Some NDC Asawase constituency executives addressing a gathering after the MCE’s election

The constituents and executives of the Asawase Constituency have voiced their strong support for Ben Abdallah Alhassan, the newly appointed Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Asokore Mampong.

Speaking on their behalf at a press conference, Deputy Director of Elections for the Asawase Constituency, Aminu Mohammed, conveyed their collective gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for selecting Alhassan.

Addressing a crowd of supporters gathered to celebrate the appointment, Aminu Mohammed emphasised the constituency’s unified commitment.

“We, the constituents and executives of Asawase, pledge our full support for Ben Abdallah Alhassan’s candidature and leadership. We are committed to working alongside him to ensure the successful implementation of his mandates,” Mohammed declared.

Mohammed highlighted the resilience and unwavering support of the people of Asawase Constituency and Asokore Mampong Municipality, reaffirming their dedication to Alhassan’s efforts to deliver on the promises outlined in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto.

“The people of Asawase Constituency and Asokore Mampong have vowed to rally behind Honorable Ben Abdallah Alhassan, offering their unwavering support,” Mohammed stated, reflecting the community’s collective resolve.

The Asawase constituents expressed confidence that Alhassan’s leadership would usher in significant improvements to infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic opportunities within the municipality.

Mohammed, speaking on their behalf, urged community unity and collaboration among all stakeholders to build a prosperous and inclusive Asokore Mampong.

“As we move forward, let us unite as a community to support Honorable Ben Abdallah Alhassan in his efforts. Let us work together to build a prosperous, inclusive, and vibrant Asokore Mampong that we can all be proud of,” Mohammed urged, echoing the constituency’s call for collaboration.

In closing, Aminu Mohammed reiterated the Asawase constituency’s appreciation to President Mahama for the “bold and forward-thinking decision” in appointing Ben Abdallah Alhassan, expressing optimism for a future of progress and prosperity for the Asokore Mampong community under his leadership.

A Ghanaian citizen has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to launch an urgent investigation into the procurement of 20 Soviet-era BTR-70 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), now said to be over 10 million Euros.

The citizen describes the vehicles as obsolete, unserviceable, and a danger to troops deployed in peacekeeping missions.

The petition, authored by Ola Durojaiye, also known as Kwame Danquah, outlines a litany of faults with the Soviet-era armoured vehicles, which were reportedly acquired from Azerbaijan through a local supplier, Double ST Limited.

Durojaiye alleges that the procurement process was riddled with “fraudulent practices,” “misrepresentation of information,” and a disregard for “troop safety and welfare.”

“These vehicles were commissioned despite being delivered in an advanced state of wear and tear. They lack essential spare parts and came without their main armaments, rendering them effectively useless,” Durojaiye stated in his petition.

He further claimed that the APCs, which were originally built in the late 1960s, have been retrofitted with diesel engines but without the critical support systems such as radiators and hoses. “The BTR-70s were not only outdated but also incomplete and defective. What was meant to be a strategic acquisition has turned into a logistical and operational disaster,” he noted.

According to the petitioner, seven of the APCs were deployed to Abyei in Sudan under the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) mission, but arrived unserviceable. Due to their inability to function, they had to be transported from Burma Camp to Tema Port on low-bed trailers.

“Even after dispatching a Forward Repair Team to attempt repairs in Sudan, only one APC shows any sign of limited mobility, and even that depends on parts cannibalised from the others,” Mr Durojaiye revealed.

He described the vehicles as “death traps,” citing leaking oil, malfunctioning brakes, absent communication systems, and non-bulletproof windscreens as hazards to personnel. The absence of the standard 14.5mm KPVT heavy machine guns, which were only delivered a year later and remain untested, compounded the shortcomings.

In addition to operational concerns, Durojaiye raised serious ethical and accountability questions.

He accused the military leadership of misrepresenting the vehicles’ year of manufacture as 2002 on the bill of lading, even though BTR-70 production ceased in 1984. “This points to a deliberate attempt to defraud the state and mislead stakeholders,” he alleged.

The petition also referenced past operational difficulties with BTR-60 APCs during Ghana’s involvement in the UN Mission in Sierra Leone, arguing that history should have dissuaded military authorities from acquiring similar vehicles.

