By Benjamin A. Commey
Accra, May 7, GNA – A coalition of political parties has urged Ghanaians to support the ongoing process to remove Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Torkornoo, to ensure it follows due process to conclusion.
The five parties, under the umbrella name, the Third Force Alliance, Ghana, said this would establish the truth or otherwise of the claims against the Chief Justice.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Ms Linda Ocloo, has called on Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executive (MMDCE) aspirants to desist from instigating assembly members to vote against the President’s MMDCE nominees.
She said if other shortlisted aspirants think rejecting the president’s nominee would give them the opportunity to be nominated, then it was not going to happen.
“You should not instigate people not to vote for the Presidential nominees by disgracing the president, if you think your name is shortlisted so you will be appointed, then it’s a lie.
We’ll make sure that if you don’t vote for the nominee, those shortlisted will also not be appointed, even, if we have to re-appoint someone, we’ll go outside the box to do that,” she cautioned.
The Minister made this known in Accra on Monday, when the Shai Osudoku District Assembly rejected Mr Ignatius Godfred Dordoe, the President’s nominee for the position of District Chief Executive.
Out of 32 votes, 10 government appointees and 22 elected, Mr Dordoe secured 17 out of votes, falling short of the required number for confirmation.
Despite her earlier plea to the assembly members to vote overwhelmingly for the nominee, the assembly members remained adamant as they voted against him.
“We are entering into the flooding season, and so the DCE should be at post and be doing sanitation works to prevent flooding in the region.”
Also, at the La Nkwantanang Municipal Assembly, there was a re-run of the election leading to the confirmation of Mr Ibrahim Faila Fuseini as the MCE.
Mr Fuseini secured 13 votes out of the 20 votes cast in the initial round, falling short of the required number for confirmation.
With tension rising, a closed door meeting was held before members, in which they agreed to go for the re-run.
Mr Fuseini secured all the 20 votes, confirming him as the MCE for the La Nkwantanang Municipal Assembly.
He was sworn in by the Greater Accra Regional Minister and witnessed by the Member of Parliament for the Madina Constituency, Mr Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu.
Interestingly, Ms Ella Esinam Nongo was confirmed as MCE in the Adenta Municipal Assembly peacefully after securing 13 votes representing 72 per cent out of the 18 votes.
The Minister expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the two assemblies and commended the assembly members and government appointees for siding with the president and having a peaceful election.
Both MCEs expressed their sincerest appreciation to the President for entrusting them with the responsibility.
The MCEs also thanked members of the assemblies for their support by stating that their presence and support symbolised their faith in them.
FROM CECILIA YADA LAGBA
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to provide concrete evidence that supports the claim that President John Dramani Mahama personally authored the petition seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
The call comes in response to allegations by the former General Secretary of the NPP, John Boadu, who claimed that President Mahama wrote the petitions himself in a bid to replace the Chief Justice.
Speaking to Citi News on Tuesday, May 6, the Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the NDC, Dr. Rashid Tanko-Computer dismissed the allegations, describing them as baseless.
He claims that the NPP’s poor performance in the recent elections has left the party disoriented and desperate.
“In that case, they are telling us something we don’t know. And that is, when they were in power, all the petitions that Nana Akufo-Addo received, were drafted at the Flagstaff House, or written by him. Maybe they are revealing what they were doing.
“In any case, then Prof Kwaku Ansah, wrote a petition seeking the removal of the chief justice, was that written by Nana Akufo-Addo?
“You see because they lost, it has affected their thinking capabilities. So, they just open their mouth and anything that comes out doesn’t make sense to anybody,” he stated.
Mahama authored petitions against Chief Justice – John Boadu alleges
President John Dramani Mahama has instructed all political appointees within his administration to contribute one month’s salary to the newly established MahamaCares Medical Fund. This initiative, announced on May 5, 2025, aims to support Ghanaians in need of emergency medical care.
Objective of the MahamaCares Medical Fund
The MahamaCares Medical Fund is designed to provide financial assistance for emergency surgeries, life-saving medications, and treatments not covered under the National Health Insurance
By James Esuon
Gomoa Potsin (C/R), May 7, GNA – A multi-million Cedis Museum has been commissioned at Potsin in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region to promote the Country’s traditions, customs and tourism.
Named ‘Scenes of Yester Years’, the Museum is strategically located at Potsin, few meters drive to Winneba-Junction – Kasoa road with seven scenes of sculptures, restaurant and entertainment centre.
Dr Ekuah Owusuwaa Amartey, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Museum, said the purpose of putting up the edifice at Gomoa Potsin was to create jobs and wealth among the youth in and around the enclave.
It is also to tell the real-life story of the Country’s forefathers from where they migrated from many years ago to settle in Ghana and to let the youth understand and appreciate their traditions.
The CEO said some of the incidents in the olden days such as the slave trade by colonial people, who took our kith and kin into slavery must be retold.
She said Ghana’s tourism had great potentials and there was the need to explore more to improve its economic and financial impact on the citizenry.
The CEO disclosed that tourism development in Ghana was capital intensive, especially for private investors, adding that there was the need for the government to lend support to them to enhance tourism.
Dr Owusuwaa Amartey said aside from hotels and other tourists’ attractions, the Museums also had great potentials that needed to be developed with full financial and logistical support to boost tourism in the Country.
She further stated that it was incumbent on government and its agencies to offer more technical and managerial support to enhance economic development in that sector.
Dr Owusuwaa Amartey expressed disappointment that letters sent by her outfit to Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) requesting for technical assistance during the construction of the Museum, were not heeded to.
She extended appeals to the GTA and the Year of Return Secretariat to go to the aid of the Museum Center to help achieve its aims and objectives.
The CEO commended some travel and tour companies for the support given her during the construction of the museum and expressed the hope that they would continue to rally behind the Postin Museum to become the most attractive tourism centre in the Gomoa East District of the Central region.
Ebusuapanyin Kwesi Jacob of Borda Asona Family of Potsin commended Dr Amartey for siting the museum at Postin to create jobs for some of the unemployed youth in the Area.
He appealed to the government to construct the road linking Postin town to Postin-Junction to facilitate transport of goods and services and to attract tourists to visit the museum without hindrance.
He gave assurance that the Chiefs and elders of the town would continue to rally behind the CEO and entire management of the Museum to become one of the best tourism attractions in the Region.
GNA
AT/CA
Alfredos Nii Anyetei secured only 5 out of the 14 votes
A group of concerned members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the La Dade Kotopon Constituency has formally appealed to President John Dramani Mahama and the appointing authorities to renominate Alfredos Nii Anyetei as Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the La Dade Kotopon Municipal Assembly.
Their appeal comes after Anyetei failed to secure the required votes for confirmation during a crucial assembly election held on May 6, 2025. Out of 14 votes cast, he garnered only 5, falling short of the number needed for endorsement.
Despite the outcome, the group maintains that Anyetei remains the most competent and visionary leader to steer the affairs of the municipality. Citing his service as a Constituency Youth Organiser, the group described him as “a pragmatic leader whose commitment to development, accountability, and participatory governance has transformed the community.”
“Under his leadership, we witnessed significant improvements in the Constituency, youth empowerment, and stakeholder engagement across La Dade Kotopon,” the group said in a statement.
The group praised Anyetei’s ability to maintain productive relationships with traditional leaders, opinion influencers, and assembly members, which they believe contributed to a peaceful and united atmosphere within the municipality.
“His dedication to serving the people with humility and competence has left a lasting positive impact that we, as concerned party members, cannot ignore.”
The concerned members argue that his performance in office and popularity among constituents warrant a second chance. They have, therefore, urged President John Dramani Mahama to renominate Alfredos Nii Anyetei for the MCE role.
“We believe that with his reappointment, La Dade Kotopon will continue to progress and thrive under responsible and inclusive leadership,” the group emphasized.
AM/KA
#TheAdutwumFactor! Watch as Yaw Osei Adutwum declares intent to contest NPP flagbearership for 2028
The expansion will support the creation of over 1,000 additional jobs by 2026
Growth Investment Partners (GIP) Ghana Ltd, an investment platform established by British International Investment (BII), has invested in Maagrace Garments Industries Limited (MGIL), a Ghanaian garment manufacturing company.
The investment will finance the construction of a new production facility at MGIL’s premises in Koforidua, aimed at developing the industry by boosting production capacity, increasing export volumes, and creating employment at scale particularly for women and youth.
Jacob Kholi, Chief Executive and Investment Officer of GIP Ghana in a statement issued in Accra yesterday said, “This investment is a testament to Ghana’s industrial potential and our ability to compete globally in ethical garment manufacturing.
“MGIL’s track record in creating jobs, especially for women, while driving export growth aligns with our mission to back scalable and inclusive businesses,” he said.
Since acquiring MGIL, EAA has invested heavily in productivity-enhancing technologies, including solar power systems, digital pattern software, smart metal detection, and a custom enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform.
These innovations have doubled productivity and enabled the successful transfer of technical skills to local middle managers.
MGIL is a subsidiary of Ethical Apparel Africa (EAA), an apparel sourcing and manufacturing firm headquartered in the United Kingdom.
It currently employs over 700 direct workers, with 72 percent of its workforce being women.
The company exports over 90 per cent of its products to major international brands based in the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe.
EAA has a strong social purpose and has a mission to create over 10,000 quality manufacturing jobs in West Africa by 2030, while shaping the emerging apparel ecosystem to prioritise people and protect the planet.
Keren Pybus, Co-Founder and CEO of Ethical Apparel Africa said, “We are delighted to partner with GIP to further expand MGIL’s operations. This investment supports our vision of building a world-class garment industry in Ghana, one that raises the standard for ethical manufacturing, women’s empowerment, and environmental responsibility.”
The expansion of the Koforidua facility will more than double
existing capacity through installation of new production equipment and warehousing space. The company estimates the expansion will support the creation of over 1,000 additional jobs by 2026.
The statement said Maagrace was deeply committed to measuring and continuously improving worker well-being, having already built an on-site wellness centre and implemented pay structures that offer wages four times higher than previous average earnings.
MGIL is actively working toward a 60 percent female leadership target and is recognised as a 2X-aligned company for its measurable progress in gender inclusion.
It is also playing a key role in establishing Ghana as a highly competitive garment manufacturing hub, attracting foreign direct investment and contributing to the country’s foreign exchange earnings as an export-focused business
Ghanaian media personality and singer, Afua Asantewaa
Ghanaian media personality and singer Afua Asantewaa has stated that she is still waiting for an official response from Guinness World Records following her second attempt at breaking the record for the longest singing marathon by an individual.
In an interaction with a fan on TikTok, Afua Asantewaa gave an update on the status of her record attempt.
The fan had commented under a video of her dancing, asking about the outcome of the singing marathon she embarked on in December 2024.
Responding directly to the fan’s comment, she said she was yet to hear back from the Guinness World Records team.
“We are still waiting,” she responded.
