The forum, held at The Mix, focused on the relationship between employee wellbeing, workplace productivity and corporate culture. Organisers said the initiative forms part of the marathon’s wider mission to promote wellness, active lifestyles and community development across Ghana.

Speaking at the event, Catherine Morton, Chief Executive Officer of Millennium Marathon, said corporate wellness had become essential for businesses seeking long-term growth and productivity.

“Corporate wellness is no longer optional, it’s a business imperative,” she said. “Through this forum, we aim to equip businesses with actionable insights and strategies to prioritise employee wellbeing, boost productivity and reduce workplace stress.”

The event featured three panel discussions centred on workplace wellness and employee engagement. The first panel, themed Integrating Wellness into Corporate Culture, included Salah Kalmoni, Andrea Akl and Noalina Kuukua Slippi-Mensah.

The second panel discussed Work Life Integration in the Modern Corporate World and featured Gideon Ataraire, Kwasi Tabury and Dr. Elton Fredrick Afari.

The final session explored the role of running communities in promoting wellbeing under the theme Running Clubs, a Clear Pathway to Wellness. The discussion was led by Gigi Rose Mann and included Ernest Bediako Sampong, Kevin Atikpui and Abdul-Samed Shaibu.

Participants attended expert-led sessions on physical fitness, nutrition, mental health and stress management, alongside workshops on workplace wellness strategies and team-building activities. Organisers said the event also provided networking opportunities for executives, HR managers and wellness professionals.

Ernest Boamah said the forum was intended to help organisations build sustainable wellness programmes and encourage healthier working environments.

“We believe that healthier employees lead to stronger companies,” he said. “This forum is an opportunity for companies to learn, connect and take tangible steps towards building sustainable wellness programmes.”

According to organisers, international research by Harvard Business Review in 2018 found that employees who exercise regularly record 21 per cent higher productivity levels and 27 per cent lower absenteeism. They also cited a 2021 survey by the Ghana Employers Association which indicated that one in four employees experienced stress or burnout at work, affecting collaboration and overall efficiency.

During the forum, Millennium Marathon also launched the Health & Fitness Index, an annual publication expected to rank corporate organisations based on their workplace health and wellbeing initiatives and commitment to employee wellness.

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Uganda U-17 edged Ghana U-17 8-7 on penalties after a tense 2-2 draw in the FIFA U-17 World Cup play-off on Saturday evening.

Ghana struck first through Eric Gyamfi in the 9th minute, but Uganda answered with Owen Mukisa’s equaliser in the 34th minute to keep the game alive.

The Ghana then turned the match around after the break when Latif Abdul Wunzalgu scored in the 51st minute to make it 2-1. Uganda pushed back with real urgency, and their persistence paid off deep into stoppage time when Arafat Ibanda converted a penalty in the 90+1 minute to level the contest at 2-2.

Extra time could not separate the two sides, and the final went to a shootout where Uganda held their nerve. John Brian Owino, Henry Muhoozi, Abdulshakur Babi, Brian Olwa, Arafat Ibanda, Mujab Mbalire, Musa Suuna, and Travor Mubiru all scored for Uganda, while Ghana missed one of their spot-kicks via Jacob Kpoeti to hand the victory to the East Africans.

It was a dramatic finish to a close encounter, with Uganda showing composure when it mattered most.

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African universities are facing two crises at once.

The first is scale. Africa is home to the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population, with more than 400 million people aged 15–35 and is expected to have the world’s largest workforce by 2040. Yet tertiary enrolment remains around 9%, far below the global average of 38%. Despite growth in university enrolment, higher education capacity is still struggling to keep pace with demographic demand, with some estimates suggesting capacity would need to expand nearly twelvefold by 2035.

The second crisis is a crisis of expectation. It is not difficult to see why many African families place such a high premium on university education. A degree has long been associated with a life-changing opportunity and a pathway to better job prospects, higher income, and social mobility. This belief has quietly become a burden African youth carry, because when university becomes the only door to success, young people who don’t get in don’t just lose a place; they feel as though they have lost a future.

Universities are globally recognised as producers of knowledge that contribute significantly to national economic development. Consequently, university graduates are strongly associated with a pipeline of emerging professionals, researchers, and innovators who are essential to national progress. This is evident in rapidly developing nations such as China and South Korea, where knowledge, innovation, and higher education policies remain central drivers of national development strategies.

Therefore, Africa absolutely needs strong universities, and we must continue investing in them. But we must also confront a hard truth: when access remains limited, a single-pathway mindset amplifies pressure, anxiety, and a sense of failure among young people who are simply navigating a persistently high-demand, limited-supply system that has become increasingly competitive.

Across the continent, there are far too many young adults competing for too few seats, and South Africa shows what that looks like in real terms: for the 2026 academic year, the public university system could only offer about 235,000 first-year places, while more than 245,000 candidates obtained bachelor-level passes in the 2025 National Senior Certificate examinations. That gap shut the door of the future on at least 10,000 young people.

