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Police arrest 4 suspects linked to the killing of Sammy Gyamfi’s father-in-law

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Police arrest 4 suspects linked to the killing of Sammy Gyamfi’s father-in-law

The Ghana Police Service has confirmed the arrest of four suspects linked to the carjacking and murder of Andrews Amankwa, the father-in-law of GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi.

IGP Christian Tetteh Yohuno confirmed the arrest of four suspects during a press briefing on Monday, February 23, 2026.

According to the IGP, when the case was reported, he established a special team comprising the Ashanti Regional Commander, the Regional Intelligence Team, the Anti-Robbery Unit, and the Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team of the CID Headquarters to commence investigations immediately.

He revealed that on February 18, 2026, the first suspect, Akwesi Menu, was found in possession of the deceased’s Samsung phone. Two additional suspects: Kwadwo Amponsah, alias “Kamakaze,” and Emmanuel Kwame Appiah, alias “Tola,” were also arrested on February 21 and 22, 2026.

The IGP further disclosed that the alleged gang leader, Eric Antwi Doku, sustained gunshot wounds and later died at the hospital.

The IGP, during a press briefing on Monday, stated, “I’m happy to announce that we have arrested four suspects, including three members of the gang that was responsible for the attack”.

“As we always do when such cases are reported, I immediately constituted a team… to commence investigations,” he stated.

“Upon following several leads during the course of our investigation, we had our first breakthrough on February 18 2026,” Tetteh Yohuno noted.

“Suspect Eric Acheampong Adu, who sustained gunshot wounds during the operation, has passed on. Our investigation further established that this criminal syndicate, led by the deceased suspect, specialised in the snatching of pickup and Land Cruiser vehicles,” the IGP said.

“We will leave no stone unturned. By every legal means possible, we will continue to come after you. We will pursue you, arrest you, and bring you to justice. That is a promise,” he boldly stated.

“Criminals out there, take note of this: you can run, but you cannot hide,” he added.

The news follows reports that the father-in-law of Sammy Gyamfi, Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, has been killed in an alleged armed robbery attack.

Sammy Gyamfi’s father-in-law has been identified as Karikari.

Reports suggest the incident occurred on Friday, February 13, when he was shot during a violent robbery.

Mr Karikari, according to the information gathered, succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

The late Mr Karikari was the father of Irene Amankwaa Karikari, the wife of Sammy Gyamfi.

It will be recalled that on December 21, 2022, Sammy Gyamfi married Irene Amankwaa Karikari in a semi-private ceremony in Accra.

Also, the NDC Regional Communication Officers and their deputies expressed their grief over the death.

“The 16 Regional Communication Officers, Deputies, 276 Constituency Communication Officers, and distinguished communicators nationwide join in mourning this loss,” the statement said.

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Kotoka International Airport officially renamed Accra International Airport

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Kotoka International Airport officially renamed Accra International Airport

The Transport Ministry has officially announced that Kotoka International Airport officially renamed Accra International Airport.

The Ministry assured the public that operations, safety, and international travel would not be affected. Adding that the renaming will, however, involve updating official documents, signage, digital platforms, aviation publications, and communications.

The government has also called on the public, stakeholders, and international partners to cooperate for a smooth transition and thanked all for their support.

On Monday, February 23, 2026, in a press statement, the Transport Ministry stated, “The ministry hereby informs the general public that the Government of Ghana has officially reverted the name of Kotoka International Airport to its original name, Accra International Airport.

“The facility was originally known as Accra International Airport before its redesignation. The government has considered it appropriate to restore the airport to its former and internationally recognised name”, it said.

The statement further added, “This change will not affect airport operations, safety standards, or international travel arrangements. Notably, within the records of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the airport code has remained ‘ACC.’”

“The transition will involve updating official documents, airport signage, digital platforms, aviation publications, and other communication materials”.

Meanwhile, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, the Minister of Transport, has defended the government’s decision to rename the Kotoka International Airport.

The Transport Minister highlighted that the Mahama government’s decision is not politically motivated, arguing that renaming the airport is of significant importance to the Ghanaian people.

He explained that the government decision to just restore the airport’s original name, Accra International Airport, given by Ghana’s first presiednt Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

However, Renowned legal scholar and governance advocate, Prof Stephen Kwaku Asare, popularly known as Kwaku Azar, has said renaming Kotoka International Airport is costly and unwarranted.

He argued that the Airport’s name is firmly embedded in global aviation systems, international treaties, maps, branding, and digital platforms, which would make any attempt to change it a costly and complex exercise.

According to Kwaku Azar, the names that have endured for more than six decades have survived not one political moment, but military rule, constitutional change, democratic transition, and generational turnover.

He added that each generation has the right to question history, but no generation has the right to treat every inherited symbol as if it were freshly imposed.

In a write-up shared on Facebook, Kwaku Azar stated, “Renaming KIA now would incur significant administrative, financial, and symbolic costs without improving operational efficiency, safety, or economic growth”.

“Kotoka International Airport is already recognised globally. Stability and predictability are assets in aviation. Changing its name now risks confusion and unnecessary costs, with no measurable benefit to the country,” Prof Asare stated.

Kwaku Azar further added that “names are not endorsements. They are anchors of memory. KIA does not ask travellers to celebrate coups. It reminds us, silently and persistently, of a turbulent chapter in our national journey: post-independence authoritarianism, military intervention, Cold War pressures, internal dissent, and the long, painful road to constitutional democracy. Erasing the name does not heal that history. It merely hides it. A mature nation does not erase uncomfortable chapters; it teaches them”.

He further stressed that the renaming of Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to Accra International Airport risks erasing important lessons from Ghana’s history, explaining that the 1969 renaming of KIA was not meant to glorify the overthrow of Kwame Nkrumah.

See the statement below:

SHOCK – 4-year-old girl allegedly defiled 8 times by a 14-year-old boy

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SHOCK – 4-year-old girl allegedly defiled 8 times by a 14-year-old boy

A four-year-old girl has been allegedly defiled eight times by a 14-year-old boy identified as a Junior High School pupil in Suhum in the Eastern Region.

Reports suggest the four-year-old girl is suffering from serious reproductive health complicationsafter she was allegedly defiled 8 times by a 14-year-old.

According to the family of the four-year-old girl, the defilement began when the child was only three-and-a-half years old, with the alleged abuse happening in several parts of their compound house.

The news shared by GHOne TV stated, “A four-year-old girl is battling serious reproductive health complications after she was allegedly defiled eight times by a 14-year-old JHS pupil in Suhum, Eastern Region.

According to the victim’s family, the abuse began when the child was about three-and-a-half years old. However, the child’s complaints were reportedly not taken seriously until they became frequent, especially whenever her mother attempted to wash her…”

Further update by Starr FM detailed that “upon further questioning, the child mentioned the name of the suspect, a 14-year-old boy identified as Addo, who resides in the same compound house. When confronted, the suspect allegedly admitted to sexually abusing the child eight times”.

According to the report, the matter was subsequently reported to the police, who issued medical forms for examination.

A medical report from the Suhum Government Hospital, endorsed by Dr Nancy De-Graft Menz, read, “On pelvic examination, there were minor abrasions on the outer labia. The hymen was not intact, with the presence of foul-smelling whitish discharge on the vulva.

The perineum looked normal. There was also mild tenderness on the vulva. All other systemic examinations were normal.”

Following the medical findings, the 14-year-old boy suspect identified as Addo was arrested and interrogated, where he allegedly admitted to the offence.

Some Ghanaians on social media reacting to the shocking news stated, “As a health officer, I once saw a similar thing in the eastern region, where a 23-year-old defiled a 5-year-old, but parents refused to report to the police and wanted the issue resolved at home. That was 2010”.

“No one cares. They encourage you to speak when you have issues, but no one is ready to listen to you.

What kind of negligence will make you not take a three and a half years old girl seriously in a sensitive complaint like this?”, a netizen added.

Another Ghanaian added, “There is no punishment severe enough for those who do this. She has been robbed of her childhood. Our guardians should treat all allegations of sexual abuse and harassment as credible until proven otherwise. I pray justice is served. So help her God”.

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“Market queens determining prices” – Irate farmers tell Deputy Agric Minister

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“Market queens determining prices” – Irate farmers tell Deputy Agric Minister

Some angry farmers have told the Deputy Agriculture Minister, John Dumelo, that market queens are the ones determining the prices of their produce.

According to the angry farmers, the market queens are determining the price of their crop produce favourable to themselves.

They argued that the Market queens have been creating an alleged scarcity in the system to create a backlog.

The farmers at the Zaare irrigation farms further expressed frustration over their rotting ripe peppers, as they lack market access due to buyers only buying from them on Sunday and Wednesday, adding that people who do not buy within those stated days are tormented.

Speaking ot the Deputy Agriculture Minister during his visit to the Zaare irrigation farms, one of the farmers stated, “If you don’t join that group, you cannot buy pepper; if you buy pepper, they will torment you. The same thing happens in Kumasi and in Accra, which is what is causing the backlog. In a week, they have only Sunday and Wednesday to buy”.

“Meanwhile, we have to harvest every day, they did that to cause scarcity in the city and cause rot ot backlog here, and that is our headache. We tried on our own years back to break this chain or this cartel. It is not the value chain, but it is these market queens are determining the prices favourable to them. The farmers are here. Am I lying?

“We are happy you are here. One more thing, there is a total disconnect between us, the farmers, Agric and other stakeholders, that is a fact, today if they ask the Ministry of Agric, they don’t have the total number of pepper that is cultivated in the Bolga Municipality, not to talk of the rest of the Upper East region”, he added.

Also,  the Agric Minister in 2025 blamed middlemen for the high food prices in urban areas.

According to the Agric Minister, middlemen between the farmers and the urban area buy cheaply from farmers and sell at ‘throat-cutting’ prices to the consumers.

Eric Opoku highlighted that farmers are currently selling food crops at lower prices than at the start of harvest season.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, Eric Opoku explained, “When you go to the production point, the farmers are complaining that they were selling a truck of yams at GH¢7,000. When they started harvesting, it came down to GH¢4,000, and it is now hovering around GH¢3,000 and GH¢2,000 at the farm gate”.

Eric Opoku added, “We have some people also posing as middlemen between the farmers and urban areas, and they are engaging in profiteering, trying to enjoy abnormal profit. They buy cheaply from the farmers and sell at ‘throat-cutting’ prices to the consumers. The prices are better than before”.

“When you get to the mall, some of the food items are imported, and the prices cannot be compared to those in the local market now because the local ones are now cheaper than the imported ones,” he stressed.

He further added, “We, as a government, have decided to produce to feed Ghanaians; they must reciprocate our gesture by eating Ghana for us”.

In related news,  John Dumelo has announced that Ghana is on course to achieve large-scale domestic tomato production by the end of 2026.

According to John Dumelo, trials are underway at irrigation schemes to reduce reliance on imports from Burkina Faso.

The Deputy Minister further stressed that the Mahama government has a long-term plan to cut Ghana’s dependency on tomatoes from Burkina Faso by between 20 and 30 per cent beginning next year.

John Dumelo is quoted by a TV3 news flyer shared on social to have said, “Ghana on track for full-scale tomato production by year-end 2026”.

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3 busted over viral Obrachire SHS Student assault

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3 busted over viral Obrachire SHS Student assault

Dr Juliette Dufie Otami, the Central Regional Director of Education, has detailed that three persons have been arrested in connection with the attack on the  Obrachire SHS Student.

The development follows, amid a video that has emerged of a student of Obrachire Senior High Technical School being violently assaulted by students of the Swedru School of Business (SWESBUS).

Reports suggest the incident occurred at a District Schools Athletics Games organised to promote youth talent and sportsmanship.

According to reports, the incident occurred in Agona Swedru on Thursday, February 19.

In a viral video shared on social media, students from the two schools clashed during the confrontation, with a student of Obrachire being attacked by a group of SWESBUS students.

The Obrachire SHS Student was allegedly pelted with stones and beaten with sticks.

Reports suggest the student has been hospitalised after the assault with a teacher at Obrachire, revealing that the incident has been reported to the police.

Speaking on the AM Show on JoyNews on Monday, February 23, 2026, Dr Juliette Dufie Otami stated, “About three people have been arrested as of yesterday. We are still investigating the matter.”

“They have been discharged, and they are okay, they have all been treated, and they have all been brought back to the schools, and they are okay now”, she stated.

Meanwhile, the Central Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has suspended all zonal inter-school sporting activities in the Central Region.

In a statement on Sunday, February 22, 2026, the regional directorate detailed that the move follows management receiving credible reports of violence and clashes among student adding that in the interest of safeguarding lives, maintaining order, and preserving the integrity of school sports, Management immediately ceased all zonal inter-school sporting activities.

They further disclosed that the measure would enable Management to undertake a thorough review of the situation to develop appropriate strategies and preventive mechanisms for any recurrence of violence.

Also, Heads of SHSs and SHTSs have been requested to immediately suspend all planned or scheduled zonal inter-school athletics competitions.

Part of the Central Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) read, “These unfortunate occurrences have not only disrupted the spirit of healthy competition but have also posed serious threats to the safety and well-being of students, staff, and spectators”.

“It is therefore regrettable that these noble objectives have been undermined by acts of indiscipline and violence,” it added.

“Please note that this directive takes immediate effect and must be adhered to without exception,” the letter emphasised.

This latest incident adds to a disturbing trend of violence during inter-school sporting activities.

Recently, a student of Koforidua Senior High Technical School was stabbed during the Eastern Regional Inter-Schools Sports Festival.

The Eastern Regional Education Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) responded by banning three senior high schools from participating in all sporting and related extracurricular activities for two years.

The GES decision follows incidents of hooliganism during the recent Regional Super Zonal Sports Competition.

The affected schools are Koforidua Senior High Technical School (SECTECH), New Juaben Senior High School (NJUASCO), and New Nsutam Senior High Technical School (NSUTECH).

Resident of Koforidua blows alarms on a ‘completed’ abandoned hospital in the area

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Resident of Koforidua blows alarms on a ‘completed’ abandoned hospital in the area

A resident of Koforidua has expressed concerns about the abandonment of a completed hospital in the area.

According to the Resident of Koforidua, the hospital project was completed under the Akufo-Addo administration, but has remained unused since the NDC took office.

He further detailed that the abandoned hospital is located at New Juaben South, where Michael Okyere Baafi is the Member of Parliament.  

SIKA Official who shared the news on X wrote, “A resident of Koforidua has expressed concerns about the abandonment of a hospital in the area, which he believes was completed under the Nana Addo administration but has remained unused since the NDC took office.

He has urged President Mahama and his government to take the necessary steps to make the hospital operational”.

Speaking in the viral video, a narrator stated, “This is a Poly Clinic in Koforidua; in fact, it is situated in Michael Okyere Baafi’s constituency. This project seems to be complete, and it was under President Akufo-Addo’s era. I don’t understand why this project is still not functional.

This Mahama administration should immediately find a way of making this beautiful project functional”.

 Some Ghanaian reacting to the development stated, “If the hospital in Koforidua was indeed completed under the administration of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, then the priority now should be making it fully operational under John Dramani Mahama — for the benefit of the people, not for party points”.

One more Ghanaian wrote, “There’s one Agenda 111 hospital at Ahanta West, which is like 30mins drive from Takoradi in the Western Region, fully completed, but this government hesitates to equip it for operation. The list might go on. Meanwhile, it’s something that will create legit employments o”.

“This is what happens when common infrastructure becomes a political game. Ordinary Ghanaians suffer and pay the price”, a netizen adds.

“This is not totally true! It was never completed due to the economic crush under NADAA in 2022, no money. So the project stopped since then. Bf coming to social media, people must find out what was said about completing it in the current budget bf shouting. It’s not complete, no!”, one X user wrote.

A netizen added, “Because of politics, many initiatives are left to waste across the country, and we, as citizens, foolishly defend our political parties for failing to continue them. These projects have the potential to create significant employment opportunities for the people”.

One more Ghanaian noted, “Sometimes these completed projects are just buildings without equipment, staff, or full certification. If that’s the case, say it clearly instead of playing blame games.

We don’t vote for empty buildings. We vote for functioning services. If it’s not operational, then it’s not”.

“A hospital is not NPP property. It’s not NDC property. It’s public property. If it’s completed and still locked, that’s political pettiness hurting ordinary Ghanaians”, one X user stated.

Additionally, one more X user added, “if Nurses Trainee allowances were repurposed for completion and equipping these facilities so they get employed immediately after school, it would have been the best. But the Daft moronic people will say otherwise. If you can’t sacrifice to secure your future, better STFU”.

Watch the video below:

“I will give them 75% to 80% ” – Nana Aba Anamoah rates NDC gov’t 1 year in office

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“I will give them 75% to 80% ” – Nana Aba Anamoah rates NDC gov’t 1 year in office

Nana Aba Anamoah, a renowned Ghanaian media personality, has showered praises on the second coming of President John Dramani Mahama back into office.

According to Nana Aba Anamoah, he would rate the John Mahama-led NDC government 75% to 80%.

Nana Aba Anamoah detailed that the second coming of John Mahama has brought in a much-needed era of economic stability and ministerial humility compared to what Ghanaians witnessed under the past government.

The veteran Journalist asserted that President John Mahama has also learnt his lesson because in his first term, there were bouts of arrogance with his appointees.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z on Saturday, 21st February 2026, Nana Aba Anamoah stated, “I will give the 75% to 80% because I think that His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has stabilised the economy… I think his Finance Minister is doing an excellent job. The economy is doing very well now compared to the last three to four years. Things were quite turbulent”.

“There was too much arrogance… from the previous administration. You could listen from their utterances on the radio, the way they were so dismissive of journalists and their commentary. It was just very, very arrogant,” she remarked.

“But I think that the second coming of JM is a great one. He’s learned his lessons because his first term also had bouts of arrogance—not with him, but with his appointees. But things are different now, it’s just a year, maybe too early in the day. But I think that the trajectory looks good, it looks positive, and I am happy with the work they are doing so far. The appointees are careful, they are handson, they show up”.

Nana Aba Anamoah further went on to list a few ministers she has noted who are doing an excellent job, saying, “I will give credit to the Gender minister; she is very responsive, she jumps on issues very quickly, she doesn’t wait for days to respond, she is doing an excellent job. The Foreign Minister is also very accessible; you tweet at him, he responds, and a few of the appointees are doing very well.

“My favourite really is Oboubia. I like what Oboubia is doing with Mahamacares. The way she goes to the hospitals and it’s become a weekly thing… I like that,” Nana Aba added.

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has once again reiterated his commitment to raising Ghana’s economy and governance to a level no succeeding government can reverse.

Speaking at the annual New Year School Conference on Tuesday, January 6, President Mahama expressed his determination to make his second term count.

According to President Mahama, Ghana must set an example at a time when democratic governance is under pressure in parts of Africa.

