TIG Post

Author: Phoebe Martekie Doku

  • Autocracy, courtocracy used by gov’t to stifle dissenting views – Bridget Otoo reacts to injunction on #DumsorMustStop demo

    Autocracy, courtocracy used by gov’t to stifle dissenting views – Bridget Otoo reacts to injunction on #DumsorMustStop demo

    Ghanaian journalist Bridget Otoo has stated that during the tenure of former President John Dramani Mahama, citizens who were unhappy with his governance had the opportunity to freely express their grievances through protests.


    Taking to the X platform, she noted that Mahama demonstrated a commitment to upholding democratic values.


    According to her, Mahama’s willingness to tolerate criticism and allow peaceful demonstrations exemplified leadership that respects the diversity of opinions within a democratic society.


    She added that this is unlike the Akufo-Addo-led administration, which she described as using autocracy and court injunctions to stifle dissenting views.

    “Even persons who didn’t like@JDMahama wld admit, he allowed people angry at his administration rant and demonstrate!!!!! It was the right thing to do in a democracy. In this autocracy, the courtocracy, is used to stifle dissenting views,” she wrote.


    Bridget Otoo’s comment follows the Ghana Police Service’s filing of an injunction at an Accra High Court to prevent the #DumsorMustStop demonstration.

    The organizers, led by Ghanaian actress Yvonne Nelson, had planned the protest for Saturday, May 25, 2024.


    During a meeting at the Regional Police Headquarters on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, discussions between the Accra Regional Police Command and the organizers focused on the public protest notification and its potential impact on public order and safety.

    The Police Command expressed concerns about the proposed venue, Revolution Square, due to its proximity to the Jubilee House, the seat of government, which is a designated security zone.


    Citing potential risks to public defense, order, and safety, the Command recommended relocating the protest to Independence Square.

    They also raised concerns about the proposed conclusion time of the protest, set for midnight, warning that it could compromise security measures, escalate tensions, and potentially lead to violence.

    Unable to reach an agreement, the police service, in a fresh motion filed on May 20, requested the court to order the organizers to halt the event entirely.


    The case is scheduled for a hearing on May 24, 2024.

  • Claim that OSP saved millions of Ghana Cedis from payroll audits is false – Martin Amidu

    Former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu has criticized his successor, Kissi Agyebeng, for misleading Ghanaians by claiming to save millions of Ghana Cedis from payroll audits.

    Mr Amidu finds the report released by the Office of the Special Prosecutor on the payroll audit nauseating.

    “It is extremely worrisome that a non-existent entity had been designated as a functioning District Assembly Primary School and the data of the artificially created staff had found its way into the government payroll system for regular payments,” the report said.

    “Further, some headteachers and heads of units were validating some persons whose whereabouts were unknown to them. Egregiously, some validators were validating persons who were, to the knowledge of the validators, deceased, retired or vacated their posts.

    “Out of the sampled high-risk number of 1,265 persons represented on the payroll, the joint investigation and assessment cleared 1,020 persons as regularly validated. The Special Prosecutor promptly unfroze the blocked salaries of the verified regularly validated persons upon the timeous clearance by the joint team, and these persons have been restored on the payroll system. A total amount of Two Million Eight Hundred and Fifty-Four Thousand One Hundred and Forty-Four cedis Eighty pesewas (GHC2,854,144.80) was traced as representing unearned monthly salaries being paid to persons who are deceased, retired, vacated their posts, flagged as missing staff, or whose whereabouts are unknown (colloquially referred to as “Ghost Names”) from their respective effective dates to January 2024, when it was blocked by the Special Prosecutor.

    “The blockade of the amount of Two Million Eight Hundred and Fifty-Four Thousand One Hundred and Forty-Four cedis Eighty pesewas (GHC2,854,144.80) and the removal from Government Payroll of the corresponding deceased, retired, post vacators, the missing, and those whose whereabouts are unknown has saved the Republic an amount of Thirty-Four
    Million Two Hundred and Forty-Nine Thousand Seven Hundred and ThirtySeven cedis Six pesewas (GHC34,249,737.6) for the 2024 financial year, and future savings of that amount (in addition to future periodic upward pay adjustments) for every year that the unearned-salaries-amount would have remained undetected but for the joint investigation and assessment by the OSP and CAGD of Government Payroll in the Northern Region (covering
    educational institutions under Ghana Education Service and Tamale Teaching Hospital).”

  • Deceased taxi driver found in a dilapidated restroom after going missing

    Deceased taxi driver found in a dilapidated restroom after going missing

    A tragic incident has unfolded in Assin Juaso, located in the Assin Fosu Municipality of the Central Region, where the lifeless body of a 50-year-old taxi driver known as “One Day,” identified as Kwabena, was discovered in a public toilet.

    Kwabena had been reported missing for a span of two weeks, following the discovery of his abandoned taxi in the bush, prompting concerned citizens to notify the police of his sudden disappearance.

    Subsequently, a body was found within a decrepit public toilet in Juaso, later confirmed to be that of the missing driver upon examination.

    Family members, speaking to Nyankonton Mu Nsem, conveyed their deep grief and lamentation over the distressing turn of events.

    Meanwhile, residents of the area have raised alarm over the alarming frequency of such occurrences, citing approximately six similar cases within the past two months.

    In light of these troubling developments, residents have urged the police to bolster patrols in the vicinity to safeguard the community’s well-being.

  • The female MPs who have served the longest in Ghana’s 8th Parliament

    The female MPs who have served the longest in Ghana’s 8th Parliament

    In Ghana’s dynamic political arena, several exceptional women have established themselves as enduring figures, representing their constituencies with distinction and unwavering commitment.

    Among these outstanding individuals are Laadi Ayii Ayamba, Sarah Adwoa Safo, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Helen Adjoa Ntoso, Della Sowah, and Freda Akosua Prempeh.

    These women have not only retained their parliamentary seats over multiple terms but have also made significant contributions to various legislative and developmental endeavors.

    Here’s a closer look at these influential leaders:

    Patricia Appiagyei:
    Patricia Appiagyei holds the distinction of being the longest-serving female Member of Parliament in the 8th Parliament. Representing the Asokwa Constituency, she has served since 2009 and has held various leadership roles within the New Patriotic Party. Appiagyei’s dedication to public service is evident in her extensive experience, having served as a Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister and the first female Mayor of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.

    Laadi Ayii Ayamba:
    Laadi Ayii Ayamba, representing the Pusiga Constituency in the Upper East Region, is renowned for her advocacy for women’s rights. As a member of the National Democratic Congress, she has championed initiatives such as the Affirmative Action Bill to enhance women’s political participation. Despite facing electoral challenges, Ayamba continues to serve her community with passion and resilience.

    Sarah Adwoa Safo:
    Sarah Adwoa Safo has distinguished herself as a resilient parliamentarian representing the Dome/Kwabenya Constituency in the Greater Accra Region. A member of the New Patriotic Party, Safo has demonstrated strong leadership since 2013. Although she faced electoral defeat in the 2024 NPP parliamentary primaries, her contributions to her constituency and legal expertise leave a lasting impact.

    Ursula Owusu-Ekuful:
    Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the MP for Ablekuma West Constituency, is a prominent figure in the 8th Parliament. As a lawyer and women’s rights activist, she has been instrumental in advocating for digital transformation and gender equality. Owusu-Ekuful’s leadership extends beyond parliament, serving as the Minister of Communications and Digitalisation.

    Helen Adjoa Ntoso:
    Helen Adjoa Ntoso, representing the Krachi West Constituency in the Volta Region, has been a steadfast advocate for her constituents since joining parliament in 2013. A member of the National Democratic Congress, Ntoso’s commitment to public service is evident in her efforts to address community needs and promote development.

    Della Adjoa Sowah:
    Della Adjoa Sowah, a member of the National Democratic Congress, has represented the Kpando Constituency across multiple parliamentary terms. With a background in social sciences and finance, Sowah has leveraged her expertise to champion initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and fostering socio-economic development.

    Freda Akosua Prempeh:
    Freda Akosua Prempeh, representing the Tano North Constituency, has made significant contributions to Ghanaian politics since her entry in 2002. With a wealth of experience as a parliamentarian and ministerial appointee, Prempeh has been a tireless advocate for her constituents and has played key roles in various government initiatives.

    These women exemplify resilience, dedication, and leadership, paving the way for future generations of women in Ghanaian politics.

  • Infertility cases surge with Female Genital Schistosomiasis incidence at 50% – GHS

    Infertility cases surge with Female Genital Schistosomiasis incidence at 50% – GHS

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is stepping up efforts to raise awareness and enhance treatment for Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS), a neglected tropical disease affecting a significant portion of the female population.

    Dr. Joseph Kwadwo Larbi Opare, the Program Manager for Neglected Tropical Diseases at the Ghana Health Service (GHS), disclosed that FGS prevalence in the country ranges from 10% to 50% among women, while about 1% of men are affected.

    This condition can result in severe reproductive health issues, including infertility in women and, albeit less frequently, sterility in men.

    Despite its serious consequences, FGS often receives inadequate attention in medical practice. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that nearly 56 million girls and women in sub-Saharan Africa are afflicted by FGS, which can lead to pelvic inflammation, fallopian tube obstruction, and other significant morbidities.

    FGS is prevalent in rural areas where women engage in activities such as washing clothes in infested waters. Symptoms of FGS include vaginal bleeding, bleeding during intercourse, genital itching or burning, pelvic pain, and pain during intercourse.

    Complications can be severe, ranging from infertility to ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages, involuntary urination, genital ulcers, and tumors. Moreover, FGS increases the risk of acquiring other sexually transmitted diseases.

    Dr. Joseph Kwadwo Opare emphasized the necessity for extensive education and awareness campaigns among healthcare workers and the general population.

    Efforts are underway to integrate FGS education into daily health activities and training curricula for health professionals, with the aim of improving diagnosis and treatment and ultimately reducing the burden of this neglected tropical disease.

    Ghana, like many tropical countries, is not immune to Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). Of the 20 NTDs identified by the WHO, 14 are prevalent in Ghana, including trachoma, Buruli ulcer, yaws, leprosy, human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), leishmaniases, lymphatic filariasis, river blindness (onchocerciasis), schistosomiasis, and soil-transmitted helminthiases.

    “It has been proven that we have a prevalence of 10 to 50% of female genital schistosomiases in Ghana. Ultimately this condition can lead to infertility and the male can also be sterile. For the males it is just about 1% so it is not too many,” said Dr. Opare.

