George Kwame Aboagye, Ranking Member of Energy Committee flanked by his colleagues

The Minority in Parliament has accused the Minister of Energy and Green Transitions, John Jinapor, of focusing on public relations while the country’s power sector slides deeper into crisis.

The caucus expressed frustration over what they described as the minister’s pattern of fear-inducing statements and failure to offer real solutions.

Speaking at a press conference led by George Kwame Aboagye, Ranking Member of the Energy Committee, the Minority warned that the country is edging dangerously close to a full-scale power emergency, one that threatens to cripple businesses, strain households, and undermine President John Dramani Mahama’s flagship 24-hour economy vision.

Under the theme “Stop the Talking, Fix the Lights – Before the 24-Hour Economy Becomes a 24-Hour Blackout,” the Minority lambasted the minister for recent remarks that Ghana had “only 2.6 days of fuel left.”

According to the Minority, such claims are not only unfounded but damaging to investor confidence and public morale.

They recalled a similar incident when the minister, during the swearing-in of the President, announced that Ghana had “only 5 hours of fuel left”—a statement he later clarified applied solely to Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), but not before triggering unnecessary panic.

The Minority said these alarmist tactics must end, as they erode trust and distract from the real work of stabilising the power supply.

Mr. Aboagye emphasised that Ghanaians are already burdened by a 14.75% increase in electricity tariffs this year, yet service delivery continues to deteriorate.

He described the situation as unacceptable and warned that patience among consumers is wearing thin.

Mr. Aboagye, flanked by Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Minority Chief Whip, Collins Adomako Mensah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Afigya-Kwabre North and Michael Kwasi Aidoo, MP for Oforikrom, stressed that the country needs solutions, not excuses, and challenged the minister to rise above political rhetoric and provide the leadership required to steer the sector out of its current mess.

He added that the Energy Ministry must stop shifting blame and start addressing key issues such as fuel supply challenges, technical and commercial losses, and the growing debts crippling independent power producers.

While acknowledging the complexities of the power sector, the Minority rejected attempts to scapegoat the previous administration for current failures.

Mr. Aboagye stated that the Nana Addo government inherited an energy sector burdened with over $2 billion in debt when it assumed office in 2017, and took decisive action in resolving challenges.

According to him, the previous administration built on several strategic investments between 2017 and 2024 that added over 1,600 megawatts of new generation capacity, citing projects like the TT2PP, Amandi, Early Power, and various solar initiatives such as Bui, Kaleo, and the upcoming Yendi project.

The Minority also pointed to significant transmission upgrades, including the Prestea–Kumasi and Aboadze–Prestea lines, as well as expanded access, which brought electricity coverage to nearly 89 percent of the population.

Despite these advances, the Minority said the current administration has allowed progress to stall, warning that the dream of a 24-hour economy is unachievable without uninterrupted electricity supply.

They described the present situation as a dangerous return to the dark days of “dumsor” that plagued Ghana from 2012 to 2016.

The caucus noted that a new generation of Ghanaians—children of those who endured the previous energy crisis—is now witnessing similar conditions, adding that the current “dumsor” is both tragic and infuriating.

The Minority cautioned that businesses are shutting down, hospitals are operating under strain, and schools are being forced to adjust to unstable power conditions.

They argued that the economy cannot thrive under these circumstances, and warned that the Energy Minister must act swiftly or risk a total collapse of confidence in his leadership.

“The honeymoon is over and Ghanaians deserve better. We demand action and results, not rhetoric. Stop the talking and put the lights on,” the Minority asserted.

By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House

GUTA President, Joseph Obeng

The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), alongside allied trade organisations, has strongly condemned the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) for cautioning GUTA President Dr Joseph Obeng against using his honorary doctorate title, describing the action as a malicious attempt to discredit his reputation.

In a statement issued on Monday, 19 May 2025, GUTA called GTEC’s caution an overreach of authority and an “unwarranted, malicious attempt calculated to cast aspersions on the person and the dignity of a leader whose dedication, vision, and advocacy have been pivotal in transforming the economic narrative of our country.”

