By Godwill Arthur- Mensah  

Accra, July 01, GNA-The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, has asked the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to fill the Party’s running-mate position with a female candidate to demonstrate its commitment to gender empowerment. 

Mr Ayariga, also the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, said the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) had already shown the way by appointing Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as its running-mate and subsequently elected as Ghana’s first female Vice President, a historic feat in Ghanaian politics. 

“We, the NDC, can only go forward…,” he said amid cheers on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday when responding to the Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s comments that President Mahama was not committed to gender equity. 

Mr Ayariga dismissed some allegations made by the Minority Leader to the effect that only few women were appointed into ministerial positions in the Mahama-led Government. 

The Majority Leader asked the NPP to allow female candidates to go unopposed in constituencies considered “safe seats” in their strongholds, especially in the Ashanti region, whilst the NDC did same in the Volta region. 

In that way, he believed, there would be sufficient women legislators in Parliament to enable the President to choose his ministers from at any point in time. 

” Now, the Minority Leader has suddenly become a gender champion when as a Majority Leader in government, he could not protect his female MPs’ seats in the last elections and lost most of them….”dzi wo fie asem” to wit, “focus on your internal issues,” triggering another lighthearted cheers from both side of the aisle. 

Earlier,  the Minority Leader, Afenyo-Markin, stated that President Mahama had failed to fulfill his election promise to appoint 30 per cent of females into his Cabinet. 

“We have women MPs in the majority side of the House who have the requisite credentials to be ministers but they have been relegated to the background,” Mr Afenyo-Markin stated. 

The MP for Effutu alleged that only 28 women were appointed by the President as mayors and Chief Executives of the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies. 

GNA 

Edited by Lydia Kukua Asamoah  

Spokesperson for Bryan Acheampong’s 2028 campaign, Pius Enam Hadzide, has urged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to be politically smart and strategic in selecting its next presidential candidate.

Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Hadzide warned that if the party chooses a candidate without careful consideration, past controversies associated with that person could be used as a reference point to undermine the campaign.

“If we’re not careful and select just anyone, every time an old issue comes up, they’ll link it to our candidate. That can cost us dearly,” he said.

According to him, the decision to change a candidate should not be taken lightly, but must be aimed at helping the NPP win power in the 2028 elections.

“This is not about change for change’s sake. It’s about change that gives us a real shot at winning power in 2028 — for the sake of everyone in the party,” he added.

Mr. Hadzide stressed the need for deep thinking and unity in choosing a candidate, stressing that the party must select someone who appeals broadly to members across all levels.

“That’s why I believe Bryan Acheampong is the best option. He’s young, relatable, and well-liked by everyone in the party. I don’t think there’s anyone in the party who can say they have a problem with Bryan. He’s helped a lot of people — financially and otherwise.”

He described Bryan Acheampong, the Member of Parliament for Abetifi and former Minister for Food and Agriculture, as a “great unifying force” with no bad blood or divisions linked to his name.

“If there must be a change, then it must be Bryan. He represents boldness, unity, and forward-thinking. We need a leader who can take a decision and stand by it — Bryan is that kind of person,” Mr. Hadzide stressed.

“Where we are now, we need a man to lead us — and Bryan Acheampong is our best bet,” he concluded.

Mr. Acheampong has already declared his intention to contest the NPP’s flagbearer race ahead of the 2028 general elections.

He made the announcement during a meeting with the leadership of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, where he sought their prayers and blessings.

Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party has scheduled its presidential primaries for Saturday, January 31, 2026, following a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

A photo collage of Kissi Agyebeng (R) and former CEO of Scholarship Secretariat, Kingsley Agyemang

A former Deputy Staff Officer of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), DSO Mark Kwaku Asiedu-Arthur, has sued the OSP and the Attorney General at the Human Rights Division of the High Court in Accra, claiming that his dismissal was unconstitutional and violated his fundamental human rights.