    He added “FGS is a silent area in medicine and we are trying to do much education on this so at the national level there is a committee overseeing FGS activities. We are trying to make sure that this education is incorporated into our daily activities among health workers and even non-health workers. In addition, go into the curriculum of many training institutions so that when we get this education when they complete school they can leverage on that and practice how to prevent it”.

    Eastern Regional Director of GHS, Dr. Winfred Ofosu, highlighted the identification of hundreds of suspected NTD cases in recent years in the region through collaboration with two NGOs.

    However, he noted that stigmatization and misconceptions about the diseases attributed to spiritual causes hinder the fight against them, underscoring the need for involvement of traditional leaders in awareness creation.

    Inadequate funding has been identified as a major obstacle to Ghana’s efforts to meet the WHO 2030 NTD roadmap and Sustainable Development Goals 3 target.

    Ghana’s NTD Ambassador, Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee, called for a multisectoral approach to support the fight against NTDs, emphasizing their serious implications for health, food security, education, and the economy.

  • Claims that I told Canadian Embassy to cut visa issuance to Ghanaians are false – Bediatuo Asante

    Claims that I told Canadian Embassy to cut visa issuance to Ghanaians are false – Bediatuo Asante

    Nana Asante Bediatuo, Executive Secretary to President Akufo-Addo, has refuted recent reports alleging that he advised the Canadian Embassy to decrease visa issuance to Ghanaians.

    In a statement released on May 21, Bediatuo Asante’s legal representatives dismissed these claims as false and urged the public to disregard them.

    The statement specifically addressed publications by amnewsworld.com and thinknewsonline.com, which propagated these allegations.

    Bediatuo Asante’s legal team emphasized the falsity of these reports and advised the public to hold such publications in contempt.

    Below is the full statement.

    We act as Solicitors for Nana Bediatuo Asante, the Secretary to the President and write pursuant to his instructions.

    Our Client’s attention has been drawn to a false online publication under the headline “Asante Bediatuo Advises Canadian Embassy to Reduce Visa Issuance Rate to Ghanaians” published on amnewsworld.com by Ohene Anochie dated Thursday, 16th May, 2024.

    The said publication alleged that our Client; “has secretly advised the Canadian Embassy in Ghana to reduce the rate at which it issues visas to Ghanaian nationals. Bediatuo reportedly made the announcement at a secret meeting with H.E Christopher Thornley claiming Ghana is losing a lot of young vibrant workforce to other countries.”

    The same false story has been re-published by Joshua Kwabena Smith on thinknewsonline.com

    We are instructed to inform the public that the publication referred to supra is palpably false and same should be disregarded and treated with the contempt it deserves.

  • Transportation of 400m litres of fuel at risk due to ongoing tanker drivers’ strike

    Transportation of 400m litres of fuel at risk due to ongoing tanker drivers’ strike

    The ongoing sit-down strike by the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union poses a significant risk of leaving over 400 million litres of fuel stranded at various petroleum loading terminals nationwide.

    This development is expected to have a notable impact on around 3.5 million consumers across the country in the coming days.

    The genesis of this standoff dates back to November 2023 when the union submitted a policy framework delineating the conditions of service for its members to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) for review and approval.

    Despite being crafted by a 21-member committee, this framework is still awaiting the NPA Board’s endorsement.

    However, instead of granting approval, the Board has requested amendments to the framework without providing specific guidance on the required changes.

    Despite repeated pleas for clarification, the committee has been left in the dark. Frustrated by the lack of communication, the committee has lodged a petition with the Presidency, hoping for a resolution.

    The aggrieved tanker drivers are emphasizing the urgent need to implement the policy framework to ensure smoother operations and enhance their welfare.

  • Limited voter registration: EC is not registering voters secretly – Deputy Commissioner

    Limited voter registration: EC is not registering voters secretly – Deputy Commissioner

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has outrightly rejected accusations of clandestine voter registration using stolen Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) Kits.

    These claims were put forth by a group known as Election Watch Ghana, alleging the EC’s covert registration of voters using pilfered BVR kits.

    The Deputy Commissioner overseeing Operations at the EC, Samuel Tetteh, addressed these allegations during a press conference in Accra on Tuesday.

    “The attention of the commission has been drawn to a press conference organised by a group called Election Watch Ghana during which one Mark Ewusi alleged that the EC was using stolen BVR kits to register people secretly. The commission urges the public to ignore these baseless and unfounded allegations as they are without merit,” he stated.

    He vehemently denied the assertions and urged the public to disregard them.

    “…The commission has never reported that BVR kits have been stolen. The Commission reported to the security agencies that five laptops were missing. The commission informed all stakeholders about the missing laptops.

    “Describing the missing laptops as BVRs is a deliberate attempt by certain groups to deceive the public in order to sustain their unfounded allegations…the five missing laptops on their own cannot be used to register voters,” he stated.

  • 3 trucks smuggling vegetable oil in Accra confiscated by TCDA

    3 trucks smuggling vegetable oil in Accra confiscated by TCDA

    A joint taskforce led by the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA) has seized three Man Diesel cargo trucks containing smuggled cooking oil at the Tetteh Quarshie roundabout in Accra.

    Dr. Paul Amaning, the taskforce leader, disclosed that National Security operatives had received intelligence regarding vegetable oil being smuggled into the country from Togo.

    The intercepted oil had been brought in through unapproved routes to avoid taxes and import duties.

    Dr. Amaning stressed that these smuggling activities result in substantial losses to criminal syndicates attempting to bypass legal channels.

    He stated that the taskforce’s goal is to ensure the sale of locally manufactured cooking oils to boost the economy and create jobs within the value chain.

    He also cautioned the public, especially market women, against smuggling vegetable oil through land borders into the country.

    The taskforce, along with personnel from the Customs Preventive Division, escorted the three trucks to the Airport branch for an official examination.

    The owners of the seized cooking oil have been asked to provide all necessary documentation for a thorough review by the Ghana Revenue Authority—Customs Division.

    The joint taskforce includes members from the TCDA, the Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana (OPDAG), the Ghana Revenue Authority—Customs Division, and National Security.

  • You can’t stop us from protesting – Organisers of #DumsorMustStop vigil to police

    You can’t stop us from protesting – Organisers of #DumsorMustStop vigil to police

    The organizers of the ‘#DumsorMustStop’ vigil have expressed their intention to challenge the injunction initiated by the Ghana Police Service, aimed at obstructing their planned demonstration.

    The Ghana Police Service filed an injunction application at the High Court to obstruct the vigil, suggesting the organizers consider changing the protest venue.

    Scheduled for Saturday, May 25, the demonstration now faces uncertainty.

    In an interview with Citi News, Selorm Dramani Dzramado affirmed the group’s readiness to contest the injunction in court.

    “We will not accept any application by the police ex-parte. We will disregard it, and treat it with utter contempt. If the court respects and listens to them and the decision is taken,, you don’t really have a choice. But it’s good you said that it’s on notice. So you’re going to defend in court. You’re going to argue in court. That will be on 24th May. So it’s Friday.”

    Actress Yvonne Nelson leads the vigil, reminiscent of a similar action she organized in 2015.

    Yvonne Nelson and her team recently met with the Ghana Police Service to notify them of the planned protest, as mandated by law.

    Following the meeting, the police objected to the route proposed by Yvonne Nelson’s team, citing concerns about the intended endpoint—Revolution Square—being near the Jubilee House, a security zone.

    Moreover, the police raised apprehensions about concluding the protest at midnight.

    The protest organizers, however, disagreed, asserting that the endpoint was distant from the Jubilee House, and there were no issues regarding the protest’s end time.

    In line with the Public Order Act’s stipulations, the police promptly filed an application on Tuesday, May 21, to halt the demonstration.

    The case is slated for a hearing on May 24, 2024.

  • Vote for me to revamp TOR – Mahama

    Vote for me to revamp TOR – Mahama

    The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has promised to rejuvenate the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) should he win the upcoming December 7 general elections.

    Mahama outlined plans for a collaborative effort between the private and public sectors to revive the nation’s struggling oil refinery.

    During a meeting with stakeholders in the petroleum downstream sector in Accra, Mahama emphasized that TOR would receive dedicated attention under his forthcoming administration.

    Acknowledging the inefficiencies associated with state-owned enterprises, Mahama expressed openness to private partnerships to reactivate and manage the refinery.

    He stressed the importance of transparency in inviting private participation or partnerships.

    “We need to look again at how we can bring the refinery back in place. But I do think that the problems we have with running that refinery is because it is a state-owned enterprise.

    “And we all know the inefficiencies that go with state-owned enterprises. And so we are open to private partnership in terms of bringing that refinery back into operation and running it, but we think that whatever private partnership or private participation is invited, it must come through a transparent process.”

  • No matter what you do, I won’t give up on my presidential aspirations – Cheddar to critics

    No matter what you do, I won’t give up on my presidential aspirations – Cheddar to critics

    The founder of the New Force Movement, Nana Kwame Bediako, has expressed his unwavering commitment to advancing his political agenda despite potential challenges.

    In an interview on Citi TV’s Face to Face with Umaru Sanda Amadu, Kwame Bediako, popularly known as Cheddar, conveyed his indifference to potential personal attacks, emphasizing his focus on transforming the nation.

    The Independent Presidential Candidate stated “Of course, I know I will be attacked, sabotaged or whatever, but I’m still going ahead because I stand for the youth. And I believe that I have something to make this country a better country and develop people in a better way.”

    He refrained from disclosing the financial investment in his campaign, including the cost of his widespread billboards.

    “I don’t need to tell Ghanaians that this is how much I have invested in my campaign. The people of Ghana don’t go around disclosing the funds of what they do,” he retorted.

  • We are working hard to ensure nursing training receive what is due them – Okoe-Boye

    We are working hard to ensure nursing training receive what is due them – Okoe-Boye

    Health Minister, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye has urged nursing trainees to support the Akufo-Addo administration’s efforts to disburse their allowances.

    He acknowledged that some allowances are still outstanding but assured that the government is making strides to settle these arrears.

    He contrasted this with the previous government, which he claimed lacked the resolve to pay trainee allowances.

    During the presentation of two buses to the Lekma Hospital and the University of Ghana Medical Centre in Accra on Monday, Dr. Okoe-Boye stated,

    “There are thousands of nurses who have had allowances paid to them by this government.