Durojaiye called for a full-scale value-for-money audit of the procurement and stressed the need to prioritise soldiers’ safety over what he suggested may have been financial or political considerations.

Quoting the President’s own recent remarks at the commissioning of Regular Career Course Intake 63 at the Ghana Military Academy, he reminded the Commander-in-Chief that “officers must prioritise the welfare of their men.”

“If the manufacturer of the vehicle has long since retired it in favour of newer, more efficient versions, how can the procurement of these outmoded and deteriorated ‘hulks of scrap metal’ be justified?” he questioned.

The total cost of the 20 APCs was initially estimated at $8.8 million, with each unit reportedly purchased for $440,000. Durojaiye has pledged to provide further documentation and clarification if needed and has also copied the petition to the Minister of Defence and the Acting Chief of Defence Staff.

Below is the petition

14th April 2025

His Excellency

The President of the Republic of Ghana

Jubilee House

ACCRA

PETITION FOR AN INVESTIGATION OF THE PURCHASE OF BTR 70 ARMOURED PERSONNEL CARRIERS BY THE GHANA ARMED FORCES

1. INTRODUCTION

I, Mr. Ola Durojaiye alias Kwame Danquah, a citizen of the Republic of Ghana, respectfully submit this petition to your Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana, seeking an audit of the purchase of armoured personnel carriers by the Ghana Armed Forces on grounds of;

1. Lack of Value for Money

2. Failure to Meet Operational Requirements

3. Neglect of Troops’ Welfare

4. Compromising Troop Safety

5. Mismanagement of Leadership
Responsibility

6. Misrepresentation of
Information

7. Fraudulent Practices

2. BACKGROUND

i. The Ghana Army acquired twenty

(20) Bronetransportor (BTR-70)

Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) for deployment in peace support operations. These vehicles were supplied by Messrs. Double ST Limited, with their origin traced to Azerbaijan, an Eurasian nation situated in the South Caucasus region and formerly part of the Soviet Union.

ii. The BTR 70 APC was produced in the former USSR in the late 1960s. The BTR 70 was succeeded by the BTR 80 which came into service in 1985 and was itself replaced briefly by the BTR 90. The BTR 82 and BTR 82A are the current versions of the APC in use.

3. INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED

i. The BTR-70 is a versatile eight-wheeled amphibious APC originally equipped with two 6-cylinder, 115 hp GAZ-69B petrol engines. Subsequent upgrades included AMA-49-05 V8 engines and, in certain operational theatres, diesel engines. Although an improvement over its predecessor, the BTR-60, the BTR-70 retained several notable limitations, such as restricted troop access points and reliance on dual petrol engines. By 2023, the BTR-70 had reached an operational age of 51 years, underscoring its outdated design in comparison to more modern APCs.

ii. The BTR-70 APCs procured for the Ghana Army were retrofitted with diesel engines; however, the essential accompanying components, such as radiators and hoses, were omitted, rendering the vehicles inefficient and defective. Additionally, the vehicles were delivered in advanced stages of wear and tear, highlighting their outdated condition.

iii. To salvage their appearance, personnel from the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (EME) Corps at the 153 Armoured Regiment parade square undertook efforts to spray the exterior and reupholster the interiors. These measures were aimed at creating a semblance of presentability before the commissioning of the vehicles by the then-president, Nana Akufo-Addo. The attached images illustrate the state of the vehicles’ interiors prior to the restoration efforts by the EME personnel.

iv. In addition to the aforementioned fair wear and tear concerns, the BTR-70 APCs arrived without their standard main armaments—the 14.5mm KPVT heavy machine guns that are integral to the model’s design. However, the secondary armament, consisting of 7.62mm PKM co-axial machine guns, was present and underwent test firing.

v. The main armaments were eventually delivered in 2024, yet they remain untested due to the vehicles’ unserviceable condition, further compounding the operational challenges posed by this procurement.

vi. Contrary to standard best practices, the BTR-70 APCs to the Ghana Army were in poor state of repair and lacked essential spare parts, specialised tools, and maintenance or repair equipment. Even basic components, such as spare tires, were missing.

vii. The BTR-70 APCs arrived with numerous defects and operational challenges, some of which are detailed below:

1. Leakage of oil and lubricants, causing engine overheating after short periods of movement.

2. Malfunctioning brake and clutch systems.

3. Unserviceable rear camera monitors in most vehicles.

4. Absence of intra- and inter-vehicular communication devices, making communication within the vehicles, with other vehicles, or with the base impossible.

