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The Electoral Commission (EC) has withheld the conduct of the Unit Committee Elections in six out of the 29 Electoral Areas (EAs) in the upcoming District Level Elections (DLEs) in the Nkoranza South Municipality of the Bono East Region.

This means the EC will hold the Unit Committee Elections in only 23 EAs in the municipality, Anthony Manu, the Nkoranza South Returning Officer of the EC, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview on Friday.

According to him, the six affected EAs, comprising 41 polling stations, were unable to present the minimum of more than five candidates required for the conduct of the elections.

Nonetheless, Manu said the DLEs would be conducted in all 29 EAs, comprising 162 polling stations. He explained that the nation’s electoral management body was adequately training and preparing the electoral and verification officers for the elections in the municipality.

He added that the municipal office of the EC was set to mount campaign platforms for the various candidates to engage their respective constituents.

The EC also announced plans to mount campaign platforms for candidates contesting in the upcoming DLEs and by-elections in the Nkoranza North District and Nkoranza South Municipality of the region.

In a statement issued by the EC and signed by its Deputy Chairman of Operations, Samuel Tettey, it was explained that the elections are scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

A copy of the statement made available to the GNA indicated that the platform mounting exercise will take place from Friday, May 9, to Sunday, May 11, 2025.

According to the EC, at least one platform will be set up in every electoral area and unit where elections are being held. The initiative is intended to provide a fair and open space for candidates to present their manifestos, engage the electorate, and respond to questions from community members.

“The platform mounting will enable the electorate to assess the suitability of each candidate,” the statement said, and cautioned candidates and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully.

Members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Bekwai Constituency have welcomed the nomination of Issaka Salifu as the new Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the Bekwai Municipality.

They expressed their deep appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama.

Gabriel Kofi Asiedu, the Constituency Communication Officer, at a press conference held in Bekwai, described the nomination as a perfect choice that will strengthen governance and fast-track development in the municipality.

“We are highly grateful to His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama for nominating a capable and visionary leader like Issaka Salifu,” Asiedu said.

He added: “We have no doubt that he will work diligently to address the pressing needs of our people and bring lasting development to Bekwai.”

The Communication Officer further appealed to residents, opinion leaders, traditional authorities, and particularly members of the NDC, to give their full backing to the nominee.

He stressed that collective support would be vital to ensure Mr. Salifu succeeds in his new role.

In a special plea to the Assembly Members, Mr. Asiedu urged them to endorse Mr. Salifu without reservation during the confirmation vote.

“We humbly call on all Assembly Members to set aside any political differences and unanimously confirm Issaka Salifu for the good of Bekwai. His leadership will unite us and move the municipality forward,” he emphasised.

The Bekwai NDC pledged their full cooperation with the nominee to promote peace, unity, and development across the municipality.

President John Dramani Mahama [L] and Ishaq Ibrahim

A Lecturer at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Ishak Ibrahim, has stated that there is no need to praise President John Dramani Mahama for his accomplishments in his first 120 days in office, as most of them were “low-hanging fruits.”

President Mahama, delivering a national address on Wednesday, May 7, to give an account of his first 120 days in office, highlighted the progress made so far, describing it as evidence of a new governance approach rooted in transparency, accountability, efficiency, and urgency.

The President noted that his administration had fulfilled all initial commitments made within the 120-day period and urged citizens to rally around a common purpose to confront national challenges and build a more prosperous and united future.

“We laid out a social contract with you, the people of Ghana, with specific promises for this critical initial period. Tonight, I’m pleased to report that we have fulfilled these promises — from forming a lean government and establishing a robust code of conduct to taking decisive action to scrap burdensome taxes, initiating inquiries into past wrongdoings, launching major job creation programs, tackling illegal mining, reviving our environment, promoting our tourism and export sectors, streamlining scholarships, supporting vulnerable populations, and holding our security agencies accountable,” he stated.

However, speaking on Metro TV on Friday, May 9, 2025, Ishak Ibrahim, a scholar and politician with sympathies toward the New Patriotic Party (NPP), said that judging by evaluations from some individuals and institutions, President Mahama could be described as a struggling student.

“IMANI Ghana, for example, gave President Mahama 50%. Joy News gave him 52%, and others gave 48%. You call upon me as an academic to pass my judgment. President Mahama says 100% — that is the assessment of an ambitious student. But if you look at the objective assessments by others, like IMANI Ghana, this is a struggling student.

“A score of 50% is a struggling student. If he were a student at UPSA, one mark less and he would be a re-sit student. One mark less is a ‘D’ — and a ‘D’ means a re-sit. So, according to IMANI Ghana, he’s just barely passed. We can call him a struggling student.