    “But it is also true that there are others whose payments are in arrears. We have decided to work hard to sustain and to pay these arrears. You have to choose between the one who says I will pay you, pays you and sometimes owes you. And the other one who says that me I can’t pay these things at all. And so if you have had the other government led by John Mahama for the past eight years it will be zero for all nurses in Ghana.

    “But as we speak hundreds of thousands of nurses have had support from the Akufo-Addo government and it is true that there are hundreds of thousands who are calling for theirs to come.”

    “We will work hard to make sure that everybody receives what is due them. This is the kind of government to support. The one who says I will shoulder this trouble. I will shoulder this burden. I will work hard to sustain it.

    “It is better than the one who says this is too much load for me I can’t carry. The choice is yours, help us and we will shoulder the system.”

  • Prove I submitted names for security recruitment – Dafeamekpor to Henry Quartey

    Prove I submitted names for security recruitment – Dafeamekpor to Henry Quartey

    The Member of Parliament for South Dayi has responded to a threat by the Minister of Interior, Henry Quartey, regarding a purported list of opposition MPs who allegedly tried to secure employment for people in the security services.

    The minister’s threat followed accusations from the Minority Caucus that each ruling party MP had been allocated 30 slots in secret recruitments into the security services.

    The Majority has formally denied this allegation.

    He shared a GhanaWeb article reporting on the minister’s threat toward opposition MPs during an interview on Accra-based Neat FM.

    The Interior Minister firmly denied the NDC MPs’ claim of ongoing secret recruitment, asserting that NPP MPs had not been given 30 slots each.

    He explained that although there will be recruitment this year, it has not yet started, and there will be no sale of forms as the government aims to clear the backlog from previous recruitments.

    “Hon. Henry Quartey, I dare you to mention my name if I have ever given you any names for any Recruitment into the Security Agencies,” the South Dayi MP, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor posted on X.

    “When the NPP came into power, the total number of personnel at the Ghana Immigration Service was 6,000, but today, because of President Akufo-Addo, they are over 14,000. About 12,000 have been added to the Ghana Police Service.

    “When you gaze into the eyes of the dead, you would see a ghost; I’m going to leave it here, I won’t go down that lane.

    “But if they dare us, we will mention their names and the people they brought over the years, but we will leave that for now,” he said in an interview with Neat FM on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

  • Voter registration exercise won’t be extended – EC

    Voter registration exercise won’t be extended – EC

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has asserted that extending the deadline for the ongoing limited voter registration exercise is “not feasible.”

    Despite initial technical challenges during the first two days, the EC reports that the registration process has since proceeded smoothly across the country.

    The voter registration exercise, which began on May 7, 2024, is scheduled to conclude on May 27, 2024.

    During a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, Samuel Tettey, Deputy EC Chair in Charge of Operations, affirmed that the 21-day period allocated for the exercise is sufficient.

    He noted that while there were large queues at some registration centers during the first week, the number of applicants has decreased significantly as the deadline approaches.

    Mr. Tettey also mentioned that mobile teams have been dispatched to hard-to-reach areas to facilitate registration for those unable to access district centers.

    “This is good enough to cover all difficult areas that the Commission earmarked,” he said.

    “We don’t actually think that at this time it is even feasible for anyone to call for an extension,” Mr Tettey added.

    “The total number of challenged cases across the country stands at 7,821,” he added.

    As of the 13th day of the exercise, on Sunday, May 19, 2024, data from the EC showed that 522,025 new voters had been registered. Of these, 446,416 (85.52%) are first-time voters aged 18-21.

    Among the registered voters, 246,455 (47.21%) are males, and 275,570 (52.79%) are females.

    The EC aims to register a total of 623,000 voters by the end of the exercise.

    Mr. Tettey also reported that 813 individuals with disabilities had been registered nationwide.

    Regional breakdown of registrations includes:

    • Greater Accra: 74,420 voters (14.3%)
    • North East: 14,147 (2.7%)
    • Upper East: 20,125 (3.9%)
    • Northern: 47,948 (9.2%)
    • Bono: 20,886 (4.0%)
    • Bono East: 18,861 (3.6%)
    • Volta: 26,486 (5.1%)
    • Upper West: 15,652 (3.0%)
    • Eastern: 48,563 (9.3%)
    • Central: 56,141 (10.8%)
    • Ahafo: 10,861 (2.1%)
    • Ashanti: 90,480 (17.3%)
    • Western North: 16,225 (3.1%)
    • Oti: 14,844 (2.8%)
    • Savannah: 12,767 (2.4%)
    • Western: 33,609 (6.4%)

    The EC has dismissed allegations from Election Watch Ghana claiming the use of “stolen” Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits for secret voter registrations. Mr. Tettey clarified that only five laptops were stolen from the Commission, not BVR kits.

  • Your allowances will be paid, just stand with govt – Okoe-Boye to nursing trainees

    Your allowances will be paid, just stand with govt – Okoe-Boye to nursing trainees

    Health Minister Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye has urged nursing trainees to support the Akufo-Addo administration’s efforts to disburse their allowances.

    He acknowledged that some allowances are still outstanding but assured that the government is making strides to settle these arrears.

    He contrasted this with the previous government, which he claimed lacked the resolve to pay trainee allowances.

    During the presentation of two buses to the Lekma Hospital and the University of Ghana Medical Centre in Accra on Monday, Dr. Okoe-Boye stated,

    “There are thousands of nurses who have had allowances paid to them by this government.

    “But it is also true that there are others whose payments are in arrears. We have decided to work hard to sustain and to pay these arrears. You have to choose between the one who says I will pay you, pays you and sometimes owes you. And the other one who says that me I can’t pay these things at all. And so if you have had the other government led by John Mahama for the past eight years it will be zero for all nurses in Ghana.

    “But as we speak hundreds of thousands of nurses have had support from the Akufo-Addo government and it is true that there are hundreds of thousands who are calling for theirs to come.”

    “We will work hard to make sure that everybody receives what is due them. This is the kind of government to support. The one who says I will shoulder this trouble. I will shoulder this burden. I will work hard to sustain it.

    “It is better than the one who says this is too much load for me I can’t carry. The choice is yours, help us and we will shoulder the system.”

  • Who are you not to hand over power? – Governance expert quizzes Akufo-Addo

    Who are you not to hand over power? – Governance expert quizzes Akufo-Addo

    Governance expert Prof. Baffour Agyemang-Duah has dismissed President Akufo-Addo’s statement that he would not hand over power to John Mahama as a mere joke.

    Prof. Agyemang-Duah emphasized that President Akufo-Addo would be obligated to transfer power if the New Patriotic Party (NPP) loses the 2024 elections.

    This commentary follows President Akufo-Addo’s renewed appeal to Ghanaians to vote for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the upcoming 2024 General Election.

    President Akufo-Addo asserted that John Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, should not succeed him, arguing that Mahama would undermine his legacy.

    “Of course, I will not protect your ‘legacy’ of corruption, misgovernance, arrogance, ineptitude, bankrupt economy, increased unemployment, and pushing more of our people into the poverty bracket,” the NDC flagbearer stated in a tweet.

    “I think the President was joking, I don’t think he was serious about saying I won’t hand over power. Who is he, not to hand over power? So I think it was just a mere joke.

    “Even though people think perhaps it was a mere joke, I don’t think the President will ever dream of not handing over power if his party loses. It cannot happen in this country,” Prof. Agyemang-Duah reiterated.

  • NPP is under ‘mental distress – Member

    NPP is under ‘mental distress – Member

    A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) communication team, Dr. Ezekiel Agyekum-Obeng, has stated that the ruling party is experiencing significant “mental distress.”

    Dr. Agyekum-Obeng highlighted that recent events within the NPP, including the untimely deaths of Ken City Media’s Wofa Kwabena Kwakye and former Ejisu MP Hon John Kumah, have placed the party in a situation where its members may require mental health support.

    Speaking on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” morning show, he discussed the fatal accident involving the presidential convoy on the Accra-Kumasi highway.

    The convoy collided with a KIA Rhino truck at the Bunso-Akyem Asafo stretch, resulting in the death of a driver and serious injuries to others.

    President Akufo-Addo was not involved in the accident, as he traveled back to Accra in a military aircraft after attending a series of events in Kumasi.

    The President, along with several NPP members and dignitaries, had attended the funeral of Deputy Finance Minister John Kumah over the weekend.

    Dr. Agyekum-Obeng emphasized the need for psychotherapy for the accident victims and the entire party.

    “As a party, mentally, we are distressed. If you look at these key personalities and coming from our brother, the late John Kumah’s funeral to meet another accident, as a party, we are in somehow difficult times”, he said.

  • Production of crude oil in Ghana dropped from 71.44m to 48.25m barrels in 2023 – PIAC

    Production of crude oil in Ghana dropped from 71.44m to 48.25m barrels in 2023 – PIAC

    The 2023 Annual Report by the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) reveals Ghana’s crude oil production declining for the fourth consecutive year.

    From 71.44 million barrels in 2019, production dropped to 48.25 million barrels in 2023, averaging a 9.2 percent annual decline.

    Proceeds from Jubilee Oil Holdings Limited (JOHL) liftings, totaling US$70,456,718.93 in 2023, were not deposited into the Petroleum Holding Fund (PHF) for the second consecutive year.

    This brings the cumulative unpaid revenue by JOHL into the PHF to US$343,108,927.88 by the end of 2023.

    PIAC expressed concern over the decline and calls for government and regulatory action to reverse production decline in existing fields and invest in unexploited fields.

    PIAC emphasized that proceeds from JOHL liftings are petroleum revenues and must be deposited into the Petroleum Holding Fund per relevant legislation.

  • Your efforts to destroy me will not prevail – Bryan Acheampong to Ablakwa

    Your efforts to destroy me will not prevail – Bryan Acheampong to Ablakwa

    The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, has addressed allegations made by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the MP for North Tongu, concerning attempts to purchase four hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).

    During an interview with Joy FM on Tuesday, the Abetifi MP cautioned Ablakwa against efforts to tarnish his and Rock City Hotel’s reputations.

    Ablakwa has petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the sale of the four SSNIT-owned hotels to Dr. Acheampong.

    He also calls for CHRAJ to halt and probe the transaction, arguing that the sale of SSNIT’s shares in the hotels lacked due process and violated procurement procedures.

