The Executive Director of the Oyemam Autoimmune Foundation, Mrs. Emma Halm Danso, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former First Lady, Her Excellency Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings.
In a heartfelt message posted on her official Facebook handle, Mrs. Danso recounted how the news of the former First Lady’s passing was broken to her at a joyful family event, turning the celebration suddenly into sadness.
She shared reflections on the late Nana Konadu’s legacy.
The Executive Director also recalled the presence of Amina Rawlings, her schoolmate and daughter of the former First Lady, during their days at Achimota School and the admiration she had for the Rawlings family even in their youth.
She expressed condolences to Hon. Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, saying “Today, I mourn with her for this great loss. My heart goes out to you senior sister. We cherish and stand with you. We pray that God grants your mother peaceful rest and comfort you and family through this bereavement.”
Highlighting how supportive the Rawlings family is toward the cause of the needy, she said Dr. Zanetor, ever since she engaged with OYEMAM, and made a committment to support, has been a firm supporter of the lupus awareness campaign and an advocate for autoimmune patients in Ghana.
Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Yaw Boamah, has expressed disappointment over Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, describing it as a painful but necessary lesson for the nation.
Speaking on Sporty oFM’s Drive Time Show, the lawmaker lamented the emotional impact of missing Africa’s biggest football competition.
“That you’ll be watching AFCON without the national anthem being played, while anthems of other countries are being played, it’s painful,” Boamah said.
“Because we were ill-prepared and not serious at the time.”
However, he noted that Ghana’s absence could serve as a blessing in disguise, offering an opportunity to rebuild the Black Stars and restore pride to the national team.
“Maybe it’s a good thing for us to use this time to assess our players in Europe, Africa, and Asia, and rebuild a strong and attractive national team,” he added.
Ghana’s failure to qualify marks one of the lowest points in the country’s recent football history, with many calling for structural reforms and long-term planning to revive the national team’s fortunes.
play videoAlexander Akwasi Acquah (L) and Kennedy Agyapong (R)
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Akim Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has alleged that New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful Kennedy Agyapong promised to make him a minister if he became president ahead of the NPP flagbearership contest in 2023.
According to him, Kennedy Agyapong made the promise when he visited the Akim Oda constituency to campaign, assuring residents that Acquah was among two MPs from the Eastern Region he would appoint as ministers in his government.
Acquah, however, disclosed that despite the promise, he chose not to support Agyapong’s presidential bid. Instead, he declared his support for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, stating that he believed Kennedy Agyapong did not have the potential to win the election.
Speaking in an interview on Wontumi TV on October 24, 2025, the Akim Oda MP further alleged that another flagbearer hopeful had also promised him the position of Minister of Health if they won.
“In my constituency, people are saying I want Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to win so he can give me an appointment. So, I met my delegates and asked them: if they voted for me and Bawumia also wins and gives me an appointment, is that bad? They said no,” he explained.
NPP Race: Kennedy Agyapong takes lead in latest survey – Report
“When we came to power, I didn’t get any appointment. It was only six months before the elections that I was made Deputy Minister of Health.”
He continued, “But prior to the election, Hon Kennedy Agyapong came to my constituency to campaign and told the people that the first two ministers he would appoint from the Eastern Region I was part because of my hard work.
“If I had known Kennedy would win, I would have followed him but I ignored that and supported Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.”
“Another person has also promised me the Health Minister position,” he added.
The NPP is expected to elect its flagbearer in January 2026 ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Among the contenders are, Kennedy Agyapong, former Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, former Vice President, Bryan Acheampong, Minister for Food and Agriculture and MP for Abetifi, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, former Minister for Education and Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, former General Secretary of the NPP.
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Scenes from Accra Ridge Hospital after news of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings’ death
Dr Zanetor departs Jubilee House after notifying government of mother’s passing
The wait is over! The GhanaWeb Excellence Awards 2025 is officially launched. Let’s Celebrate impact, innovation and excellence across Ghana.
Who deserves to be honoured this year?
Nominate now 👉 https://ghanaweb.com/ghanaexcellenceawards/nominate
The issue of encountering fake currency notes many not be new to many. From business transactions to regular cash exchanges have somewhat resulted in at least some level of fake currency notes in circulation.
While the Bank of Ghana is responsible for the circulation of banknotes, counterfeiting of currency notes is not only a domestic problem but an international one which is being tackled a different levels.
The Ghana Police Service and other security agencies have over the years caused the arrest of some persons engaged in the printing of fake currency notes in a bid to circulate them to the unsuspecting public.
Although counterfeiting of these banknotes may not be limited to only the Ghana Cedi, these criminals go a long way to also print fake US Dollar, Euro and other currency notes.
Cedi still selling at GH¢10.85 to $1
But how does one exactly know if they have come into contact with a fake currency note?
Ghana Web Business in this article provides some tips on how to detect fake notes with help from AfriSwap and the Bank of Ghana.
Techniques for identifying counterfeit notes
*First off, when one comes into contact with a fake currency not, the bearer of the banknote is expected to compare the suspected banknote with one of the same denominations from a different source.
*It is also important not to compare with the reproductions in a brochure (or a print out from the internet) as it may differ from the original bank note.
*To identify a counterfeit bank note, unfold a received banknote and look at the front and the back.
*Also check the banknote for the security features as captured on AfriSwap.com or the Bank of Ghana website.
*In addition to these checks, it is vital to pay attention to soiled or repaired bills upon receipt.
*The Bank of Ghana is also available to assist persons who need verification of the validity of suspected counterfeit notes.
*Finally, persons who come into contact with a suspected currency note are expected to notify the police as soon as possible if they think that a banknote has been counterfeited.
This article was first published by GhanaWeb on May 9 2022. It has since been republished for educational purposes
All you need to know about Ghana’s new vehicle number plates |BizTech:
Meet Farida Mahama: The Elegant First Daughter Of President John Dramani Mahama
News Hub Creator1d
Ghana’s First Daughter, Ms. Farida Mahama, is once again capturing public admiration with her graceful charm and confident presence. As the daughter of President John Dramani Mahama, Farida has grown up in the public eye, earning widespread attention for her poise, intelligence, and striking beauty.
Over the years, Ghanaians have watched the young lady blossom into a stylish and confident personality. Whether appearing at high-profile family events or sharing glimpses of her life on social media, Farida continues to win hearts with her natural elegance and humility.
Often referred to as one of Ghana’s most admired presidential children, Farida Mahama embodies a perfect blend of modern youthfulness and refined sophistication. Her recent public appearances have sparked conversations online, with many fans praising her fashion sense and resemblance to her father.
Beyond her beauty, Farida is known to be focused on her education and personal growth, staying grounded despite her public status. Supporters of President Mahama have expressed pride in how well she represents the Mahama family name.
As interest in her life continues to grow, one thing remains clear—Farida Mahama is gracefully stepping into the spotlight as a symbol of elegance and inspiration for many young Ghanaians.
Communications Minister and Abura Asebu Kwamankese MP, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has claimed that former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has shifted his support away from former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) upcoming presidential primaries.
Kwakye Ofosu told Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana with host Moro Awudu that Akufo-Addo is now reportedly supporting Bryan Acheampong, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, as the party prepares for its 2026 presidential contest.
“It is clear that Dr Bawumia, being the immediate past candidate, still has some advantage. But unlike before, when the whole establishment was behind him, things have changed. There are credible reports that former President Akufo-Addo has distanced himself from Bawumia and now supports Bryan Acheampong. Everyone in the party knows this because most of Akufo-Addo’s key people and government officials are openly supporting Bryan,” he said.
Kwakye Ofosu added that Kennedy Agyapong, another influential NPP figure, no longer has to contend with the party’s internal “system,” highlighting a shift in internal dynamics. While Dr Bawumia continues to enjoy support from some party members due to his previous campaign, Kwakye Ofosu suggested his path to victory may be more challenging this time.
“Bawumia has been marketed before, so many people still like him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins again, but this time, the margin may be smaller,” he said.
The minister also dismissed the significance of backing from the 63 NPP MPs who have publicly endorsed Dr Bawumia, asserting that many parliamentarians support him primarily to safeguard their own political interests.
Kwakye Ofosu’s remarks signal possible realignments within the NPP as the party gears up for competitive primaries ahead of the 2026 elections, raising questions about the influence of former President Akufo-Addo on the upcoming contest.
Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has admitted that he has a “horse in the race” in the upcoming NPP flagbearer contest but insists he will not publicly declare his support for any candidate.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on October 27, the Effutu MP said that although he has his private preferences, it is important for him to remain publicly neutral because of his leadership role in Parliament.
“I cannot publicly say I am going to campaign for this person,” he said.
“I don’t have to, because of where I sit… I cannot publicly—but privately, can you stay there? I cannot publicly. I have a role to play in the aftermath.”
He explained that showing open support could compromise his credibility in reconciling factions after the primaries.
“If I would have to play that role, show my hand openly, it will be difficult to be trusted when I am doing that midnight walking. So I think it’s appropriate to stay that way,” he added.
Afenyo-Markin said the NPP’s internal election is a “big deal” and praised the five aspirants for their courage and commitment to lead the party to victory.
“They’ve made their name in the party, so bold and courageous to say that, look, we want to take the flag and bring you victory. That tells me that the party has a future,” he stated.
He dismissed fears of division among MPs who have publicly declared support for different aspirants. “So far, the MPs who have declared in one way or the other have been decent. Initially, my concern was how those who will declare openly will manage themselves,” he said.
The Minority Leader reiterated that his earlier call for neutrality among parliamentary leaders was based on the need to maintain unity after the primaries. “Let’s be very neutral… to make yourself a credible referee who would be trusted by various factions,” he said.
According to him, while some MPs disagreed with his stance and chose to openly support particular candidates, they have done so “decently” and without causing disunity.
“For me, that is commendable, and I will continue to encourage those who are showing faces that look, I belong to Mr A or Mr B, to sell the message of their candidate,” he noted.
Afenyo-Markin added that the ongoing competition is a sign of a vibrant and hopeful party.
“A party that has no future will not have people wasting their time to use its brand to serve at all. They would go independent. So that, in itself, is a good start for us,” he said.
He emphasised that once the new leader is chosen, the party will begin a rebranding process aligned with the new leader’s vision and the NPP’s ideology.
“By 31st January, we will be done with this. A leader is chosen. Then the proper rebranding starts,” he 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.
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 General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, has revealed that the late former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, was in advanced talks to return to the party before her death on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
Nana Konadu, the wife of the NDC’s founder and former President Jerry John Rawlings, was instrumental in shaping the party’s early years and played a central role in empowering women through the 31st December Women’s Movement.
After losing the NDC’s presidential primary in 2011, she left the party to form the National Democratic Party (NDP) in 2012. Although she was disqualified from that year’s general election, she later contested in 2016 on the NDP’s ticket.
Speaking after leading an NDC delegation to her residence on Monday, October 27, Fifi Kwetey disclosed that efforts to reconcile with Nana Konadu were nearing completion before her passing.
“I wouldn’t say the talks were unsuccessful. I would rather say that the timing was the challenge. Because even on her part, you could clearly see that she was ready,” he said.
Mr. Kwetey noted that the party had long recognised her contributions to its founding and growth and had been working to mend strained relations in recent years.
“We have constantly said that with the role she played in forming this party and making it great and strong—despite the difficulties that came along the way—we needed to put those behind us. I am happy that during her time, these efforts started and she embraced them,” he explained.
