Andy Appiah Kubi, [R] Wontumi’s lawyer and others frantically searching for him

Andy Appiah Kubi, counsel to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has joined party executives and family members in launching a search for him.

This follows reports that he was transferred to a hospital after being picked up and detained by operatives of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on the evening of Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

In a video posted on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Lawyer Andy Appiah Kubi, along with some party executives and members of Wontumi’s family, were seen actively searching for his whereabouts, moving from one hospital to another.

They initially visited the 37 Military Hospital, where a doctor informed them that the politician and businessman was not at the facility.

With disappointment written on their faces, the group then proceeded to the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), hopeful of finding him there. However, their hopes were dashed when he was not found at that location either.

As of now, it remains unclear whether the outspoken Chairman Wontumi has been located.

Chairman Wontumi was arrested and detained by EOCO after reporting to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

On Monday, May 26, 2025, he had reported to the CID, where he was formally charged with engaging in illegal mining activities.

According to a police statement signed by Superintendent Joseph Benefo Darkwah, Head of the Public Affairs Unit at the CID, the NPP regional chairman was cautioned over his alleged involvement in unauthorized mining operations, pollution of water bodies, and entry into a forest reserve without permission.

The police confirmed that Chairman Wontumi fully cooperated with investigators, provided his statement, and was subsequently granted bail with two sureties.

His detention by EOCO follows a failed attempt by security operatives to arrest him on Friday, May 23, 2025.

Counsel to chairman Wontumi, Lawyer Andy Appiah Kubi, some party executives and his family currently carrying out a search for his whereabouts, following reports of his transfer to a hospital.

Their efforts have however proved futile as the location of the Ashanti Regional NPP… pic.twitter.com/Lf6S2uVueb

— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) May 28, 2025

KA

The power cut stems from an unpaid bill dating back seven years

Operations at the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) office in Abuakwa North have come to a standstill following the disconnection of electricity by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) over a longstanding debt of GH₵5,500.

The power cut, which stems from an unpaid bill dating back seven years, has left the office without electricity for several days, crippling service delivery and raising concerns about the agency’s ability to fulfill its core mandate of addressing youth unemployment in the municipality.

The newly appointed YEA Director for Abuakwa North, Mr. Edmond Kwaku Dua, expressed frustration during an interview after resuming duty on Monday.

“As I resume office today, there is no electricity. Everything is ‘basa’ in the office. Not a single computer is working,” he lamented, describing the dire state of affairs.

The power outage has rendered all electronic equipment inoperable, leaving staff unable to perform basic administrative functions. Mr. Dua has since issued an urgent appeal to the relevant authorities and stakeholders to help settle the outstanding electricity debt and restore power to the office.

In addition to the disconnection, Mr. Dua pointed out the poor condition of the office infrastructure, calling for immediate renovation. He urged individuals, organisations, and government agencies to support efforts to revive the office and enable it to serve the youth effectively.

Despite the challenges, the YEA Director remains hopeful about the broader national agenda to tackle unemployment. Speaking to Accra FM/CTV News reporter Apelete Kofi-Michel, Mr. Dua lauded the proposed 24-hour economy policy, describing it as a potential game-changer for job creation.

“Once we are able to implement it, you can imagine the number of employment opportunities we can create for the youth of this country,” he said, noting that about 140,000 young people enter the Ghanaian labour market each year.

Mr. Dua further emphasised the importance of the private sector’s involvement in realising President John Mahama’s One Million Jobs Agenda, which aligns with the YEA’s broader efforts to reduce unemployment across the country.

In a statement, the YEA highlighted the upcoming YEA Job Fair 2025 as a critical component of the agency’s strategy to connect job seekers with potential employers and provide avenues for skills development and career advancement.

A resident speaking to the media

Despite repeated warnings from the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) about the impending spillage of the Weija Dam, residents living in low-lying communities along the dam have vowed to stay put, citing desperation and a lack of relocation options.

GWCL, earlier this week, began spilling excess water from the dam by opening two of its five gates, a move necessitated by rising water levels due to recent heavy rains.

The company warned that the spillage was critical to protecting the dam’s structural integrity and preventing a potential disaster.

However, many residents in flood-prone areas say they have nowhere else to go.

“We’ve been through this before. Every year, they open the dam, and water enters our homes. But where do they expect us to go?” one resident asked in frustration.

With past spillages leading to widespread flooding, displacement, and property damage, residents remain fearful—but resolute. Some said they were prepared to climb onto rooftops to survive the floods rather than abandon their homes.