    Dr. Acheampong expressed his disappointment with Ablakwa’s actions, dismissing the allegations as baseless and a deliberate attempt to damage his reputation.

    “You are just adding things together and trying to destroy me and trying to destroy Rock City. It is most unfair, it is ‘un-Ghanaian’ and you should stop it,” he said.

    He urged the North Tongu MP to differentiate between him and his businesses and to ask genuine questions if necessary.

    “If you have issues with a corporate entity, ask questions. I will never stop you and nobody will stop you from asking questions but in the tangent that you [Okudzeto Ablakwa] are going, it has nothing to do with that.

    “I am a politician and I can be okay with it… but note that you are not speaking the truth and CHRAJ will confirm all this to you.”

  • You will get a man who deserves you – DJ Cuppy’s mother ‘prays’ for her

    You will get a man who deserves you – DJ Cuppy’s mother ‘prays’ for her

    Nana Otedola, mother of renowned disc jockey DJ Cuppy, has shared heartfelt prayers for her daughter to find her soul mate.

    She posted a screenshot of her mother’s prayer on her Instagram story shortly after her baptism.

    The prayer read, “Now that you are becoming your best self and fully united to God, when you are not watching you will meet a man on his best self-journey. God will give you a man who is running after Him IJN.”

    This prayer follows DJ Cuppy’s recent breakup with Ryan Taylor. The couple ended their engagement in July 2023, seven months after getting engaged in November 2022.

    In January, DJ Cuppy opened up about feeling “lonely and boring” being single and childless in her 30s.

  • I am proud of the work I have done as President – Akufo-Addo

    I am proud of the work I have done as President – Akufo-Addo

    President Akufo-Addo has expressed profound satisfaction with his performance in office, asserting that he has diligently served the nation amidst various adversities throughout his tenure.

    He emphasized that his accomplishments are visible for all to see and evaluate, whether in education, healthcare, infrastructure, transportation, or other crucial economic sectors.

    Akufo-Addo also highlighted the implementation of strategies that have significantly bolstered the nation’s fight against corruption.

    The president expressed immense pride in his contributions, confident that his legacy will be celebrated by future generations for its substantial impact.

    “I’m exceedingly proud of my record in office and the considerable achievements that have been recorded in all sectors of national life these last seven and a half years, one or two of which have been very difficult as a result of global developments. Whether it is in the management of the national economy, education, healthcare, roads, railways, digitalization, infrastructural development, agricultural and industrial transformation, or the protection of Ghana’s territorial integrity and security.

    “The fight against corruption, the battle against environmental degradation, the response to the Covid-19 pandemic entrenching the tenets of good governance and the rule of law, contributing to the attainment of regional and continental integration and unity… The record is there for all to see,” he said in a video shared by Asaase Radio on their X page.

  • You were a faithful servant – Akufo-Addo mourns deceased driver in convoy crash

    You were a faithful servant – Akufo-Addo mourns deceased driver in convoy crash

    President Akufo-Addo has conveyed his condolences following the demise of Kwesi Atta, a presidential driver, who tragically lost his life in a convoy accident at Bunso Junction in the Eastern Region.

    He remembered the late Atta as a dedicated employee who stood by him through thick and thin, expressing deep sadness over the unexpected loss.

    Additionally, the president wished a swift recovery for the other individuals injured in the accident, expressing optimism for their speedy recuperation to resume their duties and provide for their families.

    During the swearing-in ceremony of the 24 new ministers and deputy ministers at the Jubilee House, President Akufo-Addo called for a moment of silence in honor of Kwesi Atta, acknowledging his faithful service and offering prayers for his peaceful rest.

    “I would, with your indulgence, ask you to be upstanding, to join me in a minute’s silence. In memory of an employee – a faithful employee, Kwesi Atta, who died tragically in an unnecessary accident this week in the line of duty, I wish the other three affected persons speedy recoveries.

    “May the soul of Kwesi Atta rest and abide peacefully in the bosom of the Almighty until the last day of the resurrection, when we shall all meet again,” he said.

    The incident occurred as President Akufo-Addo’s convoy, returning from the funeral of former Ejisu MP John Kumah, was involved in a collision at Bunso Junction. It was reported that a KIA truck entered the path of the convoy, resulting in the accident.

    While the president was not present during the collision, subsequent reports revealed that two military officers associated with the presidency and injured in the crash had been airlifted to Accra for advanced medical treatment.

    On May 19, 2024, the presidency officially confirmed the accident and the identity of the deceased driver through an official statement.

  • Accident that killed my driver was unnecessary – Akufo-Addo

    Accident that killed my driver was unnecessary – Akufo-Addo


    President Akufo-Addo has conveyed his condolences following the demise of Kwesi Atta, a presidential driver, who tragically lost his life in a convoy accident at Bunso Junction in the Eastern Region.

    He remembered the late Atta as a dedicated employee who stood by him through thick and thin, expressing deep sadness over the unexpected loss.

    Additionally, the president wished a swift recovery for the other individuals injured in the accident, expressing optimism for their speedy recuperation to resume their duties and provide for their families.

    During the swearing-in ceremony of the 24 new ministers and deputy ministers at the Jubilee House, President Akufo-Addo called for a moment of silence in honor of Kwesi Atta, acknowledging his faithful service and offering prayers for his peaceful rest.

    “I would, with your indulgence, ask you to be upstanding, to join me in a minute’s silence. In memory of an employee – a faithful employee, Kwesi Atta, who died tragically in an unnecessary accident this week in the line of duty, I wish the other three affected persons speedy recoveries.

    “May the soul of Kwesi Atta rest and abide peacefully in the bosom of the Almighty until the last day of the resurrection, when we shall all meet again,” he said.

    The incident occurred as President Akufo-Addo’s convoy, returning from the funeral of former Ejisu MP John Kumah, was involved in a collision at Bunso Junction. It was reported that a KIA truck entered the path of the convoy, resulting in the accident.

    While the president was not present during the collision, subsequent reports revealed that two military officers associated with the presidency and injured in the crash had been airlifted to Accra for advanced medical treatment.

    On May 19, 2024, the presidency officially confirmed the accident and the identity of the deceased driver through an official statement.

  • Implementation of new fees for nurses, midwives begins today

    Implementation of new fees for nurses, midwives begins today

    The Nursing and Midwifery Council (N&MC) will implement new fees starting Wednesday, May 21, 2024.

    The new fees cover foreign verification, examination fees for various courses, acquisition of personal identification numbers (PINs) and their renewals, registration and licensing, and accreditation for training institutions, among other services.

    However, the council clarified that the fee for foreign verification will remain at GH¢550.

    The previously approved new fee of GH¢3,000, announced in March this year, is still under review. A statement from the Governing Board of the council on March 15 confirmed the decision to implement the newly approved fees, with the exception of the foreign verification fee.

    “The effective date for the revocation and implementation of the newly approved fees (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations, 2024 (L.I 2481) is Wednesday, May 22, 2024,” the statement read.

    The N&MC assured the public of its commitment to maintaining the highest standards in nursing and midwifery training and practices.

    Background
    The N&MC had previously suspended the newly approved fees, which were initially set to take effect from March 1 this year.

    These fees included a significant increase in foreign verification costs from GH¢550 to GH¢3,000, a 445.45 percent rise.

    The Governing Board decided to halt the implementation of the new fees following discussions with relevant stakeholders who raised concerns about the drastic increase.

    This decision was made during a board meeting in March.

    Checks by the Daily Graphic indicated that the council had not revised its fees for many years. Despite the necessity of raising the fees, particularly for verification, the council suspended them due to backlash from members concerned about the sudden, substantial hike.

  • Bawumia is the ideal leader for Ghana – Ahiagbah

    Bawumia is the ideal leader for Ghana – Ahiagbah

    Former President, John Dramani Mahama failed the country during his tenure and should not be re-elected, this is according to the Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah.

    Mr. Ahiagbah highlighted that Ghanaians have moved on from the “painful experiences” of Mahama’s presidency, which included the “historic dumsor” (power outages) that crippled businesses, led to job losses, caused avoidable deaths, and resulted in the cancellation of teacher and nursing trainee allowances, among other issues.

    In a post on his X platform, Ahiagbah stated that Mahama offers no redemption.

    He contrasted this with Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, whom he described as embodying the spirit of overcoming adversity, having risen from humble beginnings in Sakasaka, Tamale, to the presidency.

    “Bawumia is the epitome of pulling oneself up by the bootstrap because he has worked hard from a humble beginning at Sakasaka, in Tamale, to the presidency of the Republic of Ghana.

    “This is the story of the majority of Ghanaians, working hard against all odds to make it. With Bawumia’s experience from the bottom up, his presidency will be more sensitive and advance the interests of the masses.

    “As for the alternative, H.E. John Mahama, there is no redemption for him. He failed the masses when he had the opportunity to rule Ghana, and we have moved on from the painful experiences of his presidency such as the historic dumsor that vaquished businesses, employments opportunities, avoidable deaths and the cancelation of teacher & nursing trainee allowances, among others.

    “Bawumia is best to lead. A vote for Bawumia is a breakthrough for the masses who are mostly youth and women,” he wrote.

  • Kayeyei Empowerment Programme to be launched by Bawumia today

    Kayeyei Empowerment Programme to be launched by Bawumia today

    Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia is set to launch the “Kayeyei Empowerment Programme” at the Madina Social Centre today (21 May), aimed at providing skills training for head porters, commonly known as Kayayei.

    The initiative aims to enhance the skills of head porters, create transitional job opportunities, and improve their socio-economic well-being.

    Ghana has approximately 100,000 female head porters, with over 70% based in Accra due to the high demand for their services.

    In January, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the communication director of the Bawumia campaign team, announced that Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia would fulfill his promise to provide accommodation for head porters.

    In a post shared on [Platform X], Miracles Aboagye disclosed that two hostel facilities have been completed and are ready for commissioning.

    These accommodations, situated in Madina and Ashaiman, suburbs of Accra, will not only serve as hostels for Kayayei but also function as training centers for them.

    This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable groups in society and offers a promising future for Kayayei in terms of both housing and skill development.

  • We are still awaiting allowances promised by Bawumia – Nursing trainees

    We are still awaiting allowances promised by Bawumia – Nursing trainees

    Nursing trainees were to receive their overdue allowances last week following a promise by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.

    During a campaign tour, he was approached by a trainee about the unpaid allowances and assured them that he would address the issue with the finance minister to ensure payments were made.

