Edem Agbana is the Member of Parliament for Ketu North

The Member of Parliament for Ketu North, Edem Agbana, has taken a swipe at the New Patriotic Party (NPP), accusing them of engaging in excessive media commentaries over the suspension of the Chief Justice.

According to him, the party appears more focused on press briefings than addressing substantive national issues.

Speaking on Good Morning Ghana on Metro TV on May 15, 2025, Agbana sarcastically referred to the NPP as the ‘National Press Conferences Party,’ a jab at what he considers to be the party’s over-reliance on the media to drive its political agenda.

“You’ve held a number of press conferences on the suspension of the Chief Justice. NPP has now become the National Press Conferences Party. Every day, every day holding press conference saying President Mahama has breached the law in the suspension of the Chief Justice. Which of the law did he breach?” he asked.

Edem Agbana’s comment comes in the wake of a series of press conferences held by the NPP, in which the party accused President John Dramani Mahama of acting unlawfully in the suspension of the Chief Justice.

The NPP claims the president violated constitutional provisions governing the judiciary and maintains that due process was not followed, that the move undermines judicial independence.

However, Agbana believes the NPP’s response has been overly theatrical and politically motivated.

President John Dramani Mahama suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo following the establishment of a prima facie case in response to three separate petitions seeking her removal from office.

The decision, in line with Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution and taken in consultation with the Council of State, was announced on Tuesday, April 22.

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Former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu has publicly criticized Council of State member Sophia Akuffo for her recent comments on judicial removal processes, alleging she violated her oath of confidentiality.

The controversy stems from Akuffo’s remarks at a Constitutional Review Committee forum where she described Article 146 of Ghana’s constitution as “unfair” and advocated for appeal rights for impeached Chief Justices.

Amidu contends the former Chief Justice overstepped ethical boundaries by publicly discussing a constitutional provision after participating in confidential Council deliberations regarding current Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s investigation. “Her conduct breaches the Council’s confidentiality and undermines the ongoing process,” Amidu stated, referencing Supreme Court precedents that mandate secrecy in such proceedings.

The critique highlights apparent contradictions in Akuffo’s position – while currently advocating for judicial appeal rights, she reportedly didn’t raise similar concerns during her tenure as Chief Justice regarding other judicial removals. Amidu also recalled that Akuffo herself faced unresolved removal petitions during her service.

The exchange reveals deepening tensions within Ghana’s judicial oversight mechanisms, with Amidu framing Akuffo’s intervention as potentially compromising the integrity of constitutional processes designed to remain insulated from public debate until concluded.

Deputy Minister and Member of Parliament Hamza Adam has robustly defended the government’s commitment to accountability, dismissing the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) calls for investigations as politically motivated.

Speaking to journalists, Adam emphasized that probity and accountability are central to the administration’s principles.

“We support efforts to expand accountability. That is the essence of good governance,” he stated. However, he criticized the NPP for selectively targeting issues while ignoring unresolved scandals from their own tenure, citing the Sky Train project and questionable IT contracts as examples.

Adam announced plans to file a formal petition regarding a $25 million contract awarded to a company linked to a former state agency CEO’s family, underscoring the government’s willingness to address such matters. He also rejected claims that National Communications Officer Sammy Gyamfi violated the Foreign Exchange Act, calling the petition against him a distraction from the NDC’s rising influence.

The deputy minister’s remarks highlight the ongoing tension between the government and opposition over transparency, with both sides accusing the other of hypocrisy.

President John Dramani Mahama

President John Mahama has announced that cleanliness will become a key performance standard for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).

According to the President, whether MMDCEs remain in office or are removed will now largely depend on the state of sanitation in their respective jurisdictions.

Speaking during his Thank You Tour of the Greater Accra Region in Dodowa on Friday, May 16, President Mahama emphasized that maintaining clean communities will be a central performance indicator under his administration.

“Cleanliness will become one of the key performance indicators for measuring the performance of MMDCEs and will determine whether they remain in office or are removed,” he stated.

The President also expressed concern over the persistent flooding in the country, especially in Accra. He attributed the problem to poor drainage systems, unregulated development, and the worsening impacts of climate change. He described the situation as intolerable and called for urgent, coordinated action.

A specialized inter-agency task team, he noted, has already begun implementing a comprehensive flood mitigation plan. Measures include reengineering waterways, relocating buildings situated in watercourses, desilting major drains, and strictly enforcing building codes. The Odaw Basin and the Kaneshie-Mallam corridor are receiving focused attention.

President Mahama also voiced frustration over delays in critical flood prevention projects under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) initiative, which is supported by the World Bank.

He advised residents, particularly those living in flood-prone areas and near open drains, to exercise caution during the rainy season.

To strengthen sanitation management at the district level, the President announced that 80% of the District Assemblies Common Fund’s revenue will henceforth be disbursed directly to Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs). This, he said, will provide them with increased resources to execute sanitation and development programs.

Additionally, he revealed that the Cabinet will soon meet to consider full decentralization of the sanitation budget, which will make each district fully accountable for maintaining cleanliness.

“Accra deserves a clean and resilient environment, and that is why we are integrating the Greater Accra Flood Master Control Plan into our national climate resilience strategy,” President Mahama concluded.

