Members of the CEANA visited Togbi Sri III (seated in a chair)

On Easter Sunday, April 19, 2025, a momentous meeting took place at the Royal Aklorbordzi Palace in Anloga, Ghana, as the leadership of the Council of Ewe Associations of North America (CEANA), led by President Dr Tsatsu Nyamadi, paid a distinguished courtesy call on His Royal Majesty (HRM) Togbi Sri III, the revered Overlord of the Anlo Kingdom.

Following the successful commissioning of two CEANA projects earlier in the week—a kindergarten school building in Dodome-Awuaisu, Ghana, and a state-of-the-art computer library in Kpalime, Togo, Dr Nyamadi traveled to Anloga to inspect ongoing construction on the Anloga Public Library, another CEANA-sponsored initiative aimed at empowering local communities through education and literacy.

As custom demands, the CEANA delegation was first received by Togbi Zewu IV, Dufiaga of Anloga, and Togbi Tudoabor III, Dufia of Anloga Lashibi, who formally introduced the visitors to HRM Togbi Sri III.

Upon entering the palace, HRM warmly welcomed his guests, acknowledging CEANA’s ongoing contributions to the Eweland and expressing his appreciation for their efforts in fostering unity and progress.

During the meeting, CEANA Public Relations Officer Efo Steve Dei formally presented the purpose of the visit, highlighting the organization’s mission to unite Ewes in North America, promote cultural heritage, and undertake impactful development projects across Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

He noted that the Anloga Public Library, when completed, would mark CEANA’s second major project in the Anlo area, following the construction of a six-classroom block at Vui Zion Primary School.

Dr Nyamadi addressed HRM with deep reverence, thanking him for the audience and emphasising CEANA’s dedication to strengthening Ewe identity and heritage. He called on the Awoamefia to use his royal influence to inspire greater participation in CEANA’s initiatives, stressing that collective efforts and unity among Ewes worldwide are crucial to advancing the socioeconomic development of the Eweland.

HRM Togbi Sri III responded with great admiration for CEANA’s tireless work, acknowledging the challenges of organising and fundraising abroad while consistently channeling resources toward the development of Ewe communities. He pledged his support in amplifying CEANA’s mission and expressed his intent to personally attend a future convention to convey his gratitude and rally further unity among Ewes.

The meeting concluded with mutual commitments to strengthening cultural ties and furthering development efforts. Togbi Zewu IV stressed the importance of involving local chiefs and elders in selecting and planning future projects, ensuring their alignment with community needs.

Meanwhile, watch as President Mahama swears in new military commanders to Armed Forces Council

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2024 general elections, has assured dismissed workers that they will be given priority in employment opportunities under the next NPP government.

He made the pledge while addressing party faithful and residents during the NPP’s Thank You Tour in Takoradi on Saturday, 26th April 2025.

Speaking with empathy, Dr Bawumia acknowledged the hardship experienced by those who had lost their jobs in recent times.

“I know how it feels to lose your job, your daily bread,” he said, adding that the NPP recognises the sacrifices many have made and is committed to restoring their livelihoods.

He emphasised that a future NPP government would implement robust job creation initiatives targeted at those most affected by the current economic challenges.

“I assure you that in the next NPP administration, you will be prioritised for jobs,” Dr Bawumia pledged, drawing enthusiastic applause from the crowd.

The Thank You Tour forms part of the party’s strategy to re-engage its support base and reaffirm its commitment to Ghanaians ahead of the December polls.

Dr Bawumia reiterated that the NPP remains focused on revitalising the economy, empowering businesses, and providing sustainable employment for the nation’s youth and displaced workers.

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Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie and his wife, Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, the D-G of Prisons

The President of the Republic and the First Lady are often regarded as the most powerful couple in the nation. But are they really?

While the President holds ultimate authority, the First Lady’s role is largely ceremonial, with no executive powers.

There have been many firsts under the government of John Dramani Mahama, but the recent suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo may have created arguably the most powerful couple in Ghana’s history.

