News
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School wins 2023 W/R Indep. Day Inter-District

• St Anthony of Padua Catholic School team receiving their award from Nana Akwasi Sompreh II (2nd from right), Divisional Chief of Bogoso
The St Anthony of Padua Catholic Basic School in the Effia Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly (EKMA) of the Western Region has won the annual eighth edition of the Western Region Independence Day Inter-District JHS Quiz Competition, which was held last Thursday at Bogoso, capital of the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality, to commemorate the region’s 66th Independence Day Celebration.
The competition, which featured fourteen (14) basic schools representing their respective Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, saw Tarkwa Goldfields International School come second with 39 points, followed by Peace International School from Half Assini in the Jomoro Municipal, in third place with 38 points, and Aboadzie VRA International School from the Shama District, which came in fourth with 36 points.
The Christ Leading School from the Ellembelle District finished fifth with 36 points, while the host school Nana Amoako Basic School from the Prestea Huni Valley Municipal finished sixth with 28 points and St Augustinus School from Axim in the Nzema East Municipal finished seventh with 21 points.
The 2023 champions, St Anthony Padua Catholic School representing EKMA, received two brand new Lenovo laptops, one for the GES directorate and the other for the GES basic school coordinator’s office, a trophy, tablets for the tree contestants, text books, plaques, gold medals, and certificates, and the first runner up, Tarkwa Goldfields International School, received two brand new Lenovo laptops, one for the school and the other for the GES basic school coordinator’s office.
Peace International School, representing the Jomoro Municipality, received two Lenovo laptops, one for the school and one for the GES office to be used by the basic school coordinator, bronze medals, text books, tablets for the contestants, plaques, and certificates, with the fourth to fourteenth positions all receiving text books, plaques, and certificates.
The Special Guest of Honour, the Acting Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mr. Stephen Kwaku Owusu whose speech was read on his behalf, commended Nananom of the Western Region for promoting such a commendable initiative and urged the service’s continued partnership.
He advocated for more inclusive participation in the planning and organisation of future quiz events.
HRM Tetrete Okuamoah Sekyim II, Paramount Chief of Wassa Amenfi Traditional Area and Patron of the Planning and Organising Committee, lauded and thanked this year’s quiz competition sponsors, Goldfields Ghana ltd as headline sponsors, Ghana Gas Company ltd, Takoradi International Company (TICO-TAQA), Adamus Mining Resources, AEL Mining, Engineers and Planners, Westfield, Samarthex Timber and Plywood Company Ltd for assisting the region’s traditional leadership in heralding such an innovative programme primarily to promote education and healthy competition among the region’s fourteen Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) through a quiz competition that has become an annual festival on the GES calendar.
By Spectator Reporter
News
Government, GoldFields,reach agreement on Damang Mine

The Government of Ghana and Goldfields Ghana Limited have reached an amicable agreement on a transitional plan for the Damang Mine.
The operational modalities of the transition involve issuing a new 12-month mining lease to Goldfields’ subsidiary, Abosso Goldfields Limited, pending parliamentary ratification in
May 2025.
Under the new arrangement, Goldfields will resume open-pit mining during the transition period, safeguarding jobs and conducting feasibility studies to establish Damang’s reserves and mine life.
At the same time, the processing of existing stockpiles will continue under the supervision of a joint management team composed of representatives from the Government of Ghana
and Goldfields. The two parties will work in good faith to secure a successful transition and eventual transfer of a viable mine to Ghanaian ownership.
Both parties have agreed to advance discussions in good faith on the renewal of the lease for the Tarkwa mine, due in 2027, and pledged to work together to enhance Ghana’s
potential in the mining sector as a favourable investment destination,
News
Ophelia Crossland appointed as new Creative Director of Nineteen57

In an exciting turn for Ghana’s fashion industry, celebrated designer Ophelia Crossland has officially assumed leadership of Nineteen57, the iconic menswear brand founded by her husband, Kofi Okyere-Darko (KOD).
This transition follows KOD’s recent appointment as Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President—a prestigious national role that reflects his continued service to Ghana on a global scale.
With this new chapter in public service, the reins of Nineteen57 have now passed to Ophelia Crossland, who will take on both the day-to-day operations and creative direction of the brand.
Ophelia Crossland, the CEO and founder of her eponymous womenswear label, brings over a decade of experience in luxury fashion.
Known for her keen eye for detail and mastery in haute couture, her leadership is expected to usher in a new era for Nineteen57—one that blends timeless African sophistication with modern sensibilities for the stylish gentleman.
“Nineteen57 has always stood for bold sophistication and African excellence,” said Ophelia Crossland. I’m excited to build on that legacy and explore new creative horizons with the team,” she said.
The transition marks a defining moment for the fashion power couple—Ophelia taking the creative lead in fashion innovation while KOD serves the nation in his new diplomatic role.
Together, they continue to elevate Ghana’s presence across fashion and governance.