President Mahama stated, “I have decided to make this second mandate so graciously granted to me by Ghanaians count. I have pledged to raise our economy and governance to a level that no succeeding government can reverse.”

“In a region where democracy is backsliding, we must demonstrate that democracy works and that our people can have faith in their leaders to uphold their interests and create opportunities for national prosperity,” he stated.

He further assured Ghanaians that his administration would maintain fiscal saying, “I can assure Ghanaians also that we will not relax the current fiscal discipline and efficient management of the economy even in the election year of 2028”.

Mahama added, “It demands that we move beyond rhetoric to implementation, short-term fixes to long-term solutions, and beyond narrow interest to the national interest. Growth and consolidation must be permanent.

“We cannot build the Ghana we want if the progress made under one regime is reversed under another. Our economic development programmes must be medium to long-term. Our progress as a nation must transcend political seasons, and this is why I decided to make this second mandate, so graciously granted to me by Ghanaians count,” he said to applause.

Watch the video below:

US court denies embattled Ken Ofori-Atta bail

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US court denies embattled Ken Ofori-Atta bail

The United States immigration court has denied former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta bail.

Reports suggest that Ken Ofori-Atta’s bail, which was heard on February 19, 2026, was unsuccessful.

According to veteran journalist Alfred Ogbamey, lawyers for Ken Ofori-Atta had prayed the court to grant bail to allow him to seek medical attention.

Nevertheless, the presiding judge, David Gardey, denied the request.

Judge Gardey reportedly ruled that bail was unnecessary, arguing that Ofori-Atta has access to adequate medical care at the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility where he is being held.

Parts of the post shared by the veteran journalist stated, “At his hearing last Thursday, lawyers for Ken Ofori-Atta argued that he should be granted bail to access proper medical care. Sources say the Judge refused the request, insisting that the former minister has access to adequate medical needs at the ICE facility”.

Also, TV3 in a post stated, “Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta remains in detention in the United States after a bail application in his immigration case was unsuccessful, according to sources familiar with the proceedings”.

It will be recalled that Ken Ofori-Atta’s bond hearing what is known as a bail hearing in Ghana, took place on February 19, 2026.

The federal judge was said to know whether Ghanaian authorities have filed proper proof of an extradition request.

Earlier, Ken Ofori-Atta appeared before a United States immigration court in Virginia on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. He was spotted wearing a dark shirt and a face mask during the hearing

His case was heard at the Annandale Immigration Court before Immigration Judge David Gardey.

The former finance minister was represented by his legal team, including Christopher Chaisson of Whiteford Taylor & Preston and Kwao Amagashi.

Ken Ofori-Atta is currently being held at the Caroline Detention Centre.

The hearing was a bond redetermination proceeding addressing his immigration status, following the revocation of his visa and related overstay/loss of lawful status issues.

It was initially set up as virtual (via Webex), attracting significant public interest with many attempting to join.

Due to the high public attention, Ofori-Atta’s legal team, led by U.S. counsel Christopher Chaisson, successfully requested that the proceedings be held in camera (private and closed to the public), and Immigration Judge David Gardey granted the request.

The court adjourned the case to April 27, 2026, with a direction for the U.S. government to provide evidence of any extradition application by February 19, 2026.

Meanwhile, in related development, Ken Ofori-Atta name has been permanently deleted from the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) Red Notice following a review.

On Friday, February 13, 2026, Ken Ofori-Atta’s Lawyers in a statement revealed that the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) had communicated its decision to expunge the alert from the organisation’s database.

According to the lawyers, the CCF concluded that the request for Ken Ofori-Atta’s arrest appeared to be primarily political in nature and did not meet INTERPOL’s neutrality requirements.

The statement signed by his lead counsel, Justice Kusi-Minkah Premo of the law firm Minkah-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline & Partners, read, “We are pleased to announce that, today, February 13, 2026, the Commission for The Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) has notified Kenneth Ofori-Atta that on February 4, 2026 during its 135th Session, it determined that the Red Notice issued against Ofori-Atta “appears of a predominantly political character” and is non- compliant with INTERPOL’s rules, and shall be deleted from INTERPOL’s files permanently.

“Specifically, CCF stated that: “After a thorough examination of the elements before it, the commission found that the challenged data registered by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) of Ghana were not compliant with INTERPOL’s rules and decided that they should be deleted from the INTERPOL information system,” part of the letter read.

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Bongo DCE, Joseph Akasake Abaa dead

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Bongo DCE, Joseph Akasake Abaa dead

The Bongo District Chief Executive (DCE), Joseph Akasake Abaa, has died.

Reports suggest that the Bongo DCE died after a short illness at the Upper East Regional Hospital in Bolgatanga on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

The Bongo Constituency Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Tahiru Aberinga, verified the news in an interview.

He described Joseph Akasake Abaaas death as shocking and unexpected.

Joseph Akasake Abaaas was nominated by John Mahama to become the Bongo DCE and was confirmed by members of the Bongo District Assembly in April 2025.

The late Bongo DCE has also served the people of Zorko-Goo-Awaah as an Assembly Member for three consecutive terms and also held several positions within the NDC, including Bongo Constituency Youth Organiser and later Constituency Secretary in 2022.

The Bongo DCE death follows, Naser Toure Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Ayawaso East, who died last month.

Reports suggest the NDC MP passed away at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital after a period of illness.

According to multiple sources, Naser Toure Mahama is said to have died on Sunday, January 4, 2026, in the afternoon.

The late Naser Toure Mahama was a fourth-term MP and held several key roles in Parliament.

He served as Vice Chairman of the Energy Committee, and a member on the Roads and Transport Committee, the House Committee, and the Private Members’ Bills and Motions Committee.

Richard Acheampong, the Second Deputy Majority Whip, has revealed that the late Ayawaso East is expected to be laid to rest today in accordance with Muslim tradition at his residence in Nima, Accra.

In other news, the Assembly Member for the Agogo Apentenyinase Electoral Area, Kwabena Osei, has died.

Reports suggest that the Assembly Member for the Agogo Apentenyinase Electoral Area in the Asante Akyem North Municipality in the Ashanti Region died by suicide.

According to reports, the Agogo Assembly Member was found hanging from the ceiling of his home on Wednesday, January 7, at around 9:00 p.m.

The Presiding Member for the Asante Akyem North Municipality, Frank Gyamfi cornfirmed the news.

He described Kwabena Osei the Agogo Assembly Member as a young and promising leader.

The Presiding Member revealed he had spoken to Kwabena Osei on private issues on Sunday before the incident.

Frank Gyamfi stated, “I received a message from some of my colleagues that one of our assembly members, Kwabena Osei, is no more. I was shocked when I heard of his demise because I had spoken with him on Sunday.

“They are saying it is a suicide, but whether he committed it himself or it was done by somebody else, we cannot confirm. I do not want to preempt what the police will uncover, but he had been hanged,” he said.

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Mahama ‘upset’, persons involved in GH¢85m goods diversion will not be treated with kid gloves – Minister

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Mahama ‘upset’, persons involved in GH¢85m goods diversion will not be treated with kid gloves – Minister

Thomas Nyarko Ampem, the Deputy Minister for Finance, has said President John Dramani Mahama was very upset following the receipt of news of the GH¢85million goods diversion at Ghana’s borders.

According to Thomas Nyarko Ampem, President Mahama has demanded immediate feedback when they return from the border.

He announced that the Mahama government is determined to send a clear message to those linked to the intercepted trucks declared as transit goods from Akanu and destined for Niger through Kulungugu.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, February 23, 2026, Mr Ampem stated, “When we returned from the border, the President was waiting for us for feedback. He was so upset, and there is no way anybody involved in this is going to be treated with kid gloves”.

“We want to send a very strong signal that our customs officers have the responsibility to ensure revenue and protect our borders. So, they should not be complicit in this,” he said.

He added, “There are good ones who assisted us in this exercise. We want to reward good behaviours of customs officers and punish bad behaviours”.

Also, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has said that Customs Officers fingered in GH¢85million goods diversion will face the necessary action.

The Deputy Finance Minister detailed that formal processes are underway to investigate the alleged diversion of 18 articulated trucks, which were loaded with cooking oil, tomato paste and spaghetti.

According to the Deputy Finance Minister, internal processes have been initiated with queries already issued to the officers, adding that the officers linked to the GH¢85million goods diversion will face actions, including interdiction.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, February 23, Thomas Nyarko Ampem stated, “The Minister gave directives to the Commissioner General of Customs to act immediately. The report I got from the Commissioner General as of last night indicates that they have started their internal processes, and we expect that by the close of today or tomorrow, some disciplinary actions will take place. It is going to happen.

“Queries were issued to the officers who were assigned to escort the trucks out of Ghana, and they are expected to respond by the end of today. After that, the necessary action, including interdiction, will happen. The interdiction will happen.”

The Deputy Minister for Finance comes on the heels of the interception of 18 articulated trucks at the Akanu and Aflao borders on February 18, 2026.

“On February 18, 2026, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), acting through its Customs Division, intercepted the trucks and confirmed that they were carrying assorted consumer goods, including cooking oil, spaghetti, and tomato paste”, reports stated.

The information gathered suggests the trucks had reportedly been declared for transit to Niger; however, they were suspected to have been diverted for sale within the local market.

Also, the vehicles were allegedly moving without the mandatory customs human escort, which breaches the established transit procedures.

The shipments are projected to represent potential lost revenue of GH¢85.3 million, with an initial estimation set at GH¢2.62 million.

A statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of the Ministry of Finance stated, “Initial suspended duties and taxes were assessed at GH¢2,619,748.81. However, post-interception examinations uncovered material discrepancies in declared unit values, tariff classifications, and weights.”

“These irregularities significantly understated the tax liability, and the suspended revenue exposure has been revised to GH¢85,306,578.33,” the statement said.

Minority fingers COCOBOD’s Deputy CEO for allegedly diverting funds to his company

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Minority fingers COCOBOD’s Deputy CEO for allegedly diverting funds to his company

The minority caucus in parliament has fingered COCOBOD’s Acting Deputy Chief Executive, Ato Boateng of allegedly diverting funds to his company.

According to the minority, the Deputy CEO of COCOBOD diverted funds to his company, Atlas Commodities, at the expense of Produce Buying Company (PBC).

In a news flyer shared by Joy FM, the Minority is quoted to have said, “Minority accuse COCOBOD’s Ag. Deputy CEO, Ato Boateng, of allegedly diverting funds to his company, Atlas Commodities, at the expense of Produce Buying Company (PBC)”.

Also, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, has petitioned the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to probe an alleged conflict of interest at the  Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).

The Old Tafo MP’s petition stems from his alleged claim against Ato Boateng, Acting Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Finance and Administration at COCOBOD and his dealings with Atlas Commodities Limited.

Ekow Assafuah called on the OSP to launch a full criminal and corruption-risk investigation into alleged conflict-of-interest and potential abuse of office, as Ato Boateng, as a Deputy Chief Executive, is also the CEO of Atlas Commodities Limited, which he argued constitutes a conflict of interest amounting to abuse of office.

The Old Tafo MP is also asking the OSP to determine whether Mr Boateng fully declared his prior relationship with the company upon assuming public office.

“I respectfully request the Office of the Special Prosecutor to investigate: Whether Mr Ato Boateng’s prior executive leadership of Atlas Commodities Limited, combined with his present role at COCOBOD, constitutes a conflict of interest amounting to abuse of office. Whether his prior relationship with Atlas Commodities was fully declared upon assumption of public office,” Part of the petition stated.

He also called on the OSP to investigate whether Atlas Commodities Limited received preferential treatment, regulatory accommodation, operational advantages, or institutional protection within COCOBOD.

Earlier, in a Facebook post shared by Vincent Ekow Assafuah, he wrote, “BIG SCANDAL LOOMING AT COCOBOD.

One of the reasons cocoa farmers continue to endure hardship under the current COCOBOD administration is what appears to be blatant insensitivity and possible abuse of office.

Serious concerns have emerged regarding the leadership of COCOBOD under Randy Abbey and his deputy, Mr. Ato Boateng, Acting Deputy Chief Executive (Finance & Administration), whose established professional association with Atlas Commodities Limited is confirmed by records at the Registrar-General’s Department and further corroborated by publicly available information, including a simple Google or AI search, which shows that he is the company’s Chief Executive Officer since 2018.

Attached is a waybill issued in the name of Atlas Commodities Limited indicating the movement of cocoa from Kedjebi within the 2025/2026 crop season. The document references 800 bags of Grade One Cocoa, raising legitimate questions about the operational role of this private company within the cocoa purchasing chain.

It is alleged that funds meant for Licensed Buying Companies, including PBCs, to purchase cocoa were instead redirected to this private entity, with cocoa allegedly hoarded in anticipation of future price increases.

These alleged activities are said to be taking place in parts of the Central and Eastern Regions, raising concerns about the scale of the operation.

COCOBOD is the regulator of all Licensed Buying Companies. Therefore, how can the regulator of the industry be seen to also operate, directly or indirectly, as a buying company within the same system it supervises? If true, this would represent a serious conflict of interest and a breach of regulatory integrity.

Further claims suggest that Atlas Commodities Limited does not operate its own warehouses but may be relying on existing PBC warehouse facilities.

Most concerning is the allegation that Atlas Commodities may be operating within warehouses registered under PBC. COCOBOD regulations require that every warehouse be registered under a specific Licensed Buying Company. If a warehouse is registered under PBC, it should not be used for the storage, grading, sealing, or processing of cocoa belonging to another company.

If proven, such an arrangement would constitute a serious regulatory breach and raise critical questions for the district Quality Control officers responsible for oversight.

Additionally, it is being alleged that the Chief Executive has sat on a task force report related to these matters, preventing the public from knowing the full extent of its findings.

These are grave concerns that demand urgent and independent investigation. The matter has reportedly been brought to the attention of the Jasikan and Hohoe Police Stations.

Cocoa farmers deserve transparency, accountability, and protection from any actions that undermine their livelihoods”, his post concluded.

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“Let’s put NPP, NDC aside, prepaid credits running” – Irate woman vents her anger at ECG

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“Let’s put NPP, NDC aside, prepaid credits running” – Irate woman vents her anger at ECG

An irate Ghanaian woman has called out the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) over how quickly prepaid electricity credits are running.

According to the Irate woman, a proper investigation needs to be conducted into the ECG system.

She is alleging possible foul play after several complaints about prepaid electricity credits running out too quickly.

The irate woman stressed that she purchased GH¢60 worth of credit at around 5:00 am, but by 7:00 pm the entire amount had been exhausted.

She further asserted that her concern about the prepaid electricity credits is not baseless as it has happened mutiply time.

Speaking in a viral video shared on X, “This thing is becoming too much. Let’s put politics aside, let’s put NPP and NDC aside. I don’t know who is controlling the ECG. The light issues are becoming too much in Ghana; even if I place a horse in the fridge, it will not read this way.

Now, when you buy 100 cedis, it is 24 hours, then it will be exhausted. Just this dawn, my prepaid got exhausted, and around 5: 00 am I bought 60 cedis, but by 7:00 pm the entire amount had been exhausted”.

She added, “The AC here, I don’t even turn it on. I have two fridge but I use only one of them even that I don’t turn it on.

What is happening, what about us, those who don’t have work, I buy prepaid credit 100 cedis 24/7. If I should print the amount I spend on electricty you will open your mouth wide. Those who are not complaining, I am sure most of them are doing illegal”.

Some Ghanaians reacting to the news stated, “This ECG trend I’m seeing is it politically motivated or what? Lights have been expensive since those new meters were installed in late 2024 tho. There’s been a slight increase in 2025. I don’t see any significant difference like people are saying!”.

A netizen stated, “The question is, how is her consumption? What appliances is she using? Because some ppl buy Ghc 100 for a month. If you buy Ghc 60 and on your AC, fridge, using microwave, air fryer, washing machine, and other appliances, it won’t last. Also, she should check her earthen system”.

“And on top of that they’ll not allow the light to stay on, I’m at Achimota kingsby and it’s been hell for the past weeks. They’ll off the light and turn in back on within 30-45 and the least that happened in a day is 5 times. Today, Monday, it hasn’t been off yet, but I’m sure”, one more X user added.

An X user added, “Most often, we put the blame on the service providers. How often do we call certified electrical professionals to also check leakage in our electrical wiring?

ECG is too quiet. They should also educate consumers on what to do right”.

“Illegal connection is looking more and more reasonable when you sit down and think about it cause prepaid will finish you. Imagine the whole area having light around 3 am and your prepaid has finish including the extra & it’s not those momo prepaid”, a netizen added.

One more Ghanaian wrote, “Telcos boost internet speed (4G), but then data finishes twice as fast. ECG “upgrades” meters, but then the cost of electricity nearly doubles. GWCL “rations” the water supply every week, but then the cost of water becomes almost 2x more expensive. God bless our homeland Ghana”.

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Drug cartel leader El Mencho’s killing ignites fears 4 months to 2026 World Cup

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Drug cartel leader El Mencho’s killing ignites fears 4 months to 2026 World Cup

The killing of a drug cartel leader, Nemesio Oseguera, widely known as “El Mencho,” has sparked fears ahead of the 2026 World Cup being hosted in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Already, there have been some fears with the US as a host city for the World Cup following recent security issues.

The killing of El Mencho has now also sparked fears among fans and officials with just a few months to the 2026 World Cup.

Violence has erupted in Guadalajara, a city in the Western Mexico, following a military operation in which cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, widely known as El Mencho, was killed.

Following the operation, cartel members have stormed the city, set vehicles ablaze, and blocked highways across nearly a dozen Mexican states.

The violence has led to Liga MX officials postponing two top-flight fixtures from the schedule: the men’s game between Querétaro and Juárez FC, and Chivas vs América in the women’s division.

Guadalajara, the city which has now erupted in violence are set to host nations like South Korea, Spain, Uruguay, and Colombia during the 2026 World Cup.

Some X user reacting to the violence wrote, “How on earth did FIFA agree to host a World Cup in Mexico? How much was paid to gamble with the lives of millions?”

“Praying for all the innocent, hardworking people in Mexico. This is why border security is important. We must destroy the cartels — they are terrorist organizations”, an X user added.

One more netizen added, “People across the world are in fear for their lives after social media users mentioned that the FIFA World Cup is taking place in Mexico in 4 months and the nation is currently being dominated by Cartel opposition”.

“Here are Claudia Sheinbaum’s own words, just a few days ago, showing that it was the President @realDonaldTrump who decided to go after the cartels. Look at how Mexico’s president defends the human rights of drug traffickers. Judge for yourself”, a netizen added.