According to court documents filed by his lawyer, Derrick Aboagye Asamoah, the applicant was employed by the OSP in July 2023 and served diligently until his appointment was abruptly withdrawn in June 2025.

Asiedu-Arthur contends that the decision to revoke his appointment was not only procedurally unfair but also motivated by victimisation.

He insists that the real reason for his removal was linked to his involvement in politically sensitive investigations, particularly one involving the Scholarship Secretariat.

He alleges that the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, had a personal interest in the Scholarship Secretariat case and sought to punish him for pursuing it.

In his motion, Asiedu-Arthur argued that the OSP’s withdrawal of his appointment letter dated July 31, 2023, was done “without a hearing, and based on previously disclosed information,” describing the act as “unfair, unreasonable, and in breach of Article 23 of the Constitution, 1992.”

He claimed the OSP’s actions were tainted with illegality, procedural unfairness, and bad faith.

The applicant is seeking a declaration from the court to nullify the termination and is demanding compensation for what he describes as the infringement of his fundamental human rights.

He is also asking the court for “an order for reinstatement or, in the alternative, payment of compensation in a lump sum, recovery of legal costs in line with the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) scale of fees, and any other remedies the Honourable Court may deem fit.”

In his affidavit, Asiedu-Arthur stated that his prior termination from the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) had been fully disclosed during the OSP recruitment process and was accepted by the panel.

He emphasised that he served the office for nearly a year without any disciplinary issues or misconduct.

He explained that during his tenure at the Investigations Division of the OSP, he led inquiries into alleged corruption at the Scholarship Secretariat. His team, he said, arrested suspects, collected statements, and gathered substantial evidence.

At the height of the investigation, they were preparing to arrest Kingsley Agyemang, then CEO of the Scholarship Secretariat and now the Member of Parliament for Akim Abuakwa South.

In the affidavit, Asiedu-Arthur claimed, “That at a point in the investigation, my team was preparing to arrest Mr. Kingsley Agyemang, the Chief Executive Officer of the Scholarship Secretariat, who is now the Member of Parliament for Akim Abuakwa South and a very close friend of the Special Prosecutor (Mr. Kissi Agyebeng, Esq).

“That owing to the imminence of the 2024 general elections and the fact that Mr. Kingsley Agyemang, of the Scholarship Secretariat, was a parliamentary candidate for the Abuakwa South Constituency, the Special Prosecutor, in or around October 2024, directed that the investigation involving the Scholarship Secretariat be discontinued so as not to prejudice his political ambitions.”

Asiedu-Arthur contends that the sudden discontinuation of the investigation, followed by the termination of his appointment, amounts to victimisation and a breach of his rights under Articles 23 and 191 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantee administrative justice and protect public servants from arbitrary dismissal.

Both the Attorney General and the Office of the Special Prosecutor have been named as respondents in the suit.

JKB/MA

GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey

A photo collage of Kissi Agyebeng (R) and former CEO of Scholarship Secretariat, Kingsley Agyemang

A former Deputy Staff Officer of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), DSO Mark Kwaku Asiedu-Arthur, has sued the OSP and the Attorney General at the Human Rights Division of the High Court in Accra, claiming that his dismissal was unconstitutional and violated his fundamental human rights.

According to court documents filed by his lawyer, Derrick Aboagye Asamoah, the applicant was employed by the OSP in July 2023 and served diligently until his appointment was abruptly withdrawn in June 2025.

Asiedu-Arthur contends that the decision to revoke his appointment was not only procedurally unfair but also motivated by victimisation.

He insists that the real reason for his removal was linked to his involvement in politically sensitive investigations, particularly one involving the Scholarship Secretariat.

He alleges that the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, had a personal interest in the Scholarship Secretariat case and sought to punish him for pursuing it.

In his motion, Asiedu-Arthur argued that the OSP’s withdrawal of his appointment letter dated July 31, 2023, was done “without a hearing, and based on previously disclosed information,” describing the act as “unfair, unreasonable, and in breach of Article 23 of the Constitution, 1992.”