Following the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, the most senior judge on the bench, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie assumed the role of Acting Chief Justice, making him the head of Ghana’s judiciary.

Just weeks before he assumed this role, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s wife, Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, was appointed Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, placing her in charge of the administration of the nation’s prisons.

In effect, while the husband supervises the sentencing of individuals, the wife oversees their incarceration – the husband heads the courts, the wife heads the prisons.

Below are brief profiles of Ghana’s “power couple”:

Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie

Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie was called to the Bar in Ghana in 1983. He began his judicial career as a Circuit Court Judge in Kumasi and later served as a High Court Judge in Duayaw Nkwanta. In 2006, he was appointed to the Court of Appeal.

In June 2008, President John Agyekum Kufuor appointed him as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana.

In 2013, he served on the panel of Supreme Court Judges that adjudicated the landmark election petition filed by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which sought to annul approximately four million votes from the 2012 general elections due to alleged irregularities. The petition was ultimately dismissed.

Born on December 26, 1956, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie began his education at the Goaso Local Authority Primary and Middle Schools, completing his Middle School Leaving Certificate examinations in the late 1960s.

He attended Konongo Odumase Secondary School, where he obtained his GCE Ordinary and Advanced Level certificates between 1969 and 1976. He then proceeded to the University of Ghana and subsequently the Ghana School of Law.

He is also the brother of the late Kwasi Sainti Baffoe-Bonnie, founder of Network Broadcasting Company Limited, which operates Radio Gold.

Patience Baffoe-Bonnie

Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, boasts over 36 years of experience in prison administration, having held various managerial, staff, and command positions since joining the service in 1987.

She previously served as Director of Prisons in charge of Services and Director of Technical and Services.

Her other command roles include Officer-In-Charge of James Camp Prison, Greater Accra Regional Commander, Chief Legal Officer, Greater Accra Regional Legal Officer, Welfare Officer, Course Commander, and Adjutant at the Prisons Officers’ Training School.

She has also worked at various facilities, including James Fort Female Prison, Senior Correctional Centre, Kumasi Female Prison, and Sekondi Female Prison.

In addition to her extensive experience in the Prisons Service, Patience Baffoe-Bonnie is also a qualified lawyer. She holds a Postgraduate Law Degree Certificate from the Ghana School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work and Sociology from the University of Ghana. She is an alumna of Tema Secondary School and Winneba Secondary School.

She actively participates in various organisations, including the Ghana Olympic Committee Women’s Commission, the Women and Children’s Committee of the Ghana Bar Association, and the African Union (AU)

Women Election Observer Group. She is currently the National President of the Prisons Ladies Association.

BAI/MA

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Meanwhile, watch as frustrated Ghanaians speak out on poor network challenges

Participants in the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy Consultation held in Accra

Ghana could see a $20 billion boost to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030 through the strategic development and adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), according to Darlington Akogo, one of Ghana’s leading AI entrepreneurs and CEO of minoHealth AI Labs.

Speaking at the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy Consultation in Accra, Mr Akogo emphasised that AI presents a transformative economic opportunity for the country.

“In 2023, Ghana’s GDP stood at $76.37 billion. AI alone can contribute an additional $20 billion by 2030 — far surpassing traditional sectors,” he said.

He compared AI’s potential return on investment (ROI) with major revenue streams such as gold ($7.6 billion), cocoa ($1.1 billion), and oil ($1 billion), stating that AI offers up to 6.4x ROI in under seven months—making it the most lucrative investment Ghana can make at this time.

He proposed the creation of a national AI fund of between $500 million and $1 billion to fast-track innovation and strengthen Ghana’s digital economy. “We must be aggressive and strategic. AI will multiply ROI not only in tech but across all sectors—from agriculture and health to mining and finance,” he added.

The consultation, hosted by the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, in collaboration with the British High Commission, brought together stakeholders from government, academia, civil society, and the private sector to discuss Ghana’s draft National AI Strategy.