“Even if the water comes, we’ll stay on the roof if we have to. We’re not leaving because we have no other choice,” another resident said.

The Weija Dam spillage has become an annual challenge for communities along its banks. Yet, many claim that this year, authorities failed to adequately engage them before opening the dam gates. Several residents expressed anger toward GWCL for not directly informing them or involving community leaders in advance.

“They didn’t come to speak with us. They just opened the gates. We should have been part of the conversation,” a community member said.

As of now, only two gates have been opened, but GWCL has indicated that more may follow depending on weather conditions and water levels.

 Three critical Ghana Educa­tion Trust Fund (GETFund) projects of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS), Navrongo, in the Upper East Region have been stalled for the past 10 years affecting academic work.

These include a 4-storey hostel facility for students, 4-storey lab­oratory complex, a lecture hall / office complex, a situation which is making it difficult to admit more students into the university.

THE Vice Chancellor of UTAS, Professor Albert Luguter­ah, who disclosed these to The Ghanaian Times in an exclusive interview on Friday, blamed the issue on successive governments and contractors for the lukewarm attitude in getting the projects executed on scheduled.

Prof. Luguterah said he was following up on the “needless delays” in getting these major GETFund projects executed with the expedition it deserved to bring to an end the continued ‘hullabaloo’ of limited infrastruc­ture constraining the successful running of the university.

Describing the situation as “highly devastating,” he pointed out that the phenomenon had made the school, also referred to as C.K Tedam University of Technology and Applied Scienc­es (CKT-UTAS) underutilised, compelling management to turn down a lot of applications from prospective students in every academic year.

Additionally, he mentioned that the construction of a 4-sto­rey hostel facility for students had been stalled along the line, forcing scores of students to trek miles from their private residence to access lectures, each day.

He disclosed that the hostel project, awarded to the Koddeg Ghana Limited on March 3, 2024, was scheduled to be com­pleted on August 31, 2025.

According to him, the estimat­ed GH¢4.28 million project was only 10 per cent complete with the contractor abandoning the site after all efforts to secure the needed funds to continue the project proved futile.

Also, the construction of a 4-storey Laboratory Complex, awarded to the Sunlu Ghana Ltd on November 11, 2016, Prof. Luguterah emphasised, had hit the rock, with the contractor demanding a revision of the contract and revaluation of the contract sum which is currently GH¢21, 499,577.33.

“You see, it is sad that you award contract to a contractor which is just some meagre four or five or so millions of Ghana Cedis, and because of the unnec­essary delays, it balloons.

“So, despite all that the con­tractors have done, the amount of money they need to finish the project is far more than the cost of the entire project, and it is just sometimes painful how we just watch how Ghana’s money is wasted,” he fumed.

Moreover, he mentioned other impeded contracts, such as a 4-storey lecture hall and office block which was awarded on contract on November 14, 2014, and was scheduled for comple­tion on November 11, 2016, with an initial contract sum of GH¢3, 979,086.51.

He said the inner roads of the university were in a very deplor­able state, an issue he stated had posed challenges to the opera­tions of the school.

 FROM FRANCIS DABRE DABANG, NAVRONGO

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has inaugu­rated 18 new 33 Kilovolt (kv) switchgears at the Odorkor Primary Substation, as part of ef­fort by the power utility company to enhance quality and reliability of electricity supply to customers.

An imitative of the Accra Sub-Transmission Division of the ECG), the installation of switch­gears, which was fully funded by the ECG, would among other things help address the issues of frequent power outages experi­enced by customers at Odorkor, Sakaman, South Odorkor, Kwash­ieman, Official Town, McCarthy Hill, Mallam, Awoshie, and parts of Dansoman, who relied on the Odorkor Primary Substation for power.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Accra on Friday, the General Manager of the ECG Sub-Transmission in Accra, Mr Francis K. Atsyatsya, said the installation of the new switchgears was necessitated by the urgent need to replace the old switchgears that had been in use for the past 14 years now.

According to him, the old switchgears that were replaced had not only become less efficient, thereby contributing to the fre­quent power outages experienced by customers, but also raised safety concerns at the substation.

“These new switchgears replace outdated equipment that has been in operation for approximately 14 years, which not only diminished efficiency but also raised safety concerns at the substation,” Mr Atsyatsya explained.

Furthermore, he noted that the installation of the new switchgears would enhance the safety of ECG staff who operated at the Odorkor Primary Substation.

Mr Atsyatsya again noted that several projects aimed at improv­ing service delivery and customer satisfaction were expected to be completed by ECG.