    Later, in a public statement, the Vice President disclosed that funds had been released for the payments as of the previous Thursday.

    However, the umbrella body for nursing and midwifery trainees reported that the payments have not yet appeared in their accounts. In a statement issued on Monday, May 20, the Coalition of Concerned Nurses and Midwives Trainees said, “Despite the Vice President’s announcement over nineteen days ago, no payments have been made nor information provided on the disbursement process. The government’s failure to address these arrears comprehensively continues to burden our future healthcare professionals.”

    The coalition also highlighted that the 177 million Ghana cedis announced by Dr. Bawumia is insufficient to cover the months owed.

    “This calculation does not include the 30% of trainees who have never received any allowances, amounting to an additional GHC209,160,000. Therefore, the minimum total arrears required is GHC209.16 Million,” the statement added.

    “The government’s failure to address these arrears comprehensively continues to burden our future healthcare professionals.”

    Health Minister Bernard Okoe Boye has assured that the government will eventually settle the arrears, unlike the previous administration that completely abolished the payments.

    The coalition also pointed out that 177 million Ghana cedi announced by Dr. Bawumia is “woefully inadequate” to cater for the number of months owed them.”

    “The recently released GHC117 million covers only 11.5% of the total arrears, which is woefully inadequate. Furthermore, 30% of the trainees, approximately 17,430 students, have never received any allowances. This group’s arrears alone amount to GHC209.16 million which is even more than the paltry Ghc177M.

  • Theresa Awuni opposes project to stop flooding in Akweteyman and Alogboshi

    Theresa Awuni opposes project to stop flooding in Akweteyman and Alogboshi

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Okaikwei North, Theresa Lardi Awuni, joined her opposition colleagues on Friday, May 17, to block the approval of a US$150 million loan intended to address severe flooding issues in her constituency.

    The loan was part of the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) project, a US$200 million initiative funded by the World Bank, aimed at enhancing flood risk management, solid waste management, and improving basic infrastructure in the Odaw River Basin communities.

    Alogboshie, a suburb within the Okaikwei North Municipality, was slated to be the first beneficiary, with plans for new access roads, primary and secondary drains, street lights, and water network extensions.

    The decision to block the loan has sparked outrage among residents and local leaders, who accuse Awuni of neglecting the urgent needs of her constituency.

    “This decision is a betrayal,” exclaimed Kwame Asante, a resident of the constituency after hearing the news. “We have been waiting for years for improvements to our drainage systems to stop the flooding that destroys our homes and livelihoods every rainy season. For our MP to oppose this funding is unacceptable.”

    Yaa Serwaa, a shop owner in  Akweteyman, echoed similar sentiments. “We voted for Theresa Lardi Awuni believing she had our best interests at heart. But her actions show she does not care about our struggles. Blocking this loan means more years of suffering for us.”

    “At the heart of the GARID project is the goal to enhance the living conditions of our people by providing essential infrastructure and reducing flood risks,” Asenso-Boakye stated. “The commencement of these projects in Alogboshie, and soon in Akweteyman and Nima, is a step towards a more resilient Greater Accra.”

    The GARID project is viewed as a lifeline for low-income communities, including Akweteyman and Nima, which grapple with significant flooding challenges.

    Former Minister of Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye, underscored the project’s significance at a sod-cutting ceremony last December, stressing the benefits of improved public services and reduced flood risks.

  • Yours is to provide public service not to appropriate personal gain – Akufo-Addo tells new ministers

    Yours is to provide public service not to appropriate personal gain – Akufo-Addo tells new ministers

    President Akufo-Addo has instructed the new ministers to promptly file their asset declarations.

    He emphasized that their roles are for public service, not personal gain.

    The president made these remarks at the Jubilee House during the swearing-in ceremony for the new ministers on Monday, May 20.

    He highlighted the importance of integrity, stating, “Your contribution will not only be to the success of my government but also equally important to the success of our party, the NPP,  its excellent presidential candidate, Vice President Dr Mahamdu Bawumia, and its parliamentary candidates in the 2024 December elections. To this end, the quality of integrity which will permeate your work in these last few months  is extremely important

    “We are called to these public appointments to provide public service not to appropriate personal gain. Do not in this regard fail to file your asset declaration promptly and remain above reproach in your public dealings, your conduct, my conduct, our collective conduct in the executive will determine to a large extent the fate and fortunes of our party in the NPP in this and succeeding decades.”

    President Akufo-Addo expressed confidence in the new ministers, noting that despite having only seven months left in the administration, they have ample time to make a significant impact.

    “You have joined the government at the last lap of its mandate, with seven months to go but I am confident that there is enough time for you to make a difference and significant contribution, Indeed anyone who has something to prove can make a point within a short period and I am sure you various competencies, experiences, and talents make this distinctly possible,” he said.

    However, the president expressed surprise at the Minority’s walkout during the consideration and approval of the new ministers.

    He described their action as a “pity,” adding,“It was a pity that at the last moment, the Minority which has participated in all the prior processes found it necessary to walk out of parliament at the formal approval stage. we thank God that the walkout was not fatal to the vote of approval,” he said.

    On Friday, May 17, the Minority in Parliament staged a boycott of the approval process for President Akufo-Addo’s new ministers. Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson questioned the urgency of the approval, given the existing large number of ministers and deputies in the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government.

    As they walked out, some opposition lawmakers were heard saying, “Ghanaians are suffering.” Dr. Forson told the Majority side, “If you don’t care, we care.”

    “May I ask, how is the approval of the President’s nominees for ministerial positions an urgent matter, when this Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government already has a large number of ministers and deputy ministers?” He asked.

    The ministerial nominees are:

    • Health: Hon. Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye
    • Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation: Ophelia Mensah Hayford
    • Information: Ms. Fatimatu Abubakar
    • Gender, Children, and Social Protection: Dakoa Newman
    • Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development: Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah
    • Sanitation and Water Resources: Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan
    • Tourism, Arts, and Culture: Hon. Andrew Egyapa Mercer
    • Greater Accra Region: Hon. Titus Glover
    • Oti Region: Mr. Daniel Machator

    The deputy ministerial nominees are:

    • Information: Sylvester Tetteh, MP
    • Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development: Vincent Ekow Assafuah
    • Communications and Digitalisation: Hon. Charles Acheampong
    • Health: Adelaide Ntim, MP, and Alexander Akwasi Acquah
    • Works and Housing: Hon. Dr. Prince Hamidu Armah
    • Lands and Natural Resources: Akwasi Konadu
    • Fisheries and Aquaculture Development: Hon. Musah Abdul Aziz Ayaba
    • Energy: John Kobina Sanie and Collins Adomako Mensah
    • Education: Kingsley Nyarko
    • Employment and Labour Relations: Hon. Festus Awuah Kwofie
    • Gender, Children, and Social Protection: Hon. Benjamin Sekyere Yeboah

    The ceremony began with a moment of silence in memory of Kwasi Atta, a driver who tragically lost his life in a recent accident at Bunso Junction.

  • EC uncovers fake Ghana Card numbers in Pusiga voter registration

    EC uncovers fake Ghana Card numbers in Pusiga voter registration

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has revealed that fraudulent Ghana Card numbers were used to register some individuals at the Pusiga District Registration Centre during the ongoing voter registration process on May 13, 2024.

    It was found that approximately 17 individuals had used fake Ghana Card numbers during the registration exercise at this centre.

    The implicated Registration Officer was dismissed and subsequently arrested after a report was made to the police.

    In a statement issued on Monday, May 20, the EC disclosed that the Registration Officer was found to be complicit in the fraud.

    The EC explained that the officer failed to physically verify the Ghana Cards of each applicant and instead accepted the fraudulent numbers from Party Agents who had accompanied the 17 applicants.

    “Upon investigation, it was revealed that the Ghana Card numbers were fake. It was further discovered that the Registration Officer was complicit because he did not physically inspect the Ghana Card of individual applicants but rather accepted the fake numbers from Party Agents who had accompanied the 17 applicants.

    “The Registration Officer was dismissed. A report was made to the Police and he was arrested. He has since been granted a police enquiry bail while the Police continue with their investigations. The 17 Applicants were subsequently registered through the Guarantor System.”

  • Woman and her two children allegedly stabbed to death at Kasoa

    Woman and her two children allegedly stabbed to death at Kasoa


    The Net Link Estate community in Kasoa is reeling from a tragic incident where a mother and her two daughters were found brutally stabbed to death in their home.

    Alberta Armah Hagan, a woman in her 40s, along with her daughters, were discovered with multiple stab wounds.

    The horrifying event also left two of her children, aged 9 months and 6 years, critically injured.

    The 6-year-old boy is currently fighting for his life under police supervision at the hospital.

    The motive behind this heinous attack remains unknown, prompting the police to launch a thorough investigation into the matter.

    The entire community is in shock and mourning the loss of the beloved mother and her daughters.

    Law enforcement authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward and assist with the investigation.

    Meanwhile, family and friends of the victims are grappling with profound grief, and the community is uniting to provide them with support during this challenging time.

    This tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the neighborhood, serving as a stark reminder of the pressing need to prioritize safety and security within our communities.

  • Ghana High Commission’s in London congestion charge debt reaches £4.9m

    Ghana High Commission’s in London congestion charge debt reaches £4.9m

    The Ghana High Commission in London ranks among the top debtors under the British capital’s Congestion Charge regime.

    According to documents, Ghana is 8th on the list of diplomatic debtors, with an accumulated debt of nearly five million pounds.

    A January 2024 report by Ianvisits.com revealed that as of September 2023, overseas embassies in London owed £143 million in outstanding congestion charge payments.

    This charge is enforced by Transport for London (TfL), an agency under the Mayor of London.

    “The Congestion Charge is a £15 daily charge if you drive within the Congestion Charge zone 7:00-18:00 Monday-Friday and 12:00-18:00 Sat-Sun and bank holidays,” the Mayor’s website explained.

    The Ianvisits.com report said of the debts: “Although the congestion charge is applied to road vehicles entering the congestion zone, many embassies argue that it’s not a charge but a tax, and embassies are exempt from paying domestic taxes under the terms of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

    “Transport for London (TfL) disagrees and maintains a list of outstanding debts due on its website, that’s updated every six months.

    “Part of the difficulty for TfL is that they can’t sue a diplomatic mission to recover the outstanding fees. Only the central government can trigger proceedings against international embassies, so TfL depends on the government to act on its behalf.