“I said some of these promises were low-hanging fruits. You cannot score highly for simply resolving low-hanging fruits, such as appointing a cabinet within 14 days. Should we award high marks for that? Even with the abolition of the E-Levy and Betting Tax — again, these are low-hanging fruits. Abolishing is easy, but when it comes to the heavy lifting, the government has run away from it.”

Don’t praise Mahama for low-hanging fruits; in UPSA, he’ll be a struggling student – Lecturer Ishaq Ibrahim on 120-Day Social Contract#GoodMorningGhana #MetroTV pic.twitter.com/XFQA5iMeWC

— Metro TV Ghana (@metrotvgh) May 8, 2025

KA

Meanwhile, watch why #SaveTheJudiciaryDemo is trending on GhanaWeb TV below

Julius Neequaye Kotey making a point in Mineral Commission room for tracking excavators

The Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Mr. Julius Neequaye Kotey, has held strategic discussions with the Excavator Tracking Team of the Minerals Commission in Accra to explore collaborative efforts in regulating the use of excavators in Ghana’s mining sector.

The high-level meeting, held at the Minerals Commission headquarters, forms part of broader efforts to tackle illegal mining and the environmental degradation associated with the unregulated use of heavy-duty equipment.

This engagement follows the formation of a ministerial task force by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, mandated to develop a framework for the registration, tracking, and monitoring of excavators nationwide.

During the discussions, the two institutions identified significant gaps in excavator registration. While the Minerals Commission has systems for tracking equipment used by concession holders, many excavators—whether owned by individuals, dealers, or small-scale miners—remain unregistered with the DVLA, despite the Authority being the only body legally mandated to register all vehicles and heavy machinery in the country.

Mr. Kotey emphasized the need to integrate the DVLA’s role into excavator regulation, noting that unregistered equipment poses a major challenge to monitoring and enforcement.

He assured the Commission of the DVLA’s readiness to deploy mobile service teams to mining areas to register all operational excavators, thereby enabling better oversight and control.

In a key policy shift, the DVLA and the Minerals Commission also agreed that, going forward, all excavators imported into the country will be registered at the port of entry before being dispatched to their destinations. This move aims to prevent unregistered excavators from bypassing regulatory processes and proceeding directly to mining sites.

The DVLA boss reiterated the Authority’s commitment to supporting national efforts to safeguard the environment and promote sustainable mining practices.

He emphasized that strong inter-agency collaboration is vital to addressing the challenges posed by illegal mining and equipment misuse.

The meeting was facilitated by Dr. Sylvester Akpah, a Computer Science Engineer from the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), and was attended by members of the DVLA management team and technical staff from the Minerals Commission.

play videoMinority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin

The Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has revealed that he intends to pursue a ministry after his political career ends.

Speaking in an interview with broadcaster Kafui Dey, the seasoned politician opened up about his longstanding spiritual journey and desire to preach the gospel, a calling he says has been with him for years.

“If I stop being a politician today, one thing I’m certain of doing is to go into ministry. I have been dreaming about it. I see myself preaching the word of God,” 3news.com quoted him to have said during the interview.

“As a politician, nothing should stop me from sharing the word of God with people,” he affirmed.

He credited his spiritual resilience to habits formed during his time at St Augustine’s College, where he embraced prayer and fasting, practices that have since become central to his life.

“I have experienced my God, so when I see crises, it doesn’t shake me,” he said.

The MP also shared personal stories from his early life, recalling moments of hardship and support.

He spoke of working as a bus conductor, locally referred to as a “mate,” and depending on the kindness of friends while growing up in a modest household.

“My friends didn’t look down on me because I was from a poor home,” he said.

AM/KA

#TheAdutwumFactor! Watch as Yaw Osei Adutwum declares intent to contest NPP flagbearership for 2028

play videoMinority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin

The Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has revealed that he intends to pursue a ministry after his political career ends.

Speaking in an interview with broadcaster Kafui Dey, the seasoned politician opened up about his longstanding spiritual journey and desire to preach the gospel, a calling he says has been with him for years.

“If I stop being a politician today, one thing I’m certain of doing is to go into ministry. I have been dreaming about it. I see myself preaching the word of God,” 3news.com quoted him to have said during the interview.

“As a politician, nothing should stop me from sharing the word of God with people,” he affirmed.

He credited his spiritual resilience to habits formed during his time at St Augustine’s College, where he embraced prayer and fasting, practices that have since become central to his life.

“I have experienced my God, so when I see crises, it doesn’t shake me,” he said.

The MP also shared personal stories from his early life, recalling moments of hardship and support.

He spoke of working as a bus conductor, locally referred to as a “mate,” and depending on the kindness of friends while growing up in a modest household.

“My friends didn’t look down on me because I was from a poor home,” he said.