5. Blurred vision blocks and side mirrors on several vehicles, impairing visibility.

viii. Though equipped with a movable metal plate that typically remains raised, the plastic, non-bulletproof windscreens of the BTR-70 APCs permit penetration by small arms fire, exposing the driver’s and commander’s compartments to significant danger.

ix. Following their commissioning, seven (7) of these APCs—described as “death traps”—were shipped to Abyei, Sudan, for use by the Ghanaian battalion serving under the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). Due to their unserviceability, the APCs were transported from Burma Camp to Tema Port using lowbed trailers.

x. A forward repair team (FRT) was dispatched to Abyei in an attempt to restore functionality to these APCs. Despite their efforts, the APCs remained largely unserviceable, and the FRT has since returned to Ghana. Currently, only one (1) of the seven APCs exhibits minimal mobility. This lone functioning APC relies on alternators salvaged from other non-operational vehicles, as its alternator is dysfunctional.

xi. The FRT confirmed the Ghanaian battalion’s concerns regarding the vehicles’ extreme fuel consumption and recurrent overheating after the shortest of journeys, rendering them wholly unreliable for deployment. Since their arrival in the area of operations (AO) on 16 March 2024, during GHANBATT 2’s tour of duty, the vehicles have not been deployed, as they cannot be started, much less moved.

xii. This dismal situation, borne by no fault of the troops representing Ghana, reflects a lack of the protection and appropriate equipment necessary for executing their duties. It places these dedicated soldiers in a precarious position, compromising their ability to serve the nation with the security and efficiency they deserve.

xiii. A precedent exists from the early 2000s, when troops of the Armoured Corps used BTR-60 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) during operations in the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL). These vehicles were marred by numerous challenges. Was this prior experience not sufficient warning to avoid this make of APC entirely? As the age-old adage goes, “experience is the best teacher”—a truth proven time and time again.

xv. The decision to procure outdated APCs undermines military esprit de corps and goes against the principle of prioritising troops’ welfare over officers’ comfort or personal gain. This sentiment aligns with the recent remarks of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana and Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces. On 11 April 2025, during the commissioning of the Regular Career Course Intake 63 at the Ghana Military Academy, Teshie, Accra, the President emphasised the duty of officers to prioritise their men’s comfort while serving the nation.

xvi. The bill of lading for these APCs falsely states the year of manufacture as 2002—an apparent act of deception and fraud. It is an established fact that the production of the BTR-70 ceased in 1984 following the introduction of its successor, the BTR-80. Unlike the BTR-70, which operates on dual petrol engines unless retrofitted, the BTR-80 features a single diesel engine. Moreover, the BTR-80 has since undergone significant upgrades, culminating in the release of the BTR-82 and its advanced variant, the BTR-82A.

xvii. If the manufacturer of the vehicle has long since retired it in favour of newer, more efficient versions, how can the procurement of these outmoded and deteriorated “hulks of scrap metal” be justified?

xvii. According to the available documentation (copies attached), each of these BTR-70 armoured personnel carriers was procured at a cost of approximately $440,000.00, amounting to a total expenditure of $8.8 million ($8,800,000).

4. CONCLUSION

i. The BTR-70 APCs were acquired for deployment in the Ghana Army peace operations. However, these vehicles are not fit for purpose. They are excessively outdated and were not refurbished to ensure their operational viability for use in any peacekeeping theatre.

ii. The evidence presented supports the following issues:

1. Lack of Value for Money

2. Failure to Meet Operational Requirements

3. Neglect of Troops’ Welfare

4. Compromising Troop Safety

5. Mismanagement of Leadership Responsibility

6. Misrepresentation of Information

7. Fraudulent Practices

5. RECOMMENDATION

i. I respectfully petition the President to initiate a value-for-money audit and investigation to assess the benefits, if any, that the Ghana Armed Forces has derived from the procurement of the BTR-70 APCs.

ii. I remain available to provide any further information or clarification as required.

Respectfully submitted.

