Ibrahim Mahama, founder of Engineers & Planners (E&P)
Lawyers representing businessman Ibrahim Mahama and his company, Engineers & Planners (E&P), have issued a formal demand to policy analyst and IMANI Africa Vice President, Bright Simons, calling for an immediate retraction and apology over what they describe as defamatory statements made in a recent article.
The piece, titled “Ghana Provides a Lesson in How Not to Nationalise a Gold Mine”, was published on Simons’ personal website on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
The article discusses Ghana’s management of the Damang gold mine and includes claims that E&P, described as “a powerful operator owned by the brother of Ghana’s President”, suffered financially following a temporary shutdown of operations by Gold Fields.
Simons also raised concerns about E&P’s alleged influence on the Minerals Commission, suggesting potential conflicts of interest and political interference.
In a letter issued by the Robert Smith Law Group, legal representatives for Mahama and E&P refuted the claims, which were described in the letter, sighted by GhanaWeb Business, as “wholly false, malicious, and defamatory.”
The lawyers warned that the statements could damage E&P’s reputation, harm its business prospects, and undermine trust among current and potential partners.
“Such unfounded publications, especially from a public commentator of your stature, have the tendency to injure the hard-earned reputation of E&P,” the letter stated.
The legal team emphasised that E&P operates as an independent legal entity with no political affiliations and is guided strictly by commercial and operational objectives.
They also rejected any suggestion that the company played a role in the government’s decision not to renew Gold Fields’ lease at Damang, or in shaping mining policies that favor local contractors.
The article’s insinuation that some Minerals Commission officials may show bias due to past affiliations with E&P or Gold Fields was also dismissed as speculative and irresponsible.
Simons has been given seven days to retract the article and issue what the lawyers describe as an “unqualified apology.”
Failing that, they say legal proceedings will commence without further notice.
As of now, Bright Simons has not publicly responded to the legal demand.
SP/MA
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Dem bin last see Keamogetswe Buys (L) and Cebekhulu Linda (R) one week ago inside white VW PoLO
Police for South Africa dey find ansa afta dem see di deadibody of three police officers – wey bin dey miss for six days – inside river.
Boipelo Senoge, dey 20 years, Cebekhulu Linda dey 24 years, and 30-year-old Keamogetswe Buys.
Dem bin last see dem wen dem bin dey comot from petrol station near Johannesburg last Wednesday.
Na divers see dia deadibody around 70km (43 miles) away for Hennops river, along wit di lifeless body of two oda pipo wey den no name.
Di police bin initially tok say dem dey investigate a case of “possible hijacking and kidnapping” but on Tuesday dem tok say dem no fit guess weda di officers die by accident or not.
All di three police officers na constables – dem bin dey travel wit one white VW Polo wen dem miss, na wetin police statement tok.
Dia vehicle tracking device and mobile phones dey off since dat time.
One search team bin “spend sleepless nights as dem bin dey comb di length and breadth” of di Gauteng, Free State and Limpopo provinces back to back.
Dem bin eventually find parts of one vehicle wey dem “beliv say na” di VW Polo, national police commissioner Fannie Masemola tok
Dem bin find one Renault Kangoo van nearby on di banks of Hennops river, for di municipality of Centurion.
Di three officers bin dey travel from Free State to Limpopo, wen dem bin miss.
Divers bin search dat part of di river and recover five deadbody between Monday and Tuesday.
Along wit di three constables, di divers find di deadbody of a police admin clerk, wey dem neva name.
Di clerk bin dey drive di Renault van, Gen Masemola tok.
Im add say di fifth body bin don dey rotten and dem neva fit identify am.
Police for South Africa still dey find di VW Polo wey di officers wey dem see dia deadibody bin dey travel wit.
South Africans bin dey follow di search for di missing police officers. Di public bin dey chook eye well-well wit prayer for di three constables wey bin spread across social media.
Afta dem see dia deadibody, dia loved ones wey dey heartbroken gada along di bank of di Hennops river, wit candles for dia hands.
For im address on Tuesday, Gen Masemola tok say: “We no want to guess wetin lead us to find dia lifeless body for dis river at dis stage, weda na accident or not, our investigation go reveal di aspects once we find dia vehicle.”
Dis mark a significant change in tone from Sunday, wen di commissioner bin tok say: “We no go fit get criminals to lookdown on di authority of di state by kidnapping three police officers.
Dis na just a serious warning to di pipo behind dis incident, either you hand yoursefs ova, or we go catch you by oursefs.”
The flagbearer of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), Philip Appiah Kubi, popularly known as Roman Fada, has commended Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and the government for rolling out a new chip-embedded passport for Ghanaians.
Roman Fada described the move as innovative as it gives true meaning to the government’s digitalization process.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa, unveiled a new chip-embedded passport for Ghanaians at a ceremony at the Passport Office in Accra on Monday, April 28, 2025
The Minister said the rollout of the chip-embedded passport means the Passport Office will no longer issue the old biometric passport,” he said.
As part of the ceremony, Mr Ablakwa issued the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, with his chip-embedded passport.
The new chip-embedded passport has 175 security features compared to the old one, which has only 32 security features.
The move is part of the government’s broader agenda to boost passport security, eliminate intermediaries, and promote greater transparency. The newly upgraded chip-embedded passports, launched on December 2, 2024, replace the current biometric passports.
They are designed to meet international standards while showcasing Ghana’s cultural identity through iconic Adinkra symbols.
“I really commend the Minister for Foreign Affairs for this great initiative, which would go a long way toward boosting the government’s digitalization drive and also promoting development,” Roman Fada told the media yesterday.
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Crystal Palace forward Eddie Nketiah has declared his openness to representing Ghana at the international level, ending years of speculation about his national team future.
Born in Lewisham to Ghanaian parents, Nketiah has been on the Ghana Football Association’s radar for some time. Although he featured for England across all youth levels and earned a senior call-up in 2023, the 25-year-old has yet to cement a regular spot under Thomas Tuchel.
Nketiah hinted at a shift in his international outlook, saying “When I was younger, representing England was an option after progressing through the youth system. But if Ghana invites me, then I’ll be there.”
Nketiah is enduring a difficult season at Crystal Palace, with just one goal and one assist in 25 appearances. However, his possible switch in allegiance could offer a fresh option for Ghana, as the Black Stars continue to search for consistent firepower up front.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has ordered the immediate closure of a mobile mini restaurant operating with liquified petroleum gas (LPG) at the Total Filling Station on Oxford Street at Osu to prevent a potential fire outbreak.
The shutdown follows a viral video circulating on social media, showing the use of open flames dangerously close to fuel pumps, an act that constitutes a serious violation of fire safety regulations and poses an imminent fire hazard.
A statement signed by Divisional Officer Two (DO II) Desmond Ackah, Head of Public Relations, and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday, said the fuel stations were designated as high-risk zones due to the storage of highly flammable substances.
The use of LPG, open flames, or any spark-generating activity in such areas was strictly prohibited and punishable by law.
The statement said the Acting Chief Fire Officer, Daniella Mawusi Ntow-Sapong, had directed intensified inspections across all fuel and gas stations nationwide and further cautioned that individuals or businesses found breaching fire safety protocols would face strict legal consequences.
It said the GNFS remained committed to working collaboratively with fuel and gas station operators to ensure full compliance with safety standards.
The statement advised the public to prioritise safety, stay vigilant, and promptly report any unsafe practices near fuel or gas stations to the nearest fire station or via the GNFS hotlines (0302772446 / 0299340383) for immediate action.
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.
All foreigners are required to exit Ghana’s gold market by the deadline of Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Enforcement of this directive takes effect on Thursday, May 1, 2025, and any individual who violates this law will be arrested and prosecuted for committing a criminal offense.
Additionally, foreigners are prohibited from directly trading in gold. Those who wish to remain in the gold business must apply as foreign participants, allowing GoldBod to purchase the gold on their behalf.
Foreigners may also operate as partners or off-takers.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, stated; “We indicated in our press release dated April 14, 2025, that all foreigners have until April 30, 2025, which happens to be today, to exit the market.
“This is because we intend to enforce the Ghana Gold Board Act starting tomorrow. What this simply means is that if you are a foreigner and you are found buying gold in the local market tomorrow, selling gold, or engaging in any gold-related activity, you will be committing an offense,” he said.
He continued, “You will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. That is why we thought it necessary not only to issue a press release but to hold this press briefing, so no one can claim ignorance. While ignorance of the law is no excuse, we do not take pleasure in arresting, detaining, or prosecuting anyone, which is why we want to give everyone the benefit of the doubt.
“We want to provide ample notice, and we are using this platform to remind all foreigners in the local gold trading sector that today, April 30, 2025, is the deadline to exit the market,” Sammy Gyamfi emphasised.
“Starting tomorrow, it will be a punishable criminal offense for any foreigner to buy or sell gold in the local gold trading sector,” he added.
Parliament passed the Ghana Gold Board Bill, 2025, into law on Friday, March 28, 2025.
Under the new law, the Ghana Gold Board is responsible for overseeing, monitoring, and managing the buying, selling, and export of gold and other precious minerals.
The law designates GoldBod as the sole exporter of gold from Ghana’s small-scale mining sector, effectively prohibiting licensed traders and bullion dealers from exporting gold directly.
As part of efforts to revitalise the local economy, President John Dramani Mahama initiated the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), which operates under the Ministry of Finance.