The strategy is being developed by the Responsible AI Lab at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), under the leadership of Prof Jerry John Kponyo, who also serves as its Principal Investigator and Scientific Director.

In his keynote address, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon Samuel Nartey George, declared AI a national priority. “It is not data alone, but the intelligence we apply to it that will revolutionise how we build smart cities, deliver healthcare, and deepen financial inclusion,” he noted.

The Minister announced the government’s 1 Million Coders Programme, an ambitious digital skills initiative aimed at equipping Ghanaian youth with future-ready technological competencies.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing the necessary infrastructure, fostering strategic partnerships, and instituting innovation-friendly policies that will enable the successful rollout of the national AI agenda.

Prof Kponyo outlined critical focus areas such as education, ethics, governance, industry development, and data regulation. He expressed gratitude to the Minister for his support and reiterated that RAIL considers its role in the development of the strategy a “sacred duty.”

He added that RAIL is working closely with partners across sectors to ensure that the strategy is finalised and passed by June 2025, establishing Ghana as a regional leader in responsible and inclusive AI deployment.

The consultation forms part of broader national efforts to ensure that Ghana’s digital transformation is equitable, forward-thinking, and resilient in the face of emerging technological challenges and opportunities.

By Francis Ofori

Accra, April 26, GNA-Mr Edwin Amankwah has been elected Board Member of the Ghana Olympics Committee (GOC) after accumulating 38 votes out of the total 63.

The experienced administrator had served as Board Member of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation over the past five years.

Mr. Amankwah speaking in an interview with the GNA Sports expressed excitement having been given the nod to be part of GOC’s transformational plan.

“I am happy about today’s victory. I believe this is the time to change the phase of the GOC and we must do that now.”

He said as a Board Member, he would help guide and oversee the GOC’s activities, making sure it stays true to its mission and operates responsibly.

Mr. Amankwah thanked the delegates for trusting him. 

He was elected among two other members Ms Rafatu Inusah, President of Ghana Rugby and Mr. Nathaniel Johnson, President of

GNA

KOA

By Francis Ofori

Accra, April 26, GNA-Mr. Richard Akpokavie, newly elected President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) has stressed the need for peace and unity among members to aid in developing the Olympic movement.

The former GOC Secretary-General in his second attempt as Presidential candidate won by 44 votes out of the total 63 cast.

Speaking in an interview with the GNA Sports, the newly-elected President said “There are too many disputes in sports so we need to work as one. We have one GOC team, several players and we must focus on building that team”.

He stated that disputes in the GOC had left a bad print hence the need to reunite and help transform sports in general.

He said the GOC would set up  an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) system for members to report any dissatisfactions. 

Mr. Akpokavie further stressed on the need to empower athletes who are the face of sports.

The former President of the Ghana Hockey Association called on its members to include more women in decision making processes.

He thanked the delegates for giving him the nod and pledged his commitment to develop the Ghana Olympic Committee.

GNA

KOA

Entrepreneur and development strategist, Freda Cooper

The founder of Africa International Business Consultancy, Freda Cooper, has urged African experts to take their rightful place in shaping global economic policy.

She noted that her foundation is working to close the gap in understanding issues related to economic challenges on the African continent.

The entrepreneur and development strategist made the remarks during the 2025 World Bank and IMF annual meetings in Washington, DC.

Speaking from the high-level meetings scheduled from April 21 to 26, 2025, Cooper emphasised the importance of African voices in global development conversations.

“Our work in Ghana and Bridging has laid a strong foundation for understanding the unique economic challenges and opportunities across both African and European coastal regions.

This accreditation is not only a recognition of our past efforts but also a gateway to contribute more actively to global development conversations” she said.

Africa International Business Consultancy was recently accredited to participate in the 2025 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund—a platform that brings together finance ministers, central bank governors, policymakers, and private sector leaders to address pressing global issues such as climate resilience, debt sustainability, and inclusive growth.