He claimed the OSP’s actions were tainted with illegality, procedural unfairness, and bad faith.

The applicant is seeking a declaration from the court to nullify the termination and is demanding compensation for what he describes as the infringement of his fundamental human rights.

He is also asking the court for “an order for reinstatement or, in the alternative, payment of compensation in a lump sum, recovery of legal costs in line with the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) scale of fees, and any other remedies the Honourable Court may deem fit.”

In his affidavit, Asiedu-Arthur stated that his prior termination from the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) had been fully disclosed during the OSP recruitment process and was accepted by the panel.

He emphasised that he served the office for nearly a year without any disciplinary issues or misconduct.

He explained that during his tenure at the Investigations Division of the OSP, he led inquiries into alleged corruption at the Scholarship Secretariat. His team, he said, arrested suspects, collected statements, and gathered substantial evidence.

At the height of the investigation, they were preparing to arrest Kingsley Agyemang, then CEO of the Scholarship Secretariat and now the Member of Parliament for Akim Abuakwa South.

In the affidavit, Asiedu-Arthur claimed, “That at a point in the investigation, my team was preparing to arrest Mr. Kingsley Agyemang, the Chief Executive Officer of the Scholarship Secretariat, who is now the Member of Parliament for Akim Abuakwa South and a very close friend of the Special Prosecutor (Mr. Kissi Agyebeng, Esq).

“That owing to the imminence of the 2024 general elections and the fact that Mr. Kingsley Agyemang, of the Scholarship Secretariat, was a parliamentary candidate for the Abuakwa South Constituency, the Special Prosecutor, in or around October 2024, directed that the investigation involving the Scholarship Secretariat be discontinued so as not to prejudice his political ambitions.”

Asiedu-Arthur contends that the sudden discontinuation of the investigation, followed by the termination of his appointment, amounts to victimisation and a breach of his rights under Articles 23 and 191 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantee administrative justice and protect public servants from arbitrary dismissal.

Both the Attorney General and the Office of the Special Prosecutor have been named as respondents in the suit.

JKB/MA

GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey

A photo collage of Kissi Agyebeng (R) and former CEO of Scholarship Secretariat, Kingsley Agyemang

A former Deputy Staff Officer of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), DSO Mark Kwaku Asiedu-Arthur, has sued the OSP and the Attorney General at the Human Rights Division of the High Court in Accra, claiming that his dismissal was unconstitutional and violated his fundamental human rights.

According to court documents filed by his lawyer, Derrick Aboagye Asamoah, the applicant was employed by the OSP in July 2023 and served diligently until his appointment was abruptly withdrawn in June 2025.

Asiedu-Arthur contends that the decision to revoke his appointment was not only procedurally unfair but also motivated by victimisation.

He insists that the real reason for his removal was linked to his involvement in politically sensitive investigations, particularly one involving the Scholarship Secretariat.

He alleges that the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, had a personal interest in the Scholarship Secretariat case and sought to punish him for pursuing it.

In his motion, Asiedu-Arthur argued that the OSP’s withdrawal of his appointment letter dated July 31, 2023, was done “without a hearing, and based on previously disclosed information,” describing the act as “unfair, unreasonable, and in breach of Article 23 of the Constitution, 1992.”

He claimed the OSP’s actions were tainted with illegality, procedural unfairness, and bad faith.

The applicant is seeking a declaration from the court to nullify the termination and is demanding compensation for what he describes as the infringement of his fundamental human rights.

He is also asking the court for “an order for reinstatement or, in the alternative, payment of compensation in a lump sum, recovery of legal costs in line with the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) scale of fees, and any other remedies the Honourable Court may deem fit.”

In his affidavit, Asiedu-Arthur stated that his prior termination from the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) had been fully disclosed during the OSP recruitment process and was accepted by the panel.

He emphasised that he served the office for nearly a year without any disciplinary issues or misconduct.