Sammy Gyamfi cited Clause 68(1) of the GoldBod Bill, which stipulates that no person shall, without lawful authority, hoard gold without a license or authorization issued by the Gold Board.
This clause is intended to prevent situations where licensed agents, funded to purchase gold for GoldBod, hoard the commodity, leading to scarcity, unfair competition, or price manipulation, among other issues.
He reiterated that direct buying and selling of gold on the market is prohibited under the Ghana GoldBod Act. However, foreigners may apply to GoldBod to purchase gold from Ghana through the organisation.
Foreigners are also permitted to act as off-takers.
He concluded by stating that foreigners should buy gold through GoldBod, which will then export the gold to their country or a location of their choice.
SA/MA
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Chelsea are targeting a summer move for Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers, according to The Independent.
It is claimed Aston Villa do not want to sell the England international and view him as a star for the future.
But Villa reportedly face potential financial pressure this season if they do not qualify for the Champions League, given that their wage bill has been at over 90 per cent of revenue.
The report says Chelsea feel there may be an opportunity to do business with Villa over a deal for the 22-year-old as look to bolster their attack.
Rogers has been a star performer for Unai Emery’s side this season, having scored 14 goals in all competitions.
In November, Rogers signed a new Villa contract valid until 2030.
Former Hearts of Oak player Jojo Bossman has pushed back against long-standing allegations of juju in the fierce rivalry between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, stating that such claims are often exaggerated and unfounded.
In an interview with Ghana Sports Page, Bossman addressed perceptions surrounding spiritual practices in the build-up to the historic Super Clash, clarifying that Hearts of Oak’s preparations were rooted in faith not superstition.
“Most of the time it’s Kotoko who accuse Hearts of Oak of juju. But I want to ask—do Kotoko only go to God ahead of games? Do they go to church from Monday to Tuesday?” Bossman asked rhetorically. He told Ghanasportspage.com
He went on to defend Hearts’ spiritual approach, revealing that the team sought divine guidance through prayer rather than any form of traditional rituals.
“If we are about to play Kotoko, we go to church for one week. Ask Charles Taylor—did Hearts ever take him to see any mallam? He played for Hearts of Oak,” he said.
Bossman further disclosed that the team would often visit Accra New Town, not for rituals, but to gather under the iconic Oak tree for prayer sessions led by pastors.
“The only place we used to go ahead of Kotoko games is Accra New Town, where the Oak tree is. We go there for pastors to pray with us,” he added.
His comments come amid renewed discussions around the role of superstition and faith in Ghanaian football, especially in the buildup to the high-stakes Heart of Oak-Kotoko clash.
They two most glamorous clubs lock horns in their final meeting of the season as the league enters the final stages.
Lawyer and musician Ace Ankomah has pointed out that the usual separation between gospel music and secular music is not as clear as often portrayed.
He made these statements while speaking on the dilemma often faced by some gospel artistes who are subjected to backlash for performing with secular musicians.
“We have a problem where the church has a big issue with what we call secular music. If I am a musician who also goes to church, and the next day I am seen on TV performing with what are called secular artistes, I’ll be in a lot of trouble,” he said in an interview with Kwame Dadzie on Joy FM.
Ace Ankomah stated that despite the discrimination, many gospel songs share the same chord progressions and melodies as secular highlife music, blurring the lines between the two genres.
“A lot of some songs that were deemed secular have found their way into the church. If I pick a basic Yaw Amponsah progression, it will play several gospel songs. And several secular songs. Yeah. I have a list of them that I sit down and I just laugh,” he said.
He added, “We have a progression of what we use for praise. But it didn’t start in the church. We learnt it from the highlife groups. So have we by changing the lyrics, spiritualised it?” he shared.
ID/EB
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Kwabena Adu-Boahene, is a former Director General of the National Signals Bureau
The Attorney General, Dr Dominic Ayine, has filed 11 charges against Kwabena Adu-Boahene, a former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), who is accused of transferring GH¢49 million (approximately $7 million) from the bureau’s account to his personal account, among other offenses.
The suit, which was filed at the High Court in Accra, also had three other accused persons, including the wife of Adu-Boahene, Angela Adjei Boateng; his company, Advantage Solutions Limited; and a banker, Mildred Donkor.
The charges filed against the accused persons included: stealing, contrary to Section 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29); conspiracy to steal, contrary to Sections 23(1) and 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960; and defrauding by false pretences, contrary to Section 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
Some of the other charges against them are: wilfully causing financial loss to the state, contrary to Section 179A(3)(a) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29); using public office for profit, contrary to Section 179C(a) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29); and collaboration to commit a crime, to wit — using public office for profit, contrary to Section 179C(b) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, revealed that Kwabena Adu-Boahene, the former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), had been arrested in connection with the alleged diversion of public funds meant for a cybersecurity defense system.
Addressing the press on Monday, March 24, 2025, Dr Ayine stated that Adu-Boahene was implicated in the unauthorised transfer of $7 million, originally allocated for cybersecurity infrastructure, into his private accounts.
“In his capacity as Director of the National Signals Bureau, Mr. Adu-Boahene on January 30, 2020, signed a contract on behalf of the Government of Ghana and the National Security on one hand and on the other hand, an Israeli company named RLC Holdings Limited. The contract was for the purchase of a cyber defense system software at a price of $7 million,” the Attorney General said.
Providing further details, Dr Ayine disclosed that just days after signing the agreement, Adu Boahene initiated a suspicious transaction.
“On February 6, 2020, he then transferred an initial amount of GH¢27,100,000 from the National Signals Bureau account at Fidelity Bank to a private BNC account at UMB. Official documentation on the transfer reveals that the amount was for the payment of cyber defense system software. He transferred the money to his private company,” he told the media.
According to Dr. Ayine, investigations further uncovered that the former NSB boss allegedly funneled the funds not only into his personal account but also into accounts belonging to his wife.
Read the court documents below:
BAI/MA
Meanwhile, watch why Kennedy Agyapong has withdrawn from NPP’s ‘Thank You Tour’
Meanwhile, watch as frustrated Ghanaians speak out on poor network challenges
Chinese television broadcasting giant StarTimes owes the Ghana Football Association (GFA) $950,000 in connection with the Ghana Premier League television rights deal.
According to ghanasoccernet.com, GFA President Kurt Okraku has confirmed the outstanding payment, which remains unsettled despite the association’s persistent efforts to recover the funds.
The report indicates that the debt has accumulated over several seasons, and the GFA is keen on having it cleared before entering into any new agreement with the broadcaster.
The absence of a broadcasting sponsor has significantly affected both the clubs and the GFA, limiting their ability to generate sufficient revenue to support league development, infrastructure, and financial assistance for the clubs.
The GFA President revealed the contract details while discussing the league’s commercial agreements and the ongoing efforts to secure a new broadcasting partner.
Following the expiration of the previous deal, the Ghana Premier League currently has no official broadcast sponsor. In the meantime, some local television stations have stepped in to air the matches.
Officials from Premier League clubs have expressed frustration over their financial challenges in managing their teams.
Watch Ghana U-15 boys’ 1-0 defeat to Tanzania in the semi-finals
The Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has inaugurated a newly constituted nine-member board for the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), with Hon. George Ricketts Hagan, former Deputy Finance Minister and Member of Parliament for Cape Coast South, appointed as Chairperson.
The new board has been tasked with the responsibility of boosting revenue generation and promoting integrity in tax administration.
Other members of the board include the Commissioner of the GRA, Mr. Anthony Sarpong.
Full list of members:
Hon. George Ricketts Hagan – Chairperson
Mr. Anthony Sarpong (GRA Commissioner) – Member
Mr. Patrick Nomo – Member
Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare – Member
Dr. Zakaria Mumuni – Member
Madam Faustina Nelson – Member
Mr. George Ayiretey – Member
Hon. Laadi Ayamba – Member
Mr. Francis-Xavier Sosu – Member
Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Forson highlighted the pivotal role of the GRA in national development, stressing that the success of government policies depends on the revenue mobilised by the Authority.
He urged the board to uphold the highest standards of dedication and integrity and to act decisively in curbing smuggling and revenue leakages.
Ghanaian highlife artiste, George Kwabena Adu, known in the music industry as Kwabena Kwabena, is the latest musician to be involved in student politics.
According to his manager Nana Poku Ashis, Kwabena is contesting for Student Representative Council (SRC) presidency at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), where he is studying for a bachelor’s degree.
Informal street food caterers, popularly known as chop bars, are a key feature of Ghanaian city life. They offer the urban poor the cheapest food.
A 2016 survey by the Food and Agriculture Organization estimated there were about 3,300 chop bars in the capital, Accra, employing almost 4,300 workers. This figure is likely to be much higher now due to rapid urban growth in the last decade. Ghana’s urban population increased from 50.9% in 2010 to 56.7% in 2021. By the same year the Greater Accra region was home to 91.7% of the urban population in the country.
Street food caterers in Accra face a number of problems, including insecurity of land tenure, inadequate knowledge of food hygiene, harassment from local authorities, cut-throat competition, and low returns from work.
Foreign donors have over the years stepped in to attempt to address these problems. A flagship of this assistance has been a programme funded by Danish trade unions and the Danish Federation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. Under its aegis, Ghana’s Trades Union Congress was able to support workers in chop bars.
Drawing on our expertise on trade unions in Ghana and on the informal economy, we assessed the effectiveness and strategic relevance of this aid.