Ola Durojaiye

Post Office Box 784

Osu

Accra

Telephone: 0541222007

Email: [email protected]

Copy to:

Minister of Defence

Acting Chief of the Defence Staff

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has escalated its criticism of the previous administration’s environmental record, with Deputy General Secretary Mustapha Gbande alleging direct complicity in Ghana’s deforestation crisis.

During a recent radio interview, Gbande claimed the Akufo-Addo government systematically enabled the destruction of forest reserves and water bodies through inadequate regulation of mining activities.

“President Akufo-Addo and his Lands Minister didn’t just fail to prevent illegal mining – they actively created conditions for environmental devastation through policies and appointments,” Gbande stated on Citi Eyewitness News. His remarks reflect growing political tensions over Ghana’s environmental management, particularly regarding illegal small-scale mining operations known locally as galamsey.

The NDC official contrasted what he described as past negligence with current enforcement efforts, noting increased military and police operations against mining crimes since the new administration took office. Environmental analysts observe that while crackdowns have intensified recently, lasting solutions will require addressing the complex economic drivers behind illegal mining.

Government records indicate Ghana lost approximately 60% of its forest cover between 2017 and 2023, though attributing responsibility remains contentious. The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources under the previous administration had implemented various anti-galamsey initiatives, including the deployment of military task forces and community mining programs.

As the political debate continues, environmental advocates emphasize the need for bipartisan solutions to protect Ghana’s natural resources. The current administration faces mounting pressure to demonstrate measurable progress in ecosystem restoration while balancing the livelihoods of communities dependent on mining activities. With Ghana’s forest reserves continuing to dwindle, the environmental policy decisions of coming months may prove crucial for the country’s ecological future.

Samuel Abu Jinapor

The Minority Caucus on the Foreign Affairs Committee in Parliament has stated that the chip-embedded passports project was already being implemented before the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to over the governance.

The group in a statement signed by the Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, set the record straight.

The Minority said the record shows that the innovative project, described as ushering in “a new era [of] modernisation, convenience, and deep respect for Ghanaian citizens,” is the result of years of determined leadership, strategic planning, execution, and sustained institutional effort by the Akufo-Addo government.

“At its thirty-eighth (38th) Session held from 24th September to 4th October, 2013, the Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) adopted the ICAO Traveller Identification Programme (ICAO TRIP) Strategy to, among others, provide a holistic, coherent and coordinated travel identification system, including the design and manufacture of Machine Readable Travel Documents (MRTDs) and electronic MRTDs (eMRTDs), which is a chip-embedded travel document.

“Following the adoption of this Strategy, discussions about issuing chip-embedded passports began in Ghana, but did not yield much results. Upon assuming office in 2017, the Akufo-Addo Government, as part of its digitalisation agenda, took a bold decision to transform the country’s biometric passport system by upgrading the biometric passports to chip-embedded electronic passports as well as provide an integrated online passport application and delivery system,” the minority said.

They explained that after receiving and reviewing several proposals, the Central Tender Committee, by a letter dated 21st February 2018, granted approval for the Government to engage 25th Century Technology Limited to implement the project under a Design, Build, Finance, Manage, Maintain and Transfer (DBFMMT) Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

The model, it added, placed the financing obligations on the developer so as not to overburden the public purse.

“To execute the Project, 25^th Century Technology Limited and Buck Press Limited, a reputable service printing outlet with expertise in passport printing, established a special purpose vehicle known as Biometric Travel Solutions Limited.

“After extensive engagement with relevant stakeholders, including the National Security, the Ghana Immigration Service and other international partners, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, under the leadership of Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, on behalf of Government, signed a Public-Private Partnership Agreement with Biometric Travel Solutions Limited to execute the Project.

“Biometric Travel Solutions Limited duly executed the Project, and on Monday, 2nd December 2024, then-President Akufo-Addo officially launched the biometric chip-embedded passport in Accra, where biometric chip-embedded passports were issued to the President, the Vice President, the Chief of Staff, Ministers of State and other dignitaries,” the Minority noted.

According to them, it was necessary to note that through the hard work and dedication of the Akufo-Addo government, the planning, procurement, and execution of the project that led to Ghana issuing electronic chip-embedded passports were achieved.

“Every essential aspect of the chip-embedded passport programme, from policy formulation to contract execution and logistical delivery, was meticulously completed by the Akufo-Addo Government before it handed over on 7th January 2025.”

