Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson

Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson, has urged the government to assess the trust and loyalty of the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng.

While acknowledging the OSP’s independence, Koomson raised concerns about potential bias in favour of members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Speaking on Ahotor FM on Saturday, June 21, 2025, he warned that such partiality could compromise the objectivity of corruption investigations.

“Even though Kissi Agyebeng is independent-minded, his trust and loyalty must be assessed,” Koomson said.

Amid calls for the dismissal of the Special Prosecutor, the labour leader instead recommended his reassignment to ensure public confidence in ongoing investigations under the Office of Recovery of Assets and Loot (ORAL), an initiative spearheaded by President John Dramani Mahama.

“I have no personal issues with the Special Prosecutor. But loyalty is crucial, and I believe the government should find alternative ways to handle ORAL cases without involving the OSP,” he added.

Abraham Koomson further proposed the establishment of specialised courts to expedite the adjudication of ORAL cases.

He cautioned that relying solely on the traditional judicial system could delay justice and dilute the effectiveness of the President’s anti-corruption drive.

Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) is a flagship anti-corruption initiative launched by President John Dramani Mahama.

ORAL aims to investigate corruption cases, retrieve stolen resources, and prosecute offenders.

It is designed to restore public trust and ensure accountability in governance.

ID/EB

The Lawra Municipal Office of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has raised urgent concerns over the absence of life jackets and other safety equipment for operations along the Black Volta River, days after a boat accident claimed the lives of seven students from Lawra SHS.

In an interview with Citi News, the Acting Municipal NADMO Director, Mr. Nyolee Ang-guyiri Ament, revealed that the office currently has no life jackets in stock—a situation he described as deeply troubling given the recent tragedy.

The Black Volta, a major source of transport and livelihood in the area, has now become a symbol of grief for the entire community. The loss of the seven students has cast a dark shadow over Lawra, prompting renewed scrutiny of safety measures on the river.

“We think if we get such materials, we will put mechanisms where at least we will monitor on a monthly basis to ensure that they are used for their intended purposes,” Mr. Ament said, expressing frustration over the inability to enforce safety protocols without the most basic equipment.

NADMO says it is shifting from reaction to prevention, planning to launch public education campaigns and community engagement sessions to raise awareness on safety and emergency preparedness across riverside communities.

Lawra Municipal Coordinating Director, Adongo John, disclosed that although the Disaster Management Committee had previously distributed life jackets to canoe operators, many were not used appropriately.

“We have realised that most of them are relaxed with the use of the life jackets, but we need to intensify our efforts and ensure that they adhere strictly to the use of the life jackets,” he said.

Beyond the official response, some residents are demanding more permanent solutions. Canoe operators and passengers are calling on the government not only to supply life jackets but to construct a bridge across the river to improve safety and ease transportation.

“We suffer crossing the river during the rainy season, and our challenge is when some canoe operators don’t have enough experience to paddle us across the canoe and end up capsizing. So we plead with the government to come to our aid with safety measures to ensure our safe crossing,” Kofi Addei, a passenger, told Channel One News.

“We passengers take the risk of crossing the river always without life jackets, and it’s worrying. We do not have any option but to cross because our families and farms are across the river. We plead with the government to come to our aid with life jackets and also construct the bridge,” added another passenger, Kwesi Sampson.

The tragedy has ignited calls for immediate and sustained government intervention to ensure no more lives are lost on the Black Volta.

‘We must feed ourselves to be truly free’ – Agric Minister

Nigerian sprinter and 150m world record holder, Favour Ofili, has reportedly switched allegiance to Turkey, just three months before the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, PUNCH Online reports.

Ofili’s switch was first announced by Jamaica-based journalist Kayon Raynor.

“Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili has switched allegiance to Turkey as of May 31, 2025. According to impeccable TVJ News centre sources, 22-year-old Ofili has advised the Athletics Integrity Unit of her frustration with the Nigerian Athletics Federation,” Raynor posted via X.

He added that Ofili cited missing the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and the failure of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and the Nigeria Olympic Committee to register her for the 100m event at the last games in Paris.

“Ofili stated that the Nigerian Athletics Federation caused her to miss the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after they did not confirm her number of doping control tests, and then missed competing in the 100m at the Paris Olympics after they did not enter her for the event. She was sixth in the 200m final.

“It’s further understood that Ofili impressed upon the AIU that her switch to Turkey was not for financial reasons.”

PUNCH Online has contacted Ofili and the AFN, but both have yet to respond as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, the World Athletics still lists Ofili as a Nigerian athlete on its profile.

The 22-year-old is one of the Nigerian athletes who have qualified for the World Championships, which will be held from September 13 to 21 in Tokyo.