The consultancy has earned a strong reputation for its work in sustainable infrastructure and regional economic planning. Its dual base in Ghana and Bridging, Italy, allows it to straddle two dynamic economic spaces, bringing a valuable cross-continental perspective to its advisory work.

“We’re setting our sights on other promising coastal areas with high development potential. This isn’t just about expansion; it’s about deepening our impact. It’s essential that voices from Africa, particularly those that reflect real experience in local development, are present where big decisions are made. A more inclusive global economy starts with us. We’re ready to represent Ghana and Africa on that journey,” Cooper added.

The company’s participation in the global finance meetings highlights the growing credibility of African consultancies on the world stage. Cooper sees the moment as part of a larger shift.

The 2025 World Bank and IMF meetings come at a time when Africa faces pressing economic and climate-related challenges. she believes it is also a moment of opportunity.

Africa International Business Consultancy specialises in development strategy, coastal infrastructure, and sustainable regional planning and is now positioning itself to shape discourse well beyond the continent.

More than 250,000 worshipers, religious and political figures, lined St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican on Saturday to pay their respects to the late Pope Francis, who died earlier this week at the age of 88.

The service started at St. Peter’s Basilica shortly after 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET), lasting just over two hours.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, one of the most senior figures in the Catholic Church, led the simplified ceremony, in a series of rituals of religious hymns, an emotional homily and a final farewell to the pope, who was the first Latin American pontiff.

Francis’ modest coffin was then transported in the white popemobile over the River Tiber to be entombed in Rome’s Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore – an illuminated basilica that sits atop the highest point in the Italian capital.

Here’s how the day unfolded:

• Mourners and world leaders assemble: The pope’s funeral saw one of the largest gatherings of world leaders in recent years. A total of 130 delegations, including presidents and reigning monarchs, were in attendance. Argentine President Javier Milei, Britain’s Prince William, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, US President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky were among the most high-profile guests.

• Trump and Zelensky summit: The US and Ukrainian leaders met minutes before the funeral began Saturday, speaking face-to-face on two chairs that had been set up inside the St. Peter’s Basilica. A White House spokesman accompanying Trump said that the two leaders “had a very productive discussion.” A spokesman for Zelensky said the meeting lasted for about 15 minutes, and the leaders agreed to continue talks. The Ukrainian leader also held sideline meetings with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.

• High security: Authorities in Rome ramped up security measures ahead of the service, deploying more than 2,000 police officers, sharpshooters and specialist forces. A further 400 traffic officers were on shift, the city’s police department told CNN.

• ‘Pope among the people:’ The 91-year-old Re eulogized the late pontiff’s “deeply sensitive” leadership, in a poignant sermon read out on the footsteps of St. Peter’s Basilica. “Faced with the raging wars of recent years, with their inhuman horrors and countless deaths and destruction, Pope Francis incessantly raised his voice imploring peace,” said Re. The late pontiff insistently advocated for communities in war-ravaged regions until his final days, including in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and South Sudan.

• Young worshipers pay respects: An array of mourners, including streams of young people and pilgrims from Indonesia, the US, the Philippines and France, pitched up at St. Peter’s Square overnight – a testament to Pope Francis’ wide appeal. Some of his most liberal supporters believe he was not reformist enough, but others say he has carved a progressive legacy in his wake, having transformed the Catholic Church for its 1.4 billion followers.

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Former Vice President and NPP Flagbearer for the 2024 Presidential Elections, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has commenced a national Thank You Tour in Takoradi, Western Region, with a call to party members to be grateful to the Almighty God, regardless of the outcome of the 2024 elections.

Accompanied by national party executives, including Chairman Stephen Ntim and General Secretary Justin Kodua Frempong, Dr. Bawumia started the tour this morning in Takoradi, with a meeting with regional executives, of the party, as well as key stakeholders, including regional campaign team members.

Stressing the need to thank party faithful and Ghanaians, Dr. Bawumia first gave gratitude to God, and called on party members to believe in the will of God.

