run a dedicated women’s bank, backed by more than GH¢500 million in budget allocations spread across 2025 and 2026.

Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem told Parliament on Wednesday that the implementing entity, WDB GH Ltd, was formally incorporated on January 26, 2026, and that a licence application has since been filed with the Bank of Ghana (BoG). The bank cannot open for business until the BoG approves it.

The funding scale shifted sharply between the two budgets. The government set aside GH¢51.3 million in 2025 and followed with GH¢450 million in 2026, a near ninefold increase that points either to a substantial expansion of the bank’s design or an initial underestimate of what building a fully licensed institution actually costs. The combined commitment tops GH¢500 million.

Five months after incorporation, WDB GH Ltd remains a registered entity without a trading licence. Ampem gave Parliament no timeline for when the BoG would respond to the application.

He was answering a question from Techiman South Member of Parliament Martin Kweku Adjei-Mensah Korsah. Ampem told the House that all preparatory groundwork is in place and that the Finance Minister will deliver a comprehensive project update at the Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review in July.

The Women’s Bank Project targets women entrepreneurs and women-led businesses, a group the government acknowledges has been consistently locked out of formal credit. The initiative sits within a broader push to widen banking access across underserved populations in Ghana.

Bank of Ghana Bans Repeat Dud Cheque Offenders

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Bank of Ghana Bans Repeat Dud Cheque Offenders

Ghana’s central bank on Wednesday imposed a three year cheque ban and credit freeze on repeat bad cheque issuers, its third attempt to fix the problem after earlier crackdowns in 2021 and 2025 both fell short.

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) published the new directive on June 24, 2026, replacing frameworks issued in those two earlier years. The persistence of bad cheques through two rounds of regulatory action signals how deeply the practice is embedded in Ghana’s business culture.

Under the revised rules, penalties escalate across a rolling 12 month window. A first offence draws a fine of 10 percent of the cheque’s face value, a formal warning and at least one year of bank surveillance, with the incident reported to both credit reference bureaus and the BoG. A second offence within the same year raises the penalty to 15 percent. A third offence triggers a 20 percent fine, a minimum three year ban on issuing cheques anywhere in Ghana and a one year bar on new credit from any bank or specialised deposit-taking institution (SDI).

“The Bank of Ghana shall notify all banks and SDIs of the ban,” the central bank’s notice stated.

Customers under the third offence ban can still receive deposits, payments and electronic transfers. They lose only the right to write cheques and apply for new credit until sanctions are lifted.

The BoG added two tools absent from earlier directives. A new Directory of High Risk Cheque Issuers will give banks and SDIs a central reference when assessing customer profiles. Third time offenders also face possible public naming by the central bank, moving beyond purely financial penalties for the first time.

Banks and SDIs must inform affected customers within five working days of a ban notification, recall all unused cheque books immediately and withhold new ones until sanctions expire. Customers who fail to return unused books within 10 working days face further action, including a possible ban from holding any current account.

Financial institutions must file monthly dud cheque returns with the BoG by the 10th of the following month, including nil returns where no cases arise. Inaccurate or incomplete submissions risk sanctions under the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930). Banks must also share offender data with credit reference bureaus under the Credit Reporting Act, 2007 (Act 726).

Cheques remain a significant payment tool for Ghanaian businesses despite the spread of digital channels. The BoG said the continuing high rate of dishonoured cheques is eroding confidence in cheque transactions and threatening the integrity of the broader payment system.

Ghana Gold Board Buys US$16.1bn in Artisanal Gold

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Ghana Gold Board Buys US$16.1bn in Artisanal Gold

Ghana’s Gold Board spent $16.1 billion buying gold over 17 months, with artisanal miners supplying 99.5 percent of all purchases, the deputy finance minister told Parliament on Wednesday.

The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) acquired 135.843 metric tonnes between January 2025 and May 2026. Of that total, 135.221 metric tonnes came from the artisanal and small scale mining (ASM) sector, showing how thoroughly the state’s buying regime has drawn Ghana’s informal gold economy into formal trade in under 18 months.

In 2025 alone, GoldBod aggregated and exported 104 metric tonnes of ASM gold, generating more than $10 billion in foreign exchange against the $9.8 billion spent on purchases that year. Foreign reserves climbed from $8.98 billion in December 2024 to $13.8 billion at the close of 2025, enough to cover 5.7 months of imports. The cedi gained 40.7 percent against the United States dollar over the same period, and the current account recorded a surplus of $9.1 billion.

Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem, responding to a question from Oforikrom Member of Parliament Michael Kwesi Aidoo, attributed those gains directly to GoldBod’s performance. On smuggling, the numbers are stark. Citing Reuters data, Ampem said Ghana lost approximately $11.4 billion in gold value through illicit trade between 2019 and 2023. GoldBod has now channelled more in gold value through formal trade in 17 months than the country lost to smuggling over five years.

“The GoldBod is bringing our gold trade out of the shadows,” Ampem told Parliament.

As of May 31, 2026, GoldBod had licensed 1,184 buyers: two aggregators, 67 self financing aggregators, 736 Tier 2 buyers and 379 Tier 1 buyers. All must buy exclusively from licensed miners before selling to GoldBod.

The government aims to extend the model, steering Ghana away from dispersed and underpriced gold trade toward a system where output is traced, assayed and refined before export, ensuring the country captures the full value of its mineral wealth.

Government Shifts 2026 Republic Day Celebration to July 3

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Government Shifts 2026 Republic Day Celebration to July 3

The Ministry of the Interior has announced that Friday, July 3, 2026, will be observed nationwide as Republic Day, with the government shifting the statutory holiday from its original date to allow for a unified national observance.

Although Republic Day is traditionally marked on July 1, the 2026 commemoration will now fall on Friday, July 3. The adjustment, according to authorities, is intended to ensure broader participation and a more convenient mid-year holiday arrangement for citizens across the country.

The decision was formalized through an Executive Instrument issued by President John Dramani Mahama, in line with Section 2 of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act, 2001 (Act 601), as amended. The law empowers the President to designate or adjust statutory holidays when necessary.

In a statement released on June 24, 2026, the Ministry of the Interior, signed by Sector Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, urged the public to take note of the revised date and observe the holiday accordingly.

The Ministry explained that while July 1, 2026, falls on a Wednesday, the government opted to move the official public observance to Friday, July 3, to create a more practical long weekend arrangement. The statement emphasized that the change applies nationwide and is legally backed by an Executive Instrument.

Republic Day remains an important national occasion in Ghana’s calendar, commemorating the country’s transition to a republic. The day is typically marked with official ceremonies, reflections on national governance, and various public activities, depending on government programming.

Authorities have called on institutions, businesses, and the general public to adjust their schedules in line with the announcement. They also encouraged citizens to use the occasion to reflect on national development and civic responsibility.

The Ministry further clarified that all provisions relating to statutory public holidays will apply to the new date, making Friday, July 3, 2026, a fully recognized public holiday across the country.

With the adjustment confirmed, Ghanaians can expect a three-day observance period leading into the weekend, offering an extended break while preserving the significance of Republic Day.

MTN Ghana Webinar Unlocks New Youth Side Hustle Pathways

Isaac Kofi Dzokpo
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MTN Ghana Webinar Unlocks New Youth Side Hustle Pathways

MTN Ghana has hosted the 2026 MTN SME Accelerate Youth Entrepreneur Webinar as part of its sustained efforts to equip young entrepreneurs with the requisite skills, knowledge, and practical strategies needed to build and grow successful side businesses while pursuing higher education or managing full-time careers.

Held under the theme “The Side-Hustle Growth Playbook: Running a Business While in School or on a 9-to-5,” the webinar featured accomplished entrepreneurs who shared personal experiences and actionable insights on balancing professional commitments with entrepreneurship, inspiring participants to turn their passion projects into sustainable ventures.

The virtual session, moderated by media personality Afi Tsegah, focused on the growing importance of side businesses in today’s economy and featured insights from Ms. Chichi Yakubu, Founder and CEO of NyoNyo Essentials; Ms. Lawrencia Bazal Darko, Founder of Bazal Art Studios; and Princess Burland, influencer and Founder of Diya Organics.

Ms. Chichi Yakubu, Founder and CEO of NyoNyo Essentials, encouraged young entrepreneurs to embrace multiple income streams, stressing that the current economic climate makes it increasingly difficult to depend on a single source of income.

Sharing her entrepreneurial journey, she explained that what began as a personal weight-loss mission evolved into a thriving food business after she identified a growing demand for healthy meals and decided to turn her passion into a business opportunity.

Yakubu also urged aspiring entrepreneurs not to wait for the “perfect time” before launching a business, insisting that action and consistency are more important than having all the resources in place.

“There is never really a right time. If you’re waiting to have enough money, the right network or the perfect platform, you will never start,” she said.

While encouraging boldness, she advised those seeking financial security to build their side hustles alongside full-time employment until they are confident their businesses can sustain their desired lifestyles.

“If you want to be safe and financially secure, find a job that caters to your needs and pursue your passion in your spare time. Those foundational years build character, resilience and the stamina needed to succeed as an entrepreneur,” she noted.