She made history at the Adidas Atlanta City Games in May by setting a new world record in the 150m, clocking 15.85s to break the previous mark of 16.23s held by Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo.

The Turkish athletics body has been shopping for athletes this year, including Jamaicans, and reportedly pay as much as $500,000 to foreign athletes to switch allegiance to the European country.

Following administrative lapses, Nigeria has a rich list of athletes like Francis Obikwelu (Portugal) Gloria Alozie (Spain), Florence Ekpo-Umoh (Germany), Salwa Eid Naser (Bahrain), Femi Ogunode (Qatar), amongst several others, who dumped the country for other nations and went on to excel in their careers internationally.

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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.

Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Edudzi Tamakloe

The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has reassured citizens that the country is well-prepared for any disruptions in global oil supply, as tensions intensify between Israel and Iran.

Speaking to the media in a video shared by Joy News on June 21, 2025, the Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Edudzi Tamakloe, confirmed that Ghana’s petroleum reserves are currently robust.

“I can assure the good people of Ghana that currently, as we speak, we have enough stock or reserve to last us beyond two months,” he stated emphatically

According to Tamakloe, Ghana holds over 200 million litres of petrol and an additional 150 million litres of diesel, amounts he described as more than sufficient to maintain an uninterrupted supply in the event of global shocks.

“For petrol, that’s over 200 million litres of petrol in the country. When you look at diesel, we have an excess of 150 million litres. So these are enough stocks that can last the country for a long time,” he added.

He further expressed confidence that the ongoing escalation in the Middle East, particularly potential disruptions in shipping through the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, would not adversely affect fuel availability in Ghana.

Tamakloe’s assurances coincide with the government’s decision to pause the implementation of the GH₵1 per litre Energy Sector Levy, citing the need for careful monitoring of international market developments before proceeding with the levy’s rollout.

ID/EB

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has revealed that Professor Ransford Gyampo, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority, contacted the Office via phone and text messages during an ongoing search of the premises of Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).

The disclosure comes in response to recent remarks made by Prof Gyampo, who suggested that the OSP’s investigation into former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta may be motivated by personal vendetta rather than objective legal grounds.

In a statement posted on Facebook on Sunday, June 22, the OSP firmly rejected this claim, stressing that its actions are rooted in clearly stated allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences.

These include the alleged abuse of office for personal profit in connection with the awarding of a multi-year contract to SML.

According to the OSP, Prof Gyampo made attempts to reach the Office while officers from the OSP and the National Security Secretariat were lawfully executing a search warrant at SML’s premises.

“While the OSP welcomes criticism of its work,” the statement read, “it cautions public officials to refrain from interfering — whether directly or through unfounded public statements — with ongoing investigations.”

The Office warned that such conduct could jeopardise the fight against corruption and erode public confidence in accountability mechanisms.

Prof Gyampo called for fairness and neutrality in the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) ongoing investigation into former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.

Speaking during a panel discussion on TV3’s Key Points on Saturday, June 21, Prof Gyampo voiced concern over the manner in which the investigation is being conducted.

“I hope the OSP is not motivated by vendetta,” he stated.

The move has sparked criticism from some observers who argue that the OSP could have explored alternative approaches to obtain information from the former minister.

Among the options raised were virtual interrogation or dispatching investigators to meet him abroad.

Despite Mr Ofori-Atta’s legal team had requested a video conferencing session due to his health condition, however, this was turned down by the OSP, which maintained that he had not been formally charged and must comply with standard investigative procedures.

Suggestions that the OSP could send officers abroad to meet the former minister were also dismissed by the Office on grounds of cost to the public purse.

In response, Prof Gyampo emphasised the need for greater clarity regarding Ofori-Atta’s medical condition.

“It is important to find out if Mr Ofori-Atta is not sick. Because being sick is not an easy matter,” he remarked.

He further questioned the OSP’s track record in handling high-profile corruption cases, pointing to past instances where investigations launched with public fanfare failed to yield substantive outcomes.

“And the OSP, they have in the past started so dramatically but, in the end, we saw nothing. Look at the Cecilia Dapaah case,” he said.

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Attractive News Blog of Sunday, 22 June 2025

Source: Andre Mustapha NII okai Inusah

June 22 (BBC/GNA) – Iran’s foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi condemns the US strikes as “outrageous” and says Iran is reserving “all options to defend its sovereignty”.

“The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences. Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behavior,” he writes in a post on X.

Araghchi adds that the US has “committed a grave violation” of the UN charter as a member of the UN Security Council.

Eleven injured after Iranian strike – Israeli emergency service

Israel’s emergency service, Magen David Adom (MDA), says 11 injured people are being taken to hospital after the latest Iranian strikes.

The injured include one person in moderate condition – a 30-year-old man with a shrapnel wound to his upper body. The other 10 people have light injuries with bruises.

