Uganda’s military chief, the son of President Yoweri Museveni, says he is holding an opposition activist in his basement and has threatened violence against him, after the man’s party said he was abducted by armed men last week.

Eddie Mutwe, who also acts as the chief bodyguard for Uganda’s leading opposition figure, Bobi Wine, went missing last weekend after being grabbed near the capital Kampala by armed men, the National Unity Platform (NUP) party has said.

The police have said they do not have Mutwe, whose real name is Edward Ssebuufu, and until now there had been no word on his whereabouts.

In a series of posts on X late on Thursday, Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba posted what appeared to be a photograph of Mutwe, who was shirtless, and said he had captured him “like a grasshopper”.

Reuters was not immediately able to independently verify the photograph, but the NUP party later re-used it on their X handle in a post seeking support for Mutwe.

“He is in my basement … You are next!,” Kainerugaba wrote in a post responding to one from Wine about Mutwe’s disappearance.

“I still have to castrate him,” he said a few hours later, adding that he would release Mutwe only when Museveni gave the order.

The Uganda Human Rights Commission, a government body, on Thursday ordered Kainerugaba to release Mutwe, who they said had been unlawfully detained since April 26, or he would be “liable for contempt under… the constitution.”

Spokespeople for the Ugandan government, military and police did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Uganda’s opposition has accused Museveni of fast-tracking Kainerugaba’s military career to prepare him to eventually succeed to the presidency, despite his son’s frequent inflammatory remarks on social media, including threats in 2022 to invade neighbouring Kenya and in January to behead Wine.

Wine is a popular musician-turned-politician who came second in the 2021 election.

Museveni, 80, has ruled Uganda since 1986 and is expected to stand for re-election next January. His opponents and human rights activists have regularly accused his government of wide-ranging abuses including abductions and illegal detentions.

Museveni has denied these allegations.
“Eddie Mutwe’s ordeal is not an isolated incident but part of a systematic campaign to silence dissent and crush the aspirations of young people yearning for freedom,” the Uganda Law Society said in a statement.

Wine, who says the 2021 vote was marred by massive fraud, wrote on X on Friday afternoon that soldiers had just raided his party headquarters ahead of a planned gathering to support Mutwe.

Kizza Besigye, another opposition leader, who challenged Museveni in four elections, was detained in November and remains in jail on charges including treason.

By Emelia B. Addae, GNA 

Konkoney (E/R), May 03, GNA – The Hunger Project (THP) – Ghana, in collaboration with 12 cluster communities and the Upper Manya Krobo District Assembly, has celebrated the Konkoney Epicenter’s transition to “self-reliance” after 15 years of sustained community development efforts.   

The Konkoney Epicenter now stands among 30 self-sustaining epicenters nationwide, fully equipped with essential social and health facilities as well as income-generating initiatives to support long-term development and ensure sustained community progress. 

Speaking at a ceremony, Mrs Agatha Quayson, Country Lead of The Hunger Project, commended the epicenter’s leadership for their commitment and perseverance.   

“This achievement is a testament to the power of collective action, resilience, and visionary leadership,” she said.  

She highlighted the epicenter’s journey, explaining that its foundation was laid in 2009, followed by the completion of a multi-purpose facility in 2010 on a five-acre plot.  

Over the years, the center has grown into a hub for progress, tackling key issues such as healthcare, education, food security, gender equality, and economic empowerment.  

The attainment of self-reliance marks a significant milestone for the Konkoney Epicenter, underscoring the impact of sustained community engagement and effective development strategies.  

The Epicenter, now among 30 self-sustaining centers across Ghana, is equipped with essential facilities and income-generating initiatives to ensure continued development.  

Key partners in this success included the Robertson Foundation, Bright Moon Trust, The Hunger Project – Australia, and the Else Kroner-Fresenius Stiftung (EKFS) Foundation.   

“Since 1996, THP-Ghana has championed the Epicenter strategy, a community-driven and women-centered approach to eradicating hunger and poverty by shifting mindsets from dependency to self-reliance,” Mrs. Quayson said.  

“This initiative has empowered over 400,000 people across 540 communities.”  

She emphasised the importance of maintaining the facility to ensure sustained progress through local initiatives and available resources.   

“At its core, this strategy upholds human dignity, fosters sustainable livelihoods, and ensures that development is shaped by the very people it serves,” Mrs Quayson noted.   

To symbolize the Epicenter’s transition to self-reliance, a coconut seedling was planted during the ceremony.  

Mr David Togobo, Assistant Director at the Upper Manya Krobo District Assembly, reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to supporting the Epicenter’s continued growth.   

“Konkoney is one of six area councils under the Assembly, and we will continue working closely with its leadership to ensure the smooth running of their programmes,” he said.  

He also highlighted the citizens’ charter, a document outlining commitments made by the Assembly and THP-Ghana to support the Epicenter’s development.  