    “According to a written statement from the Mayor of London, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials write to diplomatic missions and international organisations with large Congestion Charge debts annually to encourage payment,” it added.

    TfL disputes this interpretation and maintains a publicly accessible list of outstanding debts, updated every six months.

    Since the congestion charge was introduced in February 2003, embassies have largely ignored compliance requests, but TfL continues to update the debt list biannually.

  • IMF board set to approve $360m third tranche for Ghana

    IMF board set to approve $360m third tranche for Ghana

    Ghana is making strides toward securing board approval from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the third tranche of $360 million under its $3 billion extended credit facility.

    The government’s ongoing support program, aimed at stabilizing the economy and fostering sustainable growth, is yielding better-than-expected results.

    To date, Ghana has received $1.2 billion in IMF funding, which has aided fiscal consolidation, bolstered foreign exchange reserves, and supported general economic recovery.

    The IMF acknowledges Ghana’s progress toward the next disbursement, noting that the country continues to meet necessary economic and policy benchmarks.

    Julie Kozack, Director of Communications at the IMF, spoke about Ghana’s status during a recent press conference in Washington, D.C., expressing confidence and support from the IMF.

    Ghana is poised to receive approval for its third tranche of $360 million when the IMF Executive Board convenes in June, following a staff-level agreement on the second review of the loan-support program.

    The Fund has indicated that additional adjustments will not be required from the Ghanaian government.

    The government is hopeful that ongoing discussions among official creditors will lead to the conclusion of talks, facilitating the release of the third tranche of funds.

    Julie Kozack also highlighted positive economic indicators, such as higher-than-anticipated growth in 2023, declining inflation, improved fiscal and external positions, and reduced exchange rate volatility.

    She noted Ghana’s progress on comprehensive debt restructuring efforts, including engagements with official bilateral and external private creditors.

    “On April 13th, IMF staff and the Ghanaian authorities reached a staff-level agreement for the second review of the programme. The aim is to bring the review to the IMF’s Executive Board before the end of June, and once approved by the Board, the review would give Ghana access to about $360 million. The authorities’ strong policy and reform efforts under the programme are bearing fruit, and signs of economic stabilization are emerging.”

    “Growth, for example, in 2023, was higher than anticipated, and the growth projections are being revised upward. Inflation has been declining rapidly, the fiscal and external positions have improved, and exchange rate volatility has declined quite significantly. The authorities are making good progress on their comprehensive debt restructuring. The domestic debt exchange was completed last year, and on January 12th, the government reached agreement in principle with its official bilateral creditors. Ghana is also engaging with external private creditors to seek their support”, Julie Kozack added.

  • Seven-year-old boy found dead after drowning in Agyei River at Ngleshie Amanfro

    Seven-year-old boy found dead after drowning in Agyei River at Ngleshie Amanfro

    A seven-year-old boy has tragically drowned in the Agyei River at Nurses Quarters, a suburb of Ngleshie Amanfro in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.

    The absence of a bridge over the river, which would facilitate safe crossing, has been identified as the primary cause of the boy’s drowning.

    Eyewitnesses reported that the boy’s body was discovered in the river on Monday morning after an unsuccessful search on Sunday evening when he did not return home from an errand.

    This tragedy is not isolated, as a similar incident occurred months ago, resulting in the drowning and death of an adult attempting to cross the same river.

    Residents have repeatedly appealed to authorities from the Ga South and Awutu Senya East Municipal Assemblies to construct a bridge over the river, but these pleas have been ignored.

    The lack of a bridge has made it perilous for residents, including children, to cross the river to access schools and other essential services.

    A makeshift wooden bridge, constructed by residents, was washed away by the river, leaving the community vulnerable.

    Community leaders are outraged by the neglect from authorities in this rapidly developing area, despite their repeated pleas for assistance.

    They believe that constructing a bridge would have prevented this tragic loss of life and are urging authorities to take immediate action to address this long-standing issue.

  • We saved Ghana $150m by objecting excessive tax implementation – Minority

    We saved Ghana $150m by objecting excessive tax implementation – Minority

    The Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has asserted that the Minority in Parliament played a vital role in saving Ghana $150 million by contesting the government’s tax waivers for 42 companies linked to the One-District-One-Factory initiative.

    He elaborated that through the Minority’s objections to certain evaluations of these companies, the waivers were revised from $459 million down to $335 million.

    In an interview with Bernard Avle on The Point of View aired on Citi TV, Dr. Forson referenced a specific case involving an oil refinery, which he believed was overvalued in its assessment.

    “We worked for Parliament to institute a guideline and also worked for Parliament to approve tax exemptions Act. Since then, the government started submitting some tax exemptions and upon scrutiny, we noticed something fundamentally wrong with it.

    “For example, there was one tax waiver for a company which has constructed an oil refinery [Sentuo Oil Refinery]. The finance ministry had done some assessments and sent them to us for approval. At the time, they brought it, it was about $300 and something million. We said we wanted to see the assessment, we looked at it, and we asked where it was coming from, and they said the Ministry of Finance and Ghana Revenue Authority.

    “My assessment was that the GRA and the ministry cannot competently assess what goes into an oil refinery. They have to do that with the National Petroleum Authority because they are clothed with the competence to be able to do that, before we can sit and consider it, to date, that has not been done. Until the NPA validates that, there’s no way I can support it…We have heard the refinery is a secondhand refinery. The assessment may have been bloated.

    He emphasized the need for comprehensive assessments by competent authorities, particularly highlighting the role of the National Petroleum Authority in evaluating oil refinery projects.

    Dr. Forson emphasized that their interventions led to a reduction in tax exemptions, saving taxpayers approximately $150 million.

    He clarified that their concern was not against tax exemptions in general but specifically targeted those associated with the 1D1F project, citing instances of perceived abuse.

    Regarding the release of the tax waiver request list for companies under the 1D1F initiative in May 2024, Dr. Forson reiterated their stance against certain tax waivers approved under the initiative, emphasizing the need for periodic reviews to address any abuses.

    In 2021, the Ministry of Finance initiated processes to secure tax exemptions totaling approximately $335,072,712.13 for 42 companies under the One District One Factory initiative, as presented in Parliament through the Exemptions Act, 2022 (Act 1083) by former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

    “Since the time we stopped all of these, at the point, the value of those exemptions was $459 million… They had subsequently gone back, reviewed some of these tax exemptions and brought a revised amount worth $335 million, by that press statement alone. Based on our resistance alone, we have saved the nation almost $150 million. There have been some improvements. We’ve saved the taxpayer some money.”

    “We’re not against tax exemptions in principle, but with this particular tax exemption for the 1D1F project, we have issues. For 2021, we felt that there was a need to review that policy because we have seen some abuses. And it’s only right at a point in time for a government or Parliament to review its position on certain things if you get additional information. From 2021, we took a strong view against some of the tax waivers approved under 1D1F.”

  • Contractors recently received over GHS6bn from government – Afenyo-Markin

    Contractors recently received over GHS6bn from government – Afenyo-Markin

    The Majority Caucus in Parliament has revealed that the government has disbursed over GH¢6 billion to contractors within the past two months.

    This announcement comes in response to the Minority Caucus’s allegation that the government borrowed GH¢7 billion from the Treasury Bill market to pay these contractors.

    Although the Chamber of Construction Industry has refuted the borrowing claim, the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, confirmed on the floor of Parliament that the payment was indeed made, leading to the resumption of halted road projects.

    “In the last two months, the government has paid contractors in excess of GH¢6 billion. I repeat, GH¢6 billion. These monies, Mr. Speaker, paid contractors have enabled them to get back to the roads. We know what is happening in our constituencies. We know that contractors are back on site. Roadworks are ongoing.”

  • My ‘sloppiness’ has uncovered your govt’s corrupt activities – Ablakwa tells Akufo-Addo’s lawyer

    My ‘sloppiness’ has uncovered your govt’s corrupt activities – Ablakwa tells Akufo-Addo’s lawyer

    The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has responded to criticism from President Akufo-Addo’s counsel regarding his recent exposé on the sale of six state-owned hotels by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.

    Akufo-Addo’s lawyer, Kow Essuman, pointed out that the SSNIT statement released showed that Bryan Acheampong’s Rock City began negotiations for the purchase of the six hotels in 2022, not 2018 as Ablakwa had claimed.

    Mr Essuman advised Ablakwa to be cautious when presenting information to hold political leaders accountable, as spreading falsehoods could damage their reputations.

    “Bro, sometimes you should take your time and read your own statements/posts. What started in November 2018 was the procurement process for the transaction adviser – see paragraph 4 of the SSNIT statement. The procurement process for the strategic partner commenced in February 2022 – see paragraph 7 of the SSNIT statement.

    “In other words, Rock City came into the picture after February 2022 and not November 2018 as you sought to imply in your post. Accountability is good, but let’s be accurate,” Essuman wrote in a post shared on his X page on Monday, May 20, 2024.

    Mr Ablakwa disclosed that he had petitioned the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate and stop the minister from acquiring the hotels.

    He said the minister’s actions not only constitute an abuse of power but also point to a lack of due process, procurement breaches, cronyism, graft, and a violation of the Constitution of Ghana.

    SSNIT has also stated it is selling 60% shares of the six hotels to Bryan Acheampong’s company because they presented the best offer.

    It also stated the shares of the hotels were advertised for every interested person to make a bid.

    Background:

    Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa recently alleged that six hotels belonging to SSNIT are being sold to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.

    In a post shared on social media on Friday, 17 May 2024, the MP indicated that documents he has intercepted show that negotiations to sell 60% of the shares of the six SSNIT hotels to the minister’s Rock City Hotel Limited are far advanced.

    The North Tongu legislator pointed out that the sale of state properties to government officials constitutes an abuse of power and should not be allowed to happen.

  • Ghanaians aren’t gentle, don’t think you can misbehave and have your way – Duncan-Williams warns politicians

    Ghanaians aren’t gentle, don’t think you can misbehave and have your way – Duncan-Williams warns politicians

    The founder of Action Chapel International, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, has issued a stern warning to politicians, urging them to act in the best interest of the citizens to prevent potential unrest caused by continued exploitation.

    Speaking on the current hardships in the country, including the mass exodus of healthcare professionals, he emphasized the need for transparency and fairness in alleviating the suffering of ordinary Ghanaians.

    He cautioned that failure to address these issues could lead to a crisis driven by the unintended consequences of widespread hardship.