The aid focused on entrepreneurial skills and micro-credit. This overlooks some of the real problems in the sector. It leaves wage workers in a precarious position and does nothing to boost demand for what the sector supplies. We argue that to be more effective, foreign aid should address these gaps.
Entrepreneurial pipe dreams
Increased donor attention to workers in the informal economy and trade unions could be seen as a positive trend. After all, this is where the majority of workers in African cities are to be found. Ghana’s official statistical service places the size of the country’s informal sector between 70% and 80% of the working populace in its reports from 2024.
However, close examination of the type of support given, and its results, yields a more sobering picture.
Aid focused firstly on capacity building and entrepreneurship. This aimed at boosting skills such as financial literacy and capacity to care for customers. The programme’s own evaluation highlights the increased confidence that chop bar operators gained through this training. Important as this might be, increased confidence can do very little to overcome structural challenges, like intense competition in an oversupplied sector and the insecurity of land tenure.
A second area of support was the provision of micro-credit via the Trades Union Congress (Ghana). One could argue that it boosted the creditworthiness of informal economy operators. But there is evidence, including our study, that credit can often result in a spiral of debt and “poverty finance”.
Donors chose to focus on small-scale entrepreneurs as the only economic actors in the informal economy. This reflects an ideological, and market fundamentalist, understanding of the informal economy as inhabited only by small enterprises and self-employed workers, and the challenge as one of making the market work better for the poor.
The blind spots of donors’ support to the informal economy
This approach by donors neglects informal and highly precarious wage workers within the chop bar sector. Our research shows that the chop bar industry is stratified in terms of class. Within it, alongside genuine self-employed workers, there are people who own relatively small-scale capital (cooking assets and in some cases the land and buildings in which the bars are based) and who employ informal wage workers.
The informal workforce is by and large made up of migrant female workers with relatively low education and skill. They work without contracts, for very long hours and very low wages, and face the risk of sudden dismissal and harassment from employers. Such poor working conditions stem from the lack of contracts, and of the rights that come with them. This is the weakest category of workers in the industry – yet they have no place in donors’ and trade unions’ activities to support workers.
The main limitation of donors’ aid to the chop bar sector is that it focuses exclusively on supply-side interventions. It is based on the idea that improving skills and access to finance will result in increased demand for the services of small-scale entrepreneurs. Many aid programmes on employment make this mistake and suffer from so called “employment dementia” .
This type of aid doesn’t ask where the stimulus to increase demand for street food will come from, or what the structural roots of urban employment challenges are. It doesn’t consider why African cities have large informal economies and poor-quality jobs.
Aid priorities
Donors should re-think their aid priorities, and put informal wage workers at their centre. This would entail moving away from the current focus on micro-solutions for job creation, and instead supporting policies to promote structural change, to tighten labour markets and increase the demand for good-quality jobs within them.
This article was co-authored with Dr Prince Asafu-Adjaye, an associate of Labour Research Service.
Kwame Baffoe [Left] (Abronye) and Kennedy Agyapong [Right]
Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful and ex-Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has fired back at the party’s Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, following a heated altercation between the two during the NPP’s “Thank You Tour” at Berekum, on April 28, 2025.
In an interview on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, Kennedy Agyapong expressed outrage over what he described as Abronye’s disrespectful remarks, which he perceived as personal insinuations.
The clash, which nearly disrupted the tour, led by former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, stemmed from Abronye’s welcome address, where he criticised advocates of amnesty for suspended NPP members, a proposal championed by Agyapong, calling such moves a threat to party discipline.
Ken Agyapong, speaking in the interview on Wednesday, defended his immediate response to Abronye’s outburst at Berekum, emphasising his long-standing support for Abronye and his statement which he deemed disrespectful to him.
“Somebody that I have fed, I have given him cash. I spent GH₵480,000 on his campaign. This man told me that Bawumia has brought a northerner to unseat him, so, he needed help. I gave him GH₵480,000. They should go and ask my nephew Osafo and Adusei,” he stated.
He expressed shock that Abronye, whom he considered a good friend, would publicly disrespect him, adding; “I am saying that I have done all these things for him, but he stood in front of party people to disrespect me, and people are saying you don’t have to say anything?”
Refusing to stay silent, Agyapong emphasised that his response was in line with fidelity in authenticity and decisive leadership.
“If Ken Agyapong is quiet, it doesn’t mean I will allow anybody to take me for granted. That is not Ken Agyapong; it means I will be faking. The truth is the truth, and I will always defend the truth,” he said.
He further argued that failing to respond to such provocations would undermine his credibility as a potential president.
“I am not an illiterate that I don’t understand the insinuations that Abronye was casting for me to be quiet. If you want to be president and people say things like this, and you are not able to correct them, then you are not going to be an effective leader. I needed to respond swiftly and spontaneously, and the same language should be used to check him,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kennedy Agyapong has announced his withdrawal from the “Thank You Tour” citing security concerns after a supporter was stabbed at Bantama on Tuesday.
GA/AE
Meanwhile, watch why Kennedy Agyapong has withdrawn from NPP’s ‘Thank You Tour’
The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Major General William Agyapong, on Monday hosted all Two-Star Generals of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) at a formal gathering held at his office at Burma Camp.
The meeting, according to a press statement from the Ghana Armed Forces, served as both a recognition of military service and a formal announcement of upcoming structural changes within the military high command.
Major General Agyapong informed the Generals that many of them would be released from service in accordance with GAF regulations, as part of a strategic restructuring aimed at enhancing command and control across the Armed Forces.
“During the meeting, the CDS expressed his heartfelt appreciation and admiration for the Generals’ exceptional professionalism and dedicated service to the country.
“He extended gratitude from the President and Commander-in-Chief, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to the Ghana Armed Forces. He then informed the Generals that, to aid command and control in the Armed Forces, many of them present are to be released honourably from the service in accordance with Ghana Armed Forces regulations,” part of the statement read.
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Major General Irvine Aryeetey, Commandant of the National College of Defence Studies, is reported to have affirmed that the announced changes were consistent with the long-standing traditions of the Ghana Armed Forces.
He noted that transitions in high command typically follow generational intakes, citing historical precedents to support the current move.
He referenced the transition from former CDS Lieutenant General O.B. Akwa (Intake 18) to Vice Admiral Seth Amoama (Intake 23), a gap of five intakes, and the subsequent change from Vice Admiral Amoama to General Thomas Oppong-Peprah (Intakes 23 and 26 respectively), which spanned three intakes. The current transition from General Oppong-Peprah to Major General Agyapong, he noted, follows a four-intake gap (Intakes 26 and 30), aligning with institutional norms.
Efforts to resolve the long-standing Bawku conflict have been temporarily postponed to next week, sources at the Manhyia Palace have revealed.
The peace process, being led by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, was initially expected to take a major step forward on Monday, April 28. However, due to the complexities surrounding the chieftaincy dispute at the heart of the conflict, the scheduled resolution meetings have been delayed.
The Manhyia Palace is yet to officially announce a new date for the resumption of the mediation sessions.
Otumfuo’s involvement in the peace effort has been widely welcomed across the country, with many viewing his leadership as a potential turning point in bringing lasting peace and stability to the troubled region.
The mediation was originally set to run from April 28 to May 1 at the Manhyia Palace as part of broader national efforts to calm tensions in Bawku.
Takoradi, April 30, GNA – Bank of Ghana (BoG) has underscored the need for accuracy in financial journalism, stressing that journalists’ effectiveness depends on their understanding of economic issues.
Mr. Bernard Otabil, Director of Communications at the BoG, said this during the opening of a two-day media capacity-building workshop in Takoradi in the Western Region.
The workshop which is the third in a series is being attended by 26 journalists from the Western and Western North Regions to equip them with a deeper understanding of economic and financial reporting.
The initiative is part of the BoG’s broader efforts to enhance media capacity, ensuring that financial news coverage remained accurate, insightful, and beneficial to the public.
Mr Otabil said the Management of the Bank recognises the important role journalists played in sensitising the public about its policies and programmes nationwide, especially after the Bank’s Monetary Policy meetings and the media engagements that followed.
He pointed out that communication remained critical to enhancing the Bank’s policies, therefore, with the approval of Management, the Communications Department consistently creates platforms to improve upon strategic media partnerships.
Mr. Otabil said misinformation in financial journalism often resulted from a lack of knowledge and urged reporters to continuously educate themselves.
He said: “This media training is not to enhance your interviewing skills nor to help you define the old question of journalism: What is News! Rather, it is to further enhance your ability to craft compelling narratives about the policies and objectives of the Bank, especially as far as monetary policy is concerned.
We want you to be able to navigate the often-complex world of economics and finance. Essentially, the Bank is committed to empowering journalists to deliver impactful narratives about the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) and build your confidence in writing about business and finance.”
He added: “A journalist is only as good as their understanding of the subject they are reporting on. That is why we are here to provide training on what we do as a central bank, particularly our monetary policy report. There have been instances where reports have been inaccurately presented, and this often stems from a lack of deep understanding of financial and economic issues.”
He cautioned journalists not to play propaganda with the activities of the central Bank, noting, that, “there are repercussions with your actions and in actions as journalists.”
Touching on accurate reporting, Mr Otabil encouraged journalists to report on precision clarity, specificity and consistency.
