Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Boakye Agyarko

Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Boakye Agyarko, delivered a compelling speech during an engagement with members of the Minority Caucus of the 9th Parliament.

Boakye Agyarko, who served as Minister for Energy during the first term of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, noted that although the NPP MPs currently number only 88 compared to the Majority Caucus’s 187, they can still wield significant influence in parliamentary decision-making.

He cited the example of the NPP Minority Caucus of 1997, led by the late Joseph Henry (J.H.) Mensah, who, despite leading a minority, was instrumental in shaping the direction of the House.

“We were outnumbered and seemed outgunned, but our dedicated and hardworking crop of MPs would not roll over and play dead to the NDC. Collectively, under the leadership of Hon. Joseph Henry Abbiw Mensah, they put up a gallant, intelligent, and strategic fight, so much so that it earned the admiration of the Majority side,” he recalled.

“Walk any day into that small office he had in Parliament House and you would find it filled with more NDC MPs than NPP MPs. They had come, as it were, on a pilgrimage to tap into the collective wisdom of the minority side. In so doing, the mind of the minority prevailed and directed the minds and actions of the majority side. How subtle. We did it then to great effect, we can and must do it again.”

Agyarko emphasised that the J.H. Mensah-led Minority was effective because they were factual, strategic, and proactive, qualities he urged the current Minority Caucus, led by Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, to emulate.

“We must be diligent in our research and always present superior material and arguments in the House. We must be proactive on all issues to prevent our opponents from putting us on the back foot.

“We must be factual, educative, and accurate on matters we wish to bring to the people of Ghana. We must be very strategic in the battles we pick to fight, so as not to be seen as merely opposing,” he noted.

He concluded by stressing the importance of the MPs’ role in the party’s performance in the upcoming 2028 general election.

“On the broader front, our fighting force for the reclamation of electoral and political territory is now largely dependent on you, our parliamentary party. There is a herculean task ahead of you.

“These tasks are to be performed in an environment marked by all manner of shortages, money, material resources, quality human capital, time, and patience, all while your constituents are constantly snapping at your heels,” he concluded.

BAI/MA

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Donatus Akamugri Atanga, the Upper East Regional Minister

The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, has made it clear that the prolonged Bawku conflict was still active before the National Democratic Congress (NDC) assumed power, contrary to claims suggesting otherwise.

According to him, the NDC government under President John Dramani Mahama took over the conflict in its active phase and has since been working to bring it under control.

“When the NDC came to power, the Bawku conflict was not dormant. It was still in an active mood, and the president and his government have been trying their best to bring it down,” the minister explained.

He said, in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, that the situation was not escalating under Mahama’s administration, as some people have suggested.

Instead, he said efforts are being made to ensure lasting peace.

“President Mahama was simply telling the people that he would do his best to find a lasting solution to the conflict. He has already begun taking steps toward that goal,” he added.

Atanga also disclosed the role of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in the peace efforts, describing him as a neutral figure whose involvement, is expected to help resolve the crisis.

“That’s why Otumfuo has been tasked to step in and tap into his conflict resolution experience to bring lasting peace to Bawku,” he said.

Touching on the recent killing of two police officers at Poyamirea, a community near Binduri in the Upper East Region, the minister clarified that the officers were not part of any security operation in Bawku.

“They were not policemen operating around the Bawku area. The two officers were stationed at Bongo and not posted to the conflict zone,” he explained.

Atanga further dismissed suggestions that the attack was carried out by youth targeting the police.

“It’s not like the youth went around attacking police officers. The officers came from Bongo into the area and were unfortunately shot. They were not assigned there, and we don’t yet understand why the shooting happened,” he noted.

He urged the public to remain patient as investigations continue, stating that initial arrests had been made but none had been sustained.

“Negotiations are still ongoing, and we hope that things will cool down. Otumfuo’s team are also working to help resolve the matter,” he added.

Atanga assured residents of the region that security personnel are on the ground not only to maintain law and order but also to support the mediation process led by the Asantehene.

“There is currently a bit of calm in the area, and we are hopeful that with Otumfuo’s involvement, a lasting resolution will be found,” he concluded.

VA/AE

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Mustapha Gbande, Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has called for the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, alleging that she lacks the integrity required to lead Ghana’s judiciary as reported by Modern Ghana.

Speaking on Woezor TV, Gbande emphasized that Torkonoo’s leadership is detrimental to the justice system.