The situation at South African private universities is even more acute, with more than 100,000 applications competing for fewer than 10,000 coveted spots. This is before accounting for the structural and socio-economic challenges of affordability, limited student accommodation, and other barriers to access.

Societal pressure has resulted in generations of young people believing that university admission is the primary proof of potential and that anything else is second best. This belief has sustained and continues to fuel the growing appeal for higher education. That narrative is deeply out of step with where the global economy is heading.

Today, the world is being shaped by volatility, rapid technological change, geopolitical, and geoeconomic uncertainty. The future demands flexibility, particularly as advances in AI continue to reshape the nature of work. Traditional knowledge-based careers are giving way to a skills-based economy, where individuals increasingly apply their expertise across multiple projects and dynamic work environments rather than remaining in fixed, long-term roles.

The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026 captures the mood of this moment, noting that 50% of global leaders anticipate a turbulent or stormy outlook over the next two years, which is expected to rise further over the next decade. The report also highlights the lack of economic opportunity and unemployment as major risks shaping the global outlook.

In that context, preparing young people for a future where everything depends on a single pathway is not only outdated but also risky. The goal cannot simply be “to get into university.” The goal must be to build employability, enabling young people to earn an income, grow, and adapt to changing conditions.

The defining career advantage in the decade ahead will not be one based on a higher education qualification only. It will be the ability to re-skill and re-enter the economy repeatedly, moving between roles, industries, and opportunities in a technology-based, radically transforming labour market.

There are alternative, non-linear avenues to success, and Africa must begin to treat them as first-class pathways, requiring a fundamental national shift in mindset and focus. Across the continent, the countries that will succeed are those that build strong skills-based ecosystems, where young people can advance through multiple credible routes, including TVET and technical qualifications aligned to jobs, apprenticeships, learnerships linked to real work experience, entrepreneurship, work-integrated learning programmes, and globally recognised professional certifications that signal competence and portability.

In project management, for example, young people can build a career through certifications straight out of high school. They can begin with the foundational Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) as an early-career professional certification. The certification can open doors to employability or entrepreneurial opportunities. The pursuit of a higher education qualification can be targeted for a later phase, informed by a real-world knowledge base requirement. As they gain experience, they can progress toward globally recognised advanced certifications such as the Project Management Professional (PMP).

The reality is unavoidable: even the best universities cannot admit everyone. Expanding and legitimising alternative pathways has the potential to equip the continent’s youth with the skills needed to drive innovation, accelerate economic growth, and advance sustainable development. Africa’s future will not be built by a single educational route, but by an ecosystem of pathways that recognise skills, competence, adaptability, and lifelong learning.

About Project Management Institute (PMI)

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The Black Maidens produced a commanding display at the Accra Sports Stadium, defeating Liberia 6-0 in their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier on Saturday afternoon.

Ghana took control early and kept pressing until the final whistle, turning the tie into a one-sided contest.

Daniella Abass opened the scoring in the 31st minute before Seidatu Wahab doubled the lead after halftime in the 57th minute from the penalty spot. The Black Maidens stayed on the front foot after the break, with Linda Achiaa making it 3-0 in the 57th minute and Jessica Appiah adding a fourth in the 60th minute as Ghana’s momentum grew.

Priscilla Mensah in the 73rd minute then extended the advantage before Mavis Yeboah completed the rout late on. The goals reflected Ghana’s energy, pace, and sharp finishing across the 90 minutes.

Liberia struggled to contain the Black Maidens’ movement and intensity, while Ghana also showed good structure in midfield and defence. The result gives the team a strong platform in the qualification race and a valuable confidence boost at home.

At the Accra Sports Stadium, the Maidens looked well organized, ruthless in the final third, and determined to make the first leg count.

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In a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday, May 23, 2026, the Government described President Macron’s position as a significant and commendable step toward addressing the enduring legacy of the transatlantic enslavement of Africans.

According to the statement, President John Mahama praised President Macron for what he described as “honest, open, conciliatory and exemplary leadership” on the issue of reparatory justice.

The Government noted that France’s decision to work with Ghana on reparatory justice issues was announced during an event marking the 25th anniversary of France’s law declaring slavery a crime against humanity.

Ghana also welcomed France’s intention to repeal the colonial-era slavery statutes known as the Code Noir, describing the move as an acknowledgment that such laws are incompatible with modern democratic values and human rights principles.

The Ministry stated that Ghana appreciates President Macron’s recognition of the need for honest engagement with history and believes such acknowledgment is necessary to advance meaningful dialogue and action on reparatory justice.

The statement further revealed that Ghana and France are expected to collaborate on a proposed Ghana-France Scientific Commission to be established in Ghana as part of broader efforts to deepen historical research, institutional cooperation and reconciliation initiatives.

Government also expressed gratitude to President Macron for accepting an invitation to participate in the “Next Steps” High-Level Conference on Reparatory Justice scheduled to take place in Accra from June 17 to June 19, 2026.

The conference is expected to bring together Heads of State, ministers, scholars and civil society representatives from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and the Americas to deliberate on reparatory justice and the long-term effects of slavery.