It’s been several months since the attempt, with the official waiting period for verification already surpassed.
According to information on the Guinness World Records website, the usual processing time for standard applications is between six to twelve weeks.
However, the timeframe can be longer depending on the type of record and how complex the evidence submitted is.
In cases where a Guinness World Records judge is present during the attempt, results can be confirmed immediately but that wasn’t the case for Afua’s marathon.
Afua Asantewaa began her second attempt on December 21, 2024, at Heroes’ Park in Kumasi.
Though this attempt has not been confirmed yet as successful, it followed her initial effort in December 2023, where she had also tried to break the existing record of 105 hours set by Indian singer Sunil Waghmare.
During her December 2024 attempt, she sang non-stop for 121 hours and 39 minutes.
AK/EB
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Cocoa is a key export commodity for Ghana
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Randy Abbey, has called on the Attorney General and Parliament to implement more stringent legislation to safeguard cocoa trees from the destructive activities of illegal miners and chainsaw operators.
Speaking during International Labour Day celebrations with cocoa farmers in Nkawie in the Ashanti Region, Dr Abbey highlighted the catastrophic loss of thousands of cocoa trees to illegal mining and logging operations, posing an existential threat to Ghana’s vital cocoa sector.
“The current legal framework protecting our cocoa trees lacks sufficient punitive measures, effectively emboldening illegal operators to continue destroying our national treasure.
“After over a century of cocoa serving as the backbone of Ghana’s economy, this resource deserves robust legislative protection,” Dr Abbey stated.
COCOBOD, he said, was actively collaborating with the Attorney General’s Office and Parliament to draft comprehensive legislation specifically designed to protect cocoa trees from unauthorised destruction.
Dr Abbey assured farmers that his administration was committed to halting the illicit destruction of cocoa plantations and establishing a collaborative framework for effective sector management.
The CEO also revealed concerning financial mismanagement within the sector, noting that a $263 million fund intended for rehabilitating 156,000 hectares of cocoa farms had been improperly utilised by the previous administration.
Despite allocating $223 million for rehabilitation and $40 million for irrigation, the entire amount was channelled solely toward rehabilitation efforts, resulting in only 40,000 hectares being restored, a significant shortfall from the targeted area.
According to him, the rehabilitation programme was initiated after it was determined that roughly 40 percent of the country’s cocoa farms were severely impacted by disease, necessitating urgent intervention.
While the intention behind the project was commendable, the actual execution had come under scrutiny.
In addition to the $263 million loan, Dr Abbey revealed that a further GH¢700 million was pumped into the programme, raising further questions about fund utilisation and project outcomes.
He said COCOBOD had since referred the matter to the appropriate authorities for a full investigation.
“This represents a critical missed opportunity to substantially increase our cocoa yields,” Dr Abbey lamented during his address.
He further emphasized that COCOBOD’s current financial constraints were hampering efforts to improve cocoa road infrastructure and implement other essential interventions.
Despite these challenges, Dr Abbey reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to addressing the sector’s problems, pledging to manage resources prudently as directed by President Mahama.
He urged cocoa farmers to work in close partnership with COCOBOD to overcome the industry’s obstacles and secure the future of Ghana’s cocoa production.
Ebenezer Kwabena Agyin, Ashanti Regional Manager, COCOBOD, commended the farmers for their enormous contributions to cocoa production in the country.
Polish referee Szymon Marciniak (L) and Barcelona star Lamine Yamal (R)
Barcelona faced significant backlash on social media after crashing out of the UEFA Champions League, following a dramatic 4-3 loss to Inter Milan at the San Siro on May 6, 2025.
Goals from Lautaro Martínez, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Francesco Acerbi, and Davide Frattesi sealed the victory for the Italian side, despite a spirited second-half comeback from Barcelona.
The Catalan club responded with goals from Dani Olmo, Eric Garcia, and Raphinha, but it wasn’t enough. Inter Milan advanced to the next round with a 7-6 aggregate scoreline.
A wave of reactions swept through social media, as fans ridiculed Barcelona, who had been widely tipped to win a treble (three major trophies) this season, following their strong domestic and European form.
Barcelona’s head coach Hansi Flick and several players criticised referee Szymon Marciniak, accusing him of favoring Inter Milan in several 50/50 decisions. They claimed these calls had a significant impact on the outcome of the match, contributing to the club’s painful exit.
Meanwhile, teenage sensation Lamine Yamal found himself trending for both positive and negative reasons. Some fans mocked him for prior comments that implied Barcelona were clear favorites to win the competition.
Others, however, praised the 18-year-old for his outstanding performance, highlighting his relentless attacks that troubled Inter’s defense throughout the game.
Barcelona’s Champions League drought, now stretching to nine years, continues, despite a season filled with promise and widespread predictions of European glory.
Read some of the reactions below:
Hansi Flick may be proud of his Barcelona players, but he isn’t happy about some of the ref’s decisions! 😮 #BBCFootball #UCL pic.twitter.com/FFvZKanKR9
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) May 7, 2025
See this Barcelona fan before and after the match 😭🫵 pic.twitter.com/lnXUG08bzJ
— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) May 7, 2025
When you win, you say “we shouldn’t talk about refs” but when you lose, it’s only the refs fault?? This is why your club is never going to be legend. Keep crying.
— furiousduck (@furiousduck2) May 7, 2025
Flick, Your substitutions never helped the team. You were about to win. Before you changed Olmo, the team was ahead and very well constructed. Gavi will not score or makes any chances, why he was in?? Inzaghi beat you.
— تميم بن محمد الدوسري (@Tamim_D) May 7, 2025
Treble turned to terrible
— Dr. God Abeg ooo (@josh_uglyasf) May 6, 2025
Lamine is just getting started. These nights will belong to him for many more years. For Barca, they’re back to being the team that neutrals love to watch most.
— Imbuya Media (@Imbuya_media) May 6, 2025
Inter halt Barcelona’s Champions League dream 🙅♂️ pic.twitter.com/ZnWT54UnZD
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 6, 2025
Watch a tour of the Kenpong Football Academy below
SB/MA
M23 rebels stand guard during a meeting organised by the M23 at the Stade de l’Unite
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have restarted peace talks in Qatar, sources said on Tuesday, part of a diplomatic effort to end fighting in Congo’s war-ravaged east.
The two sides last met in Doha in April to discuss a deal that would end fighting this year that has killed thousands, displaced hundreds of thousands more and raised fears of a wider regional war.
An official with knowledge of the talks in Doha told Reuters that the latest round began on May 3.
“The negotiations are being held in a positive atmosphere, and both parties have expressed optimism about the dialogue,” said the official, who asked to remain anonymous.
However, two rebel sources said M23 had sent a lower-level delegation than in the earlier round last month, and complained that government delegations had not been empowered to make any decisions in Doha.
They also said government officials had not done enough on confidence-building measures such as the release of suspected M23 members held by Congo.
A government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. A source in Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi’s office said Kinshasa’s priority was peace and it was open to amnesty in some cases.
In statements released after last month’s talks, both sides committed to ending acts of violence and hate speech and called on the Congolese people to support a ceasefire and help create a constructive environment for dialogue.
However, participants complained that the talks had quickly become bogged down in technical details.
Fighting in eastern Congo has since continued. The UN humanitarian office said on Tuesday that armed clashes in North Kivu province had displaced at least 30,000 people since Friday.
Washington eyes minerals deals
Qatar has been involved in talks to end the ongoing flare-up of violence in eastern Congo, part of a conflict that goes back decades and is rooted in the Rwandan genocide, since brokering a surprise meeting between Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame in March.
The United Nations and Western governments say Rwanda has provided arms and troops to M23. Rwanda denies backing M23 and says its military has acted in self-defence against Congo’s army and a militia founded by perpetrators of the 1994 genocide.
Washington is also trying to broker peace between Congo and Rwanda, pushing for a deal along with bilateral economic packages with each country to be finalised by July.
Massad Boulos, U.S. President Donald Trump’s senior adviser for Africa, has said the bilateral deals would bring billions of dollars of Western investment to a region rich in critical minerals.
A two-year affair between a Zimbabwean border control official and a police officer’s wife has been exposed after the jilted lover decided to retaliate by outing their relationship to the woman’s husband.
The affair, which began in 2023, came to light after Tafadzwa Sigauke ended her relationship with Nhlanganisi Sibanda, an immigration officer stationed at Beitbridge Border Post.
Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai has responded to the Supreme Court’s narrow 3-2 ruling dismissing an injunction application filed by Old Tafo MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah, which sought to halt the petition process for removing Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo.
Speaking to TV3, Srem-Sai emphasized that the decision allows the constitutional process to proceed without interruption, reinforcing the government’s stance that there is no legal basis to stop it.
As part of efforts to rejuvenate Ghana’s aviation sector, the Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has inaugurated a 10-member task force charged with steering the establishment of a new national airline.
The initiative aims to position Ghana as a competitive aviation hub in West Africa and bolster regional air connectivity.
The task force is chaired by Charles Asare, former Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited.
Speaking at the inauguration, Minister Nikpe emphasised the government’s commitment to establishing a sustainable and efficient national carrier.
“We have facilities at our national airport and other airlines are taking advantage of it. It is only proper that as people, we get a portion of these advantages.
“We are the gateway to Africa, and we are establishing ourselves to become the aviation hub of Africa. We cannot do this without participating in that industry. For this reason, the president has constituted you, to ensure that we compete and also take advantage of the facilities we have worked so hard for over the years.
“Our vision as a government and as the Ministry of Transport is to make Ghana a transportation hub, whether in aviation, maritime, or by road. Our vision is that you play the role of connecting people within the sub-region and the rest of the world,” he stated.
Speaking on behalf of the task force, Chair Charles Asare, pledged the team’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the successful realisation of the national airline.
He stated that the task force will diligently work to develop a robust business model.
“The vision is very clear to us and the task ahead is quite defined. Some members of the team, I have worked with I can say that we have the right skills and experience to deliver this dream,” he added.
Analysts warn of cedi volatility risk despite recent gains
The wife of late Nollywood actor, Junior Pope, Jennifer Awele, has penned a heartfelt tribute to her late husband on his posthumous 45th birthday.
Naija News reports that Awele, via her Instagram page, on Wednesday, shared a video of the late movie star playing joyfully with their children.
She recalled a sweet memory from 2010, when he told her his birthday was the last day in the first week of May.
Awele expressed sadness about not celebrating her late husband’s birthday with surprises but tears.
Recall
Israel marked its 77th Independence Day in Ghana with a colourful celebration in Accra.
The anniversary, held under the theme “Bridges of Hope,” brought together members of the diplomatic community, the Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the clergy, traditional leaders, and government ministers.
The Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Roey Gilad highlighted the longstanding ties between Israel and Ghana, dating back to 1956 when Israel first established its presence in Africa.
He acknowledged that, despite the strength of these bilateral relations, certain challenges persist. Among them, he cited the geographical distance—requiring two connecting flights—and the ongoing war in Israel as factors slowing progress.