He explained that during his tenure at the Investigations Division of the OSP, he led inquiries into alleged corruption at the Scholarship Secretariat. His team, he said, arrested suspects, collected statements, and gathered substantial evidence.

At the height of the investigation, they were preparing to arrest Kingsley Agyemang, then CEO of the Scholarship Secretariat and now the Member of Parliament for Akim Abuakwa South.

In the affidavit, Asiedu-Arthur claimed, “That at a point in the investigation, my team was preparing to arrest Mr. Kingsley Agyemang, the Chief Executive Officer of the Scholarship Secretariat, who is now the Member of Parliament for Akim Abuakwa South and a very close friend of the Special Prosecutor (Mr. Kissi Agyebeng, Esq).

“That owing to the imminence of the 2024 general elections and the fact that Mr. Kingsley Agyemang, of the Scholarship Secretariat, was a parliamentary candidate for the Abuakwa South Constituency, the Special Prosecutor, in or around October 2024, directed that the investigation involving the Scholarship Secretariat be discontinued so as not to prejudice his political ambitions.”

Asiedu-Arthur contends that the sudden discontinuation of the investigation, followed by the termination of his appointment, amounts to victimisation and a breach of his rights under Articles 23 and 191 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantee administrative justice and protect public servants from arbitrary dismissal.

Both the Attorney General and the Office of the Special Prosecutor have been named as respondents in the suit.

JKB/MA

GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey

Former Director General of the National Lottery Authority and prominent New Patriotic Party (NPP) figure, Sammi Awuku, has hailed the establishment of the NPP Patriotic Institute as a timely and bold step toward national political renewal.

In a post shared on his official Facebook page, Awuku described the initiative as a “call to action, a fresh chapter, a bolder vision, and a rekindled patriotism” that could shape the future direction of the party.

See More ❯

Spokesperson for Team Bryan Acheampong’s 2028 campaign, Pius Enam Hadzide, has asserted that Ghanaians have consistently experienced better living conditions under New Patriotic Party (NPP) governments.

In an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr Hadzide expressed concern over the NPP’s current political standing but remained confident that history supports the party’s track record of improving citizens’ lives.

“Ask anyone — even our opponents will admit it — Ghanaians prosper more under NPP governments,” he stated.

Mr Hadzide pointed to a number of flagship policies introduced by successive NPP administrations to support his claim. These included the Free Basic Education policy under President John
Agyekum Kufuor, which covered education from primary to junior high school, as well as the School Feeding Programme, which continues to support thousands of schoolchildren.

“Who introduced school feeding? It was the NPP. Who made it possible for your child to go to school without paying a dime from primary to JHS? It was President Kufuor’s NPP government,” he emphasised.

He also highlighted the introduction of the Metro Mass Transit system by the NPP, which, he said, greatly enhanced public transportation and improved daily mobility for many Ghanaians.
“Metro Mass was another NPP initiative. These are things that made life better for the ordinary Ghanaian,” he added.

Turning to more recent developments, Mr Hadzide cited Free Senior High School (Free SHS), introduced under President Nana Akufo-Addo, as a transformative social intervention that has relieved financial pressure on many families.

“Free SHS is one of the biggest social interventions in our history. It was the NPP that brought it,” he said.

He further claimed that businesses flourished under NPP leadership due to favourable policies and sound governance.

While acknowledging that NPP administrations may have faced “minor hitches,” Mr Hadzide insisted that the overall impact of the party’s governance had been largely positive.

“Even if there were challenges, the truth is that NPP governments make life easier for Ghanaians. Businesses grow, children go to school, and families get some breathing space,” he noted.
He warned that under the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, Ghana risked falling back into economic difficulties unless the NPP returned to power in 2028.

“We are not in government today, and if we don’t work hard to return in 2028, Ghanaians may fall back into the mess we’ve seen before,” he cautioned.