Mr Nicholas Atta Kumi, Secretary of the Konkoney Epicenter, expressed gratitude to THP-Ghana for its immense support.  

He noted that the Maternal and Child Healthcare Improvement Project had significantly enhanced healthcare services at the Epicenter, providing trained midwife assistants, a scan machine, and other essential equipment.  

“With these interventions, our health facility is better equipped to serve the community,” he stated.  

Mr Kumi also appealed to telecommunication companies to extend network services to Konkoney, citing connectivity challenges that hinder business transactions and communication with distant relatives.   

The Konkoney Epicenter comprises a health facility, nurse’s quarters, community bank, food bank, conference hall, vocational training center, and washroom facility.  

The 12 cluster communities under the Epicenter include Akutey, Ayensu, Akumersu, Konkoney, Abesre, Muanu, Fefe, Nyakumase, Akuntaa, Afuafie, Tersanta, and Kwapeniase.  

The attainment of self-reliance underscores the impact of sustained community engagement and effective development strategies, ensuring long-term progress for the people of Konkoney. 

GNA 

DL/LAA 

The National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Salam Mustapha, has appealed for harmony within the party, urging members to refrain from aggravating existing tensions in the wake of the “Thank You” tour.

Speaking to Channel One TV on Saturday, 3 May, Mustapha acknowledged that internal disagreements are to be expected but insisted they must be managed thoughtfully.

His remarks follow heightened calls for a pause in the tour after former flagbearer aspirant Kennedy Agyapong withdrew amid deepening factional disputes.

“What I will rather ask is that we do not deepen the cracks. It is okay to disagree but we should also mind the language,” Mr Mustapha advised, emphasising the need for respectful discourse even when opinions diverge.

He cautioned that intemperate rhetoric risks widening rifts that are already eroding party cohesion.

Despite the controversy surrounding Mr Agyapong’s departure, Mustapha expressed confidence that the tour will proceed uninterrupted.

He noted that recent visits to the Bono East and Savannah regions had gone smoothly, illustrating the tour’s continued momentum.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Prof Ransford Gyampo is the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Shippers Authority

The Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Professor Ransford Gyampo, has not minced words in his criticism of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), describing their electoral conduct and post-defeat posture as dangerously arrogant.

Reacting to the NPP’s “Thank You Tour,” the political scientist said the tour ignores the public anger that cost them the 2024 elections.

“When we complained openly, they arrogantly responded that regardless of their mayhem on us, they will still break the eight, as if we are all very dumb and stupid,” he said on social media sighted by MyNewsGH.

“When we rubbished their insistence to break the eight, they responded by saying ‘it is possible’. The height of NPP arrogance!”

According to Gyampo, five separate post-election surveys indicate that the NPP currently enjoys less than 25% support among the electorate.

He cautioned that rather than prematurely celebrating or criticizing the new Mahama administration, the NPP should focus on internal reforms and re-engaging Ghanaians with humility.

“This is not the time for leadership struggles in the party that has nearly collapsed and risks annihilation,” he warned.

Suzzy Pinamang is a second year student of Adventist SHS

After a heartfelt appeal by Suzzy Adwoa Pinaman, a second-year student at the Bantama Adventist Senior High School in the Ashanti Region, who was shot in the eye by a fellow classmate, Ghanaian businessman and philanthropist, Ibrahim Mahama, has extended his support to assist the young lady.

According to Rafik Mahama, Aide to Ibrahim Mahama, Suzzy, who resides in the Ashanti Region, is expected to arrive in Accra on Monday, May 5, 2025, to begin surgery aimed at restoring her vision, which is currently deteriorating.

In a post on his official Facebook account on May 3, 2025, Rafik Mahama also expressed his well-wishes to Suzzy, hoping for her swift and full recovery.

“Suzzy will be in Accra on Monday to begin the surgery process. Speedy recovery, Suzzy,” Rafik posted.

Earlier, GhanaWeb reported that Suzzy had appealed for support from former Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, as well as from businessman and philanthropist, Ibrahim Mahama.

Suzzy, who is currently at home suffering from eye pains and unable to attend school due to her condition, explained that the residual fragments from the bullet fired into her eye has made it impossible for her to sleep or even close her eyes.

According to her, the situation has left her mother helpless, as they have received no assistance whatsoever.

“Hon Kennedy Agyapong and Ibrahim Mahama, I am pleading with you to hear my cry and come to my aid. I have no one. There are residual bullet fragments in my eyes and due to that I can’t sleep. I’m pleading with you to come and help me so my eyes can be treated and restored. All my mates are in school learning but I’m home. I’m always thinking about my situation. My mother is helpless and has no one to help her. Please help me get my eyes back,” she was heard appealing in the video.

Suzzy Adwoa Pinamang went blind after being shot in the face by a classmate during school hours.