“She doesn’t have the gravitas, the fortification, the integrity, or the credibility,” he stated. “She shouldn’t be there, because in the eyes of every Ghanaian, she’s politically exposed.”

Gbande’s comments came in response to former President John Dramani Mahama’s submission of three petitions to the Council of State, which called for the Chief Justice’s removal.

He accused Justice Torkonoo of obstructing justice and serving as a political shield for appointees of former President Nana Akufo-Addo.

“She is a whole machinery — a window of escape set up by former President Akufo-Addo to protect persons who should be sent to court,” he claimed.

According to Gbande, Torkonoo’s conduct has undermined the impartiality of the judiciary.

Further criticizing the response to the petitions, Gbande pointed out the political bias in the support for Torkonoo.

“Only the NPP defended her,” he said, revealing that the uproar following the submission of the petitions was predominantly from members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), with no neutral voices backing the Chief Justice.

Gbande’s remarks have ignited political debate, with critics questioning Torkonoo’s role in Ghana’s judicial independence and her ability to remain neutral in a polarized political environment.

Abraham Amaliba is the Director General of the NRSA

The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has asked all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Greater Accra Region to dismantle all outdoor advertising billboards mounted on pedestrian and vehicular footbridges within 21-days.

The directive comes in response to growing concerns over violations of the Services-Advertising Specification for Outdoor Signs -GS: 847:2019, which stipulates that the primary function of road or bridge arches and gantries is for traffic management, not advertising.

The NRSA, in a statement, explained that the move is aimed at eliminating visual distractions and ensuring that vital traffic infrastructure is used strictly for its intended purpose.

“We are taking this action to reduce visual distractions on our roads and ensure that structures like footbridges and overpasses serve their intended purpose — safe and efficient traffic management,” the authority said.

In a post on X, the NRSA warned that after the 21-day grace period, it will commence enforcement against any assemblies that fail to comply.

“This is not just a regulatory requirement; it’s about protecting lives. Advertising cannot come at the cost of road safety,” the statement emphasised.

Read the full statement below:

Regulatory Notice:

Billboards on gantries and footbridges violate GS: 847:2019. Assemblies in Greater Accra are directed to remove them. These structures are meant solely for traffic management.

Directive takes effect after 21 days.#RoadSafety #NRSA #Compliance #SafeRoadsGH pic.twitter.com/2rJvovr7oZ

— National Road Safety Authority (@NRSAGhana) April 13, 2025

MRA/AE

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According to GhanaWeb, businessman and philanthropist, Seidu Agongo has voiced concerns about the state of democracy in Africa, emphasizing that weak institutions and unchecked power have allowed corruption to flourish across the continent.

During an appearance on CTV’s Master of the Game with Kwasi Kyei Darkwa, Mr. Agongo shared his perspective on how democratic structures in many African countries, including Ghana, have failed to deliver fairness, justice, and accountability.

While not dismissing democracy as a concept, he questioned its functionality within the African environment.

“I don’t want to say I don’t support democracy for Ghanaians to come at me,” Mr Agongo stated, noting: “But the structure of democracy is not working well in Africa because our systems are not right.”

He pointed out that the absence of robust systems has led to a breakdown in public trust, with citizens often denied the protections democracy is meant to offer.

He cited frequent cases of abuse by public officials who manipulate government structures for personal enrichment without facing repercussions.

Highlighting a specific example from Ghana, Mr. Agongo referenced an incident where a state official allegedly diverted public funds through a company linked to them—an act he argued would not go unpunished in other major global powers.

Mr. Agongo also raised issues with the justice system in Ghana, arguing that it has become deeply entangled in partisan politics.

He noted that rather than delivering timely and impartial justice, many high-profile cases become tools for political rivalry, leading to delays and diminished outcomes for ordinary citizens.

Reflecting on his own experience, he recalled facing nearly eight years of prosecution under the Akufo-Addo administration over a fertiliser supply contract with COCOBOD.

He used his case to highlight the broader issue of accountability, stressing that individuals who genuinely harm the state should be held responsible—but also that those wrongfully accused should be cleared without delay.

He further reflected on the short-lived nature of wealth and status obtained through unethical means, pointing to once-prominent families who have since faded into obscurity.

Many of their once-grand properties, he observed, are now being demolished.

In Mr. Agongo’s view, for democracy to succeed in Africa, it must be supported by effective oversight institutions, strong ethical standards, and a shared commitment to public accountability.

He called for urgent reforms, emphasizing that both leaders and citizens have a role to play in strengthening democratic governance.

Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Boakye Agyarko

Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Boakye Agyarko, delivered a compelling speech during an engagement with members of the Minority Caucus of the 9th Parliament.

Boakye Agyarko, who served as Minister for Energy during the first term of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, noted that although the NPP MPs currently number only 88 compared to the Majority Caucus’s 187, they can still wield significant influence in parliamentary decision-making.

He cited the example of the NPP Minority Caucus of 1997, led by the late Joseph Henry (J.H.) Mensah, who, despite leading a minority, was instrumental in shaping the direction of the House.

“We were outnumbered and seemed outgunned, but our dedicated and hardworking crop of MPs would not roll over and play dead to the NDC. Collectively, under the leadership of Hon. Joseph Henry Abbiw Mensah, they put up a gallant, intelligent, and strategic fight, so much so that it earned the admiration of the Majority side,” he recalled.

“Walk any day into that small office he had in Parliament House and you would find it filled with more NDC MPs than NPP MPs. They had come, as it were, on a pilgrimage to tap into the collective wisdom of the minority side. In so doing, the mind of the minority prevailed and directed the minds and actions of the majority side. How subtle. We did it then to great effect, we can and must do it again.”

Agyarko emphasised that the J.H. Mensah-led Minority was effective because they were factual, strategic, and proactive, qualities he urged the current Minority Caucus, led by Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, to emulate.

“We must be diligent in our research and always present superior material and arguments in the House. We must be proactive on all issues to prevent our opponents from putting us on the back foot.

“We must be factual, educative, and accurate on matters we wish to bring to the people of Ghana. We must be very strategic in the battles we pick to fight, so as not to be seen as merely opposing,” he noted.

He concluded by stressing the importance of the MPs’ role in the party’s performance in the upcoming 2028 general election.

“On the broader front, our fighting force for the reclamation of electoral and political territory is now largely dependent on you, our parliamentary party. There is a herculean task ahead of you.

“These tasks are to be performed in an environment marked by all manner of shortages, money, material resources, quality human capital, time, and patience, all while your constituents are constantly snapping at your heels,” he concluded.

BAI/MA

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Ever heard of a colonial fort with a children’s dungeon and a unique shrine for the slaves? Find out the details with Etsey Atisu as he toured Fort William at Anomabo below:

Logo of the Ghana National Council of Private Schools

The Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) has said that the 30% quota system on admission slots that is reserved exclusively for students who completed BECE in public schools has given public basic schools an undue advantage over private schools, overlooking the efforts of the non-state actors in the sector to provide quality education.

They added that beyond this, the 70% left is still shared among candidates from both the public and private schools, which GNACOPS said accounts for 49% of education establishments and 33% of all enrollments at the pre-tertiary level in Ghana.

Yet many of them are struggling to survive in the sector as government’s 30% quota to public schools continues to affect them, it added.

According to a 3news.com, private basic schools in Ghana contribute significantly to education by supplementing the public system, offering diverse learning environments to meet crucial educational needs, especially in most areas where access to public schools is limited.

However, for years now, most of the schools have collapsed as their enrollment continues to decrease, it added.

Recent data by the Ghana Statistical Service indicates that while some progress has been made in increasing enrolment and improving gender parity, significant gaps remain.

Ransford Gyekye, Proprietor for Supreme Care Edu Complex, one of the schools struggling to operate, said he wants the 30% quota relooked at as a matter of urgency.

‘‘This placement thing that the government gives 30%, what we call quota for the government schools, because of that, parents think that, well, then when the time comes, I should move my ward so that they also go and enjoy back in there. And it’s also having an impact on us. When you train them from stage two to six, then you see them moving towards there. So, our numbers keep dwindling. Initially, we had about 600 students, but they are reduced to about four hundred or something,” he indicated.

The Executive Director of GNACOPS, Enoch Kwesi Gyetuah, said that they petitioned CHRAJ in 2024 on the issue described as illegal, but they are not happy with the delays in addressing the issue by the state agency.

‘‘It was not constitutionally constituted. We concluded that it bordered on human rights, and so we petitioned CHRAJ last year and have also engaged the sector minister who agrees that it must be scrapped. But one thing that is of concern to us is that, if we have petitioned CHRAJ, it has to work but we have not seen any positive move from them that they have taken the matter up, so we have written to them indicating that we don’t want to believe that they have compromised their mandate to take sides with the government. Else, we will take them on as well as the Ministry of Education and the GES. We are not going to budge from any form of intimidation or manipulation”, he indicated, the report added.