He, therefore, urged stakehold­ers and customers to collaborate with the company in order to enhance service delivery and cus­tomer satisfaction.

Moreover, the General Manger cautioned customers to be vigilant against scammers who portray themselves as staff of ECG to transact business with them and report such individuals and their fraudulent activities to the police or the nearest ECG office.

In addition, he encouraged customers to use the ECG Mobile App or short code *226# for all ECG-related payments.

Mr Atsyatsya also called on customers to promptly pay their bills to enable ECG initiative fur­ther projects aimed at enhancing service delivery.

BY BENJAMIN ARCTON
TETTEY

Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple [2nd from L] with some members of the association

The National Cross Border Women Traders Association has met with the Member of the Council of State representing the Volta Region, Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, to discuss matters surrounding border trade.

The discussions centered particularly on “formalising border trade for women through cooperative structures, digital membership registration, and infrastructure development.”

Making this known in a post on Facebook, Kwamigah-Atokple recalled how his personal experience of growing up around the border made the meeting even more relatable for him.

“As someone who grew up witnessing cross-border trade struggles firsthand, I resonated deeply with their concerns. I assured them of my full commitment to advocating for improved infrastructure, security, and trade facilitation, particularly for women using the approved Volta routes.

This engagement reinforces my resolve to make the Volta Region a model for inclusive trade development. With coordinated support, we can ensure that cross-border women traders are empowered, protected, and fully integrated into Ghana’s formal trade economy to expand the revenue net for the Republic of Ghana.

As part of my commitment to championing inclusive economic growth and grassroots empowerment, I received a delegation from the National Cross Border Women Traders Association, led by the National Coordinator, Mr. Oscar Akaba, in my office today,” he wrote.

The Council of State Member also highlighted the importance of the meeting, especially considering the Volta Region is home to several border entry points.

“Their visit focused on strengthening women-led cross-border trade activities, especially through the Volta Region, which hosts 57 entry points—12 of which are officially approved.

The team presented a clear vision of formalizing border trade for women through cooperative structures, digital membership registration, and infrastructure development. Yet, challenges remain,” he added.

Among the delegation were Mama Setrakor, Madam Dzidzorgbe Rebecca Amuzu, Madam Senanu, and Mrs. Gloria Sakyi.

Read his full post below:

The Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has declared that the much-anticipated Legal Education Bill will break the Ghana School of Law’s long-standing monopoly over professional legal training.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, May 27, the legislator—himself a lawyer—called the move a necessary reform to “democratise legal education” and correct a “corrupted” system.

“We waged this war from about 2018,” the Member of Parliament for South Dayi said.

“Intake to the law school became acrimonious, contentious, and eventually corrupted. Corrupted because evidence emerged that even persons who didn’t write law school entrance exams got admitted.”

Citing findings from the General Legal Council’s own disciplinary committee, Mr Dafeamekpor alleged that at least 11 students were smuggled into the law school.

“My information is that they were over 33,” he added. “But to minimise the impact, they said 11. What became the fate of those 11 students? We are yet to know, but we shall uncover.”

According to him, the new bill will mandate that all accredited law faculties in the country be licensed not only to run academic LLB programmes, but also to train lawyers professionally.

“Let every faculty accredited to run the academic LLB programs be accredited or licensed to train their own lawyers,” he said.

Under the proposed system, bar examinations—administered twice annually by the General Legal Council—will be the single national qualifying test.

“We’ll have one in January and one in July. When you pass in January, you are called to the bar in March or April. If you pass in June, you’re called in September or October,” he explained.

“That way, we can have as many lawyers as we want.”

He argued that many faculties are already calling themselves law schools, but are unable to train lawyers due to regulatory bottlenecks.

“What becomes of a law school when you can’t train lawyers?” he asked. “So we want the faculties to be converted into law schools.”

Makola, the traditional Ghana School of Law in Accra, will become just another competitor under the new regime.

“It will no longer have the monopoly. It will admit its own students afresh, train them, and when they’re ready, they go and face the bar like everyone else.”

Mr Dafeamekpor stressed that not all those called to the bar need to be courtroom lawyers.

“That’s the erroneous impression in the minds of a lot of people,” he said. “There are more people with a law degree who are not in practice. They are in corporate law and others, and we need them.”

He added that many district assemblies and institutions across Ghana are in need of legally trained minds, not necessarily practising lawyers, who can guide critical processes and decisions.