The Ministry indicated that the summit seeks to move global discussions beyond recognition toward concrete action, including scholarly partnerships, policy frameworks and mechanisms for redress grounded in good faith and mutual respect.

The statement also referenced the landmark United Nations General Assembly resolution adopted on March 25, 2026, by 123 member states, which recognised the transatlantic enslavement of Africans as one of the gravest crimes against humanity and called for constructive international engagement on reparatory justice.

Government said the resolution, led by President Mahama in his role as African Union Champion on Reparatory Justice, has opened a new chapter in international conversations on historical accountability and justice for descendants of enslaved Africans.

The Ministry reaffirmed Ghana’s readiness to engage bilaterally and multilaterally with countries and institutions willing to pursue meaningful dialogue and concrete actions on reparatory justice.

It added that achieving lasting justice would require sustained commitment, honest dialogue and cooperation among nations with shared histories connected to slavery and colonialism.

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Speaking during President Mahama’s Savannah Regional tour, the Roads Minister disclosed that nearly all contractors had abandoned sites before the current administration assumed office, largely due to non-payment and uncertainty surrounding government transitions.

According to him, unlike previous administrations that suspended road contracts awarded by predecessors, President Mahama had adopted a different approach by allowing all ongoing projects to continue irrespective of which government awarded them.

“President Mahama decided that no road contract should be terminated or suspended because it was awarded by the previous government,” Mr Agbodza stated.

He explained that the administration had also prioritised the payment of contractors’ certificates in order to restore confidence in the road sector and return contractors to site.

“A president within 12 months has paid in excess of GH¢12 billion to contractors he did not appoint,” he revealed, describing the move as part of the government’s “reset” strategy for infrastructure delivery.

The Roads Minister argued that previous road expenditure patterns created deep regional inequalities, claiming that nearly 70% of road budgets were concentrated in Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions at the expense of less-developed regions such as Savannah, Oti and Upper West.

According to him, the Mahama administration was now shifting towards what he termed an “equity-based development model,” under which all regions would receive a fair share of national infrastructure investments.

“So every region must feel part of the development,” he stressed.

Mr Agbodza identified the Wechi-Wa corridor as one of the flagship projects under the government’s “Big Push” infrastructure programme, describing it as the longest corridor currently under construction through the Savannah and Upper West enclaves.

However, he admitted there were concerns over the pace of work on some stretches and warned contractors against delaying projects.

“We are not going to sit down for anybody to take jobs and not do it,” he cautioned.

The Minister issued a direct appeal to contractors who abandoned projects before the change of government to immediately return to site, assuring them that the current administration was committed to honouring payment obligations.

“I want to encourage all those contractors who got projects before President Mahama came. He is encouraging you not to be scared that when you work, you will not be paid,” he said.

He further disclosed that government had identified seven additional critical feeder roads in the Savannah Region for rehabilitation under a new infrastructure arrangement expected to commence next month.

The Roads Minister linked deteriorating road conditions to rising insecurity and road accidents on highways, arguing that pothole-ridden roads force drivers into dangerous manoeuvres.

“Part of the insecurity on our roads is actually the nature of the road. When the road has so many potholes, drivers cannot drive at a consistent pace,” he explained.

Also addressing the gathering, the Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, assured residents that government was intensifying efforts to improve highway safety and reduce armed robbery incidents on major roads.

“As you know, we are writing a wonderful signature on most of our long straight roads,” he remarked in reference to highway robberies, adding that the Inspector-General of Police and his team were implementing new security measures to make highways safer.

“We want to believe our highways will be much safer than they were before,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Agbodza revealed that the government had introduced stricter monitoring systems to track the performance of contractors nationwide, including direct public feedback mechanisms that allow residents to report inactive contractors and stalled projects.

According to him, the administration currently has over 2,000 kilometres of roads under construction across the country.

He urged citizens, especially young people, to actively monitor projects in their communities and report delays or inactivity to government.

“Tell us what is happening on projects in your community so that together President Mahama will go down on record as the person who made the biggest intervention on our roads,” he appealed.

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Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has shared his excitement after making Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the 2026 World Cup in North America. 

The English-Ghanaian found his way back into the England team after strong second half to the season under now confirmed Man United boss Michael Carrick.

Mainoo had spent most of the first half of the campaign watch the games from the bench after sacked manager Ruben Amorim failed to find a place for him the the team.

However, Mainoo starred for United, helping them secure UEFA Champions League football next season, making it difficult for Tuchel to leave him out of the World Cup party.

"First World Cup, feeling Blessed and Grateful. Big summer ahead," reacted the United player.

Mainoo will be joined by fellow English-Ghanaian Jarell Quansah in the team. The England squad will be based in Florida for the tournament to be held in USA, Mexico and Canada.

England will face Croatia in their opening Group L fixture before Mainoo faces the country of his parents Ghana. They will finish their group with a match against minnows Panana - a side they beat 6-1 in Russia in 2018.

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