So, before you can declare that the President will be overthrown by a coconut falling from a Jubilee House tree, you’ll need to:

1. Fill out Form P-666 in triplicate

2. Attach two passport photos of the angel who gave you the message

3. Submit it to the “Prophecy Verification Desk” for approval—processing time: 3 to 40 days, depending on whether the Holy Spirit uses the Express Service line.

This new rule comes after a recent national tragedy involving top officials and military personnel. The government says it’s to “protect peace and prosperity,” but some Ghanaians believe it’s about making sure God’s messages get edited before release.

Critics are having a field day. One Ghanaian on social media wrote:

“So taxpayers’ money will now pay for reviewing fake prophecies? Just buy them Netflix subscriptions instead.”

Another joked that at this rate, we might as well hand the whole country over to religious leaders, since governance is already halfway outsourced to Heaven’s African desk.

Some see potential benefits—pastors might soon have official prophecy licenses with expiry dates and QR codes. Others worry about corruption, with rumors that “a small facilitation fee” could get even the wildest prophecy approved.

The streets are already buzzing about the first government-approved prophecy, which allegedly involves a white horse, a gas cylinder, and a minister buying wigs in Kantamanto. Whether it makes it through the official red pen is anyone’s guess.

From importing second-hand clothes to importing second-hand visions, Ghana is proving once again—anything is possible.

Jimmy Aglah
Resident Satirist, Republic of Uncommon Sense

source: myjoyonline

National Mourning for Eight Fallen Heroes

Ghana is in deep mourning following the tragic helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, which claimed the lives of eight gallant citizens. The Z9 helicopter went down, leaving the nation in shock and prompting the government to order flags flown at half-mast.

While the loss itself shook the nation, another concern emerged — the unethical reporting and graphic imagery circulated by some media outlets in the aftermath.

Ethics in Times of National Tragedy

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has reminded media professionals of their sacred responsibility: to report with accuracy and compassion.
Quoting Guideline 16 of its 2017 Code of Ethics, the GJA emphasized that journalists must avoid intruding on private grief unless clearly justified by public interest.

“The drive to tell a story must never overshadow the dignity of the individuals affected,” the statement read.

This means avoiding sensational, gory images that exploit grief for clicks or traffic. Instead, coverage should focus on facts, tributes, and the human stories behind the tragedy.

Why Graphic Images Harm More Than Help

Graphic depictions of the deceased, the GJA stressed, serve no public interest when the tragedy is already widely known. Such images:

• Re-traumatize grieving families

• Lower the dignity of the dead

• Distract from the real story — the lives and service of those lost

The digital age amplifies the problem, as images shared online can live forever, creating a permanent wound for families.

A Call for Repentance and Responsibility

The GJA urged both traditional media and citizen journalists to recommit to ethical principles.
This includes:

• Respecting human dignity

• Avoiding sensationalism

• Educating audiences on empathy in journalism

“A photograph of a body is not a headline; it is a final, intimate moment that must be respected,” the statement noted.

Honoring the Fallen

The GJA concluded by calling on all journalists to focus on remembering the eight heroes — their service, their dreams, and their families — rather than the harrowing details of their final moments.

Summary:
The helicopter tragedy has become a defining moment for Ghana journalism ethics. As the nation grieves, the GJA hopes this serves as a turning point toward more compassionate, respectful, and ethical reporting.

source: myjoyonline

Speaking at the Evening of Reflections and Memorial for the victims, Mahama encouraged the nation to look beyond despair and find hope in the legacies of those who perished.

“I pray that the cherished memories of these, our loved ones, will serve as a guiding light, illuminating a path through the darkness and devastation of this national tragedy,” he said.

Mahama, visibly moved, noted that his message was not just an official statement, but also a personal expression of grief.

“Each of the eight persons in that helicopter was either a friend, a cherished colleague, or a valued citizen of this country that I lead,” he added.

The victims, who included high-ranking government officials and professionals, were remembered not only for their public service but also for their deep personal impact on communities and the nation at large.

Among the deceased were:

• Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Ghana’s Defence Minister

• Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology

• Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator

• Samuel Aboagye, former NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Obuasi East

• Samuel Sarpong, NDC Vice Chairman and former Kumasi Mayor

• Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala

• Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu

• Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah

Mahama concluded by calling on Ghanaians to honor the fallen by embodying the values they stood for, turning collective grief into a force for unity and progress.

source: myjoyonline

Dr Pelpuo, speaking as a guest at the conference themed “Leading the Way: Empowering Safety Professionals to Become Tomorrow’s Safety Leaders,” emphasized the policy’s role in providing a coordinated framework. “This policy will outline the roles of all OSH actors and integrate issues like gender, disability, climate resilience, and the informal economy,” he said, as reported by JoyNews. It will also guide sector-specific safety policies and support businesses in implementing OSH standards.

The minister urged the private sector to prioritize safer workplaces, highlighting that safe environments reduce absenteeism, enhance morale, and drive productivity. He outlined government efforts, including a Special Task Force on Compliance and Enforcement. This task force will conduct nationwide OSH audits and inspections, focusing on high-risk sectors like construction and mining. “The task force engages employers and workers to address safety gaps and ensure compliance with national and international standards,” Pelpuo added.

Ghana is also developing its first National OSH Profile in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO). This profile will provide a detailed overview of the country’s OSH legal framework, risk-prone sectors, training institutions, and accident reporting systems. Dr Pelpuo stressed its importance in identifying and addressing safety challenges systematically.

The HESS Leadership Conference, organized by Ianmatsun Global Services Limited, was praised by Pelpuo for fostering collaboration among stakeholders. Event Director Ian Isaac Nana Adu-Gyamfi noted the conference’s success in uniting regulators, policymakers, and industry leaders. “We brought in experts to show how safety professionals can justify investments in safety technologies,” he said. Topics included risk assessment, security leadership, and collective responsibility, engaging management and staff alike.

Adu-Gyamfi expressed optimism about the conference becoming a national fixture, fostering a safety-first culture in Ghana. The event underscored the need for innovation and collaboration to ensure safe, healthy, and sustainable workplaces. As Ghana prepares to roll out its Occupational Safety and Health Policy, the focus on workplace safety signals a transformative step forward.

Stay informed on Ghana’s Occupational Safety and Health initiatives and their impact on workplaces nationwide!

Source: myjoyonline