“Everything is determined by God. You may want one thing but God can say otherwise,” Dr. Bawumia said.

“So regardless of what happened in 2024, we have to give thanks to God. There is time for everything, so let us continue to stay together and believe in the will of God.”

Dr. Bawumia stressed on the need for the party to stay united, correct its mistakes and look forward to a brighter future in 2028.

” I have a lot of confidence that if we unite, we will make sure we win the 2028 election, because United we stand, divided we fall.”

General Secretary of the party, Justin Kodua Frempong, spoke on the report submitted by the Mike Oquaye Committee, assuring that the party, together with all stakeholders, has begun the process of implementing recommendations.

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By Kodjo Adams

Accra, April 26, GNA- Catholic faithful, the diplomatic community and other religious bodies joined the Catholic faithful Friday evening to hold a requiem mass at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Accra for the late Pope Francis.

The solemn and prayerful mass was to honour the life and legacy of the Holy Father.

The Most Reverend Bishop Mathew Kwasi Gyamfi, the President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, reading the tribute on behalf of the Conference, extolled the legacy of the Pope, globally.

“Your Holiness, Pope Francis, your 12-year papacy touched many hearts, and that includes your children in Ghana. It is for this reason that on behalf of the Catholic Church in Ghana, we, the members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, are writing this tribute in appreciation of your pontificate,” he said.

“From the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to the dusty roads of Kinshasa and the refugee camps of Lesbos, you walked not as a prince of the Church, but as a pilgrim, a pastor, and a prophet.”

“You chose the name ‘Francis’ not for grandeur but for mission – a pledge to rebuild Christ’s Church through simplicity, solidarity with the poor, and reverence for creation.”

The Most Rev. Bishop Gyamfi said the Pope Francis embodied what he you preached, embraced the disfigured, washed the feet of Muslim refugees, and whispered the unforgettable: “Who am I to judge?” 

That was not said to indicate a change in doctrine but to introduce a more compassionate pastoral approach. 

In an age of suspicion and walls, the Pontiff built bridges between races, religions, nations, and hearts.

The late Pope Francis was the voice for the voiceless, where he proclaimed the dignity of every human being from the slums of Buenos Aires to UN podiums, Most Rev Bishop Gyamfi, also the Bishop of Sunyani, said.

In Africa, the Pope was not a foreign dignitary but a brother, and condemned corruption and exploitation in Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In the Central African Republic, amid conflict, heopened the Holy Door of Bangui Cathedral, proclaiming hope in the face of terror. In South Sudan, he knelt to kiss the feet of warring leaders, beggingthem to “make peace”. 

Bishop Gyamfi said the Pontiff called Africa “the continent of hope” and honoured her youth as the “now of God”. 

Beyond the continent’s problems, he saw people to be empowered to solve those problems.

“Your voice amplified theirs – against injustice, for dignity, and in celebration of a faith as vibrant as the African sun,” he said.

Archbishop Julien Labore, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, in his sermon, said the Pope was a religious leader who listened to one another.

He was a true champion of inclusivity, and his leadership was marked by humility and care for the poor and vulnerable.

The Apostolic Nuncio said the Pope’s exemplary life was a call to all to serve humanity with dignity, adding:”He said what many leaders in the world could not say.”

“The Pope has respect for the views of others. We pray for the Church to love one another and pray that God grants him eternal rest.”

Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Foreign Affairs Minister, who represented the Government, conveyed their deepest sympathy to the leadership of the Catholic Church.

He said the Pope had taught him and many people about modesty and simplicity in dealing with one another.

Mr Ablakwa said the Pope was a unifier and compassionate, who prioritised the needs of others and was an advocate for the poor.

“The Pope visited Dr Congo, South Sudan and other conflict areas but refused to wear bulletproof gear because he was ready to sacrifice his life to the world,” he said.

Other government delegations included Mrs Joyce Bawah Mogtari, Presidential Adviser and Special Aide, and Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Presidential Staffer.