“You need lawyers who may not even be practitioners, but who have the legal training, who have the legal mind to guide you.”

Pressed by host Evans Mensah on when the bill will be passed, Mr Dafeamekpor responded with certainty and urgency.

“Why not? I’m the Majority Chief Whip, and we are even minded to move this under a certificate of urgency. It is one of our major political promises, and we will deliver it.”

He also revealed that he would be publishing an article on the matter before the end of the week, which would further expose some of the issues that have plagued the current system of legal education.

“We are serious about this. We are going to break the bottlenecks. We are going to expand access. The Legal Education Bill is the way forward,” he said.

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Wontumi was arrested by EOCO on Tuesday, May 27, 2025

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been rushed to a hospital after undergoing hours of interrogation at the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

The development was confirmed by his lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, in an interview on Tuesday night, May 27, 2025.

According to Appiah-Kubi, his client was taken to the hospital for medical treatment following the intensive interrogation session.

“My client has been taken to the hospital for medical treatment…” he said.

“We have given our statement; they preferred some allegations against him, and he responded to them. We haven’t finished the interrogation, so we will come back to continue, hopefully tomorrow, if his condition improves. Otherwise, he will stay there until the doctors discharge him, and then we will come back to continue the interrogation,” Appiah-Kubi stated.

The lawyer also revealed that amidst these developments, they received a writ of summons from Exim Bank earlier in the afternoon.

“Nevertheless, we have also received this afternoon a writ of summons from Exim Bank, and we are going to respond to the pleadings tomorrow. I am very hopeful that we will be able to mount a defence to the writ,” he added.

Appiah-Kubi expressed confidence in addressing both the criminal and civil aspects of the case. “When we are in court, we will indicate to the court that this is a civil matter, for which reason Exim Bank has issued a writ to us, which we are also responding to. So, this one of a supposed criminal investigation, I am sure and confident that we will be able to mount a defence,” he said.

Chairman Wontumi’s arrest and subsequent interrogation by EOCO saw some NPP supporters protesting outside the EOCO office.

The protests escalated into violence, leading to the assault of a Joynews reporter, Latif Iddrisu, and the vandalism of police vehicles by some protesters.

Listen to Andy Appiah-Kubi’s address to the media below:

Wontumi Arrested: Andy Appiah Kubi confirms Chairman Wontumi hospitalized after hours of EOCO interrogation | #PMExpress pic.twitter.com/mBk0OPILOq

— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) May 27, 2025

French MPs have voted to allow some people in the last stages of a terminal illness the right to assisted dying.

The National Assembly approved the bill, which is backed by President Emmanuel Macron, by 305 votes to 199. It will now go to the upper house, the Senate, before a second reading in the National Assembly. Supporters hope it will become law by 2027.

It would make France the eighth country in the European Union to allow a version of assisted dying.

As currently framed, the French version would be not as permissive as in the Netherlands or neighbouring Belgium, which were the first countries in Europe to legalise assisted dying.

A separate bill creating a right to palliative care went through unopposed. It is estimated that 48% of French patients who require palliative care do not get it.

Macron said the decision to approve both bills was “an important step” in a social media post on Tuesday.

“With respect for sensitivities, doubts and hopes, the path of fraternity that I hoped for is gradually opening up”, he wrote on X.

Much of the two-week debate in the Assembly had focused on the conditions under which a patient could qualify for assisted dying.

The approved formula is for “people struck by a serious and incurable disease” that is “life-threatening and in its advanced or terminal phases”, who are in “constant physical or psychological suffering”.

The patient would have to be able to “freely manifest his or her intention”. They would have to wait 48 hours and then confirm it.

Once authorised, the lethal dose would be self-administered by the patient; or by a medical assistant if the patient were incapable.

Authorisation would be provided by a doctor, but only after consultation with peers.

MPs were allowed a free vote on the bill – a reflection of how differences of opinion on the matter defy party lines. Broadly though, the measure was backed by the centre and left and opposed on the right and populist right.

Conservative critics – echoing views of the once-dominant Catholic Church – were concerned that definitions in the bill were too broad, opening the way for assisted dying for patients who might have years to live.

As in other countries where the ethical issues have been hotly debated, opponents fear that vulnerable elderly people could feel under pressure to die in order to remove a burden from their families.

In a demonstration against the bill outside the National Assembly on Saturday, one 44-year-old woman suffering from Parkinson’s disease said it would be like a “loaded pistol left on my bedside table”.

Some left-wingers wanted to toughen the government’s bill by widening access to assisted dying to minors, non-French nationals and patients who leave instructions before going into a coma.