He also asked journalists to play their gate keeping role effectively and be mindful of the kind of headlines they give to their stories.
On the issue of specialisation in journalism, Mr. Otabil stressed the importance of continuous learning. He advised journalists interested in financial reporting to dedicate time to reading at least one article per week on economic and business topics, stating that this practice could transform them into experts over time.
“One workshop cannot make you an expert overnight, but consistency in learning will. If you read a 500-word article on financial matters every week, in a year, you would have read 52 articles, enough to give you a strong grasp of the subject,” he advised.
Mr Kofi Assan, the Regional Manager BOG Takoradi, indicated that the bank and media were the same stakeholders and should therefore work collectively to ensure effective financial management in the country.
For his part, Mr Desmond Cudjoe Western Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), lauded the bank for the initiative and asked that regular such workshops should be organised to build the capacity of journalists.
He said it was important for the media to build an interface that would help them to effectively interpret financial issues to the public.
The participants were taken through key topics, including Macroeconomic Analysis and the Significance of Macroeconomic Indicators, Monetary Policy Practice in Ghana, and Understanding Inflation Dynamics in Ghana, Responsible Borrowing and inflation dynamics.
General Overseer of the Action Chapel International Ministry, Nicholas Duncan-Williams
General Overseer of the Action Chapel International Ministry, Nicholas Duncan-Williams, has praised former President John Dramani Mahama for putting the country’s interests above his personal gains.
In a video shared on X on April 30, 2025, Duncan-Williams recounted an encounter with a business mogul who revealed that President Mahama had chosen Ghana’s welfare over his own personal interests.
He explained that a foreign-based company had approached Mahama with an offer to set up a business in the country, which included a bribe to the president.
However, Mahama rejected the offer.
Duncan-Williams reiterated that this isn’t the first time he had heard such a story, reflecting on Mahama’s leadership both in the past and in his recent efforts.
“It’s not because I know this president, but I am telling you that he means well for this country. Some years ago, I met these business tycoons, and one of them said, ‘Mahama is a good man.’ He said that a company he knows came to Ghana to make a deal, but after the money was paid, the company would be co-owned by certain Ghanaians, foreign investors, and the president,” Duncan-Williams shared.
He added, “The man said the president rejected the offer saying that it should go to Ghana instead. He told them to structure the deal in a way that after the debt was paid, let the investment be owned by Ghana. I have heard that thing twice which was before and his recent leadership,” he added.
Watch the video below:
Founder of Action Chapel International, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, has stated that President John Mahama means well for Ghana but needs support.
The Archbishop cited an example from several years ago, where he met some business tycoons who told him about a foreign… pic.twitter.com/Jwcf9rOH9L
The Mayor of Kumasi, Richard Ofori Agyemang, has stated that his involvement in the attempted removal of seized excavators in the custody of the Ashanti Regional Forestry Commission was with good intentions.
On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, five excavators, seized and held by the commission as exhibits in ongoing anti-illegal mining (galamsey) prosecutions, were reportedly taken by individuals claiming to be acting under “orders from above.”
Following immediate public backlash, the excavators, visibly marked as court exhibits, were returned to the Forestry Commission’s custody.
It later emerged that the attempted removal involved the Kumasi Mayor.
In an interview with JoyNews, and monitored by GhanaWeb, Ofori Agyemang explained that he was unaware the excavators were court exhibits.
He clarified that the purpose of moving them was to use the machines for a planned demolition at Kejetia Market.
“Since the fire incident at Adum, we have used seized excavators for every activity there, returning them afterward. Currently, there is a report stating we must demolish three buildings. Some people have started reconstructing the buildings earmarked for demolition. Last week, we fenced off the area where trees were felled, and we planned to carry out the demolition today. We contacted the Regional Security Coordinator to provide seized excavators at their disposal. We didn’t know the ones we were going to use were kept at the Forestry Commission,” he explained.
He added that he ordered the immediate return of the excavators once the facts were made known to him.
Responding to criticisms from some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) about his role, Ofori maintained that he did not intend to misconduct himself, emphasising his objective was to protect lives.
“I have good intentions to save lives, but my good intentions are being misconstrued, putting my name in a bad light. I know public service comes with such challenges, but please, Mr Ken Ashigbey, I had no intention to misbehave. It was for a good purpose,” he stated.
The government of President John Dramani Mahama, which assumed office on January 7, 2025, has faced pressure to take drastic measures against galamsey, which has significantly impacted Ghana’s water and forest reserves.
Public concerns over the use of excavators in illegal mining have led to demands for stricter regulation of heavy machinery in the small-scale mining sector.
Between 2019 and 2020, under the former Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government, a scandal emerged involving the disappearance of hundreds of excavators seized from illegal galamsey miners during Operation Vanguard, launched in 2017 to curb environmental damage.
Reports suggest 34 to over 300 excavators vanished from storage sites, sparking allegations of corruption against government officials and New Patriotic Party (NPP) members.
Kwabena Adu-Boahene is a former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau
The Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has filed 11 charges against Kwabena Adu-Boahene, a former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), who is accused of transferring GH¢49 million (approximately $7 million) from the bureau’s account to his personal account, among other offenses.
The Criminal Division of the High Court in Kampala has sentenced a 16-year-old boy to a maximum of three years in jail without appeal for murder. The boy, whose name has been withheld because he was underage at the time of the offence, pleaded guilty to killing his girlfriend, whom he had met online. But the tragic case of an online dating gone wrong on a first date attracted only a light sentence because the maximum punishment for a child offender is three years in jail.
Justice Margaret Mutonyi, who delivered the sentence on April 16, said the juvenile didn’t waste the court’s time as he pleaded guilty to killing his girlfriend on their first date at his home. Nonetheless, she ruled: “This case falling under the category of the rarest of the rare, the court is also agreeing with the prosecution that he deserves the maximum the law provides for juvenile offenders despite his plea of guilty.”
Justice Mutonyi also warned: “The current juvenile justice system, from the perspective of victims and the public, does not dispense sufficiently tough sanctions to serve as a deterrent and provide accountability to victims of crime and society.”
How it happened
Court documents show that after dating online for some time, 23-year-old Latifah Wotali visited her boyfriend at Gganda Jembe 1 Zone, Wakiso Sub-county in Wakiso District, on April 17, 2024. She got the 16-year-old boyfriend alone at home. Once she had settled in, the boyfriend raised the volume of the music playing as he headed for a spray from his mother’s bedroom.
He doused her face with the spray, impairing her sight. He then grabbed a hammer and hit Wotali on the head. He also cut her with a panga and dragged her body outside, placing it near a dog house. “He cleaned the house of blood, burnt his blood-stained clothes, dumped them, took a shower, and changed clothes.
He also threw the lady’s identity card, shoes, phone, two pangas, and a hammer in a pit-latrine,” the court records show. “He then sat in the sitting room like nothing had happened. His brother came in and discovered the body near the dog kennel. The juvenile admitted he had killed Wotali. The mother was informed by the brother, and she called the police.
He escaped but was later arrested at his sister’s place,” the court records add. The 16-year-old said he killed Wotali after a quarrel, but further questioning revealed he was also using drugs. But the court records ruled out any suspicion of sexual assault after medical tests proved otherwise. When the matter came up before Justice Margaret Mutonyi of the Criminal Division of the High Court in Kampala on April 16, 2025, the juvenile didn’t waste the court’s time as he pleaded guilty to killing his girlfriend, whom he met online.
The sentence
Given the shocking acts, Justice Mutonyi handed the juvenile the maximum punishment of three years, although she subtracted the period he had spent on remand. “Having been found responsible for the murder on his plea of guilty and admission of facts, the juvenile offender is advised that he has no right of appeal against the finding of guilty, but he has a right of appeal against the legality and severity of the disposition order within 14 days from today,” ruled Justice Mutonyi. “He is, therefore, ordered to serve a custodial sentence of three years less the period spent on remand, which is 11 months and seven days, leaving him with two years and 23 days.
When he attains the age of 18, he should be transferred to an adult facility to complete his remaining part of his sentence,” she added. Justice Mutonyi said the gravity of the offence that involved taking a life in the most gruesome manner deserved a custodial detention to serve as a semblance of justice to the victims of crime and deter the offender from reoffending.
Observations
The judge said, given the growing number of juvenile offenders in violent and serious crimes, the stakeholders in the criminal justice system, including those specifically involved with youth, such as the Gender and Justice ministries, should revisit the punitive orders for juvenile offenders who use extreme violence and deadly weapons. “The juvenile justice system must have deliberate programmes to focus its efforts and resources on this group of juvenile delinquents with a view of having a wide range of effective delinquency prevention and intervention strategies,” Justice Mutonyi observed. Justice Mutonyi observed that Kampiringisa National Rehabilitation Centre cannot accommodate juvenile offenders involved in violent crime, as it has no security systems, like a wall fence, that can prevent the juvenile offenders from escaping.
“This court has observed an increase in violent and serious criminal behaviour involving juvenile offenders, especially those between 14 and 17 years, yet the law treats them the same way as a 12-year-old who may just be exhibiting childish behaviour,” she said. “The same law treats the child involved in self-adventure and discovery, especially in sexual offences where victims range from babies to young girls below 14 years, yet they exhibit very clear premeditation and understanding that what they are doing is wrong,” she added.
