
Nana Ama Bonsu has been appointed as the 15th Queen Mother of the Ashanti Kingdom, succeeding the late Nana Konadu Yiadom III. Her appointment, made in accordance with Asante tradition, has been well-received by Asanteman and Ghanaians. Nana Ama Bonsu is a businesswoman from the royal Oyoko family of Asanteman. She is a direct granddaughter of Otumfuo Agyeman Prempeh I, the 13th Asantehene, and a niece of Otumfuo Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh II, the 14th Asantehene. She is also the sister of the late Nana Akwasi Agyeman, former Metropolitan Chief Executive of Kumasi. Nana Ama Bonsu was unveiled at the Manhyia Palace on July 6, 2026, following her appointment by the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. Her stool name will be announced after traditional rites.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.

Former Education Minister Yaw Osei Adutwum's remarks, labeling some university programs as "useless" and "degrees to nowhere," have ignited a significant debate. Dr. Adutwum specifically criticized Development Studies and BA Education Non-Teaching programs, asserting they fail to prepare graduates for the job market and accused universities of prioritizing enrollment over labor market demands. This has drawn reactions from various figures. Legal scholar Professor Kwaku Asare argued that graduate unemployment stems from economic structural weaknesses, not academic disciplines. Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni attributed the issue to governance failures rather than "useless" courses. Academician Dr. George Asiamah emphasized that higher education's purpose extends beyond immediate job prospects, focusing on critical thinking. Kofi Asare, Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, called for a balanced discussion, advocating for practical skills in all degree programs and comprehensive education reforms. Activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor offered a philosophical perspective, stating that a degree's value lies in its application towards societal liberation and advancement. The controversy has reignited discussions on university education's relevance, graduate employability, curriculum reforms, and the roles of government, educational institutions, and the private sector.

Professor Enoch Opoku Antwi, former Dean at Academic City University College, has urged parents to hold the West African Examinations Council WAEC fully responsible for examination leakages. He argues that a credible assessment system should prevent such occurrences, drawing parallels to his experience with Pearson in the United States. Prof. Antwi stated that if examinations leak, the body managing the exam, in this case WAEC, should be blamed. He suggested that parents should consider suing WAEC when leakages compromise the integrity of examinations, especially when students have studied diligently. Furthermore, Prof. Antwi advocated for reforms to Ghana's examination system, proposing that introducing competition by allowing other examination bodies could enhance efficiency and accountability. He believes that WAEC's current monopoly reduces the incentive to improve standards and address recurring challenges, calling for reforms to boost transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the examination system.

Accra's waste management crisis is exacerbated by the daily generation of an estimated 4,400 tonnes of waste and the absence of a final disposal site within the capital, according to the Environmental Service Providers Association ESPA. ESPA Executive Secretary Ama Ofori Antwi stated that waste collection companies must transport refuse to Nsawam, a long journey compounded by poor road conditions, which reduces the number of daily trips refuse trucks can make from three to one. This situation slows waste evacuation and leads to refuse accumulation. Antwi also attributed the sanitation challenges to the suspension of public cleansing activities and irregular desilting of drains over the past two years. She emphasized that flood prevention requires daily waste management and not just reactive measures after heavy rains. Antwi called for sustained public cleansing, routine drain desilting, improved waste disposal infrastructure, and enhanced collaboration between metropolitan assemblies and private waste management companies, advocating for a long-term public-private partnership with continuous investment to manage Accra's daily waste and mitigate recurring flooding.