One more X user added, “Reportedly, aided by U.S. intelligence, Mexico today killed notorious drug lord El Mencho. President Trump must now help Mexico deal with the violence his death has unleashed. It could become an existential crisis for Mexico. Many American tourists and locals are already caught up in the spreading violence. This is the war we should be fighting—alongside Mexico against the drug cartels, not against Iran, nobody gives a shit about Iran”.

Meanwhile, Prophet Nigel Gaisie, the Founder and Leader of Prophetic Hill Chapel, had earlier warned that the World Cup in America may not be postponed.

Nigel Gaisie added, “I saw in America a lot of jets—a lot of jets in the space of America. If we don’t pray, the World Cup may not come on, or maybe we may postpone it, or there will be a problem with the American one.

“The LORD carried my spirit, and I saw planes in the space of America. I will pray, and we will avert it because prayer can avert the black stars of Ghana,” he said.

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Mike Oquaye gave me GHS20k, but I didn’t know I was going to contest him for Speakership – Bagbin

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Mike Oquaye gave me GHS20k, but I didn’t know I was going to contest him for Speakership – Bagbin

Rt Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, has recounted visiting former Speaker Aaron Mike Oquaye on 4th January 2021 to bid him farewell as he was leaving Parliament.

Alban Bagbin revealed that Mike Oquaye gifted him 20,000 cedis in cash and wished him well, but the following day, he was summoned by the leadership of the National Democratic Congress to contest Mike Oquaye for Speakership of the 8th Parliament.

Speaking during a Thanksgiving service for the Clerk of Parliament on February 22, 2026, Bagbin, actually, on January 4, 2021, I went to visit him in his office as the Speaker of the 7th Parliament of the Fourth Republic and bid him farewell, and he thanked me so much”.

“He gave me 20,000 Ghana cedis and wished me the best of times after Parliament,” Bagbin disclosed.

He further added, “At that time, I didn’t know that General Mosquito, the chairman who is here, and others had conspired to get me to contest him”.

“The next day, January 5, 2021, I was called and summoned, and I said to myself, ‘I’ve gone to bid him goodbye, and he gave me 20,000. How am I going to contest him again?’ And the rest is history,” he added.

It will be recalled that accusations were levelled against Adwoa Safo as the NPP MPs suspected of voting for the then opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) nominee Alban Bagbin instead of the NPP’s Mike Ocquaye Snr. as the Speaker in 2020.

However, Alban Bagbin has revealed that the former member of parliament for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, did not vote for him to become Speaker of Parliament.

According to Speaker Bagin, Adwoa Safo is his daughter, but did not vote for him as she has been accused by many, adding that he knows all those who voted for him in the famous election in parliament.

Alban Bagbin made this revelation when Adwoa Safo, the former Deputy Majority Leader of Parliament and Member of Parliament, led a delegation of her family to formally notify the Speaker of Parliament about the passing of Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo Kantanka.

Speaking during the meeting, Alban Bagbin stated, “ Adwoa Safo is my daughter. I knew her even before she joined me in parliament. But she did not vote for me to become speaker, I know those who voted for me”.

Meanwhile, an aide to former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has labelled Alban Bagbin, as the worst Speaker Ghana has had since 1992.

Dennis Miracles Aboagye accused Speaker Bagbin of being biased, partisan, unjust and not transparent.

According to Miracles Aboagye, all the chaos in Parliament is on the head of the Speaker.

Speaking on Asempa FM, Dennis Miracles Aboagye claimed, “Bagbin remains the worst Speaker of Parliament since 1992. He is biased, partisan, unjust and not transparent, and all he does is skirmish. Every chaos is parliament is on the head of the speaker. He is the one who must maintain order in the chamber, but because of his inconsistency…”

He cited the Speaker’s conduct during the 8th parliament and the 9th parliament, arguing that the Speaker turned the 8th parliament into a nursery because of his skirmishes.

Miracles Aboagye added, “What happened in the 8th parliament is what we are seeing in the 9th parliament. We saw parliament turned into a nursery, and it all happened under this same speaker because of his skirmishes. He’s unable to make firm decisions. How can the Speaker of the House move a motion in the midst of chaos?

That is not leadership; that is you supporting impunity. You did it in the 8th Parliament when the NPP has majority, and you are doing it in the 9th Parliament, and it is time to call the Speaker out, let him know that he is responsible for the House. So if the House is in chaos, it is on his head and nobody else”.

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GES suspends all inter-school sporting activities in the Central Region

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GES suspends all inter-school sporting activities in the Central Region

The Central Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has suspended all zonal inter-school sporting activities in the Central Region.

In a statement on Sunday, February 22, 2026, the regional directorate detailed that the move follows management receiving credible reports of violence and clashes among student adding that in the interest of safeguarding lives, maintaining order, and preserving the integrity of school sports, Management immediately ceased all zonal inter-school sporting activities.

They further disclosed that the measure would enable Management to undertake a thorough review of the situation to develop appropriate strategies and preventive mechanisms for any recurrence of violence.

Also, Heads of SHSs and SHTSs have been requested to immediately suspend all planned or scheduled zonal inter-school athletics competitions.

Part of the Central Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) read, “These unfortunate occurrences have not only disrupted the spirit of healthy competition but have also posed serious threats to the safety and well-being of students, staff, and spectators”.

“It is therefore regrettable that these noble objectives have been undermined by acts of indiscipline and violence,” it added.

“Please note that this directive takes immediate effect and must be adhered to without exception,” the letter emphasised.

The development follows, amid a video that has emerged of a student of Obrachire Senior High Technical School being violently assaulted by students of the Swedru School of Business (SWESBUS).

Reports suggest the incident occurred at a District Schools Athletics Games organised to promote youth talent and sportsmanship.

According to reports, the incident occurred in Agona Swedru on Thursday, February 19.

In a viral video shared on social media, students from the two schools clashed during the confrontation, with a student of Obrachire being attacked by a group of SWESBUS students.

The Obrachire SHS Student was allegedly pelted with stones and beaten with sticks.

Reports suggest the student has been hospitalised after the assault with a teacher at Obrachire, revealing that the incident has been reported to the police.

This latest incident adds to a disturbing trend of violence during inter-school sporting activities.

Recently, a student of Koforidua Senior High Technical School was stabbed during the Eastern Regional Inter-Schools Sports Festival.

The Eastern Regional Education Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) responded by banning three senior high schools from participating in all sporting and related extracurricular activities for two years.

The GES decision follows incidents of hooliganism during the recent Regional Super Zonal Sports Competition.

The affected schools are Koforidua Senior High Technical School (SECTECH), New Juaben Senior High School (NJUASCO), and New Nsutam Senior High Technical School (NSUTECH).

Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has announced that they have commence investigation into the viral video of student violence.

According to the Police, they have seen the viral video, and they strongly condemn the violence.

They further assured Ghanaians that all perpetrators will be identified and brought to book.

In a post shared on the Ghana Police Service social media account on X, read, “POLICE COMMENCE INVESTIGATION INTO VIRAL VIDEO OF STUDENT VIOLENCE.

The Ghana Police Service has sighted a viral video in which a group of people are seen pelting stones at a student.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and further developments will be communicated in due course.

The Service strongly condemns the violence and assures the public that all perpetrators will be identified and brought to justice”.

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“The second coming of JM is a great one” – Nana Aba Anamoah

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“The second coming of JM is a great one” – Nana Aba Anamoah

Nana Aba Anamoah, a renowned Ghanaian media personality, has praised the second coming of President John Dramani Mahama back into office.

According to Nana Aba Anamoah, he would rate the John Mahama-led NDC government 75% to 80%.

Nana Aba Anamoah detailed that the second coming of John Mahama has brought in a much-needed era of economic stability and ministerial humility compared to what Ghanaians witnessed under the past government.

The veteran Journalist asserted that President John Mahama has also learnt his lesson because in his first term, there were bouts of arrogance with his appointees.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z on Saturday, 21st February 2026, Nana Aba Anamoah stated, “ I will give the 75% to 80% because I think that His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has stabilised the economy… I think his Finance Minister is doing an excellent job. The economy is doing very well now compared to the last three to four years. Things were quite turbulent”.

“There was too much arrogance… from the previous administration. You could listen from their utterances on the radio, the way they were so dismissive of journalists and their commentary. It was just very, very arrogant,” she remarked.

“But I think that the second coming of JM is a great one. He’s learned his lessons because his first term also had bouts of arrogance—not with him, but with his appointees. But things are different now, it’s just a year, maybe too early in the day. But I think that the trajectory looks good, it looks positive, and I am happy with the work they are doing so far. The appointees are careful, they are handson, they show up”.

Nana Aba Anamoah further went on to list a few ministers she has noted who are doing an excellent job, saying, “I will give credit to the Gender minister; she is very responsive, she jumps on issues very quickly, she doesn’t wait for days to respond, she is doing an excellent job. The Foreign Minister is also very accessible; you tweet at him, he responds, and a few of the appointees are doing very well.

“My favourite really is Oboubia. I like what Oboubia is doing with Mahamacares. The way she goes to the hospitals and it’s become a weekly thing… I like that,” Nana Aba added.

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has once again reiterated his commitment to raising Ghana’s economy and governance to a level no succeeding government can reverse.

Speaking at the annual New Year School Conference on Tuesday, January 6, President Mahama expressed his determination to make his second term count.

According to President Mahama, Ghana must set an example at a time when democratic governance is under pressure in parts of Africa.

President Mahama stated, “I have decided to make this second mandate so graciously granted to me by Ghanaians count. I have pledged to raise our economy and governance to a level that no succeeding government can reverse.”

“In a region where democracy is backsliding, we must demonstrate that democracy works and that our people can have faith in their leaders to uphold their interests and create opportunities for national prosperity,” he stated.

He further assured Ghanaians that his administration would maintain fiscal saying, “I can assure Ghanaians also that we will not relax the current fiscal discipline and efficient management of the economy even in the election year of 2028”.

Mahama added, “It demands that we move beyond rhetoric to implementation, short-term fixes to long-term solutions, and beyond narrow interest to the national interest. Growth and consolidation must be permanent.

“We cannot build the Ghana we want if the progress made under one regime is reversed under another. Our economic development programmes must be medium to long-term. Our progress as a nation must transcend political seasons, and this is why I decided to make this second mandate, so graciously granted to me by Ghanaians count,” he said to applause.

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“Totally unnecessary” – Oppong Nkrumah brushes off rumours of replacing Afenyo-Markin as Minority Leader

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“Totally unnecessary” – Oppong Nkrumah brushes off rumours of replacing Afenyo-Markin as Minority Leader

Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Minority Spokesperson on Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee, has refuted claims of potential change in parliamentary leadership within the Minority Caucus.

According to Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the rumours of a potential reshuffle in the caucus’s leadership are totally unnecessary.

He detailed that the NPP minority are not having any conversations about a change of leadership and is only focused on holding the government to account on its promises.

Speaking in an interview on TV3 on February 22, 2026, Oppong Nkrumah brushed off the rumours saying, “I have heard this, but I think it’s totally unnecessary. As a caucus, we are not having any conversations about a change of leadership, and I think it is totally unnecessary.

“We are focused, united, and working together to hold the government to account on its promises,” he added.

Additionally, Justin Frimpong Kodua, the NPP General Secretary, has declared that the party is very impressed with the work of Alexander Afenyo-Markin and the Minority leadership.

The NPP General Secretary dismissed claims that the NPP plans to replace Afenyo-Markin as minority leader.

Speaking in an interview on TV3 on Friday, February 13, 2025, Justin Kodua stated, “It is something that has not come to the table, and I don’t see why, at this point, the party would want to change leadership in Parliament. For what reason? So, it is something that has not come to the table.”

“The party is overwhelmingly satisfied. We know the work that the mighty Minority, under the leadership of Afenyo-Markin, has been doing, and, certainly, we will continue to give them all the needed support to enable them to continue to perform their job. We are very impressed and very elated about the work that they are doing,” he stressed.

Justin Kodua further added that the NPP continues on its current reorganisation path, adding that he is convinced the party will return to power in 2028.

“If, as a party, we are able to continue the reorganisation that we are undertaking, I am very convinced that in 2028 we shall come back to power. All that Ghanaians are expecting from us is to prove and show them that, yes, we mean business, and we have taken our reorganisation seriously,” he boldly added.

Also, Gabby Otchere-Darko, a legal practitioner and stalwart of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has broken his silence on alleged calls to remove the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, from his position as Minority Leader in Parliament.

According to Gabby Otchere-Darko, he has not heard of any calls for the removal of Afenyo-Markin as Minority Leader.

Gabby Otchere-Darko highlighted that the NPP Minority in Parliament has been strong in Parliament over the last 12 months, adding that Afenyo-Markin’s recent visit to NPP presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, shows they can work together.

Speaking in an interview on Asaasepa on February 3, 2026, Gabby explained, “I haven’t heard calls that they should remove Afenyo-Markin, but I think the Minority has done well. They have held this party together for the past twelve months.

“I also saw footage of him with the presidential candidate, and I am confident the party, in its wisdom, will remain stable,” he added.

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Customs Officers fingered in GH¢85m goods diversion will face action – Deputy Finance Minister  

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Customs Officers fingered in GH¢85m goods diversion will face action – Deputy Finance Minister  

Thomas Nyarko Ampem, the Deputy Minister of Finance, has announced that Customs Officers fingered in GH¢85million goods diversion will face the necessary action.

 The Deputy Finance Minister detailed that formal processes are underway to investigate the alleged diversion of 18 articulated trucks, which were loaded with cooking oil, tomato paste and spaghetti.

According to the Deputy Finance Minister, internal processes have been initiated with queries already issued to the officers, adding that the officers linked to the GH¢85million goods diversion will face actions, including interdiction.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, February 23, Thomas Nyarko Ampem stated, “The Minister gave directives to the Commissioner General of Customs to act immediately. The report I got from the Commissioner General as of last night indicates that they have started their internal processes, and we expect that by the close of today or tomorrow, some disciplinary actions will take place. It is going to happen.

“Queries were issued to the officers who were assigned to escort the trucks out of Ghana, and they are expected to respond by the end of today. After that, the necessary action, including interdiction, will happen. The interdiction will happen.”

He further alleged that some officers within the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) are colluding with importers to undervalue goods, which leads to significant revenue losses to Ghana.

The Deputy Finance Minister noted that the issue of customs officers helping importers to manipulate declarations has been an ancient concern.

“The customs have been tracking them. I have seen a letter that one of the officers wrote to the Aflao border, not to allow those goods to come in. This means that it is something that has been happening and they have been monitoring it for a while”.

“There are some bad nuts in customs who are aiding importers to defraud the nation. So, when the good ones realised it, they decided to act,” he added.

The Deputy Minister for Finance comes on the heels of the interception of 18 articulated trucks at the Akanu and Aflao borders on February 18, 2026.

“On February 18, 2026, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), acting through its Customs Division, intercepted the trucks and confirmed that they were carrying assorted consumer goods, including cooking oil, spaghetti, and tomato paste”, reports stated.

The information gathered suggests the trucks had reportedly been declared for transit to Niger; however, they were suspected to have been diverted for sale within the local market.

Also, the vehicles were allegedly moving without the mandatory customs human escort, which breaches the established transit procedures.

The shipments are projected to represent potential lost revenue of GH¢85.3 million, with an initial estimation set at GH¢2.62 million.

A statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of the Ministry of Finance stated, “Initial suspended duties and taxes were assessed at GH¢2,619,748.81. However, post-interception examinations uncovered material discrepancies in declared unit values, tariff classifications, and weights.”

“These irregularities significantly understated the tax liability, and the suspended revenue exposure has been revised to GH¢85,306,578.33,” the statement said.

“I say it in pain, 24-Hour Economy Bill will not deliver a 24-Hour work cycle” – Oppong Nkrumah

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“I say it in pain, 24-Hour Economy Bill will not deliver a 24-Hour work cycle” – Oppong Nkrumah

Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Minority Spokesperson on Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee, has said the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill passed by parliament will not deliver a 24-Hour work cycle.

The member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi is quoted by a TV3 news flyer to have said, “I say it in pain that the bill they have passed will not deliver a 24-hour work cycle in this country. We will be here!”

According to Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill passed does not include an instrument that will ensure public agencies work for 24 hours.

Speaking in an interview on TV3 on Sunday, February 22, 2026, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah further explained, “Even the functions of the bill, they don’t put in it that this authority is to ensure that public agencies work for 24 hours. When we tried to put it in, they objected to it; that is why I am saying to you in all humility, they know what they are doing”.

“They are hoodwinking it in front of young people that they have passed the bill. It is coming, and I regret to say that nothing is coming. I encourage the young people to go online google the bill, and read it for yourself. You will be disappointed”.

“They have time; they have about two more budgets to go; they have time to correct some of these things. Unfortunately, when we speak, I think because of the partisan nature of politics, the NDC is more interested in debating us than picking lessons. Even when we confess our mistakes, they are more interested in debating us than listening to our confessions”, he added.

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has officially signed the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill into law on Thursday, February 19.

The signing paves the way for the full implementation of the Mahama government’s flagship economic policy.

According to John Mahama, the 24-hour economy authority will now have to move from strategy to implementation following his signing of the bill into law.

Speaking after he signed the bill into law, President Mahama stated, “Cabinet colleagues, I just appended my signature to give assent to the 24-hour Authority Bill. This Bill, which Ghanaians have been waiting for, was one of our flagship strategies for economic transformation.”

“Now we must move from strategy to implementation. The business sector is waiting, Ghanaian investors are waiting, foreign investors are waiting”, President Mahama added.

He added, “They want to see the package of incentives that we can afford, so that they can invest more and expand productivity and also create more employment for our young people, and so it’s my pleasure to assent to this Bill today.”

Also,  Goosie Tanoh, the Presidential Advisor on the government’s 24-Hour Economy, has said the government cannot force businesses to operate the 1-3-3 shift and to operate around the clock.

According to Goosie Tanoh, the 24-Hour Economy is designed to encourage businesses to expand production voluntarily.

He further detailed that the government’s focus is to create the right economic conditions for companies to grow, invest, and employ more workers.

Speaking in an interview with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Mr Tanoh explained, “If an economy is operating at full capacity, nobody is going to tell industry to do shifts. Do you understand? It is a function of capacity, it is a function of the investment regime and the incentive regime that allows companies to take the decision.

“Companies operate on the marginal. If the marginal cost of hiring more people and producing the next unit of output is less than the marginal revenue, they are not going to do it. So you can’t force anybody to do 1-3-3. What you need to do is to create an incentive and the environment that allows them to do that.”

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Gov’t can’t force anybody to do 1-3-3 – Goosie Tanoh speaks on 24-Hour Economy

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Gov’t can’t force anybody to do 1-3-3 – Goosie Tanoh speaks on 24-Hour Economy

Goosie Tanoh, the Presidential Advisor on the government’s 24-Hour Economy, has said the government cannot force businesses to operate the 1-3-3 shift and to operate around the clock.

