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‘We need the National Cathedral as a nation’ – Afenyo-Markin

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Makay

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07.10.2026

‘We need the National Cathedral as a nation’ – Afenyo-Markin

Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, has defended the National Cathedral project, labelling it as a national asset with potential beyond its religious purpose.

According to Afenyo-Markin, Ghana needs the National Cathedral as a nation, stressing that it is not just a cathedral for prayer but also for tourism.

The minority leader explained that the facility could serve the wider Ghanaian population, not only Christians, by contributing to tourism and providing a national rallying point and should not be viewed simply as a place of worship.

Speaking at an engagement with the Christian Council, Afenyo-Markin stated, “This National Cathedral, we need it as a nation. It shouldn’t be too simplistic that a cathedral is just for prayer. It is also for tourism”.

“So if we have the cathedral, it’s not only for the Christian community; it is for the entire nation. It is tourism potential, it is image and the image of the country, it becomes a rallying point for us as a country”, he added.

He further criticised the Mahama government for what he described as a lack of clarity over the future of the site.

“The government is showing inconsistency. It says one thing today, it says another tomorrow. We don’t know what they want to use the site for. There’s no clarity as to what they want to use the site for,” he said.

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has ordered the immediate dissolution of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana Project.

According to reports, the decision was communicated to the Board in a letter signed by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga.

The letter ordered the Board to coordinate with the project consultant and formally hand over the National Cathedral project site to the Ministry by October 31, 2026.

According to Mahama Ayariga, the handover will enable the government to determine the future of the project.

Mahama Ayariga, on behalf of President Mahama, thanked members of the Board for their commitment to promoting the Christian faith in Ghana.

In related news, the Christian Council of Ghana has told President John Dramani Mahama the State cannot wash its hands off the National Cathedral.

According to the Christian Council, the State must maintain an interest in the completion of the National Cathedral, as significant public funds have already been committed to the project.

Speaking to Citi News, Coordinator for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations at the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev. Jehoiada Godwin Amuzu, stated, “I believe that Christians have the capacity to do the project, but when we say we have capacity doesn’t mean the money will come from point A or from point B, but the Christian leadership have the capacity to pull ideas together, to develop a financial model, whether locally or internationally, to ensure that the cathedral project bounces back”.

“You know that a lot of money has been spent already. So whether the Cathedral project continues or not, it does not negate the fact that State money has already been spent on the project,” he said.

“And so the continuation should be a national issue, because national resources have been spent already,” Rev. Amuzu added.

The Christian Council’s position follows President John Dramani Mahama’s recent comments that the National Cathedral should not be funded with taxpayers’ money.

Mahama argued that taxpayers’ money should not be used to fund the construction of a National Cathedral, disclosing that if Christians across the country contributed GH¢1,000 each towards the project, they could raise sufficient resources to construct the facility.

@ghnow_ Nana Akua Addo’s husband, Harold, has released a video alleging that his wife assaulted him, leaving him with an injured mouth and torn clothes. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

@ghnow_ Okatakyie Afrifa highlights areas where he believes President John Mahama’s government has performed well. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

When NPP come to power, bail bond will be $500m for NDC offenders – Abanga

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Makay

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07.10.2026

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When NPP come to power, bail bond will be $500m for NDC offenders – Abanga

Abanga Fuseini Yakubu, a newly elected NPP National Youth Organiser, has said that when the party return to power, they will introduce a $500 million bail bond for alleged offenders associated with the NDC.

According to Abanga, the Mahama administration is using state institutions to intimidate young people and critics.

He stressed that individuals are being arrested just over comments made on social media.

He further contrasted the situation with the Akufo-Addo administration, claiming that critics were able to attack and insult the former President without being arrested.

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express programme on Tuesday, October 6, Abanga Fuseini Yakubu stated, “This government, whatever you say, they will come after you. Even on social media, there are certain words if you dare use them; tomorrow EOCO will come and pick you up; free speech is now criminalised to the point that one cannot even criticise the government”.

“During President Akufo-Addo’s regime, people could insult him and attack him, but nobody arrested anybody; but today you cough, and they are arresting you,” he stated.

“Whatever they are doing, when we come to power, the bail bond will be $500, and I am promising you as the National Youth Organiser of the NPP, so they should be careful with whatever they are doing,” he said.

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has broken his silence over the growing number of arrests involving social media commentators, particularly TikTokers.

According to Mahama, he is not aware of many of the arrests until they are brought to his attention through media reports.

Mahama, however, stressed the need for a broader national conversation on how TikTok and other emerging media platforms should be regulated.

The President disclosed that the government could simply direct the police not to arrest people over statements they make; such a move could raise questions about whether it reflects the position Ghanaians want to adopt.

