Twenty years after walking off the University of Ghana campus swearing never to look back, award-winning actress Lydia Forson returned to the Great Hall on Saturday as a guest speaker carrying the weight of a full-circle moment that left graduands and faculty visibly moved.

Delivering the keynote address at the final day of the University of Ghana’s February Congregation Ceremonies for the College of Humanities, Ms. Forson laid bare the struggles that marked her time as a student, revealing a story of frustration, misunderstanding, and eventual redemption that resonated across the packed auditorium.

“My last year here wasn’t pleasant. In many ways, it marked the beginning of one of the hardest periods of my life,” Ms. Forson told the gathering of graduates, university leadership, faculty members, and families. “When I left this university, I left angry. I left hurt. And I left carrying a lot of resentment.”

The actress, known for her trailblazing work in Ghana’s film industry, confessed that her academic journey was anything but smooth. “To be honest, I barely made it out of here. It was by the skin of my teeth. And when I did, I walked off this campus and swore never to look back.”

The February 2026 congregation ceremonies marked a significant milestone for the university, with 15,288 graduands receiving degrees across 17 sessions, including 153 PhD candidates, 4,197 master’s graduates, 10,543 undergraduates, and 395 diploma holders.

Saturday’s College of Humanities ceremony specifically celebrated graduates from the university’s largest college, with the Great Hall serving as the backdrop for what became an unexpectedly emotional homecoming.

Presiding over the ceremony was Professor Felix Ankomah Asante, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Research and Innovation Directorate, who urged graduates to strive for excellence in their future endeavors.

“Graduating students, today we celebrate the completion of your academic programs as well as the boldness and confidence with which you step into the next stage of your lives. Congratulations and best wishes to you all,” Professor Asante said, while also highlighting the university’s strong performance in the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

University Vice-Chancellor Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, who spoke during the broader congregation ceremonies, congratulated all graduating students for their hard work and resilience, noting that they are now well-equipped to enter the world of work and contribute meaningfully to national and global development.

The ceremony, which had veteran actress Lydia Forson as the guest speaker, also provided a platform to celebrate exceptional academic achievement. Among those honored was Ms. Mofiyinfoluwa Motunrayo Samuel, a Nigerian scholar who was named the valedictorian for her graduating cohort within the College of Humanities during that very session. Ms. Samuel graduated with an impressive Final Cumulative Grade Point Average (FCGPA) of 3.95 in her Bachelor of Arts degree in French and Linguistics . While Emmanuel Nana Yaw Appeagyei was named the overall Valedictorian for the entire College of Humanities with a near-perfect 3.99 FGPA , Ms. Samuel’s remarkable feat stood as a shining example of the academic excellence on display at the event.

However, it was Lydia Forson’s raw, unfiltered address that became the talk of the ceremony. Standing before an audience that included the Chancellor’s Representative, University Council members, the Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellors, the Registrar, Provost of the College of Humanities, and members of the College of Humanities Advisory Board, the actress admitted that preparing the speech forced her to confront years of unexamined pain.

“For years, I carried a story of frustration. Of feeling unseen and misunderstood,” she said. “But writing this speech forced me to confront something I hadn’t fully acknowledged: that for years, I held on to everything that went wrong, instead of recognising the many things that went right.”

Ms. Forson proceeded to dismantle her own narrative of victimhood, acknowledging that while her time at the university was marked by struggle, it was equally defined by growth and formation.

“This campus shaped me,” she declared. “It’s here I learned independence, got my first job and where I tested my entrepreneurial instincts. It’s here that I handed out my very first complimentary card as a marketing executive, with absolutely no experience, just passion and audacity.”

The actress credited the university with launching her media career, recalling that she got her first stint on television as a student, gained popularity, and opened doors to the career she has today.

“This is also where I built confidence, through struggle, resistance and through everything I had to fight for,” Ms. Forson added. “So yes, there was struggle. There was hurt. There were a lot of tears. There was disappointment. But there was also growth, pride and becoming.”