Mr Hadzide concluded with a rallying call for unity among NPP members, urging them to intensify efforts to reclaim power and continue what he described as the party’s pro-development agenda.

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.

Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine [Left] and Suspended CJ Torkornoo

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has urged an Accra High Court to dismiss a case brought before it by the suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo.

In court documents filed by Deputy Attorney General Dr Justice Srem Sai, the state argued that the issues raised by Justice Torkornoo have either already been resolved or are currently under consideration by the Supreme Court.

Justice Torkornoo has approached both the Supreme Court and now the High Court, seeking to halt her removal process following the determination of a prima facie case against her by President John Dramani Mahama.

She claims her constitutional rights have been violated, arguing that she was not adequately informed of the basis on which the President and the Council of State made a prima facie determination regarding the petitions against her.

Justice Torkornoo also alleges that she has been subjected to invasive searches when appearing before the committee and has questioned the neutrality of Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, who is participating in the proceedings despite being involved in a related case.

Consequently, the Attorney General has outlined several related cases that have either been determined by the Supreme Court or remain pending before it. These include Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo v The Attorney-General & 5 Others (J8/113/2025), Centre for Citizenship Constitutional Electoral Systems LBG (CenCes) v The Attorney-General & 2 Others (J1/20/2025), and Vincent Ekow Assafuah v The Attorney-General (J1/18/2025).

According to Dr Ayine, these ongoing or concluded matters render the current High Court application improper.

“The issues forming the basis of the originating motion have either been adjudicated by the Supreme Court or are pending before it. This Honourable Court is therefore urged to strike out the Chief Justice’s application for judicial review,” he said.

Justice Torkornoo was suspended by President John Dramani Mahama after the President, in consultation with the Council of State, found a prima facie case against her based on three petitions for her removal.

JKB/MA

GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey

The Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Haruna Mohammed, has slammed the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) framing of July 1 as a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, saying the party’s so-called reset is more about persecuting political opponents than genuinely thanking God.

Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Tuesday, July 1, Mr Mohammed accused the NDC of hypocrisy, saying their recent rhetoric does not align with their actions in government.

“Let us be factual and let the people know that your reset is to persecute, and that’s what they are doing. It has nothing to do with thanking God,” he said in a rebuttal to earlier comments from NDC’s Deputy General Secretary, Mustapha Gbande, who claimed that while Ghanaians were renewing their minds in Christ, the NPP remained fixated on politics and numbers.

Mr Mohammed clarified that the idea of a national prayer day was not new and had been done under former President Akufo-Addo during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“On the 25th of March, 2020, His Excellency Akufo-Addo declared a National Day of Prayer, and this was done across the length and breadth of Ghana. We thanked God, and we prayed to God over a befallen pandemic. So this is not the first time,” he noted.

He added that while the NPP participated in the recent prayer service organized by President John Mahama, the NDC failed to reciprocate during similar moments under the previous government.

“They [NDC] didn’t come to thank God when we did ours,” he said.

“Now they talk about a peaceful election—he should have been clapping for us. If we [NPP] had behaved the way they did during the elections, Ghana would be in a different state.”

The NPP Deputy General Secretary also raised concerns about worsening insecurity in parts of the country under the current administration, questioning the NDC’s claims of peace.

“In his own region, Oti, people cannot sleep. They are killing them day in and day out. Bawku has escalated—peace does not exist in that place,” he said.

On the economy, he dismissed Mr Gbande’s optimism over improvements in the cedi’s performance, pointing out that the cost of living remains high.

“You talk about the cedi to dollar—but rent has not changed, food prices have not changed, cement prices have not changed,” Mr Mohammed said.

“Ghana’s democracy is deteriorating, and we should be worried.”

He added that beyond the symbolic gestures, the NDC’s actions, particularly in how it is treating dissenting voices and using bail conditions to punish political opponents, reflect a government more interested in control than reconciliation.

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.

Political science professor and Ghana Shippers’ Authority CEO Ransford Gyampo has publicly refuted claims he personally recruited 30 staff members, calling them “baseless allegations.”