However, they consider the purported re-launch of the project to be “unnecessary” and an attempt by incumbent government officials to distort the narrative and appropriate the far-reaching legacy of the Akufo-Addo government—both inaccurate and unsupported by the record.

“The purported re-launch of the Project that was already completed and ready for roll-out serves no functional purpose and constitutes an unnecessary burden on the public purse,” the Minority stated.

A Daily Guide Report

Former Speaker of Parliament Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye and Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo (from left)

A former Speaker of Parliament, Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye, has taken a swipe at Ghanaians who are criticising the ongoing processes on petitions for the removal of the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo.

Speaking in an interview on JoyNews’ The Pulse, on May 8, 2025, Prof Oquaye pointed out that even though he has issues with the processes outlined in the 1992 Constitution for the removal of the Chief Justice, which he has expressed in the past, those ‘crying’ now did not complain about it when they were in power.

He said that he has written extensively about the issues he has with the process for over a decade, asserting that persons who were okay with the law when they were in power should not be complaining about it now.

“Why is it that Ghanaians have watched this being their law for so long, and some people who today are criticising the system said nothing? They did not speak about this. When I was mounting the IEA Constitutional Review Series, I wrote on all these things.

“It is published in my contribution to the University of Ghana alumni lecture, which I gave at the jubilee time at the Great Hall in Legon; 10 years ago, I had written on this… Why do we allow such things to happen? And then we cry foul when it appears as if a particular best person is going to suffer. And this is what personally I don’t like,” he said.

He added, “Let us talk by the principle of it. What is good for the goose is good for the gander – everybody, that is important.”

Prof Oquaye, who was the Speaker of Ghana’s 7th Parliament, pointed out that one of the issues he has with the law on the removal of the Chief Justice was the composition of the committee which the president is supposed to set up to probe the petition(s).

“You pick any two Supreme Court judges; then you also can pick three other civilians who are not judges, not lawyers and so on, that you think can do justice or go into the matter. The five go and sit. Judgment is by majority. So, the two Supreme Court judges will say yes, and the three civilians – ordinary people – say no.

“That three must hold, right? Because it’s a majority. And then, thereafter, there is no appeal. The matter is closed… if it were you, would you like to appear before such a court? It’s ridiculous. I don’t believe anybody is there in our law. Let me just finish this,” he said.

Watch his remarks in the video below:

Chief Justice Suspension: “What did those crying foul today do when they had power? What’s good for the goose is good for the gander” — Former Speaker Mike Ocquaye questions #ThePulse pic.twitter.com/S3zE1IUeB6

— Joy 99.7 FM (@Joy997FM) May 8, 2025

BAI/AE

Watch the latest episode of TWI news below:

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, has made a number of proposals to the Constitutional Review Committee.

He made the proposal when the Committee consulted him as part of the ongoing nationwide consultations.

The consultations aimed at reforming Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.

The Speaker highlighted the importance of developing a Constitution that reflects Ghana’s unique context and national aspirations.

See More ❯

Martin Kpebu is a private legal practitioner

Private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu, has addressed the unending discourse on asset declaration, stating that the 1992 Constitution clearly spells out the provision which is binding on all public officials before their assumption of office.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with GhanaWeb, Kpebu explained that asset declaration expressly stated in Article 286(1) of the 1992 Constitution, requires public officeholders including the president, vice president, ministers of state, Members of Parliament, judges, ambassadors, and others who earn salaries equivalent to or higher than that of a director in the civil service, to comply with the asset declaration provision.

“All assets and liabilities owned by the person, directly or indirectly, including money, properties, shares, business interests, and debts, must be declared before taking office,” Martin Kpebu explained.

He emphasised that asset declaration must be done at three key stages of an appointee’s engagement by the government: before assuming office, at the end of every four-year period, and at the conclusion of the official’s term in office.

According to the legal luminary, declaration documents are submitted to the Auditor-General, who is required to keep them confidential unless the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) is having an investigation and requests open declaration.

Kpebu also emphasised that failure to declare assets, or making false declarations, is an offense that can lead to serious consequences, including disqualification from holding public office.

“Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification) Act, 1998 (Act 550), which gives legal effect to Article 286 of the constitution.