    Drawing on historical events, Duncan-Williams reminded the current leadership that Ghanaians have previously risen against oppression, referencing the coups of 1979 and 1981.

    “May I say this that nobody should think that the Ghanaian is very gentle and doesn’t like trouble. It’s not true, because I saw what happened in 79 and 81 (during the Rawlings coups).

    “There were Ghanaians and some of the violence and murders and unrest in a certain part of this country like what’s going on in Bawku and other places, they are all Ghanaians, and if we don’t manage things well and we have this mentality and thinking that any party can do whatever they want to do and the Ghanaian will accept it, and the Ghanaian will live for it, you might be playing with fire, make no mistake,” he cautioned.

    He warned against underestimating the potential for unrest, mentioning ongoing conflicts in regions like Bawku as examples of the volatility that can arise.

    The Archbishop made these remarks during a meeting with the leadership of Christian Ecumenical Councils and former President John Dramani Mahama in Accra on Monday, May 20, 2024.

    He highlighted the dangers of ignoring the frustrations of the populace, noting that desperate and angry people are difficult to manage and can become a breeding ground for further chaos.

    Prominent clergymen, including Rev. Stephen Wengam, Rev. Lawrence Tetteh, and Rev. Sam Korankye Ankrah, were also present at the meeting, along with the NDC’s National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah and General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey.

  • NDC planning to hide ‘missing BVRs’ in our premises – NPP claims

    NDC planning to hide ‘missing BVRs’ in our premises – NPP claims

    The National Organizer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye (Nana B), has exposed an alleged scheme by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to implicate the NPP in the controversy surrounding missing Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits and Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs).

    Nana B, citing credible sources, claims the NDC plans to plant some of the missing devices, which they allegedly possess, at various NPP offices across the country.

    He asserts that the opposition party intends to invite selected media houses to these locations to capture footage of the missing devices purportedly found in NPP offices.

    Nana B further disclosed that some NDC members had prior knowledge of the BVR kit theft and planned to steal components from 25 other BVRs. These components could be reassembled for voter registration.

    The controversy began in April when the Electoral Commission (EC) handed over individuals suspected of stealing five laptops, part of the BVR kits, to the police. This followed allegations by the NDC about the missing kits.

    The NDC Minority in Parliament first announced the missing kits on March 19, 2024, calling for urgent police action and expressing concerns about the upcoming December election.

    On March 20, 2024, the EC clarified that it was five laptops, not the Biometric Verification Devices, that were stolen.

    Despite this clarification, the NDC called on the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to investigate the unaccounted-for BVR components to ensure fair December polls.

    NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah claimed the stolen BVR kits could be used to illegally register voters for the December 7 general elections.

    However, the EC assured Ghanaians that the missing laptops alone could not be used for voter registration or verification.

    Nana B asserts that the NDC’s insistence on the stolen kits being used to tamper with elections is part of a scheme to hide the kits in NPP offices and accuse the EC of colluding with the governing party to rig the elections.

    He likened this strategy to a 2008 incident in the Akwatia Constituency where NDC members allegedly planted stolen ballot boxes at an NPP executive’s house and then called for his arrest.

    Given this situation, Nana B urges all NPP Constituency Executives, Regional Executives, and party stakeholders to remain vigilant around party offices to prevent potential intrusions by the NDC.

    These unfolding events highlight the heightened tensions and accusations between the two major political parties as the December elections approach.

  • Ghana saves GHS34m as OSP, CAGD tackle ‘ghost names’ on govt payroll

    Ghana saves GHS34m as OSP, CAGD tackle ‘ghost names’ on govt payroll

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) have reported saving Ghana GH¢34,249,737.6 for the 2024 financial year through a thorough examination of the government payroll in the Northern Region.

    This review included educational institutions under the Ghana Education Service and the Tamale Teaching Hospital.

    The investigation began after the OSP identified and blocked “ghost names” in January 2024, recovering GH¢2,854,144.80. According to the OSP and CAGD’s Phase 1, Volume 1 investigative report dated May 20, the collaboration revealed unearned salaries that would have otherwise gone unnoticed.

    “The blockade of the amount of Two Million Eight Hundred and Fifty-Four Thousand One Hundred and Forty-Four cedis Eighty pesewas (GHC2,854,144.80) and the removal from Government Payroll of the corresponding deceased, retired, post vacators, the missing, and those whose whereabouts are unknown has saved the Republic an amount of Thirty-Four Million Two Hundred and Forty-Nine Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirty Seven cedis Six pesewas (GHC34,249,737.6) for the 2024 financial year, and future savings of that amount (in addition to future periodic upward pay adjustments) for every year that the unearned-salaries-amount would have remained undetected but for the joint investigation and assessment by the OSP and CAGD of Government Payroll in the Northern Region (covering educational institutions under Ghana Education Service and Tamale Teaching Hospital).”

    The investigation uncovered that the payroll system in the Northern Region, particularly within GES and the Tamale Teaching Hospital, was being managed by unauthorized and inactive validators. The credentials of deceased and retired validators were actively used, and transferred validators were validating with outdated credentials. Additionally, staff transferred and released were still being validated by their previous management units.

    The OSP highlighted the risk of unauthorized and continuous engagement by these institutions and noted the concerning use of unauthorized validators’ credentials.

    The report concludes with a commitment to extend the investigation to the remaining 15 regions under Phase 1 of the exercise.

    “The OSP and CAGD observed that the payroll system in the Northern Region (covering educational institutions under Ghana Education Service and the Tamale Teaching Hospital) is attended to by an alarming number of unauthorised and inactive validators. Indeed, most of the management units were found to be validating persons through the use of unauthorised and inactive validators’ credentials.

    “That is to say, the credentials of deceased and retired validators were being actively used in the validation process. Then again, transferred validators were purporting to engage in validation with their inactive previous credentials. It was also observed that transferred and released staff were being validated by their previous management units, creating the clear danger of unattested active or continuous engagement by the respective institutions.”

    “The OSP and CAGD would proceed by extending the investigation to the remaining fifteen regions under Phase I of the exercise.”

  • COCOBOD scraps Scholarship Scheme due to Free SHS initiative

    COCOBOD scraps Scholarship Scheme due to Free SHS initiative

    The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has announced the termination of its long-standing scholarship scheme, attributing this decision to the implementation of the government’s Free Senior High School (SHS) initiative.

    In place of the scholarship program, COCOBOD has launched the Cocoa Board Education Trust, which focuses on providing essential primary school infrastructure in underserved cocoa-growing communities.

    The chairman of the board, Peter Mac Manu, explained that the Free SHS initiative has significantly impacted the relevance of the scholarship scheme. “As we bid farewell to the Scholarship Scheme, we must look forward and prioritise the continued educational advancement of the cocoa farming community. It’s with this vision that the board of directors has decided to establish the Ghana Cocoa Board Education Trust.

    The COCOBOD Scholarship Scheme had been providing financial support to students from cocoa-farming communities for many years.

    However, with the introduction of Free SHS, the board has chosen to redirect its resources to address the need for primary school infrastructure in underserved areas.

    The newly inaugurated Cocoa Board Education Trust aims to establish model basic schools in cocoa-growing communities.

    According to Peter Mac Manu, this initiative underscores the board’s commitment to the prosperity and well-being of cocoa farmers and their children.

  • I had a system that prevented Togolese who registered from voting in 2016 – Hopeson Adorye

    I had a system that prevented Togolese who registered from voting in 2016 – Hopeson Adorye

    A prominent figure in Alan Kyerematen’s Movement for Change, Hopeson Adorye, has disclosed details of a covert operation he led to prevent alleged Togolese nationals from voting in Ghana’s 2016 general elections.

    In an interview on Onua TV on May 16, 2024, Adorye explained that the operation, which involved the use of explosives, took place entirely within Togo’s borders, not Ghana’s.

    He organized a team and traveled to Togo to engage with traditional authorities in border communities, urging them to dissuade their people from crossing into Ghana to vote.

    He further elaborated that he made his team swear an oath of secrecy, ensuring regional executives were unaware of their plans.

    Using a local contact with strong ties to traditional authorities, Mr Adorye’s team moved from one authority to another, providing them with substantial sums of CFA for advocacy and radio announcements to deter cross-border voting.

    “There is this issue in the Volta Region during elections that Togolese came and registered to vote. In 2016, they came to register alright, but I took it upon myself to disable the system so that they would not come and vote.

    “I chose a team and made them swear an oath that they were not going to inform the regional executives of what we were going to do,” he narrated in Twi.

    He added, “We had a relation who grew up there (Togo) and he had a good relationship with the traditional authorities there. So, he moved us from one authority to the other so we could engage them. When we met them, we gave them a lot of money (CFA) for them to use for advocacy, radio announcements and the like.”

    A former New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary hopeful, also revealed a more drastic part of his strategy: creating fear among Togolese nationals to prevent them from voting.

    “I told them that things were going to happen so they should not come… Because of what we told them, we put things in order. Everything that happened took place in Togo. Those saying it happened in the Volta Region, if you throw this (dynamite) at a polling station, won’t people die? Who in the Volta Region can say that there was an explosion in his or her area?

    “And I gated the people. After it (the explosion), I made them take off on the motorbikes. There was a commotion, and the people started saying that what we told them had started happening. It was a strategy. Everything happened in Togo,” he reiterated.

    He asserted that Ghanaian security officials, including the Inspector General of Police, could not summon him for actions that took place outside Ghana’s jurisdiction. Additionally, he criticized the NPP for not recognizing or rewarding him and his team for their efforts.

    This revelation comes amidst calls from veteran journalist Kwami Sefa Kayi for security agencies to arrest and investigate Adorye for his claims that the ruling NPP used dynamites to intimidate voters in the Volta Region during the 2016 elections.

    Watch video below:

  • Let’s celebrate Kissi Agyebeng for his role in Cecilia Dapaah’s case – Kpebu

    Let’s celebrate Kissi Agyebeng for his role in Cecilia Dapaah’s case – Kpebu

    Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has lauded Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng for his decision to accuse former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, and her husband of money laundering.

    Kpebu noted that Agyebeng could have overlooked the money laundering possibility since his office was only mandated to investigate corruption. However, he chose to address the suspicious activities, demonstrating his commitment to his role.

    In a statement reported by myjoyonline.com, Kpebu said, “If anything at all, we should be commending Kissi Agyebeng exceedingly. We should be giving a high round of applause to Kissi Agyebeng for blowing the whistle that, hey, this thing looks like money laundering.

