On Friday night, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, received King Mswati III, the absolute monarch of Eswatini, in a sumptuous royal supper at Kumasi’s Manhyia Palace, marking an incredible demonstration of African unity and legacy.

An important instance of high-level traditional diplomacy between two of Africa’s most esteemed dynasties, the royal occasion was steeped in rich cultural traditions.

The dinner, which took place on Friday, June 27, 2025, was the last event of King Mswati III’s private visit to Ghana, where he held talks to promote cultural exchange and deepen bilateral ties.

High-ranking Ghanaian traditional leaders, government representatives, diplomatic corps members, and cultural dignitaries were among the attendees; they were all dressed elegantly for the event.

A live band performance by the Ghana Police Band and traditional drumming and music accentuated the celebration and mood of respect for one another.

There is great symbolic significance to these two notable African leaders’ meeting.

A rich historical legacy that precedes colonial boundaries unites the Asante Kingdom, with its centuries-old history and complex system of governance, and the Kingdom of Eswatini, with its colorful cultural festivals and robust monarchical traditions.

A common dedication to maintaining and presenting genuine African leadership and values on the international scene was highlighted by their meeting at Manhyia Palace.

Here are some pictures from the occasion.

Following a string of sad events that left three students injured—one of whom unfortunately died—eight people have been taken into custody.

When two female day students were shot at on their way to school on Thursday, June 26, the violence broke out.

Their wounds brought attention to the growing hostilities in the region, which immediately alarmed the local government.

When a male student was killed by a stray bullet while sitting in his classroom for mock exams on Friday, June 27, the situation deteriorated.

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In addition to taking a young life, this act shocked the community and sparked serious concerns about safety in school settings.

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has acted quickly in reaction to the increasing violence by directing the immediate closure of Nkwanta Senior High School in the Oti Region in order to save pupils and employees from more harm.

The Oti Regional Police Command’s Public Affairs Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) John Nchor, gave an update on the security situation in the meantime.

He affirmed that in order to bring peace and guarantee the protection of the locals, a thorough security plan has been put into place in Nkwanta and the neighboring districts.

“As I am talking, calm has been restored in Nkwanta following the recent violent incident. Swift and decisive actions have been taken to maintain law and order,” DSP Nchor stated, reassuring the community of their safety.

In order to prevent additional violence and guarantee a safe atmosphere for locals, the police have taken preemptive steps like stepping up patrols and setting up checkpoints throughout the area.

Serious questions concerning community safety and the effects of tribal conflicts on the lives of young kids have been brought up by this tragic sequence of events. To stop such occurrences and promote peaceful coexistence between all the tribes in the area, local leaders and community members are urging communication and reconciliation.

The neighborhood is on high alert as investigations continue, and they hope that things will quickly return to normal and that they can feel safe in their daily lives.

Parliament on Friday, June 27, witnessed a fierce defence of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission’s (PURC) recently approved 2.45 per cent electricity tariff increment, with Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga asserting the necessity of the hike to avert the collapse of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

The new tariffs are set to take effect from July 1, 2025.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Mr. Ayariga directly addressed public concerns and opposition to the tariff adjustment, explaining that it was a critical measure to offset mounting debts within the power sector.

READ MORE: Electricity tariffs up by 2.45%, water remains unchanged – PURC

“You all know that the whole of last year and before that, there was an effort to prevent the PURC from adjusting the tariffs. So that whole period, there was no adjustment, and you know very well that bills were accruing; payments have to be made,” Mr. Ayariga stated.

He highlighted the precarious financial position of ECG, a state-owned power distributor, which has been accumulating significant liabilities due to unadjusted tariffs.

“ECG is accumulating huge [debt] and it has to be paid, so who is supposed to pay? Is it not the consumer?” he questioned, emphasising the unavoidable reality that the cost of providing electricity must ultimately be borne by its users.

He warned of severe consequences if the tariffs are not adjusted: “And if you are not adjusting the tariffs to enable ECG to pay, ECG is going to collapse. They are no longer able to buy the input needed to keep the generators on, and we are going to have a power outage; the bills have to be paid.”

The Majority Leader dismissed arguments that an improved macroeconomic environment should automatically negate the need for tariff adjustments.

“The bill has to be paid. So if PURC is doing its work, I do not think there is a basis for saying that because we have improved the economy, it doesn’t mean that the debt at ECG will just be whisked away. The bill has to be paid partly by consumers,” he asserted.

The PURC’s decision to implement the 2.45% increment, part of its routine quarterly review mechanism, has indeed drawn mixed reactions across the country.

While the commission cited factors like projected inflation at 20.67%, an exchange rate of GH₵10.3052 to the US dollar, and an increase in the weighted average cost of natural gas, some consumer groups and the Minority Caucus have questioned its justification given recent macroeconomic stability.

ECG has historically faced significant financial challenges, including high technical and commercial losses and substantial debts owed to power generators.

Reports have indicated billions of Ghana Cedis in accumulated debt and revenue under-declarations in previous years, placing a heavy burden on government finances and impacting the stability of the power supply.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has also noted GH₵488 million in outstanding revenues from previous quarters that this adjustment aims to begin clearing.

The Minister for Energy and Green Transition is expected to appear before Parliament next week to provide further clarity on the tariff review process and its broader implications for Ghana’s energy sector.

For now, the Majority Leader’s stance underscores the government’s position that the tariff hike, though unpopular, is a necessary step towards ensuring the financial viability of ECG and maintaining a stable power supply for consumers nationwide.

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