“Non-compliance can result in removal from office or other sanctions,” he stated.

He also noted that while declarations are currently confidential, there have been growing calls for reforms to enhance transparency.

These include proposals to make asset declarations publicly accessible and to enforce stricter timelines for submission.

MRA/AE

Meanwhile, watch GhanaWeb’s tour of Odweanoma Paragliding Field below:

Veteran New Patriotic Party (NPP) figure Boakye Agyarko has delivered a powerful critique of the party’s current direction, calling on leadership and the rank-and-file to return to the movement’s founding ideals before it loses its relevance and moral authority.

In a recent statement titled “Teachings From Our Past: Things We Must Avoid,” Agyarko painted a picture of a party straying dangerously from its core principles.

See More ❯

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as pope

Some Ghanaians on social media have warmly received the news of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost’s election as the new pope, now officially known as Pope Leo XIV.

Many have shared messages of goodwill and extended their best wishes, expressing joy and optimism following his ascension.

Among those who publicly congratulated the new pontiff are notable political figures, including the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah; and the Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Yaw Boamah.

In his message, Assafuah offered prayers for Pope Leo XIV, expressing hope that his papacy would bring blessings to the world.

However, alongside the celebrations, some other Ghanaians have voiced disappointments that Cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson of Ghana was not elected.

While welcoming the new Pope, several online commentators shared that they had hoped to witness a historic moment with the election of the first Black Pope — a hope that, unfortunately, was not realised.

Nonetheless, they have extended their goodwill messages.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost’s election was confirmed on the second day of voting by the 133 cardinal electors convened in the Vatican.

Pope Leo XIV’s election follows the death of Pope Francis, marking a historic moment as Prevost becomes the first American to ascend to the papacy.

His election was announced in traditional fashion through the white smoke rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling to the world that a new Pontiff had been chosen.

The 133 cardinals participating in the conclave were locked inside the Sistine Chapel, in line with centuries-old tradition.

During the voting process, their only form of communication with the outside world was through the smoke signals emitted after each ballot.

Pope Leo XIV, delivering his first public address and apostolic blessing, known as Urbi et Orbi (“to the city and the world”), to thousands of pilgrims and onlookers gathered at St Peter’s Square, stated, “May peace be with all of you.”

He also paid tribute to his predecessor and also spoke briefly in Spanish to thank his former diocese.

“Help us, and help each other build bridges,” he told the crowd of more than 40,000 people at St Peter’s Square.

Read some of the posts under the trending topic below:

Warm Congratulations to the new Pope Leo XIV. @VaticanNews pic.twitter.com/V6Ldr0VoHg

— Patrick Yaw Boamah (@pyboamah) May 8, 2025

Will be interesting how the new Pope gets along with the US president

— Godfred Akoto Boafo (@eastsportsman) May 8, 2025

Church nu hia sika (needs money) and growth. Great choice! Now, l like the papacy! Welcome Pope Leo XIV!

— Franklin CUDJOE (@lordcudjoe) May 8, 2025

I extend warm congratulations to you on your election as Pope of the Holy Catholic Church.

May your reign be a blessing to the world.

All the best, Pope Leo XIV. pic.twitter.com/TtViBlRRtm

— Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Esq. MP (@ekowassafuah_) May 8, 2025

GIVE THANKS TO GOD.

WE HAVE A NEW POPE.

WE HAVE CONCLAVE

Pope Leo XIV (Cardinal Robert Prevost)

Peruvian American

Long live the Pope.

Long live the Universal Catholic Church pic.twitter.com/k06qKYWPCL

— Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah (@PalgraveDanquah) May 8, 2025

How on earth would someone think that a black Pope will be chosen. Really? Race plays a big role in politics

— The New African 🦅 (@mcjoseph_writes) May 8, 2025

MAG/AE

Meanwhile, watch as Kwesi Pratt ‘threatens’ to fight Mahama if he ever attempt a third term

The Minority in Parliament has launched scathing criticism against the government for failing to deliver on its campaign promise to declare a state of emergency against illegal mining.

At a press briefing on Thursday, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin condemned what he called a “shocking reversal” from the NDC administration’s pre-election stance on galamsey.