According to Goosie Tanoh, the 24-Hour Economy is designed to encourage businesses to expand production voluntarily.

He further detailed that the government’s focus is to create the right economic conditions for companies to grow, invest, and employ more workers.

Speaking in an interview with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Mr Tanoh explained, “If an economy is operating at full capacity, nobody is going to tell industry to do shifts. Do you understand? It is a function of capacity, it is a function of the investment regime and the incentive regime that allows companies to take the decision.

“Companies operate on the marginal. If the marginal cost of hiring more people and producing the next unit of output is less than the marginal revenue, they are not going to do it. So you can’t force anybody to do 1-3-3. What you need to do is to create an incentive and the environment that allows them to do that.”

The Presidential Advisor on the government’s 24-Hour Economy clarifications come after President John Dramani Mahama officially signed the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill into law on Thursday, February 19.

The signing paves the way for the full implementation of the Mahama government’s flagship economic policy.

According to John Mahama, the 24-hour economy authority will now have to move from strategy to implementation following his signing of the bill into law.

Speaking after he signed the bill into law, President Mahama stated, “Cabinet colleagues, I just appended my signature to give assent to the 24-hour Authority Bill. This Bill, which Ghanaians have been waiting for, was one of our flagship strategies for economic transformation.”

“Now we must move from strategy to implementation. The business sector is waiting, Ghanaian investors are waiting, foreign investors are waiting”, President Mahama added.

He added, “They want to see the package of incentives that we can afford, so that they can invest more and expand productivity and also create more employment for our young people, and so it’s my pleasure to assent to this Bill today.”

Meanwhile, Bright Simons, IMANI Africa’s Honorary Vice President, has said the John Mahama government’s 24-Hour Economy is far bigger than Jobs.

According to Bright Simons, when the  24-Hour Economy policy is mention everyone in Ghana immediately thinks about jobs, arguing that the opposition NPP has made it about three shifts coming to every workplace.

He noted that a few people may have read the full 24-Hour Economy strategy, adding that the policy is ambitious.

Bright Simon highlighted that he does not even think the ruling NDC are fully abreast of how gigantic the scope is.

The IMANI Africa Honorary Vice President noted that for the 24-Hour Economy to work, every development partnership with Ghana must pivot and align.

However, Samuel Abu Jinapor, a member of Parliament for Damongo, has slammed the John Mahama government over its failure to implement the proposed three-shift, eight-hour system under the government’s 24-hour economy policy.

According to Abu Jinapor, nearly one year into its tenure Mahama’s tenure, the only job with people working three shifts is the Office of the Speaker, with the Speaker, the First Deputy and the 2nd Deputy rotating.

He, however, added that the Office of the Speaker does not even practice the 24-hour economy.

Abu Jinapor further noted that Ghanaians are frustrated by what he described as repeated promises without action, as the NDC flagship policy has not translated into tangible jobs for the unemployed youth.

Speaking during the debate on the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill in Parliament on Thursday, February 5 stated, “Eleven months into the NDC administration, their flagship programme of a 24-hour economy, with the three-shift system for unemployed Ghanaian youth, the only place working some form of shifts today is the Office of the Speaker of Parliament—and even that is not a full 24-hour operation.

Ghana 8th richest in Africa one year under Mahama gov’t – Labour Minister

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Ghana 8th richest in Africa one year under Mahama gov’t – Labour Minister

Rashid Pelpuo, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, has revealed that Ghana has moved from the 10th richest country in Africa to the 8th within a year under President John Mahama’s leadership.

According to the Labour Minister, Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) now exceeds GH¢100 billion.

He argued that Ghana’s economic position on the continent has strengthened significantly under the current John Mahama-led NDC government.

Speaking in an interview with Citi News on Sunday, February 22, 2026, Rashid Pelpuo stated, “This government is a committed government. The president has shown that leadership can change a lot. With this one year that just passed, Ghana can be different altogether. We were in 10th position when it comes to rich countries.

After one year of administration, good governance and committed leadership, we shot up to the 8th position, with a GDP that is above GH¢100 billion,” he stated.

Also, the Labour Minister maintained that the government remains focused on sustaining the gains through job creation and strategic labour policies aimed at improving standards across the country.

In related news, Dr Rashid Pelpuo has said the John Mahama adminstration need to make sure 3 million people are employed.

According to the Labour Minister, the government is not setting a fixed employment target for this year, but they are focusing on job creation for about 3 million.

Speaking in an interview on JoyNews’ AM Show on Monday, January 12, Dr Pelpuo stated, “We will not be able to give a targeted number. He explained that even if current unemployment is addressed within a year, new job seekers will continue to enter the labour market. “If we solve it this year, next year, new people are going to finish university. They are going to be asking for more.”

“We have taken note that we need to make sure 3 million people are employed,” he said, clarifying that this should not be seen as a formal target. “I’m not saying that’s our target. That’s the 3 million people that we need to employ.”

The Labour Minister added, “Some of them are not satisfied with their work; they still need to get more jobs, or they don’t have a job at all. That segment of the population is our target right now.”

“Remember, I’m saying that that’s not a target. That’s not something we are doing. But we have noticed that this number is where we are going to go into and create the jobs.”

“For the period of time I’m talking about, we are targeting these 3 million people who are either employed and not happy with their employment, or they are not employed at all. These are people we believe are going to be the beneficiaries,” Dr Pelpuo explained.

“How much will be done this year is what I cannot tell you,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of Government Communications and Member of Parliament for Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese, has declared that the John Mahama-led NDC government has the best economic record under Ghana’s Fourth Republic.

In a social media post, Felix Kwakye Ofosu detailed why the National Democratic Congress (NDC) holds the strongest economic record in Ghana’s Fourth Republic.

The Minister of Government Communications, using figures and historical records, argued that the NDC’s policies have consistently delivered fiscal stability, economic growth, and strong monetary management.

In a social media post on February 4, 2026, Felix Kwakye Ofosu wrote, “On the back of the 3.8% inflation rate recorded for January, 2026, it bears placing on record that the NDC has the best economic record under the fourth republic as follows.

Highest growth rate of 14.4% in 2011.

Lowest inflation rate of 2.9% in April 1999.

Longest sustained single-digit inflation of 33 months from 2010 to 2012.

Highest annual cedi appreciation of 40.7% against the dollar in 2025

Largest reserves of $ 13.8 billion as of end 2025

Highest import cover of 5.7 months as of end 2025 among others.

There are those who make hubris-laden claims of preternatural economic management ability but deliver the most disastrous outcomes in decades’.

Always check the records”, his post concluded.

Police probe viral Obrachire SHS Student assaulted at district games

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Police probe viral Obrachire SHS Student assaulted at district games

The Ghana Police Service has announced that they have commence investigation into the viral video of student violence.

According to the Police, they have seen the viral video, and they strongly condemn the violence.

They further assured Ghanaians that all perpetrators will be identified and brought to book.

In a post shared on the Ghana Police Service social media account on X, read, “POLICE COMMENCE INVESTIGATION INTO VIRAL VIDEO OF STUDENT VIOLENCE.

The Ghana Police Service has sighted a viral video in which a group of people are seen pelting stones at a student.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and further developments will be communicated in due course.

The Service strongly condemns the violence and assures the public that all perpetrators will be identified and brought to justice”.

The Police statement comes amids a video that has emerged of a student of Obrachire Senior High Technical School being violently assaulted by students of the Swedru School of Business (SWESBUS).

Reports suggest the incident occurred at a District Schools Athletics Games organised to promote youth talent and sportsmanship.

According to reports, the incident occurred in Agona Swedru on Thursday, February 19.

In a viral video shared on social media, students from the two schools clashed during the confrontation, with a student of Obrachire being attacked by a group of SWESBUS students.

The Obrachire SHS Student was allegedly pelted with stones and beaten with sticks.

Reports suggest the student has been hospitalised after the assault with a teacher at Obrachire, revealing that the incident has been reported to the police.

This latest incident adds to a disturbing trend of violence during inter-school sporting activities.

Recently, a student of Koforidua Senior High Technical School was stabbed during the Eastern Regional Inter-Schools Sports Festival.

The Eastern Regional Education Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) responded by banning three senior high schools from participating in all sporting and related extracurricular activities for two years.

The GES decision follows incidents of hooliganism during the recent Regional Super Zonal Sports Competition.

The affected schools are Koforidua Senior High Technical School (SECTECH), New Juaben Senior High School (NJUASCO), and New Nsutam Senior High Technical School (NSUTECH).

Effective February 11, 2026, the three schools are barred from organising, spectating or participating in all sporting activities, including quizzes, debates, cadetting and entertainment programmes at the school, zonal and regional levels.

In addition to the ban, the three schools have been fined GHC 500.00 and will be surcharged for any costs arising from damage to property or injuries sustained by individuals.

Eastern Regional Director of Education, Ivy Asantewa Owusu, announced the sanctions in a press release following alleged incidents of gang rape and stabbing during the just-ended inter-school sports competition in Koforidua.

The press release added that the directive is in line with Section 2.17 of the GES Code of Conduct on physical and psychological violence and also the Eastern Region Schools and Colleges Sports Association Code of Discipline.

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“Reshuffle too soon, wait till July” – Barker-Vormawor tells Mahama

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“Reshuffle too soon, wait till July” – Barker-Vormawor tells Mahama

Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a private legal practitioner, has told President John Mahama it is too early for a reshuffle.

According to Oliver Barker-Vormawor, he keeps hearing that a reshuffle is imminent, but feels it is too early.

 The private legal practitioner further urged President Maham to wait till July before he embarks on a reshuffle of his appointees.

In a social media post on X, Barker-Vormawor wrote, “I keep hearing a reshuffle is imminent.

I think it’s too soon. Wait till July”.

In related news, Fifi Kwetey, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) General Secretary, has revealed that there will be a ministerial reshuffle of ministers in the John Mahama administration.

According to the NDC General Secretary, from what he is picking up in the corridors of power, there will be a ministerial reshuffle, but he cannot say how soon.

Speaking on TV3 Hot Issues, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey explained, “It is always important that despite the fact that things have gone on very well in the first year, the president, who is the leader, will always want to see where things can still be done better”.

“A reshuffle is normally done within that context, where you want to see in this particular sector, even though things are okay, it can still do better if I move somebody else to that place or in this place, maybe this one is not too effective in this sector”.

“So I think a reshuffle will be a possibility, and what I pick up from the corridors, yes, we definitely are going to have a reshuffle. I wouldn’t be able to say how soon, but definitely”.

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has jokingly told his appointees to try to own farms and engage in agriculture, as the mitigating factor of his reshuffle will be based on appointees owning a farm.

Speaking at the maiden Ghana Tree Crops Investment Summit and Exhibition on Tuesday, February 17, President Mahama stated, “When I am going to do a reshuffle, the mitigating factor will be that you must have a farm. So, public servants, ministers, priests, clergymen, traditional rulers, everybody, try and do some agriculture.”

President Mahama made this known while revealing he is a cocoa farmer, and his government’s decision to cut cocoa prices affects him too.

According to John Mahama, he directly understands the economic pressures facing cocoa farmers following the recent volatility in global cocoa prices.

He added, “Nana Kwebu Ewusi gave me 50 acres of land, and I planted cocoa on the 50 acres, so I am a cocoa farmer. So when the price is reduced by the government, it affects me too”.

“I want to be able to empathise with farmers so that when we take any policy decision, we know that it has an effect on farmers and we feel it ourselves. If there is no fertiliser or the price of fertiliser is expensive I feel it myself because I also buy fertiliser”.

President Mahama further revealed that he has acquired another 100 acres of land for oil palm.

“I recently acquired another 100 acres of land, and this time I have dedicated it to oil palm, so we have planted the oil palm”, he added.

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Video – Obrachire SHS Student violently assaulted with stones and sticks at district games

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Video – Obrachire SHS Student violently assaulted with stones and sticks at district games

A video has emerged of a student of Obrachire Senior High Technical School being violently assaulted by students of the Swedru School of Business (SWESBUS).

Reports suggest the incident occurred at a District Schools Athletics Games organised to promote youth talent and sportsmanship.

According to reports, the incident occurred in Agona Swedru on Thursday, February 19.

In a viral video shared on social media, students from the two schools clashed during the confrontation, with a student of Obrachire being attacked by a group of SWESBUS students.

The Obrachire SHS Student was allegedly pelted with stones and beaten with sticks.

Reports suggest the student has been hospitalised after the assault with a teacher at Obrachire, revealing that the incident has been reported to the police.

Some Ghanaians on X reacting to the viral video stated, “I remember saying this earlier, these inter-school tournaments have lost their relevance. It has now become a breeding ground for violence. Now this young boy studying at Obrachire SHS has lost his life. Someone’s son, brother, future is gone because of a useless game”.

“chale these kids have become something else. Back in our time, even when we had thugs and whatnot in schools,  these things were not happening. What’s the problem?”, one X user added.

One more netizen added, “I went to the Kumasi stadium just 2 times in my entire stay in Prempeh college, and it was nothing short of unpleasant!!!!

What money is used to fund these games? Funding should be pulled immediately if the schools and sport authorities keep acting like they don’t know these occurrences are linked to their poorly managed sport programs!!!”

This latest incident adds to a disturbing trend of violence during inter-school sporting activities.

Just recently, a student of Koforidua Senior High Technical School was stabbed during the Eastern Regional Inter-Schools Sports Festival.

The Eastern Regional Education Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) responded by banning three senior high schools from participating in all sporting and related extracurricular activities for two years.

The GES decision follows incidents of hooliganism during the recent Regional Super Zonal Sports Competition.

The affected schools are Koforidua Senior High Technical School (SECTECH), New Juaben Senior High School (NJUASCO), and New Nsutam Senior High Technical School (NSUTECH).

Effective February 11, 2026, the three schools are barred from organising, spectating or participating in all sporting activities, including quizzes, debates, cadetting and entertainment programmes at the school, zonal and regional levels.

In addition to the ban, the three schools have been fined GHC 500.00 and will be surcharged for any costs arising from damage to property or injuries sustained by individuals.

Eastern Regional Director of Education, Ivy Asantewa Owusu, announced the sanctions in a press release following alleged incidents of gang rape and stabbing during the just-ended inter-school sports competition in Koforidua.

The press release added that the directive is in line with Section 2.17 of the GES Code of Conduct on physical and psychological violence and also the Eastern Region Schools and Colleges Sports Association Code of Discipline.

Also, a female student of Osino Presbyterian Senior High School has allegedly been gang raped during an interschools sports competition held in Koforidua, Eastern Region.

The victim was reportedly found in a visibly weak condition and rushed to the police before being referred to the Eastern Regional Hospital for medical attention.

Two underage students have since been arrested in connection with the alleged gang rape of a student in a bush during the inter-school sports event and are currently facing prosecution.

A third suspect, believed to be an old student, is on the run.

The two suspects have been charged by the Police with conspiracy to commit a crime and with rape.

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If Baffoe-Bonnie was CJ, Charlotte Osei would have been protected – Former MP

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If Baffoe-Bonnie was CJ, Charlotte Osei would have been protected – Former MP

 Inusah Fuseini, a former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and a legal practitioner, has said the former Electoral Commission Chairperson Charlotte Osei would not have been removed from office if Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie had been Chief Justice at the time.

The former MP detailed that the Chief Justice used a lower threshold in his decision to dismiss the petitions seeking the removal of the current Electoral Commission’s leadership.

He argued that if Justice Baffoe-Bonnie were the Chief Justice, he would have protected the Electoral Commission’s leadership, particularly when his threshold is not breaches of statute.

Speaking on JoyNews on February 21, 2026, Inusah Fuseini. “… Now, today, by the judgment of or by the decision of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, it appears to me that that threshold was a lower threshold, and probably if Justice Baffoe-Bonnie were sitting at that time as a Chief Justice, Charlotte Osei would not have gone home because, again, institutionally, he would have protected that institution, particularly when his threshold is not breaches of statute”.

“The only reason why I say that the decision is a decision that seeks to establish institutions of governance is that I see Baffoe-Bonnie as an institutionalist.

“From this finding, I see him more directed towards creating powerful governance institutions for this country and making sure that people who occupy those institutions are not subjected to the whims and caprices of other Ghanaians to make them very unstable,” he added.

He further indicated, “The second issue I have with it is that consistency is a virtue in jurisprudence and that’s why we have precedent”.

“Never mind that he didn’t set the first precedent. There is precedent in electoral practice and constitutional practice that once upon a time, breaches of an act of parliament, the procurement act of parliament was held to be enough to meet the threshold of article 146 (1) of the constitution, incompetence,” he concluded.

His comments follow the announcement by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Government Communications Minister, who revealed that the Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, found no prima facie determination on petitions against the Electoral Commissioner Jean Mensa, her deputies, and the Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng.

It will be recalled that President Mahama referred seven petitions calling for the removal of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa and her Deputies and Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, to the Chief Justice for a determination on November 25, 2025.

The referral was made in accordance with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 15 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), to ascertain whether the petitions disclosed a prima facie case.

However, a statement issued by the Presidency on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, read, “Following the receipt of seven (7) petitions from various individuals and groups for the removal of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and her Deputies, and three (3) petitions for the removal of the Special Prosecutor, President John Dramani Mahama, in accordance with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 15 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), referred same to His Lordship, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, Chief Justice, on 25 November 2025, to determine whether the petitions disclosed a prima facie case.

By a letter dated 26 January 2026, the Chief Justice informed His Excellency the President that no prima facie case had been established by the petitions to warrant any further investigations for the removal of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Deputy Commissioners and the Special Prosecutor.”This determination means no committee will be formed, and no further proceedings for removal will take place based on those petitions”.

Meanwhile, the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Legal Director, Edudzi Tamakloe, has said the party maintains its stand that the Electoral Commission’s leadership must be removed.

According to Edudzi Tamakloe, despite the Chief Justice’s dismissal of petitions seeking their removal, the NDC still maintained its call for the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa and deputies to be removed.

He stressed that the Chief Justice’s decision will not alter the NDC’s position.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Thursday, February 19, Edudzi Tamakloe stated, “I want to make the point that the NDC still believes that the current composition of the Electoral Commission and how they have conducted their work over the past five years leaves much to be desired”.

“From what I am reading, it does appear that the Chief Justice has taken the position that the matters raise very serious administrative and constitutional issues, and so possibly the fault is not Article 146 alone. Those matters can be litigated in a different place other than the Supreme Court,” he noted.

Watch as Mahama visits Ga Mantse at UGMC after the Oti Region road accident

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Watch as Mahama visits Ga Mantse at UGMC after the Oti Region road accident

President John Dramani Mahama has paid a courtesy visit to the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC)

Reports suggest President Mahama visited the Ga Mantse on Saturday, February 21, 2026, following an accident the King had in the Oti Region.