The incident reportedly happened on Friday, April 4, 2025, during break time, when Bernard Amoabeng, a Form Two student, allegedly brought a firearm to school.

The gun became the subject of a heated debate among a group of students, some of whom questioned whether it was real or not.

In an attempt to prove a point, Amoabeng allegedly pulled the trigger, injuring two students in the process.

Meanwhile, the suspect, a 16-year-old second year student, has been remanded into police custody following his arrest.

MAG/AE

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

Featured

Mohammed Ali

May – 04 – 2025 , 08:29

1 minute read

Patrick William Dodoo, Betty Acquah, Enoch Yaw Mensah, and Emmanuel Mawuko Arkutu bring works together for a presentation in a large art exhibition hosted inside the lobby of Orca Deco Ghana as a highlight of the country’s Independence Day celebration month.

Great crowds of people attended the art exhibition, which opened on March 4 and is set to remain until March 21. They were enthralled by the superb taste and style of the rich artworks exhibited.

In honor of the exhibition, Mohamad AL ROZ, the Sales Director of Orca Deco, kicked off the occasion with a speech expressing gratitude to the brand’s devoted customers and concluded with a video that projected the brand’s evolution and the incredible products customers can expect to find at their showroom.

To complete the celebration of Ghana’s Independence, a 20% discount was granted to all visitors to the art show on any purchases made during March 2023.

The artwork on display is stunning, and the pricing is excellent and appropriate for each piece. Those attendees who made it to the art exhibition had the opportunity to speak with the creators of each piece directly.

Painting from the Dark Age Series by Patrick William Dodoo, one of the artists whose works powerfully expressed the artist. Patrick went on to describe the rationale for a painting of an old, wrinkly man, whose face is obscured by numerous hands.

In his words, as paraphrased, Patrick mentioned, “This painting is to show a man who upon his old age, still feels restricted from voicing out his truth, and openly talking about issues facing humanity, this art was exhibited concerning Global Warming, and it’s negative effects yet those who truly care, feels their mouth sealed from speaking out.

The excellent saxophone tune played by Borsah is another one of the main highlights of the art exhibition! The event was a success, with delicious savory toppings and cocktails for everyone to enjoy.

PROFILE OF THE EXHIBITED ARTISTS

PATRICK WILLIAM DODOO: Patrick William Dodoo [B.1986] is an artist and educator who lives and works in Ghana. His interdisciplinary practice traverses the studio, the classroom, socially engaged interventions, and scenography for theatre productions.

He studied at the Takoradi Polytechnic and the University of Education, Winneba respectively. He is passionate about using his art to lend a voice to the needs of the vulnerable in society. Painting in the medium of acrylic on canvas, his instantly recognizable black and white palette brings to life in celebratory fashions the images of your everyday person.

His paintings usually have flat vibrant backgrounds juxtaposed with contrasting black-and-white portraits of people with different facial expressions and body postures.

Patrick is also the founder of Painting. The Open [PITO] is an initiative that seeks to demystify the process of artists working by setting up makeshift artist studios in public and inviting members of the public to join in the process of creating artwork. Patrick has exhibited widely.

ENOCH YAW MENSAH: Enoch Yaw Mensah is an artist living and working in Ghana. He is a graduate of Ghannatta College of Art. His works reflect on Ghana and its intricate connection to the rest of Africa. His formative years were spent in his father’s studio working with textiles and learning to carve.

Working in the medium of oil, watercolour, acrylic, charcoal, pastel, and ink, his work captures the social, environmental, and symbolic aspects of life in Ghana. He incorporates Indigenous symbols in his art not only to preserve his heritage and ancestry but also as a way of honouring the lessons learned as a boy from his father. His art depicts the daily scenes of Ghanaian children at play, market women, and people deeply engrossed in their occupations.

Enoch Yaw Mensah is a proud recipient of many awards including 20041st Prize: Shell GAVA Art Competition, 2005 1st Prize: Shell GAVA Art Competition, 2006 1st Prize: The Unimax Macmillan Children’s Illustrator Award for Africa, and 2nd Prize2007: Ghana @ 50 Art Award. He has had many exhibitions and his work can also be found in many private homes and businesses in the United States, Europe, and Ghana.

BETTY ACQUAH: Betty Acquah is an artist who lives and works in Ghana. She obtained both her B.A. (Hons) in Art and M.F.A. (Painting) from the College of Art and Built Environment, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi. Working mostly in the medium of painting, Betty’s works are characterized by bodies in various postures indicative of movements.

She depicts her female figures frequently in load-carrying postures and her male figures frequently in dance movements. She uses a technique she associates with pointillism in which she breaks down her images into tiny pixels and lines.

Betty Acquah is affiliated with the Ghana Association of Visual Artists and the Artists Alliance Gallery Accra. She has exhibited her paintings in Ghana, Nigeria, UK, India, Germany, Spain, Japan and USA.

