John Dramani Mahama and John Ntim Fordjour

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin South, John Ntim Fordjour, has warned that Ghana risks descending into electoral violence if President John Dramani Mahama fails to take decisive action against perpetrators of violence during the Ablekuma North election rerun.

Speaking in an interview shared on social media, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP cautioned that continued government inaction could spark bloodshed in Akwatia’s upcoming by-election and other future elections if political vigilantes are not punished.

Ntim Fordjour expressed concern over what he described as a growing culture of political violence allegedly perpetrated by elements within the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

“It’s not a strong signal, but if the president wants to continue his inaction in bringing the perpetrators to book, arresting them and prosecuting them, there’s going to be bloodshed in Akwatia and future elections. We don’t want bloodshed in future elections. Democracy cannot be traded for violence,” he stated.

He lamented that ordinary voters were becoming scared of participating in elections due to threats from political vigilantes.

“We don’t want a time where you put ballot boxes at polling stations and nobody will come out to vote because they fear being killed by political vigilantes.

“That is what the NDC is doing. It’s a dangerous trend, a national security threat that must be rooted out, and the president must show commitment. So far, he has demonstrated he doesn’t care,” he added.

The legislator also criticised the security agencies for what he described as a lacklustre response to the Ablekuma violence, alleging that only two people had been arrested out of more than 100 alleged hooligans involved.

“The minister has given his word that those engaged in the acts are going to be prosecuted. We heard yesterday that two people have been arrested.

“Two people? Out of how many? Over a hundred government-sponsored thugs were sent to exert mayhem, and you arrest two, and then we should clap for you? It’s shameful and disappointing,” he fumed.

According to him, failure to thoroughly investigate and prosecute the perpetrators will embolden political actors to replicate the same tactics in Akwatia and other upcoming elections.

The Assin South MP accused the NDC of using intimidation and violence to manipulate electoral outcomes during the 2024 elections.

The election, which saw the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Ablekuma North, Ewurabena Aubynn, elected as the Member of Parliament-elect for the constituency, was marred by violence.

Former Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mavis Hawa Koomson, was assaulted along with other party members during the chaos.

The rerun, held on Friday, July 11, 2025, followed months of controversy over the initial parliamentary results declared in December 2024, after rioting at the collation centre forced the suspension of vote counting from 19 polling stations.

If the President doesn’t act on the Ablekuma North Violence, there will be blöǒdshed in Akwatia — Ntim Fordjour pic.twitter.com/FQPgzEfHer

— ThisIsNeneOdompleh (@The1957News) July 24, 2025

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GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey

Donald Trump appeared with makeup on his hands again during his trip to Scotland just weeks after the White House explained the president’s mysterious bruises. 

The Daily Mail first reported on Trump’s mysterious hand bruising back in February, revealing that Trump’s glad-handing had brought on the result.

Earlier this month, Trump, 79, appeared at a White House press gaggle with what looked like makeup covering a patch on the back of his hand, sparking concerns. 

‘This is consistent with minor soft-tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen. This is a well-known and benign side effect of aspirin therapy,’ White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently divulged.

The president has spent the past few days in Scotland meeting with everyone from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The makeup covering those bruises has been visible in multiple press photos throughout Trump’s trip. 

Once again, the president appears to be using a lot of concealer to keep the bruise from showing up when he announced a new trade deal with the EU. 

The makeup appeared to be concealing a raised circular area of skin that Trump’s team may have been eager to hide. 

Earlier this month, in a surprise statement from the podium during a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the president was checked out by his doctor after noticeable ‘swelling’ and revealed that Trump has been diagnosed with ‘chronic venous insufficiency.’ 

The splotch has been visible on other occasions throughout the past month, sparking a new round of questions about the cause.

The makeup appeared to be concealing a raised circular area of skin.

Leavitt said during her rare medical update that the president recently ‘noticed mild swelling in the lower legs’ and ‘in keeping with routine medical care and out of the abundance of caution,’ he was evaluated by the White House medical unit. 

He underwent a ‘comprehensive examination’ which included ‘diagnostic vascular studies.’

‘Bilateral, lower extremity ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency,’ Leavitt stated. 

She said it’s a ‘common condition’ in individuals over the age of 70 and there was ‘no evidence’ of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease.  