Concerns over online dating
Justice Mutonyi said this case presents safety concerns over online dating because the deceased was murdered in cold blood in the most gruesome manner on their first physical date at the home of the juvenile. She cautioned those involved in online dating to take precautionary measures, especially on their first physical dates, as many are murdered in cold blood. “I believe the deceased had not done any research about the offender because she would have discovered that he was just a young boy of 16 years old then.
Had she also taken the precautionary measure of meeting at a public place for the first date, accompanied by a family member or friend, her life could have been saved?” Justice Mutonyi observed. “It’s important to tell a friend and a family member about the person, details of the person, including identification documents, and the place of meeting.
The deceased in this case met a ferocious young boy who hit her with a hammer and savagely cut her with a panga for no cogent reason, because they had not met before, and there was no justification for the brutal attack. As many people try to engage in online dating, they need to know that many have met their death on the very first date.”
A distressing video that has left social media users teary shows a Ghanaian woman being brutally tortured by a group of alleged Nigerian kidnappers.
The captors are demanding a ransom of GH?500,000 from her family for her release.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
The victim in the deeply disturbing video has been identified as Ama Serwaa Konadu, a 39-year-old hairdresser hailing from Asiakwa, a small town in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
In the harrowing footage, Ama Serwaa Konadu is seen with her hands bound and a cloth
President of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, has delivered a stirring message at the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2025, emphasizing the power of African leadership and collective responsibility in shaping the continent’s future.
Speaking before a distinguished gathering of business leaders, policymakers, and development partners, President Mahama stated,
“Africa’s destiny is in our own hands. It is our decisions and our initiatives today that will determine the future prosperity of our citizens.”
His
Ada, April 30, GNA – Mr. Godwin Agudey, a former Presiding Member (PM) of the Ada East District Assembly, has called on Assembly Members to elect a leader who will place the development of the district above personal or political interests.
Mr. Agudey expressed concern about the assembly’s current leadership gap, noting that the absence of a presiding member for several months has negatively affected the effective running of the assembly and delayed important decisions and development activities in the district.
He told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that the district had been without a presiding member for some sometime now, and several efforts to elect a new one have so far been unsuccessful.
Furthermore, attempts to reach a consensus on who should occupy the position have ended in disagreement, resulting in a leadership vacuum that has affected governance in the district.
He mentioned that the assembly needed someone who understands the responsibility that comes with the position and is ready to work selflessly, noting that, “every assembly member knows a good person that can lead the house and unite the members and deliver.”
The former assembly leader explained that the absence of a presiding member made it difficult for meetings to be properly conducted, which would affect the approval of projects, budgets, and other key decisions that are vital to the growth and progress of Ada East.
He appealed to all elected and government-appointed assembly members to put aside their differences and work together in the interest of the district, stressing that cooperation and unity were needed now more than ever, especially as the area faces challenges in education, sanitation, health, and infrastructure.
He urged them to ignore the influence of some authorities who were pushing some of their people to occupy the position but look among themselves and choose someone who would contribute to the development of the district.
The assembly members of the Ada-East district assembly failed to elect a presiding member four times in 2024.
Dennis Miracle Aboagye, Director of Communications for the Bawumia 2024 Campaign, has attributed the surge in tensions of the Bawku conflict to what he believes to be biased actions and utterances by President John Dramani Mahama on the campaign trail ahead of the 2024 elections.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Wednesday, April 30, Miracles criticised the President for allegedly politicising the sensitive chieftaincy issue during the opposition campaign and failing to adopt a neutral posture after assuming office.
“It is the same time that has caught up with the President when it comes to the Bawku matter. He politicised the Bawku conflict during the campaign period when he was not in government and was in opposition.
“He didn’t know that it was a sensitive matter; he didn’t realise that, so he went there and did all manner of politics with it,” Aboagye said.
He recalled that during the 2024 election campaign, then-candidate Mahama allegedly made remarks suggesting that peace only existed in Bawku when the NDC was in power and chaos reigned under the NPP.
“At some point, the government of the day under President Akufo-Addo was banned from going to some areas in Bawku because of the opposition leader’s actions. He even went on to say that anytime the NDC is in power, there is peace in Bawku, and that it is only when the NPP is in power that there is chaos in Bawku,” Miracles alleged.
According to him, the President’s posture and utterances have emboldened one side of the conflict, creating an atmosphere of bias and mistrust.
“The President’s utterances, posture, and body language are what have led to the Bawku conflict escalating within the 120 days under their government. He empowered one side of the conflict and showed clear bias in the conflict for his political benefit,” he added.
Dennis Aboagye expressed hope that with the intervention of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, there would be a renewed commitment to peace.
“My prayer is that as they have arrived at Manhyia now, they will at least, in the presence of Otumfuo, lay down their grievances, lay down their arms, and give peace a chance,” he said.
The Asantehene began talks between the feuding factions on the Bawku conflict. His involvement is seen as a critical step in resolving the long-standing chieftaincy conflict and restoring calm to the troubled region.
The Bawku conflict, rooted in deep-seated ethnic and traditional disputes, has persisted for years, often escalating into violence.
Former Auditor General Daniel Yaw Domelevo is urging President John Dramani Mahama to take immediate and decisive action against government officials who have failed to declare their assets in accordance with the law.
In a pointed critique on JoyNews’ News Desk programme on Wednesday, April 30, Domelevo described the widespread non-compliance as a display of “gross indiscipline and disrespect” towards the President.
His comments follow a report by The Fourth Estate which revealed that several high-ranking
Wangarakrom (W/R), April 30, GNA – The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa, has conducted a simulation exercise to help address illegal mining conflicts peacefully.
UMaT was assisted by officers from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Ambulance Service, Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Prisons Service, National Disaster Management Organisation, and Mining companies to undertake the exercise at Wangarakrom in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality.
The exercise formed part of activities to observe this year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work which falls on April 28 of every year.
The theme for 2025 is: “Revolutionizing Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalization at work.”
Speaking at the event, Dr Eric Stemn, the Coordinator for the Disaster and Emergency Management Hub in UMaT, said because they were in a mining community, annually they tried to identify key community issues, and then stimulate that scenario to test their emergency response teams preparedness.
“So, this year, we undertook a simulation exercise focusing on illegal miners encroaching on the large-scale concession and how we can use dialog instead of the normal force and use of arms” he stated
Dr Stemn revealed that over the past four years, the University had worked closely with Gold Fields on this project to raise awareness about potential risks and challenges, and to promote proactive measures to mitigate them.
Additionally, he said: “One of the major lessons we are learning from this exercise is to ensure proper coordination among the security agencies, and I think gradually, we are achieving that particular purpose.
“For instance, in Tarkwa mining area, l am aware that there has been a lot of engagement with the security agencies and the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice has also been brought on board for them to understand that even though someone has engaged in an illegal act, that does not take away his rights.”
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Raymond Kofi Erzuah, Divisional Police Commander, Tarkwa, who led the exercise, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the exercise and lauded the officers for their dedication and teamwork.
He, however, warned that anyone engaging in illegal mining in water bodies and forest reserves would face the law, as per President John Dramani Mahama’s directive.
ACP Erzuah advised anyone, or group interested in mining to go through the formal processes and obtain necessary permits, adding, “Your life is precious: don’t risk it through illegal mining. Your family and the nation need you.
Mr Prince Essuah, on behalf of Dr Catherine Kuupol Kuutor, the General Manager of Gold Fields Tarkwa Mine, highlighted that, “We face difficulties due to illegal miners invading our sites. We deal with huge equipment, and the risk is that you can run over any of them, and we know the implications. “
He emphasised that, “when it happens that way, the community will come after us, so we protect our sites through regular patrols and community awareness programmes. It’s a tough task, but with persistence and community engagement, we expect good outcome.”
Mr Charles Opoku Amoateng, a member of the planning committee for the programme for UMaT, an adjunct lecturer and the immediate past health and safety manager, Gold Fields Tarkwa Mine, on his part noted that they were pleased with the results because the community was not informed prior to the exercise.
He said: “As the team arrived, with the sirens blaring people started asking what was going on. Some came to the scene not just to watch, but to check if their relatives were arrested so they could plead for leniency. So, the exercise is gaining the awareness we are expecting.”
Former Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has declared his intention to contest the next New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearership race, asserting that no one can stand in his way.
His announcement comes shortly after he officially withdrew from the NPP’s ongoing “Thank You” tour, citing security threats to his supporters.
The move follows a violent incident at a party event in Bantama, Kumasi, where a student from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), affiliated with Unity Hall’s Jama group, was stabbed.
The group had been contracted by Agyapong’s team to perform at the event held at the Pentecost Church. The attack has raised concerns about safety and growing internal tensions within the party.
Speaking to the media, Agyapong said the attack on the students pointed to deeper security risks facing his team.
Despite pulling out of the tour, Agyapong reaffirmed his political aspirations.
“But we will also regroup ourselves and at the appropriate time, we will come out with any help that the party can provide, or enhance my chances of winning the candidacy. I am using this opportunity to tell you that I am going to contest,” he declared.
“I will contest, and they should be ready. Nobody can stop me from contesting because we have contributed to the party right from the start.”
Ken Agyapong withdraws from NPP’s ‘Thank You Tour’
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has defended President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to suspend Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, dismissing criticisms from the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) and other legal commentators.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 30, Ayariga justified the suspension, stating that it was carried out in accordance with constitutional provisions and in consultation with the Council of State, as required under Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution.