EMMANUEL MAWUKO ARKUTU: Emmanuel Mawuko Arkutu is an artist living and working in Ghana. With an interest in African mythology, he uses a vast array of colours and a variation of style to draw the viewer into an old world of Africa symbolism.

Mawuko also treats each painting as an exciting opportunity for him to explore and experiment with his primary obsession with colour. His abstraction of African symbols and mask heads, explores the philosophy of rebirth and renewal associated with some of these symbols.

Mawuko has had several public art commissions, notable among them are his murals at Kotoka International Airport (Departure Hall), the Ghana International Trade Fair Centre (Accra), the Vodafone Ghana (Head Office Airport City), and the Holiday Inn Hotel (Accra) just to mention a few. His works can also be found in the collections of Apex Shipping Company Ltd, Diamond Capital Ltd, Ampco Heavy Equipment, First Banc Financial Ltd, and the University Of Ghana Legon.

This article was originally published on TrenderHQ.com (March 7, 2023): At the Orca Deco Art Exhibition, Patrick William Dodoo and others display luxury art in honor of Ghana Independence Month

Fitch Solutions revises Ghana’s GDP target

Through its subsidiary, BMI – a British multinational research firm Fitch Solutions has kept Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for 2025 at 4.2 per cent.

The moderate economic growth is marginally higher than the four per cent projection the Government announced in the 2025 Budget and by the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) April 2025 Regional Economic Outlook.

“We maintain our 2025 growth forecast for Ghana at 4.2 per cent. We believe that the impact from global trade tensions will be offset by the rise in gold prices, which will boost Ghana’s export earnings,” it said in its Ghana Country Risk Report.

The report noted that counterbalance in gold prices, combined with lower energy costs, would drive the current account surplus to a record 6.9 per cent of GDP in 2025, supporting the country’s reserves and helping to stabilise the cedi.

“That said, we maintain our view that growth will slow in 2025, following the strong 5.7 per cent in 2024, caused by the end of election-related fiscal stimulus, plateauing oil production, and tight credit conditions,” Fitch stated.

“Our hope for the future is that as the economy stabilizes, as inflation goes down, as the deficit moves back on track with the program objectives, that it will strengthen confidence,” said Mr Stéphane Roudet, IMF Mission Chief for Ghana.

He said this during a roundtable media engagement with Ghanaian journalists on the sidelines of the just-ended IMF/World Bank Group (WBG) spring meetings in Washington, DC, USA.

“… It will also bolster investment and the role of the private sector, and not just in one sector, but our hope is very much that this is going to be the case across the board,” Roudet said.

He urged the government to strictly adhere to the planned targets of the implementation of the US$3 billion Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme, aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability and stimulating economic resilience.

“This is very important. It’s not just today, but it’s in the next few years. Programme commitments have to be continued to be implemented,” the IMF Mission Staff echoed.

“We remain steadfast in meeting the IMF programme targets while restoring Ghana’s creditworthiness,” Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, Finance Minister, said when he delivered the 2025 budget earlier this year.

He said the Government would implement a 24-hour economy policy to address the country’s structural economic challenges and stimulate growth and job creation.

Dr Forson said that would be done by creating an integrated, efficient and increasingly export-driven industrial economy that fully utilised its national resources, capital and labour power.

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By Iddi Yire, GNA Special Correspondent Libreville, Gabon 

Libreville (Garbon), May 03, GNA – Gabon on Saturday, May 3, returned to constitutional rule following the successful inauguration of President General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema as the fourth leader of the Central African nation.

He will be serving for a seven-year term.

The historic colourful inauguration of President Nguema, which took place at the Gabonese national Sports Stadium in Libreville, was witnessed by Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama, in line with Ghana’s  good neighbourliness policy.

There were 15 other African leaders in attendance.

President Nguema, who is the immediate past military junta of Gabon, overthrew the longtime leader in August 2023, ending the more than five decades rule by Bongo family since the independence of the country in 1960.

His inauguration follows his landslide victory in Gabon’s this year’s April 12 Presidential election, which he won with 90.35 per cent of the valid votes cast.

President Nguema in his investiture remarks promised to diversify Gabon’s largely oil-dependent economy and to reduce youth unemployment.

He also promised to serve, protect and unite all Gabonese.

Other African leaders at the investiture were President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea,

President Felix Tshisekedi of The Democratic Republic of Congo, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal and President Adama Barrow of The Gambia.

President Mahama’s delegation include Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Foreign Minister, Mr Prosper Douglas Bani, National Security Advisor, Dr Callistus Mahama, Executive Secretary to the President, and Mr Stan Xoese Dogbe, Deputy Chief of Staff in-charge of Operations.

President Mahama, with his delegation, has since returned home. 

GNA