GNA/Credit: BBC

Martin Kpebu is a private legal practitioner

Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has urged the Ghanaian government to accelerate its participation in discussions about renewable energy and shift from fossil fuels.

Speaking on KeyPoints on TV3 on June 21, 2025, Kpebu stated that while Ghana still depends heavily on crude oil, global energy trends rapidly move toward solar, wind, and other clean alternatives.

He advised the government to pay attention to more renewable sources of energy instead of depending on fuels.

“Governments should engage the citizenry more on how we are transitioning from crude oil to non-fossil fuels,” he asserted.

His comments come as concerns have been raised about the prices of fuel products amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

Experts have warned of potentially severe economic repercussions for Ghana if the war escalates, since the country is heavily dependent on imported fuels for its subsistence.

However, Kpebu pointed to the United Kingdom’s shift toward renewable energy, particularly in the North Sea, which has led to a decline in investment in oil and gas.

“The UK government is very clear that for them, it’s renewables; solar, wind, et cetera,” he explained.

He urged Ghana to learn from the UK’s approach, not only by developing a clear-cut renewable energy policy but also by ensuring the process is transparent and inclusive.

He referenced UK initiatives led by figures like Ed Miliband to encourage widespread adoption of home solar panels.

“There is a rooftop solar revolution in the UK. That’s what we also need to do, observe their conversation and replicate it,” he suggested.

Meanwhile, in a marked escalation, President Trump said he authorised U.S. military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, on June 21–22, 2025. These strikes involved 30,000-pound “bunker-buster” bombs delivered by B‑2 stealth bombers, along with Tomahawk missiles from submarines.

Trump declared the operation a “spectacular military success,” stating it “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program while warning of potential further action unless Tehran ceased escalation.

In the aftermath, Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli sites, and potentially U.S. forces in the region, prompting heightened regional alert and demands for de-escalation.

ID/EB

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has responded to remarks made by the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Professor Ransford Gyampo, over its ongoing investigation into former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta.

In a public notice dated Sunday, June 22, 2025, the OSP described Prof. Gyampo’s suggestion that the investigation is driven by a personal vendetta as “unfounded” and potentially damaging to the integrity of Ghana’s anti-corruption fight.

“The OSP wishes to place on record that its actions involving the former Finance Minister are based on stated allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences, particularly abuse of office for profit, including the multi-year contract awarded to Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML),” the notice stated.

The OSP’s response comes after Prof. Gyampo, speaking on TV3 on June 21, said he hoped the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, was acting out of “patriotism” and not personal animus.

“I hope the OSP is not motivated by vendetta but out of patriotism,” Prof. Gyampo said, adding that if the motivation is anything but patriotic, it could damage the reputation of the Special Prosecutor.

The OSP, however, rejected any insinuation of bias, revealing that Prof. Gyampo had also contacted the office while a legal search of SML’s premises was being conducted with support from National Security operatives.

“Incidentally, the said CEO called and sent messages to the Office in respect of SML while officers of the OSP and National Security were still conducting a legal search of SML’s premises,” the statement added.

While welcoming constructive criticism, the Special Prosecutor cautioned public officials against interfering—whether directly or through public commentary—in ongoing investigations.

“It cautions public officials to refrain from interfering—whether directly or through unfounded public statements—with ongoing investigations. Such actions have the potential to undermine the fight against corruption,” the OSP warned.

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed nine new cases of Monkeypox (Mpox), bringing the total number to 107, with no admissions and no deaths, as of June 18, 2025.  

In a latest update, the GHS said it remained vigilant across all 16 regions, actively monitoring infections through its surveillance system to prevent further spread.  

It was also engaging in Social Behavioural Change activities in the various communities, schools and markets across the country to curb the spread.  

Mpox is a viral disease caused by an orthopox virus called monkeypox virus. It spreads mainly through close contact with someone who has the infection, causing a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes and fever, which can make people very sick and leave scars.  

The disease mainly spreads from person to person through close contact and occurs through exposure to bodily fluids; lesions on the skin or on internal mucosal surfaces, respiratory particles and contaminated objects.  

The GHS advised the public to remain vigilant, practice good hygiene, and avoid close contact with people showing signs of rashes, and report symptoms like fever, rash or swollen lymph nodes early to the health facilities.  

“Wash hands frequently with soap and water or resort to the use of hand sanitizer, especially before and after touching sores. Let’s also wear the nose masks,” it said.  

It also urged the public to ensure strict adherence to safety protocols to help contain the disease.   

“Let us not drop our guard, if you notice an unusual rashes or flu-like symptoms, seek early care,” it said.  

Experts have advocated the involvement of the media in creating awareness among the public as well as debunk misinformation and disinformation about the disease as cases keep increasing.  