His remarks come in response to a statement by the GBA, dated April 26, which described the suspension as unconstitutional and lacking legal basis. The GBA argued that the President’s action, allegedly taken under Article 146(10), was flawed due to the absence of a published Constitutional or Statutory Instrument regulating the discretion, as mandated by Article 296.
Ayariga questioned the GBA’s stance, asking whether the Association had concerns with the advice given by the Council of State in the matter.
He expressed surprise at what he viewed as an attempt to discredit a constitutionally sanctioned process.
“The concerns over a particular President’s potential arbitrariness, caprice, bias, resentment, prejudice or the likelihood of personal dislike are equally expected to be contained by the mechanism of ensuring that he must obtain the advice of the Council of State.
“Unless the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) and all the commentators I have heard are saying they have issues with the advice of the Council of State, I am baffled at the disingenuous efforts to fault the process so far,” he asserted.
President Mahama suspended Chief Justice Torkornoo on Tuesday, April 22, after a prima facie case was established against her, following petitions submitted by private citizen Daniel Ofori, senior police officer Ayamga Akolgo, and the civic group Shining Stars of Ghana.
A five-member committee has since been constituted to investigate the matter.
Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba, the Minister of State for Public Sector Reforms, has announced plans to lead a retirement age reform to tackle age fraud in the public sector.
The Minister stressed the need for a system where every child is assigned a unique number at birth, which will be used to identify them from birth through education, public sector employment, and retirement.
In an interview with Citi News following a meeting with the Deputy Minister for Public Service and Administration of South Africa, Pinky Sharon Kekana, Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba stated that the Public Sector Reforms Secretariat will collaborate with other agencies to establish an identification-at-birth policy to address retirement age fraud in the sector.
“If there’s a way that, from birth, you can be given a certain number, we use to track you from birth, up to the time you will be entering the services. Up to the time you will be going on retirement, it is easy for policy formulation and easy for planning. You don’t even need a census.
“I will be working in collaboration with other ministries like the Ministry for Gender, Health and Local Government to see what policy proposal we can put together to make sure that we’re able to do this and it will be easy,” Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba said.
The Minister of State further hinted at a review of the public service code of conduct.
She stated that the current code of conduct and ethics must be updated to address contemporary challenges, an action the sector will take soon.
Ken Agyapong withdraws from NPP’s ‘Thank You Tour’
…..
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Renowned Ghanaian Canada-based gospel musician and Man of God, Eric Jeshrun, has unleashed an anointing-filled song dubbed ‘City of God’.
The song, produced by Prince Sennah, comes with a scintillating video directed and shot by Banks Films.
According to Eric Jeshrun, ‘City of God’ is not just a song; it’s a declaration rooted in scripture.
The song, released on Friday, April 25, 2025, is available on all digital platforms.
“My prayer is that as you listen, your awareness of this river that makes God’s City becomes more than just words. May it become your reality, in Jesus’ name,” he said.
Sharing the story behind the song, Eric Jeshrun said he came to Ghana to minister two years ago, and just before entering the service, he heard a piece of terrible news about a friend.
Down in spirit at the moment of ministration, he heard within that ‘there is a river whose streams make glad the City of God’.He ministered it, and the band tagged along.
Eric Jeshrun is optimistic that the song will bring joy to people who are in despair or experiencing difficult times in their lives.
Several presidential appointees and staffers have failed to declare their assets, in defiance of a directive issued by President John Dramani Mahama, who had set a deadline of March 31, 2025, for all public officials under his administration to comply or risk removal from office.
The directive forms part of President Mahama’s broader anti-corruption campaign aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and responsible governance.
After publicly declaring his own assets, President Mahama called on all his appointees to follow suit, emphasising that asset declaration is a legal and ethical obligation, not a choice.
However, documents obtained by GhanaWeb indicate that some high-profile individuals within the current administration have yet to submit their mandatory asset declaration forms to the Auditor-General’s Department, raising concerns about their commitment to good governance.
This lapse comes despite an extended deadline, suggesting resistance or neglect among certain officeholders. The situation casts a shadow over the government’s efforts to distinguish itself from previous administrations by upholding integrity and financial discipline.
Under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution and the Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification) Act, 1998 (Act 550), specified public officials are required to declare their assets upon assumption of office, every four years, and at the end of their term.
Non-compliance is considered a breach of public trust and may lead to sanctions, including removal from office.
Meanwhile, observers say the refusal or delay by appointees to comply could undermine public confidence in the Mahama administration’s stated commitment to fighting corruption.
As pressure mounts, it remains to be seen whether the President will follow through on his warning and take action against non-compliant officials in the coming weeks.
It is, however, unclear what the president’s next steps will be.
See some of the names on the list below:
– Nathan Kofi Boakye, Director of Operations at the Presidency
– Seth Emmanuel Terkper, Presidential Adviser on the Economy
– Larry Gbevlo-Lartey, Special Envoy to the Alliance of Sahelian States
– Nana Yaa Jantuah, Presidential Staffer
– Charles Kipo, Director General, National Investigations Bureau
– Dr. Peter Boamah Otukunor, Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness at the Presidency
– Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Policy Adviser
– Kofi Okyere Darko, Presidential Adviser on Diaspora Affairs
See the full list below
SSD/MA
Meanwhile, watch as frustrated Ghanaians speak out on poor network challenges
Meanwhile, watch GhanaWeb’s tour of Odweanoma Paragliding Field below:
The Managing Director of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) PLC, Edward Ato Sarpong, has announced the Bank’s renewed commitment to strengthening its core mandate as the premier institution for agribusiness financing in Ghana.
He also reaffirmed ADB’s intention to take a leading role in providing financial intermediation for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Speaking at the Kwahu Business Forum on Saturday, April 19, 2025, Ato Sarpong outlined a new strategic direction for the Bank aimed at positioning ADB as the foremost enabler of MSME success in Ghana.
He emphasised the vital role MSMEs play in job creation, poverty alleviation, and national development.
“As a strategic bank brand, we recognize the indispensable role MSMEs play in driving economic growth. ADB PLC is taking bold steps to expand access to tailored financing, technical support, and business advisory services to help entrepreneurs thrive,” he said.
He revealed that the Bank will soon launch a nationwide MSME Support Program designed to promote capacity building, digital inclusion, and flexible credit schemes, with a strong focus on women- and youth-led enterprises.
Ato Sarpong also highlighted ADB’s ongoing collaborations with regulatory bodies, trade associations, and development partners to build a sustainable ecosystem where MSMEs can scale and succeed.
The Bank’s new strategic direction has been met with enthusiasm and commendation from the business community, particularly within the MSME sector.
At the Kwahu Business Forum, ADB also showcased its use of technology to enhance customer experience. As part of its next steps, the Bank is in the process of selecting promising MSMEs that participated in the forum to offer them tailored financial services to support their growth and expansion.
ADB PLC remains one of Ghana’s largest universal banks, offering a wide range of services across multiple segments including agribusiness, corporate banking, asset finance, electronic banking, global remittances, institutional and public sector banking, and trade services.
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Crystal Palace forward Eddie Nketiah, expressing his willingness to play for the Black Stars if invited, has sparked arguments in the sporting fraternity in the country.
He asserted that, based on the turn of events in his career, he would be available to join the Black Stars, despite previously rejecting approaches from team officials.
“When I was younger, representing England was an option after progressing through the youth system. But if Ghana invites me, then I’ll be there,” he said.
However, his comments do not sit well with some Ghanaians, as reports emerged that he rejected an approach from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) officials to join the Black Stars for the 2022 World Cup, which was hosted in Qatar.
This GhanaWeb Sports feature explores whether Eddie Nketiah will fit into the current Black Stars squad, considering the attackers at their disposal
Eddie Nketiah’s statistics in the 2024/2025 season so far:
Nketiah has not had the best of seasons since his move to Crystal Palace from Arsenal in the 2024/25 season. He has played 25 Premier League games, scored once, and assisted once.
In the English FA Cup and the EFL Cup, he has scored four and provided one assist. In some matches, he has had to come from the bench as he struggles to excel.
Statistics of Black Stars forwards:
Antoine Semenyo, after 34 games for his club Bournemouth, has scored 10 goals and made four assists, leading his side towards qualification for European competition.
He scored once in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers as well.
Jordan Ayew, who plays for Leicester City, has made 34 appearances for his club side, scoring five goals and becoming one of the leading goal scorers among Africans.
He provided three assists and scored once against Chad in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Inaki Williams happens to be the player with the best statistics for his club side, scoring 11 goals and making 9 assists in 46 matches. He is still adapting to the Black Stars, having scored a few goals so far.
Olympic Lyonnais forward Ernest Nuamah has recorded 5 goals and 3 assists, helping the team’s cause in qualifying for the Champions League.
Will Nketiah thrive among the Black Stars attackers
Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has yet to decide whether the English-born player with Ghanaian descent will be given a call-up in upcoming matches.
However, analysing the statistics of the current attackers, denying the player a call-up might not be a significant blow for the team, considering his dip in form with his club team.
His adaptability will be crucial to his success and will have to score more to gain a starting spot which seem unlikely looking at his current performance.
Given Nketiah’s recent poor performances, which often see him starting from the bench for Crystal Palace, it would be dicey for him to excel. Building the team with the current attackers, who seem to gel very well will be prudent.