He described Nana Konadu as a towering figure whose legacy of courage, leadership, and advocacy for women would remain an inspiration to generations within and beyond the NDC.
“The party will miss her dearly,” he added.
NDPC publishes first Annual Progress Report in 30 years
Power Shifts Loom in Police Service: COP Lydia Donkor Tipped to Replace IGP Tetteh Yohonu
News Hub Creator20h
Ghana’s security circles are buzzing with anticipation as reports suggest that the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) boss, COP Lydia Donkor, is being considered as the next Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
According to Ghana Chronicles, several high-level closed-door meetings have been held over the past two weeks to discuss the succession of current IGP Dr. Tetteh Yohonu, who is set to retire in December 2025. Sources within the Police Council say a strong faction is pushing for COP Donkor to take over when Yohonu steps down.
COP Donkor is widely known as a determined and reform-minded officer who has earned respect both within and outside the Police Service. Supporters believe her appointment would usher in a new era of transparency and progress, while others within the force fear her rise could shake long-standing power structures.
With just weeks to go before IGP Yohonu’s retirement, the race for the top job is heating up. Political observers and senior officers alike are closely watching how the decision unfolds, amid whispers of political influence in the selection process.
If chosen, COP Lydia Donkor would make history as one of the few women to ever hold the IGP position, breaking new ground in Ghana’s policing landscape. For now, all eyes are on the Police Council as the nation waits to see who will wear the crown of Ghana’s next top cop.
One of Ghana’s most iconic cultural symbols, Kente, has taken its rightful place on the world stage, gaining global recognition as a relic linked to Ghana.
The handwoven cloth, steeped in centuries of heritage, pride, and craftsmanship, has officially been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status, giving it the same level of international protection enjoyed by Champagne from France and Tequila from Mexico.
This historic recognition means that only Kente woven in Ghana can be certified as authentic.
The new status doesn’t just celebrate Ghana’s cultural identity; it opens a new chapter of economic possibilities for thousands of weavers and traders across the country.
For generations, Kente weaving communities, from Bonwire and Adanwomase in the Ashanti Region to Agotime in the Volta Region, have produced the cloth using traditional looms and age-old patterns. Yet, for years, these artisans have watched their designs copied and mass-produced abroad, flooding markets with cheap imitations.
The GI status now provides legal protection to stop that exploitation.
Economically, the impact could be transformative. By ensuring that only genuine Ghanaian Kente carries the global brand name, the country can now control quality, set fairer prices, and market the cloth as a premium export.
This could generate millions in foreign exchange and boost tourism through cultural branding, much like Italy’s leather goods or Japan’s kimonos.
It also promises a fairer deal for weavers, many of whom are rural artisans earning modest incomes. With Kente’s authenticity now internationally recognized, Ghanaian producers can command higher prices both locally and abroad, turning the fabric into a viable source of livelihood rather than just cultural pride.
The new status makes kente not just another cloth. It is now a globally protected heritage, which opens new doors to empower people and the economy. This also means the GI status puts the value back where it belongs in the hands of Ghanaians.
Beyond economic gains, the move also enhances Ghana’s global image as a cultural powerhouse. It sets the stage for other indigenous products, like cocoa-based crafts, shea butter, and locally brewed drinks, to follow suit and gain similar recognition.
It also enhances the cultural and tourism heritage of Ghana on the global stage.
Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, says he will not publicly endorse any of the flagbearer aspirants in the NPP’s upcoming internal elections, stressing that neutrality is key to maintaining party unity and credibility.
Effutu MP, speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on October 27, said his position as a leader in Parliament requires restraint.
“No, I cannot publicly say I am going to campaign for this person,” he stated. “I don’t have to, because of where I sit.”
He explained that while he may have private preferences, he must remain publicly neutral to be trusted when reconciling different factions after the primaries.
“I cannot publicly… I have a role to play in the aftermath of the general 31st. I played a major role in 2023. The dynamics haven’t changed much, and where I sit, I see some work that will require a lot of energy after 31st January.
“So if I would have to play that role, show my hand openly, it will be difficult to be trusted when I am doing that midnight walking,” he said.
The Effutu MP noted that although some MPs have openly declared support for various aspirants, they have conducted themselves decently.
“Initially, my concern was how those who will declare openly will manage themselves,” he said.
“You recall that I came out openly to say that, look, let’s be very neutral. And my good reason was that after the primaries, we, the leaders in Parliament, would have to do some legwork, do what I call the midnight walking, get people together here and there.”
Afenyo-Markin added that he respects those who have chosen to declare their support publicly.
“Some disagreed. You are in a democracy. And for those who disagreed, they have chosen to go about their views decently. For me, that is commendable,” he said.
“I will continue to encourage those who are showing faces that look like I belong to Mr A or Mr B, sell the message of your candidate. For me as a leader, I cannot.”
Asked if his deputies and other parliamentary leaders were expected to follow his example, Afenyo-Markin said he has shared his position with them.
“Some have respectfully made their views known to me. They did disagree and said that, ordinarily, I would be with you, but I would want to go this way. But I will be decent, which I’ve already said is good. Some have also said, Leader, we think it’s better to keep calm and go by this approach. So we are watching, but so far, so good,” he said.
Despite differing loyalties within the caucus, he insisted that the internal competition has not affected their work in Parliament.
“I do not think that that has affected the way we work in Parliament,” he emphasised.
Reflecting on the broader significance of the primaries, Afenyo-Markin said the upcoming contest shows the party’s strength and future potential.
“We have five gentlemen of our stock, hardworking, determined, they’ve made their name in the party, so bold, courageous to say that, look, we want to take the flag and bring you victory,” he said. “That, in itself, tells me that the party has a future.”
He added that the determination of the aspirants gives him confidence in the NPP’s vitality.
“The fact that this remains that determined, that fire in their belly keeps burning, gives me assurance that there’s hope for the party. Because you see, a party that has no future will not have people wasting their time to use its brand to serve at all,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin said once the primaries end in January, the party will focus on rebranding and uniting behind its new leader.
“By 31st January, we will be done with this. A leader is chosen. Once that leader is chosen, a manifesto committee will be set up. Then the proper rebranding starts,” he 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.
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 National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) says it is working closely with the presidency to finalise a coordinated programme of economic and social development policies that will guide the next phase of government planning and implementation.
Speaking on The Point of View on Channel One TV, NDPC Chairman Dr. Nii Moi Thompson said the Commission has already issued interim policy metrics to ministries to enable them to begin work ahead of the programme’s completion.
“We actually support the president in the preparation of the coordinated programme [of economic and social development policies]. So as I speak with you, we are wrapping it up,” Dr. Thompson said.
He explained that this proactive approach allows ministries to proceed with their planning and operations without waiting for the full coordinated programme to be finalised.
“But because of challenges of transition and time limitations, what we do is that we create policy metrics that goes out to the ministries for them to start work even before the coordinated programme is finished, and then once it is done, we will just fit them all together,” he added.
Dr. Thompson noted that consolidating the individual ministry plans and policy metrics into a single national framework will help ensure policy continuity, efficiency, and alignment with Ghana’s long-term development goals.
He stressed that the NDPC’s approach is designed to prevent administrative delays and guarantee that key development initiatives remain consistent with national economic and social priorities.
I have just returned from a visit to the Northern Region of Ghana, and what I witnessed — and heard from farmers and millers across the north — was deeply troubling.
From Fumbisi and Wiaga in the Upper East Region, to Wa, Jirapa, and Sissala East in the Upper West, and from Yagaba and Nasia in the North East Region, to Salaga and Bole in the Savanna Region, one painful truth echoed everywhere: our rice farmers are in crisis.
The hope that once surrounded Ghana’s rice revolution has faded. Farmers who were promised a brighter future through local rice production now find themselves burdened with unsold harvests, mounting debts, and a growing sense of abandonment.
The Reality on the Ground
During my visit to Nantong, Yendi, Mion, Dalung, Karega, Savelegu, Bimbilla, Wulensi, and Gushegu — key rice-producing communities in the Northern Region — I met farmers and millers who were visibly distressed. Warehouses were packed with unsold rice. In some places, rice bags were torn and the grain had begun to mold.
One of the most striking moments of my trip came during a conversation with Alhaji Saibu Braimah, a respected farmer and rice miller with Tamanaa Rice. He stood in front of his quiet mill and shook his head slowly.
“Our problem is not production,” he said. “We can grow the rice — we have proved that over the years. But when the rice is ready, there is no market. We’ve reached a point where we are losing faith. Mills are shutting down, workers have been sent home, and farmers are stuck with their produce.”
His words summed up the mood across the north. Farmers from Navrongo, Fumbisi, Gulubise, Wesi, Gwedoma, Wiaga, and Sandema in the Upper East Region echoed the same frustration.
In Yagaba, Kubugu, Soo, Lechaa, Nasia, Janga, and Nakwondure in the North East Region, farmers told me they could not even afford to transport their rice from farms to storage points. Many had taken loans to plant under the Planting for Food and Jobs initiative, but now face losses that could cripple them financially.
The Smuggling Scandal That’s Killing Local Rice
Another farmer, Charles Nyaaba, who has been deeply involved in rice farming advocacy, spoke passionately about the devastating impact of rice smuggling on local farmers.
“We are losing the battle because of smuggled rice from our neighboring countries,” he said. “Burkina Faso and Togo rice is coming in freely and cheaply. They don’t pay our taxes, they don’t go through our ports, and they sell lower than what we can ever match. How can our farmers survive this?”
His frustration was palpable. Imported rice, often smuggled and untaxed, is flooding local markets. It is cheaper — not because it is better — but because it escapes the very rules our local farmers and millers are forced to obey.
The result? Ghanaian rice sits unsold while imported brands dominate supermarket shelves.
If nothing changes, Ghana risks destroying years of progress made in building a sustainable local rice industry. Thousands of farmers across the five northern regions — from Salaga to Wa, from Fumbisi to Nakpanduri — could lose their livelihoods. Rice millers like Tamanaa Rice may close permanently, and rural economies that depend on rice farming will collapse.
This is not only an agricultural problem — it’s a national crisis with economic, social, and moral implications.
Beyond the statistics are human stories: fathers unable to repay loans, women losing their only source of income, and young people giving up on farming altogether. As I spoke with the farmers, I could feel their growing despair. They feel forgotten.
If we truly care about national development, we cannot continue to look away. The government and private sector must urgently work together to rescue Ghana’s local rice industry.
Here’s what must happen — and now:
1. The Agric Ministry must arrange to buy up the excess rice stocks from farmers to stabilize prices. 2. Support rice millers with credit, logistics, and market linkages to sustain production. 3. Enforce strict border controls to stop the smuggling of rice into the country. 4. Relaunch the nationwide “Eat Ghana Rice” campaign, backed by public institutions, schools, and the hospitality sector.
A National Wake-Up Call
Standing in a warehouse in Savelegu, surrounded by piles of unsold rice, I thought about the sheer effort behind every grain — the ploughing, planting, weeding, and harvesting. To see all that labour go to waste is heartbreaking.
“This is not charity we are asking for,” Alhaji Braimah told me as we concluded our conversation. “We just want a fair chance. Let’s make Ghana rice the priority. Let’s save our farmers.”