The inability to debunk misinformation and rumour would create panic, spread of the disease, confusion and lack of trust in institutions as well as have dire consequences on the economy.   

They appealed to the media to help keep the public informed, create announcements, leveraging on social media platforms, help fact check information.  

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern last August, due to a new variant spreading in Africa.  

Mpox has been recorded in over 13 African countries, marking the second WHO alert in two years.  

As of last year, more than 17,000 suspected cases and 517 deaths were reported across Africa, according to the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.  

The WHO last year approved an Mpox vaccine, aimed at timely and increased access for millions at risk in Africa, where the latest outbreak has infected more than 20,000.  

Source: GNA  

Joe Jackson cautioned that the development would impact various sectors of the economy

Renowned financial analyst Joe Jackson has issued a strong warning that the US military action against Iran could have disastrous consequences for Ghana’s fragile economy.

Speaking in an interview on TV3, Jackson cautioned that any such escalation would “devastatingly” impact various sectors of the country’s economy since Ghana is a fuel-dependent economy.

“Ghana has always been vulnerable to oil price rises. If the US gets involved, it could have a devastating effect… we should fasten our belts for a tough time… Oil prices, fuel prices, transportation and food, cedi exchange rate, electricity costs, remittances, everything could take a hit,” he warned.

He also advocated for proactive domestic measures: saving money, negotiating fuel price controls with unions, and enacting regulatory interventions to cushion everyday Ghanaians.

“We have to look at things that we can do to cushion the worst effects for the common man. We should save money in other areas. We should be negotiating with the unions for a regulation of prices,” he added.

Joe Jackson’s remarks came just before US President Donald Trump formally confirmed that American forces had targeted three Iranian nuclear sites. Trump hailed the operation as a “spectacular success,” noting that all US aircraft had safely exited Iranian airspace

Economic analysts now fear a ripple effect from the military action. A sharp rise in oil prices could place enormous strain on Ghana’s import-dependent fuel supply and drive up costs of essentials across the board.

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The Secretariat of the Fisheries Committee of the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Fisheries Commission, has held a National Training Workshop on Marine Spatial Planning in Ghana.  

The four-day workshop was held as part of the project “Using Marine Spatial Planning in the Gulf of Guinea for the Implementation of Payment for Ecosystem Services and Nature-Based Coastal Solutions (MarEcoPlan).  

The capacity-building and stakeholder skills development workshop allowed the various technical structures involved in the management of marine and coastal areas of Ghana to understand the tool and its scope of application.  

It also provided participants with knowledge for the development, implementation, and monitoring of marine and coastal management plans and the prevention of potential conflicts.  

The training had representatives from the Ghana Petroleum Commission, Ghana Navy, Hen Mpoano, Ghana News Agency, Ghana Maritime Authority, IUCN, Ministry of Fisheries, Ghana Maritime Authority, Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority, Fisheries Commission, and other members of the project’s Ghana national working group.  

The MarEcoPlan project is a three-year, three-million-dollar pilot Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) project, being implemented in three FCWC Member States: Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo, jointly with the IUCN, and is being funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).  

Dr Gaston Antoine Djihinto, the FCWC Secretary-General, during the opening of the workshop, said the meeting was the beginning of the process of bringing together stakeholders and experts committed to the sustainable management of marine and coastal areas within the region of the FCWC.  

He stated that Marine Spatial Planning was a collaborative and strategic process that helps to manage the ocean spaces more equitably, efficiently, and sustainably, especially at a time when the marine environments were under increasing pressure.  

He added that the workshop aimed at providing the stakeholders with the essential tools, methodologies, and frameworks that underpin effective MSP, while offering a platform for dialogue, idea exchange, and national cooperation, as successful marine planning depended on shared understanding and integrated approaches.  

Mr Kossi Ahoedo, MarEcoPlan Project Coordinator, noted that as part of the project, a series of stakeholder training sessions have been scheduled on key topics to strengthen capacities for effective project implementation.  

Prof. Benjamin Campion, the Executive Director of the Fisheries Commission, Ghana, expressed commitment to sustaining the ocean due to its numerous benefits to humans, reiterating that Ghana had designated Cape Three Points in the Western fishing region as a Marine Protected Area as part of the management strategies.  

The workshop was facilitated by MarEcoPlan’s International MSP Consultant, Mrs Dieynaba Seck, with support from Dr Kwame Adu Agyekum, MarEcoPlan’s Ghana MSP consultant.  

Participants had role play on the various MSP concepts, which included strategies to identify and overcome barriers, challenges and potential conflicts between various users of marine and coastal spaces; familiarisation with the essential tools for developing an effective marine and coastal management plan; and assessment and adaptation of MSP plans in line with ecological and socio-economic developments.  

Source: GNA