The event served as a call for renewed hope, peace, and solidarity with the people of Israel amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
Ambassador Gilad revealed that over 1,200 people have died in the conflict, with more than 50 still held hostage after 578 days.
“578 days of pain and uncertainty not only for the hostages but also for us,” he said, stressing, “Hamas needs to release our hostages, lay down their weapons, and leave Gaza,” adding that Hamas holds the key to ending the tragedy.
Minister for Works and Housing, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, delivered the keynote address on behalf of the government.
He acknowledged Israel’s significant contributions to Ghana, particularly in agriculture, health, cybersecurity, and technology.
He also praised the role of Israeli companies in creating jobs and supporting Ghana’s economic development.
The celebration stood as a testament to resilience, partnership, and the shared aspiration for peace.
Govt to inaugurate task force to fast-track National Airline establishment
Creating subtle, delightful rhythms on a variety of African instruments that stimulate invigorating traditional dance movements has almost become a way of life for members of the Basa Dance Ensemble.
They have been at it in Ghana and across the sub-region since 2015, and are more than ever determined now to make more people aware of the package of goodies they unload at every performance.
Group leader and drummer, Mike Frempong, aka Skido, has been a staunch advocate for Ghanaian and African traditional music for over two decades.
He is happy the Basa Dance Ensemble is treading a path that constantly exposes the vibrant music and dance traditions truly cherished in this part of the world.
“We are nothing if we don’t show the world the unique performance arts we have inherited from long ago,” says Skido. “That’s why we create rhythms with our authentic instruments like rattles, bells, flutes, xylophone, gonje and an assortment of drums like the Fontomfrom, Osrama, Atumpan, Atsimevu and Dondo.
“We felt really proud when we performed in 2023 to cheering audiences at the Freedom Park on Lagos Island, Nigeria. In 2024, we put on a show at the Grand Bassam National Park in Cote d’Ivoire. The audiences knew Ghana was endowed with wonderful rhythms but it was a different experience completely when they heard live renditions of some of our traditional stuff.”
According to Skido, the audiences were moved by the thrilling Kpanlogo, Adowa, Borborbor, Agbadza, Apatampa, Bamaya and other rhythms from across Ghana. The group showcased traditional classics and also offered re-worked contemporary pieces.
“There are so many captivating rhythms and dances from Ghana to fall on at all times. They evoke different moods. Interestingly, audiences not familiar with some of the items get curious and ask questions. We are often patient enough to explain the things that catch their fancy. That helps them to appreciate us more,” states Skido.
The Basa Dance Ensemble is looking forward to performing in more African countries as a way of spreading the great vibes and dances from Ghana, as well as learning from those places to enrich their repertoire. It has plans to tour southern Africa in the near future.
To the members, Ghana is only a small section of Africa and spreading their wings to embrace and incorporate more of Africa enhances their acceptability in more places.
“The world is a big place and we are poised to make a good impression wherever we go. We are entertainers with a mission to sell Ghana and Africa to the world, and we will succeed,” the group’s leader said with confidence.
Dr. Frank Amoakohene (3rd left) with some fire officers
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, has revealed that over GH¢900 million in startup capital alone was lost during the Adum Bluelight fire outbreak that occurred on March 21, 2025.
The fire significantly damaged multiple shops, with the blaze reportedly starting in a two-storey building near Hello FM. The fire quickly spread, causing extensive damage to businesses in the area. Eyewitnesses suggested the fire may have originated from a flickering electricity pole.
While firefighters eventually arrived at the scene, they reportedly faced difficulties in containing the blaze.
The unfortunate incident has since displaced over 2,000 traders, with many losing their capital.
The Ashanti Regional Minister made this revelation when he joined the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to observe the International Firefighters Day at Atonsu on Monday, May 5, 2025.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Amoakohene continued that other landmark fire incidents have also caused havoc in the region, particularly the one at Konongo, which claimed properties worth GH¢10 million.
However, he appreciated the fire officers for their commitment to protecting lives and properties, pledging government’s support to the fire officers, to help them work effectively.
Dr. Amoakohene, in his address, revealed that most of the fire tenders that were out of commission have been fixed.
The government, he said, was working on getting sophisticated equipment for the fire officers to help them execute their duties effectively.
FROM David Afum, Kumasi
Chairman of Parliament’s Works and Housing Committee, Vincent Oppong Asamoah, is calling on the government to impose a nationwide ban on plastics due to their harmful environmental impact and significant contribution to flooding in Accra.
This call was made during a site inspection of the Odawna drainage system under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project.
The project, funded by a $200 million World Bank grant since 2020, aims to address perennial flooding challenges in Accra, particularly within the Odaw River basin.
According to Vincent Oppong Asamoah, plastic waste continues to clog major drains, undermining the project’s progress. He believes that a total ban on plastics would drastically improve the situation.
Supporting his position is a recent global Ipsos poll, which revealed that 85% of respondents support a global ban on single-use plastics, while 87% advocate for reduced plastic production.
The poll also showed that 90% back a ban on harmful chemicals used in plastics, with overwhelming support for promoting reusable and recyclable alternatives.
Asamoah’s stance aligns with international calls for stricter, legally binding measures to combat plastic pollution—efforts championed by organisations such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Plastic Free Foundation.
Meanwhile, the Ranking Member of the Works and Housing Committee, Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, is advocating for the arrest and prosecution of individuals who deliberately dump refuse into drains, describing the act as criminal and a major contributor to the country’s flood problems.
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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Ghana’s consumer inflation has continued on a downward trajectory for the fourth consecutive month, dropping to 21.2 per cent in April 2025 from 22.4 per cent in March, according to new figures published by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
The decline reflects easing pressures across both food and non-food categories, yet food inflation remains high at 25 per cent, posing an ongoing challenge for households and policymakers alike.
At a press briefing today (May 7, 2025) in Accra, Government Statistician Dr Alhassan Iddrisu explained, “Year-on-year inflation slowed to 21.2 per cent in April 2025 and this is largely driven by a moderation in both food and non-food prices, though food inflation remains elevated.”
Despite the annual slowdown, monthly inflation edged up to 0.8 per cent in April, from 0.2 per cent the previous month—an early sign of renewed upward price pressures, particularly within the food segment. “On a month-on-month basis, food inflation increased, whilst non-food inflation was maintained,” Dr Iddrisu added.
Inflation figures showed a notable split between locally produced and imported items. Domestic goods registered a year-on-year inflation of 22.7 per cent, significantly higher than the 17.7 per cent recorded for imported items. Month-on-month inflation for local goods was also twice that of imports, highlighting internal supply constraints as a key inflation driver.
Economists say the figures underscore Ghana’s complex inflation landscape, where external price stabilisation is being undercut by lingering local inefficiencies, especially in food production and distribution.
The continued decline in inflation may offer some policy space for the Bank of Ghana, which surprised markets in March with a rate hike aimed at arresting inflation expectations. Governor Dr Johnson Asiama is expected to re-evaluate the policy direction at the central bank’s next Monetary Policy Committee meeting in May.
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has meanwhile maintained that the government’s fiscal restraint will help push inflation down to 11.9% by December 2025, aligning with medium-term economic recovery targets.
The GSS also issued several policy recommendations in its April Consumer Price Index release. These include targeted interventions for food markets, especially monitoring inflation-sensitive items such as ginger, beans, and vegetable oil, and accelerating the roll-out of the Agriculture for Transformation Programme.
“The government must sustain macroeconomic stability measures and strengthen social protection schemes to shield vulnerable groups from the impact of inflation,” Dr Iddrisu urged. These include the LEAP programme, Capitation Grant, National Health Insurance Scheme, and school feeding interventions.
Recommendations were also extended to businesses and households. The GSS called on firms to consider easing prices or rebuilding margins where input cost pressures have declined, especially in food and hospitality sectors. Households were advised to manage spending prudently and remain alert to changes in transport and food prices.
![Black Stars technical team to invite five [5] local players including two Kotoko sensational players for 4-Nation Tournament in London](https://www.ghanamma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/otto-addo-1-768x432.png "Black Stars technical team to invite five [5] local players including two Kotoko sensational players for 4-Nation Tournament in London")
With the upcoming 4-Nation Tournament in London this May, Black Stars head coach Otto Addo is expected to include five locally-based players with two from Kotoko in the Black Stars squad as part of efforts to integrate top-performing talents from the Ghana Premier League.
The Unity Cup, a special 4-Nation Tournament set to take place in London this May, will feature African powerhouses Ghana and Nigeria alongside two other invited nations.
The competition is aimed at promoting peace, unity, and sporting excellence among participating countries, while offering coaches a chance to assess talent ahead of upcoming international fixtures.
Here are five standout local players who are strong candidates for selection:
Stephen Amankona (Berekum Chelsea)– The attacking midfielder has been in superb form this season, showing creativity, leadership, and goal-scoring ability.
Benjamin Asare (Hearts of Oak)– Asare has emerged as one of the most reliable goalkeepers on the local scene, with consistent performances and clean sheets.
Karamadini Mamudu (Medeam)– A versatile and disciplined defender, Mamudu’s performances in the GPL this season has made him one of the best.
Kwame Poku (Asante Kotoko)– The striker has regained form and is once again proving to be a handful for defenders, making a strong case for a national team return.
Andrews Ntim Manu (Asante Kotoko)– A dynamic and hardworking midfielder, Ntim Manu has been a key figure in Kotoko’s midfield this season and offers energy and composure.
Ghanaian musician Efya has admitted that Ghanaian musicians cannot match their Nigerian counterparts when it comes to financial strength.
Speaking during an interview with Nana Romeo on Accra FM, Efya was addressing why Ghanaian artistes rarely make lavish public giveaways like their Nigerian peers.
The conversation was triggered by Nigerian musician Davido, who recently gifted a Ghanaian fan $5,000 for promoting his song “With You,” which features Omah Lay.
Efya explained that while Ghanaian artistes also support their fans in various ways, they usually prefer to do so privately.
According to Efya, she has personally helped fans by paying school fees and giving out gifts. However, she admitted she has never given out an amount as huge as $5,000 to a fan.
She pointed out that, although Ghanaian artistes may rock shoulders with Nigerians, there is a clear gap when it comes to financial capacity.
“Most Ghanaian artistes do give their fans money, but they just don’t like to bring it to the public attention. We don’t have enough money like the Nigerians to be able to engage in such giveaways. Even though we rock shoulders with the Nigerians, I don’t think financially it is the same, I don’t mind admitting that,” she said.
Efya further explained that the disparity largely stems from the fact that Nigerian artistes are paid more because they perform at bigger shows across the world.
“We don’t get paid the same way they get paid because they are playing bigger shows,” she stated.
She used the platform to advocate for more industry support, stating that greater collaboration and backing could help Ghanaian artistes access bigger platforms and earn more.
“Which is why we need to support each other more so that we can get on bigger platforms to be able to be collecting enough money so we can be dashing our fans 5000,” she added.