KA

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President John Dramani Mahama has asked the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, when he will be paid his salary so he can fulfil his pledge to donate six months of his salary into the Mahama Cares programme.

Mahama pledged to donate six months of his salary to the newly launched Ghana Medical Trust Fund, commonly referred to Mahama Cares.

Mahama, while launching the Fund pleaded with the private sector to commit their corporate social responsibility to the Mahama Cares.

He, has, therefore urged corporate bodies to support the initiative.

He appealed to banks, mining companies and other businesses to allocate a portion of their annual corporate social responsibility budgets to the fund.

According to Mr Mahama, such contributions would directly benefit the very people on whom these institutions depend for their daily operations.

However, Mahama has revealed that he kept checking his account and he has yet to receive his salary, after working for four months. 

He asked the Chief of Staff when his account would be credited with his salary so he could honour his promise.

… Unfortunately, I have been checking my bank account and I haven’t started receiving my salary yet. Chief of Staff, what’s happening? Mahama quizzed.

The Ghana Medical Trust Fund is aimed at providing care for Ghanaians affected by chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

The Ghana Medical Trust Fund was one of the campaign promises of the National Democratic Congress during the 2024 elections.

It is intended to ease the cost of accessing specialist care for Ghanaians living with NCDs such as diabetes, cancer, kidney failure, stroke, and complications from hypertension.

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The Asante-Akim North Municipal Assembly has declined to confirm Sarah Amoakowaa as Municipal Chief Executive following a contentious vote that required security intervention.

The nominee secured 17 of 31 votes, failing to meet the two-thirds majority threshold.

Proceedings turned disorderly before the final tally, with reports of heated exchanges among members prompting security forces to restore calm. The Presiding Member confirmed the outcome, stating the assembly would reconvene for either a revote or new nomination.

Meanwhile, Atwima Kwanwoma’s assembly unanimously approved Grace Asamoah Agyemang as MCE with 47 votes. The contrasting outcomes highlight regional disparities in political cohesion as Ghana’s local governance system faces scrutiny over confirmation processes.

Rev John Ntim Fordjour is the Assin South MP and has been sued by Dafeamekpor

The Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev John Ntim Fordjour, has responded to media reports concerning a legal suit filed against him by his fellow lawmaker, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor.

In a press release dated Friday, May 16, 2025, the New Patriotic Party lawmaker stated that although he is aware of the lawsuit, he has not yet been officially served with any court documents by the relevant authorities.

According to Rev Ntim Fordjour, who also serves as the Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament, while he awaits official service of the suit, he believes the case lacks merit and is without substance.

“Media reports of a suit supposedly filed by my colleague, honourable Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Mr Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has come to my attention. I have, however, not been served with any such suit. I, therefore, await the service of the supposed suit and will demonstrate that it is of no merit,” the statement read.

Background

Rev John Ntim Fordjour is the subject of a defamation lawsuit filed by the Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, who is seeking GH¢30 million in compensatory damages for statements he alleges are defamatory and injurious to his reputation.

The lawsuit and the reliefs being sought stem from allegations by Dafeamekpor that his colleague, Ntim Fordjour, falsely implied that he, in his capacity as Vice Chairman of the Committee on Subsidiary Legislation, was involved in a bribery scandal concerning a payment of GH¢360,000 to the committee for the passage of a Legislative Instrument (LI).

The post, which was made on X, further alleged that the committee misappropriated GH¢49 million, prompting widespread calls for an investigation.

However, the NDC lawmaker, who also serves as the Chief Whip of the Majority in Parliament, has dismissed the allegations as baseless, malicious, and injurious to his reputation.

In his suit, he argues that the post made by Ntim Fordjour has led to a loss of public confidence in him.

He further emphasised the severity of the damage caused, citing emotional distress, economic harm, and professional disruption.

The lawmaker is seeking additional reliefs, requesting the court to declare that the statements made by Ntim Fordjour are defamatory, false, and malicious.

He is also asking for an apology, a retraction of the statements, and various forms of damages, including general, aggravated, and punitive damages.

Furthermore, he is demanding that the court impose both an interlocutory and a perpetual injunction to prevent Ntim Fordjour from making any further defamatory statements against him, the report stated.

Read the statement below:

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President John Mahama has announced that Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang is set to return to Ghana after making a full recovery from a recent illness.

Speaking during his ‘Thank You Tour’ in Dodowa in the Greater Accra Region on Friday, May 16, President Mahama expressed his relief and gratitude for the Vice President’s improved health.

He noted that Prof. Opoku-Agyemang is ready to resume her official duties.

“I’m happy to state that I spoke to her yesterday morning, and she will be back in the country before the end of next week. By God’s grace, she is fully recovered and she’s going to come and go back to her duties,” he said.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang was reported to have suffered a sudden illness on Friday, March 28, 2025, and sought medical attention at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) the following day.

Following medical advice, she began a three-week medical leave on April 7, 2025, and travelled abroad for further treatment as a precautionary measure to ensure a full recovery.

The Vice President’s return is expected to bring renewed momentum to government business, as she resumes her responsibilities after a period of rest and recuperation.