He is right. This is not a northern crisis — it is a Ghanaian crisis. The survival of our rice farmers is linked to the survival of our economy, our food security, and our dignity as a nation.
If we act decisively today, we can still rescue the industry and restore hope. But if we delay any longer, we will lose not just our farmers, but the future of Ghana’s agricultural independence.
Godwin Animli Dorghadzi-Dorani (L) and KT Hammond (R)
Former Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, KT Hammond, has warned his successor in the constituency, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) lawmaker Godwin Animli Dorghadzi-Dorani, to desist from mentioning his name in his public comments.
According to him, the MP should focus on the development in the constituency instead of always making references to him in his public discourse.
Speaking in an interview on Oyerepa TV on October 27, 2025, Hammond stated, “I always say that about 7,000 people didn’t vote… the guy, if he is having a headache, he should keep quiet and stay away from talking about me.”
His comments follow an earlier interview on Oyerepa TV, in which Dorghadzi-Dorani accused KT Hammond of disrespecting the people of Adansi Asokwa during his tenure as MP.
‘Controversial’ KT Hammond kicked out of Parliament by NDC’s Godwin Animli
He alleged that the former MP failed to engage the community respectfully and was often dismissive of local concerns.
According to the NDC MP, Hammond had allegedly told some constituents who needed toilet facilities to visit his mother’s house if they wanted to use a restroom.
However, Hammond dismissed the current MP’s claims, asserting that he did not lose the election because of disrespect but because about 7,000 people failed to vote.
He further questioned Dorghadzi-Dorani’s past, alleging that he once worked as a teacher but was dismissed under unclear circumstances.
“Ask him what led to his dismissal as a teacher. Why did he run away from Fomso after the election?” he queried.
Hammond also threatened to take legal action against the current MP.
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Dr Zanetor departs Jubilee House after notifying government of mother’s passing
Scenes from Accra Ridge Hospital after news of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings’ death
Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Julius Neequaye Kotey
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) issued over 14,400 DP stickers in September 2025 alone.
This marked a substantial increase from the previous monthly average of 1,800.
The introduction of the tamper-proof DP stickers has played a crucial role in this surge, addressing issues of fraudulent vehicle registration and ensuring better authenticity of vehicle records.
The new stickers are designed as one-time security marks that cannot be transferred or removed, thereby reducing illegal activities related to vehicle registration.
This increase in issued stickers is expected to enhance revenue collection for the DVLA, which will be reinvested into expanding services and improving infrastructure.
The Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Julius Neequaye Kotey, revealed this significant achievement in vehicle registration security, when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament.
He also mentioned ongoing collaborations with private sector partners and government agencies to establish more registration offices closer to high-traffic districts, aiming to improve accessibility.
Long queues have been snaking around petrol stations in recent weeks
Mali has suspended schools and universities nationwide due to a severe fuel scarcity caused by a blockade on fuel imports imposed by Islamist insurgents.
Education Minister Amadou Sy Savane announced on state television that all education institutions would remain shut until 9 November, saying the movement of staff and students had been affected by the blockade.
He said the authorities were “doing everything possible” to end the crisis so that classes could resume on 10 November.
For weeks, Mali has been hit by a fuel shortage, especially in the capital Bamako, after militants from an al-Qaeda affiliate imposed a blockade by attacking tankers on major highways.
Mali is landlocked, so all fuel supplies are brought in by road from neighbouring states such as Senegal and Ivory Coast.
Long queues have been snaking around petrol stations in Bamako in recent weeks, and the city’s usually crowded streets have now reportedly fallen quiet.
The military government had earlier this month assured residents that it was only a temporary issue, but the crisis has persisted.
Last week, the US Embassy in Bamako announced that non-essential diplomatic staff and their families would leave Mali amid the worsening fuel shortage and growing security concerns.
It said the fuel disruptions had affected the supply of electricity and had the “potential to disrupt the overall security situation in unpredictable ways”.
Mali is currently ruled by a military junta led by Gen Assimi Goïta, who seized power in a coup in 2021.
The junta had popular support when it took power, promising to deal with the long-running security crisis prompted by a separatist rebellion in the north by ethnic Tuaregs, which was then hijacked by Islamist militants.
The UN peacekeeping mission and French forces had been deployed in 2013 to deal with the escalating insurgency.
Both have left since the junta took over, and the military government has hired Russian mercenaries to tackle the insecurity.
However, the jihadist insurgency has continued and large parts of the north and east of the country remain outside government control.
Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has shared a deeply personal story about how businessman and politician, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, helped him complete secondary school through a bursary.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on October 27, the Effutu MP revealed that financial hardship nearly forced him to drop out of St. Augustine’s College in his final year, but Dr Nduom’s scholarship intervention changed the course of his life.
“I always say that, but for Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom’s bursary, I sitting here wouldn’t have completed SHS in Saint Augustine’s final year,” he recounted.
“By the way, the parents of my friends supported my fees in year one and year two, but by year three, things were bad. My mom was out of work. My stepdad had been demoted. He was at Pomaze Poultry, and they were not being paid.”
He described how his stepfather’s political demotion worsened the family’s financial situation.
“He got demoted because of politics. They said he had followed Kufuor in the 1996 election. So he was demoted and transferred, made a watchman from a missing foreman, and sent to anchor food. Pomaze Poultry business was going down, so they were not being paid,” he said.
The MP recalled how Dr Nduom introduced a competitive bursary scheme that rewarded academic excellence.
“Dr Nduom brought his bursary and said anybody who broke his record should get that bursary. It was a competition. It wasn’t even for a brilliant but poor child. And by the grace of God, I won it. I’m saying that, but for that, I would have dropped out of St. Augustine’s College,” he stated.
Afenyo-Markin used the story to underscore his strong defence of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, describing it as one of Ghana’s most impactful social interventions.
“Many people today, when you look for house helps or gardeners in your home, they will tell you they have completed SHS. It wasn’t the case before. Many homes, poor and rich, have benefited,” he said.
He also rejected criticisms of the Free SHS program, arguing that education is a powerful equaliser.
“Ours is to create a platform to build the human resource capacity of the Ghanaian people. We did that successfully,” he insisted.
Reflecting on his party’s governance, Afenyo-Markin acknowledged challenges faced by the New Patriotic Party, including the economic shocks of COVID-19 and the loss of support among the middle class.
However, he maintained that the NPP’s social intervention record remains unmatched.
He cited the Free SHS, One District One Factory, school feeding, and the National Health Insurance Scheme as initiatives that changed lives and strengthened the economy.
“Tell us your NDC party a single social intervention program that, since 1992, has been initiated and implemented successfully. They have zero,” he challenged.
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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.
Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has visited the family of the late former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings to offer his condolences and sign the book of condolence.
Bawumia was accompanied by his wife, Samira Bawumia, former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensa-Bonsu, and former Education and Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, former Works and Housing Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, among others, during the visit.
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings passed away on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the Ridge Hospital in Accra.
She served as Ghana’s longest-serving First Lady, dedicating her life to women’s empowerment, child welfare, and social development. Her passing has drawn reactions from across the country, with many highlighting her contributions to national life and social advocacy.
During his visit on Monday, October 27, Bawumia expressed sympathy to the Rawlings family and acknowledged the late former First Lady’s immense contributions to Ghanaian society.
Meanwhile, Deputy CEO of the Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoko, lamented the tendency of Ghanaians to celebrate public figures only after their death. He described Nana Konadu as a trailblazer whose achievements should have been more widely honoured during her lifetime.
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Nana Konadu’s demise: Ghanaians must celebrate trailblazers while they’re alive
Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, says he is confident about the future of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), insisting that the internal contest for flagbearer is proof that the party remains strong and attractive.
The Effutu MP, speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on October 27, said the NPP’s determination to rebuild and transform is clear despite internal differences.
“We’ve demonstrated our determination, not to the satisfaction of everybody, but from where I sit, I see that determination of the party machinery to move on and to transform and get certain things done,” he said.
He described the upcoming primaries as a crucial test for the party, expressing optimism about the calibre of candidates contesting.
“This primaries ahead of us is a big deal, and I’m happy that we have five gentlemen of our stock of their own rights, hardworking, determined.
“They’ve made their name in the party, bold and courageous to say that, look, we want to take the flag and bring you victory. That, in itself, tells me that the party has a future,” he noted.
Afenyo-Markin said the continued interest of leading figures in vying for the flagbearer position showed that the NPP was still relevant and had a mission beyond individuals.
“Ambition to use the party to serve the country, and for me, the fact that they remain that determined, that fire in their belly keeps burning, gives me assurance that there’s hope for the party,” he said.
He dismissed fears that divisions from the primaries could weaken the party.
“A party that has no future will not have people wasting their time to use its brand to serve at all. They would say they will go independent. So that, in itself, is a good start for us,” he stressed.
He explained that once the flagbearer is chosen by January 31, the NPP would begin rebranding and aligning the new leader’s vision with the party’s ideology.
“A leader is chosen, one that leader is chosen, a manifesto committee will be set up. Then the proper rebranding starts, because whoever is chosen as a leader comes with his vision,” he stated.
On the issue of MPs openly declaring support for particular candidates, Afenyo-Markin said so far, members had conducted themselves decently.
“My concern was how those who will declare openly will manage themselves. You recall that I came out openly to say that, look, let’s be very neutral,” he said.
He explained that his neutrality was strategic, given his role as leader in Parliament.
“There will be a need to make yourself a credible referee who would be trusted by various factions. It’s better for you to stay neutral, at least not openly declare. Some disagreed. You are in a democracy,” he added.
Asked whether he had endorsed anyone privately, he maintained that while he might have personal preferences, he could not make them public.
“I cannot publicly say I am going to campaign for this person. I don’t have to, because of where I sit,” he said.
He also revealed that some leaders had chosen to follow his example, while others had made their preferences known respectfully.
“Some have said, leader, ordinarily, I would be with you, but I would want to go this way, but I will be decent. Which I’ve already said is good,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin concluded that despite the different allegiances, parliamentary work had not been affected.
“So far so good. But I do not think that has affected the way we work in Parliament,” he 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.
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.
Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has admitted that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lost the support of Ghana’s middle class due to the tough decisions it took to stabilise the economy.
Speaking on PM Express on JoyNews on October 27, the Effutu MP said the financial sector haircut and other austerity measures alienated many of the party’s core supporters, including professionals and business owners.
“We lost the middle class, our own base, the businessmen, because there was some haircut… pensioners, educated people who ordinarily would vote NPP got disappointed,” he said.
“To the extent that a former Chief Justice, appointed by our own administration, was on the streets fighting for her pension — it’s understandable.”
Afenyo-Markin explained that these difficult choices were made in the context of a global economic crisis that required Ghana to stabilise its economy at all costs.
“We were faced with some huge challenges. We tried, but we were not too successful,” he admitted. “In stabilising the economy, certain hard decisions had to be taken.”
The Effutu MP said despite the setbacks, the NPP achieved major milestones, including the introduction of Free SHS and the One District, One Factory initiative.
He argued that these interventions transformed lives and opened new opportunities across the country.
“Ours is to create a platform to build the human resource capacity of the Ghanaian people. We did that successfully,” he said.
He also defended the government’s record on social policies.
“Recently in Parliament, I challenged the Majority Leader to name a single social intervention policy the NDC has initiated and implemented successfully since 1992.
“They have zero,” he said, citing Free SHS, 1D1F, school feeding, health insurance, and the mass transport system as legacies of NPP governments.