Under the bill, medical staff who oppose assisted dying would not be obliged to carry it out. However, it would be a crime punishable by two years in jail to try to block an act of assisted dying.

Conservatives wanted to create another crime – of incitement to assisted dying. But this amendment was rejected by MPs.

Prime Minister François Bayrou, who is a practising Catholic, said that if he had a vote on the bill he would abstain. As he is not an MP, he did not have a vote.

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Some of the stakeholders who attended the programme

Key stakeholders from across West Africa have convened in Accra for the Regional Planning Meeting for Operation KAFO VI, a critical multilateral initiative aimed at combating the illicit trafficking of firearms across borders.

The meeting, held from May 27 to 29, 2025, brings together representatives from Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, and Togo, with support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and financial backing from the Federal Republic of Germany.

Speaking during the opening session on May 27, 2025, Ghana’s Minister of the Interior, Muntaka Mohamed Muntaka-Mubarak, stressed the urgency of regional collaboration in confronting the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW), which he described as both a “symptom and catalyst of instability” in the sub-region.

“This meeting is not simply a planning session. It is a call to action—a declaration that we will not sit idly by while our communities are put at risk,” the Minister stated.

He noted the devastating consequences of illicit weapons, citing increased terrorist activities and violent crime in both urban and rural communities.

The Minister called for the integration of strategic prevention mechanisms, stronger intelligence sharing, and inclusive operations—particularly encouraging gender balance in enforcement teams.

Dr. Adam Bonaa, Acting Executive Secretary of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA), reiterated Ghana’s commitment to regional peace and security.

He highlighted the importance of sustained institutional capacity building, community engagement, and legislative reforms.

Dr. Bonaa also emphasized the need for the swift passage of Ghana’s proposed Arms Bill, a legislative instrument designed to modernize national firearms regulations and align them with international standards such as the ECOWAS Convention and the UN Firearms Protocol.

“We must ensure that our legal frameworks keep pace with the evolving nature of transnational crime,” he urged.

Speaking on behalf of UNODC, Christoph Capelle, Acting Head of the UNODC Office in Ghana, highlighted the strategic importance of the meeting.

He revealed that Ghana recently concluded its first national strategy against organized crime (2025–2030), developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of the Interior, with support from UNODC. The strategy specifically addresses the reduction of illicit weapons.

“The trafficking of firearms is not just a matter of crime—it is a matter of life and death,” said Capelle.

He emphasized that the only way to combat such a transnational threat is through equally transnational, unified, and strategic responses.

Also present was Leonardo Lara, Team Leader of the UNODC Firearms Trafficking Section, who described Operation KAFO as a “strong and growing alliance” against the flow of illicit arms fueling conflict, crime, and terrorism.

He noted the complex and adaptive nature of trafficking networks, warning that they continue to exploit porous borders and jurisdictional loopholes across the Sahel and coastal states.

German Ambassador to Ghana, Daniel Krull, underscored Germany’s long-standing commitment to fighting organized crime in West Africa.

He praised UNODC’s practitioner-focused approach and urged participating countries to maintain strong collaboration.

“The elephant in the room is not easy to get rid of… only when countries are committed to working together will we have a good chance of mitigating the challenge,” he said.

Over the course of the three-day meeting, national delegations are expected to present threat assessments, identify high-risk border areas, and finalize operational plans for KAFO VI.

Training modules, enforcement tools, and coordination mechanisms are also on the agenda.

AM/KA

Dancehall musician, Shatta Wale

Self-proclaimed Dancehall King, Shatta Wale, has claimed that he played a significant role in reducing crime and promoting peace in Ghana.

In a Facebook post dated May 27, 2025, the artiste emphasized his efforts in steering the youth away from criminal activities.

“If it wasn’t Shatta Wale, like crime rate in Ghana go be gidigidi,” he stated.

He credited the influence of his “Godfathers” and his own sacrifices in guiding many young people towards positive paths.

Shatta Wale further likened his anti-crime efforts to those of law enforcement, saying, “We don’t support crime; we combat and eradicate crime like the Police sameway.”

He addressed critics who misunderstand his messages, stating, “Many of you keep missing the shots when Shatta talks and it’s because you deh dark room for many years lol.”

See the post below:

ID/EB

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You can also watch an exclusive interview with Ayisi on the latest edition of Talkertainment below:

Legal counsel for embattled Ashanti Regional Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi, has confirmed that his client has been hospitalised.

This was after his arrest and interrogation by state security officers.