    “You know, he could have just kept quiet. ‘I am mandated to do corruption; I did not find corruption and corruption-related offences, so case closed.’ But as he was saying case closed, he also said, ‘But I see money laundering,’ so we have to applaud Kissi Agyebeng and the OSP for a yeoman’s job,”

    Background on Cecilia Dapaah’s Case:


    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) recently closed its case against Cecilia Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kufuor, who faced accusations of corruption after their house helps allegedly stole $1 million and €300,000 in cash, along with other valuables, from their residence in Abelemkpe.

    Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng concluded that his office lacked the jurisdiction to prosecute the case further and referred it to the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), suspecting the large sums of money found might be linked to money laundering.

    However, EOCO returned the case dockets following advice from the Attorney General’s Office, stating the referral for money laundering lacked basis.

    Attorney General Godfred Dame also stated that there was no evidence of corruption or procurement breaches against Dapaah and her husband.

    Petition for Special Prosecutor’s Removal:
    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has forwarded a petition for the removal of Kissi Agyebeng as Special Prosecutor to the Chief Justice. The petition, presented by former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu, cited procurement irregularities, alleged misconduct involving judges, infringement of citizens’ rights, and improper staff appointments.

    Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo is currently assessing whether there is sufficient evidence to form a committee for Agyebeng’s potential impeachment, and she has asked the Special Prosecutor to respond to the issues raised in the petition.

  • Gov’t allegedly denied Delta Airlines a deal due to failure to pay bribe

    Gov’t allegedly denied Delta Airlines a deal due to failure to pay bribe

    A Ghanaian man has alleged that the government turned down a lucrative deal with Delta Airlines due to the airline’s refusal to pay a bribe. 

    In an interview with Kingdom FM, he recounted that during an embassy meeting with US commercial representatives, a series of frustrating encounters and unproductive negotiations ultimately resulted in a dead end for the American airline.

    According to him, he and one Hannah Acquah attended numerous meetings where Delta Airlines representatives, including one John Fechushak who stayed in a hotel for over four months, attempted to secure a deal. 

    He added that Mr Fechushak visited Ghana around 40 times, yet despite their efforts, the agreement was never finalized.

    Delta Airlines had proposed a comprehensive contract that included the construction of an aviation school in Ghana at no cost.

    This school was intended to train Ghanaian pilots, stewards, flight attendants, and other aviation personnel.

    The proposal aimed at significantly boosting the local aviation industry by providing essential training and career opportunities for Ghanaians.

    Despite these generous offers, the government allegedly turned down the deal.

    “We had an embassy meeting with a US commercial,  I and Hannah Acquah. Joseph Chuks was in a hotel for more than 4 months. He was in Ghana for 40 times but did not get the deal. We had meetings upon ,meetings where Delta Airlines (USA) were  prepared for the deal but the government turned them down.

    In the contract, the people had wanted to build an aviation school for free to train Ghanaian pilots. They had wanted to train stewards, flight attendants etc but the government still refused this offer. However they were quick to accept Delta Accra NewYork non-stop one aircraft,” he added.

    Watch video below:

  • 0% message, 100% Key Soap Concert Party – Koku Anyidoho reacts to Mahama’s video

    0% message, 100% Key Soap Concert Party – Koku Anyidoho reacts to Mahama’s video

    Former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Koku Anyidoho, has likened a recent campaign address by the party’s flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama’s to the entire episode to a scene from the popular Ghanaian entertainment show “Key Soap Concert Party”.

    Taking to the X platform, Mr Anyidoho stated that Mahama is fit for a comedian rather than a politician.

    According to him, Ghanaian comedians like Nkomode, Waterproof, Ice Kenkey & co would be very proud of him for creating such humor in his campaign address.

    He framed Mahama’s narration as a comedic performance rather than a serious political address.


    However, Mr Anyidoho has indicated that chipping in an incident that past happened in the past was uncalled for.
    “0% message: 100% Key Soap Concert Party. Nkomode, Waterproof, Ice Kenkey & co would be very proud of him,” he wrote.

    Mr Anyidoho’s comment comes after Mahama shared an account of the incident that took place during the ballot counting process after the election regarding the selection of Speaker of Parliament for the 8th Parliament in 2021.

    According to Mahama, ”drama unfolded as the commissioner began counting the ballots. She started with those marked for the New Patriotic Party (NPP). When it became evident that the NPP’s votes were insufficient, the party realized they had lost.


    “As the commissioner moved on to counting the NDC’s ballots, the process took longer due to the large number of votes. It was during this extended counting period that an NPP MP, in a desperate move, reached into Alban Bagbin’s ballot box, grabbed some ballots, and began tearing them apart with his teeth.


    “This outrageous act prompted immediate retaliation from the NDC MPs, who attacked and slapped him until he spat out the papers. Despite their efforts, the MP had already swallowed about three of the ballots”.

    Watch video below:

  • You’ve 4 years and I have 8, allow me to be president – Bawumia to Mahama

    You’ve 4 years and I have 8, allow me to be president – Bawumia to Mahama

    The flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has appealed to his primary rival, John Dramani Mahama, to demonstrate patience and allow him the opportunity to also serve as President.

    During a visit to the palace of Wa Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV on Sunday, May 19, Dr. Bawumia stressed that while Mr. Mahama has already held the position of President, he has not yet had the chance to do so.

    Thus, he urged Mr. Mahama to exercise restraint and permit him to take his turn.

    Dr. Bawumia highlighted that as per the constitution, Mr. Mahama is eligible for only one term, whereas he has the potential to serve for two terms if elected.

    Despite being engaged in political campaigns, Dr. Bawumia underscored his focus on addressing issues crucial to the Ghanaian populace rather than resorting to insults or personal attacks against his adversaries.

    He reiterated his dedication to informing the electorate about his proposed plans and programs for the country if elected President, rather than indulging in divisive rhetoric aimed at undermining his opponents.

    “[My main opponent and I] are both your children. We are both from the north and he has been president before but I haven’t been president before, so I have told him (John Mahama) that he is my senior brother, and he should have patience for me so I can also become president of this country.”

    “I will be able to be president for 8 years, and he can only be president for four years, so if the presidency is coming home, then we should have it for 8-years rather than four years,” he said.

  • Removal of Special Prosecutor could diminish trust in corruption fight – CDD-Ghana

    The Project Director of the Democracy Project and a Fellow at CDD-Ghana has contended that impeaching Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng could erode public trust in anti-corruption endeavors.

    Dr. John Osae-Kwapong proposed exploring alternative administrative solutions to address the allegations against Mr. Agyebeng instead of immediately resorting to his removal.

    He argued that such actions could set a negative precedent and further diminish public confidence in anti-corruption efforts. Dr. Osae-Kwapong expressed these views during a televised discussion in Accra on Saturday, following a petition filed by Martin Amidu, the former Special Prosecutor, seeking Mr. Agyebeng’s impeachment.

    Mr. Amidu’s petition alleged various breaches by the Special Prosecutor, including procurement irregularities, abuse of judicial processes, violations of citizens’ rights, and inappropriate personnel appointments.

    Dr. Osae-Kwapong questioned whether these allegations constituted sufficient grounds for impeachment. Madam Amanda Akuokor Clinton, a legal practitioner, concurred with Dr. Osae-Kwapong, stating that, except for the procurement issues, the other accusations lacked merit under the Special Prosecution Act 2017.

    She specifically dismissed claims of judicial abuse, labeling Mr. Agyebeng’s remarks as measured and academic. Ms. Clinton warned against politicizing the office of the Special Prosecutor and cautioned that removing Mr. Agyebeng based on such accusations could establish a dangerous precedent.

    Mr. Alhassan S. Suhuyini, a Member of Parliament, characterized Mr. Amidu’s petition as an attempt to impose his standards on Mr. Agyebeng. He deemed the petition unrealistic and advocated for addressing the issues through alternative means.

    “To remove the Special Prosecutor from office, it has to be egregious enough but if there are other administrative remedies to address some of the allegations levelled against him, let’s use them rather than first resorting to his removal from office.

    “It doesn’t set a good precedent for the fight against corruption and deepens the already eroding public confidence in the fight against corruption,” he said.

    “…as I look at some of the basis, I keep asking myself, do these rise to the level of an impeachable offence for which he must be removed from office?” he quizzed.  

    “I think aside from the issue of procurement, Mr Amidu’s other allegations do not stand. According to the Special Prosecution Act 2017, the Special prosecutor can be removed for misconduct, incompetence, or actions that bring the office into disrepute,” she said.  

  • Man allegedly posing as Otumfuo’s staff to defraud others arrested

    Man allegedly posing as Otumfuo’s staff to defraud others arrested

    A middle-aged man, Kwadwo Amoah Ampong, has been apprehended for allegedly impersonating a staff member of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in order to carry out fraudulent activities.

    The suspect, posing as the chief private investigator for the Asantehene, has reportedly defrauded unsuspecting victims and propagated false accusations against Asante chiefs.

    Allegations made by Ampong targeted specific direct chiefs under Otumfuo, including those of Pekyi N1, Gyaakye, Donyina, and Asotwe, aiming to tarnish their reputations.

    His actions caused confusion and discord among local leaders until his deception was exposed by kinsmen of Saamanhene Palace in Kumasi.

    Confronted by the Saamanhene Palace, Ampong confessed to his crimes and renounced his false title.

  • Gideon Boako grants GHS1k as capital to 50 apprentices each in Tano North

    Gideon Boako grants GHS1k as capital to 50 apprentices each in Tano North

    The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for Tano North, Dr. Gideon Boako, has supported 50 apprentices in the constituency with GH¢1,000 each as seed capital upon their graduation from various professional training programs on Sunday, May 19.

    In a Facebook update on Monday, May 20, Dr. Boako reaffirmed his dedication to the constituency’s growth and its human capital.

    He urged the recipients to use the assistance wisely, stressing the significance of creating opportunities for others to benefit as well.

    “Yesterday [Sunday, May 19] at Dua YawNkwanta, I joined the Tailors and Dressmakers Association of the Tano North Constituency to graduate 50 apprentices who had gone through intense training to become professionals in their field.”

    “I contributed 1,000 Ghana cedis seed money to each of the 50 graduates to facilitate their setup as they go home to establish themselves. It is my prayer that the Lord blesses us to become a blessing to our fellows in this regard always,” he posted.