In a formal statement, Gyampo clarified recruitment is handled by a private agency using rigorous procedures, stating: “I am not in charge of recruitment at my workplace.”

He also addressed travel criticisms, confirming he undertook four official trips out of 38 opportunities—all approved by the Chief of Staff. Gyampo emphasized frugality: “I remain the only CEO in Ghana who travels on ECONOMY TICKET,” offering boarding passes as evidence.

The outspoken academic linked the accusations to his critiques of governance under the previous administration, noting: “These aren’t new. They are part of a known grand scheme against me.” Legal proceedings against the allegations’ originators are now underway, with Gyampo confirming lawyers “would deal with the individuals this week.”

Concluding his rebuttal, Gyampo reaffirmed his commitment to “speaking truth to power” and safeguarding shippers’ interests. He assured the public: “I won’t do anything to betray the trust reposed in me.”

Spokesperson for Bryan Acheampong’s 2028 campaign, Pius Enam Hadzide, has urged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to adopt a politically strategic approach in selecting its next presidential candidate.

In an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr Hadzide cautioned that choosing a candidate without due diligence could expose the party to renewed public scrutiny over past controversies, ultimately weakening its campaign.

“If we’re not careful and select just anyone, every time an old issue comes up, they’ll link it to our candidate. That can cost us dearly,” he warned.

He underscored that the push for new leadership must not be driven by sentiment but by the party’s goal to win the 2028 general elections.

“This is not about change for change’s sake. It’s about change that gives us a real shot at winning power in 2028 for the sake of everyone in the party.”

Mr Hadzide called for unity and careful reflection, stating that the NPP must rally behind a candidate who is widely accepted, relatable, and seen as a bridge across various factions within the party.

“That’s why I believe Bryan Acheampong is the best option. He’s young, relatable, and well-liked by everyone at the party. I don’t think there’s anyone in the party who can say they have a problem with Bryan. He’s helped a lot of people financially and otherwise.”

Describing Bryan Acheampong, MP for Abetifi and former Minister for Food and Agriculture, as a “great unifying force,” Mr Hadzide praised his reputation as someone free of political baggage.

“If there must be a change, then it must be Bryan. He represents boldness, unity, and forward-thinking. We need a leader who can make a decision and stand by it. Bryan is that kind of person.”

He concluded by reaffirming Acheampong’s readiness to lead. “Where we are now, we need a man to lead us, and Bryan Acheampong is our best bet.”

Mr Acheampong has officially declared his intention to contest the NPP’s flagbearer race, having announced his bid during a meeting with the leadership of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, where he requested their prayers and blessings.

Meanwhile, the NPP has scheduled its presidential primaries for Saturday, 31 January 2026, following a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Tuesday, 17 June 2025.

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.

The Ghana Gold Board has issued a stern warning to individuals trading gold without a license, following GhanaWeb’s recent documentary, which uncovered numerous shops in Wassa-Akropong operating without the necessary permits.

The documentary, titled “The Gold Market That Fuels Galamsey,” highlighted the proliferation of unlicensed gold shops in the Western Region town, where the lucrative nature of gold trading has driven widespread illegal small-scale mining.

Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, has warned that anyone trading gold without a valid GoldBod license will be arrested and prosecuted.

Addressing journalists on June 30, 2025, Gyamfi stated, “If you are not licensed by the Ghana Gold Board, you are committing a crime if you buy gold or engage in any form of gold trading.”

He emphasised that traders holding licenses under the now-defunct Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) regime can no longer operate unless they reapply under the new GoldBod system.

“We will no longer continue to recognize licenses issued under the old regime,” he added.

On compliance, Gyamfi noted that President John Dramani Mahama is set to inaugurate the GoldBod Taskforce to clamp down on illegal gold trading, gold smuggling, and price distortions in the gold market.