AM/KA

#TheAdutwumFactor! Watch as Yaw Osei Adutwum declares intent to contest NPP flagbearership for 2028

Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, has expressed worry over the growing trend of rejecting Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executive (MMDCE) nominees, warning that such actions threaten socio-economic development in local communities.

Speaking at a recent press briefing following the rejection of Kenneth Kabu Kanor, the President’s nominee for the position of District Chief Executive position in Ada East Assembly, she stressed that proactive engagement and consensus-building are essential in ensuring smooth confirmations, which in turn enable effective administration and local development.

“If you delay the confirmation, you delay development, you delay progress, sometimes recruitment processes are stalled because the DCE is yet to be confirmed. If the position is vacant, those lobbying for jobs might bypass the due channels and resort to informal means, creating room for bias and inefficiency”,she lamented.

She urged assembly members not to allow personal grievances or political aspirations to cloud their judgment.

“If someone has offended you, find a way to resolve it. Don’t work against the nominee simply because you think it will get you appointed instead. That mindset will only hurt the community”, she noted.

She also hinted at possible changes in the way government appointees are considered.

“If we notice that government appointees are not contributing meaningfully or are part of the obstruction, we’ll start looking outside the box,” she warned, adding that the sole business of appointees at this stage should be to support the confirmation of the President’s nominee Let’s not let politics get in the way of development”, she added.

JKB/KA

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Madam Virginia Palmer, and Dr Edward Omane Boamah on the red carpet

The United States Government has donated 14 mine-resistant, ambush-protected armored personnel carriers (APCs), valued at over $6 million, to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

The official handover, which took place on Wednesday at Burma Camp in Accra, symbolized the deepening of the U.S.-Ghana security partnership and demonstrated the bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries.

The Puma M36 vehicles, designed for enhanced troop protection and mobility, are expected to significantly strengthen the operational readiness of the GAF, particularly in counter-terrorism and border security operations.

The APCs are intended to boost the country’s capacity to respond to emerging threats and safeguard its territorial integrity.

More than 40 Ghanaian soldiers have undergone comprehensive training in operating and maintaining the APCs over the past four weeks.

Madam Virginia Palmer, U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, who led the American delegation at the brief ceremony, said the gesture was more than a transfer of military equipment, it symbolized values, cooperation, and the deeply held mutual respect that defines the decades-long relationship between the U.S. and Ghana.

Ambassador Palmer noted the important role Ghana plays in regional security, particularly along its northern border, and expressed optimism that the vehicles would enhance the country’s security efforts.

She added that Ghana’s contributions to peacekeeping missions and multinational military exercises, such as Flintlock and African Lion, underscore its position as a reliable partner in advancing global peace and stability.

“These APCs support the GAF’s mission of ensuring peace and border integrity, which makes both Ghana and the United States safer,” she remarked, adding that, “They are part of a broader commitment that includes continued training and joint operations.”

Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Ghana’s Minister of Defence, expressed profound appreciation to the U.S. government for the donation, describing it as both generous and strategic.

He stated, “This occasion is not just a symbol of the enduring partnership between our two countries; it is a tangible expression of our shared commitment to peace, stability, and security within Ghana and across the West African sub-region.”

The Minister also praised the professionalism of the Ghana Armed Forces, urging them to carry out their duties with renewed confidence and a heightened sense of responsibility.

Over the years, the U.S. government has provided various forms of logistical and operational support to the GAF, including boats, mobile field hospitals, and infrastructure to enhance Ghana’s defense capacity.

The event was attended by senior Ghanaian military officials, representatives of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), and members of the diplomatic community.

The donation coincided with Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), which marks the end of World War II in Europe, a symbolic alignment underscoring the U.S.’s continued commitment to global peace and security.

Asanetehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II [R] on the dance floor

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, took center stage on the dance floor on the evening of Friday, May 9, 2025, showcasing his graceful moves and drawing admiration from attendees at the Millennium Excellence Awards held at the Manhyia Palace.

In a video circulating on social media, the revered King, dressed formally in a black suit and white shirt, is seen making calculated, timely moves as he and other guests were treated to highlife music performed by Akwaboah.

The excited King’s dance moves were perfectly in sync with the beat, showing that he still possesses impressive skills—even after turning 74 on May 6, 2025.

The Millennium Excellence Awards, hosted by the Asantehene at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, brought together leaders from government, civil society, the arts, and the media to celebrate individuals and institutions making a lasting impact on national development.

The awards particularly spotlighted those whose work supports the underprivileged, including the poor, widows, and orphans.

Artist Kofi Kinaata and journalist Erastus Asare Donkor were among the many personalities honored on the night.