Gyetuah noted that it’s not only the schools that are affected, stating that the students are inclusive.

In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable access to quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, there is a growing demand for accessible quality education.

MRA/AE

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Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, has assured Ghanaians that concerns surrounding the Legislative Instrument (L.I.) permitting mining in forest areas will be addressed through the amendment of the Minerals and Mining Act 2003. Apexnewsgh reports

According to Dr. Muhammed, this move demonstrates the Mahama administration’s commitment to listening to the concerns of its citizens.

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By Christopher Arko

Accra, April 14, GNA – The Constitution Review Committee (CRC), tasked with assessing and proposing amendments to Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, has received over 500 on-line and in-person submissions to assist its work.

The committee, made up of legal and governance experts, will focus on identifying key areas of the Constitution that need updating to align with the country’s evolving democratic and socio-economic realities.

In addition, it is to carefully examine past recommendations, identify necessary changes, and create a clear roadmap leading to meaningful constitutional amendments.

Dr Rainer Akumperigya, the Secretary to the CRC, who disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency, said the stakeholder engagements had, so far, been fruitful.

The committee had received written submissions from groups, including the National Commission for Civic Education, past officers from the Electoral Commission, and Non-Governmental/Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) with a lot of expertise in the natural resources sector, like the Africa Centre for Energy Policy, he said.

From academia, Professors Kwame Gyan, Kofi Quashiga and Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, all from the University of Ghana, have presented proposals to the Committee.

The Institute of Economic Affairs, which was represented by two notable personalities; former Speaker of Parliament, Prof Mike Aaron Oquaye, and former Chief Justice, Justice Sophia Akuffo, also presented written submissions to the group. A lot of engineers and institutions have presented proposals.

Dr Akumperigya said the Committee had already met with President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House to solicit his inputs, considering his wealth of experience, from his days as assemblyman, to Member of Parliament, Vice President, and President of Ghana.

“The Committee will also meet with the other arms of government; the Legislature and Judiciary, to present their proposals, as well as former Presidents and Vice President to make their submissions to support our work,” he said.

The Secretary to the Committee explained that after its inauguration in February, the Committee had proceeded to set out the modalities of undertaking its mandate in terms of strategy, engagement, timelines, planning and resources.

During the first week of discussions the committee decided on two major forms of engagements; the stakeholder and the validation engagements.

He clarified that even before the Committee was formed the President had earlier announced the holding of a National Constitutional Validation Conference.

In order not to duplicate the functions of the committee, and the outcome of the validation conference, which will be materially useful to the committee, it had decided to merge the national validation conference with its zonal engagements, which the President accepted.

Eight zones were, therefore, created out of the 16 regions, with Tamale and Bolga in one zone, Wa, Sunyani, Kumasi, Takoradi, Cape Coast and Koforidua as different zones, whiles Accra will serve as the hub for stakeholder engagements.

The zonal engagements were open to the public; traditional authorities, heads of educational institutions, students’ unions, women’s groups, and disability groups among others.

Mr Akumperigya said the Committee delineated the Constitution into 10 identifiable thematic subject matter areas, which included the Lands and Natural Resource Governance, Decentralisation, Local Government and Chieftancy, and Public Services and Enterprises.

Other areas to be considered are the independent constitutional bodies or offices such as the Electoral Commission, National Media Commission, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, the National Commission for Civic Education, the Auditor General, and Audit Service.

A discussion would also be held on three arms of government, the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary. The last will be the Finance, the Central Bank, the use of discretionary power, and dual citizenship amendment.

Dr Akumperigya explained that the Constitution provided for the mode of amending the entrenched clauses and the non-entrenched ones.

He said: “For the non-entrenched clauses the provisions can be amended by Parliament based on the numbers and with the NDC’s majority in Parliament that can easily be done.”

For the entrenched ones, part of the mandate of the committee was to provide some timelines, plan, and a roadmap as to how government could implement the recommendations.

He noted that the report would go beyond some of the existing ones such as the Prof Albert K. Fiadjoe Constitution Review Committee Report and take into account current major developments.

GNA

ABD

By Solomon Gumah

Oyibi (GA/R), April 14, GNA – Hajia Safia Mohammed, Deputy National Women’s Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called on members of the Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON) of the NPP at Valley View University to uphold the core values and principles of the party.