‘The president remains in excellent health,’ Leavitt said overall. 

‘Importantly, there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease,’ she added. 

Leavitt said in response to a question that there was ‘no discomfort from the president at all.’

She then pointed to his daily activities. ‘And you probably all see that on a day-to-day basis, he’s working around the clock. As for the treatment, I can defer to the president’s physician,’ she said.

The letter released by White House Physician Sean Barbarella, DO, references ‘mild swelling’ in Trump’s lower legs, and states the diagnosis emerged after a series of vascular studies. 

Neither Leavitt nor the letter addressed whether Trump would have to modify any of his routines, which include frequent golfing at his private courses on weekends, and his trademark dance moves to ‘Y.M.C.A.’ when he addresses rally crowds. 

Leavitt said there was ‘no discomfort’ for the president at all.  

Officials have previously mentioned Trump’s frequent handshaking – Trump regularly interacts with a large number of people at White House events and when he travels – as the cause of the bruising, but have not previously identified the aspirin issue. 

The bruising had stayed with Trump from the presidential campaign through his return to the White House. 

It had even been spotted during Trump’s Manhattan court fight in the Stormy Daniels case.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, chronic venous insufficiency occurs when leg veins are damaged, making it more difficult for blood to return to the heart. 

It ‘causes blood to pool in your leg veins, leading to high pressure in those veins.’ 

The condition is fairly common, affecting one in 20 adults, and the risk increases with age. It can lead to achy legs, a feeling of ‘pins and needles,’ cramping, swelling and itching, as well as ‘Leathery-looking skin on your legs.’ 

Up to half the people who have had deep vein thrombosis later develop post-thrombotic syndrome within a year or two. That relates to scar tissue that can develop after a blood clot.

Trump was the oldest person to take the Oath of Office when he was sworn in in January at age 78. 

He has said repeatedly that his predecessor Joe Biden, 82, had no idea what he was doing and this week opened a probe into an alleged ‘cover-up’ through his use of an autopen for a series of commutations.

Trump reposted an item in May calling Biden a ‘decrepit corpse,’ days after Biden got a prostate cancer diagnosis.

Trump has made a point of demonstrating his own physical and mental vigor – taking question after question from reporters inside the Oval Office, sometimes speaking for up to an hour.

Kwaku Dawuro presents the morning political show on Movement TV

Kwaku Dawuro presents The Morning Political Show on the Wontumi morning show.

Seated with his guests, they discussed some of the most topical political subjects of the week.

Together with his guests, they provided in-depth analysis of political stories making headlines today.

With its blend of expert analysis and engaging discussions, the programme, hosted in the widely spoken local dialect, Twi, brings together well-experienced guests and professionals to share their perspectives on the nation’s most pertinent political and social matters.

Watch the Livestream below:

The tragic incident occurred on the evening of Saturday, July 26, 2025

Two male students of Nalerigu Senior High School in the North East Region have been shot dead in a shocking gun attack believed to be linked to the long-running Bawku conflict, according to a myjoyonline.com report.

The tragic incident occurred on the evening of Saturday, July 26, 2025, when unidentified gunmen stormed the school premises and opened fire, killing the students on the spot.

The victims, identified by their first names as Lukman and Gideon, were reportedly in their dormitory at the time of the attack.

The incident has plunged the school and surrounding communities into mourning, with many expressing fear and outrage over the rising insecurity in the area.

According to reports, local sources suspect the attack is connected to the Bawku ethnic conflict, which has seen several violent incidents spill over into nearby regions.

Assembly Member for the Denugu Electoral Area, Dasmani Fuseini, who is also an uncle to one of the deceased, confirmed the killings.

He stated that the bodies are currently in police custody, while the affected families are working to retrieve them for burial.

The Ghana Police Service has launched an investigation and has yet to make any arrests.

Meanwhile, calls are mounting for enhanced security measures in educational institutions situated in conflict-prone zones to prevent further loss of life.

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GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey

President John Dramani Mahama has announced comprehensive development plans for Ghana’s Oti Region, pledging significant investments in infrastructure and social services during his Thank You Tour finale in Dambai. The announcement outlined a multi-faceted approach to transforming the region’s economic landscape.