Afenyo-Markin reflected on his own humble beginnings to underscore the value of education and social support.
He recalled nearly dropping out of St. Augustine’s College until he won a bursary introduced by Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom.
“But for that bursary, I would have dropped out,” he said, adding that policies like Free SHS have given hope to thousands of young Ghanaians.
He said, despite the economic pain and loss of political goodwill, the NPP must continue to highlight its achievements.
“In spite of all these disappointments, we should still let the Ghanaian people know the good things we did,” he said. “We shouldn’t shy away from our success stories.”
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The Parliamentary Select Committee on Works and Housing has directed the contractor working on the Dansoman Sea Defense Project to appear before it to answer questions regarding the progress and quality of work.
According to the Committee, nearly 11 months after the project began, members are dissatisfied with the contractor’s performance and are calling for a thorough review of the project.
Chairman of the Committee, Vincent Oppong Asamoah, on Monday, October 27, 2025, said the project, which is critical to protecting coastal communities from tidal waves, has encountered several challenges that require urgent attention.
“The cost is an issue, and even how procurement and other technical challenges are all issues that the members are calling for a probe into the project,” he said.
“That is what we are preparing, and very soon, you will hear from the Committee. But we are not very much satisfied.”
He emphasised the importance of the project, given the recurring destruction caused by tidal waves in the area, but added that the Committee expects transparency and accountability in its execution.
The Committee is expected to meet the contractor in the coming days to demand explanations on cost variations, technical delays, and the overall progress of the project.
The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of the Interior and the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA), has announced plans to introduce a nationwide gun amnesty in the coming days to address the rising spread of illicit firearms and growing gun-related violence across the country.
In a statement released by NACSA dated Monday October 27, the Commission expressed concern over the increasing use of unregistered weapons, which it says have turned minor disputes and social gatherings into violent confrontations and tragedies. The Commission warned that illegal guns are becoming a major threat to national peace and security.
The upcoming Gun Amnesty Programme will give individuals in possession of unregistered or illegal firearms the opportunity to surrender them voluntarily without fear of arrest, interrogation, or prosecution. During the amnesty period, anyone who turns in a weapon will not face charges, as the initiative focuses on peacebuilding rather than punishment.
According to NACSA, the programme will be implemented under the leadership of the Minister for the Interior, in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies. It is intended to promote national safety and reduce the number of illicit firearms in circulation.
“This is not a witch hunt or a move to prosecute anyone,” the statement emphasised. “It is about saving lives, preventing tragedy, and giving Ghanaians a chance to choose peace over violence.”
The Commission urged all citizens who have hidden, buried, or stored unregistered firearms to prepare to hand them over once the amnesty officially begins. It added that every gun surrendered represents “one less instrument of fear and one more step toward a peaceful Ghana.”
NACSA further called on the public to spread awareness about the initiative, stressing that national unity and cooperation are key to ending the culture of gun violence.
For more information, the public can contact the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons at 059 907 0944.
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Bawumia visits Rawlings family, signs Nana Konadu’s book of condolence
Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Anyaa Sowutuom, Dr Dickson Adomako Kissi
Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Anyaa Sowutuom, Dr Dickson Adomako Kissi, has asked the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to concentrate on developing a good curriculum for Ghanaian schools and also tackling the problems with the school placements other than concentrating on students’ hair dos.
Speaking on GHOne TV’s Morning Show, GHToday, on Monday, October 27, 2025, the former MP said that the Ministry and GES ought to focus on tackling what he described as the ‘truest’ headache of Ghana’s education.
“Our focus should be on a very good curriculum, our focus should be on a very good placement, and discipline from students to teachers to principal and to parents. Right now, our truest headache is school placement…,” he said.
Dr Adomako-Kissi’s comment was in reaction to the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu’s reaction to debates on social media about students’ hairstyles and grooming standards.
The minister while speaking at the 75th Anniversary celebrations of the Mawuli School stressed that schools exist to mould character, not to host beauty contests.
“There is an ongoing debate on social media about haircuts and size and lengths of hair in Secondary Schools. We’ll not tolerate today, we’ll not tolerate it tomorrow, in so long as we are moulding character. If we give in to hair today, tomorrow it will be shoes and the next day it will be the way they dress.
“Therefore, as part of our disciplinary measures, Headmasters and GES you’re accordingly empowered to take full control of how students behave on your campuses.
“So, anybody who thinks that your child will walk into any institution of learning, as if that Child was to attend a beauty contest, the school environment is not for that purpose and not cut for that purpose and will not tolerate that as an institution,” he said.
The ex-Law maker, despite believing discipline in schools ought not be compromised said the nature of hair dos of students in second cycle institutions ought not be part of the major issues of the Ministry and the Minister in particular.
“Discipline is very important in schools, and that whether nappy hair, long hair, curly hair. I don’t think is much to do about nothing…,” he said.
The Government, through the Bank of Ghana (BoG), has announced plans to issue GH¢75.70 billion in treasury securities from October to December 2025.
The issuance forms part of a broader strategy to revitalise the domestic capital market and enhance predictability and transparency in public financing.
According to the BoG, the financing plan for the quarter includes Treasury Bills and Bonds, in line with the Public Debt Management Office’s objective of lengthening the maturity profile of public debt.
The issuance calendar, prepared based on projected domestic maturities and the revised Net Domestic Financing (NDF) outlined in the 2025 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review, is intended to guide market participants in their investment decisions.
Of the total gross issuance, GH¢67.517 billion would be used to refinance maturing obligations, while GHS8.182 billion represents fresh issuance to meet new financing needs.
To meet these targets, the Government would conduct weekly primary auctions for 91-day, 182-day, and 364-day Treasury Bills.
It also plans to reopen selected instruments under the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) to support budget implementation and improve liquidity in the secondary market.
The Government reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining transparency and predictability in the domestic capital market and assured stakeholders of continued engagement.
Vini was angry after being substituted during the El Clasico
Tensions between Vinicius Junior and Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso have reportedly reached a breaking point, with Spanish outlet AS describing their relationship as “red-hot” and “unsustainable.”
The Brazilian winger is said to feel disrespected by the coach and is now weighing up his future at the club.
The situation boiled over during Sunday’s, October 26, 2025, 2-1 El Clasico victory over Barcelona when Vinicius reacted angrily to being substituted with 18 minutes remaining.
As his number appeared on the board, he shouted, “Me?!” and called out, “Coach, coach!” in disbelief before trudging toward the bench. Cameras later caught Alonso muttering, “Come on, Vini, damn it” in frustration.
You talk too much – Real Madrid players mock Lamine Yamal after Barcelona’s defeat
Despite the outburst, Alonso, who took over in the summer and currently has Madrid five points clear at the top of La Liga, reportedly has the full backing of the club’s hierarchy.
The 43-year-old is said to be “seriously angry” with Vinicius’s attitude, a sentiment shared among senior figures at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Vinicius, 25, has grown frustrated with his reduced role this season. He has completed the full 90 minutes in only three games and has been substituted or benched several times.
Earlier in the campaign, he held talks with the club about his limited influence and left “satisfied,” but little has changed since.
With Kylian Mbappe flourishing and Jude Bellingham back from injury, Vinicius no longer feels like the centerpiece of the team despite believing he works tirelessly at both ends of the pitch.
Combined with years of racist abuse from rival fans since joining in 2018, the forward now feels increasingly unappreciated.
While AS claims he could push for an exit as early as January, Vinicius still hopes to stay and even extend his contract beyond 2027, if, that is, the rift with Alonso can be healed.
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Police have arrested a second suspect involved in the deadly mass shooting
Police have arrested a second suspect involved in the deadly mass shooting at a tavern near Tshwane.
The shooting occurred in Zithobeni, Bronkhorstspruit, on Sunday morning, 5 October 2025.
Arrest
Gauteng police spokesperson Brenda Muridili said the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Investigations, working together with members from the South African Police Service in Bronkhorstpruit, pounced on the suspects on Friday.
“The suspect was arrested during a tracing operation on Friday, 24 October 2025, in Zithobeni, the township where the incident happened.
“The police recovered an unlicensed firearm with serial numbers filed off. He will be appearing before the Bronkhorstpruit Magistrate’s Court on 27 October 2025, facing charges of five counts of murder and six counts of attempted murder,” Muridili said.
First suspect
The first accused, 33-year-old Xlani Musawenkosi Xulu, who was arrested on 21 October 2025, remains in custody and is due to appear in court on 30 October 2025.
He faces five counts of murder and three of attempted murder.
Mass shooting
According to police, witnesses said two men known in the community came into the tavern and demanded that one of the patrons hand over his licensed firearm. A shot went off, and when the patrons ran outside, the suspects fired randomly.
Muridili said the patron with a firearm was shot and injured, and his firearm was taken.
“The incident resulted in five fatalities and six injuries. The injured were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment. Only one deceased has been identified so far, and all the injured have been identified.
“The injured patron whose firearm was taken will be charged with contravention of the Firearms Control Act, Act 60 of 2000, for the negligent handling of his 9mm pistol,” Muridili said.
Saved by a table as ‘bullets rained’
Speaking outside the Bronkhorstspruit court on Thursday, one of the survivors said a table saved her life.
Deliwe Kabini, whose boyfriend Lesego Sedibeloane was killed in the incident, relayed how she hid behind a table as “bullets rained”.
Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, says while the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) faced major challenges in office, it must not shy away from celebrating its achievements.
The Effutu MP speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on October 27, said leadership must acknowledge both failures and successes.
“Yes, we had an opportunity. We were faced with huge challenges. We tried, but we were not too successful,” he admitted.
He cited the fight against illegal mining and the global economic shocks from COVID-19 as examples of where government struggled.
“We lost the middle class, our own base, the businessmen, because there was some haircut… pensioners, educated people who ordinarily would vote NPP got disappointed,” he said, referencing the fallout from fiscal tightening measures.
According to him, the discontent even affected those closely linked to the party.
“A former Chief Justice who was appointed by our own administration… was on the streets fighting for her pension. It’s understandable,” he noted.
Despite these setbacks, Afenyo-Markin said the NPP’s record remains strong and must be defended.
“I hold the view that, despite all these disappointments, we should still let the Ghanaian people know the good things we did. It’s very important, and we shouldn’t shy away from our success stories.”
He pointed to key social intervention programs as evidence of the NPP’s transformative impact.
“If you talk about Free SHS, you talk about 1D1F for the private sector, you talk about school feeding, you talk about the mass transport system, you talk about health insurance — these are major social intervention programs that changed lives,” he stressed.
Recalling his own background, he shared how a bursary from former Minister Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom saved his education.
“But for Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom’s bursary, I wouldn’t have completed SHS in Saint Augustine’s. My mom was out of work. My stepdad had been demoted because of politics. Things were bad,” he recounted.
He said the Free SHS policy, despite its criticisms, has opened opportunities for many Ghanaian families.
“Today, you look for a house help, a gardener, and they’ll tell you they’ve completed SHS. It wasn’t the case before. Many homes, poor and rich, have benefited,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin argued that the NPP’s efforts in education, industrialisation, and social welfare have reshaped Ghana’s development story.
“We shouldn’t be shy of our weakness. You come into government, you have your success story, you have your failings. But the good must be told,” he emphasised.