The association demanded that GTEC retract its press release and issue a public apology to Dr Joseph Obeng for the reputational harm caused.

“We request that GTEC retract its misplaced press release and issue a public apology to Dr Joseph Obeng for the unwarranted reputational harm caused,” the statement said.

The controversy stems from GTEC’s recent directive urging Dr Joseph Obeng to refrain from using the “Dr” title, which he earned through an Honorary Doctorate of Humanity conferred by Alpha International Theological Seminary (AITS) on April 24, 2016 for his contributions to human development and private enterprise.

GUTA emphasised that Dr Joseph Obeng’s honorary title is a “well-earned recognition of his decades of service to national development, private enterprise advocacy, and economic empowerment.”

The statement further asserted, “We assert that the trading community will not countenance any further attempt to denigrate the dignity of our leader or any of our leadership. The informal sector demands and deserves respect.”

The association urged GTEC to exercise discretion, engage stakeholders before issuing such statements, and recognise diverse pathways to leadership beyond academic credentials.

“Dr Joseph Obeng is not merely a representative of traders; he is a symbol of resilience, service, and visionary leadership in Ghana’s economic landscape,” the statement read.

GUTA and its allies, including the Ashanti Business Owners Association, Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association, and the Chamber of Automobile Dealership Ghana (CADEG), expressed solidarity with Dr Joseph Obeng, vowing to protect his right to be honoured and defend all leaders who serve Ghana with integrity.

GA/KA

After the heavy rains over the weekend, a lot of debris have been left across many parts of Accra. Watch some of the destructions below:

Prominent legal scholar and social commentator Kwaku Azar has raised fresh concerns over fiscal justice and government priorities, revealing a substantial increase in salaries for heads and members of Independent Governance Bodies (IGBs) between 2020 and 2024.

In a post published on Facebook on May 19, 2025, Kwaku Azar, also known as GOGO (Governance Observer and Good Order advocate), shared excerpts from a document approving the emoluments of Article 71 officeholders, highlighting what he described as “quietly awarded backdated raises” for key officials — even as ordinary Ghanaians grappled with economic hardship, debt restructuring, and emergency levies.

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Former Vice President and 2024 presidential candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has publicly apologised to party members for the NPP’s disappointing performance in the last general elections.

Speaking during an address in London, United Kingdom, Dr Bawumia acknowledged that the NPP made several missteps which contributed to substantial losses in key constituencies.

“The NPP did a lot of work, there’s no doubt about that, but we did not get everything right. We got quite a few things wrong, and I think that, on my own behalf and on behalf of the party, I apologise to all of you for us not getting the figures right,” he said.

Despite the setback, Dr Bawumia expressed optimism about the future, stating:

“I believe that, by the grace of God, if we are given another opportunity, we will get many things right because we have learned the lessons that will guide us forward.”

Following the party’s landslide defeat in the 2024 elections, a 12-member committee led by former Speaker of Parliament Professor Mike Oquaye conducted a probe into the causes of the loss and has presented its findings to the party leadership.

However, the party has declined to disclose the contents of the report, arguing that it is not intended for public consumption.

In the elections, the NPP suffered significant losses in both the presidential and parliamentary contests.

Mr John Mahama, on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), polled 6,328,397 votes, representing 56.55%, while Dr Mahamudu Bawumia secured 4,657,304 votes, representing 41.61%.

The country’s 9th Parliament has also witnessed a historic shift in power as the NDC secures a commanding majority over the NPP’s representation.

The NDC currently holds 183 seats, leaving the NPP with just 88 seats.

Former Vice President and 2024 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has expressed firm confidence in the party’s chances of returning to power in the 2028 general elections.

Speaking to members of the NPP’s diaspora branch in London, Dr Bawumia said historical trends in Ghana’s political landscape tend to favour opposition parties.