Other distinguished recipients of the Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize at the event included Dr. Osei Kwame Despite, CEO of the Despite Group of Companies; Dr. Ernest Ofori Sarpong, CEO of Special Ice Water; and Dr. Nick Danso, CEO of Ghana Link Network Services.

The ceremony had former President John Mahama as the Special Guest of Honour.

Asantemanwura nie oo 🔥👑 The Standard!
When son of the soil, @AkwaboahMusic, performs for his King.#millenniumexcellenceawards2025 pic.twitter.com/TwKfjh6xbH

— The Asante Nation (@Asante_nation) May 9, 2025

KA

Meanwhile, watch why #SaveTheJudiciaryDemo is trending on GhanaWeb TV below

Assin South MP, Reverend Ntim Fordjour

The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Interior and Defence Committee, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, has questioned the whereabouts of the cocaine President Mahama once described as part of a high-profile bust worth $350 million, seized in Takoradi—long before the recent cases currently in court.

On April 1, 2025, President Mahama ordered investigations into allegations of drug trafficking and money laundering linked to two suspicious flights that reportedly landed at Kotoka International Airport.

The directive followed a press conference by Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, the Member of Parliament for Assin South, who raised concerns about the flights’ purpose and cargo.

In a Facebook post, President Mahama said he had directed the investigative agencies to collaborate with the MP and obtain relevant information from him to investigate the allegations swiftly.

“Government takes all allegations seriously,” President Mahama noted, adding, “To ensure a thorough and transparent investigation, I have directed all relevant investigative agencies to immediately and fully collaborate with the Honourable Member of Parliament so he can provide all necessary information to investigate the allegations and take all action necessary to expose any drug dealing.”

The President reiterated his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on drug trafficking, stating that Ghana must not be used as a transit or final destination for illegal drugs.

This directive comes on the heels of a recent high-profile drug bust by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), which seized drugs with an estimated street value of $350 million. This, the President said, reflects the government’s commitment to combat drug trafficking.

However, speaking on Asempa FM on Friday, May 9, 2025, Rev. Ntim Fordjour stated that so far, only the prosecution of the 82kg cocaine bust at the Swiss port is underway.

“So far, we have seen them arraign the culprits, and the court has granted them bail. But the question begging for an answer is: what about the one the President described as a high-profile bust? I mean the $350 million and $150 million busts in Takoradi, in which it was claimed the person behind the consignment was a former NDC parliamentary candidate? How come it is only the recent 89kg cocaine bust that is being prosecuted, but nobody has been arraigned for the $350 million and $150 million busts from long ago?”

Reverend Ntim Fordjour disclosed his intention to use legal processes to push for answers on the whereabouts of the large cocaine consignments.

“My lawyers—Atta Akyea, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, and Jeff Koranteng—are taking serious action regarding the $350 million and $150 million cocaine busts. I have spoken with my lawyers, and on this specific issue, Lawyer Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah is filing a Right To Information (RTI) request to determine the whereabouts of the cocaine—a total worth of half a billion dollars. The government has initiated prosecution only in the small bust (89kg) but has remained silent on the high-profile cases. Who are the persons behind them? Where is the cocaine? The government is very quiet about this. We are filing an RTI on the issue.”

“Where is the cocaine President Mahama once described as a high-profile bust worth $350 million, seized in Takoradi long before the recent cases currently in court?”

— Rev. John Ntim Fordjour pic.twitter.com/oC6KZV2w9y

— NPP Projects Bureau (@BureauNpp) May 9, 2025

KA

Meanwhile, watch why #SaveTheJudiciaryDemo is trending on GhanaWeb TV below

Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, has expressed worry over the growing trend of rejecting Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executive (MMDCE) nominees, warning that such actions threaten socio-economic development in local communities.

Speaking at a recent press briefing following the rejection of Kenneth Kabu Kanor, the President’s nominee for the position of District Chief Executive position in Ada East Assembly, she stressed that proactive engagement and consensus-building are essential in ensuring smooth confirmations, which in turn enable effective administration and local development.

“If you delay the confirmation, you delay development, you delay progress, sometimes recruitment processes are stalled because the DCE is yet to be confirmed. If the position is vacant, those lobbying for jobs might bypass the due channels and resort to informal means, creating room for bias and inefficiency”,she lamented.

She urged assembly members not to allow personal grievances or political aspirations to cloud their judgment.

“If someone has offended you, find a way to resolve it. Don’t work against the nominee simply because you think it will get you appointed instead. That mindset will only hurt the community”, she noted.

She also hinted at possible changes in the way government appointees are considered.

“If we notice that government appointees are not contributing meaningfully or are part of the obstruction, we’ll start looking outside the box,” she warned, adding that the sole business of appointees at this stage should be to support the confirmation of the President’s nominee Let’s not let politics get in the way of development”, she added.

JKB/KA

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