Morning Briefing — Monday, 29 June 2026

Good morning, Ghana! Happy new week — here is everything you need to know before your first cup of tea.

Let us start with the big one. The Black Stars are still in the World Cup. Ghana lost 2-1 to Croatia in their final Group L match on Sunday, but it did not matter enough to end the journey — the team advanced as one of the best third-placed sides and will now face the Round of 32. Coach Carlos Queiroz, however, is in no mood for complacency. He has reminded his players that Croatia's 4-2 thrashing by England earlier in the tournament flatters England; the Croatians are a far better side than that scoreline suggests. Queiroz wants his squad to treat Sunday's defeat not as a wound but as a lesson heading into the knockout stage. Ghanaians, the adventure continues — hold tight.

Home News

Closer to home, environmental concerns have prompted swift action in the Ashanti Region. The minister responsible for the area has ordered an immediate halt to excavation works spotted near Lake Bosomtwe, Ghana's only natural lake, after images circulating on social media raised alarm about possible illegal mining activity. An investigation is now under way. The lake, a sacred and ecologically vital site, deserves every ounce of that protection.

On tariffs, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) is holding firm. The regulator has cautioned against any attempt to reverse the recently announced increases in electricity and water charges, pointing to the enormous debt burden weighing on the energy sector. Rolling back the tariffs, PURC says, would make an already difficult financial situation significantly worse.

On a brighter note, AIMS Ghana marked a historic moment at its 14th graduation ceremony, handing degrees to a record 130 students drawn from 24 African countries — the largest class in the institution's history. A proud day for pan-African academic excellence right here in Ghana.

Africa & World

Devastating news from Venezuela, where twin earthquakes near Caracas have now claimed at least 920 lives. Among the dead is the wife of a Venezuelan footballer, who lost her life shielding her young daughter from the collapsing building around them. Our thoughts are with every family mourning today.

In Uganda, press freedom is under serious threat. The country's army chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has ordered the shutdown of television and print outlets belonging to Nation Media Group, which has publicly declared itself under a military siege. The development has drawn sharp concern from journalists and media freedom advocates across the continent.

Today's Key Points at a Glance

• Black Stars advance: Ghana lose 2-1 to Croatia but progress to the World Cup Round of 32 as a best third-placed team.
• Lake Bosomtwe: Ashanti minister suspends excavation near Ghana's only natural lake pending investigation into suspected illegal mining.
• PURC stands firm: Regulator warns that reversing new electricity and water tariffs is not a viable option given sector debt.
• AIMS Ghana: Record 130 graduates from 24 African nations at the institution's 14th ceremony.
• Venezuela quakes: Death toll surpasses 920; a footballer's wife dies protecting her toddler.
• Uganda media crisis: Nation Media Group calls itself under military siege after army chief orders shutdown of its outlets.