Speaking at a traditional durbar attended by chiefs, political leaders, and community members, Mahama detailed plans for a new regional hospital that would serve as a referral center for advanced medical care. The facility, he explained, would significantly reduce the need for patients to travel to other regions for specialized treatment.

Transportation infrastructure received particular attention in the announcement, with Mahama committing to complete the long-awaited Eastern Corridor Road project. This strategic highway development aims to improve connectivity between Oti Region and neighboring areas, facilitating trade and commerce.

A major bridge construction project over River Oti was also unveiled, promising to eliminate seasonal disruptions to transportation and enhance year-round access to communities previously isolated during rainy seasons. Additionally, multiple key roads throughout the region will undergo upgrades to modern standards.

“These developments are not just about concrete and steel,” Mahama emphasized. “They represent our commitment to unlocking the full economic potential of the Volta Basin and ensuring that the people of Oti Region receive their fair share of national resources.”

The former president highlighted the region’s strategic importance as a gateway to Togo and stressed that improved infrastructure would attract investment and create employment opportunities for youth.

Local leaders and residents welcomed the announcements, noting that many of these projects have been long-awaited. Traditional chiefs praised Mahama’s commitment, calling it a fulfillment of campaign promises made during his presidency.

The Eastern Corridor Road, in particular, has been a subject of political debate for decades, with previous administrations making limited progress on its completion. Mahama’s renewed commitment signals a potential acceleration of development efforts in the region.

Political analysts suggest these announcements may position Mahama strategically ahead of future electoral considerations while addressing genuine developmental needs in one of Ghana’s newer administrative regions.

VIDEO

The COA Research and Manufacturing Limited Company (COARMLC) has officially denied claims suggesting that its product, COA-72, is undergoing clinical trials as an anti-HIV drug.

According to the company, a widely circulated report published by the Daily Graphic on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, is inaccurate and does not reflect the facts presented during a recent visit by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health to its facility.

In a statement signed by management and released on Monday, July 28, 2025, COARMLC described the media coverage as misleading and reiterated its commitment to scientific integrity, regulatory procedures, and honest communication with the Ghanaian public and international partners.

“The publication misrepresented our position. Nowhere did we state that COA-72 is in active clinical trials for HIV treatment,” the company emphasized. “We are compelled to issue this clarification to prevent the public from being misled and to reaffirm our integrity as a science-driven institution.”

The controversy arose from a working visit by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health to COARMLC’s facility on Monday, July 14, 2025.

While the visit aimed to showcase the company’s ongoing research, COARMLC says the Daily Graphic article inaccurately suggested that COA-72 had entered official clinical trial stages.

Following the publication, COARMLC promptly contacted the Daily Graphic, which later issued a rejoinder published on Thursday, July 17, 2025.

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) Ghana also released a disclaimer confirming that no clinical trial on COA-72 for HIV treatment had been approved—further validating COARMLC’s position.

“We commend the FDA for their swift response in correcting the public narrative,” the company stated.

COARMLC further clarified that its founder and CEO, Samuel Ato Duncan had shared his long-standing vision of discovering a natural solution to HIV during the committee’s visit.

“On November 30, 2005, Duncan publicly committed to researching a natural cure for HIV. That vision has guided nearly two decades of plant-based pharmaceutical work,” the statement noted.

This research has led to the development of several products—including COA Mixture, COA Plus, COA-MT, and COA Capsules—but none of these, including COA-72, are currently approved for HIV treatment.

The company explained that COA-72 is a new formulation that has shown promising results in pre-clinical and internal studies. While early findings suggest potential antiviral and anticancer properties, COA-72 has not undergone formal, FDA-sanctioned clinical trials.

“At no time did we state that COA-72 is undergoing FDA-approved clinical trials. What we did do was introduce the product as a promising development and appeal for support to begin formal investigations,” the statement emphasized.

COARMLC estimates that if COA-72 proves successful through official trials, it could contribute as much as $76.8 billion annually to Ghana’s economy and create thousands of jobs.

In 2019, COARMLC formally applied to the FDA to initiate clinical trials on COA-72. The application was acknowledged through a letter dated October 29, 2019, referenced as FDA/SMC/CTD/CTA/19/0059.

The letter outlined the requirements for beginning clinical testing. However, the company has not yet fulfilled all conditions necessary for approval.