Speaking to reporters after hours of legal and police proceedings, lawyer and NPP Member of Parliament, Andy Appiah-Kubi, revealed that Wontumi fell ill during the interrogation process and was subsequently transferred to a hospital for medical attention.

“My client has been taken to the hospital for medical treatment,” he disclosed.

“We haven’t finished with the interrogation, so we will come back to continue — hopefully tomorrow, if his condition improves. Otherwise, he will remain there until doctors discharge him.”

The dramatic turn of events follows the arrest of Chairman Wontumi under what NPP leaders have described as “intimidatory” circumstances.

According to party officials, Wontumi had initially honoured a police invitation and was at the CID headquarters responding to questions when he was suddenly whisked away by heavily armed, masked officers and detained for further investigation.

While details of the allegations against him remain unclear, Mr Appiah-Kubi said that the police had “preferred some allegations” against his client, to which he had already responded.

The interrogation was, however, interrupted due to his deteriorating health.

In a parallel development, Mr Appiah-Kubi also revealed that a writ of summons from Exim Bank was served on Wontumi earlier in the day, adding a civil legal dimension to the unfolding drama.

“We have also received this afternoon a writ of summons from Exim Bank, and we are going to respond to the pleadings tomorrow,” he confirmed.

“We are very hopeful that we’ll be able to mount a defence.”

He was keen to distinguish between the civil and criminal elements of the ongoing case.

“This is one of a supposed criminal investigation, but I am confident that we will be able to put up a defence,” he said.

“We consider the Exim Bank issue a civil matter, and that’s how we will respond to it in court.”

The hospitalisation of Chairman Wontumi adds a new layer of tension to a politically charged situation that has already sparked strong reactions from within the NPP.

Several party leaders, including National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye, have denounced the arrest as politically motivated and reminiscent of “dark days” of political intimidation.

As the party awaits further updates on Wontumi’s health and legal status, Mr Appiah-Kubi insisted the NPP will continue to engage with the process but will not be cowed into silence.

“We’re cooperating. We believe in the rule of law,” he stated.

The party says it will provide further updates as events unfold.

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.

Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga

The Majority Caucus in Parliament has announced plans to initiate a comprehensive investigation into acts of financial mismanagement and recklessness that allegedly occurred under previous administration.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stressed the importance of holding public officials accountable for financial decisions.

“During this caucus, the Majority will spearhead a rigorous pursuit of accountability in Ghana’s public financial management. We will demand a full-scale parliamentary investigation into the handling of COVID-19 expenditure to ensure transparency in how emergency funds were utilised.

“Additionally, this House will revisit the unresolved Agyapa Royalties deal and require a detailed update on the $190 million PDS scandal, a case of alleged fraud in power distribution under the previous administration,” he added.

JKB/KA

Watch as Parliament reconvenes after Easter recess

Former NFL player Isaiah Stanback says he is exploring ways to invest in Ghana’s youth through a multi-sport academy following a personal visit to trace his ancestral roots.

Stanback and his wife travelled to Ghana after completing a genealogy test that revealed his roots trace back to the West African nation.

The trip, he said, was inspired by a desire to reconnect with heritage and explore opportunities to invest in Ghanaian youth.

“The visit has been awesome,” he told JoySports.

“My wife and I did my genealogy and saw that my origins were here in Ghana, and I wanted to take a trip. I have a friend, Linda, who’s from here, and she invited me to come down.”

During his visit, Stanback engaged with a cross-section of Ghanaian society—from government officials to tribal leaders and community influencers. But his purpose extended beyond cultural curiosity. He came with the hope of listening, learning, and eventually launching a sports academy to develop and empower young people through sports.

“I wanted to come, listen and learn,” he said.

“I didn’t want to push out my own ideas. I wanted to hear from the community, hear from the government, and understand the heartbeat of the country. That’s the only way I could figure out how my expertise—and those of others I know—can best serve the people.”

The 42-year-old, who has competed at the highest levels of American football, believes the foundational qualities of sport—discipline, passion, teamwork—can open new doors for Ghanaian youth.

While acknowledging Ghana’s passion for football (soccer) and track and field, he wants to expand the scope of opportunity by introducing lesser-known sports like American flag football, which will make its debut at the Olympics in 2028.

“Ghanaians already have the passion and athleticism,” he noted.

“But those same characteristics can be translated into other sports. For instance, American flag football is coming up in the Olympics. That’s an opportunity to build talents that already exist here, and develop them through a structured sports academy—combining mentorship, athleticism, and exposure.”