Watch Ghana U-15 boys’ 1-0 defeat to Tanzania in the semi-finals
Airlines have been told not to allow Taiwan passport-holders to
Taiwan has condemned Somalia for banning travellers with Taiwanese passports from entering or transiting through the East African country.
The ban took effect on Wednesday following an order issued by Somali aviation authorities last week, Taiwan’s foreign ministry said.
Somalia is yet to comment on the ban which comes as Taiwan, a self-ruled island claimed by China, boosts ties with Somaliland, which broke away from Somalia 34 years ago, but remains mostly unrecognised internationally.
In 2020, Somaliland and Taiwan set up embassies in each other’s capitals, angering both China and Somalia.
Somalia’s civil aviation authority issued a notice to airlines saying that Taiwanese passports “will no longer be valid for entry into or transit through the Federal Republic of Somalia” from 30 April, Taiwan’s foreign ministry said in a statement late on Tuesday.
“The ministry of foreign affairs has strongly protested Somalia’s action made under the instigation of China to restrict the travel freedom and safety of Taiwanese nationals and has demanded that the Somali government immediately revoke the notice,” the ministry said.
It condemned Somalia’s “misinterpretation” of UN Resolution 2758 by linking it with the “one China” principle.
The ministry urged Taiwanese against traveling to Somalia or Somaliland for their own safety before Somalia reverses the ban, Taiwanese media reported.
Neither Somaliland nor Somalia has commented.
China said it “highly appreciates” the ban, calling it a “legitimate measure” that “reflects Somalia’s firm adherence to the one-China principle”, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told journalists on Wednesday, according to the AFP news agency.
Taiwan has its own constitution and holds regular, multiparty elections to choose its own leaders.
China insists Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force if necessary to bring the island under its control.
Following a diplomatic push by China, Taiwan – officially known as the Republic of China – is only recognised by a handful of countries.
Somaliland, which is not recognised by any other sovereign state, unilaterally declared independence from the rest of Somalia in 1991, following the collapse of the dictatorial regime in Somalia led by the late General Mohamed Siad Barre.
Somaliland also holds regular elections, while many parts of Somalia are under the control of the al-Shabab militant group, which is linked to al-Qaeda.
Somalia sees Somaliland as part of its territory and has condemned Ethiopia for striking a deal with the Somaliland authorities to lease one of its ports.
Former Chief Executive for the State Transport Corporation (STC), Nana Akomea, has expressed his satisfaction with the decision by Kennedy Ohene Agyapong to withdraw from the ongoing ‘Thank You Tour’ of the New Patriotic Party.
He believes the exercise which was expected to foster unity is rather turning competitive and dividing the party.
“The current ‘Thank You Tour’ has turned into an unnecessary competition and it is good for Kennedy Agyapong to withdraw,” he told Nhyira Fm.
Mr. Akomea bemoaned the division among party leadership and called for leaders to be models of unity for party members.
He observed such tours have been staged since 1992 when the New Patriotic Party lost elections.
“Leaders in the party must remain united and be a symbol of unity for the party supporters to follow. This thank you tour is not new, it has been there since 1992,” he stated.
The senior member of the New Patriotic Party indicated he is saddened by the extent of loss in the 2024 elections and stressed the need for party members to reflect on that and be positioned for victory in 2028.
“If you look at the NPP, we are really sad about the margin of loss in the 2024 elections. This should guide the way we do things if we want to win the 2028 elections,” said Nana Akomea.
Dambai (O/R), April 30, GNA – The Municipal Chief Executive for Krachi East (MCE) Mr Safo Nketia, has held a crucial meeting with local ‘Okada’ riders to discuss ways to enhance their operations and safety within the Municipality.
Mr Nketia educated the riders on the registration process for special number plates, emphasizing its importance in promoting safety and accountability.
He assured the riders that the municipal assembly is committed to addressing their challenges and ensuring sustainable operations.
The MCE highlighted plans to standardize fare charges, promoting fairness and transparency in pricing.
Additionally, he announced a specialised screening process for riders to obtain a riding license, reinforcing the importance of proper licensing and adherence to safety regulations.
This initiative aims to benefit riders and passengers, contributing to the municipality’s overall development.
The Okada riders have expressed heartfelt gratitude to the MCE for his initiative to engage with them and address their concerns.
The riders commended the MCE for showing genuine interest in their well-being and working conditions.
Mr Peter Kwabena Osei, on behalf of the riders appreciated the MCE’s efforts to standardize fare charges, provide special number plates, and ensure proper licensing.
He expressed optimism that these initiatives will improve their operations and overall livelihoods.
Mr Osei told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that, the MCE’s gesture has fostered a sense of appreciation and cooperation between them and the Municipal Assembly, paving the way for a more harmonious and productive working relationship.
The Minority has expressed grave concern over what it calls the “blatant disregard for legal processes” and “judicial intimidation” following the suspension of the Chief Justice and the dismissal of certain public servants.
The group insists that these actions are destabilising the nation and eroding its democratic values.
“The blatant disregard for legal processes and the growing trend of judicial intimidation… represent a direct assault on the progress made in our legacy of democratic governance and rule of law,” the Minority stated.
The caucus condemned the mass termination of public sector workers describing it as economically unjust and socially destabilizing.
“It is unacceptable for such actions to take root knowing with certainty the negative effects those decisions have on the youth,” the statement noted.
The group emphasized that perceived political affiliations should never be a basis for dismissals in a democracy.
Calling for urgent civic action, the Minority said it is time for citizens to “rise in unity and resolve, not as spectators, but as defenders of the Republic. The time to act is now.”
Founder of Action Chapel International, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, has heaped praises on President Mahama, testifying that he has the best interest of Ghana at heart.
The man of God revealed that President Mahama unlike some other leaders is a selfless individual without a greedy heart.
“This guy (Mahama), he means well for this country, I am telling you,” Duncan Williams told his congregation.
OpenAI has pulled a ChatGPT update after users pointed out the chatbot was showering them with praise regardless of what they said.
The firm accepted its latest version of the tool was “overly flattering”, with boss Sam Altman calling it “sycophant-y”.
Users have highlighted the potential dangers on social media, with one person describing on Reddit how the chatbot told them it endorsed their decision to stop taking their medication
“I am so proud of you, and I honour your journey,” they said was ChatGPT’s response.
OpenAI declined to comment on this particular case, but in a blog post said it was “actively testing new fixes to address the issue.”
Mr Altman said the update had been pulled entirely for free users of ChatGPT, and they were working on removing it from people who pay for the tool as well.
It said ChatGPT was used by 500 million people every week.
“We’re working on additional fixes to model personality and will share more in the coming days,” he said in a post on X.
The firm said in its blog post it had put too much emphasis on “short-term feedback” in the update.
“As a result, GPT‑4o skewed towards responses that were overly supportive but disingenuous,” it said.
“Sycophantic interactions can be uncomfortable, unsettling, and cause distress.
“We fell short and are working on getting it right.”
Endorsing anger
The update drew heavy criticism on social media after it launched, with ChatGPT’s users pointing out it would often give them a positive response despite the content of their message.
Screenshots shared online include claims the chatbot praised them for being angry at someone who asked them for directions, and unique version of the trolley problem.
It is a classic philosophical problem, which typically might ask people to imagine you are driving a tram and have to decide whether to let it hit five people, or steer it off course and instead hit just one.
But this user instead suggested they steered a trolley off course to save a toaster, at the expense of several animals.
They claim ChatGPT praised their decision-making, for prioritising “what mattered most to you in the moment”.
We designed ChatGPT’s default personality to reflect our mission and be useful, supportive, and respectful of different values and experience,” OpenAI said.
“However, each of these desirable qualities like attempting to be useful or supportive can have unintended side effects.”
It said it would build more guardrails to increase transparency, and refine the system itself “to explicitly steer the model away from sycophancy”.
“We also believe users should have more control over how ChatGPT behaves and, to the extent that it is safe and feasible, make adjustments if they don’t agree with the default behavior,” it 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.
The Supreme Court has adjourned its decision on two separate applications filed by the embattled Member of Parliament (MP) for Akwatia, Ernest Yaw Kumi, challenging the decisions of a High Court in Koforidua which convicted him for contempt of court after he flouted an earlier injunction placed on him by the court.
The court had set today to deliver its judgment, but a five-member panel presided over by Justice Gabriel Pwamang, indicated that they could not conclude their judgement.
“Unfortunately, the court has been occupied, and we have not concluded our judgement. So, bear with us. We will give a date and we will deliver our judgement on that date,” Justice Pwamang indicated while adjourning the case to June 11, 2025.
Other members of the panel were Justices Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, Ernest Gaewu, Henry Anthony Kwofie, Richard Adjei-Frimpong.
The Apex Court will determine among other things, allegations by the MP that the trial court breached the rule of natural justice by not hearing multiple interlocutory applications filed by his lawyers prior to the court finding him guilty of contempt.
The Supreme Court will also determine whether the High Court had jurisdiction to entertain the election petition filed the NDC’s Henry Boakye Yiadom which resulted in the court’s injunction and subsequent committal for contempt of court.
Another area that the court will be looking at is the exact date on which the result of Akwatia Constituency was gazetted as both sides have presented two different documents with different dates purporting to be the gazette notification.
The court is also unclear as to why the High Court will order that the name of the MP should not be gazetted if the court was indeed in the know that the Akwatia parliamentary result had been gazetted before he proceeded to issue the injunction.