“Before taking office, this government vowed to treat illegal mining as a national crisis requiring emergency measures,” Afenyo-Markin stated. “Four months into their term, we’ve seen no action – only empty rhetoric while our rivers turn toxic and forests disappear.” The Minority Leader’s remarks referenced the NDC’s 2024 campaign pledge to implement drastic measures against the illegal mining scourge.

Environmental experts report that galamsey operations have contaminated nearly 60% of Ghana’s freshwater sources, with the Pra, Ankobra, and Birim rivers among the worst affected. The pollution has disrupted water supply to several communities while destroying agricultural lands that support rural livelihoods.

The government’s Lands Minister recently acknowledged the severity of the crisis during a television interview, describing the damage as “heartbreaking.” However, critics argue such expressions of concern ring hollow without concrete action. The Minority maintains that the administration’s delayed response undermines its credibility on environmental protection, particularly after campaigning on an anti-galamsey platform.

As pressure mounts, environmental groups are calling for immediate intervention to halt the destruction. The government’s next steps – or lack thereof – could determine whether Ghana can reverse one of its most pressing ecological crises. With public patience wearing thin, the administration faces growing scrutiny over its commitment to deliver on its bold campaign promises regarding illegal mining.

Participants at the event in a group photograph

A high-level policy roundtable organised by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) in partnership with the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has raised grave concerns over the politicisation of security appointments and dismissals, describing the practice as a threat to democratic stability and national security.

Held at the Royal Fiesta Hotel in Accra on May 5, 2025, the event brought together security experts, political analysts, academics, and civil society stakeholders to deliberate on the theme: “Balance of Power: Reforming Security Sector Appointments and Operations for Accountability and Democratic Governance in Ghana.”

In her keynote address, KAS Country Director Anna-Lena Sabroso Wasserfall emphasised the organisation’s commitment to supporting democratic governance through institutional reforms.

“Security institutions, when depoliticised and professionally autonomous, become more effective protectors of national stability—not instruments of partisan interest,” she stated.

She called for reforms to ensure that the appointment of top security officials is shielded from political manipulation, especially during election cycles.

Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, cited landmark constitutional cases—including Azu Crabbe v. Republic and Theophilus Donkor v. Republic—to highlight the legal misconceptions surrounding the dismissal of high-ranking public servants.

He argued that changes in government do not constitute a legal basis for arbitrary removals under Articles 191, 202, and 296 of the 1992 Constitution.

“There is no express constitutional provision that empowers the President to remove the IGP or CDS solely on grounds of a change in government,” Bentil asserted, calling for clearer constitutional interpretations and reforms.

Dean of UPSA Law School, Professor Kofi Abotsi, critiqued the “winner-takes-all” culture embedded in Ghana’s political transition system.

He said the 2012 Presidential Transition Act inadvertently entrenched partisan control over state institutions.

“Public service should be focused on the state, not the government,” he emphasised, condemning what he termed the “securitisation of politics,” a process where national security tools are used for partisan ends.

Prof Abotsi described Ghana’s current constitutional arrangement as “a good constitution in bad hands,” criticising political actors for only calling for reforms when in opposition.

“The framers of the Constitution intended better than what we are doing with it,” he added, recommending constitutional review as a path toward institutional integrity.

Retired military officer and security expert, Colonel Festus Aboagye, revealed troubling developments in national surveillance.

He cited an instance where a costly Israeli security apparatus was acquired by the National Bureau, allegedly enabling unauthorised surveillance of citizens under the guise of national security.

He warned that such practices erode public trust and violate civil liberties.

In a comparative analysis, Major General EK Akotia examined security sector appointment procedures in countries like the UK, US, Kenya, and South Africa. He recommended that Ghana adopt a system in which appointments of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CDS) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) are initiated by technically constituted Armed Forces or Police Councils.

These nominations, he suggested, should then undergo parliamentary vetting and final appointment by the President.

Major General Akotia also criticised Parliament and the Judiciary for their weak oversight roles in the security sector, noting, “Kenya’s model allows for institutional checks and balances that Ghana must consider emulating.”

The event concluded with a roundtable discussion, during which participants unanimously agreed that constitutional loopholes continue to create a widening gap between government, security services, and the state.

There were strong calls for a comprehensive constitutional review to restore trust, enhance accountability, and ensure the professional independence of Ghana’s security institutions.