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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 Member of Parliament for Walewale and a member of Parliament’s Communications Committee, Dr. Tiah Abdul-Kabiru Mahama, has stated that the alleged draft bill purportedly seeking to regulate online speech—though not yet formally before Parliament—clearly reflects the government’s intention to control digital communication.
His comments come amid growing political debate over the alleged draft legislation, which the Minority in Parliament has criticised as an attempt by government to criminalise free expression online.
According to the Minority, the proposed bill aims to make it an offence to post or share comments in online groups that could be deemed offensive or inciteful—a move they argue stems from President John Dramani Mahama’s directive to track the IP addresses of individuals spreading hate speech or inciting violence.
The Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi and former Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has also cautioned that the proposal represents a dangerous encroachment on freedom of speech.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Citi FM on Monday, October 27, Dr. Kabiru Mahama confirmed that he has seen and read the document circulating online but clarified that it has not been formally submitted to the Select Committee on Information and Communication.
“First and foremost, it’s a rumour mill in the sense that a document is in circulation. I have seen and read the document. That document has not formally been presented to the committee—that is, the select committee on information and communication,” he noted.
Despite the lack of a formal presentation, Dr. Kabiru Mahama said the statements and actions of key government officials—including the President and the Minister of Communication—lend the document significant credibility.
“But that said, we have had the President hinting on it anyway, we have had the minister speaking to that particular document. Suffice to say that it means that it is a reflection or a suggestion of the intended position of the government, and that much as it is not a formal document before the House or before the committee, we can treat it with all the seriousness it deserves,” he explained.
He further noted that the level of attention the document has drawn from both the executive and the public means it cannot be dismissed outright.
“To the extent that the minister is responding to people on social media on it, to the extent that the minister is commenting on it, to the extent that it comes on the back of the fact that the President had signaled his intention to bring such a bill, I can say that it carries some bit of weight.
“So we can’t just jettison it because we feel it hasn’t been properly laid before the committee or before Parliament,” Dr. Mahama said.
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Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara has secured a fourth term following an election in which two of his biggest challengers were barred from running, provisional results show.
Ouattara, 83, won 89.8% of the vote, the electoral commission said on Monday, and businessman Jeal-Louis Billon came a distant second with only 3.09%.
The landslide victory is not a huge surprise, as after being banned from the presidential race, former President Laurent Gbagbo and Credit Suisse ex-CEO Tidjane Thiam had urged their supporters to boycott the vote.
Voter turnout reached just 50.1%, according to the electoral commission.
Gbagbo’s ex-wife, Simone Gbagbo, who was allowed to contest the election, got 2.42% of the vote.
Monday’s results are provisional, and the outcome will be announced by the Constitutional Council after it rules on any election petitions.
On Sunday, the opposition group made up of Gbagbo and Thiam’s parties denounced the election as a “civilian coup d’etat,” saying they would not recognise Ouattara as a validly elected leader.
Ouattara first assumed the presidency in 2011, following Laurent Gbagbo’s arrest after his refusal to accept defeat in the 2010 election.
Ouattara was originally restricted to serving two terms, but a 2016 constitutional overhaul allowed him to seek re-election in 2020, in a vote that was boycotted by the opposition.
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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.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin says he draws deep inspiration from the example of former Speaker Alban Bagbin as he leads a weakened Minority in the current Parliament.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on October 27, the Effutu MP dismissed suggestions that the minority’s reduced numbers leave him overwhelmed.
“Not at all. I’m not in any way worried about the numbers. Like I indicated in my opening remarks in Parliament, it’s about substance,” he said.
He insisted that while the Majority may hold numerical strength, real democratic progress depends on the depth of argument and conviction.
“Before the final destination, you need to demonstrate your weight. For me, that is what enriches democracy,” he stated.
Afenyo-Markin said the NPP’s situation mirrors what the NDC once faced when it lost power in 2001.
“The state we find ourselves as a party, though novel in a sense in terms of the numbers, has happened before to the NDC. I draw a lot of inspiration from the Bagbin era and NDC opposition,” he said.
Recalling that period, he noted how Bagbin was brought “from obscurity” to lead a demoralised Minority.
“Kufuor enjoyed huge goodwill. In 2001, nobody wanted to hear NDC. In fact, it was difficult for them to even appear on radio programmes. But they put themselves together in the midst of confusion,” Afenyo-Markin said.
He praised the NDC’s turnaround between 2001 and 2008 as a model for resilience.
“By 2004, they had managed to snatch some of the very seats we are taking from them, like Ashaiman, La Dadekotopon and many others. They had momentum on their side because of the hard work, the determination of the Bagbin-led minority,” he explained.
According to him, that determination eventually brought the NDC back to power.
“By 2008, they surprised the nation. NPP perhaps thought all was well; we were going to have a walk in the park. Then Professor Mills, who had been written off, made a strong showing, pushed the election into round two, and then by round three, we were down,” he recounted.
For Afenyo-Markin, the lesson is clear: political strength is not static.
“It tells me a story. I’ve been reading the Hansard, watching videos, and learning how they strategised. They were collective. They were determined. And as a politician, you should not be shy of your weakness,” he said.
Reflecting on the NPP’s current struggles, he admitted that the government faced serious challenges.
“We had an opportunity. We were faced with some huge challenges. We tried, but we were not too successful. Typical example, galamsey. It was a great concern,” he said.
He pointed to global and domestic crises that hurt the party politically.
“The global crisis hit us with COVID, and then eventually we had to stabilise the economy. And in stabilising the economy, certain hard decisions had to be taken. We lost the middle class, our own base, the businessmen, because there were some haircuts,” Afenyo-Markin admitted.
He said these economic shocks alienated some of the NPP’s most loyal supporters.
“Pensioners, educated people who ordinarily will vote NPP, got disappointed to the extent that a former Chief Justice who was appointed by our own administration, who ordinarily would have her love for our party, was on the streets fighting for her pension. It’s understandable,” he said.
Still, he insists the NPP’s record remains strong in many areas.
“All these things more or less took away the shine of the Free SHS we had introduced, which had benefited many Ghanaian families. Ours is to create a platform to build the human resource capacity of the Ghanaian people. We did that successfully,” he said.
He added that the government’s industrialisation policies also left a lasting impact.
“We brought in the 1D1F, a major boost for the private sector. That 1D1F attracted a lot of companies who felt that if in Ghana you can set up your industry, have tax-free on your raw material and machinery, then they found Ghana as a great destination for business,” he said.
However, he conceded that the inability to meet public expectations cost the NPP dearly. “Eventually, all these gains, because of our inability to meet the higher expectations of the Ghanaian people, we lost out,” he concluded.
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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 Minister in Charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has assured that President John Dramani Mahama fully understands his responsibilities and that a substantive appointment for the Ministry of Defence will be made in due course.
Since the August 6 helicopter crash that took the life of Dr Edward Omane Boamah, the Ministry of Defence has been under the temporary leadership of Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who was appointed as acting Defence Minister.
The prolonged vacancy has prompted calls from some quarters, including former Defence Minister and Bimbilla MP Dominic Nitiwul, for a substantive appointment to address emerging security challenges in the country.
Nitiwul expressed concern over the delay, noting that the increasing threats of terrorism and insecurity across the West African sub-region demand strong and focused leadership at Ghana’s Defence Ministry.
He urged President Mahama to act swiftly, whether by elevating the current deputy minister or nominating a new appointee, to ensure continuity and stability in the nation’s defence administration.
Speaking on Newsfeed on Channel One TV on Monday October 27, Kwakye Ofosu dismissed concerns about any difficulty in appointing a successor, reaffirming President Mahama’s administration’s commitment to filling the leadership gap and emphasising that the process will ensure the Defence Ministry operates effectively and in alignment with national security priorities.
He noted that “President Mahama fully understands his responsibilities and whereas he had a close relationship with the late Minister Omane Boamah, the president is pragmatic and professional enough to understand that life has gone on.
“Whatever needs to be done will be done to ensure that the Defence Ministry has the best of leadership and the policies that they implement contribute to the overall development of our country and ensure our safety and security. In due course, that announcement will be made.”
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Appoint substantive Defence Minister now – Dominic Nitiwul tells Mahama
The deceased, identified as Kwaku Agyei, a native of Akyem Oda
A 50-year-old farmer has tragically drowned in the River Fum in the Assin North District of the Central Region while reportedly on his way to seek a loan to pay his child’s school fees.
The deceased, identified as Kwaku Agyei, a native of Akyem Oda, was said to be heading to his cocoa farm at Sowodadiem near Assin Dansame around 4:30 a.m. when the incident occurred.
According to the Assembly Member for the area, Mark Nti Ballack, Agyei was on his way to meet a purchasing clerk to request financial assistance to buy school supplies for his child, who had recently gained admission into Senior High School.
The River Fum is commonly crossed using a canoe. However, due to its limited capacity, passengers are usually ferried in turns.
Impatient to wait for his turn, the farmer decided to swim across the river but sadly drowned before reaching the other side.
A search party made up of local divers and community elders was quickly organized to recover the body.
After traditional rites were performed, the search began but had to be suspended at nightfall and later resumed the following morning.
The body was eventually found and reported to the police.
Confirming the incident, the Assin North District Police Commander, Superintendent Eric Yao Avudzivi, said a preliminary examination of the body showed no signs of foul play.
The body has since been deposited at the St Francis Xavier Hospital morgue for further examination and necessary procedures.
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu has called on parents to support the Ghana Education Service (GES) in implementing its directive on approved hairstyles for Senior High School students across the country.
Addressing a stakeholder meeting organised by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) in Accra on Monday, October 27, 2025, Haruna Iddrisu stressed that students at the basic and secondary levels must comply with the rule until they reach tertiary education, where they have greater personal freedom.
We will not tolerate students with longer hairstyles – Haruna Iddrisu warns
“At a certain stage in life, particularly at the tertiary level, they can decide on any hairstyle of their choice. But at the basic and secondary levels, discipline and conformity must prevail.
“I am appealing to parents to cooperate with the GES in ensuring this directive is observed. If we compromise on hairstyles today, tomorrow it will be shoes which kind to wear or not to wear”, he noted.
Watch as education minister directs GES to make ‘mother-tongue’ instruction compulsory at basic level
Watch the video below:
Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, is appealing to parents to support the Ghana Education Service in enforcing its directive on approved hairstyles for senior high school students.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement at the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment… pic.twitter.com/tRq7wNQr0Y
Ghana forward Joseph Paintsil walked away with Los Angeles Galaxy’s Golden Boot award for the 2025 campaign during the end of season gala.
The 27-year-old scooped the award after emerging the club’s top scorer in the Major League Soccer with ten goals from 22 matches.
The Black Stars forward achieved the enviable accolade following a tremendous run which saw him become the third LA Galaxy player to score a first-half hat-trick.
Paintsil joined Robbie Keane and Alejandro Moreno as the LA Galaxy players to set the remarkable record. He did that in the match against Sporting Kansas City.
Meanwhile, he was beaten to the Player of the Year award by Diego Fagundez.
Despite his latest accolade, Painstil was left disappointed by the outcome of the campaign after the MLS champions failed to make the playoffs.
Ghanaian winger Mohammed Sofo controlling the ball
Ghanaian winger Mohammed Sofo has penned a profound message to Sandro Schwarz following his sacking as New York Red Bulls coach.
The MLS outfit announced changes to the technical team of the club following the club’s failure to make it to the playoffs of the 2025 season.