President Mahama was accompanied by his entourage, who arrived in the evening to check on the Ga Mantse.

In the viral videos shared on social media captured Mahama and his team are seen entering the hospital to visit the Ga Mantse.

It will be recalled that the Ga Mantse is reported to have escaped unhurt and is in stable condition after being involved in a road accident.

According to reports, the Ga Mantse was in an early morning road accident which occurred at about 2:00 am at Pai-Katanga in the Oti Region.

The Ga Mantse was returning to Accra from Tamale after he travelled to the Northern Region on a private visit at the invitation of the Yaa Naa.

His visit is described as cordial and significant, and formed part of ongoing engagements between traditional authorities and was aimed at strengthening bonds of unity and mutual respect.

On his return journey to Accra, the Ga Mantse’s vehicle was involved in an accident. Sources close to the palace say that although the Ga Mantse was unharmed and remains in good spirits.

Unfortunately, the Ga Mantse driver sustained critical injuries and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Reports suggest personnel of the Ghana Police Service responded swiftly and timely to the accident scene when they received the call.

In the meantime, the Ga Mantse has since been discharged from the hospital after President John Mahama’s visit, and he has subsequently returned home.

In other news,  the Ga Mantse has called for a new master for the Greater Accra Region.

The Ga Mantse stressed that the current state of Accra is choked with congestion in planned settlements.

According to the Ga Mantse, modern capital is not inherited, they are deliberately built and designed.

Speaking at the 3rd Ghana Construction Industry Excellence, on December 18, 2025, the traditional ruler stated, “It’s choked with congestion on planned settlements, strained sanitation systems, inadequate drainage, and uncondemnated infrastructure. To confess, the modern capital is not inherited. It is designed. It is planned. It is deliberately built.”

“I therefore urge government and the private sector partners to form a strong, well-coordinated coalition to revise the current master plan of Accra,” he said. “That is very, very important. Accra must have a new master plan, and it must cover everywhere, especially the central business district,” he noted.

“We must redevelop and modernise the Greater Accra Region, implement a sustainable decongestion strategy, revitalise the inner-city communities, invest in green areas, waste systems and efficient transport corridors, and create new planned urban centres to support population growth,” he said. “The capital city should reflect the aspirations of its people.”

“Ghana deserves a city that is clean, that is efficient, livable and globally competitive,” he stated.

The Ga Mantse further highlighted that Ghana is facing a housing deficit of over 1.8 million units.

He added, “Ghana is facing a housing deficit of over 1.8 million units. The lower and middle income groups, which are the backbone of our economy, struggle daily to find decent accommodation.”

“Government must partner with private developers in genuine public-private housing initiatives that are affordable, that are sustainable, well-located and built to modern standards,” the Ga Mantse said.

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Nana Kwame Bediako sued by Forestry Commission over illegal imports of tigers

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Nana Kwame Bediako sued by Forestry Commission over illegal imports of tigers

The Forestry Commission of Ghana has sued the founder of the New Force, Nana Kwame Bediako, popularly known as Cheddar.

Reports suggest the Forestry Commission has dragged Cheddar to the High Court over the alleged illegal importation of tigers without proper authorisation.

The information gathered suggests the suit was filed on January 26, 2026, by the Ecotourism of the Wildlife Division of the Commission.

The Commission is seeking an order of the High Court to forfeit the two Tigers to the State.

“The Commission said the manner in which the two (2) Tigers were imported into the country breached the export and import permits requirements rules and is in direct violation of the scientific authority advice or management authority approvals as contained in Article III of the CITES convention.

The Applicant (Commission), in its affidavit in support of the action, which is deposed to by Christian Atsu Fumey-Nassah, Director, Stakeholders and Ecotourism of the Wildlife Division (WD) of the Forestry Commission, premised it on the Wildlife Resources Management Act, 2023, Act 1115.

The effect is to seek an order to confiscate the two tigers illegally imported into the country.

The Affidavit in support, filed with the consent of the Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, stated that, in line with the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission’s mandate of maintaining and conserving wildlife and managing wildlife-protected areas, the Applicant is a signatory to a number of international conventions and other treaties concerning wildlife, particularly endangered species.

The Applicant said these international commitments have been duly incorporated in various domestic Wildlife laws and other policies”, Starr FM reported.

It will be recalled that back in 2022, news broke of Nana Kwame Bediako keeping two tigers in his home in a residential area.

According to the Forestry Commission, after visiting and an investigation being carried out, they uncovered that Nana Kwame Bediako, without lawful authority and in breach of Wildlife laws, brought the two tigers into the country.

Nana Kwame Bediako later responded to the public outcry over his ownership of two tigers and their housing at a private estate.

According to him, he acquired the animals for tourism purposes and not to endanger residents.

The business mogul, in an interview with the media, stated, “First, it is right, I have two tigers that I bought on a bid between Ghana and Dubai. I was the representative from the private sector who initiated my interest in purchasing these two animals. But we did go through the process, the animals are seven months old, still at the very young stage.”

“I went in to buy these animals to add the value of tourism in our country. I wanted to go into the Safari World by making sure that Ghana becomes the first country in the whole of West Africa, East Africa, and Central Africa, except for South Africa, which has these animals.”

“We wanted to be the first that will have it and so, I went in for the male and the female version of it. I have been keeping them for six months now. I brought experts from outside to create a safety cage for these animals, so they don’t become dangerous to the public”.

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“NDC’s ORAL is a scam; they cannot even catch a Lizard” – NPP’s Vice Chairman

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“NDC’s ORAL is a scam; they cannot even catch a Lizard” – NPP’s Vice Chairman

Third National Vice Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alhaji Osman Masawudu, has boldly stated the NDC’s Operation Recover All Loot(ORAL) is a scam.

According to Osman Masawudu, the NDC government is incapable of prosecuting members of the NPP, as they cannot even catch a Lizard.

Speaking on Angely TV, Alhaji Masawudu stated, “Did I not tell you the NDC cannot even catch a lizard? The NDC was just bragging, Okudzeto Ablakwa. ORAL is a scam.

They don’t have any evidence in ORAL, I am daring the NDC. If ORAL is real, they should prosecute NPP today. I am telling you the NDC is full of scammers”.

In related ORAL news, Dr Dominic Ayine, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, have categorically denied allegations suggesting that plea bargain agreements are being formulated with individuals under ORAL investigation.

The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice made this known to the Vice President, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, on Thursday, February 5, during her visit to the Ministry of Justice.

According to Dr Dominic Ayine, no plea negotiations have been entered into with any individual suspected of wrongdoing under the ORAL initiative.

He boldly declared that under the ORAL investigation will be entered, adding that the integrity of the process remains intact.

Dr Dominic Ayine stated, “Oral is going very, very well. The prosecutions, which are being led by my deputy and the Director of Public Prosecutions, are going very, very well. However, I want to put it on record, and the National Intelligence Bureau will bear me out, that no docket has come here that has been compromised in any way.

“No deal, no plea arrangement has been entered into with anybody who has committed an offence that comes within the ambit of the oral views that we have received from the NID and our prosecutor,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Dominic Ayine has said the $20 billion ORAL’s projection recovery could be achieved if offshore funds being pursued are added.

It will be recalled that on February 10, 2025, the ORAL team submitted their final report to President John Mahama, who has since directed the Attorney General for further actions.

The chairman of Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), and Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, revealed that with just 36 cases, Ghana can potentially recover $ 20.49 billion in stolen state resources.

According to the Attorney General, Ablakwa’s $20 billion ORAL’s projection recovery places enormous pressure on him because Ghanaians now expect that amount to be delivered.

Speaking on Starr Chat with Bola Ray on Thursday, Dr Ayine explained that the $20 billion was Ablakwa’s own calculations and estimates.

He, however, asserted that the recovery could approach $20 billion if funds being pursued offshore are taken into account.

Dr Ayine detailed, “First, I was asked when we are going to see the $20 billion being recovered. I explained that this figure was a projection made by the ORAL Committee Chairperson, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, when we came into power.

“On the day the ORAL report was handed over to me, he mentioned the $20.1 billion figure. However, that amount was based on his own calculations and estimates.” He stated.

He further explained, “When you take DRIP, the amount involved is over $100 million. When you consider the estimated value of lands allegedly looted, including prime lands such as those in Cantonments, the figures rise significantly.

However, the amount mentioned by the ORAL Chairman was more of a back-of-the-envelope calculation rather than a precise or verified figure. The expectation of a $20 billion recovery places enormous pressure on me because the public now expects that amount to be delivered.”

Dr Ayine further detailed, “It could approach $20 billion if funds being pursued offshore are taken into account, because a lot of money was moved out of the country. But when it comes to what is currently in-country, the figures will depend on the specific cases under investigation.”

Watch the video below:

Mahama gov’t 24-Hour Economy ambitious, far bigger than Jobs – Bright Simons details

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Mahama gov’t 24-Hour Economy ambitious, far bigger than Jobs – Bright Simons details

Bright Simons, IMANI Africa’s Honorary Vice President, has said the John Mahama government’s 24-Hour Economy is far bigger than Jobs.

According to Bright Simons, when the  24-Hour Economy policy is mention everyone in Ghana immediately thinks about jobs, arguing that the opposition NPP has made it about three shifts coming to every workplace.

He noted that a few people may have read the full 24-Hour Economy strategy, adding that the policy is ambitious.

Bright Simon highlighted that he does not even think the ruling NDC are fully abreast of how gigantic the scope is.

The IMANI Africa Honorary Vice President noted that for the 24-Hour Economy to work, every development partnership with Ghana must pivot and align.

In a post on X, Bright Simon wrote, “1. If you mention the 24-Hour Economy policy in Ghana, everybody immediately thinks about jobs.

2. The Opposition has even made it about “shifts” and I hear jabs and taunts every so often about when the “three shifts” will be coming to every workplace.

3. When the Afro-German think tank, APRI, asked that I reflect on German-Ghana relations and advise on its future course, I thought initially of digging further into how German banks became some of the largest lenders for large infrastructure projects in Ghana (they got their fingers burnt in the debt default, but there are plans to rebuild confidence).

4. Then it hit me that few people have read the full 24-Hour Economy strategy and thus have no idea how ambitious it is. I don’t think even the ruling party people are fully abreast of how gigantic the scope is. Surely, if a policy of that magnitude is ever going to work, then every “development partnership” with Ghana must pivot and align.

5. That is how this APRI research note came to be written:

https://afripoli.org/germany-cant-upskill-ghana-into-a-24-hour-economy-but-there-is-a-smarter-path

6. It has a simple argument: in the past, Germany played to its strengths in Ghana and Ghana’s single-minded focus on industrialisation was the proving ground for mutual benefit. Over the years, Germany’s involvement in Ghana’s true priorities has become marginal, wasting a useful legacy of strategic win-win cooperation. Both sides should revisit the pact.

7. Of course, Germany does not have the resources or responsibility to make 24-Hour (or any structural transformation agenda, for that matter) succeed. It is the Ghanaian elite and leadership that must harness the tools, resources, and vision to transform their own country.

8. However, if any country claims that it wants to help, and the political reality remains that Ghana continues to entertain these formal relationships based on a mutual understanding of collaboration, then the only sensible thing is to aim at priorities, not marginalities.

9. It doesn’t matter whether the foreign country in question is China, America, Nigeria, South Africa, or, indeed, Germany. Relationships must be oriented around the high stakes. Around opportunities of equal significance.

10. Right now, German engagement with Ghana is too scattered around useful but not sufficiently high-stakes efforts such as technical & vocational education, green & climate solutions, SMEs, and the like.

11. We argue that the bulk of energy and resources should shift towards productive infrastructure in industrial corridors for jobs.

12. Private German Banks funding the Kejetia market in Kumasi was very nice. But Kejetia is being swamped by cheap imported trinkets. We can upscale the ambition. On both sides, Ghanaian and German”.

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has officially signed the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill into law.

The signing paves the way for the full implementation of the Mahama government’s flagship economic policy.

According to John Mahama, the 24-hour economy authority will now have to move from strategy to implementation following his signing of the bill into law.

Speaking after he signed the bill into law, President Mahama stated, “Cabinet colleagues, I just appended my signature to give assent to the 24-hour Authority Bill. This Bill, which Ghanaians have been waiting for, was one of our flagship strategies for economic transformation.”

“Now we must move from strategy to implementation. The business sector is waiting, Ghanaian investors are waiting, foreign investors are waiting”, President Mahama added.

He added, “They want to see the package of incentives that we can afford, so that they can invest more and expand productivity and also create more employment for our young people, and so it’s my pleasure to assent to this Bill today.”

See the post below:

50-year-old man arrested for impregnating a 14-year-old girl

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50-year-old man arrested for impregnating a 14-year-old girl

A 50-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly impregnating a 14-year-old girl in Nyanshegu, a suburb of Tamale.

Reports detailed that the man was arrested by the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Northern Regional Police Command.

The suspect has been identified as Mohammed.

The information gathered alleged that the suspect took the 14-year-old to a private health facility where the pregnancy was terminated without the girl’s parents’ consent.

The 50-year-old man was arraigned before the Tamale Magistrate Court 1 and was remanded into custody and will reappear in court on March 4, 2026.

He is facing charges of defilement and causing abortion.

According to the 14-year-old girl’s father, the family is determined to pursue justice.

Mohammed Salifu, the father, revealed that community chiefs and opinion leaders have tried persuading him not to press charges but to settle the case out of court, but he rejected their plea.

Speaking with Channel One News, Mohammed Salifu stated, “Two chiefs and some opinion leaders in our community came to our house to plead with us to withdraw the case, but we refused and insisted that we want justice for my daughter”.

Also, reports suggest that the family and other individuals connected are being threatened by persons linked to the 50-year-old man.

In related news, last year, a  12-year-old girl was impregnated by her elder sister’s boyfriend in Amuana Praso, a community near Nkawkaw in the Eastern Region.

According to reports, the victim is a Basic Six pupil living with her elder sister, Christiana Yeboah, following the death of their mother.

Francis Damptey has been identified as the suspect, an illegal miner who reportedly abandoned his family in Twifo Hemang and relocated to Amuana Praso.

Reports alleged that Francis Damptey lived with Christiana Yeboah and the 12-year-old girl and had sexual relations with both sisters.

Sources revealed that the suspect had forced the 12-year-old’s elder sister into countless abortions whenever she became pregnant.

The younger girl is now three months pregnant. School authorities became aware of the alleged abuse; however, the girl’s father, Boateng Sekyere, reportedly tried to cover up the situation to avoid embarrassment and threatened to curse anyone who pursued the case.

The case was, however, reported to the police, with Francis Damptey bolting to Suhum to hide.

He was later arrested, but reports claim his brother-in-law, a pastor at Nkawkaw, intervened to settle the case, leading to Francis being released from custody without the knowledge of the complainant.

The Nkawkaw Divisional Police have been accused of accepting a GH¢2,500 bribe to remove the case from their records.

Reports alleged that chiefs, family members, pastors, and police officers accepted money to shield the suspect.

The town’s Gyaasehene, Nana Attah Boateng; the victim’s uncle and former headteacher, Richard Ofori; and relative Kwaku Mpong (pastor at Cherebum and Seraphim Church) have all been fingered to have reportedly taken money from Damptey to free him.

Francis Damptey is now a free man, walking freely, while the victim’s family plans to force an abortion, jeopardising the 12-year-old’s life and future.

“Coming to prison has really helped me” – 29-year-old inmate disclose 

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“Coming to prison has really helped me” – 29-year-old inmate disclose 

An inmate of the Winneba Local Prison, Maxwell Oppong, has disclosed that being sentenced to prison has really helped him.

According to the 29-year-old, prison has been a blessing in disguise, helping him change his life.

He stressed that if not for God bringing him to prison, he would have ended dead or living a miserable life, adding that prison has helped him stop stealing.

Speaking in an interview with the Crime Check Foundation, he stated, “I went to steal a man’s phone in Ajumako. It was an Itel phone. I was with a friend at the time who showed me the phone, and I took it.

“After we stole it, people realised we were the only ones around, so they chased us, beat us, and sent us to the police station. My friend was given a six-month jail term, but I was sentenced to two years and six months”.

He added, “If not for God bringing me to prison, I wouldn’t have been able to stop those things. Coming here has really helped me”.

“Maybe I would have been dead or living a miserable life by now. In prison, you can’t insult anyone; there is so much discipline. I have learned a lot here, and when I go out, I will use this training to live a better life,” he said.

In related prison news, a video has surfaced on social media of an inmate jailed for ten years over a bag of cement amid the brouhaha surrounding the reduced sentence of evangelist Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Agradaa.

According to the inmate in the viral video, who has been identified as Ahmed he attempted to steal a bag of cement from his master who is a mason to sell and he got caught.

Speaking on Crime Check TV, when asked what he was doing in Prison Ahmed stated, “ I stole my master’s cement, and I ended up in jail”.

I have been working with him, and I was going to steal it in the evening when someone caught me. It was one bag, and I was going to sell it for either 70 cedis or 80 cedis”.

The inmate further accused his former master of not paying him well when they used to work together. He was a mason, and I was a labourer.

The video has surfaced at a time, some Ghanaian legal practitioners are mounting pressure on the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, to appeal evangelist Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Agradaa, reduced jail term by the Amasaman High Court.

Meanwhile, last year there were emotional scenes at the Kumasi Central Prison as inmates granted a presidential amnesty by John Dramani Mahama reunited with their families.

In the viral short video, the Kumasi Central Prison inmates granted amnesty were captured visibly emotional as they waited patiently to be reunited with their families.

The former inmates were later met at the gate of the Kumasi Central Prison by their families, embracing them and sharing passionate moments.

Watch the video below:

Remain calm, NDC gov’t has prudent policies for you – Asiedu Nketia tells Cocoa farmers

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Remain calm, NDC gov’t has prudent policies for you – Asiedu Nketia tells Cocoa farmers

The Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has told Cocoa farmers in Ghana to remain calm as the Mahama government has prudent policies for them.

According to Asiedu Nketia, cocoa farmers must hold the Akufo-Addo government responsible for the ongoing mess in Ghana’s cocoa sector.

He asserted that the Mahama government has established a committee to investigate issues in the cocoa sector, and soon, Ghanaians will see the consequences.

Asiedu Nketia made this known during his thank-you tour in the Twifo Atti-Morkwa of the Central Region, urging cocoa farmers to remain patient.

However, Cocoa farmers in the Western North Region are protesting the John Mahama government’s decision to reduce the price of a 64kg cocoa bag from GHS 3,625 to GHS 2,587 for the remainder of the 2025/2026 season.

According to them, they are suffering and want the old price restored.