Her message to graduates was unequivocal: “As you step into the next chapter of your lives, do not discard parts of your journey just because they were difficult. Do not carry only the good and pretend the bad never happened. Carry all of it. The good. The bad. Even the ugly.”

In an unexpected turn, Ms. Forson pivoted from addressing graduates to speaking directly to the university’s academic staff; a moment that drew visible attention from faculty members seated in the front rows.

“Beyond speaking to the graduating class, I want to gently speak to every lecturer, every academic, every member of staff who contributes to shaping young minds,” she said. “Universities do not merely confer degrees. They shape human beings.”

Quoting her father, Forson noted that “education is meant to make us fit to live and to believe with, not just to earn with.” She reminded faculty that learning extends beyond lecture halls into friendships, late-night conversations, hall weeks, parties, and even heartbreaks.”All of that is education,” she insisted.

The actress challenged the academic community to examine their role in students’ lives: “Who are you in someone’s story? Because there were lecturers who saw potential in us before we saw it in ourselves. There were people who chose to build rather than break.”

“Will you be remembered as the person who made a student feel small? Or the one who made them feel seen? The voice that discouraged, or the voice that affirmed?” she asked. “Because sometimes it only takes one sentence to diminish someone. But it also only takes one sentence to change the trajectory of a life.”

In a revelation that drew applause from the audience, Ms. Forson announced that her return to campus has prompted her to finally pursue a long-overdue master’s degree at the university.

“Now that all of this is off my chest, I can finally and proudly say congratulations to all of us,” she said. “Because in a way, this is my graduation too. I never came for mine. And standing here today feels like closing one chapter and opening another as I’m finally coming back to study again.”

As she concluded her speech, Forson left graduates with a final exhortation: “Hold on to it all. Hold on to the friendships. Hold on to the lessons. Hold on to the moments that tested you. Because one day, you will look back, not with bitterness, but with clarity. And you will realise that even the chapters you wanted to erase were shaping the person you needed to become.”

“To my fellow graduates,” she added with emphasis, “Go boldly. Go fearlessly. And carry your entire story with you.”

 Zolla Nie/Mk Content

Not because it insults anyone.
Not because it supports any political party.
But it shows something uncomfortable.

The mural, titled Behind The Wall, was created by street artist OriginalBigwig in collaboration with Village Voice GH. It shows a public official sitting calmly, focused on a mobile phone, while the environment around him reflects poor sanitation and urban neglect.

The location matters.

The wall stands in a space where waste builds up. Where the smell tells its own story, it’s also a place where marginalized people rest and beg — including foreigners, people with disabilities, and individuals struggling with mental health issues.

This is not a staged background.

It’s real life.

The mural doesn’t shout. It doesn’t use insults. It doesn’t name names. Instead, it creates a strong contrast — digital focus versus physical reality.

In simple terms, it asks:

Are we paying more attention to how leadership looks online than how it feels on the ground?

Since the mural went up, reactions have been mixed. Some people call it bold. Others say it’s disrespectful. Some even assume it was sponsored by an opposition political party.

The artist has denied that clearly.

“This work was not funded or commissioned by any political party,” he says. “It’s independent.”

And that’s important.

In today’s political climate, any criticism is quickly labeled as opposition. But questioning leadership is not the same as campaigning against it.

The mural isn’t about one person. It’s about a pattern. A culture where image sometimes moves faster than infrastructure.

Roads don’t fix themselves through social media posts.
Sanitation doesn’t improve through online applause.
Marginalized people don’t disappear because we scroll past them.

That’s the tension the mural captures.

Behind the photo ops.
Behind the posts.
Behind the digital presence.

There’s a wall. And behind that wall, there’s reality.

Love it or hate it, one thing is clear:

People are talking.

And maybe that’s the point.