Schwarz, who gave Sofo first team opportunities, will be replaced by Julian de Guzman.
In a message posted on his Instagram story, Sofo wrote: “Thank you boss for everything. It was a pleasure working with you. I will forever be grateful to you; you’ve changed my mind set and helped me grow as a player and even more as a person. I wish you the best in the future.”
Sofo starred for the German trainer in the regular season, scoring five goals in 25 MLS games.
The 20-year-old also acknowledged assistant coach Volkan Bulut, who was also affected by the new changes.
“Volkan Bulut more than just a coach, you were like a father to me, thank you and all the best in future,” he wrote.
A ceiling damaged by shelling shrapnel at a displaced persons center in El Fasher, Sudan, October 7,
A Sudanese paramilitary force is battling the last pockets of resistance in a Darfur city that has endured a brutal 18-month siege and where a full takeover would entrench a geographical division of the country between rival military factions.
The advance by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has also raised fears of reprisals against the estimated 250,000 people remaining in al-Fashir, the final holdout of the Sudanese army in the western Darfur region, and of an escalation of fighting elsewhere in Sudan.
Since Sunday, when the RSF said it had captured the army’s headquarters in al-Fashir, RSF fighters have been detaining fleeing civilians in nearby towns and villages, witnesses as well as humanitarian and military sources said. Some 26,000 people had been displaced by the fighting, the International Organization for Migration said.
Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan confirmed in a broadcast speech his forces had decided to retreat from the city “given the destruction and intentional killings of civilians.”
Two Sudanese military sources said on Monday that thousands of soldiers from the army and allied former rebel groups were surrounded by RSF fighters after retreating into neighbourhoods in western al-Fashir.
Darfur, the RSF’s stronghold, is home to a parallel government it created, and RSF sources say it is also the current base for top RSF leaders including General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti.
“The RSF’s full control of the Darfur region could have dangerous and worrying consequences in the future in terms of partition,” Massad Boulos, U.S. senior adviser for Arab and African affairs, told Al Jazeera Mubasher.
He compared that prospect to Libya, where competing governments linked to military factions based in the east and west created a de facto geographical split.
The RSF, which has been locked in a civil war with the army for more than two-and-a-half years, could also use the momentum to try to regain ground elsewhere in Sudan, analysts said.
Unless the latest push for U.S.-brokered peace talks makes progress where past attempts have stalled, that could worsen a conflict which has already caused famine, triggered waves of ethnically driven violence and displaced millions of people.
The army was able to oust the RSF from the capital Khartoum earlier this year, but the paramilitaries have amassed advanced weaponry including long-range drones that could allow them to attempt a comeback, one military and one RSF source said.
U.N. chief Antonio Guterres said foreign provision of weapons and increasing external interference in the war were undermining the chances of a political solution. The army accuses the United Arab Emirates of providing military support to the RSF, which the UAE denies.
“We haven’t seen a sign that RSF leadership is content with just western Sudan,” said Alan Boswell, Horn of Africa director for Crisis Group. “So as long as they are receiving enough supplies to continue a war effort, they still look like they are continuing to escalate this war.”
The RSF made gains over the weekend in the strategic city of Bara, North Kordofan, which puts it within hours of Khartoum.
“Our liberation of al-Fashir is the liberation of Sudan, all the way to Port Sudan …. We are coming and we are coming heavy,” said RSF second-in-command Abdelrahim Dagalo speaking in a video dated Sunday released by the force from the army’s al-Fashir base.
“The new Sudan goes forward, the old Sudan gets destroyed,” one soldier can be heard chanting, a key slogan for the RSF-led authority.
In a statement on Monday, the RSF said it would protect civilians in al-Fashir and that humanitarian preparations were being made.
Two military sources and two humanitarian sources said the RSF appeared to be directing fleeing civilians to towns around al-Fashir where it aimed to set up displacement camps.
Eyewitnesses who arrived in Tawila – a town to the east controlled by a neutral force that has absorbed hundreds of thousands of fleeing civilians – told Reuters they had been directed to the nearby town of Garney on foot, and that hundreds of people including women and children remained in RSF custody there.
Adults and children who had left al-Fashir via unsafe roads were “dehydrated, malnourished, some injured and all traumatized,” said Denise Brown, the top U.N. official in Sudan.
Activists have long warned of revenge attacks on civilians from the Zaghawa tribe after the intense fight for the city, as happened in the Zamzam displacement camp to the south.
RSF officials released videos on Sunday saying they were providing safe passage for former fighters, though other videos posted by activists but not verified by Reuters appeared to show RSF fighters shooting unarmed men and cheering around dead bodies.
Additional reporting by Mohamed Jamal, Menna Alaa El Din and Michelle Nichols; Editing by Aidan Lewis and Daniel Wallis
Minority Leader and Effutu MP, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, says he is unfazed by the numerical disadvantage of his caucus in Parliament.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on October 27, he said his leadership will be defined by substance, not numbers.
“I’m not in any way worried about the numbers. Like I indicated in my opening remarks in Parliament, it’s about substance,” he said.
Responding to suggestions that power in Parliament lies in numbers, Mr Afenyo-Markin argued that influence is earned through strategy and conviction.
“Before the final destination, you need to demonstrate your weight. And for me, that is what enriches democracy,” he said.
He drew inspiration from how the National Democratic Congress (NDC), led in Parliament by Alban Bagbin in opposition, recovered from its first major defeat in 2000.
“The situation has happened before to the NDC. I draw a lot of inspiration from the Bagbin era and NDC opposition,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin recalled how the NDC, after its PNDC roots, struggled for relevance when it lost power.
“Kufuor enjoyed huge goodwill. In 2001, nobody wanted to hear NDC. In fact, it was difficult for them to even appear on radio programmes. But they put themselves together in the midst of the confusion,” he recounted.
According to him, the Bagbin-led Minority’s hard work and determination eventually paid off.
“By 2004, they had momentum on their side. Then by 2008, they surprised the nation,” he said.
He stressed the importance of learning from both successes and failures.
“As a politician, you should not be shy of your weakness. You come into government, you have your success story, you have your failings,” he noted.
Reflecting on the government’s record, Mr Afenyo-Markin admitted challenges in tackling illegal mining, stabilising the economy, and managing public discontent.
“We were faced with huge challenges. We tried, but we were not too successful. Typical example, galamsey,” he said.
He said tough economic measures taken during the post-COVID period alienated key sections of the party’s base.
“We lost the middle class, the businessmen. There were haircuts, pensioners, educated people who ordinarily would vote NPP got disappointed,” he said.
Despite this, he maintained that the government achieved significant milestones in education and industrialisation.
“We introduced Free SHS, which benefited many families. We brought in 1D1F, a major boost for the private sector. It attracted a lot of companies that saw Ghana as a great destination for business,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin concluded that although expectations were high and the party lost ground, the experience has strengthened his resolve.
“Eventually, all these gains, because of our inability to meet the higher expectations of the Ghanaian people, we lost out,” he 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.
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.
About 50,000 trees are expected to be planted over a 10-square-kilometer area of degraded mine sites at Akyem Gyadam, a farming and mining community in the Birim Central Municipality, as part of efforts to reclaim and rejuvenate the degraded lands.
Dredging and desilting works will also be carried out along the polluted Birim River by the Birim Central Municipal Assembly, National Disaster Management Organisation, and Partners of Nature Africa, who are spearheading the reclamation and rejuvenation of the degraded lands and polluted river.
Speaking to journalists during the official launch of the reclamation and rejuvenation project at Akyem Gyadam on Wednesday October 22, the Country Director for Partners of Nature Africa, Amofa Foster, described the degradation in the enclave as devastating and called on residents to act as whistleblowers to help report people polluting water bodies and degrading arable lands.
“The kind of degradation here is very terrible, we have visited more than 10 areas and the devastation is very high, the rivers have been encroached on and about 10 kilometer square of land has been destroyed by the illegal miners as captured by our drone.”
“Our machines are coming in from tomorrow to start the reclamation, we will do dredging and desilting along the river beds and then we will plant some 50,000 trees along the river banks.”
Amofa Foster was, however, quick to add that Ghana as a country cannot end illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, but can support the proper measures being put in place by President John Dramani Mahama to manage the menace.
“It’s not possible for us to stop galamsey, let’s be honest and call a spade a spade, mining has come to stay so we must put in place proper measures like President John Dramani Mahama is doing and support him to succeed.”
On his part, the Municipal Chief Executive for Birim Central, Solomon Brako Kusi, who lauded the initiative as a step in the right direction, affirmed his commitment to consistently support the fight against illegal mining by collaborating with the traditional authorities and all stakeholders in the municipality.
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Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Yaw Boamah
Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Yaw Boamah, has lamented Ghana’s absence from the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, describing the tournament without the Black Stars as “a car without an engine.”
The legislator expressed his disappointment over the team’s failure to qualify, attributing it to a lack of preparation and seriousness from those responsible. Ghana finished bottom of their qualifying group, which included Angola, Sudan, and Niger, with Angola and Sudan advancing to the finals in Morocco.
Speaking on Sporty FM’s Drive Time Show, Boamah said it would be disheartening to watch the competition without Ghana’s national anthem being played.
“That you’ll be watching AFCON without the national anthem being played, while anthems of other countries are being played… It’s painful,” he said. “Because we were ill-prepared and not serious at the time.”
He, however, believes the setback should serve as an opportunity for reflection and rebuilding.
“Maybe it’s a good thing for us to use this time to assess our players in Europe, Africa, and Asia, and rebuild a strong and attractive national team,” he added.
The Black Stars have since redeemed themselves by qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A collage of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr Bryan Acheampong, Kwabena Agyapong and Dr Yaw Adutwum
The Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Canada Branch, Samuel Yaw Asirifi, has petitioned the Chairman of the NPP 2026 Presidential Elections Committee, Joseph Osei Owusu, alleging a fraudulent inclusion of unqualified names in the branch’s voter register for the January 31, 2026, presidential primaries.
In a petition dated September 30, 2025, he raised concerns about the Chairperson’s alleged unilateral actions in registering individuals who are not legitimate members of the NPP Canada Branch.
NPP elders call for decorum in 2028 flagbearer campaign
“I wish to bring your attention to the inclusion of past Chapter Executives and other individuals occupying no Branch positions in the registration of additional delegates for the upcoming NPP Presidential Primaries, orchestrated by the Chairperson of the NPP Canada Branch, executed by the appointed Officer in Charge of Research and Elections directed by the Chairperson to enter the data on the Party’s platform earmarked for this registration exercise,” part of the petition said.
The secretary explained that on September 9, 2025, the Branch Chairperson announced the formation of a four-member committee to compile a list of former branch executives without consulting the elected steering committee.
The petition noted that the committee consisted of individuals openly supporting one presidential aspirant, a matter that was challenged by some executives but not addressed.
Following an emergency executive meeting held on September 13, 2025, the list presented contained 34 names.
After verification, only 14 were found to be legitimate past branch executives who served between 2014 and 2022, and they were unanimously approved.
Flagbearer Race: NPP’s final five slug it out for the top spot
However, the Secretary revealed that 20 other names, identified as past executives of the Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver Chapters, were also added to the register.
These individuals, he said, served before the official establishment of the NPP Canada Branch in 2014 and therefore do not qualify under the current constitutional provisions.