In a video shared by UTV, the Western North cocoa farmers were spotted dressed in red, holding placards saying, “Mahama is dangerous than Ebola”, “Farmers’ lives matter”

Speaking during the Western North Farmers protest, one of the farmers stated, “As I am standing here, I look after my children’s school, and I use my cocoa to look after my children now that you have reduced the price of cocoa…, My child is going to the university, I have to pay 5000 cedis, now that the price have been reduced where will I get the money from to look after my children. Even what to eat has become very difficult for us”.

Another protester added, “The Government did not respect us at all, now they have reduced the price of cocoa, and we have already done our budget. Now that they have reduced the price, how are we going to get money? What the government did is not good; they should look for something better to tell us. 

Meanwhile, Reports by Reuters suggest the Ivory Coast is considering reducing its guaranteed farm gate price paid to its cocoa farmers.

According to the reports, the Ivory Coast plans to reduce its farm gate price to align with Ghana’s 28.6% price cut.

Ghana and the Ivory Coast, the world’s two largest cocoa producers, are grappling with a deepening crisis in the sector.

Newborn baby girl found alive in a bush wrapped in a polythene bag

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Newborn baby girl found alive in a bush wrapped in a polythene bag

A newborn baby girl was reportedly found alive in a bush at Bronyibima Estate near Elmina in the Central Region.

According to reports, the baby was found on 17th February 2026 after residents responded to the sound of persistent crying.

Reports suggest the infant was wrapped in cloth and placed inside a polythene bag, and had reportedly been abandoned shortly after birth.

Upon hearing the cries, a nearby resident went to investigate and quickly alerted others in the community.

The baby was carefully rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital, where medical staff attended to her and confirmed she was in stable condition.

Police and Social Welfare authorities have since launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The news shared in a news flyer by GHOne read, “Newborn baby girl, wrapped in polythene bag, found alive in bush near Elmina”.

Some Ghanaians reacting to the news stated, “Make you people take the baby, give the woman who stole a kid at mamprobi, cos this one don’t need a kid”.

A netizen added, “Meanwhile, a woman who is desperate to have a baby went to a hospital to steal some. If they give birth and don’t want the child, they should send them to an orphanage or hospital instead of abandoning them in the bush”.

“Two days ago, a woman stole a baby from the Mamprobi poly clinic. It was said that she had wanted a child of her own but hadn’t had one yet. Today, another dumps a baby is dumped in Elmina. What another needs, another doesn’t. This life has no balance”, one netizen added.

“Why not just have an abortion? Why not just practice safe sex?

Why carry a baby for 9 months only to deliver it and then dump it in the bush? Makes no sense to me.

Did the baby have a visible disability or any physical abnormalities that drove the mother to give up on them?”, a netizen quizzed.

The news comes on the heels of the arrest of a woman for allegedly stealing a newborn baby at the Mamprobi Polyclinic.

Reports suggest the baby was later rescued and reunited with the mother at the Dansoman Police Station today February, 18, 2026.

In a viral video shared by EDHUB, the woman was seen in custody at the Police station, and some irate residents were also seen at the Police station.

In a separate video, a resident at the Dansoman Police Station has revealed that the suspect was tracked down through her own sister.

Sources alleged that the suspect called her sister, claiming she had given birth and invited her over.

However, the sister, aware of reports about a missing baby, recognised the infant as the one allegedly stolen from the Mamprobi Polyclinic and alerted authorities, leading to the suspect’s arrest.

The arrest follows news of irate residents storming the Mamprobi Polyclinic over an alleged baby theft.

The Police have confirmed that the baby thief is in custody and assisting with investigations.

The information gathered suggests there was an uneasy tension yesterday afternoon, February 17, 2026, at the Mamprobi Polyclinic in the Greater Accra Region, following reports of an alleged baby theft.

Reports suggest a newborn was taken from the facility by a woman dressed as a nurse.

See the post below:

Mamprobi Polyclinic Baby thief suspect remanded for 14 days

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Mamprobi Polyclinic Baby thief suspect remanded for 14 days

Latifa Salifu, a 33-year-old who was arrested in connection with the baby theft at the Mamprobi polyclinic, has been remanded for 14 days.

The suspected Baby thief was remanded in police custody after she appeared in court on Friday, February 20, 2026.

The suspect, Latifa Salifu, is expected to reappear before the court on March 4, 2026, for a hearing to continue.

In court, lawyers for the accused pleaded with the court to grant the accused bail since she has two children: a 7-year-old and a 10-year-old to look after.

However, following the hearing of the arguments from the prosecution and the defence, the Judge remanded the suspect into custody for 14 days.

The development follows the suspect being arrested for allegedly stealing a newborn baby at the Mamprobi Polyclinic.

Reports suggest the baby was later rescued and reunited with the mother at the Dansoman Police Station today February, 18, 2026.

In a viral video shared by EDHUB, the woman was seen in custody at the Police station, and some irate residents were also seen at the Police station.

In a separate video, a resident at the Dansoman Police Station has revealed that the suspect was tracked down through her own sister.

Sources alleged that the suspect called her sister, claiming she had given birth and invited her over.

However, the sister, aware of reports about a missing baby, recognised the infant as the one allegedly stolen from the Mamprobi Polyclinic and alerted authorities, leading to the suspect’s arrest.

The arrest follows news of irate residents storming the Mamprobi Polyclinic over an alleged baby theft.

The Police have confirmed that the baby thief is in custody and assisting with investigations.

The information gathered suggests there was an uneasy tension yesterday afternoon, February 17, 2026, at the Mamprobi Polyclinic in the Greater Accra Region, following reports of an alleged baby theft.

Reports suggest a newborn was taken from the facility by a woman dressed as a nurse

Meanwhile, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, has ordered all health facilities to strictly remove the name tags of mother and baby only at the security gate.

Speaking during a working visit to the Mamprobi Polyclinic, he stressed that name tags should only be removed at the security exit, not at the ward level.

The Health Minister further stressed that health facilities are to strictly enforce identification protocols for patients and staff.

Kwabena Mintah Akandoh stated, “Apart from the tagging, which is part of the clear protocols for patient and baby identification, name tags should not be taken off at the ward level. Name tags of both the mother and the baby should only be removed at the security gate, which is the exit. This is one of the ways we can avoid incidents of baby swaps,” he explained.

The Minister also urged health facilities to establish closer working relationships with nearby police stations to strengthen security and ensure quick responses to any suspicious activity.

COMAC and CBOD condemned gov’t illegal diversion of the LPG Fund

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COMAC and CBOD condemned gov’t illegal diversion of the LPG Fund

The Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) and the Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD) have condemned the alleged unlawful diversion of funds from the LPG Fund to the Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company (GCMC).

According to COMAC and CBOD, the illegal diversion of the LPG Fund constitutes a flagrant breach of statutory mandate, a dangerous sabotage of national energy policy.

They further highlighted that the move is unacceptable and a betrayal of public trust.

COMAC and CBOD demanded in their press release that immediate corrective action:

“1. Cease all disbursements to GCMC from the LPG Fund immediately

2. Reverse any allocations already made to GCMC and restore funds to their lawful purpose

3. Reaffirm statutory mandate – Government must publicly confirm that the LPG Fund will finance only bottling plants, CRM rollout, and unsafe cylinder withdrawal

4. Guarantee transparency – Implement quarterly public reporting on all fund utilisation with independent audit verification”.

COMAC and CBOD, in a press release issued on February 18, 2026, stated, “The Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) and the Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors CBOD) categorically condemn and are appalled by the alleged unlawful diversion of funds from the LPG Fund to the Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company (GCMC). This action constitutes a flagran preach of statutory mandate, a dangerous sabotage of national energy policy, and an unacceptable betrayal of public trust. This alleged move is a blatant deviation from the fund’s original purpose.

The LPG Fund: Purpose and Legal Mandate

The LPG Fund was established under Legislative Instruments LI 2262 (amended) and LI 2481 mplemented by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) on April 1, 2024, with three explicit, legally binding objectives:

1. USD 44/MT Bottling Plant Margin – To finance the construction and operation of LPG bottling plants nationwide

2. USD 36/MT Cylinder Investment Margin – To fund the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM rollout for safe, efficient LPG distribution

These purposes are non-negotiable. The fund was never intended as discretionary capital for ad hoc allocations. Redirecting it to GCMC is not administrative flexibility—it is a statutory violation that demolishes the foundation of Ghana’s LPG safety and infrastructure framework.

The Immediate Danger: Lives at Stake

By channelling funds away from bottling plant development, CRM implementation, and unsafe cylinder withdrawal, the government is actively choosing GCMC’s financial convenience over a holistic mission to increase accessibility of LPG; remove lethal cylinders from circulation; and ensure safe replacement.

Economic Devastation Beyond the Industry

This fund misappropriation extends far beyond industry grievances. It represents

  • Destruction of private investment – Legitimate operators who invested billions based on the government’s statutory commitments now face collapse
  • Elimination of jobs – Thousands of livelihoods across the downstream value chain are jeopardised
  • Consumer exploitation – Ordinary Ghanaian households will absorb costs through higher prices, reduced supply, and continued safety risks
  •  Investor flight – Both domestic and international capital will flee a jurisdiction where statutory guarantees mean nothing

Every diverted cedi erodes competitiveness, freezes critical investment, and transfers wealth from productive enterprise to governmental discretion. Ghanaians’ confidence in state institutions- earned over decades-is being weaponised to justify institutional pilferage

Non-Negotiable Demands

COMAC and CBOD demand immediate corrective action:

1. Cease all disbursements to GCMC from the LPG Fund immediately

2. Reverse any allocations already made to GCMC and restore funds to their lawful purpose

3. Reaffirm statutory mandate – Government must publicly confirm that the LPG Fund will finance only bottling plants, CRM rollout, and unsafe cylinder withdrawal

4. Guarantee transparency – Implement quarterly public reporting on all fund utilisation with independent audit verification

. These are not industry requests. These are legal and moral imperatives

The Choice Before Government

This moment demands a decision: Will Ghana uphold the rule of law and protect its citizens, or will it tondone misallocation, erode energy sector credibility, and sacrifice lives for bureaucratic convenience?

COMAC and CBOD will pursue every legitimate avenue– policy, legal, and public–to defend the LPG Fund’s rightful utilisation. We will not permit this fund to become a discretionary slush account. We will not remain passive while statutory protections are shredded. We will not accept anything less than full accountability, decisive leadership, and restoration of fund integrity.

The people of Ghana deserve nothing less than protection, transparency, and respect for the law. The government must now decide which side of that equation it occupies.

We will explore all options to protect our interests and preserve our rights as key stakeholders under the structure”.

See the statement below:

“This is not a scandal” – Franklin Cudjoe ‘schools’ Vim Lady

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“This is not a scandal” – Franklin Cudjoe ‘schools’ Vim Lady

President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has schooled Afia Pokua, commonly known as Vim Lady, in the media circle following a comment attributed to her regarding the cocoa price reduction by the government.

According to Vim Lady, President Mahama’s decision to reduce the cocoa price is the biggest scandal under his current adminstration stressing that the President must rethink and reverse the decision.

The IMANI president, in his post, shared a news flyer which quoted Vim Lady saying, “Reduction in cocoa prices is the biggest scandal under this Mahama administration now. The president needs to rethink and reverse his decision”.

Reacting to the post, he argued that the cocoa price reduction is not a scandal, arguing that the government cannot give out what you don’t have, even if it was promised.

Franklin Cudjoe, in a post on X, wrote, “This is not a scandal, my dear Lady Vim! This is arithmetic at play. You cannot give out what you don’t have, even if it was promised!

The alternative being floated, which is to borrow and pay farmers the shortfall suggested by those who borrowed for many silly projects like the cathedral, overpriced dugouts and Covid-19 parties and in the process left the country in junk-rated and decorated economic stitches, is a highway to hell’s kitchen!! Heck! They even left a GHS 32billlion hole in the cocoa sector!”.  

Franklin Cudjoe further proffered ideas of what must be done at COCOBOD, adding that the cocoa regulator must be downsized and restructured with world class recruitment process in the appointment of senior management.

His post added, “ That said, I believe two things must happen.  COCOBOD is a huge drain on farmers due to! It is a behemoth gobbling up 30 % of all cocoa forex receipts in dodgy administrative costs and the apparent interventions to guarantee good yields. We must downsize COCOBOD to a third of its size and restructure with world class recruitment process in the appointment of senior management!

Second, we should simply adopt what obtains in Brazil. As Sitsofe Mensah recommends… The Brazilian model is a fascinating contrast to the systems in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire because it operates on a decentralised, free-market basis. 🇧🇷

Instead of a central government body setting a fixed price for the entire season, prices are determined by the daily global market and local demand.

Key Features of the Brazil Model

– Direct Market Access: Farmers or cooperatives sell directly to processors or exporters. This means when world prices are high, they see that money in their pockets immediately.

– Quality Premiums: Because it’s a competitive market, farmers who produce higher-quality or “fine” cocoa can negotiate much higher prices than the standard bulk rate.

– Risk and Reward: While farmers get the “highs” of the market, they also face the “lows” without a government cushion. They often use financial tools like hedging or forward contracts on their own to lock in prices.

– Domestic Processing: Brazil has a massive internal chocolate industry. Local factories compete with exporters for the beans, which naturally keeps local prices higher to ensure the factories stay supplied.

This “market mindset” shifts the responsibility from the state to the individual producer or cooperative.

In Ghana, the government takes on the risk but also keeps a portion of the value for “services”; in Brazil, the farmer keeps more of the value but carries all the risk.”

See the post below:

Young man arrested for allegedly assaulting a security guard at Ridge Hospital

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Young man arrested for allegedly assaulting a security guard at Ridge Hospital

The Management of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital has confirmed that a young man who assaulted a security guard at Ridge Hospital has been arrested.

According to the Ridge Hospital, the attack happened on February 18, 2026, at about 7:28 p.m. at the Labour Ward and was reported to the Ghana Police Service at the Adabraka District Police Command.

They further revealed that the suspect has been arrested and will be prosecuted following the investigation.  

In a statement, the management of Ridge Hospital detailed that the security officer instructed an 18-year-old visitor, Gabriel Dimson, who was with the mother and a friend, to move to the reception area, stressing that one cannot stand at the ward entrance outside the approved visiting hours.

Gabriel Dimson, however, refused to move and allegedly pushed the security officer to the group, physically assaulting him, leaving the guard unconscious.

The security guard was admitted to the hospital and is said to be responding to treatment.

Ridge Hospital management further detailed that violence against staff will not be tolerated.

“Our security officers play a critical role in enforcing Hospital policies designed to protect patients, visitors, and healthcare workers,” part of the statement said.

Meanwhile, some Ghanaians social media users reacting to the viral video stated, “@GhPoliceService I respectfully wish to report a video circulating on social media which shows a man physically assaulting a security officer at Ridge Hospital. As a concerned citizen, I believe this matter requires investigation to ensure law and order are maintained. Thank you”.

“Is this some kind of joke or what? Unless so….because how come someone looks unconscious in a health facility and there’s no urgency from health professionals around? This is so crazy, and you’ve left him in the hands of the alleged person who knocked him out? Ahhh!”, one X user added.

“Someone collapsed inside a hospital,  a staff ti he precise, nursing staff are standing there speaking Ga instead of doing something mmoa”, a netizen added.

A netizen added, “2 wrongs don’t make a right, but within a health facility infact RIDGE and a staff is unconscious yet no emergency treatment? First Aid? Nurses to attend to him. this says a lot about us as citizens sometimes asem mp3 nipa awwn poor boy in a whole mess cus of anger”.

“So they won’t rush us health professionals to save the security and later deal with that wicked boy? Did I just see a nurse and a doctor just stand there and do nothing or my eyes are deceiving me? Save the dude from any extra damage to his head. I’m fuming “, one X user added.

“I’m sorry but the health professionals standing there at that moment are very stupid and foolish.

Instead of rushing him to the emergency unit, y’all are just standing there. Challe, these health workers lately err.

No wonder, most of them enter kuz that’s one of the easiest to get”, one more Ghanaian added.

The video has emerged at a time Ghana’s health system has come under scrutiny following the death of a hit-and-run incident at Nkrumah Circle Overpass in Accra, which was refused emergency care by three major hospitals in Accra due to no vacant beds.

According to reports, for close to three hours on February 6, 2026, the victim was denied treatment by Ridge, Police, and Korle Bu hospitals before passing away.

He was later identified as 29-year-old Charles Amissah, an engineer working at Promasidor Ghana Limited, producers of Cowbell milk and other food products.

Watch the video below:

“Name tags of mother, baby should only be removed at the security gate” – Health Minister to Hospitals

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“Name tags of mother, baby should only be removed at the security gate” – Health Minister to Hospitals

Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Health Minister, has ordered all health facilities to strictly remove the name tags of mother and baby only at the security gate.

Speaking during a working visit to the Mamprobi Polyclinic, he stressed that name tags should only be removed at the security exit, not at the ward level.

The Health Minister further stressed that health facilities are to strictly enforce identification protocols for patients and staff.

Kwabena Mintah Akandoh stated, “Apart from the tagging, which is part of the clear protocols for patient and baby identification, name tags should not be taken off at the ward level. Name tags of both the mother and the baby should only be removed at the security gate, which is the exit. This is one of the ways we can avoid incidents of baby swaps,” he explained.

The Minister also urged health facilities to establish closer working relationships with nearby police stations to strengthen security and ensure quick responses to any suspicious activity.

The Health Minister’s directives follow the arrest of a woman for allegedly stealing a newborn baby at the Mamprobi Polyclinic.

Reports suggest the baby was later rescued and reunited with the mother at the Dansoman Police Station today February, 18, 2026.

In a viral video shared by EDHUB, the woman was seen in custody at the Police station, and some irate residents were also seen at the Police station.

In a separate video, a resident at the Dansoman Police Station has revealed that the suspect was tracked down through her own sister.

Sources alleged that the suspect called her sister, claiming she had given birth and invited her over.

However, the sister, aware of reports about a missing baby, recognised the infant as the one allegedly stolen from the Mamprobi Polyclinic and alerted authorities, leading to the suspect’s arrest.

The arrest follows news of irate residents storming the Mamprobi Polyclinic over an alleged baby theft.

The Police have confirmed that the baby thief is in custody and assisting with investigations.

The information gathered suggests there was an uneasy tension yesterday afternoon, February 17, 2026, at the Mamprobi Polyclinic in the Greater Accra Region, following reports of an alleged baby theft.

Reports suggest a newborn was taken from the facility by a woman dressed as a nurse.

According to reports, the baby was stolen after the mother delivered the child through a cesarean section.

Meanwhile, the woman who stole the baby has been remanded for 14 days after a court apperance.

“Mafia-style character assassination” – DVLA CEO debunks allegations of employing NPP Loyal Ladies

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“Mafia-style character assassination” – DVLA CEO debunks allegations of employing NPP Loyal Ladies

Julius Neequaye Kotey, the Chief Executive Officer of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), has debunked allegations of employing NPP Loyal Ladies.