“Though preliminary studies—both local and international—have yielded encouraging results, such as reduced HIV viral loads and, in some cases, viral clearance, these must not be misconstrued as clinical evidence,” the company stressed.

“They do not replace the need for formal, FDA-approved clinical research.”

COARMLC reaffirmed its commitment to working within regulatory frameworks and with credible global institutions.

“We remain dedicated to working with the FDA, WHO, and accredited research institutions to advance COA-72 responsibly. Public trust and regulatory compliance are not optional—they are non-negotiable,” the company concluded.

COARMLC also expressed regret over any confusion caused by the misreporting and called for greater responsibility in health-related journalism.

Read the Full press release below:

COA-RMLC Sets the Record Straight on COA-72 Clinical Trials

The management of COA Research and Manufacturing Limited Company (COA-RMLC) wishes to clarify recent media reports regarding the status of COA-72, following a publication in the Daily Graphic on Wednesday, 16th July 2025, headlined: “COA-72 Undergoes Clinical Trials as Anti-HIV Drug.”

This statement aims to address the misinformation in the said article and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to scientific integrity, regulatory compliance, and transparent communication with the public.

On Monday, 14th July 2025, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health paid a working visit to our facility. During this engagement, COARMLC management discussed ongoing research and development efforts. Unfortunately, subsequent media reportage inaccurately suggested that COA-72 is currently undergoing clinical trials for HIV treatment.

To address this, COARMLC contacted Daily Graphic, resulting in a rejoinder published on Thursday, 17th July 2025. We appreciate the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) Ghana for issuing a public disclaimer that affirms no clinical trial involving COA-72 for HIV treatment has been approved, which aligns with our official position.

During the meeting, our Founder and CEO, Mr. Samuel Ato Duncan, shared his personal and professional journey, which continues to fuel our mission:

On November 30, 2005, Duncan publicly committed to pursuing a natural cure for HIV.

This commitment has led to extensive research in plant-based medicine and the development of key products including COA Mixture, COA Plus, COA-MT, and COA Capsules.

These products are not approved for HIV treatment, but the research behind them laid the foundation for the development of COA-72—a new formulation that early studies suggest may have antiviral and anticancer potential.

At no point during the visit did COARMLC claim that COA-72 was undergoing FDA-approved clinical trials. Instead, management took the opportunity to:

Introduce COA-72 as a promising product based on internal and collaborative research.

Emphasize the need for further rigorous scientific studies.

Appeal for support from government and institutions to begin formal clinical trials, which require substantial resources.

COARMLC believes that if validated through clinical trials, COA-72 could contribute approximately $76.8 billion annually to Ghana’s economy and create thousands of jobs.

Regulatory Status Clarified

In 2019, COARMLC submitted a formal application to the FDA requesting approval to begin clinical trials on COA-72.

The FDA acknowledged this application via a letter dated October 29, 2019 (Ref: FDA/SMC/CTD/CTA/19/0059), titled: “Acknowledgement: Application for Anti-HIV/AIDS Clinical on COA-72.”

The letter outlined specific steps required to initiate the trial, including partnerships with accredited research institutions and adherence to international protocols.

As of today, COARMLC has not met all the FDA’s conditions to begin these trials.

Key Clarifications

COARMLC has never claimed that FDA approval has been granted for COA-72 clinical trials.

While pre-clinical and pilot studies have shown promise—including reduced HIV viral loads and, in some cases, complete viral clearance—these do not constitute formal clinical evidence.

The company remains committed to scientific, ethical, and regulatory standards at all stages of product development.

Our Commitment Moving Forward

COARMLC remains dedicated to:

Fulfilling all regulatory requirements as outlined by the FDA, WHO, and other global health bodies.

Collaborating with qualified stakeholders to secure funding and support for formal clinical trials.

Engaging in transparent, respectful communication with the public and global health community.

We regret any confusion the media coverage may have caused and trust that this statement provides clarity on the status of COA-72.

COARMLC remains focused on responsibly advancing plant-based medicine for public health and national development.

“Folks, the FBI is at it again. I don’t trust these people at all,” the conspiracy theorist once wrote on social media.

President Donald Trump tapped a conservative media personality and conspiracy theorist for a big job in his administration.