Follow Originalbigwig Artist on social media platforms via

Instagram: @originalbigwig artist

Twitter: @originalbigwig

Four people (three guys and one lady) are feared dead following a tragic accident involving a Pragya (commercial tricycle) and a Toyota Corolla on the Bogoso–Tarkwa road near the Bogoso Government Hospital.

The accident occurred earlier today, leaving the Corolla severely damaged. The front of the vehicle was completely crushed, with its bonnet mangled, bumper ripped off, headlights destroyed, and windshield badly shattered — clear signs of a heavy impact.

According to eyewitnesses, the collision involved the Pragya and the Corolla, though the exact cause of the crash is yet to be officially established. The Pragya was reportedly carrying the victims at the time of the incident.

Unconfirmed reports from the scene suggest that the four occupants (3 guys and 1 lady) may have lost their lives. However, authorities have not yet officially confirmed any fatalities.

Residents and passersby quickly gathered at the scene to assist before emergency services intervened. Due to the proximity of the crash site to the Bogoso Government Hospital, victims were rushed there for medical attention.

The incident temporarily caused traffic congestion along the busy stretch of road as motorists slowed down. Police are expected to commence investigations to determine the circumstances leading to the crash.

Motorists are being urged to exercise caution, particularly on the Bogoso–Tarkwa highway, which continues to record frequent accidents.

Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

For decades, the Akwaaba picture has stood as one of Ghana’s most recognisable visual symbols, an image that greets the world with warmth, hospitality, and cultural pride. It adorns billboards, tourism brochures, airport halls, hotel lobbies, school textbooks, and international exhibitions. Yet, behind this globally celebrated photograph is a woman whose story remained largely untold for years: Angelina Nana Akua Oduro.

This is the human story behind the image that welcomed the world to Ghana.

A Moment That Became History

The iconic Akwaaba photograph was taken during a period when Ghana was intentionally positioning itself as a leading cultural and tourism destination in Africa. The image showing a young Ghanaian woman dressed in traditional attire, gracefully holding a calabash and a clay pot, pouring palm wine in a gesture of warmth and welcome, captured the very essence of Ghanaian hospitality.

What many did not know was that the woman in the photograph was Angelina Nana Akua Oduro, then a young woman whose life was far removed from the global attention the image would later command.

At the time, the photo session felt ordinary. There were no grand promises, no discussions about long-term usage, royalties, or legacy. It was simply a shoot that would later evolve into a national symbol.

From Photograph to National Emblem

As the years passed, the Akwaaba image took on a life of its own. It became synonymous with Ghana’s tourism identity, often representing the country at international fairs, cultural expos, and diplomatic events.

The photograph travelled farther than Angelina ever imagined, crossing borders, continents, and generations. Yet, while the image flourished, the woman behind it remained largely invisible.

In several instances, the photographer Mr Joseph Osae reproduced, sold, and commercialised without her knowledge of the commercial value. Copies appeared in both public and private spaces, often stripped of context, credit, or acknowledgement.

A Story of Silence and Strength

Angelina Nana Akua Oduro’s story is not one of bitterness, but of quiet resilience. For years, she watched as an image of her younger self became a national asset. At the same time, she lived a modest life, disconnected from the economic and symbolic value attached to the photograph.

Her experience reflects a broader challenge within Ghana’s creative and cultural industries: the absence of structured protection for image rights, creative ownership, and fair compensation.

Like many models, creatives, and cultural contributors of her generation, Angelina was never fully briefed on usage rights, intellectual property, or the long-term implications of her participation.

Reclaiming Identity and Narrative

In recent years, Angelina has found the courage and voice to tell her story not to seek sympathy, but to reclaim her identity within Ghana’s cultural history.

Her revelation has sparked important conversations about:

• Image rights and consent
• Creative ownership and compensation
• The ethical use of cultural symbols
• The need to recognise individuals behind national icons

By stepping forward, she has helped humanise an image many took for granted, reminding the nation that behind every powerful symbol is a real person with a real story.