AK/EB
GhanaWeb Feature by Ishmael Batoma:
Days before the 2024 presidential election, President John Dramani Mahama, either confident of emerging victorious or as a campaign tactic, signed a social contract with Ghanaians.
This contract, which Mahama dubbed, “Mahama’s First 120 Days Social Contract with the People of Ghana,” as the name suggests, outlined things he would undertake in the first 120 days of his government.
The promise list had 25 actions, programmes, and policies Mahama promised to undertake within the 120 days, which are aimed at economic recovery, governance reform, and social interventions.
Wednesday, May 7, 2025, marks exactly 120 days since President Mahama and his vice, Prof Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang – the first female vice president of Ghana, were sworn into office on January 7, 2025.
This GhanaWeb article analyses Mahama’s 120-day social contract to ascertain the status of all the promises in it.
Analysis:
The GhanaWeb Data Desk has evaluated 25 of these promises, assigning scores based on their completion statuses by May 7, 2025 – the 120th day of Mahama’s presidency.
The scoring system awards 1 point for completed promises, 0.5 for partially completed promises and 0 for uncompleted promises.
In all, 17 out of the 25 action items listed in the contract have been completed per GhanaWeb’s analysis, representing 68%. Three (3) of the promises, representing 12% of the total, have been partially completed so far, while five (5), 20% – remain untouched.
Accumulating the points from the established scoring system gives President Mahama a score of 18.5 out of 25.
This, in percentage terms, translates to the president scoring 74% on his social contract with Ghanaians. The 74% score in Ghana’s grading system is equivalent to a grade B, which means that Mahama has done a “good,” not an “excellent” or a “very good” job on his contract with the people of Ghana.
Here is a breakdown of the status of actionable items on Mahama’s social contract:
Completed action items on the social contract:
1. President Mahama has achieved his promise to nominate, within the first 14 days, the complete list of Cabinet ministers for parliamentary approval.
The president, within the 14 days, nominated a total of 42 ministerial nominees, which included Cabinet, non-Cabinet and regional ministers.
All of these nominees were vetted and approved in less than a month, which in itself is unprecedented.
2. Mahama also achieved his promise to hold a National Economic Dialogue to discuss the true state of the economy and prepare a homegrown fiscal consolidation programme to guide the budget.
3. He established a seven-member National Economic Dialogue Planning Committee, led by renowned economist, Dr Ishmael Yamson, which organised the forum from March 3, 2025, to March 4, 2025.
Mahama has also fulfilled his promise to convene a national consultative conference on education to build consensus on needed improvements to the sector.
The president established an eight-member committee to oversee the National Education Forum, which will review the educational sector. The forum was held from February 18, 2025, to February 28, 2025.
4. Mahama also promised to reopen investigations into major unresolved criminal cases, including the 2020 Election killings, Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence, the murder of Ahmed Hussein-Suale, and Silas Wulochamey.
He has so far ordered the Inspector General of Police to open investigations into electoral killings that were experienced in the 2020 and 2024 elections.
5. Mahama promised, “Within my first 90 days in office, [I will] scrap the following draconian taxes to alleviate hardships and ease the high cost of doing business: E-Levy, COVID Levy, 10% Levy on Bet Winnings, and Emissions Levy.”
This promise was achieved after the passage of the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy.
6. Mahama has also achieved his promise to implement the ‘No-Academic-Fee’ policy for all first-year students in public tertiary institutions — universities, colleges of education, nursing training institutions, etc.
7. He has also fulfilled his promise to introduce the following social interventions: Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities and the Ghana Medical Care Trust (MahamaCares) Fund.
8. Mahama has also achieved his promise to commence the distribution of free sanitary pads to female students in primary and secondary schools.
9. He has allocated seed money of about GH¢500 million for the establishment of the Women’s Development Bank, as promised.
10. He has also launched the following priority job creation programmes: the ‘Adwumawura’ Programme, the ‘National Apprenticeship Programme’, and the ‘One Million Coders Programme’.
11. As promised, Mahama has allocated monies to compensate the flood victims from the Akosombo Dam spillage, including those in the Oti, Bono East, and Savannah regions.
12. The president promised to constitute the “Leanest and Most Efficient” government under the 4th Republic of not more than 60 ministers and deputy ministers in his first 90 days in office.
The president, within 30 days of his government, appointed 56 ministerial and deputy ministerial nominees (23 ministers, 16 regional ministers, 13 deputy ministers and 4 ministers of state). It is not clear whether there is going to be an additional ministerial or deputy ministerial appointment to get the 60 ministers he indicated.
13. He also promised to commence drafting needed legal amendments and prepare for implementing the 24-Hour Economy Policy under the Office of the President.
President Mahama, in relation to this promise, has appointed former presidential hopeful, Augustus Goosie Tanoh, as the Presidential Advisor for the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development. Augustus Goosie Tanoh has also briefed Parliament on the policy and presentation of the draft document on the policy.
14. President Mahama has also fulfilled his promise to establish a robust “Code of Conduct and Standards” for all government officials.
15. He has also instituted a government policy banning political appointees from purchasing state assets, as promised. This promise was one of the provisions listed in the “Code of Conduct and Standards” for all government officials.
16. The government, as promised, has also commenced the review of the Customs (Amendment) Act 2020 to scrap the law banning the importation of salvaged vehicles to rescue the local automotive industry at Suame Magazine, Kokompe, Abossey Okai, among others.
17. He has also launched ‘The Black Star Experience’ initiative as Ghana’s flagship culture, arts, and tourism brand to transform Ghana into a preferred tourism destination.
Partially completed social contract promises:
President Mahama promised to ban illegal and new mining activities in forest reserves, and roll out the ‘Tree for Life’ and Blue Water Initiative to heal and sustainably harness the environment by turning areas and water bodies degraded by illegal mining into economic and ecological recovery hubs.
This promise has been partially achieved because, even though the president issued a directive, through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for the immediate halt of illegal mining activities in forests and water bodies and launched the Tree for Life and Blue Water Initiative, he has not repealed the law on mining in forest reserves, which will completely outlaw the practice that was allowed by the previous government.
2. Mahama has also partially fulfilled his promise to lay before Parliament a new bill to streamline government scholarship administration, prohibit political appointees from accessing government scholarships, and eliminate political patronage, cronyism, nepotism, and corruption in awarding government scholarships.
The Minister of Education has announced that the bill has been drafted and will be laid before Parliament, which has been on recess for about two months, when it reconvenes.
3. The promise to carry out a shake-up of all loss-making State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and realign them to break even and transition into profit-making has also been partially fulfilled.
Though the presidency has held a number of engagements with the heads of State-Owned Enterprises he has appointed, a clear policy on how to make them profitable has not been outlined.
Uncompleted promises:
1. The president has also failed to “within my first 90 days in office, review taxes and levies on vehicles and equipment imported into the country for industrial and agricultural purposes.”
2. Mahama has also not achieved his promise to establish an Accelerated Export Development Council (AEDC) to promote exports as part of a broader strategy for economic transformation.
3. The president is also yet to institute inquiries and/or forensic audits into the following matters of public interest: the collapse of indigenous Ghanaian banks and financial institutions at a supposed cost of GH¢25 billion, illegal printing of money, the US$58 million National Cathedral scandal, illegal and inflated single-sourced contracts, COVID-19 expenditure scandal, PDS, Agyapa, SML, ambulance spare parts deal, 13th African Games, Sky Train, Pwalugu Dam, mathematics sets, galamsey fraud, missing excavators and tricycles, Sputnik-V, BOST scandal, and others, as he promised.
4. His promise to commence investigative processes to purge state security agencies of all militia and vigilante elements is also yet to be fulfilled.
5. He has also not initiated a probe into the man-made disaster caused by the VRA’s spillage from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams that displaced and destroyed the livelihoods of thousands of citizens in the Volta, Eastern, and Greater Accra regions.
All in all, President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, for the most part, has shown commitment, largely, to achieving those contracts with the people of Ghana.
Meanwhile, watch why Kennedy Agyapong has withdrawn from NPP’s ‘Thank You Tour’
Meanwhile, watch as frustrated Ghanaians speak out on poor network challenges
Dr Edwin Alfred Provencal is former MD of BOST
Former Managing Director of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST), Dr Edwin Provencal, has raised concerns about a slowdown in Ghana’s gold reserve accumulation in early 2025.
He is therefore calling for increased transparency and strategic intervention to address the issue.
In an analysis shared on his Facebook page on May 7, 2025, Dr Provencal presented a forecasting model built using historical reserve data from May 2023 to December 2024.
The model projected steady monthly growth in gold holdings throughout 2025, using the formula: ln (Gold) = 2.366 + 0.05686 × Month_Index
The model demonstrated a strong correlation (R² ≈ 0.907) and anticipated that Ghana’s gold reserves would exceed 33 tonnes by April 2025.
However, Dr Provencal noted that actual figures for the period from January to April 2025 indicate a slower pace.
Ghana’s gold reserves hovered around 31.4 tonnes at the end of April, falling short of the forecast.
The former BOST MD said this divergence signals a disruption in the previously steady accumulation trend observed over the prior 20 months.
“This discrepancy indicates slower reserve accumulation,” Dr. Provencal explained, citing potential operational bottlenecks, budgetary limitations, market constraints, or geopolitical developments that may be affecting gold procurement.
He also pointed to internal challenges, including the regulatory transition from PMMC to GoldBod, and the possible impact of illegal mining, smuggling, or gold diversion.
Dr Provencal however emphasised that gold reserve growth remains a critical national economic priority and urged the government to take proactive measures.
“We must increase transparency around monthly reserve accumulation targets and performance,” he wrote.
He further recommended establishing strategic buffers or contingency plans to cushion shortfalls and restore momentum.
In conclusion, Dr Provencal made an appeal saying, “A focus on improving the current run-rate to the previous rate will ensure we’re on track to fixing our key fundamental – RESERVES!”
Meanwhile, the Bank of Ghana (BoG), in a recent public update, reported that the country’s gold reserves stood at 31.37 tonnes as of April 30, 2025, marking a sustained upward trend in the central bank’s effort to bolster foreign exchange reserves and reinforce monetary policy credibility.
The April figure reflects a modest increase from 31.01 tonnes in March 2025, continuing the growth trajectory that began in May 2023, when reserves were just 8.78 tonnes.
The more than threefold increase over the past two years highlights a decisive policy shift by the central bank, which has been leveraging Ghana’s gold production through the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme to support macroeconomic stability.
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Richard Ofori Agyemang is the Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly
The Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Richard Ofori Agyemang, widely known as King Zuba, has boldly expressed his dream of one day leading Asante Kotoko SC as its Chief Executive Officer.
In a candid interview on Kessben FM, Zuba made no secret of his ambition, declaring his desire to helm one of Africa’s most iconic football clubs.