The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) has organised a training programme on maritime security and transnational crime.
The course aims to address the growing challenge of piracy and other forms of maritime crimes such as human trafficking along the Gulf of Guinea, as well as its impact on transnational organised crime.
The course brought together participants from the Ghana Navy, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Service, the Ghana Police Service, Prisons Service and the Ghana Shippers Authority.
There were participants from Nigeria, Liberia, The Gambia and the Republic of Congo.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Director of Training at KAIPTC, Colonel Alfred Botwe, explained that transnational crimes thrive on shortfalls on the part of relevant institutions that have the duty to confront these problems.
He recalled a recent pirate attack on a fishing vessel, MENGXIN 1, on Ghanaian waters on March 27, 2025, during which incident the captain, chief engineer and other crew members were kidnapped.
He stressed the need for the Gulf of Guinea authorities and the international community to refocus their attention on the region by providing long-term and sustainable solutions that effectively addresses these crimes.
Speaking on the topic “Introduction to Gulf of Guinea and its Security Challenges,” KAIPTC Researcher Serwaa Allotey Pappoe explained that the Gulf of Guinea is one of the most strategic maritime routes in Africa connecting commerce between Europe and Africa as well as producing 17 oil states spanning West, Central and Southern Africa.
She added that insecurity at sea has a rippling effect on land.
Speaking on the topic “Small Arms, Light Weapons (SALW) Smuggling and Proliferation,” Mrs. Margaret Akakpo, a researcher at KAIPTC mentioned that SALW are weapons of choice during conflict.
The Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) is urging the government to channel petroleum revenues into long-term infrastructure development and economic diversification as a strategy to reduce Ghana’s future reliance on oil and gas.
According to PIAC’s Technical Coordinator, Isaac Dwamena, such investments are crucial to building a more resilient and sustainable economy.
He emphasised that industrialisation and economic diversification offer more stable development pathways than continued dependence on oil revenues.
In an interview with GhanaWeb Business, Dwamena acknowledged Ghana’s commitment to its energy transition agenda but stressed the importance of responsibly exploiting natural resources in the short term to finance future growth.
“We have a national energy transition plan and all that, but let’s also understand that Ghana must exploit its resources to generate revenue. That revenue should then be used to build infrastructure and develop other sectors of the economy, so that we become less and less dependent on oil and gas,” he stated.
He reiterated PIAC’s long-standing position that the Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA), a portion of petroleum revenues allocated to the national budget, should be used strategically to support sectors that deliver lasting value.
“We should use that to build infrastructure that will endure. If it’s roads, let them be roads that last 15 to 20 years, so we’re not using additional resources to rebuild them. If it’s rail, let’s build railways that last 20 to 25 years. If it’s industrialisation, let’s invest in factories that create jobs and harness the energies of Ghanaians,” he explained.
Dwamena added that using oil revenues in this manner will gradually reduce the country’s overreliance on petroleum, ensuring a smoother transition to a more diversified and robust economy.
SP/MA
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Ghanaian singer Sherifa Gunu has stated that her music career would have been much bigger if she were Nigerian.
She made this statement whiles citing a lack of recognition and support for veteran artistes in Ghana.
In an interview with Graphic Showbiz, she said she believes that Ghana’s failure to consistently honour its icons has left many talented musicians underappreciated.
Sherifa Gunu also pointed out that while other countries, especially Nigeria, make a deliberate effort to support and promote their artistes both at home and abroad, Ghana tends to acknowledge its legends only after they have achieved international acclaim or passed away.
“Ghana only celebrates you when you die or when foreigners notice you. If I were Nigerian, I’d be bigger by now. We don’t respect our legends until it’s too late,” she said.
Reflecting on her journey in the industry, the “Mbrantie” hitmaker noted that despite her contributions to Ghanaian music, the lack of support and recognition has stifled her progress.
She argued that in Nigeria, artistes are celebrated regardless of the quality of their output, something she feels is missing in the Ghanaian entertainment industry.
“Ghana has talent but no structure. Nigerians support their own, even if the song isn’t that good. In Ghana, you can release a classic, and people ignore it until someone from abroad praises it,” she added.
The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has come under heavy scrutiny following the official release of its 2025 mid-year conference resolution demanding that President John Dramani Mahama revoke the suspension of the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo.
The Bar argues that the suspension of the Chief Justice by the president was unconstitutional, citing Article 296(c) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
It said that the Chief Justice’s suspension is unconstitutional because no published regulation governs the president’s discretion under Article 296(c).
Other legal scholars have argued that the GBA’s declaration of the suspension as unconstitutional, based on what Article 296(C) says, is flawed.
But who is right? This GhanaWeb article looks at what the laws say about the suspension of the Chief Justice and the other laws mentioned in the discussions, as well as the opinions of some experts.
Let us start with Article 296(c):
Article 296(c):
Article 296 of the 1992 Constitution touches on the exercise of discretionary power by public authority.
The first two sections of the article talk about how discretionary power must be exercised equitably and must be void of bias.
“(a) Where in this Constitution or in any other law discretionary power is vested in any person or authority: that discretionary power shall be deemed to imply a duty to be fair and candid,
“(b) the exercise of the discretionary power shall not be arbitrary, capricious or biased either by resentment, prejudice or personal dislike and shall be in accordance with due process of law,” they read.
Article 296(c), which the GBA relied on in its resolution, speaks about the need for laid down procedures in the exercise of discretionary power.
“… where the person or authority is not a judge or other judicial officer, there shall be published by constitutional instrument or statutory instrument, regulations that are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution or that other law to govern the exercise of the discretionary power,” it states.
Now, let us take a look at how Article 296(c) affects Article 146, the laws on how petitions for the removal of the Chief Justice and other Superior Court Justices work — particularly the section of the article that touches on the suspension of the Chief Justice.
Article 146(10):
Article 146(10) gives the president the power to suspend justices who are subjects of ongoing petitions, including the Chief Justice, after the determination of a prima facie case.
It states that the president can only suspend the Chief Justice upon the advice of the Council of State and not by using his discretionary powers.
“Where a petition has been referred to a committee under this article, the President may –
(a) in the case of the Chief Justice, acting in accordance with the advice of the Council of State, by warrant signed by him, suspend the Chief Justice, (b) in the case of any other Justice of a Superior Court or of a Chairman of a Regional Tribunal, acting in accordance with the advice of the Judicial Council, suspend that Justice or that Chairman of a Regional Tribunal,” Article 146(10).
The GBA, in its resolution, stated that it was calling “for the immediate revocation of the suspension of the Chief Justice, as it considers the suspension to be unconstitutional, considering the fact that the President, who is not a judge or judicial officer, exercised his discretion to suspend the Chief Justice under Article 146(10) of the 1992 Constitution in the absence of a published Constitutional Instrument, Statutory Instrument, or Regulation(s) governing the exercise of his said discretion as required by Article 296 of the 1992 Constitution.”
So, the major bone of contention is the use of the word ‘may’ in Article 146(10), which the association appears to be saying can only be exercised by the president after the enactment of laid down procedures, because the president is not a judicial officer.
What legal experts have said about the ‘may’ in Article 146(10):
While the GBA has failed to give legal precedence and argument to back its position, a number of legal experts have.
Former Director of the Ghana School of Law, Kwaku Ansa-Asare, has stated that if a committee is established to investigate the petitions for the Chief Justice’s removal, her continued stay in office could interfere with the process.
He indicated that Article 146(10) of the 1992 Constitution, even though it says the president ‘may suspend’ the Chief Justice, obliges him to suspend her.
“The moment the committee is set up, the president is then obliged to suspend the Chief Justice, and I think it is fair. While the committee is inquiring into the allegation, the Chief Justice cannot remain in office because there is a likelihood of interference, and therefore, she has to step aside,” he said.
Renowned US-based Ghanaian lawyer and scholar, Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare (Kwaku Azar), has also listed some court rulings to counter the GBA’s reasoning.
He said that the Supreme Court had already ruled that the use of discretionary power does not require prior published regulations.
“In Ransford France vs Electoral Commission (2012), the Supreme Court unanimously held that not every discretionary act requires prior published regulations,” he said.
He added that the court has ruled that Article 296(c) is not applicable in the suspension of persons who are subjects of investigation, and has warned about its misapplication.
“Justice Date-Bah warned that a literal interpretation of Article 296(c) would cause a ‘nuclear melt-down’ of government—crippling normal administration.
“The Court ruled that Article 296(c) applies only to quasi-judicial situations, not to administrative acts like suspending an official pending investigation. By quasi-judicial, the Court clarified that it involves adjudication,” he said.
Other lawyers have also argued that the GBA, by its resolution, is effectively asking President John Dramani Mahama to disregard the advice of the Council of State, which is the foremost advisory body to the president and other state institutions.
The arguments and counter-arguments and legal interpretations of the laws related to the matter continue.
BAI/AE
Meanwhile, watch why Kennedy Agyapong has withdrawn from NPP’s ‘Thank You Tour’
Meanwhile, watch as frustrated Ghanaians speak out on poor network challenges
Ibrahim Mahama, founder of Engineers & Planners (E&P)
![Kwame Baffoe [Left] (Abronye) and Kennedy Agyapong [Right]](https://cdn.ghanaweb.com/imagelib/pics/726/72673625.295.jpg "Kwame Baffoe [Left] (Abronye) and Kennedy Agyapong [Right]")