He therefore called for a wider discussion on the appropriate balance between freedom of expression and the regulation of content on new media platforms.

Speaking at a town hall meeting with the Ghanaian community in New York on Friday, September 25, President Mahama stated, “There is a new term that I call information integrity. The media has become democratised. Anybody with a mobile phone can disseminate information. There is a new medium called TikTok. And it’s not only Ghana where people are wondering what to do to regulate TikTok. Because in all countries all over the world, we are wondering what to do to make sure that we have information integrity even with TikTok”.

“Anybody who has a phone just puts it in front of him and just says whatever he likes. Once they put it out, it has an algorithm that shares it,” he said.

He added, “As a leader, I don’t mind being insulted. I’ve been insulted. I was vilified. I was voted out of office. I have a tough skin; so if you insult me, I don’t mind,” he said.

“Definitely, a lot of these arrests, I don’t even know about them. I also hear about them in the media. Some of them have been tracked and arrested and all that. And sometimes, it worries me, because sometimes the reason for which the person has been arrested, really, they say, is because he insulted me,” he said.

Mahama said the challenge was determining where legitimate freedom of expression ended and conduct that required intervention, saying, “I can tell the IGP, we can go to Cabinet and say, let anybody insult anybody. Let’s leave it free for all. Don’t arrest anybody for anything they say. We can do that. But is that what we want?”

“So, let’s all decide what we want to do. So, that we either find a way of regulating it or we say, when it comes to free expression, anybody can say whatever he wants,” he said.

He further disclosed that the question of regulating new media should not be determined by government alone.

Mahama added, “What we should do is for the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) to bring all the stakeholders together and hold a workshop or a forum.

“Let’s all collectively take a decision on what we want to do with the new media. Should the police get involved, or shouldn’t they get involved? How do we regulate it? You come out and tell us,” he said.

@ghnow_ Okatakyie Afrifa highlights areas where he believes President John Mahama’s government has performed well. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

EOCO returns Hanan’s unlawfully seized £6,700, GHC2,750 laptops and phones

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Makay

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07.10.2026

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EOCO returns Hanan’s unlawfully seized £6,700, GHC2,750 laptops and phones

The Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO) has returned sums of £6,700, GHC2,750 2 Laptop computers and at least 6 mobile phones seized from Hanan Abdul Wahab Hanan, the former CEO of the Ghana Buffer Stock Company as well as his wife, Hajia Faiza Wuni, and the driver of the couple, who together are standing trial for financial crimes allegedly committed against the state.

Some of the items were seized in the course of investigations in 2025 whilst the money, 1 laptop and 2 mobile phones were seized on 4 July 2026, when Hanan was arrested at the airport, detained for 4 days and prevented from travelling abroad pursuant to a court order granted for medical purposes.

At the last hearing of the case on 29th September, 2026, when the prosecution indicated its readiness to call its first witness, lead counsel for Hanan, Godfred Dame, submitted that the trial could not commence if the items seized were not returned to the accused persons, especially since the mobile phones contained critical pieces of evidence the defence would use in their defence against the case of the prosecution. For that reason, the first accused person has filed a motion to cimpel EOCO to release the items.

“The phones contain information necessary for the conduct of the trial and related to matters that are central to the subject matter of the proceedings. We need them to enable the first accused prepare adequately for his defence, including raising objections to documents to be tendered by the prosecution, in accordance with Article 19(2)(e) and (g) of the 1992 Constitution”. said the former Attorney-General and Minister for Justice.

Augustine Obour, Counsel for the second accused Faizal Wuni, also informed the court that his client had requested the release of her electronic gadgets, which he said, would form the basis of his defence.

The prosecution argued that the trial could proceed for the motion to determine whether the accused persons were entitled to the release of the seized items to be determined later.

The trial court presided over by Justice Francis Achibonga, however, agreed with the former Attorney General that the prosecution could not commence its case and call its first witness without first determining the application seeking the release of the phones and other properties of the first accused. The judge said that since counsel for the first accused might need the phones alleged to have been seized by the State to enable him to prepare adequately for the trial in accordance with Article 29(2)(d) and (g) of the Constitution, it was impossible to proceed with the trial when that issue had not been determined.

EOCO, taking a cue from proceedings in court, on Monday, 5th October, 2026, released the items the subject matter of the motion filed by counsel for the first accused, Godfred Yeboah Dame, to the accused persons.

Withdrawal of Charges and Defective charge sheets

The return of the phones is not the first time EOCO has been forced to eat humble pie in the trial of Abdul Wahab Hanan who has been accused of causing financial loss
where he is standing trial agreed with Hanan’s lawyers that the seizure of the phone and cash was unlawful.