He argued that their inclusion “Contravenes Article 13 (1)(11) of the NPP Constitution and the motion on transitional provisions recently adopted at the National Annual Delegates Conference held in Accra on July 19, 2025.”
The petition further mentioned the addition of two individual, Vanessa Otuo-Acheampong and Mohammed Tofik Issah, listed as Deputy Youth Organisers and Deputy Nasara Coordinator, respectively.
According to the Secretary, these positions do not exist within the branch structure.
“It is therefore fraudulent to see such positions being filled with individuals who have not been appointed to occupy such positions,” he wrote.
The Secretary emphasised that, according to guidelines issued by the NPP’s Director of IT on September 6, 2025, all delegate inclusion forms must be endorsed by both the Branch Chairperson and Secretary before being uploaded to the registration platform.
He confirmed that only 14 forms were duly signed, questioning how the additional names were approved without authorization.
He also disclosed being denied access to the registration portal until September 26, 2025, “After the intervention of our Party General Secretary, Justin Frimpong-Kodua and William Yamoah, Secretary to the Presidential Election Committee.”
“As the Branch Administrator and the Custodian of the Branch Records, it is my considered opinion that there is a deliberate orchestration by some Executives to rig the process by including former Chapter Executives and other illegitimate individuals who do not occupy any current positions in the Branch,” the petition noted.
The NPP Canada Branch Secretary appealed to the Presidential Elections Committee to delete the names of the 20 past chapter executives and the two unrecognized individuals from the voter register.
“I hereby pray your esteemed Presidential Election Committee to resolve this by removing the names of past Chapter Executives as captured in item (4) as well as Vanessa Otuo-Acheampong and Mohammed Tofik Issah in item (9), who have been fraudulently captured as Deputy Youth Organizer and Deputy Nasara Coordinators respectively. This I believe will ensure the compilation of free, fair and credible electoral register for the upcoming NPP Presidential Primaries.”
Read the full petition below:
JKB/AM
Short hair won’t stop double-salary scandals’ – Ras Mubarak fires back at Haruna Iddrisu
The Supreme Court of Ghana has reportedly ordered the Office of the Attorney General (AG) to respond to a suit filed against the state over its deal to receive West African deportees from the United States (US).
According to a report by thelawplatform.online, the Supreme Court panel that heard the case, chaired by Justice Gabriel Pwamang, ordered the AG’s office to respond to the application for discoveries and the interlocutory injunction application filed by the Democracy Hub on behalf of the deportees.
The report indicated that the panel, which had Justices Adjei Frimpong, Gaewu, Dzamefe and Ameloboba, after a conference for about five minutes, ruled that the state must react to the suit because of the significant public interest in the case.
The justices went on to order the AG’s office to “react within two weeks to the application for discoveries” filed by lawyers of the Democracy Hub, led by Oliver Barker-Vormawor.
The president of the panel, Justice Pwamang, is reported to have expressed his displeasure over the failure of the Attorney General to be present in court.
The court went on to adjourn the case to November 12, 2025.
Government of Ghana sued over US deportee deal
About the case:
The government of Ghana has reportedly been sued over its deal to receive West African deportees from the United States (US).
According to several reports by major US outlets, including AP News, the government was sued by a Ghanaian human rights group, Democracy Hub, which is representing the latest 14 US migrants deported to Ghana.
The report by AP News indicated that renowned Ghanaian human rights activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor, who is the lawyer for the 14 deportees, described the government’s move as illegal.
He argued that the deportation of the US migrants to Ghana was unlawful because it lacks the approval of the country’s Parliament.
He, therefore, asked the court to stop the deportation of the US migrants to Ghana.
“His group, Democracy Hub, filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Ghana’s government, alleging that the agreement with Washington is unconstitutional because it wasn’t approved by the Ghanaian Parliament and that it may violate conventions that forbid sending people to countries where they could face persecution,” part of the report read.
Deported from the US to Ghana then ‘dumped’ at the Border: Nigerian man speaks out
Barker-Vormawor is reported to have said that the 14 West African nationals who arrived on Monday, October 13, 2025, bring the total number of US deportees accepted by the government of Ghana to 42.
The report also indicated that Ghana’s Minister of State in charge of Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who also serves as the Spokesperson to the President, has said that the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, will be defending the state in court.
BAI/AM
Short hair won’t stop double-salary scandals’ – Ras Mubarak fires back at Haruna Iddrisu
The wait is over! The GhanaWeb Excellence Awards 2025 is officially launched. Let’s Celebrate impact, innovation and excellence across Ghana.
Who deserves to be honoured this year?
Nominate now 👉 https://ghanaweb.com/ghanaexcellenceawards/nominate
A collage of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr Bryan Acheampong, Kwabena Agyapong and Dr Yaw Adutwum
The Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Canada Branch, Samuel Yaw Asirifi, has petitioned the Chairman of the NPP 2026 Presidential Elections Committee, Joseph Osei Owusu, alleging a fraudulent inclusion of unqualified names in the branch’s voter register for the January 31, 2026, presidential primaries.
In a petition dated September 30, 2025, he raised concerns about the Chairperson’s alleged unilateral actions in registering individuals who are not legitimate members of the NPP Canada Branch.
NPP elders call for decorum in 2028 flagbearer campaign
“I wish to bring your attention to the inclusion of past Chapter Executives and other individuals occupying no Branch positions in the registration of additional delegates for the upcoming NPP Presidential Primaries, orchestrated by the Chairperson of the NPP Canada Branch, executed by the appointed Officer in Charge of Research and Elections directed by the Chairperson to enter the data on the Party’s platform earmarked for this registration exercise,” part of the petition said.
The secretary explained that on September 9, 2025, the Branch Chairperson announced the formation of a four-member committee to compile a list of former branch executives without consulting the elected steering committee.
The petition noted that the committee consisted of individuals openly supporting one presidential aspirant, a matter that was challenged by some executives but not addressed.
Following an emergency executive meeting held on September 13, 2025, the list presented contained 34 names.
After verification, only 14 were found to be legitimate past branch executives who served between 2014 and 2022, and they were unanimously approved.
Flagbearer Race: NPP’s final five slug it out for the top spot
However, the Secretary revealed that 20 other names, identified as past executives of the Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver Chapters, were also added to the register.
These individuals, he said, served before the official establishment of the NPP Canada Branch in 2014 and therefore do not qualify under the current constitutional provisions.
He argued that their inclusion “Contravenes Article 13 (1)(11) of the NPP Constitution and the motion on transitional provisions recently adopted at the National Annual Delegates Conference held in Accra on July 19, 2025.”
The petition further mentioned the addition of two individual, Vanessa Otuo-Acheampong and Mohammed Tofik Issah, listed as Deputy Youth Organisers and Deputy Nasara Coordinator, respectively.
According to the Secretary, these positions do not exist within the branch structure.
“It is therefore fraudulent to see such positions being filled with individuals who have not been appointed to occupy such positions,” he wrote.
The Secretary emphasised that, according to guidelines issued by the NPP’s Director of IT on September 6, 2025, all delegate inclusion forms must be endorsed by both the Branch Chairperson and Secretary before being uploaded to the registration platform.
He confirmed that only 14 forms were duly signed, questioning how the additional names were approved without authorization.
He also disclosed being denied access to the registration portal until September 26, 2025, “After the intervention of our Party General Secretary, Justin Frimpong-Kodua and William Yamoah, Secretary to the Presidential Election Committee.”
“As the Branch Administrator and the Custodian of the Branch Records, it is my considered opinion that there is a deliberate orchestration by some Executives to rig the process by including former Chapter Executives and other illegitimate individuals who do not occupy any current positions in the Branch,” the petition noted.
The NPP Canada Branch Secretary appealed to the Presidential Elections Committee to delete the names of the 20 past chapter executives and the two unrecognized individuals from the voter register.
“I hereby pray your esteemed Presidential Election Committee to resolve this by removing the names of past Chapter Executives as captured in item (4) as well as Vanessa Otuo-Acheampong and Mohammed Tofik Issah in item (9), who have been fraudulently captured as Deputy Youth Organizer and Deputy Nasara Coordinators respectively. This I believe will ensure the compilation of free, fair and credible electoral register for the upcoming NPP Presidential Primaries.”
Read the full petition below:
JKB/AM
Short hair won’t stop double-salary scandals’ – Ras Mubarak fires back at Haruna Iddrisu
Nollywood actor and filmmaker Daniel Etim‑Effiong has revealed that he prays before shooting romantic scenes, saying this spiritual discipline helps him stay grounded in his faith and values.
The former engineer-turned actor described his work as a “form of worship,” adding that his faith, family and focus remain guiding principles on and off set.
“I get all my inspiration from God. I go on my knees and pray before I go to set and kiss. My family is my garden, then my work,” he said.
Etim-Effiong said the prevalence of kissing and intimate scenes in some films is driven by market demand but he challenged filmmakers to explore alternative expressions of affection.
“The fact that I play a lot of romantic roles means I get to have kissing scenes sometimes. But the question should go to the producers, why are they expressing affection only one way? There are other ways to show intimacy,” he said.
At 37 years old, Etim-Effiong says he accepts romantic roles as part of storytelling but insists handling them with purpose and professionalism is key.
“It becomes a purpose to me and that’s why I had the courage to quit engineering, a well-paying job, to go into storytelling. It felt like a calling,” he said.
ID/AM
The wait is over! The GhanaWeb Excellence Awards 2025 is officially launched. Let’s Celebrate impact, innovation and excellence across Ghana.
Who deserves to be honoured this year?
Nominate now 👉 https://ghanaweb.com/ghanaexcellenceawards/nominate
A collage of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr Bryan Acheampong, Kwabena Agyapong and Dr Yaw Adutwum
The Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Canada Branch, Samuel Yaw Asirifi, has petitioned the Chairman of the NPP 2026 Presidential Elections Committee, Joseph Osei Owusu, alleging a fraudulent inclusion of unqualified names in the branch’s voter register for the January 31, 2026, presidential primaries.
In a petition dated September 30, 2025, he raised concerns about the Chairperson’s alleged unilateral actions in registering individuals who are not legitimate members of the NPP Canada Branch.
NPP elders call for decorum in 2028 flagbearer campaign
“I wish to bring your attention to the inclusion of past Chapter Executives and other individuals occupying no Branch positions in the registration of additional delegates for the upcoming NPP Presidential Primaries, orchestrated by the Chairperson of the NPP Canada Branch, executed by the appointed Officer in Charge of Research and Elections directed by the Chairperson to enter the data on the Party’s platform earmarked for this registration exercise,” part of the petition said.
The secretary explained that on September 9, 2025, the Branch Chairperson announced the formation of a four-member committee to compile a list of former branch executives without consulting the elected steering committee.
The petition noted that the committee consisted of individuals openly supporting one presidential aspirant, a matter that was challenged by some executives but not addressed.
Following an emergency executive meeting held on September 13, 2025, the list presented contained 34 names.
After verification, only 14 were found to be legitimate past branch executives who served between 2014 and 2022, and they were unanimously approved.
Flagbearer Race: NPP’s final five slug it out for the top spot
However, the Secretary revealed that 20 other names, identified as past executives of the Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver Chapters, were also added to the register.
These individuals, he said, served before the official establishment of the NPP Canada Branch in 2014 and therefore do not qualify under the current constitutional provisions.