He noted that it is often challenging for political parties in Ghana to win national elections with a new presidential candidate after a sitting president has served two terms. He cited this as a key reason for his optimism.

“Our political history suggests that it is very difficult for a first-time presidential candidate to win an election in Ghana… so there is a sense that in 2028 the NDC is going to present a first-time candidate. I believe we will have an advantage, all things being equal, over that new candidate coming in 2028,” he said.

Dr Bawumia also pointed to the ruling National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) inability to fulfill many of the promises it made during the 2024 campaign as another reason for the NPP’s expected comeback.

“In opposition, they made many promises and told a lot of stories about what they were going to do. Now that they are in government, they said they would reduce the cost of living… but prices are instead going up,” Dr Bawumia noted.

He also apologised to party members for the NPP’s disappointing performance in the 2024 elections.

“The NPP did a lot of work, there’s no doubt about that, but we did not get everything right. We got quite a few things wrong. On my own behalf and on behalf of the party, I apologise to all of you for not getting the figures right,” he said.

Despite the setback, Dr Bawumia expressed optimism for the future.

“I believe that, by the grace of God, if we are given another opportunity, we will get many things right because we have learned the lessons that will guide us forward.”

Following the party’s landslide defeat in the 2024 elections, a 12-member committee led by former Speaker of Parliament Professor Mike Oquaye investigated the causes of the loss and has presented its findings to the party leadership.

However, the party has declined to disclose the contents of the report, saying it is not meant for public consumption.

In the 2024 elections, the NPP suffered significant losses in both presidential and parliamentary contests. John Mahama, the National Democratic Congress candidate, polled 6,328,397 votes representing 56.55%, while Dr Mahamudu Bawumia secured 4,657,304 votes representing 41.61%.

Thaddeus Sory is a renowned lawyer

Renowned private legal practitioner, Thaddeus Sory, has refuted the allegations contained in a petition submitted by a Ghanaian citizen, Alfred Ababio Kumi, calling for the dissolution of the five-member committee probing the removal of the embattled Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

The petitioner and former parliamentary aspirant on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alfred Ababio Kumi, cited allegations of misconduct in his petition, which he believes could compromise the integrity of the inquiry.

Kumi alleged that on May 15, 2025, after the committee’s inaugural sitting, Justices Pwamang and Adibu-Asiedu, along with Supreme Court Justice Yonni Kulendi, were seen dining with Thaddeus Sory, counsel for petitioner Daniel Ofori, at Santoku Restaurant in Accra’s Airport Residential Area.

He claimed they were overheard discussing matters related to the petition.

“The meeting between Justices Pwamang, Kulendi, and Asiedu with Thaddeus Sory clearly has tainted the integrity of the process and reduces public confidence in the process,” a report by asaaseradio.com quoted Kumi’s petition.

In response to the allegations, Thaddeus Sory, in a Facebook post on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, dismissed the claims as a “monstrous lie.”

The legal luminary firmly stated that no such meeting ever took place and urged interested parties to conduct their own investigations to verify the accuracy of the allegations.

“It is a monstrous lie. No such meeting took place. It is very easy to fact check that. We know those who get justice through negotiation,” he posted on his Facebook page.

In a petition reportedly dated May 19, 2025, Kumi raised four major allegations against members of the committee, constituted under Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution to probe the three petitions against the embattled Chief Justice Torkornoo.

The committee, announced on April 22, 2025, comprises Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang (Chairman), Justice Samuel Adibu-Asiedu, Daniel Yao Domelovo, Major Flora Bazwaanura Dalugo, and Professor James Sefah Dzisah.

The allegations against the five-member committee include claims of a compromising meeting with the petitioner’s counsel, conflicts of interest arising from prior judicial rulings, personal ambitions related to the Chief Justice’s position, and actions that allegedly undermine public confidence in the inquiry.