Yakubu further emphasized that entrepreneurs should focus on solving real-life problems, adding that identifying market gaps and creating practical solutions can transform personal interests into successful and sustainable businesses.

Ms. Lawrencia Bazal Darko, Founder of Bazal Art Studios and a legal practitioner, urged aspiring entrepreneurs to build businesses around skills they genuinely possess and to approach business formalization strategically.

Sharing her experience of transitioning from law into photography, she said founders should understand the core operations of their businesses to effectively supervise quality and ensure long-term sustainability.

“Before you think of starting a side hustle, it should be something you can supervise and something you can critique because you’re mostly not there,” she said, noting that many ventures fail because owners lack practical knowledge of the services they offer.

On business registration, Bazal Darko advised entrepreneurs to first test the viability of their ideas before formalizing them.

“From a lawyer’s perspective, I would say formalize the business the moment you conceive it, but from an entrepreneur’s perspective, I would say run the business for a while and make sure people outside your family and friends are willing to pay for your product or service,” she explained.

She cautioned that registering a business comes with legal and tax obligations, encouraging startups to prepare for those responsibilities before taking that step.

Bazal Darko also stressed the importance of protecting businesses through clear terms and conditions, policies and contracts, explaining that small businesses are often vulnerable to unfair treatment if expectations are not properly documented.

She further advised entrepreneurs to register as sole proprietors in the early stages where appropriate and to separate personal finances from business finances by opening dedicated business accounts.

“Separating your personal and business finances from the beginning helps you stay organized and also builds credibility with customers,” she advised.

She encouraged young entrepreneurs to complement legal advice with personal research, noting that understanding the regulatory environment and establishing sound business practices from the outset can position startups for sustainable growth.

Princess Burland, influencer and Founder of Diya Organics, also  advised young entrepreneurs to manage expectations, exercise patience, and adopt strategic thinking in building sustainable businesses amid social media pressure.

She cautioned that online perceptions of high demand are often misleading, noting that some businesses deliberately create the impression of scarcity or large-scale sales to drive interest.

“Sometimes what you see on social media is strategy. I’ve done it before starting with 10 products and telling people it was hundreds,” she said, adding that entrepreneurs should not abandon their ventures due to slow initial traction.

Burland urged business owners to understand that growth is often gradual and to remain consistent even when results are not immediate, stressing the importance of resilience in handling setbacks and operational challenges.

She also highlighted the need for professionalism in customer relations, encouraging entrepreneurs to remain calm and respectful when dealing with clients, especially in the age of social media accountability.

“You have to humble yourself for your clients, even when it is difficult, but at the same time maintain your policies so people don’t take advantage of you,” she said.

Burland summarized her advice as a balance of risk-taking, patience, emotional intelligence, and strong business boundaries for long-term success.

Abuakwa South MP Donates GH¢20,000 to Widow Seeking Fresh Start

Prosper Kay
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Abuakwa South MP Donates GH¢20,000 to Widow Seeking Fresh Start

The Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, has extended a lifeline to a widow identified as Serwa by donating GH¢20,000 to help her establish a provisions shop and rebuild her life.

The gesture followed an emotional interview on Ahenfie TV, where Serwa recounted the hardships she faced after losing her husband. According to her, she was thrown out of her home and left struggling to cater for her children, circumstances that compelled her to engage in hookups as a means of survival.

During her appearance on the programme, Serwa openly shared her challenges and expressed her determination to abandon the practice and pursue a more sustainable source of livelihood. Her story touched many viewers and quickly gained attention on social media.

Sources indicate that a video of the interview was subsequently forwarded to Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, who was moved by her plight and decided to intervene.

In response, the Abuakwa South legislator donated GH¢20,000 to support Serwa’s plans to establish a provisions shop, providing her with an opportunity to earn a living and care for her children through legitimate means.

The MP is also reported to have assured Serwa of additional support towards the successful establishment and growth of the business, underscoring his commitment to helping vulnerable members of society regain their footing.

The intervention has been widely praised by residents and social media users, many of whom described it as a timely act of compassion that could significantly transform the lives of the widow and her children.

Serwa expressed gratitude for the support, saying the assistance had renewed her hope and strengthened her resolve to turn her life around and provide a better future for her family.

Africa’s Future Depends on Youth Investment — National Youth Authority CEO Osman Abdulai Ayariga

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Africa’s Future Depends on Youth Investment — National Youth Authority CEO Osman Abdulai Ayariga

A strong call for increased investment in youth development across Africa took center stage at the 6th African Youth SDGs Summit, as Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young people as key drivers of sustainable development.