Lawyers’ Petition against EOCO’s case

Lawyers for Hanan, Messrs. Dame & Partners petitioned the Executive Director of EOCO Mr. Raymond Archer and the Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine to return his clients property which had been unlawfully retained without legal justification.

“On 9th July 2026, when my client reported to EOCO to collect his items, he was handed an empty purse, a wristwatch and his boarding pass. The investigating officer, Frank Cromwell, reportedly informed him that he had no authorisation to release the remaining items, which included two mobile phones and three separate envelopes containing £5,000, £1,700, and GH¢2,750 respectively.”

Mr. Dame further explained that the cash in question consisted of borrowed funds meant strictly for travel and medical expenses and was not drawn from any allegedly frozen bank account.

The defence team further accused EOCO officials of invading their client’s right to privacy as guaranteed under Article 18(2) of the 1992 Constitution.

The lawyers claimed that the data on Mr Abdul-Wahab’s two seized mobile phones was accessed without judicial authorization on two separate occasions—specifically on 6th July 2026 at 7:39 pm and 7th July 2026 at 9:33 am—while he was still held in state custody.

Furthermore, the letter noted that EOCO’s continuous retention of Mr Abdul-Wahab’s passport violates a High Court order dated 29th June 2026.

The court had released the passport to enable his medical travel, with a directive to return the document directly to the Registrar of the High Court upon his return. Counsel argued that holding the passport without a specific court warrant is contrary to Article 21(4) of the Constitution.

The law firm has asked for a full account of the data accessed from the phones and warned that they will resort to litigation if the items were not released immediately.

Faltering EOCO retreats again after eating humble pie

Despite a massive press conference christened “the Rumble in the Jungle” by the Attorney General Dominic Ayine in 2025 pronouncing Hanan guilty on all charges as established by “painstaking investigations by EOCO” the trial has been rather bumpy.

In May 2026, the prosecution withdrew all charges against Hanan because they were “unprosecutable” according to legal commentators. He was re-arrested, re-arraigned before court on new charges, but they suffered another blip when the state decided to withdraw a large chunk of evidence they had presented to the court because they could not rely on it anymore.

The new charges filed by the prosecution were also heavily challenged by Godfred Dame for being defective causing further changes to the charge sheet. The return of the phones and cash is the latest blight on EOCO’s drive to jail Hanan Abdul Wahab Hanan even if the evidence is not wholesome.

@ghnow_ Okatakyie Afrifa highlights areas where he believes President John Mahama’s government has performed well. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

@ghnow_ Nana Akua Addo’s husband, Harold, has released a video alleging that his wife assaulted him, leaving him with an injured mouth and torn clothes. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

‘I gave each delegate GH¢400’ – Nana Akomea reveals

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Makay

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06.10.2026

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‘I gave each delegate GH¢400’ – Nana Akomea reveals

Nana Akomea, a third Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has disclosed that he gave GH¢400 to each delegate.

According to Nana Akomea, his campaign spent GH¢400 on each delegate to cover transportation costs during his bid for the party’s vice-chairmanship.

He argued that the expenditure was necessary because some delegates had to travel considerable distances to voting centres.

Nana Akomea further indicated that the amount may not have matched what some delegates had received from other candidates, noting that the level of spending varied across the various campaigns.

Speaking on JoyNews, Nana Akomea stated, “I gave 400 cedis to them as transport, each.”

“I didn’t think that the paraphernalia was essential. I didn’t think giving them T-shirts was going to do anything. I didn’t think giving them cups and having my banners all over was going to do anything,” he said.

He further acknowledged that some of his competitors adopted a more aggressive approach to campaign visibility, revealing that his strategy was therefore deliberate.

Nana Akomea disclosed that he wanted to determine whether a campaign focused on the candidate’s message could succeed without heavy spending on promotional materials.

“When you’re on the campaign, you’re not too focused on what others are doing. You just focus on your message and how it is being received,” he said.

Also, Nana Akomea has admitted he was disappointed after finishing third in the party’s national executive elections.

According to Nana Akomea, he expected to finish either first or second in the contest.

“I was expected to be first or second, not third.”

“Yes, it disappointed me a little, but I knew it was going to be tough.”

“And when you look at maybe the top four, it’s very close.”

“The gap between myself and Mustafa was just about maybe 80, and then between myself and Nana B was just another 70 or so, and between Nana B and Kojo Bamba was maybe another 100 and something.”

“The top four: 2900 and something, 2900 and something, 2900 and something, 3000 and something. It’s very close, very tight.”

He further disclosed that Kojo Bamba’s strong performance to a different campaign message.

Nana Akomea stated, “But you know, Bamba’s message was clever, very clever. His message was different.”