According to him, his current mission is to prove his capability through relentless dedication at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, hoping his efforts will eventually catch the attention of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the royal patron of the club.
“I want to work so well as KMA boss that Otumfuo will one day say, ‘Bring me that young man to manage my club,’” he stated.
From sports media to municipal governance, Zuba’s journey has been anything but conventional. His deep roots in sports commentary, coupled with his strong presence in public service, have uniquely positioned him to aspire to such a role.
For Zuba, managing Kotoko isn’t just an executive position, it’s a calling to serve the kingdom and uphold a storied legacy.
FKA/MA
Shocking! Watch why a young woman in the US questioned Alban Bagbin’s Ghanaian identity
As the sun set over Lake Turkana, a mother sobbed and threw flowers into the greenish-blue water to remember her teenage daughter who had drowned trying to reach Kenya via a new route being used by people smugglers.
Senait Mebrehtu, a Pentecostal Christian Eritrean who had sought asylum in Kenya three years ago, made the pilgrimage to north-western Kenya to see for herself where 14-year-old Hiyab had lost her life last year.
The girl had been travelling with her sister, who survived the late-night crossing over the vast lake, where winds can be powerful.
“If the smugglers told me there was such a big and dangerous lake in Kenya, I wouldn’t have let my daughters come this far,” Ms Senait told the BBC as she sat on the western shoreline.
Ms Senait had arrived by plane in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, on a tourist visa with her two younger children, fleeing religious persecution. But she was not allowed to travel with her two other daughters at the time as they were older and nearer the age of conscription.
Eritrea is a highly militarised, one-party country – and often national service can go on for years and can include forced labour.
The teenagers begged to join her in Kenya, so she consulted relatives who told her they would pay smugglers to get the girls out of Eritrea.
The fate of the two girls was put into the hands of traffickers who took them on a weeks-long trip by road and foot from Eritrea into neighbouring Ethiopia – then to the south into Kenya to the north-eastern shores of Lake Turkana, the world’s largest permanent desert lake.
A female smuggler in Kenya confirmed to the BBC that Lake Turkana was increasingly being used as an illegal crossing for the migrants.
“We call it the digital route because it is very new,” she said.
The trafficker, who earns around $1,500 (£1,130) for each migrant she traffics into or through Kenya (four times the average monthly salary of a Kenyan worker), spoke to us about her work at a secret location and on condition of anonymity.
For the last 15 years she has been part of a huge smuggling network that operates across Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and South Africa – mainly moving those fleeing Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
With Kenya having stepped up patrols on its roads, smugglers are now turning to Lake Turkana to get migrants into the country.
“Agents” on the new route, she said, received the migrants in the Kenyan fishing village of Lomekwi where road transport was organised to take them to Nairobi – a journey of about 15 hours.
Warning of the dangers of travelling on the rickety wooden boats, she appealed to parents not to allow their children to make the crossing alone.
“I won’t say I love the money I make – because as a mother I can’t be happy when I see bad things happening to other women’s children,” she told the BBC.
“I’d like to advise migrants if they’ll listen to me. I’d like to beg them to stay in their countries,” she said, further cautioning of the callous attitudes of many traffickers.
Osman, an Eritrean migrant who did not want to give his real name for security reasons, made the crossing at the same time as Hiyab and her sister.
He recalled how Hiyab’s boat capsized in front of his eyes not long after leaving the fishing village of Ileret as it was heading south-west to Lomekwi.
“Hiyab was in the boat in front of us – its motor wasn’t working and it was being propelled by a strong wind,” he said.
“They were about 300m [984ft] into the water when their boat overturned, resulting in the deaths of seven people.”
Hiyab’s sister survived by clinging to the sinking boat until another vessel – also operated by the smugglers – came to the rescue.
Ms Senait blamed the smugglers for the deaths, saying they overloaded the boat with more than 20 migrants.
“The cause of deaths was plain negligence. They put too many people in a small boat that couldn’t even carry five people,” she said.
During the BBC’s visit to Lomewki, two fishermen said they saw the bodies of migrants – believed to be Eritreans – floating in the lake, which is around 300km (186 miles) long and 50km wide, in July 2024.
“There were about four bodies on the shores. Then, a few days later other bodies appeared,” Brighton Lokaala said.
Another fisherman, Joseph Lomuria, said he saw the bodies of two men and two women – one of whom appeared to be a teenager.
In June 2024, the UN’s refugee agency, UNHCR, recorded 345,000 Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers in East Africa, out of 580,000 globally.
Like Ms Senait’s family, many flee to avoid military conscription in a country that has been embroiled in numerous wars in the region, and where free political and religious activity is not tolerated as the government tries to keep a tight grip on power.
Uganda-based Eritrean lawyer, Mula Berhan, told the BBC that Kenya and Uganda were increasingly becoming the preferred destination of these migrants because of conflict in Ethiopia and Sudan, which both neighbour Eritrea.
The female smuggler said in her experience some of the migrants settled in Kenya, but others used the country as a transit point to reach Uganda, Rwanda and South Africa, believing it easier to get refugee status there.
The smuggling network operates in all these countries, handing over migrants to different “agents” until they reach their final destination, which – in some cases – can also be Europe or North America.
Her job is to hand over those migrants who are in transit in Nairobi to agents who keep them in “holding houses” until the next leg of their trip is arranged and paid for.
By this stage each migrant has probably paid around $5,000 for the journey up to that point.
The BBC saw a room in a block of flats that was being used as a holding house. Five Eritrean men were locked inside the room, which had just a single mattress.
In the holding houses, migrants are expected to pay rent and also pay for their food – and the smuggler said she knew of three men and a young woman who had died of hunger as they had run out of cash.
She said the agents simply disposed of the bodies and called their deaths bad luck.
“Smugglers keep lying to the families, saying their people are alive, and they keep on sending money,” she acknowledged.
Female migrants, she said, were often sexually abused or forced to get married to male smugglers.
She said she had no intention of giving up the lucrative trade but felt others should be aware of what could lie ahead of them.
It is little comfort for Ms Senait, who still mourns the death of her 14-year-old, while expressing relief that her elder daughter survived and was unharmed by the smugglers.
“We have gone through what every Eritrean family is going through,” she said.
“May God heal our land and deliver us from all this.”
Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has advised men against marrying of the same age or younger by only a few years.
In a post on his X handle, Omokri cited religious, biological and sociocultural arguments to support his stance. He wrote;
“As much as possible, think twice before you marry a woman your age or even a bit younger than you. Take a cue from the first marriage. God created Adam. And Adam was already well settled and established in age at the Garden of Eden before God created Eve for him. They were not age mates or even in the same age bracket. At all!
“Marriage is beyond love and your emotions. As a man, you are also a biological being with bodily needs. Except you are a Ruffian who works at Arise.
“All things being equal, you will be virile and libidinous until your nineties. Women are not biologically built that way. They reach menopause in their forties. What will you do then? Become celibate and risk prostate cancer? Are you happy with the prostate cancer epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa?Or engage in extramarital affairs?
“These are the things you should consider before taking a spouse because there are bodily consequences to adopting a wholly Western way of life. What is an ideal age gal between man and wife? Ten to fifteen years is ideal. Especially if you desire a long life.
“Please fact-check me: Men who marry significantly younger women tend to live longer than males who marry their age mates or a few years younger. But to wed your senior in age is to play Russian Roulette!”
A coalition of five minority political parties, Third Force Alliance-Ghana, has backed President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to suspend the Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Essaba Torkornoo, describing the move as a constitutional necessity rather than a political manoeuvre.
The group stated that, based on their observations, they found the President’s actions consistent with constitutional requirements and commended him for adhering to due process in handling the petition for the Chief Justice’s removal under Article 146 of the Constitution.
The Alliance — comprising the Convention People’s Party (CPP), People’s National Convention (PNC), Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), and the All People’s Congress (APC), made this known at a press conference held yesterday in Accra.
The General Secretary of the PNC, Awudu Ishaq, who read the statement on behalf of the group, explained that the Supreme Court itself had interpreted Article 146 to require a preliminary determination of a prima facie case in consultation with the Council of State before the President may set up a committee under Article 146(6), which the group believed the President had not violated.
“There is no indication that the President has acted outside the bounds of the Constitution.
“That procedure, to our knowledge, has been duly followed,” he said.
They also expressed confidence in the Council of State’s recommendation and described the decision to suspend the Chief Justice pending investigations as responsible and well-grounded.
He criticised the decision by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to turn itself into a “vanguard” to support the suspended Chief Justice and, by extension, to oppose the decision by the President to exercise a constitutionally guaranteed power.
Commenting on the demonstration against the Chief Justice’s suspension, Mr Ishaq described the NPP’s motives as politically driven and dismissed the protests as insincere.
He further stated that attempts to frame the President’s action as politically motivated or anti-female were misleading.
“His bold action in responding to the petitions against the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Gertrude Torkornoo, is a defining moment in the annals of Ghana’s democracy.
It sends a strong message: No one is above the Constitution, and no institution is too sacred to be scrutinised,” Mr Ishaq added.
The Alliance also used the opportunity to propose several reforms to address gaps and strengthen the judicial accountability process.
These included the creation of an Independent Assessment Committee for prima facie reviews, setting statutory timelines for Article 146 proceedings, and the publication of committee reports post-determination.
They further called for the establishment of a Judicial Integrity Commission and urged the newly established Constitutional Review Commission to consider revising Article 146 to clarify grounds for removal to avoid the vague nature of certain terminologies, enhance transparency and reduce opportunities for executive or partisan interference.
Kimono outfits have become a timeless staple in women’s fashion, blending tradition with contemporary style. Originally of Japanese origin, modern kimono styles have evolved into versatile wardrobe pieces that can be worn casually, formally, or even professionally. With vibrant prints, flowing silhouettes, and endless styling options, kimonos are a must-have for every stylish lady.
1. Casual Kimono over Jeans
Pairing a floral or patterned kimono with a simple tank top and skinny jeans is a chic way to elevate a casual look. Add sandals or ankle boots for an effortlessly cool vibe.
2. Kimono with Shorts or Mini Skirts
A short kimono worn over a crop top and high-waisted shorts or a mini skirt is perfect for warm-weather outings or vacations. Choose bright prints for a fun, youthful touch.
3. Belted Kimono Dress
Some kimonos are designed like wrap dresses. Cinch them with a belt to define your waist and pair with heels or mules for a dinner date or formal event.
4. Kimono as Beachwear Cover-Up
Sheer, lightweight kimonos are a favorite for beach days. Throw one over your swimsuit for a stylish, sun-safe look.
5. Kimono with Jumpsuits or Rompers
Layering a long kimono over a plain jumpsuit or romper adds color and dimension. This combo works well for parties, concerts, or weekend getaways.
6. Corporate Chic Kimono Styles
Structured, monochrome kimono jackets worn over slacks and a blouse make for elegant office wear. Choose neutral tones or subtle prints for a professional finish.