Beyond the Akwaaba Image

Angelina Nana Akua Oduro is more than a photograph. She is a mother, a woman of dignity, and a silent contributor to Ghana’s global image. Her story now stands as a lesson for policymakers, creatives, photographers, institutions, and brands.

It calls for:

• Clear contracts and fair agreements
• Respect for contributors to cultural heritage
• Systems that protect creative participants from exploitation

A Symbol Reimagined

Today, the Akwaaba picture carries a deeper meaning. It is no longer just a welcoming gesture; it is a reminder of the faces, sacrifices, and overlooked contributors behind Ghana’s cultural storytelling.

By telling her story, Angelina Nana Akua Oduro has finally stepped out from behind the image that defined a nation’s welcome and into her rightful place in Ghana’s cultural narrative.

Service to humanity remains one of life’s greatest virtues, holding profound significance from both a moral and spiritual perspective.

In that spirit, Rev. Mrs. Adwoa Abrafi Ampiah-Kwofi, wife of Rev. Robert Ampiah-Kwofi, General Overseer of Global Revival Ministries, marked her 60th birthday with an act of compassion and generosity. Rather than a private celebration, she chose to extend love and support to both Save Them Young Orphanage and James Camp Prisons in Tema and Korle Gonno respectively. This underscores the importance she places on service to others on such a milestone occasion. Accompanied by members of Global Revival Ministries, Rev. Mrs. Ampiah-Kwofi donated essential food items such as such as cooking oil, rice, diary products, bread, maize, frozen foods, clothing and other valuable materials to support the welfare of the underprivileged children at the orphanage. During the visit, the children received words of encouragement, hope,compassion, and joy, leaving a lasting impact on their spirits. The outreach was part of a broader birthday charity initiative, which involved a visit to the James Camp Prisons at Korle Gonno, where the inmates also received valuable food items. The gesture reflected a deep commitment to uplifting vulnerable communities and promoting sustainable social development.

The 60th birthday celebration of Rev. Mrs. Adwoa Abrafi Ampiah-Kwofi thus stood not only as a personal milestone but also as a meaningful demonstration of faith in action and service to humanity.

Below are pictures from the donations at both Save The Young orphanage and James Camp
Prisons.

Legendary Ghanaian gospel musician and founder of the Asomafo gospel group, Yaw Sarpong, has died.

He passed away on 20th January 2026 in Kumasi.

The news of his passing was confirmed by Nana Poku Ashis, his manager.

Further details surrounding his death are yet to be officially disclosed.

His death comes barely a month after the passing of Maame Tiwa, a key pillar of Yaw Sarpong’s Asomafo music group, a loss that deeply affected the gospel music fraternity.

Yaw Sarpong had for some years been battling ill health, occasionally stepping back from public performances as he focused on treatment and recovery.

In 2025, Yaw Sarpong was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award at the Telecel Ghana Music Awards.

Ghanaian gospel musician Mistress Dorcas has once again demonstrated her compassionate heart by reaching out to people living on the streets through her charitable initiative. In her latest act of kindness, she donated essential items including money, clothing, food, and other necessities to support the less privileged. The gesture has been widely praised by many who admire her consistency and genuine concern for humanity.

This generous outreach was carried out through the Mistress Dorcas Foundation, a charity organization she established to help the needy. According to the gospel singer, the foundation undertakes this benevolent exercise annually as part of its mission to bring hope and relief to vulnerable individuals. She explained that seeing people struggle on the streets often makes her sad, and this emotional connection inspired her to create the foundation as a way of giving back to society.

Mistress Dorcas shared that life is not easy for many people, especially those without basic necessities. She emphasized that her desire has always been to support those in need and remind them that they are not forgotten. Through her foundation, she hopes to encourage others to also lend a helping hand whenever they can, no matter how small the support may seem.

In line with this message, the gospel musician is set to release a new song titled “Obra,” which translates to “Life.” She revealed that the song highlights the struggles of life and serves as a call for Ghanaians to show love, compassion, and support to the needy. As she continues to combine music with humanitarian work, many are praising Mistress Dorcas for her good heart and praying for God’s blessings upon her life and ministry.