Read his full post below:

MAG/VOP

Also watch as Robert Klah addresses Felicia Osei’s ticket incident at TGMAs

Chairman of Parliament’s Committee on Assurances and Member of Parliament for the Bimbilla Constituency, Dominic Nitiwul, says his Committee will begin public hearings from July 2025 to determine whether or not assurances and promises made on the floor of Parliament by the Executive arm of government have been fulfilled.

According to him, the Committee’s mandate—to monitor the execution of assurances, promises, and undertakings made to Parliament by Ministers, Committee Chairpersons, Members, and other state officials—will be thoroughly pursued to ensure the interests of Ghanaians are well served.

Speaking at a three-day capacity-building workshop for members of the Committee in Koforidua, Mr. Nitiwul stressed that effective public speaking and diplomacy are essential skills needed to ensure the smooth execution of the Committee’s mandate.

“The capacity-building workshop aims to boost members’ capabilities in these key areas,” he said.

“This is no small task. It requires meticulous attention to detail, a thorough understanding of parliamentary procedure, and perhaps most importantly, the ability to communicate effectively and persuasively. It is the duty of members of this Committee to hold office holders who make assurances to Parliament accountable for their words and to ensure that the representatives of the people properly monitor those promises and undertakings,” Nitiwul noted.

He commended members of the previous Parliament for their dedication to the Committee’s work and pledged the current Committee’s commitment to promoting more responsible conduct among public officials who make statements on the floor of Parliament.

Ranking Member on the Assurances Committee and Member of Parliament for Ejura Sekyedumase Constituency, Honourable Alhaji Muhammad Bawah Braimah, added that as representatives of the people, they have a responsibility to ensure that promises made are honored.

“It cannot be the norm that Parliament approves a loan for the execution of a project and then turns a blind eye to its implementation,” he stated.

“We represent the people. Our first interest is to see to the betterment of our people. We will ensure that promises made on the floor of Parliament and to our constituents are carried through. It shall not be the usual NDC/NPP politics. We will work together to ensure that assurances made on the floor of Parliament are effectively executed,” Alhaji Braimah added.

Members of the Committee will continue to build their capacities in effective public speaking, diplomacy, and parliamentary procedures.

Presidency pardons Sammy Gyamfi over dollar gift to Agradaa

Two arrested, one on the run for stealing iron rods from…

By Samuel Yaokumah

Akropong-Akuapem (E/R), May 20, GNA – Akuapem North Municipal Assembly has confirmed President John Dramani Mahama’s nomination of John Evans Kumordzi as a new Chief Executive (MCE) of Akuapem North Municipal Assembly.

This was done in a transparent voting process, conducted by officials of the Electoral Commission under the supervision of the Eastern Regional Minister, Mrs. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey.

Mr. Evans Kumordzi, in private life was a Corporal in the Ghana Police Service who resigned from the service to join the political trail to serve his motherland.

In the 2024 general election, he contested as a Parliamentary Candidate for Akuapem North constituency, on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress but was defeated by Mr. Sammy Awuku of the New Patriotic Party.

Before voting commenced, the Eastern Regional Minister swore in the 16 government appointees, officially mandating them as members of the assembly council and qualifying them to cast their votes.

According to the standing orders of the assembly, the total number of the house is 48 members, these include 32 Elected Assembly Members, and 16 Government Appointees.

After voting proceedings, Mr. Kumordzi polled 32 votes as against 16 members who did not endorse him.

This represents 67 per cent of the total votes casted, subsequently, endorsing him as a victor by 2\3 majority according to Article 243 (1) of the Ghana’s Constitution, 1992, and section 20 (1) of the Local Governance Act 936 (as amended).

The President’s nominee was then officially sworn into office by the Eastern Regional Minster.

In his acceptance speech, he promised to work in collaboration with all Assembly Members and other stakeholders to push the frontiers of development in the municipality.

He thanked all loyalists for giving him the nod and pledged to work in harmony with all to see to it that the government agenda in sanitation and youth unemployment would be given the necessary attention.

GNA

DL/Kenneth Odeng Adade