Kimono outfits are versatile, comfortable, and effortlessly fashionable. Whether you’re dressing up for an occasion or keeping it simple for a casual day out, there’s a kimono style that fits the moment. Add accessories, heels, or flats based on your mood—and let your kimono do the talking.
Daddy Bosco
The Rastafari Council of Ghana, alongside the Rastafari Continental Council, has expressed strong support for the people and leadership of the Alliance of Sahel States.
In a statement issued by President Ahuma Bosco Ocansey, the councils highlighted the importance of recent demonstrations across Africa, Europe, the Americas, and beyond in support of President Ibrahim Traoré.
Mr. Ocansey described these mobilisations as urgent expressions of continental consciousness and a resounding endorsement of the Alliance as a formidable force representing the sovereign will of the African and Black world.
“The Alliance’s bold and progressive steps to nationalise extractive industries, revive agricultural systems, and assert political autonomy reflect a clear and determined effort to reconfigure power relations on the continent,” the statement read.
While acknowledging that these policies may challenge global hegemonic interests, the councils emphasised that they do not threaten the African peoples. Instead, they represent a collective aspiration to dismantle exploitative systems and secure a future rooted in justice and dignity on African terms.
The statement called for Africa to unite in principled support for the Alliance, advocating for meaningful political and economic partnerships, including immediate and unrestricted access to ports.
“This is not just a matter of policy; it is a recognition of shared historical struggles and ancestral bonds that connect the Sahel to the broader African family,” it added.
The councils firmly rejected any attempts to impose foreign tutelage or a saviour complex over these sovereign nations.
They further praised the leadership of Presidents Abdourahamane Tchiani of Niger, Assimi Goita of Mali, and Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso for their close alignment with their people’s aspirations and their embodiment of the spirit of African resistance and resilience.
By Prince Fiifi Yorke
The Renal Patients Association has confirmed that outpatient services at the Korle-Bu Renal Unit have resumed, following a one-week suspension that left many patients without treatment.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Wednesday, May 7, the President of the association, Kojo Baffour Ahenkora, expressed frustration over the centre’s poor communication with patients during the disruption.
He noted that no formal notice was given regarding the suspension or the eventual resumption of services.
Ahenkora, however, confirmed that, based on reports from patients, the centre is now fully operational.
“[On] Tuesday, people were called to report for their session, which presumably means that maybe they have received some of the consumables which were allegedly short. Yesterday, some of them were called to report back to their unit for their treatment. This morning, too, the Wednesday batch has also been called to come for their treatment.
Ahenkora emphasised the need for transparent updates, saying the lack of official communication from the hospital has left patients relying on hearsay.
“We believe that it is now open to the OPD, but we believe that proper communication should have been done; ‘we had a problem, but now we have resumed,’ so that we will know that we are good to go. But as I said, it is a hearsay rumour.
“I can confirm that the unit is working fully now. I have not been there this morning, but my checks with some of the patients who are there this morning tell me that they are on the machine receiving treatment,” he said.
Korle-Bu Renal Unit closure leaves patients stranded for over a week
Ace Nigerian comedian cum Nollywood actor, Ayo Makun, popularly known as AY, has stated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, May 5, 2025, interrogated him over abuse of Naira.
Naija News reports that AY, in a post via his Instagram page on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, said the EFCC invited him regarding the public spraying of both local and foreign currencies during a recent social event.
A file photo of a kidnapped victim with hands tied
The Ghana Police Service has alleged that an employee of a leading telecommunications company in the country provided their official login credentials to one of the suspects arrested in connection with the kidnapping of two Ghanaian women in Nigeria.
According to the police, the employee, identified as Abdul Mubarak Zakaria, also forwarded a One-Time Password (OTP), used for two-factor authentication, to the suspect, Titus Mba Awuni, a mobile money operator based in Bolgatanga.
This, the police said, enabled the suspect to gain unauthorised access to the telecommunications company’s SIM registration application where they allegedly registered SIM cards using the Ghana Cards of unsuspecting individuals.
These illegally registered SIMs were then sold for GH¢150 each.
“After the interrogation of the suspects, it came to light that suspect Titus Mba Awuni, who is a mobile money agent in Bolgatanga, had links with one Abdul Mubarak Zakaria, an employee of one of the telecommunications companies who has allegedly given him his official login credentials and also forwards a one-time PIN for two factor verification to him which he uses to log into the SIM registration app of the telecom company to register subscriber SIM cards with other people’s Ghana card details without their consent and sell SIM at GH¢150 each,” the Director General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), DCOP Lydia Donkor, said at a press briefing on May 6, 2025.
The police further indicated that this information came to light during extensive investigations following a statement by another arrested suspect, Alfred Amalbio, who revealed that his Ghana card details as well as those of his brother had been used — without their knowledge — to register SIM cards that were later sold to the Nigerian suspects.
“Police commenced a manhunt for persons in possession of some phone numbers which had featured in the investigation and registered in the names of Bukhari Danladi, Amalbio Alfred Alimatu Salifu and Mahama Mahase Nimate. On 29th April 2025, police arrested suspect Alfred Amalbio who recounted that he was not directly involved in the crime but mentioned one Titus Mba Awuni who had used his Ghana card details and that of his brother, Akolbia Sunday, to register their SIM cards and sold them out to the Nigerians without their consent,” the police said.
DCOP Donkor further said; “On 1st May 2025, the Akwa East Regional Police Intelligence Department arrested four suspects, namely Christian Emeka, 27, Basil Okonkwo, 29, both Nigerians, Titus Mba Awuni, 25 and Amalbio Alfred, 21, both Ghanaians at Bolgatanga and escorted them to the CID Headquarters for further investigation. On 2nd May 2025, personnel from the Headquarters Police Intelligence Department arrested suspect Mahama Mahase Nimate, 33, at Teshie.
“Three suspects, namely Peter Okoye, aged 31, Paulinus Chidokwe, aged 35, and Chinonso Okafor, aged 35, were arrested in Port Harcourt, Onitsha, Nigeria, and the victims rescued from them. At this time, steps have been taken to receive the victims from the Nigeria Police Force.”
Meanwhile, the victims, the police added, have been rescued and are currently in the custody of Nigerian authorities, awaiting transportation back to Ghana to assist with the ongoing investigations.
The victims were reportedly lured by the kidnappers through Facebook accounts where the suspects posed as White men and deceived the unsuspecting women with false marriage proposals.
“Suspects Peter Okoye and Christian Emeka, both Nigerians, indicated to police that they were in Ghana in the year 2019 to work with QNET. They left Ghana for Nigeria in 2020 but Christian Emeka returned to Ghana in June 2024. Peter Okoye, Christian Emeka and Basil Okonkwo are all Nigerians and were into romance scams both in Ghana and in Nigeria. They operate through their Facebook and other social media handles,” DCOP Donkor said.
She expounded that “these suspects met the two victims: Anastasia Baidoo and Evelyn Serwaa Konadu, through their Facebook accounts. Suspects posed as White men who wanted to marry the victims. The two unsuspecting victims became convinced and accepted the marriage proposals. The suspects then lured them to Nigeria and the victims travelled separately but ended up at the same location on the same day on the 22nd of April 2025. On reaching the location in Nigeria at Port Harcourt, Onitsha, Peter Okoye and his two accomplices kidnapped them.”
MAG/AE
Shocking! Watch why a young woman in the US questioned Alban Bagbin’s Ghanaian identity
Martin Amidu, President Mahama and Prof Henry Kwasi Prempeh
A former Attorney General and a founding member of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Martin Amidu, has accused the NDC government of risking its future by appointing Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh as Chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC).
In an opinion piece dated May 5, 2025, Martin Amidu claimed the NDC has “chosen to utilize the four-year term of President John Dramani Mahama to sup with the devil” through Prof Kwasi Prempeh’s leadership, alleging he is pushing a covert anti-NDC agenda.
Amidu, a former Special Prosecutor, further criticised Prof Kwasi Prempeh’s role as Executive Director of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), which he describes as historically opposed to the NDC and its predecessor, the PNDC.
He warned that Prof Prempeh’s calls to reform the Council of State, as reported in his public commentaries, aim to amend Chapter 9 of the 1992 Constitution and potentially entrenched provisions, risks a referendum that could spell “John Dramani Mahama’s waterloo” in 2028.
While quoting some of Prof Kwasi Prempeh’s public statements on the need to reform the Council of State, Martin Amidu argued that it is a pretext for ideological reforms, noting the CDD boss’s past silence on the Council of State’s role while serving under the NPP’s Akufo-Addo administration.
“The problem is not with the constitution or the Council of State. The problem is with We the People, particularly the educated and enlightened political elite,” Amidu wrote.
Contrary to assertions by Prof Prempeh, Amidu defended the Council of State as a vital advisory body, while accusing Prof Prempeh of hypocrisy for accepting an Akufo-Addo appointment while now criticising the council’s structure.
The former Attorney General also cautioned the NDC by invoking proverbs like “a leopard never changes its spots” and warned that “As the 2028 elections beckon, one should remember that history may not repeat itself but it rhymes.”
Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh, a legal scholar and Executive Director of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), was appointed by President John Dramani Mahama on January 19, 2025, to chair the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC).
The eight-member committee, inaugurated on January 30, 2025, was tasked with reviewing Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, identifying gaps from previous reviews (2010 and 2023), engaging stakeholders, and recommending amendments to enhance democratic governance within five months.
Professor Kwasi Prempeh, following his appointment, lauded President Mahama’s decision as a signal of a commitment to impartial reforms and described as statesmanlike on the part of the president to appoint him, a non-NDC member and vocal critic of the president’s prior administration.
GA/AE
King Promise
Ecobank Ghana PLC, the country’s leading commercial licensed bank, has jumped into the online campaign calling on its customers to rally support behind Afrobeat star King Promise to win this year’s Telecel Ghana Awards (TGMA) Artiste of the Year category.
The bank, which in 2022 retained its position as the largest bank in Ghana in the 2023 Ghana Banking Survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers, indicated that the ‘Terminator’ hitmaker, since hitting the limelight, has been releasing great songs which have been lighting worldwide music charts over the years.
In a post sighted on “X”, the bank posted a flyer of King Promise with an indication of how to vote for him which read, “Banger after banger, move after move, here to serve us. His work speaks for itself. King Promise deserves the crown, and we support him. Vote for King Promise via ghanamusicawards.com or through the short code 1767. @KingPromise we are bringing it home.”
In 2021, King Promise landed an ambassadorial deal with Ecobank PLC. His partnership with Ecobank Ghana seeks to engage the brand’s audience through creative campaigns and marketing strategies.
King Promise has been nominated for 10 awards at this year’s TGMA, including Artiste of the Year, Best Afrobeats Artiste, and Most Popular Song of the Year for ‘Paris’.
He also has nominations for Album of the Year, International Collaboration of the Year, and various music video and song categories.