There’s something special about walking into your home after a long day in Lagos heat – that first rush of cool air that almost feels like forgiveness.
You close your eyes, take a deep breath, and for a moment, everything slows down.
That’s what my Scanfrost Air Conditioner gives me – not just cooling, but peace of mind.

The best inverter AC to buy in Nigeria?

The Nigerian Heat Test

Let’s be honest – Nigerian heat doesn’t play.
Whether it’s February sun in Abuja or October humidity in Lagos, the air feels like it’s testing your willpower.

I’ve used different ACs over the years, but most couldn’t handle the power surges, the dust, or the unpredictable voltage.
Then I switched to the Scanfrost Split Inverter AC (SFACS12INM) – and that’s when everything changed.

It’s quiet, steady, and energy-smart.
Even when NEPA does their usual on and off, the auto-restart function brings it back without fuss.
And with its R410A eco-friendly gas, I’m cooling responsibly – better for my home, better for the planet.

The Power of Presence

In my living room stands the Scanfrost Floor Standing Inverter AC (SFACFS18INM) – sleek, tall, and powerful.
It’s the kind of appliance that doesn’t just cool the room; it commands it.

When I host family or colleagues, it’s the unsung hero – quietly doing its job while everyone else relaxes.
And because it’s inverter-powered, it consumes less energy while maintaining that consistent chill Nigerians love.

No sudden drop. No loud humming. Just a steady flow of comfort that feels… premium.

Built for Real Nigerian Homes

Here’s what I’ve come to realize – comfort isn’t about gadgets; it’s about reliability.
In a country where power can be uncertain and heat relentless, you need an AC that understands your environment.

Scanfrost ACs are engineered with that in mind:

Copper condensers that last longer.
Smart inverter technology that saves up to 40% energy.
Turbo cooling that cools your space fast, even on the hottest afternoons.
It’s more than cooling. It’s control – over temperature, bills, and peace of mind.

A Quiet Kind of Luxury

Maybe luxury isn’t gold fittings or imported décor.
Maybe it’s coming home after a chaotic Lagos commute, pressing one button, and watching your space turn calm, cool, and silent.

That’s my kind of luxury.
That’s Scanfrost – built for real life.

#ScanfrostAC #InverterTechnology #EnergySavingCooling #NigerianHomes #SmartComfort #BuiltForRealLife #ScanfrostNigeria #CoolingSolutions #HomeAppliances

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In its continued commitment to promoting quality education in rural Ghana, the Shidaa Foundation has donated several backpacks filled with essential school supplies to pupils of the Dodi Papase DA/ARS Basic School in the Oti Region.

The donation included items such as exercise books, pens, pencils, mathematical sets, and other learning materials, all intended to equip students with the tools they need to excel academically.

Speaking during the presentation, the Headmaster of the school, Mr. Amegayao Stanislaw, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Shidaa Foundation for their thoughtful support. He commended the Foundation for its consistent efforts toward improving education at the basic level, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

> “We are sincerely grateful to the Shidaa Foundation for this timely support. These materials will not only reduce the financial burden on parents but also motivate our pupils to take their studies seriously,” Mr. Stanislaw said.

The Founder of the Shidaa Foundation, Mr. Roland Akwensivie, reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to empowering young learners and supporting educational development across Ghana.

> “Education remains one of the most powerful tools for breaking the cycle of poverty and shaping the future of our communities,” Mr. Akwensivie stated. “At Shidaa Foundation, we believe every child deserves an equal opportunity to learn, dream, and succeed—regardless of where they come from. This donation is a small step toward that vision.”

Through such initiatives, the Shidaa Foundation continues to demonstrate its commitment to bridging educational inequalities and ensuring that students in rural areas have access to quality learning resources. The Foundation has pledged to extend similar support to other schools across the country in the coming months.