Stack of newspapers | File photo

Below are some of today’s major news headlines:

DAILY GUIDE

Ghana Medical Trust Fund launch…Support Mahama Cares – President urges corporate Ghana

Bawku crises mediation off to positive start

Special Supplement on May Day

THE GHANAIN TIMES

Enforce child protection laws!

Pres pledges 6 months’ salary into Ghana Medical Trust Fund

Asantehene leads Bawku mediation at Menyhia Palace

THE NEW CRUSADING GUIDE

GBA fires on all cylinders

Ga Mantse tackles water and sanitation challenges

THE NEW PUBLISHER

Bring back our chief Justice now! …Bar Association chase Mahama

NEIP Adwumawura unveils 40 0000 jobs

The Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Adjei Awatey, has announced the seizure of 10 excavators from illegal mining operators as part of renewed efforts to curb galamsey activities in the region.

Galamsey has long been a major environmental challenge in Ghana, with devastating effects including the pollution of major rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, and Offin. The activity also contributes to deforestation, destruction of arable land, and poses serious health and safety risks to local communities.

Despite multiple government-led crackdowns over the years — including initiatives like Operation Vanguard and Galamstop — illegal mining remains persistent, fueled by economic hardship, weak enforcement, political interference, and high global gold prices.

Speaking to journalists in the region on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, the minister said the action was part of a targeted operation to tackle the growing threat of illegal small-scale gold mining, known locally as galamsey.

Minister Awatey emphasised that the fight against galamsey must continue with urgency and resolve to protect the region’s environment and safeguard future development.

“We know that these things cannot be achieved without our work against illegal mining and other distractions from the company’s activity. We are embarking on our small operations and have seized about 10 excavators,” she stated.

Former NPP flagbearer hopeful Kennedy Agyapong

A former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Kennedy Agyapong, has officially withdrawn from the ongoing ‘Thank You Tour’ of the party.

His withdrawal from the tour comes after one of his supporters was stabbed during an altercation.

Speaking in an interview on UTV on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, Ken Agyapong said that his decision to withdraw from the tour is for the sake of unity.

He added that he was also withdrawing because he feels that he cannot protect his supporters.

“NPP lost the last election… I decided to join Dr Bawumia when he invited the other contestants for the tour for the sake of unity. But with everything happening, I feel that if I withdraw, it will help Dr Bawumia because of the tension.

“… I feel that I’m not able to protect my supporters because some people have made up their mind that only one candidate should be present. And so if you go somewhere and someone is in your T-shirt, he or she becomes a target,” Ken Agyapong, who is a former Member of Parliament for Assin North, said in Twi.

He added, “This does not bring unity. So, for the sake of unity, I’m withdrawing to take care of the guy who was stabbed.”

The former legislator bemoaned happenings in the Thank You Tour, saying, “We are taking politics too low. Now, it is not the guys I’m walking with that are being attacked but students just because of GH¢1000 given to them.”

Watch the interview below:

BAI/AE

How on earth will cardiac surgeons fight galamsey? Watch as Jennifer Queen slams Prof Frimpong-Boateng

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

The lifeless body of the deceased

A Trotro driver in his mid-30s has been found dead at Ashtown, near Apegyafie, in the Kumasi Metropolis of the Ashanti Region.

The lifeless body of the deceased, identified as Nana Kwame, was discovered by residents on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

According to residents, Nana Kwame was a native of Effiduase in the Ashanti Region but had been living with friends at Thinker Island, an area known for drug peddling.

In an interview with OTEC News reporter Kwame Agyenim, some residents expressed concern and speculated about the possible cause of death.

While the cause of death remains unknown, residents believe it could be due to either starvation or the effects of drug use.

As of the time of filing this report, the deceased’s body was still lying on the street, prompting residents to appeal to security agencies to assist in transferring the body to a morgue.

The incident has raised concerns about the living conditions and challenges faced by residents in the area, especially those battling substance abuse.

The community is calling for swift action to address the situation and provide support to those in need.

Residents are also urging authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Nana Kwame’s death and to take the necessary steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Senior member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former Bekwai Member of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, has clarified that the party’s post-election report is strictly an internal document, not intended for public circulation.

Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News, Osei-Owusu explained that the report has already been thoroughly shared with the party’s leadership and is being used to guide the NPP’s future direction.

See More ❯

Henry Nana Boakye

The Supreme Court has given the National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye (Nana B), 14 days within which to amend his case challenging government’s decision to terminate all appointments and recruitments made into the public sector by the previous government after the December 7, 2024 election.

This was after the court granted a motion filed by his lawyers asking the court for leave to ament the writ of summons and the statement of case.

Th court, presided over by Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie and assisted by Justices Avril Lovelace Johnson, Amadu Tanko, Henry Anthony Kwofie, and Richard Adjei-Frimpong, granted the application and gave them 14 days within which to file the proposed amended writ of summons and statement of case attached to the application.

Nana B is before the Supreme Court seeking among others, a declaration that the directive from the Office of the President dated February 10, 2025 and signed by the Chief of Staff to Heads of Government Institutions to annul all appointments and recruitments made in the Public Services of Ghana after December 7, 2024 is unconstitutional, as the Chief of Staff lacks the power to give such a directive.

The suit, which names the Attorney General as the defendant in the matters, also avers that any annulment by the Heads of Government Institutions pursuant to the February 10, 2025 directive from the Office of the President, is unconstitutional as same is in contravention of Article 191(b) of the 1992 Constitution.

The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, on February 10, 2025, issued a directive revoking all appointments and recruitments made into the Public Service after December 7, 2024.

A letter issued by him requested all Heads of Government Institutions to take the necessary steps to annul any such appointments or recruitments and submit a comprehensive report on the actions taken to the Office by February 17, 2025.

The Minority NPP has raised several concerns about the revocation of the appointments and recruitments, urging government to reconsider the decision.

The suit filed by Henry Nana Boakye contends that should the court find that the Chief of Staff has the power to give the subject directive, it should declare that the directive from the Office of the President dated and signed by the Chief of Staff to Heads of Government Institutions to annul all appointments and recruitments made in the Public Services of Ghana after December 7, 2024 is in contravention of Article 191 (b) of the 1992 Constitution, as same is without just cause and thus unconstitutional.

“A declaration that on a true and proper interpretation of Article 58(2) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the President of the Republic of Ghana is under an obligation to execute and maintain Article 191 (b) of the 1992 Constitution and the Public Services Commission Act, 1994 (Act 4).”

He further wants a declaration that President Mahama has breached Articles 58 (2) and 191(b) of the 1992 Constitution in view of the aforementioned directive.

Again, he wants “An Order in the nature of prohibitory injunction directed at the Heads of Government Institutions to refrain from annulling the appointments and recruitments made in the Public Services of Ghana after December 7, 2024.”

BY Gibril Abdul Razak

President John Mahama and Members of the 9th Council of State of Ghana’s Fourth Republic

It has emerged that 30 out of 31 members of the Council of State voted to establish a prima facie case against Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo.

According to reports, former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo, a Council of State Member, abstained from the vote.

While the reasons for Akuffo’s decision remain undisclosed, the Council’s majority resolution informed President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to suspend Chief Justice Torkornoo.

On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, the Ghana Bar Association announced a resolution passed at its midyear conference, demanding the reversal of Torkornoo’s suspension, describing it as unconstitutional.

“The Ghana Bar Association calls for the immediate revocation of the Chief Justice’s suspension, as it considers the suspension unconstitutional. 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 without a published Constitutional Instrument, Statutory Instrument, or Regulation governing the exercise of his discretion, as required by Article 296,” the resolution reads.

The association also demanded that President Mahama immediately release details of the prima facie case determination by the president and the Council of State.

“In addition, the Ghana Bar Association calls upon the President to immediately release the full decision establishing a prima facie case against the Chief Justice, consistent with established precedent. This disclosure is necessary to ensure the process adheres to principles of transparency and fairness,” it stated.

Despite allegations that the investigation against the Chief Justice is politically-motivated, some government officials, including Sammy Gyamfi, Acting Managing Director of GOLDBOD, cum National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have maintained that the investigation process has been fair and non-political.

“The President forwarded these petitions to the Council of State in accordance with the law and also to the Chief Justice. Out of the 31 members, 30 voted for an investigation into the petition. These are eminent personalities—not partisan or politically exposed people,” he said.

Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo was suspended on April 22, 2025, by President Mahama following a prima facie case based on three petitions alleging misconduct and incompetence.

Two additional petitions have been filed, accusing her of constitutional breaches, misappropriation of funds, and abuse of power.

President Mahama, after suspending the Chief Justice, established a five-member committee to investigate the petitions.

GA/AE

The flagbearer of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), Philip Appiah Kubi, popularly known as Roman Fada, has commended Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr 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 digitalisation process.

See More ❯

Private legal practitioner, Thaddeus Sorry

Private legal practitioner Thaddeus Sory has described as legally flawed and disrespectful the demands made by the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) concerning the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

The GBA, among other things, in a resolution issued on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, resolved that the Acting Chief Justice should withdraw his directive “on the assignment of cases,” and that the President should revoke the “suspension of the Chief Justice.”

According to the Bar, the Acting Chief Justice’s directive is “uncertain,” and the President’s suspension of the Chief Justice is “unconstitutional.”

Their reasoning is that the President, who is neither a judge nor a judicial officer, exercised discretion “in the absence of a published Constitutional Instrument, Statutory Instrument or Regulation(s),” as required under Article 296 of the 1992 Constitution.

However, Thaddeus Sory, in a statement, argued that these demands expose a troubling inconsistency in the Bar’s reasoning. He noted that just days ago, the Bar issued a statement that now seems at odds with its own resolution.

Sory contended that, by law and longstanding practice, the power to assign cases is an administrative function of the Chief Justice. He explained that this function pertains to the office of the Chief Justice—not the individual currently holding the title.

“Therefore, anyone constitutionally recognized as the Chief Justice, including one serving in an acting capacity, is empowered by law and practice to assign cases. The suspended Chief Justice exercised that function while in office. Now, the Acting Chief Justice must do the same.”

He added: “The Bar’s position implies that the powers of the office are personal to the suspended Chief Justice. But when she was in office, the Bar raised no objections as she reassigned judges and altered case allocations. Did they then suggest she rely on an algorithm or random generator to assign cases? Were her removals and replacements of judges questioned?”

Sory further challenged the Bar:

“Where was the Bar when the suspended Chief Justice issued unconstitutional and unlawful administrative guidelines and practice directions, actions that not only violated legal norms but also resulted in financial loss to the Republic through ill-conceived launches?”

He added, “And if the Bar claims ignorance, I wrote publicly on those very matters.”

Citing Article 146(10) of the 1992 Constitution, he explained: “… the President may, acting in accordance with the advice of the Council of State, suspend the Chief Justice.”

He emphasized that this means, unless there is advice from the Council of State, the President cannot suspend the Chief Justice. The word “may” in this context does not grant discretion to act unilaterally. Once advised by the Council of State, the President is constitutionally bound to act, he must suspend.

Sory concluded that there is no need for threats or rhetorical outrage, and added: “If the Bar believes it has a case, let it go to court.”

He was quick to add: “But history is not on their side. Past attempts have yielded embarrassing defeats. Even outside of constitutional litigation, our respected colleague Ward Brew has repeatedly prevailed in court against the Bar. The law is not the sole preserve of the Bar’s interpretation. The law is not in the bosom of the Bar!”

KA

Is Mahama also a traitor for meeting Akufo-Addo? Watch as Koku Anyidoho questions Ghanaians

A Fellow in Public Law and Justice at CDD Ghana, Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, has opposed calls by the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) for the reversal of the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo directed by President John Mahama on April 22.

The Ghana Bar Association, in a statement dated April 26, requested the immediate revocation of the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo while describing the action as unconstitutional and lacking a legal basis under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.

See More ❯

The Minority Caucus in Parliament is alleging that President John Mahama may be laying the groundwork for a controversial and unconstitutional third-term bid.

In a statement titled “A Stand in Solidarity with Political Parties Ahead of May 5th Demonstration to Defend Ghana’s Democracy,” the Minority did not mince words.

It accused the executive of orchestrating a grand scheme to undermine democratic institutions and manipulate constitutional provisions to benefit President Mahama, who is currently serving his second non-consecutive term.