Speaking in an interview, the ‘Terminator’ hitmaker declared that his dedication, consistency, and global success over the past year should not be overlooked, stressing his global appeal, successful tours across Asia, including Bali, as proof of his influence beyond Ghana’s borders.
He believes such achievements should hold significant weight in the TGMA Artiste of the Year category.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke
The rate of inflation declined to 21.2% in April, 2025 – its lowest level in eight months as a stronger cedi has helped curb import-related price pressures.
The latest figure marks a slight improvement from the 22.4% recorded in March and reflects the fifth consecutive month of disinflation in 2025.
Both food and non-food inflation moderated during the period, contributing to the downward trend.
Renowned educationist, Prof Stephen Adei, has congratuled President John Mahama on the completion of his first 120-day term in office, saying the president has performed well.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsdesk on Wednesday, 7th May, ahead of the president’s address on the 120-day social contract he had with Ghanaians, Prof Adei highlighted that, from an objective perspective, the president has made commendable progress during the short period.
“As much as I congratulate John on his 120-day, and anybody who is objective would say he has done very well, we hope he will be able to continue and sustain it, make corrections of any lapses, and deliver the Ghana we want.”
President Mahama’s forthcoming address is expected to outline his achievements and the plans for the future, as part of his commitment to engage the nation on his governance approach.
Read also: Mahama to address nation on 120-day social contract milestones
Meanwhile, he has urged the public to exercise caution in offering praise to the president for his performance.
“We must be very careful over praising John in 120 days. Because in the first term of Akufo-Addo, I think that he performed very well and then everybody’s hopes were dashed…. and I think that Akufo-Addo’s government in the second term did so badly,” he said.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
The decline in import expenses brought down the country’s consumer price index in April to 21.2%, compared to 22.4% the month before, making it the fourth consecutive month Ghana’s inflation is dropping.
Government Statistician Alhassan Iddrisu made this known to reporters in the capital, Accra, on Wednesday.
He noted that, rise in non-food prices slowed to 17.9% in April from 18.7% in March, as import costs fell.
This drop in inflation is following a pattern that has been persistent since the current president John Mahama assumed office.
In March, inflation figures dropped to 22.4% from 23.1% in February, as per data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
Then the decline in inflation came shortly after the Bank of Ghana (BoG) made an unexpected decision to raise its benchmark interest rate by 100 basis points to 28%.
However, for April, reports indicate that the country’s impressive currency performance is primarily the reason for the inflation decline.
In April the Tunisian Dinar, Moroccan Dirham, Seychellois Rupee, and Ghanaian Cedi, posted stronger values than the month prior.
According to figures provided by Bloomberg, the currency has risen about sixteen percent versus the dollar since the beginning of April, making it the best-performing currency globally.
Agyapomaa Gyeke-Dako, a senior lecturer and economist at the University of Ghana Business School, assessed that the data is unlikely to convince the central bank to cut interest rates later this month because it is still looking for additional proof of a slowdown in price growth following its unexpected 100 basis-point increase in March to 28%.
In order to “mop up any excess liquidity, the central bank action going forward may not readily reduce the monetary policy rate yet because there might still be some threats to inflation coming from the hikes in utility prices,” she stated prior to the data release, implying that it tightened at its most recent meeting.
Inflation in Ghana remained above 10%, exceeding the central bank’s target range, since September 2021, driven by a debt crisis that weakened the cedi and raised the cost of imports.
The Monetary Policy Committee forecasts that inflation will ease to around 16% by year-end and fall back within the 6% to 10% target range by the second quarter of 2026.
File photo of a worried woman
Dear GhanaWeb,
Two years ago, I met a man who approached me with charm and confidence.
He didn’t wear a wedding ring and never mentioned that he was married.
It was only after I had already developed feelings for him that he revealed the truth: he was married but claimed his marriage was falling apart.
He told me he was unhappy and in the process of divorcing his wife and assured me I had nothing to worry about.
Truthfully, I lost interest immediately. I told him clearly that I wasn’t looking to repeat past mistakes, I had previously been involved with a married man, and it ended in heartbreak. But he persisted, promising to be different.
He swore that his divorce would be finalized soon and convinced me to give him a chance. I reluctantly agreed, holding onto hope that he would follow through on his words.
He took good care of me, yes, but love is more than money and sweet talk.
Months passed, six, then twelve. Still no sign of a divorce. Instead, he would occasionally block my number and delete our conversations to keep me hidden from his wife. He never acknowledged me publicly. No pictures. No dates. Always in the shadows. I felt invisible.
When I began to speak up and threaten to leave, he would plead with me. He would act like the divorce was right around the corner, asking my opinion about his child’s future and how to handle things with his wife. He shared stories about how everyone was hurting, including him.
But it was all just that, stories. Lies, to keep me hanging on.
After nearly three years of being strung along, I finally saw the truth. Just three months after begging me to give him more time, I saw him in public with his wife. She was heavily pregnant with their second child.
He treated her with care and affection, like the ideal husband. It shattered me.
I was sincerely in love with him. I gave him my time, emotional support, and affection. I never asked for much, just the allowance he voluntarily gave me.
I stood by him during his dark days, advised him, comforted him, loved him fully. And this is how I was repaid.
Now, I want him to take responsibility. I believe I deserve some form of compensation for the time, emotions, and trust he wasted.
If he refuses, I’m seriously considering telling his wife everything. I know where they live.
He shouldn’t get to walk away without consequences after deceiving me so completely.
Why do married men lie like this? Why play with people’s emotions? It’s cruel and selfish.
What should I do now? Should I confront his wife and tell her everything?
FG/EB
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The issue of contempt of court has resurfaced following the issuance of a bench warrant by an Accra High Court for the arrest of Deborah Seyram Adablah, the young woman at the centre of a high-profile sexual harassment lawsuit involving a senior banker and former First Atlantic Bank’s CFO, Ernest Kwesi Nimako.
Seyram Adablah, a social media influencer who gained notoriety in 2023 after suing her alleged “sugar daddy,” Ernest Nimako, for breach of promise, claimed the banker failed to fulfill certain financial and material commitments made during their intimate relationship.
Among her demands were monetary compensation and ownership of a Honda Civic gifted to her. On May 16, 2023, the court ordered Adablah to hand over the vehicle, with registration number GC 7899-23, to the court registrar for safekeeping until the case’s final determination.
However, media reports indicate she has defied this order, leading to the arrest order.
In light of these recent developments, some Ghanaians have began to question what actions can lead to being cited for contempt of court and what the legal implications truly entail.
Here is what the law says about contempt of court and its implications:
What is contempt
According to research materials, being cited for contempt means committing the offence of disobeying a court order or engaging in a conduct that tends to obstruct or interfere with the court’s orderly administration of justice.
An individual who is cited for this offence is referred to as a contemnor.
Contempt can be either direct (contempt in facie curiae), which occurs in the presence of a judge or during court proceedings and is punishable without the need for a trial, or indirect (contempt ex facie curiae), which takes place outside the courtroom.
In cases of indirect contempt, the alleged contemnor must be formally notified and given an opportunity to be heard before any sanctions are imposed, according to a legal practitioner, Benedicta Ama Mensah of Asare Bediako & Co.
Contempt may be classified as civil or criminal.
Civil contempt
Civil contempt can occur when an individual fails to comply with a court order, which in turn injures a private party’s rights. An example of this can be an individual’s failure to comply with the court order to pay child support to another party.
Some of the actions that can constitute civil contempt of court includes; one’s failure to pay child support or alimony as ordered by the courts, refusing to adhere to an order to turn over documents, defying a restraining order issued by the court, refusing to give back or return property ordered by the court, violating an injunction order by court among others.
Criminal contempt
Under this category, any conduct that interferes with or obstructs the administration or delivery of justice by the court is classified as criminal contempt.
Some actions under this includes causing a disruption in the courtroom, yelling at the judge, refusing to testify before a grand jury, threatening or insulting a judge or a magistrate, disobeying a subpoena to produce evidence among others.
A person cited for criminal contempt can be punished by a fixed sentence like jail term or a fine.
Basically, criminal contempt focuses on punishing acts that show disrespect for or undermine the authority of the court itself, while civil contempt is aimed at compelling compliance with a specific court order.
Elements that constitute the offence of contempt
The case of Republic vrs Sitso 1; Ex parte Fordjour (2001-2002) SCGLR322 outlined the elements constituting the offence of contempt as follows:
a. There should have been a judgment or order that required the contemnor to do or abstain from doing something.
b. The contemnor knew what precisely he was expected to do or abstain from doing; and
c. That he failed to comply with the terms of that judgment or the order and that his disobedience was willful.
The legal practitioner, Benedicta Ama Mensah of Asare Bediako & Co further says that, “Although there is no single, codified statute on contempt of court in Ghana, the absence of such codification does not violate the legal principle that there must be no crime or punishment except in accordance with established or pre-determined law.”
She added, “Order 50 of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2004 (C.I. 47) outlines the procedure by which a person may be committed for contempt of court. According to Order 50 Rule 1, committal proceedings must be initiated through an application to the court, supported by an affidavit that clearly states the grounds for the application. It is important to note that the notice of motion, along with the supporting affidavit, must be served on the person alleged to be in contempt. Furthermore, Order 50 Rule 2 empowers the court, on its own motion, to issue an order requiring a person to show cause why they should not be committed for contempt of court.”
Meanwhile, Adablah has been sentenced to 45 days in prison by the court.
MAG/VPO
Shocking! Watch why a young woman in the US questioned Alban Bagbin’s Ghanaian identity
The document provides technical and procedural guidance for fiber deployment
The Ghana telecommunications industry has launched a comprehensive fiber infrastructure standards manual to serve as a guide for industry players, enhancing the quality, durability, and efficiency of the country’s fiber optic network.
The manual outlines technical specifications and minimum standards for every stage of fiber deployment; from materials used to trenching dimensions, pole spacing, splicing techniques, and ongoing maintenance protocols.
This document provides technical and procedural guidance for fiber deployment, serving as an essential backbone for both data and voice traffic in Ghana.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Telecommunications Chamber, Ing. Ken Ashigbey, the manual establishes a self-regulatory framework to ensure contractors and subcontractors adhere to industry best practices, particularly in preventing frequent fiber cuts and infrastructure damage.
He stated that; “This manual tells you what kind of equipment to use, how deep and wide the trenches must be, how splicing should be done, and even how far you must be from other infrastructure. It’s the benchmark for safe, quality fiber installations in Ghana.”
While lamenting the approximately US$10 million spent annually on fiber cut repairs, Ashigbey said the infrastructure repair costs would be significantly reduced if the guidelines outlined in the manual were properly followed.
“If we didn’t have to spend that US$10 million, we could extend fiber to schools, hospitals, and underserved communities,” the Telcos Chamber boss stated.
He further added that; “Better infrastructure means better service. Fewer dropped calls, faster data, and lower long-term costs for consumers.”
The document is also expected to play a key role in the government’s One Million Coders initiative, providing a framework to train young people in fiber deployment and maintenance.