He said his vision is to create a multi-disciplinary space where youth can discover and grow their abilities, particularly those who may not currently have access to such opportunities.

“I’ve seen the kids in the communities, I’ve spoken to leaders and seen what the barriers to entry are. There are millions of young people who just need mentorship and guidance to unlock their potential,” he said.

“It’s not just about producing athletes. It’s about giving them tools for life—discipline, confidence, global exposure, and a chance to dream bigger.”

Stanback’s trip may have started as a personal journey to discover his roots, but it appears to be evolving into a broader mission to invest in the future of Ghana—one child, one sport, one story at a time.

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.

Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has cautioned Members of Parliament that privileges they enjoy does not offer them an absolute protection from lawful inquiry.

Delivering a statement at the commencement of the second meeting of the Ninth Parliament on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, he clarified that parliamentary impunity is meant to safeguard the independence of the legislature.

“The immunities granted to this House and its members are designed to protect the independence of the legislature, not to obstruct justice.

“These provisions are institutional safeguards, and they were never intended as escape routes for honourable members. Our position on this is unnegotiable as Parliament will not stand by while members are subjected to unlawful or politically motivated persecution. But neither will Parliament offer protection to those who seek to misuse its privileges to frustrate legitimate investigations”, he remarked.

Alban Bagbin stressed that while Parliament will defend its members from unlawful political actions, it will not shield those who misuse parliamentary privilege.

“I remain committed to fully upholding the constitutional and procedural protections afforded to every member of this House. The dignity of Parliament requires that its rules and privileges be respected. But it also requires that we do not mistake privilege for impunity. Privilege is not impunity. Immunity is not invisibility. The law binds us all. And the law is the law,” he said.

JKB/KA

Watch as Parliament reconvenes after Easter recess

Hanson Dartey and John Mahama

The Acting Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Spain branch, Hanson Dartey, has commended President John Dramani Mahama for his efforts in stabilizing the Ghanaian cedi against major currencies.

According to Dartey, “President Mahama’s exceptional leadership and visionary economic policies have played a pivotal role in maintaining the stability of the cedi, and he deserves to be commended.”

The Acting Secretary praised President Mahama’s economic policies, which, according to him, have led to a notable improvement in the cedi’s value against the US dollar.

“This development is expected to have a profoundly positive impact on Ghana’s economy, providing much-needed relief to both citizens and businesses. A stable currency can boost investor confidence, increase economic activity, and improve the overall standard of living for Ghanaians.”

He continued, “I urge President Mahama to continue on this path, implementing policies that prioritize economic growth, stability, and the well-being of Ghanaians.”

Dartey reaffirmed his commitment to supporting President Mahama’s vision for a prosperous Ghana and pledged to continue working to promote that agenda.

AM/KA

Some of the leaders of the New Voter Forum

Ghana’s international trade infrastructure is at risk of systemic collapse due to severe governance failures, institutional complicity, and unchecked commercialization, according to the New Voter Forum, a civic pressure group.

At the center of their concern is the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), a trade facilitation platform launched in 2020.

The group argues that ICUMS, initially hailed as a digital breakthrough, has instead devolved into a tool for inefficiency and secrecy.

The New Voter Forum detailed how the ICUMS contract—signed in 2018 with Ghana Link Network Services—allegedly bypassed critical oversight mechanisms outlined by the Economic Management Team (EMT) under the previous government.

“ICUMS was launched in defiance of internal safeguards. This wasn’t just a process failure—it was a collapse of institutional duty,” said Charles OB, a convener of the group, speaking to the media on May 27, 2025.

“We are now facing the consequences of that silence and neglect.”

According to the Forum, ICUMS is plagued by frequent downtimes, undermining Ghana’s position as a regional logistics hub.

The group argued that these operational failures are not merely technical issues but constitute a direct threat to national security.

The New Voter Forum is calling for urgent corrective measures, including:

An independent international audit of the ICUMS system;

Full disclosure of the ICUMS contract, service agreements, and fee structures;

A parliamentary inquiry into the contract’s origin, performance, and economic impact;

The creation of an independent Trade Systems Regulatory Commission to monitor digital trade infrastructure;

An immediate end to politically driven profiteering within port operations.

They further warned that failure to act would not only confirm government complicity but also entrench corruption across other state systems.

“We must act decisively to restore accountability. This isn’t about trade alone—it’s about national sovereignty. If we do not reclaim the integrity of our ports now, we risk losing control of our economy altogether,” they stated.