“Be it an attempt to create an environment to conveniently reinterpret Article 66(2) of the Constitution—to pave the way for a third-term presidential bid by former President John Mahama—such orchestrations are a clear abuse of the power and trust the people of Ghana place in the hands of the executive,” the statement read.

The allegation is at the heart of a nationwide demonstration scheduled for Monday, May 5, 2025, to be led by an unlikely coalition of political parties, including the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), the National Democratic Party (NDP), and the People’s National Party (PNP).

Their common goal: defend Ghana’s democracy from what they say is a coordinated assault on its constitutional foundation.

According to the Minority, the signs of democratic backsliding are undeniable.

They point to the “unlawful suspension of Ghana’s Chief Justice” and “politically motivated termination of appointments of public servants” as evidence of an executive power grab intended to clear the path for Mahama’s third-term ambitions.

The statement warned that Ghana could be heading toward a full-blown constitutional crisis, stating, “These actions, if allowed to proceed, risk plunging Ghana into a crisis of legitimacy.”

The Minority Caucus contends that judicial intimidation is becoming a tool of executive convenience.

“The blatant disregard for legal processes and the growing trend of judicial intimidation, as witnessed in the Chief Justice’s suspension, represents a direct assault on the progress made in our legacy of democratic governance and rule of law,” the statement added.

The Caucus also raised alarm over reports that the government is planning to remove the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and her deputies—another move it interprets as a strategy to compromise the 2028 elections in advance.

The group condemned what it described as “the injudicious motive of perceived affiliations” behind the mass termination of public servants, warning that the job losses are not only unjustified but are also sowing seeds of unrest among the youth.

“This is not about partisanship. This is about principle. It is about preserving the rule of law, ensuring the independence of the judiciary, and protecting the constitutional fabric of our beloved nation,” the statement said.

The Minority’s rallying cry comes as political tensions mount across the country. They called on “every citizen who cherishes democracy” to join Monday’s protest in what they describe as a defining moment in Ghana’s democratic history.

“We must rise in unity and resolve, not as spectators, but as defenders of the Republic. The time to act is now,” it concluded.

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 Minority Caucus has thrown its weight behind a nationwide demonstration slated for Monday, May 5, 2025.

The protest, spearheaded by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), National Democratic Party (NDP), People’s National Party (PNP), and others, is aimed at resisting what organizers describe as an alarming slide into authoritarianism.

“The country is indeed tense,” warned Minority Chief Whip Frank Annor-Dompreh, in a statement released ahead of the protest.

“We cannot afford to ignore the repetition of these dangerous patterns.”

At the heart of the protest is the controversial suspension of Ghana’s Chief Justice—a move that the Minority and opposition parties have decried as unlawful and politically motivated.

“The blatant disregard for legal processes and the growing trend of judicial intimidation… represents a direct assault on the progress made in our legacy of democratic governance and rule of law,” the statement said.

The demonstration is also a response to what the Minority calls the “politically motivated termination of appointments of public servants,” which it believes is undermining national stability and professional integrity.

“It is unacceptable for such actions to take root and characterise the period of a change of administration,” the Caucus declared, warning that perceived political affiliations are increasingly being weaponised to purge professionals from public service.

More chilling, according to the Minority, are “indications that there are plans in motion to remove the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and her deputies”, a move that could, if realized, ignite a full-blown legitimacy crisis ahead of crucial elections.

But perhaps the most explosive claim in the Minority’s statement is the warning against what it suggests may be a covert effort to reinterpret Article 66(2) of the Constitution to allow for a potential third-term presidential bid by former President John Mahama.

“Such orchestrations are a clear abuse of the power and trust the people of Ghana place in the hands of the executive,” the statement said bluntly.

For the Minority, the planned protest is not merely a political event—it is a “constitutional imperative.”

The coalition of parties, it said, is united not by partisanship, but by principle: to uphold the rule of law, to safeguard judicial independence, and to defend the very fabric of Ghana’s constitutional democracy.

“This is not about partisanship,” the Caucus insisted. “This is about preserving the rule of law… protecting the constitutional fabric of our beloved nation.”

The statement ended with a call to action: “We must rise in unity and resolve, not as spectators, but as defenders of the Republic. The time to act is now.”

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.