This, he said, will be an essential skill set for the country’s digital future.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Communications and Digital Technology has submitted the manual’s specifications to the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), proposing its adoption as an official Ghana Standard (GS) through the National Technical Committee on Electronic Communication Standards (TC24).
Once adopted, the document will carry legal backing and become enforceable by law.
SA/MA
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Inter Milan qualify to Champions League finals after beating Barcelona
Italian Serie A giant Inter Milan overcame a tough test by Spanish side Barcelona to beat them 4-3 in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League on April 6, 2025.
The game began with both teams sharing possession and dominating play but the Catalans were caught in a counter-attack when Lautaro Martinez netted the opener with a tap-in finish.
On the brink of the conclusion of the first half, Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi was deemed to have fouled Martinez in the box and Hakan Calhanoglu converted the penalty.
The Catalans returned to the second half with renewed energy and immense pressure when Eric Garcia scored a consolation goal and Dani Olmo leveled the scores in the 60th minute. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer made crucial saves to prevent Barcelona from scoring more.
The Spanish team took the lead in the 87th minute through Raphinha and they were confident of seeing off the tie.
However, during additional time play, Milan’s Francesco Acerbi scored a crucial goal to tie the scores and send the game to extra time.
The Nerazurri’s coach, Simone Inzaghi, who had made a couple of substitutions to bring on fresh legs, was handsomely rewarded when Frattesi scored the winner to make it 4-3 and eliminate the Catalans.
Barcelona’s nine-year drought without a Champions League title continues despite their impressive form this season which many pundits had predicted would see them emerge victorious.
Inter Milan will now face Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain in the finals of the competition at the Allianz Arena in Germany on May 31, 2025.
Watch a tour of the Kenpong Football Academy below
SB/MA
An unidentified man confronts a police officer in Sofia A village, Busia town, following delays
Chaos broke out in several villages in Buteba Sub-county and Eastern Division that neighbour Kenya, as hundreds of Kenyan nationals crossed the border to vote in the NRM village party elections that got underway on Monday.
Busia is a border district between Uganda and Kenya, with ethnic communities like the Samia and Iteso having family ties across both countries, making it challenging to distinguish between Ugandan and Kenyan citizens.
The worst-affected villages were Marachi D, Sofia A, and Sofia B in Eastern Division. In Buteba Sub-county, the affected villages included Okame, Abochet, Amagoro, and Alupe.
In Buteba Sub-county, voting was called off in four villages, Alupe, Amagoro, Abochet, and Okame, after hundreds of Kenyans from Teso South crossed the border to participate in the NRM elections.
Busia District NRM Chairperson Mr Eric Masiga confirmed that polls in the four villages were cancelled due to the illegal participation of foreigners.
“We were strictly following the yellow book, so when some Kenyans crossed and insisted on voting, chaos broke out, leading to the cancellation of the voting process,” Mr Masiga said.
He added that elections in the affected villages had been rescheduled for the following day.
In Marachi D, Sofia A, and Sofia B, the voting process was delayed amid allegations that some candidates brought in hundreds of Kenyan nationals to vote, although the process eventually resumed.
Eastern Division NRM Party Registrar Ms Linet Lilian Acheng said that despite the disruptions, elections proceeded after candidates agreed on the voting method.
“We tried using the yellow books, but candidates declined the procedure, and we had to allow people to line up without following the guidelines,” she said.
Elsewhere, elections were postponed in villages across Dabani, Western Division, Masinya, Lumino, Lunyo, and Busime sub-counties.
In Dabani Sub-county, polls were not held in Nangwe North and South and Shamitumba, after party members found their names missing from the voter register.
Voting was also disrupted in Buyondi (Lumino) and Hadoda (Masinya) due to violence.
In Nangwe Madibira village (Western Division), elections were called off after residents claimed non-village individuals were listed on the register.
“We couldn’t allow voting to proceed with a flawed register,” said Mr David Tibita, a resident. “Some genuine residents’ names were missing, while non-residents were included.”
Poll Chaos and Clashes
Chaotic scenes marred the elections in many locations. In Mugungu B (Eastern Division), clashes between voters forced police intervention.
Mr Patrick Lomony, a resident, said: “We arrived to vote for our preferred candidate, but the presiding officer turned us away, even though we are registered in the yellow book.”
Mr Talemwa Tigger alleged that several NRM members were blocked from voting, a scheme, he said, orchestrated by Mr Godfrey Benezer to disadvantage his rival, Mr Juma Charles.
Fighting also broke out in Marachi D, Sofia A, and Arubaine over disputes involving ineligible voters. In Rukaka village, Busime Sub-county, police fired shots in the air to disperse violent party members.
In Kateke village, Buteba Sub-county, drama unfolded when the LC1 chairmanship winner, Mr Lawrence Ikemeri, had his hand broken by his son.
Busia District Police Commander Ms Alice Kuka confirmed the incident, saying Mr Stephen Okameri assaulted his father after learning he had lost the election to him.
“Mr Okameri fled the village to Kampala shortly after committing the crime, but a case of assault has been recorded at Buteba Police Station,” Ms Kuka said.
She added that two individuals had been arrested in connection with election-related violence.
Party Response
Mr Rogers Mulindwa, NRM party publicist for the Bukedi region, blamed the chaos on individuals not listed in their respective village registers.
“I have been to a number of villages in Busia District, and voting is ongoing without major disruptions, but there are a few cases of non-registered voters wanting to vote,” Mr Mulindwa told this publication.
Ghanaian actress and entrepreneur Tracy Boakye has launched a scathing critique of Kennedy Agyapong, questioning his suitability as the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). In a strongly worded statement, she expressed her disapproval of his leadership aspirations, claiming that his approach to politics is divisive and self-serving.
![Attorney General must resign or be sacked – Nana B [Audio]](https://www.ghanamma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/55c064e23e43cedb9f40cd97a7f895c0.png "Attorney General must resign or be sacked – Nana B [Audio]")
The National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, has criticised Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, over his response to corruption allegations made by Gomoa Central MP, Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A Plus.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Nana B, as he is popularly known, stated that Dr. Ayine should have either resigned or been dismissed by now, considering the gravity of the allegations.
He expressed disappointment with the Attorney General’s handling of the matter and the tone of his response.
“A Plus is not just any person now. He is an Honourable Member of Parliament who belongs to the Majority and says that you are corrupt and a thief,” he said.
“In your response, you are saying that A Plus is saying so because you went for some campaign funds from one Dr. Sledge. And people have even advised you to initiate legal proceedings against A Plus, that is, a defamation suit, but you will not do that because you don’t want to be distracted,” Nana B added.
A Plus had accused Dr. Ayine of manipulating the drafting and passage of the Sanitation and Pollution Levy in 2021 for personal gain while the NDC was in opposition.
At a press conference on April 30, Dr. Ayine denied the accusations, stating, “If I have to walk in the mud to clear my name, I will do so. I will not allow anyone to tarnish my image without a fight.”
Steve Bedi
Steve Bedi has joined the tall list of Ghanaian artistes performing at the HoodTalk Festival slated for May 9 at the Independence Square in Accra.
Saxophonist Steve Bedi will perform alongside Stonebwoy, Gyedu Blay Ambolley, Edem, Cina Soul, and Efya among others.
The event will be hosted by US celebrities to give a global appeal.
The event, according to the organisers, is open to all civil servants, corporate workers, business executives, chief executive officers, as well as music stakeholders.
According to the organisers, DreamChild Foundation, Steve Bedi will perform for thousands of music lovers who will make their way to the venue.
Speaking in an interview with BEATWAVES, the organisers disclosed that the full list of other performing artistes will soon be unveiled.
They stressed that the concert will be a unique experience for both artistes and music fans, adding that music fans should come and experience an extraordinary musical concert on May 9.
Steve Bedi has performed and collaborated with legends like Hugh Masekela, Isaac Okyerema Asante, Master African percussionist and Wutah, to mention a few.
By George Clifford Owusu
MTN, UG staff at the sod-cutting ceremony
MTN Ghana, in collaboration with the University of Ghana’s Faculty of Agriculture, and smart agronomic support services provider, Defarmercist, has launched a GH¢3 million initiative to establish a Vegetable Centre of Excellence at the University of Ghana Farms at Legon.
This project aims to empower youth through modern vocational agriculture training, equipping them with practical skills to start their own agribusinesses.
The pilot phase of the project is set to train at least 300 young people over the next two years in modern agricultural practices. The centre will provide both theoretical and practical training in areas such as crop production, greenhouse farming, marketing, and agribusiness management. Graduates will benefit from access to land, farming tools, and market linkages to help them establish their own agribusinesses.
During the launch, MTN Ghana’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, Adwoa Wiafe, emphasized that the initiative is designed to equip the youth with practical skills to combat unemployment.
“We recognise the need to create jobs for the youth, and agriculture is one of the main support systems not just in Ghana but globally,” she stated.
Madam Adwoa Wiafe noted that the new centre aims to expand this vision by targeting a broader demographic and scaling up operations.
“This is not just about learning how to plant. It’s about making agriculture attractive, practical, and profitable. Whether you’re a student or someone from the wider community, this project is designed for you,” she explained.
Madam Adwoa Wiafe highlighted that increasing local vegetable production would contribute to reducing prices and lessening the country’s dependence on imports.
“This is a homegrown initiative. Everything—from training to production—is Ghanaian-led, aimed at creating real, lasting impact,” she stressed.
General Manager of Defarmercist, Charles Agyeman, outlined the programme’s structured two-phase model: the first phase will focus on greenhouse and open-field production, followed by commercial agribusiness training in the second phase. ]
He emphasised the centre’s practical approach, stating, “We are moving beyond theory. By integrating proven agricultural techniques from countries like Israel and the Netherlands, we are ensuring graduates can hit the ground running.”
Head of the Dean of Agriculture at the University of Ghana, Professor Eric Nartey, praised the initiative and urged MTN to further invest in smart classrooms to reach underserved communities.
“We want to train more young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, using our own local expertise,” he added. Overall, this project is expected to significantly enhance practical agricultural education, reduce import dependency, and create sustainable job opportunities for Ghanaian youth.
Popular Lawyer and Human Rights Activist Femi Falana SAN has made several calls to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the arrest and detention of social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan.
This was confirmed by his counsel, Deji Adeyanju, on Wednesday morning through a social media post.
Martin Amidu has fired a fresh salvo at Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh, Chair of the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC), accusing him of hypocrisy and ideological deception in his recent proposals regarding the future of the Council of State.
Amidu slammed Prempeh’s reform suggestions reported by Joy FM on 3 May 2025, stating, “Firstly, the paradox, hypocrisy, and lack of narrative coherence in the suggestions attributed to Kwasi Prempeh… is the fact that Kwasi Prempeh accepted without demurrer his ‘handpicked’ appointment and served for almost years as a member of the Law Reform Commission after President Akufo-Addo had consulted the Council of State.”