The Forum urged civil society, Parliament, the media, and citizens to rise above political allegiances and demand reform, warning that “complacency today will only embolden further capture of state systems—even under leaders who pledge anti-corruption reforms.”

AM/

Tensions remain high at the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in Accra as supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) vow to stay put until the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is released from custody.

Scores of party members have besieged the EOCO headquarters following Wontumi’s arrest on Tuesday, May 27, shortly after he complied with a CID invitation in connection with an ongoing investigation.

The arrest has drawn strong criticism from senior party officials, who accuse the government of using state security institutions to harass political opponents.

Speaking to JoyNews at the scene, NPP Deputy General Secretary, Haruna Mohammed, condemned the manner in which Wontumi was picked up, questioning whether EOCO followed due process.

“If EOCO wants to invite him, they know the rules—they should officially write to him. I don’t know whether they came to the CID premises and picked him up with or without a warrant,” he said.

“This government cannot be trusted. They want to use National Security to intimidate us. What at all do they want from former government appointees?”

Mr. Mohammed stated that the party is committed to accountability, but insisted that legal processes must be respected.

“We are a party that believes in the rule of law. We’re not going to run away from accountability, but it must be done within the dictates of the law. We are here, he [Wontumi] is our chairman of the stronghold of the New Patriotic Party. We are going to be here. If they want to consume him, they should consume all of us.”

Also speaking on the matter, the NPP National Youth Organiser, Salam Mustapha, demanded clarity on Wontumi’s status.

He urged EOCO to communicate openly if the arrest would extend overnight.

“If you want to keep him overnight, tell us. Ask us to go home and reconvene at whatever time you give,” Mustapha said.

When asked what the supporters would do if EOCO informed them that Wontumi would be held overnight, he said, “We will examine the reasons. If it’s a criminal matter, we will listen. But if it’s political, we will remain here. We will not allow any political intimidation.”

The standoff follows hours of protests outside EOCO’s office, during which party supporters clashed with police and banged on security vehicles arriving at the scene.

As of Tuesday evening, there has been no official statement from EOCO regarding the grounds for Wontumi’s arrest.

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Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo has condemned the treatment she received from the Committee of Inquiry investigating her.

Her concerns were outlined in a three-page supplementary affidavit filed at the Supreme Court in support of her motion for an interlocutory injunction.

On May 21, 2025, she filed an application for injunction, seeking relief against her removal from office.

She urged the apex court to address what she described as “a complete desecration of my basic constitutional rights to a fair trial, violation of my dignity and subjection to inhuman and degrading treatment of a kind not meted out to even accused persons on trial for treason and other offences against the state.”

According to her counsel, Kwabena Adu-Kusi, proceedings of the Presidential Committee examining three petitions against her were adjourned to May 22, 2025.

On that date, Justice Torkornoo appeared before the committee with her lawyers regarding the case she had filed at the Supreme Court against the Attorney-General and committee members.

Despite the legal processes, she stated that on May 23, 2025, the committee proceeded with its inquiry.

She said that she had not been informed of the grounds for the prima facie case against her or the specific allegations, preventing her from properly preparing a defence.

Justice Torkornoo recalled that on May 15, 2025, the committee refused to recognise her counsel because she was not personally present, yet scheduled dates for further hearings.

“That the committee on the said 23rd May, 2025, contrary to known rules regulating proceedings of the committee/Commissions of inquiry, indicated that the petitioner shall not give evidence themselves but shall be calling other witnesses to give evidence to support their petition,” she stated.

She described this as “completely offensive to known rules of procedure,” arguing that petitioners or complainants, upon formal appearance, are merely witnesses subject to cross-examination.

The Chief Justice cited other irregularities, including denial of access to the hearing room for her husband and children, body searches, and restriction of access to phones and laptops for herself and her lawyers, while petitioners’ counsel retained their devices.

According to her, the venue of the hearing, a high-security facility at the Castle, Osu, was a deliberate attempt to subject her to mental torture and degrading treatment, violating her fundamental rights.

Justice Torkornoo argued that previous Article 146 proceedings had always been held in a judicial facility, specifically at the Courts Complex, and said the current location “boggles the mind.”

She insisted that the continuous violation of her constitutional rights made the entire inquiry a “mockery of justice and a ruse to unjustifiably remove me from office as the Chief Justice.”

She urged the Supreme Court to intervene by granting an injunction to prevent the assault on judicial independence and protect the tenure of the Chief Justice and Justices of the Superior Court of Judicature.

GNA