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Published:9th may 2026
Published at 7:12Pm
By Saibu Terry
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Haruna Iddrisu’s Steadfast FC has secured promotion back to the Access Bank Division One League after defeating Northern Zaytuna FC 3-1 in the Northern Regional Division Two League playoff match played at Salaga in the East Gonja Municipality.
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‎Steadfast FC opened the scoring in the 13th minute when star striker Kahmahene curled a beautiful free kick into the bottom-left corner. Abdul Mumin doubled the lead in the 27th minute to give the Sawali boys a comfortable advantage.
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‎Northern Zaytuna FC pulled one back before halftime after referee Ayaaba awarded a penalty following a foul in the box. Osman stepped up and calmly converted from six yards.
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‎Abdul Mumin grabbed his second goal of the match in the 65th minute to seal a convincing 3-1 victory for Steadfast FC.
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‎The win in Salaga confirms Steadfast FC’s return to the Access Bank Division One League Zone 1A after a two-year absence

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority, Dr Victor Asare Bampoe has reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment towards achieving universal Health Coverage using NHIS as the key vehicle, describing it as the engine financing healthcare of the people.

At a press briefing in Accra, the CEO of NHIA, announced the launch of the ‘Storm Initiative’, a nationwide high-impact programme aimed at embarking on free NHIS registration and renewal initiatives directly to communities across the country.

According to Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, NHIA staff will visit markets, churches, mosques, lorry stations, and workplaces at the district level across Ghana to create mass awareness and to support every Ghanaian to take advantage of this opportunity under the ‘Storm Initiative’.

During the press briefing, Dr. Victor Asare said “I am pleased to officially announce the launch of what we at the NHIA are calling the STORM Initiative – a nationwide, high-impact programme to bring free NHIS registration and renewal directly to communities across Ghana.STORM stands for our strategy of mobilising NHIA staff at every level especially at the district level to storm communities, markets, churches, mosques, lorry stations, and workplaces to create mass awareness and to support every Ghanaian in taking advantage of this opportunity”.

As part of the initiative, the CEO also noted that the National Health Insurance Authority is waiving registration and renewal fees and a one-month waiting period for people interested in acquiring the card, underscoring the essence of this significant opportunity, and encouraging Ghanaians to take full advantage of the window of opportunity.

The STORM initiative runs from April 15 to May 31, 2026. First time registration attracts no fee as well as no premium payment. There is free renewal system including lapsed and long-expired memberships and also immediate access to NHIS services without a waiting period.

The CEO emphasized that NHIS is tied with the government’s flagship health policies such as Free Primary Health Care and the Mahama Care initiative, highlighting the need for one to acquire the card as it is the prerequisite to access quality, and equitable healthcare delivery.

Published by Inusah Dondaliya

Date: 6th May 2026

Member of Parliament for Gushegu, Hon. Lawyer Hassan Tampuli, has called for the removal of the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, from office, saying her continued stay in office amounts to an endorsement of the unfortunate comment she made about the geographic north.

Visiting the Ramsar site during a demolition exercise, Madam Linda Ocloo made comments suggesting that some people had been transferred to the North as punishment for their role in the construction of illegal structures at the Ramsar site.

The Minister has come under a barrage of attacks especially from the citizenry from the North since making the statement compelling her to render an unqualified apology to the people affected by her comments.

However, wading into the issue in a Facebook post today 6th May 2026, the Gushegu Lawmaker, noted that the North is not a zoo nor a cursed land, stressing that Transfers in the public service are normally made to achieve a certain balance and inject new efficiency, new dynamism, and innovation in the workings of government institutions.

He, therefore called on President John Mahama to sack the minister with immediate effect over her comments.

Below is the full statement of the MP

It is quite clear that the continued stay in office of this Minister will amount to nothing but an endorsement of the unfortunate comment she made about the geographic north of our great country Ghana and all the indigenes of the entire five regions of the north.

The north is not a zoo, nor is it a cursed land. Transfers in the public service are normally made to achieve a certain balance and inject new efficiency, new dynamism, and innovation in the workings of government institutions.

Certainly, any insinuation that incompetence earns a public/civil servant an automatic transfer to the ‘north’ is also highly provocative as if we from the north are undeserving of the best our nation can offer.

I call on the President of the Republic, H. E. John Dramani Mahama (himself a Northerner) to dismiss Hon. Linda Ocloo with immediate effect. She should not be given the undeserved opportunity to resign.