“With the establishment of the Gold Board and the integration of the task force under the direction of President Mahama and the Minister of Finance, we hope to intensify the fight against smuggling. The approach so far has been ad hoc. We have been relying on national security personnel on a temporary basis.

“So, you realise that anytime we deploy national security, the market becomes disciplined. But when they are withdrawn, illegal activities quickly resume,” he said.

Sammy Gyamfi stressed that the new task force will be permanent and will serve as a constant enforcement presence in the gold market.

“This time around, we are not going to recall them. We will have a permanent, standby force protecting the national interest, ensuring that everyone trading in gold is licensed.

“To have a license means we have your data, we’ve conducted the necessary due diligence on you, we know the source of the funds you’re using to trade in gold, and we can confirm that it’s clean money, not connected to money laundering or terrorism financing,” he explained.

According to Gyamfi, these initiatives form part of the government’s broader agenda to combat illegal mining and safeguard the environment.

Background

There have been significant attempts by both past and present governments to clamp down on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, across parts of the country.

While various efforts and measures have been introduced to address the issue, the fight appears far from over and may well continue under future administrations.

One of the key drivers of this persistent problem is likely the existence of numerous gold-buying shops that provide a ready market for illegally mined gold, creating continuous demand that fuels the practice.

In Wassa Akropong alone, GhanaWeb’s documentary team identified over seven gold-buying shops operating in the area.

In the documentary titled “The Gold Market That Fuels Galamsey,” most of these shops appeared eager and ready to buy gold from anyone who walked in.

There was no effort made, nor any apparent interest shown, in verifying whether the gold came from licensed sources.

The process was simple: hand over the gold and get paid.

Among the gold-buying shops GhanaWeb discovered were: China Market Gold Buying Agent, Amanone Gold Refinery, Champion Gold Refinery, Nyame Na Ayɛ Gold – High Price, Anane Gold Buying Agent, High Price Gold Refinery Base, Givers Never Lack Gold Buying Agent, among others.

In an exclusive interview with the Public Relations Officer of GoldBod, Prince Minkah, he said his outfit is cracking down on all illegal gold traders.

“Before you can deal in gold in Ghana, you must obtain one of our licenses. That is our way of curbing all forms of illegalities,” he told GhanaWeb.

GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey

SSD/MA

President John Dramani Mahama has stated Ghana’s peace is not simply the product of sound policy, but a result of prayer.

He urged Ghanaians to remain vigilant and not take the country’s peace and stability for granted.

Speaking at the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving on Tuesday, July 1, President Mahama stated, “When we look across our beloved continent, Africa, and indeed at our wealth, what do we see?

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People’s National Party (PNP), the breakaway party from the People’s National Convention (PNC), has submitted a petition to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, seeking his intervention in what the party describes as a politically motivated attempt by President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to remove the suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Torkornoo.

Speaking to the media after presenting the petition on Tuesday, July 1, PNP leader Janet Nabila condemned the circumstances surrounding the Chief Justice’s suspension.

She accused the Mahama administration of trying to exert undue control over all three arms of government and described the suspension process as “a political witch hunt.”

Janet Nabila expressed concern about what she sees as a pattern of victimisation against women, warning that the ordeal faced by Justice Torkornoo threatens Ghana’s democratic and judicial integrity.

“We came to Manhyia to petition the Asantehene because we believe our traditional authorities must intervene when state institutions fail. As women, we are deeply disturbed that a female Chief Justice is being targeted in this way. I wept listening to her speak about her suffering,” she said.

She also criticised the timing of the government’s actions, pointing to the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving.

“You cannot genuinely pray and give thanks while acting with such vindictiveness. What we need is a National Day of Repentance,” she added.

Responding to claims of bias for not speaking out during the removal of former Electoral Commission Chairperson Charlotte Osei, Nabila denied any double standards, insisting the PNP’s position is based on principle, not politics.

The party is calling on Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to use his moral authority and influence to ensure justice and fairness in the ongoing process.

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.