Mr Andrew Asiamah Amoako, the second Deputy Speaker in Parliament, and Mrs Patricia Adjei, the Deputy Minority Leader, were also present.

The representatives of Chief Imam, Sheikh AremeyawAnas and other religious bodies were at the ceremony.

Pope Francis died at age 88 on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025.

The Papal funeral mass is being held today, Saturday, April 26, at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, one of the Catholic Church’s most important sites, with more than 50 world leaders and 11 reigning monarchs in attendance.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina on December 17, 1936, was elected Pope on March 13, 2013, surprising many Church watchers who had seen the Argentine cleric, known for his concern for the poor, as an outsider.

He had won many awards, including the Independent Publisher Book Award for Freedom Fighter of the Year in 2017.

Pope Francis was the head of the Roman Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 2013 until his death in 2025.

Since the viewing of the Pope began on Wednesday, an estimated 250,000 people have passed through the basilica, where Francis had been laid in an open coffin before the main altar, the Vatican said.

GNA

ABD

By Eric Yaw Boakye
 
Atebubu, (Bono East), April 26, GNA – Nana Amponsah Teng Kakabo, a business mogul and philanthropist has constructed an Ear Nose, Throat (ENT) and Dental clinic for the Atebubu Government Hospital in the Bono East Region. 
 
Nana Kakabo, popularly known as “Kwapon” and the Chief Executive Officer of the Kwapons Group of Companies said the construction of the clinic was his widow’s mite and in-line with the Groups corporate social responsibility to give back to society. 
 
Speaking at an inauguration ceremony held at Atebubu, Nana Kakabo who is the Chief of Anyinofi in the Sekyere Afram Plains District of the Ashanti Region said the Group operated a pharmacy shop, hotel and a basic school at Atebubu. 
 
Besides profit, he said the Group remained committed to create more jobs for the youth in the area too and asked the hospital authorities to take proper care of the facility.1965, however it lacked such a facility. 
 
He said the facility would help improve healthcare service delivery and charged the health workers to capitalize on it and improve health outcomes. 

GNA 
DEN/KOA 

COCOBOD CEO, Dr Randy Abbey

The Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Randy Abbey, has opened up about some of the alleged rot he uncovered at the nation’s cocoa production regulator upon assuming office.

Speaking during a recent interview as part of his three-day working tour of the Western North and Western South Cocoa Regions, Dr Abbey disclosed that about 200 containers of supplies intended for cocoa production, which were reportedly handed over to him, are now missing.

He indicated that the shocking part was that the previous administration kept importing the same items every year, despite not having cleared shipments from the previous years.

“When I came, I was told that COCOBOD had about 200 containers of agrochemicals and jute sacks at the port. Upon investigation, we found that the containers comprised shipments from 2022/2023, 2023/2024, and 2024/2025.

“These shipments were supposedly at the port, but they have incurred demurrages and have even been auctioned. Even though records show 200 containers, we cannot locate them. The National Investigation Bureau is currently investigating the matter. The so-called 200 containers are not in COCOBOD’s stores. We are still trying to determine how many containers are actually available and what their contents are,” he explained in the Twi dialect.

The acting CEO added that because the previous administration failed to return the containers, COCOBOD and its suppliers have now been blacklisted by international shipping lines.

“Shipping lines have blacklisted COCOBOD and its suppliers because the failure to return the 200 containers is affecting them. Shipping lines deliver items using their containers and expect them to be returned. If you don’t return them, it disrupts their operations. As a result, they have blacklisted COCOBOD and its suppliers,” he said.

Dr Abbey further revealed that the previous administration had signed a contract worth about $48 million to import the same items it had failed to clear, for the 2025/2026 cocoa season.

“The sacks they imported two years ago were not cleared. The ones imported this year are still there, and before they left office, they awarded a contract for sacks for the 2025/2026 season.