According to the DVLA CEO, allegations circulating on social media that he offered employment slots to individuals affiliated with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are untrue.

The DVLA CEO described the allegations of employing NPP Loyal Ladies as a Mafia-style character assassination attempt.

In a Facebook statement issued on February 19, 2026, Julius Neequaye Kotey wrote, “Disclaimer Regarding False Employment Allegations.

I, Julius Neequaye Kotey, my attention has been drawn to a video circulating on social media falsely alleging that I have given employment slots to NPP loyal ladies.

Following a thorough investigation, I have identified the individuals behind this “mafia-style” character assassination attempt, including the specific financial inducements involved.

I wish to state categorically that I have not given any employment slots to any NPP group or individual.

To those plotting further: my integrity remains intact, and truth will always prevail.

I trust in God to continue exposing those who seek to undermine me through falsehoods”.

In related news, Anita Desoso, a National Democratic Congress (NDC) stalwart, has blownan alarm, alleging that some persons within the party are selling appointments.

According to her, certain elements are selling positions in the government even to members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) who insulted the NDC.

She alleged that the positions are not being sold by the NDC executives, adding that persons who are unknown to the party are receiving appointments while NDC grassroots members have been abandoned.

Anita Desoso urged the leadership of the party to take the grassroots of the party seriously.

Speaking on Atinka TV, Anita Desoso stated, “A lot of our people are lamenting about employment and other issues. The second point is that many NPP people who insulted us have been given appointments.

But this is not the fault of the party leaders… people are selling positions. It is surprising that people we didn’t know and others who were with the NPP during the election have gotten appointments.

“So, a lot of people are angry. My ears are even hurting as people come to my house complaining, and I ask them to be patient. I explain to them that you need your opponents for certain things sometimes, and I also tell them that the NDC and NPP are not enemies, and it is possible that indirectly they contributed to the party’s victory,” she said in the Twi dialect.

However, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has told disgruntled party members that President John Mahama cannot appoint everyone.

According to Asiedu Nketia, appointments under the current Mahama administration are limited; however urged party supporters who are yet to receive appointments to remain calm and exercise patience.

The NDC National Chairman further stressed that it is practically impossible to appoint all deserving members at the same time, citing the constitutional restrictions placed on the president’s appointment.

Asiedu Nketia further urged party members to avoid resorting to anger or public criticism and to use internal channels to seek redress for their grievances.

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“We are not cocoa farmers, we were given GHS250 to join the protest” – Demonstrator alleges

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“We are not cocoa farmers, we were given GHS250 to join the protest” – Demonstrator alleges

A Ghanaian man who joined the cocoa farmers’ protest in Sefwi-Wiawso has disclosed that they were given GHS250 to join the protest.

According to the Ghanaian man, some of them are not cocoa farmers, but they were paid to join the protest.

Speaking in a viral video shared on X, the man displayed the money he was paid, but he did not disclose the name of the person who offered them the money to join the protest.

The man in the video stated, “They came to give us money so we could join the demonstration. We’re not cocoa farmers, they just came to pick us up and gave us GH¢250 to participate, and we accepted it”.

It will be recalled that yesterday, February 19, 2026, Cocoa farmers in the Western North Region protested the John Mahama government’s decision to reduce the price of a 64kg cocoa bag from GHS 3,625 to GHS 2,587 for the remainder of the 2025/2026 season.

According to them, they are suffering and want the old price restored.

In a video shared by UTV, the Western North cocoa farmers were spotted dressed in red, holding placards saying, “Mahama is dangerous than Ebola”, “Farmers lives matter”

Speaking during the Western North Farmers protest, one of the farmers stated, “As I am standing here, I look after my children’s school, and I use my cocoa to look after my children now that you have reduced the price of cocoa…, My child is going to the university, I have to pay 5000 cedis, now that the price have been reduced where will I get the money from to look after my children. Even what to eat has become very difficult for us”.

Another protester added, “The Government did not respect us at all, now they have reduced the price of cocoa, and we have already done our budget. Now that they have reduced the price, how are we going to get money? What the government did is not good; they should look for something better to tell us. 

In related news, reports by Reuters suggest the Ivory Coast is considering reducing its guaranteed farm gate price paid to its cocoa farmers.

According to the reports, the Ivory Coast plans to reduce its farm gate price to align with Ghana’s 28.6% price cut.

Ghana and the Ivory Coast, the world’s two largest cocoa producers, are grappling with a deepening crisis in the sector.

The information gathered suggests that senior Ivorian officials are considering whether to follow Ghana’s recent decision to cut its producer price by 28.6% for the remainder of the 2025/2026 season.

A senior Ivorian official told Reuters, “We have put all options on the table, and discussions are progressing well. Courageous and realistic decisions will be taken soon. We must think about the survival of the cocoa sector in the Ivory Coast. We need to act; changes are underway,”

Executive Secretary of ICCIG, Alex Assanvo, asserted that both countries are adapting to the sudden market downturn by taking measures to prevent long-term damage to the sector.

Also, exporters and buyers expect the Ivory Coast to announce a price cut soon, noting that it is just a matter of time.

Alex Assanvo stated, “The organisation remains mobilised to coordinate policies in both countries”

“The country is resisting, but for how long? I don’t see Ivory Coast doing something different from Ghana,” the head of an Abidjan-based export company stated.

The report added that the inter-ministerial committee has reportedly met to assess the situation, with a decision expected to be announced soon.

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Mahama approved my name as MCE, but some people changed everything – Umar Sanda

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Mahama approved my name as MCE, but some people changed everything – Umar Sanda

Alhaji Umar Sanda Mohammed, a former member of the NDC who is now contesting the Ayawaso East by-election as an Independent candidate, has alleged that President John Mahama personally told him he had approve him name as a Municipal Chief Executive (MCE).

According to Alhaji Umar Sanda, he has served the NDC for more than 30 years, rising through the ranks.

He further detailed the controversy surrounding his bid to become Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), adding that Mahama personally assured him of his appointment.

Umar Sanda further alleged that some individuals in the community went and changed his appointment as an MCE.

Speaking in an interview with Metro TV,  Umar Sanda explained, “I vied for that position very well because I was the most qualified candidate around that time. The president himself told me that he had approved my name.

He told me personally at the Jubilee House when I went to greet him. That was the time he said he had approved my name. But all of a sudden, some individuals in the community went and changed everything.”

He further added, “I am the longest-serving assembly member in the community. I have served for almost 20 years, and I have been in the NDC for almost 36 years”.

“That even made me the most qualified candidate at that time. But all of a sudden, the constituency chairman and some individuals went and changed it. I don’t know whether they went to the president or spoke to him, but all of a sudden, the thing changed.”

“I don’t blame the president on that because the president told me himself. But I know there are individuals who don’t want me to be in that position.”

“The constituency chairman used some individuals in the hierarchy and did what he wanted to do, and he succeeded. That is why this thing happened. I don’t want to touch there because I don’t want to go too far on that issue.”

Also, Umar Sanda has explained the reasoning behind his decision to contest the upcoming Ayawaso East by-election as an independent candidate.

He explained that his decision was based on the overwhelming calls from his constituents, adding that he withdrew from the party’s internal primary following the heavily monetised NDC primaries.

Also, the NDC has announced that Umar Sanda has automatically forfeited his party membership after deciding to contest the Ayawaso East by-election as an independent candidate, in violation of the party’s constitution.

Meanwhile, Pressure Group Democracy Hub has filed a lawsuit at the High Court in Accra seeking to halt the upcoming Ayawaso East parliamentary by-election.

According to the Democracy Hub, NDC’s Ayawaso East primaries were characterised by widespread vote buying, inducement, and monetisation, which they argued undermines democratic principles enshrined in Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.

The Democracy Hub lawsuit stems from the alleged vote-buying during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primaries held on February 7, 2026.

The pressure group lists NDC as the first defendant, with the Electoral Commission (EC) as the second, and the Attorney-General as the third.

Democracy Hub is seeking the High Court to quash the EC’s recognition of Baba Jamal as the NDC candidate and to restrain the Commission from accepting or acting on his nomination, calling for a fresh primary to be conducted in accordance with democratic principles.

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Young man allegedly knocks out a security guard at Ridge Hospital unconscious

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Young man allegedly knocks out a security guard at Ridge Hospital unconscious

A young man has allegedly knocked out a security guard at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital commonly known as Ridge Hospital in Accra.

According to multiple reports, the young man knocked out the security guard after he was told that visiting hours had ended and he would not be allowed to see a patient.

The security guard, attempting to prevent a disgruntled visitor from entering the ward section after visiting hours, was knocked unconscious by the young man.

In the viral video shared by multiple accounts on X, the young man was shown being told to pick up the knocked-out security guard.

Reports suggest the officer was later rushed to the emergency unit for treatment.

Some X users reacting to the viral video stated, “@GhPoliceService I respectfully wish to report a video circulating on social media which shows a man physically assaulting a security officer at Ridge Hospital. As a concerned citizen, I believe this matter requires investigation to ensure law and order are maintained. Thank you”.

“Is this some kind of joke or what? Unless so….because how come someone looks unconscious in a health facility and there’s no urgency from health professionals around? This is so crazy, and you’ve left him in the hands of the alleged person who knocked him out? Ahhh!”, one X user added.

“Someone collapsed inside a hospital,  a staff ti he precise, nursing staff are standing there speaking Ga instead of doing something mmoa”, a netizen added.

A netizen added, “2 wrongs don’t make a right, but within a health facility infact RIDGE and a staff is unconscious yet no emergency treatment? First Aid? Nurses to attend to him. this says a lot about us as citizens sometimes asem mp3 nipa awwn poor boy in a whole mess cus of anger”.

“So they won’t rush us health professionals to save the security and later deal with that wicked boy? Did I just see a nurse and a doctor just stand there and do nothing or my eyes are deceiving me? Save the dude from any extra damage to his head. I’m fuming “, one X user added.

“I’m sorry but the health professionals standing there at that moment are very stupid and foolish.

Instead of rushing him to the emergency unit, y’all are just standing there. Challe, these health workers lately err.

No wonder, most of them enter kuz that’s one of the easiest to get”, one more Ghanaian added.

The video has emerged at a time Ghana’s health system has come under scrutiny following the death of a hit-and-run incident at Nkrumah Circle Overpass in Accra, which was refused emergency care by three major hospitals in Accra due to no vacant beds.

According to reports, for close to three hours on February 6, 2026, the victim was denied treatment by Ridge, Police, and Korle Bu hospitals before passing away.

He was later identified as 29-year-old Charles Amissah, an engineer working at Promasidor Ghana Limited, producers of Cowbell milk and other food products.

In related news, Seasoned journalist and host of the Citi Breakfast Show, Bernard Avle, has poured his outrage at Ghana’s medical system after the death of a hit-and-run victim who was turned away by three hospitals in Accra.

Bernard Avle stressed that a medical professional who refuses to provide care for sick or injured people brought to the hospital are evil person.

According to Bernard Avle, who recounted a similar event of a 70-year-old man in 2018 who went to seven hospitals before passing away in his car, highlighting that it been eight years but there have been no serious shifts in the operational policy.

He stressed that Doctors and nurses need to have empathy, but in Ghana, many people are in the medical field just because of money.

Speaking on Citi FM, an irate Benard Avle stated, “How can a society sit down for such a thing to happen and not put in place any systems? You covered a 70-year-old man who went to seven hospitals in 2018. From 2018 to 2026 is eight years, have there been any serious shifts in the operational policy of hospitals to show that we value life? We don’t most people who enter this profession are just looking for money, that is what we do.

Shame on you, shame on you, Pastors Sunday preach about these things, Preach about it that if you are a nurse and somebody is brought to your hospital and you don’t care about the person and the person dies, you are an evil person.

If you are a Doctor who does not care about someone’s death because you claim… You don’t know anything; your training is incomplete. Empathy is part of your training”.

The seasoned journalist and host further bemoan how Ghana’s system, be it the Hospital, Court, or Police are structured to frustrate a person with no money.

“There is a lot of hypocrisy in the society, because there are society that are less religious than us, who preserve human lives and organise their systems to make sure that nobody dies a stupid death and whether you go to court, you go to the police, you to the hospital, the whole system is structured to frustrate you if you do not have money”, he added.

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Mahama petitioned to sack Prof Gyampo over sexual harassment scandal

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Mahama petitioned to sack Prof Gyampo over sexual harassment scandal

A Ghanaian has petitioned President John Mahama to sack Professor Ransford Gyampo as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority over a sexual harassment scandal.

Perpetual Lomokie Akwada, in his petition, stressed that the appointment of Prof Gyampo raised significant commentary about propriety due to his involvement in a sexual harassment scandal that shocked the conscience of Ghana.

Parts of the Ghanaian citizen petition stated, “Recent events have left me, and many women, with profound concern about the security of women in this country, and the appointment of Professor Ransford Edward Gyampo as Chiel Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority suggests an evident decline in national efforts to protect the girl-child and women generally in Ghana, I am certain that Your Excellency, like every Ghanaian, knows of Prof. Gyampo’s involvement in the BBC “Sex for Grades” documentary, in which he was implicated in the sexual harassment of female students at the University of Ghana This may be unknown to the President: today, Prof. Gyampo’s reputation as an abuser of women prevails beyond any academic or intellectual talents he may possess”.

“Hence, his appointment to a position of national leadership undermines both the moral integrity of Public office and the safety of women and girls in Ghana, especially for a government that campaigned on elevating the place of women in the Ghanaian society.

With the prevalence of sexually-related violence against women in schools and the workplace, Prof. Gyampo’s appointment sends an unwelcome but clear signal to women that we are condoning a society that pays little concern to victims of sexual abuse but rewards powerful, abusive men with more power and influence”.

She added, “In February 2025, Your Excellency appointed Prof. Gyampo as the C.E.O. of the Ghana Shippers Authority. This appointment raised significant commentary about propriety stemming from Prof. Gyampo’s involvement in a sexual harassment scandal that shocked the conscience of this nation.

However, appointing a person publicly associated with sexual harassment allegations to a position of influence sends a harmful signal to the vulnerable that in Ghana, power shields misconduct. Notably, it discourages reporting, emboldens abusers, and undermines years of progress toward gender equality and safe schools and workplaces.

Ghana has worked hard to assure women that their dignity matters and that abuse will not be tolerated. This appointment reverses those gains and risks normalising impunity. It also implicates the government as an enabler of such sexual violence abuses”.

Her petition demanded that President Mahama, “Revoke the appointment of Professor Ransford Edward van Gyampo as CEO of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority,

a. Affirm that individuals associated with sexual harassment or abuse are not eligible for high public office. b. eaffirm Ghana’s commitment to protecting women and girls from abuse and exploitation.

c. Revise the Code of Conduct, 2025, to include an explicit prohibition against sexual harassment by public officials”.

In a post shared on social media, the petitioner, identified as Perpetual Lomokie Akwada,  wrote, “Yesterday, I formally petitioned the President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, to review the appointment of Ransford Edward van Gyampo as CEO of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority.

I also call on H.E. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang and all women’s organisations across the country to support actions that uphold public trust and protect the dignity of women.

Integrity in public office is essential. Our standards must reflect it”.

Meanwhile, Staunch feminist and NDC member Amelia Amedela Amemate, popularly known as Dela Goldheart, has said she was disappointed in her own party the NDC for appointing Professor Ransford Gyampo as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority despite sexual harassment levelled against him.

According to NDC’s Amelia, Professor Ransford Gyampo nearly ruined her education because he couldn’t keep his zipper closed.

Dela Goldheart highlighted that she was disappointed because Prof Gyampo’s appointment sent a wrong message to young women all over Ghana.

It will be recalled that some years ago, Amelia Amedela Amemate added her voice to that of several other women calling for the head of Professor Ransford Gyampo following the BBC Africa Eye exposé ‘Sex for grades’.

Dela Goldheart narrated her ordeal of how Prof Gyampo allegedly harassed her while she was a student at the University of Ghana.

According to her, she was shocked at Prof Gyampo’s consistent demand for sex, knowing how reserved and powerful he was, adding that many of her colleagues saw him to be “young, smart and powerful”.

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“COCOBOD requires over GH¢30bn in working capital for it to survive” – Majority

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“COCOBOD requires over GH¢30bn in working capital for it to survive” – Majority

The Majority Caucus in Parliament has said Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) requires over GH¢30bn in working capital for it to survive.

According to the Majority Caucus, COCOBOD faces a significant liquidity gap.

Speaking at a press briefing on February 19, 2026, Chairman of Parliament’s Finance Committee and Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central, Isaac Adongo, stated, “COCOBOD requires over GH¢30 billion in working capital for it to survive, not the GH¢60 billion left behind. If you look at the accounts, you realise that there is a big hole in there”.

Also, Isaac Adongo has said the former managers of COCOBOD under the previous Akufo-Addo administration must be lined up for cocoa farmers to whip them.

According to Isaac Adongo, the  Ex-COCOBOD managers deserve severe punishment for their mismanagement of Ghana’s cocoa sector.

He accused the Akufo-Addo administration of failing to properly manage the critical logistics of  COCOBOD.

Isaac Adongo added, “When COCOBOD had 286,000 bales of jute sacks at the ports. They cleared only 91,000 and left the rest at the ports. Just a few days before they were leaving office, they contracted someone and paid GHC48 million to bring in 80,000 bales of jute sacks. These are reckless people.

“If it were possible in the days that we were whipping people, these are the people we have to line up and tell cocoa farmers that it is the conduct of these people that denied the government of Ghana the resources to properly take care of you at this point in time.

“So that we will give everybody a cane, and cocoa farmers will whip them. Then we will know who is at fault. But these are the type of people who can sing and dance better than everybody. They think that if you tell the lie many times, it becomes the truth,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jerome Kwaku Sam, the Head of Public Affairs at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), has revealed plans to undertake an internal audit of the cocoa regulator’s over 10,000 staff on its payroll.

According to him, the internal audit is to determine the exact number of employees on its payroll and to assess if their roles are assigned to their portfolios.

He detailed that at the end of the internal audit, if it revealed that COCOBOD can function effectively with 5,000, 1,000 or even 500, so be it.

Speaking in an interview on Citi Business News, Jerome Sam stated, “It is not even about the numbers. If we unearth that the over 10,000 staff are each productive and efficient in what they are doing, that is fine”.

“But if, upon a forensic or Human Resource audit, it is revealed that we can operate effectively with 5,000, 1,000 or even 500 people, and that will ensure the sustenance of the industry, then so be it”.

He added, “The HR audit will ascertain whether we indeed have over 10,000 permanent staff, as the Chief Executive was presented with. Beyond that, it will determine whether all these staff members warrant the portfolios they currently occupy. This is important, and it will be done”.