Dan Bongino, a former U.S. Secret Service agent who later hosted a Fox News show and pilots a popular right-wing podcast, is deputy director of the FBI despite having no leadership experience at the department. His appointment did not require a Senate confirmation.

Bongino, who unsuccessfully ran for Senate in 2012, is a major promoter of some of Trump’s favorite conspiracy theories about the 2020 election and COVID-19. He’s also a “significant shareholder” in the right-wing video platform Rumble, the company said.

Here are some of the biggest whoppers he’s spread.

He’s a superspreader of 2020 election lies.

Researchers have identified Bongino as one of the most effective spreaders of misinformation around the 2020 election, noting he spent hours of his podcast and posted widely shared videos on social media promoting debunked claims about ballot harvesting and suspicious votes.

“The FBI and the CIA, members of it, unquestionably tried to rig both the 2016 and 2020 election,” he once told his listeners.

Bongino, who has nearly 6 million followers on Facebook, had over 7.7 million interactions on Facebook the week of the 2020 election, The New York Times found at the time.

In May 2024, he warned his listeners that they should still be leery of Democrats “stealing an election” from Trump. “Do not let them fleece this thing again,” he said on an episode of his podcast.

He hinted that DEI policies and corruption were to blame for the assassination attempts against Trump.

Bongino, who claimed the FBI was “irredeemably corrupt” after its agents raided Mar-a-Lago, raised diversity, equity and inclusion policies as a possible culprit behind the Secret Service’s failure to prevent an assassination attempt on Trump last summer.

“They put out a thousand tweets about all this DEI stuff,” he said of the Secret Service. “Do I know that’s related here? I don’t, I’m just saying, like ― you have one job and only one job.”

After another person was apprehended for plotting an assassination attempt on Trump in September, Bongino asked whether there could be a “mole” among the agents assigned to protect Trump or that one of them could be mishandling information about his whereabouts.

“Is there a honeypot trap going on in the Secret Service?” he asked on an episode of his podcast. “Is there a guy or a woman in the Secret Service having a relationship with someone who is not who they say they are?”

In an August episode of his podcast, Bongino questioned the integrity of the FBI’s investigation into the assassination attempts. “Folks, the FBI is at it again. I don’t trust these people at all,” he wrote on social media alongside a clip from his podcast.

His FBI conspiracy theories don’t end there.

Bongino has also claimed that footage the FBI released of the Jan. 6, 2021, pipe bomb suspect may have been “manipulated” and that something sinister is afoot.

“Something is going on here. Where is the video of him dropping the bomb? Why don’t we have it? Why does it appear manipulated?” he said in a January 2024 episode.

“Ladies and gentlemen, somebody’s hiding something, and it’s not small. They are hiding something freaking huge,” he continued.

He’s also pushed the theory that President Barack Obama’s administration had at least one FBI agent tasked with spying on the 2016 Trump campaign. While discussing the idea on Tucker Carlson’s Fox News show at the time, Bongino simply cited “reporting.”

He was kicked off YouTube for spreading COVID-19 misinformation.

In 2022, YouTube temporarily suspended Bongino’s account, which had around 900,000 subscribers, for spreading misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, he claimed masks were “useless” at preventing the virus’ spread despite research to the contrary ― something YouTube said violated its misinformation policy.

When Bongino tried to circumnavigate the ban by posting from another account, the video platform banned him permanently.

Shortly after, Google pulled all ads from Bongino’s website. He said one of the pieces of content Google cited was about Anthony Fauci, then the chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden, and said that his “use of masks despite being vaccinated had nothing to do with science.”

He propped up Russia’s baseless claims about a U.S. attack.

In 2022, Bongino suggested Biden’s administration may have been responsible for the explosions that ruptured a set of natural gas pipelines — Nord Stream 1 and 2 — running between Russia and Germany. The act of sabotage, the Wall Street Journal reports, was carried out by Ukraine, though Russia blamed the U.S.

Bongino backed up the Kremlin’s claims in an episode of his podcast.

“Is the Biden administration crazy enough to do this to light a spark that might cause World War III?” he asked. “The answer is, ‘I wouldn’t be surprised, and I bet neither would you.’”

“The motivations of the Biden administration and the green agenda, I think, are far greater than the motivations of Russia,” he continued.