Delivering a speech on behalf of the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Hon. George Opare Addo, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority, Osman Abdulai Ayariga, Esq., emphasized that Africa’s future hinges on the deliberate inclusion of young people in policy design and implementation.

Addressing distinguished guests, policymakers, development partners, and youth leaders from across the continent, Ayariga noted that while young Africans are already leading change in areas such as climate action, digital innovation, and governance, more structured support is needed to unlock their full potential.

“Our theme, ‘Reimagining Africa Through Youth-Driven Solutions,’ reflects the urgency of placing young people at the center of development,” he said. “Investing in youth is not charity—it is a strategic necessity for Africa’s peace, prosperity, and sustainable future.”

He highlighted the role of Ghana’s Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment in providing strategic direction, alongside implementing agencies like the National Youth Authority, to deliver impactful youth-focused programs. He also commended the Summit’s organizers for creating a platform that fosters collaboration, knowledge exchange, and practical partnerships.

The address further underscored the importance of empowering youth-led initiatives through access to funding, mentorship, and opportunities for meaningful participation in decision-making processes.

“Africa is the youngest continent on earth. Our greatest resource is not beneath the ground, but in the creativity, resilience, and energy of our youth,” Ayariga stated.

Participants at the summit were encouraged to move beyond dialogue and focus on actionable solutions that can be implemented and scaled across borders. The gathering continues to serve as a vital platform for shaping policies and partnerships that align with the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Summit is expected to conclude with renewed commitments from stakeholders to strengthen youth engagement and accelerate progress toward inclusive and sustainable development across Africa.

US Charges 455 in Record US$6.5 Billion Health Fraud

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US Charges 455 in Record US$6.5 Billion Health Fraud

US prosecutors charged 455 people Tuesday in the largest ever healthcare fraud sweep, exposing $6.5 billion in false insurance claims that in one case cost a student athlete his life.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the crackdown, which spanned 45 states and territories, calling it “the greatest combined federal and state effort combating health care fraud in history.”

The charges span a range of schemes, but the most consequential involved a Fort Worth cardiologist who prosecutors say signed off on student athletes’ cardiac test results after reviewing them for seconds. Dr. Jason Finkelstein, 53, allegedly cleared one student’s results as normal in October 2024 despite tests indicating potential heart problems. That student died of cardiac arrest 24 days later during basketball practice. Prosecutors allege Finkelstein kept approving test results even after learning of the death. His two companies billed $89 million in cardiac testing claims.

The crackdown’s widest net was cast over fraudulent tissue graft billing. A Las Vegas woman, Marizel Yukee, 49, faces charges of billing $906 million in false claims and receiving $297 million. Prosecutors allege the funds were channeled into luxury real estate, vehicles and jewelry, including a $4.6 million beach resort built in the Philippines. When arrested, authorities seized $30 million from her bank accounts, $467,000 in cash, a $594,000 Ferrari and an $865,000 custom Bulgari necklace.

Tissue grafts also featured in a separate scheme, worth more than a billion dollars, that prosecutors say targeted hospice patients. Brian Rowan, 47, vice president of sales at an Arizona bioengineered skin substitute company, allegedly ran an illegal kickback operation from 2021 to 2024, paying medical providers to prescribe his company’s wound grafts at a markup exceeding 2,000 percent. Prosecutors allege the grafts were applied to hospice patients without doctor consultation and sometimes on superficial wounds that did not require them. Rowan and his alleged partners in the scheme billed $1.2 billion for unnecessary allografts and received $614 million. Two others involved, Jeffrey King and Alexandra Gehrke, were previously sentenced to 15.5 years and 14 years in prison respectively.

Three Florida nurses separately face charges over a $118 million tissue graft scheme. One defendant, Leigh Tesar, allegedly spent $215,000 on a luxury stadium suite and $400,000 on fine art.

In Illinois, Daniel Robinson, 51, was charged with billing the federal health insurance program Medicaid $67 million for behavioral health services his company, ODA Solutions, could not have physically provided even if every employee worked around the clock. His total claims reached $92 million, of which he received $75 million. Prosecutors allege he used the proceeds to fund $44 million in investment accounts and $10 million to open a luxury car dealership.

Among the most sweeping cases is that of Ibrahim Hilmi, 58, of Miami, who prosecutors say filed $3.76 billion in false Medicare and Medicaid claims for medical equipment that was never delivered. When fraud accusations surfaced online, Hilmi allegedly fled the country and directed his operation from abroad. He was arrested in Kyrenia, Cyprus, and returned to Florida for his first court appearance Monday.

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