“What they did was escrow $48 million from our account at the Ghana International Bank in London to pay for the 2025/2026 sacks. These are some of the issues we have uncovered and continue to discover every single day.”

During his tour, Dr Randy Abbey was visibly furious when he discovered a large amount of imported cocopeat abandoned at the Sefwi Boako cocoa station in the Sefwi Wiawso Municipality of the Western North Region.

He questioned why managers of the cocoa station would import such a large quantity of cocopeat, used in cocoa cultivation, when the cocoa season was virtually over.

In a video that has since gone viral, the acting CEO could be seen lambasting the managers.

“Were you the one who said you needed X number of bags before they brought them here? Or were you just sitting there, and they dumped it on you?

“So, it’s not as if you needed it and made a requisition. Did you make a requisition? You were just sitting there, and they dumped it on you. And you obviously don’t have a need for it this year, do you?” he questioned.

He added, “So these things will just sit here till next season. What kind of nonsense is this? Because when you did that report, you said you had completed 90%. Exactly. So why would they bring all these things here? Why are we importing things we don’t need, only to dump them here?”

BAI/MA

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The Minority in Parliament has issued a stern warning to President John Dramani Mahama and his administration, cautioning that any further acts of intimidation or unlawful attempts to remove Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo will be met with vigorous legal and public resistance.

At a press conference held at Parliament House in Accra on Friday, April 25, Member of Parliament for Weija Gbawe and Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, called for “a complete halt to all removal proceedings until the Supreme Court delivers a conclusive ruling on the constitutionality of the process.”

“We demand the immediate reinstatement of the Chief Justice pending the final determination of all constitutional challenges by the Supreme Court,” he said.
    
Mr Shaib criticized the President’s decision to suspend the Chief Justice while the matter remains under judicial review, describing it as “an unpardonable affront to the rule of law and a blatant disregard for judicial independence.”

“This is not judicial reform. It is tyranny in plain sight. Let President Mahama be reminded: Ghana is a constitutional democracy not a personal fiefdom. The people of Ghana will not and should not tolerate the subjugation of the judiciary for partisan gain,” he said.

“We stand ready to defend our democracy against all forms of executive overreach and will vigorously oppose any and all attempts to turn our courts into political tools,” he added.

Read full statement below.

STATEMENT BY THE MINORITY IN PARLIAMENT

CONDEMNING PRESIDENT MAHAMA’S JUDICIAL COUP AND ATTEMPT TO UNDERMINE THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY

The Minority in Parliament unequivocally condemns President John Dramani Mahama’s reckless and unconstitutional decision to suspend Her Ladyship, Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, under the purported authority of Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution. This brazen action constitutes nothing less than a judicial coup, a flagrant abuse of executive power, and a direct assault on the independence of Ghana’s judiciary.

Taken while legitimate legal challenges are pending before the Supreme Court, this move reeks of political vendetta, judicial intimidation, and a calculated effort to pack the courts with NDC-sympathetic judges, as President Mahama openly promised during his address in Akosombo in 2023.

1. A CLEAR VIOLATION OF DUE PROCESS AND PENDING JUDICIAL REVIEW

President Mahama’s decision to suspend the Chief Justice, despite active proceedings before the Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of the process, is an unpardonable affront to the rule of law.
It represents executive overreach of the highest order, a textbook case of interference in judicial independence  and sets a dangerous precedent, evoking memories of a dark era in our nation’s history that we believed was firmly behind us.

The Minority, committed to justice, constitutionalism, and the sanctity of the judiciary, demands the immediate reversal of this unconstitutional act.

2. A POLITICALLY MOTIVATED WITCH-HUNT TO CONTROL THE JUDICIARY

This unlawful suspension is not about upholding accountability; it is about raw political control.
President Mahama’s public pledge in Akosombo to “balance” the judiciary by appointing partisan-aligned judges exposes the real motive behind this desperate maneuver.