COCOBOD’s planned audit comes on the heels of the CEO implementing economic measures in response to liquidity challenges within the cocoa sector.

The announcement comes on the heels of heightened strain in the cocoa industry, with some key persons questioning COCBOD’s commitments.

Also, Sam Jerome has revealed that COCOBOD salary reductions affecting over 5,000 senior staff will generate GH¢5 million monthly.

According to Sam Jerome, the COCOBOD salary cut will total GH¢40 million over eight months to defray supplier debts.

Appoint Zanetor Rawlings as Defence Minister – Security analyst tells Mahama

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Appoint Zanetor Rawlings as Defence Minister – Security analyst tells Mahama

Dr Ishmael Norman, a Security analyst, has told President John Mahama to appoint Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, the Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey, as Ghana’s Defence Minister.

According to him, Ghana needs a shift in defence leadership, urging the President to appoint a woman, arguing that it is time for the tradition of men occupying the defence ministry to change.

Dr Ishmael Norman exclusively mentioned Dr Zanetor Agyemang Rawlings as a strong candidate for the role, pointing to her work on Parliament’s Defence and Interior subcommittee.

He also recounted her involvement with the Intelligence subcommittee and her participation in programmes at the Ghana Armed Forces Staff College as evidence of her preparedness.

Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse, Dr Norman stated, “It will be for reputational benefit, and this thing will be so high up before all women, all girls, that it will be amazing the benefits of that appointment. We are tired of men; appoint a woman, President. Please, please, appoint a woman”.

“She has quite a lot of qualifications. She has proven her worth as a medical doctor, parliamentarian, and disciplined professional. There is not an iota of any bad thing said about her. She has been groomed for that role, and it is high time she is elevated to that position.”

Also, rumours last year alleged that Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings was emerging as a top contender for the Defence Minister position.

According to reports, Zenator Agyemang-Rawlings is emerging as a strong favourite for the next Defence Minister, with many within the ruling National Democratic Congress and civil society pushing her nomination.

It has been alleged that her supporters argue that she brings integrity, discipline and a fresh strategic outlook, while insiders say discussions are intensifying ahead of an expected ministerial reshuffle.

However,  President John Dramani Mahama in December 2025 told Ghanaians speculating about his appointing a Defence, Environment Minister to go and enjoy the Christmas holiday.

According to John Mahama, he will appoint a Defence and Environment Minister next year after the Christmas holiday.

President Mahama, speaking during a meeting at the Jubilee House, stated, “They say Allah gives and Allah takes. He took two of our comrades, and we haven’t filled those positions yet. I can see people speculating that he is going to appoint a new Defence minister, a new Environment minister.

We are not in a hurry. We will do those appointments next year. After the holiday, the Christmas holiday, we will fill those positions,” he said.

“So those speculating about somebody going to be appointed tomorrow and all that, just take your time, go and enjoy Christmas and after Christmas we will fill those ones,” he added.

In related news, John Ntim Fordjour, the Ranking Member of the Defence committee in parliament, has labelled the absence of a substantive Defence Minister for over seven months as a major defence leadership failure.

According to John Ntim Fordjour, it is a major defence leadership for Ghana not to have a substantive Defence Minister for over seven months.

He also criticizes government for having the Interior Minister lead the response to the Burkina Faso attack.

Ntim Fordjour argued that the Interior Minister is not responsible for what happens outside the country.

Rev Ntim Fordjour is quoted by TV3 News flyer to have said, “This is a major defence leadership failure. For seven months, we haven’t had a substantive Minister for Defence”.

In another flyer, he stated, “It was wrong at the beginning for the Interior Minister to lead this conversation. He’s not responsible for what happens outside the country”.

The MP stressed that the Foreign Affairs Minister and the Defence Minister should be the ones to lead the response to the Burkina Faso attack.

Ntim Fordjours comments come in the wake of the Burkina Faso terrorist attack that killed seven Ghanaians.

Armed robbers allegedly kill Sammy Gyamfi’s father-in-law

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Armed robbers allegedly kill Sammy Gyamfi’s father-in-law

Reports suggest the father-in-law of Sammy Gyamfi, Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, has been killed in an alleged armed robbery attack.

Sammy Gyamfi’s father-in-law has been identified as Karikari.

Reports suggest the incident occurred on Friday, February 13, when he was shot during a violent robbery.

Mr Karikari, according to the information gathered, succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

The late Mr Karikari was the father of Irene Amankwaa Karikari, the wife of Sammy Gyamfi.

It will be recalled that on December 21, 2022, Sammy Gyamfi married Irene Amankwaa Karikari in a semi-private ceremony in Accra.

Also, the NDC Regional Communication Officers and their deputies expressed their grief over the death.

“The 16 Regional Communication Officers, Deputies, 276 Constituency Communication Officers, and distinguished communicators nationwide join in mourning this loss,” the statement said.

Also, the group called on the Inspector General of Police, Christian Yohuno Tettey, to ensure the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice.

In other news, a 16-year-old girl identified as Deborah Dede Ama’s lifeless body has been found naked at a stream after being reported missing on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2026.

Deborah Dede Ama was tragically found dead in Tinkong, Eastern Region, days after she was reported missing.

Her disappearance sparked concern across the community, which led to a search with community members and local authorities joining efforts to locate her.

According to reports, Deborah Dede Ama’s lifeless body was found under circumstances that are still being investigated.

Reports suggest the lifeless body of Deborah Ama Dede was discovered on Tuesday in a stream near their house.

According to Kofi Sammy, a family member, the body was found naked and already decomposing, with marks suggesting possible foul play.

Also, residents suspect the teenager may have been sexually assaulted before being killed by unknown attackers.

Meanwhile, the Police at Adawso have retrieved the body from the scene and conveyed it to the mortuary for preservation and autopsy as investigations commence.

A GHOne News flyer sharing the news stated, “16-year-old Deborah Dede Ama found dead at Tinkong, Eastern Region after being reported missing on Valentine’s Day”.

“If I were counsel to Ofori-Atta, I would strongly advise him to return to Ghana” – Atta Akyea

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“If I were counsel to Ofori-Atta, I would strongly advise him to return to Ghana” – Atta Akyea

Samuel Atta Akyea, a former Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, has told the former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana.

According to Samuel Atta Akyea, if he were counsel to Ken Ofori-Atta, he would strongly advise him to return to Ghana to avoid his absence being exploited to disgrace him.

He stressed that Ken Ofori-Atta’s case will not be trial in a Kangaroo court but in an open court where journalists will also be reporting proceedings.

Speaking on AsaasePa FM, Samuel Atta Akyea stated, “Ken Ofori-Atta is not a child, and a lot of people are around him; they should take a decision that would help him, especially with his name. If he can take some decisions to redeem his name, it would help him a lot. Because of how things are going”,

“If I were his lawyer, and if it is not illness that is keeping him away, I would ask him to come to Ghana, because what will happen?. I will advise him to come back so that they will not exploit his absence to disgrace him; that is my view”.

He added, “His absence, there is always a court of public opinion, with everyone saying why is he not coming back to Ghana, if you are innoncent what are you doing abroad? Why won’t you come and face your charges?

What will they do? We are all Ghanaians, so the things the court will do, a journalist can even pick it up; the court is open, it will not be a kangaroo court”.

His comments follow Ken Ofori-Atta, whose name has been permanently deleted from the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) Red Notice following a review.

On Friday, February 13, 2026, Ken Ofori-Atta’s Lawyers in a statement revealed that the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) had communicated its decision to expunge the alert from the organisation’s database.

According to the lawyers, the CCF concluded that the request for Ken Ofori-Atta’s arrest appeared to be primarily political in nature and did not meet INTERPOL’s neutrality requirements.

The statement signed by his lead counsel, Justice Kusi-Minkah Premo of the law firm Minkah-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline & Partners, read, “We are pleased to announce that, today, February 13, 2026, the Commission for The Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) has notified Kenneth Ofori-Atta that on February 4, 2026 during its 135th Session, it determined that the Red Notice issued against Ofori-Atta “appears of a predominantly political character” and is non- compliant with INTERPOL’s rules, and shall be deleted from INTERPOL’s files permanently.

“Specifically, CCF stated that: “After a thorough examination of the elements before it, the commission found that the challenged data registered by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) of Ghana were not compliant with INTERPOL’s rules and decided that they should be deleted from the INTERPOL information system,” part of the letter read.

Meanwhile, Frank Davies, a member of the former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s legal team, has told the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) they goofed in the handling of the case involving his client.

Speaking on an AM show, lawyer Frank Davies boldly stated that the Office of the Special Prosecutor got it wrong and must be apologetic and tell Ghanaians the truth.

According to Frank Davies, due process and the rule of law are not mere slogans warning the OSP against condemning suspects in the court of public opinion before cases are properly tested in court.

Ken Ofori-Atta’s lawyer stated, “So yes, they got it wrong this time. They goofed. I think they should be apologetic and tell Ghanaians the truth. My candid advice to them is that the rule of law and due process are not a term of art. It evolves from established practices and processes”.

Frank Davis added, “It is not always right to punish people’s reputation when there is no basis for it”.

“This is why due process matters. You cannot destroy someone’s reputation before the facts are properly established,” he said.

The lawyer’s remarks follow the INTERPOL permanently deleting Ken Ofori-Atta’s name from their Red Notice must pause for a moment.

Watch the video below:

COCOBOD managers under Akufo-Addo gov’t must be lined up for farmers to whip them  – Adongo

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COCOBOD managers under Akufo-Addo gov’t must be lined up for farmers to whip them  – Adongo

Chairman of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Isaac Adongo, has said the former managers of COCOBOD under the previous Akufo-Addo administration must be lined up for cocoa farmers to whip them.

According to Isaac Adongo, the  Ex-COCOBOD managers deserve severe punishment for their mismanagement of Ghana’s cocoa sector.

He accused the Akufo-Addo administration of failing to properly manage the critical logistics of  COCOBOD.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, February 19, Isaac Adongo stated, “When COCOBOD had 286,000 bales of jute sacks at the ports. They cleared only 91,000 and left the rest at the ports. Just a few days before they were leaving office, they contracted someone and paid GHC48 million to bring in 80,000 bales of jute sacks. These are reckless people.

“If it were possible in the days that we were whipping people, these are the people we have to line up and tell cocoa farmers that it is the conduct of these people that denied the government of Ghana the resources to properly take care of you at this point in time.

“So that we will give everybody a cane, and cocoa farmers will whip them. Then we will know who is at fault. But these are the type of people who can sing and dance better than everybody. They think that if you tell the lie many times, it becomes the truth,” he said.

However, Justin Frimpong Kodua, the General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has slammed the John Mahama-led government over Ghana’s cocoa sector crisis.

The NPP General Secretary stressed that it is  “absurd” and “untenable” for the NDC government to blame its shortfall in the cocoa sector on the NPP.

According to Justin Kodua, the NDC government is lost in the ocean, and debunked claims that the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration mismanaged the sector.

 He detailed that the decision by the NDC government to reduce the price of cocoa from GH₵3,625 to GH₵2,587 explains how the government is lost in the ocean.

Speaking on the issue of cocoa pricing on TV3 on Friday, February 13, 2026, Kodua explained, “Well, it would be totally absurd, repugnant, and unconscionable on the part of the NDC government to label any blame against the New Patriotic Party for their incompetence. At least they have been in government for over a year now, and when they took over the realm of affairs, they were mindful of the state of the economy”.

“In 2025, the cocoa price was around GH₵3,100 per bag, and somewhere during July, they increased it to GH₵3,600. So, when they increased the cocoa price, they didn’t accuse the previous government of mismanagement, of having destroyed the cocoa sector.

He argued, “If the sector was destroyed, how were you able to increase the cocoa price? So, that accusation that they are trying to label against the New Patriotic Party is untenable”.

“If you want to understand the real cause of where we are as a government, as a party, and as a country, then people will also appreciate that, indeed, the decision by the NDC government to reduce the price from GH₵3,625 to GH₵2,587 explains how the government is lost in the ocean,” Kodua noted.

The NPP General Secretary  added, “This issue about the crisis started somewhere in October where cocoa farmers, after they had cultivated their produce, had to sell it to people referred to as purchasing clerks. In some instances where the purchasing clerks don’t have money, they take the cocoa bags under the terms and agreement that they are going to pay the cocoa farmers X amount, which at that time was GH₵3,600

“At that point, the farmer never anticipated that a day would come when the government would come back and tell the cocoa farmer that it had reduced the price which has been agreed between the purchasing clerk and the farmer… At what point did the government get to know that there were serious issues in the cocoa sector?” he questioned.

NDC still believes Jean Mensa and her deputies must be removed – Edudzi Tamakloe

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NDC still believes Jean Mensa and her deputies must be removed – Edudzi Tamakloe

The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Legal Director, Edudzi Tamakloe, has said the party maintains its stand that the Electoral Commission’s leadership must be removed.

According to Edudzi Tamakloe, despite the Chief Justice’s dismissal of petitions seeking their removal, the NDC still maintained its call for the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa and deputies to be removed.

He stressed that the Chief Justice’s decision will not alter the NDC’s position.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Thursday, February 19, Edudzi Tamakloe stated, “I want to make the point that the NDC still believes that the current composition of the Electoral Commission and how they have conducted their work over the past five years leaves much to be desired”.

“From what I am reading, it does appear that the Chief Justice has taken the position that the matters raise very serious administrative and constitutional issues, and so possibly the fault is not Article 146 alone. Those matters can be litigated in a different place other than the Supreme Court,” he noted.

His comments follows the announcement by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Government Communications Minister, who revealed that the Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, found no prima facie determination on petitions against the Electoral Commissioner Jean Mensa, her deputies, and the Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng.

It will be recalled that President Mahama referred seven petitions calling for the removal of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa and her Deputies and Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, to the Chief Justice for a determination on November 25, 2025.

The referral was made in accordance with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 15 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), to ascertain whether the petitions disclosed a prima facie case.

However, a statement issued by the Presidency on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, read, “Following the receipt of seven (7) petitions from various individuals and groups for the removal of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and her Deputies, and three (3) petitions for the removal of the Special Prosecutor, President John Dramani Mahama, in accordance with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 15 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), referred same to His Lordship, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, Chief Justice, on 25 November 2025, to determine whether the petitions disclosed a prima facie case.

By a letter dated 26 January 2026, the Chief Justice informed His Excellency the President that no prima facie case had been established by the petitions to warrant any further investigations for the removal of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Deputy Commissioners and the Special Prosecutor.”This determination means no committee will be formed, and no further proceedings for removal will take place based on those petitions”.

Also, before the Chief Justice decision, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has stated, majority of Ghanaians want the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa and deputies gone.

The NDC General Secretary backed calls for the removal of Jean Mensa and her deputies from office, arguing that public opinion would overwhelmingly support the removal of EC officials if an independent assessment were conducted.

According to Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, calls for accountability are not driven by party executives but by the collective will of the Ghanaian people.

Speaking on JoyNews on December 17, 2025, Fifi Kwetey stated, “I’m not going to jump the gun. I want to say that if the petitions have been submitted, let the due process be followed”.

“For me, that’s the biggest crime that can ever be committed. Any group that supervises that has clearly no reason to remain in office. That’s the biggest crime you can commit in any democracy to take away the right of people from being represented.

“So, it’s not so much about what I want, it’s about what I think is wrong,” he indicated.

He added, “If you could commission an independent survey to gain the sentiment of the people of Ghana, I believe that a vast majority of Ghanaians would want them gone too”.

“So, I don’t think it’s anything to do with a General Secretary or the National Chairman. I think the people of Ghana would want them gone too,” Fifi Kwetey argued.

“Big scandal looming at COCOBOD” – Ekow Assafuah blows alarms

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“Big scandal looming at COCOBOD” – Ekow Assafuah blows alarms

Vincent Ekow Assafuah, the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, has blown an alarm on an alleged scandal looming at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).

According to Ekow Assafuah, Mr Ato Boateng, the acting Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Finance and Administration at COCOBOD, a regulator of the sector, is also the CEO of a private company regulated by COCOBOD.

He alleged that the Deputy CEO is using the warehouses of the PBCs to hoard cocoa purchased by his private company against the rules of the COCOBOD.

Ekow Assafuah alleged a conflict of interest for the Deputy CEO  to use the PBC warehouses, which are not meant to be used by private companies.

In a Facebook post shared by Vincent Ekow Assafuah, he wrote, “BIG SCANDAL LOOMING AT COCOBOD.

One of the reasons cocoa farmers continue to endure hardship under the current COCOBOD administration is what appears to be blatant insensitivity and possible abuse of office.

Serious concerns have emerged regarding the leadership of COCOBOD under Randy Abbey and his deputy, Mr. Ato Boateng, Acting Deputy Chief Executive (Finance & Administration), whose established professional association with Atlas Commodities Limited is confirmed by records at the Registrar-General’s Department and further corroborated by publicly available information, including a simple Google or AI search, which shows that he is the company’s Chief Executive Officer since 2018.

Attached is a waybill issued in the name of Atlas Commodities Limited indicating the movement of cocoa from Kedjebi within the 2025/2026 crop season. The document references 800 bags of Grade One Cocoa, raising legitimate questions about the operational role of this private company within the cocoa purchasing chain.

It is alleged that funds meant for Licensed Buying Companies, including PBCs, to purchase cocoa were instead redirected to this private entity, with cocoa allegedly hoarded in anticipation of future price increases.

These alleged activities are said to be taking place in parts of the Central and Eastern Regions, raising concerns about the scale of the operation.

COCOBOD is the regulator of all Licensed Buying Companies. Therefore, how can the regulator of the industry be seen to also operate, directly or indirectly, as a buying company within the same system it supervises? If true, this would represent a serious conflict of interest and a breach of regulatory integrity.

Further claims suggest that Atlas Commodities Limited does not operate its own warehouses but may be relying on existing PBC warehouse facilities.

Most concerning is the allegation that Atlas Commodities may be operating within warehouses registered under PBC. COCOBOD regulations require that every warehouse be registered under a specific Licensed Buying Company. If a warehouse is registered under PBC, it should not be used for the storage, grading, sealing, or processing of cocoa belonging to another company.

If proven, such an arrangement would constitute a serious regulatory breach and raise critical questions for the district Quality Control officers responsible for oversight.

Additionally, it is being alleged that the Chief Executive has sat on a task force report related to these matters, preventing the public from knowing the full extent of its findings.

These are grave concerns that demand urgent and independent investigation. The matter has reportedly been brought to the attention of the Jasikan and Hohoe Police Stations.

Cocoa farmers deserve transparency, accountability, and protection from any actions that undermine their livelihoods”, his post concluded.

Meanwhile, the Old Tafo MP has petitioned the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to probe the alleged conflict of interest at the  Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).

See the post below:

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