He argued that their inclusion “Contravenes Article 13 (1)(11) of the NPP Constitution and the motion on transitional provisions recently adopted at the National Annual Delegates Conference held in Accra on July 19, 2025.”
The petition further mentioned the addition of two individual, Vanessa Otuo-Acheampong and Mohammed Tofik Issah, listed as Deputy Youth Organisers and Deputy Nasara Coordinator, respectively.
According to the Secretary, these positions do not exist within the branch structure.
“It is therefore fraudulent to see such positions being filled with individuals who have not been appointed to occupy such positions,” he wrote.
The Secretary emphasised that, according to guidelines issued by the NPP’s Director of IT on September 6, 2025, all delegate inclusion forms must be endorsed by both the Branch Chairperson and Secretary before being uploaded to the registration platform.
He confirmed that only 14 forms were duly signed, questioning how the additional names were approved without authorization.
He also disclosed being denied access to the registration portal until September 26, 2025, “After the intervention of our Party General Secretary, Justin Frimpong-Kodua and William Yamoah, Secretary to the Presidential Election Committee.”
“As the Branch Administrator and the Custodian of the Branch Records, it is my considered opinion that there is a deliberate orchestration by some Executives to rig the process by including former Chapter Executives and other illegitimate individuals who do not occupy any current positions in the Branch,” the petition noted.
The NPP Canada Branch Secretary appealed to the Presidential Elections Committee to delete the names of the 20 past chapter executives and the two unrecognized individuals from the voter register.
“I hereby pray your esteemed Presidential Election Committee to resolve this by removing the names of past Chapter Executives as captured in item (4) as well as Vanessa Otuo-Acheampong and Mohammed Tofik Issah in item (9), who have been fraudulently captured as Deputy Youth Organizer and Deputy Nasara Coordinators respectively. This I believe will ensure the compilation of free, fair and credible electoral register for the upcoming NPP Presidential Primaries.”
Read the full petition below:
JKB/AM
Short hair won’t stop double-salary scandals’ – Ras Mubarak fires back at Haruna Iddrisu
The Blue Water River Guard is a key module operating under the Blue Water Initiative.
Alex Animah, the Second-in-Command for the Blue Water Guards in the Wassa Amenfi East District, has issued a firm notice: the unit will not cease its efforts to clamp down on illegal miners responsible for the destruction of land and natural reserves within the district.
Speaking in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Mr. Animah confirmed that the Guards have conducted several successful swoops, leading to the apprehension of multiple suspected illegal miners.
He detailed their most recent operation, which targeted an illegal mining site along the highway from Tarkwa to Kumasi. This area, he noted, was being mined despite numerous prior warnings.
Animah emphasised the immediate threat these activities pose, referencing a recent accident directly caused by the illegal mining.
“We, therefore, had no option but to conduct a swoop,” he stated. “Through that operation, we arrested four individuals who are now in police custody, while approximately 36 others managed to escape. We successfully seized seven pumping machines, shovels, and other equipment used for the illegal activities.”
Animah, popularly known as “Peace,” underscored that illegal mining remains a significant threat, affirming the Blue Water Guards’ dedication to their core objective. “So far, we have achieved positive outcomes since our deployment in Amenfi East,” he noted.
“Specifically, in the Ankobrah area, we have successfully managed to dislodge several illegal miners.”
The Blue Water River Guard is a key module operating under the Blue Water Initiative.
This initiative is one of the two core pillars the government is deploying to resolve the persistent challenge of illegal mining in water bodies and the resultant environmental degradation. The second pillar is the Tree for Life initiative.
Bernard Tekpetey has been in fine form for the Green Eagles since returning from a long-term injury
Ghana forward Bernard Tekpetey registered his name on the scoresheet in Ludogorets thrilling encounter with league leaders CSKA 1948 Sofia.
The 28-year-old netted in the tenth minute to level an early strike from the hosts in the match which ended 5-4 in favour of CSKA Sofia.
Mamadou Diallo had opened the scoring for CSKA in the 3rd minute with a composed finish but the Ghana international equalized seven minutes later.
However, the Reds stepped up their gears, restoring the lead through Elias Correa Franco before Brian Sobrero added the third five minutes to half time.
After the break, CSKA extended the advantage after Olivier Verdon scored an own goal, and Branislav Tsonev put the game beyond Ludogorets with his side’s fifth.
Ludogorets produced a stunning fightback in the last ten minutes with Andre Hoffmann scoring an own goal to add to Ivaylo Chochev’s brace.
Chochev had the opportunity to level for the visitors but missed from the spot.
Tekptey has been in fine form for the Green Eagles since returning from a long-term injury.
King Charles was heckled by a protester asking him about Prince Andrew’s relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a visit to a cathedral on Monday.
The man asked how long the King had known about his brother and Epstein, and questioned whether he had asked the police to “cover up” for Andrew.
His protest was met by vocal support for the King, including one woman who told him to “shut up”. There were also loud chants of “three cheers for the King”.
Prince Andrew’s links with Epstein have been under intense scrutiny in recent weeks. The prince, who relinquished his titles earlier this month, has strongly denied any wrongdoing.
Throngs of fans had waited to meet the King, who was visiting Staffordshire for an engagement at Lichfield Cathedral.
In video footage from the event, the single protester said: “How long have you known about Andrew and Epstein? Have you asked the police to cover up for Andrew?
“Should MPs be allowed to debate the royals in the House of Commons?”
The King did not respond to the questions but carried on greeting fans, some of whom chanted “God Save The King”. One fan can be heard asking him for a hug.
Several people outside the cathedral looked visibly annoyed by the protester, with a woman telling him to “go away and leave him alone”.
The scandal over Prince Andrew’s connections to Epstein has been reignited by sexual abuse allegations repeated in Virginia Giuffre’s posthumously published memoir.
In the memoir, Ms Giuffre says she had sex with the prince on three separate occasions, including once with Epstein and “eight other young girls”.
Andrew, who reached a financial settlement with Ms Giuffre in 2022, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. In 2019, he told BBC Newsnight he did not remember meeting Ms Giuffre “at all” and that they “never had any sort of sexual contact”.
Recently, fresh questions have been asked about how he is able to fund his lifestyle despite not being a working royal.
The revelation that he has only ever paid a token annual rent on his Windsor mansion, Royal Lodge, has intensified the scrutiny over his living arrangements – even though he made large payments up front, including for renovations.
The Liberal Democrats said he should be called in front of MPs to give evidence about his lease of his lodge.
But last Thursday, the government refused to give MPs time to debate the prince’s titles or his home, despite growing pressure for scrutiny.
Buckingham Palace has not commented on whether Prince Andrew might move out of his home – or where he might go.
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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 festival is featuring a rich blend of traditional rituals and educational forums
The Anlo State is set to mark this year’s Hogbetsotso Za (Festival) with a week-long of cultural, social and developmental events under the theme: “Building Bridges: From a Common History to a Common Destiny”.
Though the festival activities commenced officially a few months ago after the grand launch at Ohawu on August 30, 2025, the main festival activities, scheduled from October 25 to November 3, 2025, are being organised by the Anlo Dukor Council in collaboration with Ghana Exim Bank.
The festival is featuring a rich blend of traditional rituals, educational forums, entertainment, and thanksgiving activities.
According to the official programme outline made available to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the celebrations commenced on Saturday, October 25, with a mini Hogbe durbar, held at Adidome in the Central Tongu District of the Volta Region.
The following days will see various community-centered events, including a Children’s Durbar across the Anlo Dukor and a quiz competition in Keta and Anloga on October 29, 2025.
On October 30, several symbolic and unifying activities will unfold including the community casting of net from Fuveme to Keta at dawn, the Nugbidodo (Reconciliation Rites) at Agorwowornu, and a unity concert in Anloga in the evening.
The day will also feature a vibrant Agbadza street carnival and a procession from Atorkor to the Hogbe Park, showcasing the energy and cultural rhythm of the Anlo people.
October 31 will be packed with major events beginning with a Health Walk from Jubilee Radio premises in Keta at 5 a.m., followed by the Awoamefia Sitting in State at his residence in Woe to welcome visitors, and the Volta Economic Forum at Reddington Hotel, Whuti, at midday.
The evening will feature the Glimetoto (Historical Exodus Reenactment) at Anloga, reminding citizens of the ancestral journey from Notsie to their present homeland.
Other parallel activities on the same day include a blood donation exercise and indoor games events at Keta and the maiden Hogbetsotso inter-community regatta at Vodza.
The grand durbar of the chiefs and people is set for Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Hogbe Park, Anloga, where Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, the Akwamuhene, will serve as the guest of honour.
The evening of the same day will feature the Mama Hogbe Beauty Pageant at the Jubilee Radio Premises in Keta, celebrating womanhood, culture, and social impact.
The festivities will continue on Sunday, November 2, 2025, with a beach party at Emancipation Beach, Keta.
The celebrations will conclude with an Inter-Faith Thanksgiving and Post-Festival Activities across various towns from November 3rd to 9th
Speaking on the theme, Kennet Kpedor, a member of the Central Planning Committee, said this year’s celebration aims to “strengthen cultural ties, deepen inter-ethnic understanding, and promote collective development among Ghana’s traditional communities.”
He noted that the lineup reflects not only the vibrant heritage of the Anlo people but also their commitment to peace, unity and progress.
Over the years, Hogbetsotso Za has evolved into one of Ghana’s most prestigious festivals, attracting visitors from across the nation and the diaspora.
The 2025 edition is expected to consolidate its legacy as a bridge between generations and a symbol of Ghana’s cultural strength.
Ghanaian gospel artiste Perez Musik has sparked conversation after stating that dancehall icon Shatta Wale could lead countless people to Christ if he fully commits to gospel music.
In an interview on Hitz FM on October 27, 2025, Perez Musik, commenting on the recently held ShattaFest event, which saw tens of thousands of people fill Independence Square, praised Shatta Wale’s influence and reach.
He expressed excitement over seeing Shatta Wale pray publicly at the event and noted that, should the dancehall artiste decide to switch to gospel, he would win massive souls for Christ due to his anointing.
“I think he has a gift and an anointing that is very different and unique. We need to accept that. Sometimes as Christians, anything that doesn’t look like what we know, we tend to shun it. But God works in different ways; He can choose anybody and use anybody.
“I was excited when I realised it was the Church of Pentecost that actually did the opening for the event. And at one point, I saw a video where Shatta was praying with the people. See, if Shatta declares fully that, you know what, I’m not going to be secular again, I want to be a gospel artist. Do you know how many people that will come to Christ? All for one man,” he said.
Give Shatta Wale a diplomatic passport immediately! – Ablakwa told
Perez Musik also recalled how, years ago, Shatta Wale was among the first Ghanaian musicians to harness social media as a promotional tool and already had a loyal fanbase.
“This is about over 20 years of work that you see, that you saw, about 25 years of work that she saw. I knew Shatta from the background. Do you know Shatta was one of the people to start using it, one of the first artistes to properly use social media in this country? The very first artiste to take advantage of Facebook. He built his community when nobody was watching.
“I used to have boys, back then, when you went to their room, they had a Shatta Wale collection. I’m talking about 10, 15 years ago. I don’t know how he distributes the songs. You can go to their house, and from morning to evening, they’ll be playing Shatta Wale songs back-to-back. No repeats. They’ll be playing the songs back-to-back-to-back. They will sing every song,” he said.
ID/MA
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