This is not judicial reform. It is tyranny in plain sight.
Let President Mahama be reminded: Ghana is a constitutional democracy not a personal fiefdom.
The people of Ghana will not and should not tolerate the subjugation of the judiciary for partisan gain.

3. A WARNING TO THE MAHAMA ADMINISTRATION: WE WILL RESIST THIS JUDICIAL COUP

We issue this unequivocal warning to President Mahama and his administration:
    •    Any further harassment, intimidation, or unlawful removal of the Chief Justice will meet fierce legal and public resistance.
    •    Any attempt to pack the judiciary with politically compliant judges will be challenged to the fullest extent of the law.
    •    The legal fraternity, civil society, and all defenders of democracy will not stand idly by while the judiciary is reduced to an appendage of the Executive.

4. CALL TO ACTION: DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND UPHOLD JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE

We demand:
    1.    The immediate reinstatement of the Chief Justice pending the final determination of all constitutional challenges by the Supreme Court.
    2.    A complete halt to all removal proceedings until the Supreme Court conclusively rules on the constitutionality of the process.

The integrity and independence of Ghana’s judiciary are non-negotiable.

We stand ready to defend our democracy against all forms of executive overreach and will vigorously oppose any and all attempts to turn our courts into political tools.

Enough is enough.

Minority Caucus
Parliament of Ghana
Accra, Ghana

Rome, Apr. 26, (dpa/GNA) – The late Pope Francis was honoured at his funeral service in the Vatican on Saturday for his commitment to serving the poor and needy.

“He touched hearts,” said Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who led the Requiem Mass in front of 200,000 people amassed in St Peter’s Square.

“Countless were his gestures and exhortations in favour of refugees and displaced persons,” the cardinal said, “and he was also tireless in his commitment to the poor.”

Cardinal Re thanked the mourners for coming and for the global outbreak of sympathy following Francis’s death on Easter Monday.

He also highlighted Francis’ opposition to violence and conflict.

“In the face of the many wars raging in recent years, with their inhuman atrocities, their countless deaths and their immeasurable destruction, Pope Francis raised his voice incessantly to ask for peace and to call for reason,” the cardinal said.

“After war, the world is always worse off than before. It is always a painful and dramatic defeat for everyone.”

Among the state guests at the funeral service was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose country has been defending itself against Russia’s war of aggression for more than three years.

Also in attendance was US President Donald Trump, who listened on as Re said that Francis had always urged people to build bridges “and not walls.”

The late pope shared people’s fears, suffering and hopes “with great human warmth and deep sensitivity,” the cardinal said.

GNA

PDC

The Director General of the National Road Safety Authority, Abraham Amaliba, has stated that the ongoing process to investigate Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo will continue regardless of planned demonstrations by political parties.

His comments come after a coalition of political parties, including the New Patriotic Party (NPP), announced plans to stage a nationwide demonstration on Monday, May 5, to protest the suspension of the Chief Justice.

The protest, according to organisers, is aimed at defending Ghana’s constitutional order and safeguarding the independence of the judiciary.

The decision to demonstrate was taken during an emergency meeting on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Other participating parties include the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), National Democratic Party (NDP), People’s National Party (PNP), and Ghana Union Movement (GUM).

Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, April 26, 2025, Amaliba said the demonstrations would not derail the constitutional process.

“They can engage in all the demonstrations they want to do but the process will still go on. I don’t think that what they are going to do will stop the president from following the constitution,” he stated.

“I am excited that so far the president has not breached any of the provisions in the law. So, this their demonstration, I don’t know what it is calling for, but it will be an exercise in futility because the president will not go up and beyond his bounds to do things that are unacceptable,” he stated.

On the possibility of Chief Justice Torkonoo returning to office, Amaliba said the outcome would depend entirely on the evidence she presents before the committee set up to investigate the petitions against her.

“I don’t know. But if she can exonerate herself, she will be made to come back. It all depends on the kinds of evidence that she is going to go to the committee with which will exonerate her or she will fail at that level.”

“Let us not jump the gun,” he added.