Hajia Safia Mohammed, who made the call whilst addressing TESCON Members at a general meeting, fresher’s orientation, and handing-over ceremony at Valley View University at Oyibi in the Greater Accra Region, said TESCON was not just an extension of the party but its very own soul.

She emphasised that TESCON, which is the students’ wing of the NPP, served as the breeding ground for bold ideas, patriotic spirit, and future leadership for the NPP.

She commended the Valley View University Chapter for consistently demonstrating commitment to the progress and transformation of the country through its vibrant and visionary student leadership.

She praised the outgoing executives for their dedication, sacrifice and honourable service to the party, saying “You have served with distinction and upheld the values of the elephant family. To the incoming executives, your mandate is sacred. You are not just student leaders; you are the vanguard of a national cause.”

She encouraged the new leadership to serve with integrity, courage, and unwavering convictions, noting that their actions today would shape the future of the country.

Hajia Safia Mohammed touched on the party’s current situation and said “We are at a turning point in the history of our great party. Having exited government, this is not a time for retreat but for renewal. We must rebuild the base, reclaim our message, and reenergize the grassroots.”

She criticized the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing it of using state security agencies to intimidate and harass NPP members, adding “Their only strategy now is fear and intimidation, but we will not be cowed. We will not relent in speaking truth to power and demanding what is right for Ghanaians.”

Hajia Safia Mohammed urged the students to stay strong, vigilant, and committed to holding the government accountable.

She said, “Your energy, voices, social media influence, and community engagement are the tools with which we will fight and win.”

GNA

EA/KOA

Ernest Owusu-Bempah (L) and Kwaku Atta Sarpong

NPP Ashanti Regional Deputy Organiser, Kwaku Atta Sarpong, has slammed Ernest Owusu-Bempah, a Deputy Communications Officer of the party, over his recent pronouncement on the person to lead the party into the 2028 presidential election.

In a statement sighted by GhanaWeb, Atta Sarpong said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) deputy communications officer should keep quiet if he has nothing meaningful to say about the party’s leadership ahead of the 2028 general elections.

He accused Owusu-Bempah of being divisive and reckless, and blamed him for the party’s loss of the Asante Akyem North parliamentary seat.

“It has become necessary to respond to the recent comments by Ernest Owusu-Bempah concerning who should lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP). If Mr Bempah has nothing sensible or constructive to say on this matter, he must simply shut up.

“He should rather focus on his own constituency, Asante Akyem North (AAN), which he effectively dashed to an independent candidate, largely due to his divisive and reckless comments on radio in Agogo. His actions have weakened the party’s strength in the area, and he has no moral authority to interfere in national party leadership discussions,” he said.

The Ashanti Regional Deputy Organiser went on to state that the NPP would not allow individuals who do not have the party’s interest at heart to derail its efforts to win back power in 2028.

“The NPP is currently working hard to rebuild, unify, and prepare for victory in the 2028 elections. We will not allow distractions from individuals who have, in the past, chosen self-interest over party interest.

“Let it be known that the NPP’s future will be determined by loyal, dedicated, and competent patriots, not loud voices without substance,” his statement concluded.

Ernest Owusu-Bempah had advised the leadership of the party not to retain former Vice President and 2024 Flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, as its presidential candidate for the 2028 general election.

In an interview on Oyerepa FM and monitored by GhanaWeb on Monday, April 14, 2025, he attributed the party’s defeat in the 2024 elections to its flagbearer, claiming that the grassroots were not happy about Dr Bawumia’s candidacy.

“For the first time, I met a taxi driver who is a member of the NPP and told me he voted for the NDC in the 2024 Election. He even showed me his party card. His reason was simple — we didn’t choose the right candidate. Over 2.1 million NPP supporters abstained from voting because they did not approve of our presidential candidate,” he said.

He also previously stated that the party’s hopes ahead of the 2028 Election lie in the hands of former Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, and the current Member of Parliament for the Abetifi Constituency, Bryan Acheampong.

In a social media post on April 7, 2025, Owusu-Bempah claimed that his assertion is both divine and prophetic.

He expressed conviction that the choice of these two political figures reflects the will of what he referred to as “the people.”

In his post, Owusu-Bempah shared an image of Bryan Acheampong and Kennedy Agyapong with the caption, “The future of the NPP depends on these two guys… Prophetic! Ala AFA—the voice of the people.”

In another post, he added, “Hope IS COMING!!!… Eshie Rado Rado… Change is coming!!!”

BAI/AE

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