“Whilst Nana B., myself, Mustapha Hamid, Ahiagbah, and all those people, we had basically the same message that we had served the party faithfully for a long time.”

“We’ve had a lot of experience, and we had a profile, a brand in the party, and want to use that brand to help the party.”

“Bamba’s message was that these people-they’ve served the party for a long time. I don’t intend to compete with them, but what I want to give to you is your security.”

“So you vote for two of them. Two of them, and then make sure that you admin for the sake of your security. So they will do the work, and I’ll just protect the ballot and protect you.”

@ghnow_ Ahhh!!! Did Andy Dosty really say that??? #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

@ghnow_ Wildlife Division officers at the Sakumo Ramsar Site rescued a large sea turtle stranded in Community 5 after receiving a distress call from a concerned citizen. The turtle was safely released back into the sea. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – Sarkodie

What law are they breaking? – Ayariga challenges BoG over cedi bouquets arrests

Makay

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06.10.2026

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What law are they breaking? – Ayariga challenges BoG over cedi bouquets arrests

Hassan Ayariga, the founder and Leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), challenged the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to state the specific legal basis for arresting people using genuine Ghana cedi notes for bouquets, cakes and other decorative arrangements.

According to Hassan Ayariga, the BoG must distinguish between the deliberate mutilation or destruction of currency and the use of genuine banknotes as gifts.

He stated, “Ghanaians have the right to give their legitimately earned money as gifts during weddings, birthdays, graduations and other celebrations,” he said.

“If currency notes are not torn, defaced, destroyed or permanently altered, the Bank of Ghana must explain precisely which provision of the law has been violated,” Dr Ayariga said.

However, Hassan Ayariga acknowledged the need to protect the integrity of the cedi but noted that enforcement must remain within the law and respect the rights of citizens.

“The Bank of Ghana is a regulatory institution, not a law unto itself. Any arrest must have a clear legal foundation, follow due process and respect the constitutional rights of citizens,” he said.

He further called on the BoG to clarify the legal position and provide clear guidance on the difference between acceptable gift packaging and conduct that constitutes unlawful treatment of Ghana’s currency.

His comment comes on the back of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), together with the Ghana Police Service, arresting seven people for allegedly using Ghana cedi banknotes to produce money bouquets and cakes.

Dinah Bonzi, the Head of the Statistics Office at the Currency Management Department of the Bank of Ghana, disclosed that the exercise is intended to send a strong warning to individuals and businesses involved in the practice.

According to the BoG, the arrests form part of the central bank’s enforcement action against the misuse, abuse, and illegal handling of Ghana cedi notes and coins.

The BoG disclosed that seven individuals were arrested at various locations in Accra, adding that the seven arrested used the cedi banknotes to create bouquets and cakes for commercial purposes.

Dinah Bonzi stated, “The Bank of Ghana wishes to issue a warning to the general public for using banknotes and coins to create money bouquets, money cakes for weddings, for birthdays, for graduations, and other similar events, which constitutes the misuse and abuse of the currency and is illegal and unlawful”.

“Following today’s arrest on the alleged abuse of the Ghana currency, the bank wants to clearly state that persons found engaging in, aiding, promoting or facilitating such acts will be arrested and prosecuted by the appropriate law enforcement agencies,” she said.

“The Ghana cedi is a legal tender of the Republic of Ghana and must be treated with respect. The misuse or abuse of the currency is an offence and may attract sanctions under the law,” Diana Bonzi added.

Diana Bonzi added that the BoG and the individuals arrested will be prosecuted, with possible sanctions including fines or imprisonment.

“From here they will be prosecuted,” she said. “Fines or even imprisonment according to the Act.”

“Today’s arrest should serve as a clear warning to the public. Let us all handle the Ghana cedi with dignity,” she said.

@ghnow_ Wildlife Division officers at the Sakumo Ramsar Site rescued a large sea turtle stranded in Community 5 after receiving a distress call from a concerned citizen. The turtle was safely released back into the sea. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – Sarkodie

@ghnow_ Ahhh!!! Did Andy Dosty really say that??? #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

Accra Circuit Court remands MD over alleged $1m fraud

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Makay

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06.10.2026

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Accra Circuit Court remands MD over alleged $1m fraud

An Accra Circuit Court has remanded Emmanuel Ahadzie, the Managing Director of Service Machinery Ghana Limited (SMGL), into police custody over an alleged plot to defraud his employer of $1 million.

The MD is accused of conspiring with Akponu Kwaku Joseph and Guo Nian Ming, also known as David, to obtain the money from Service Machinery Ghana Limited (SMGL) CEO Moses Kwame Williams under the pretext of supplying six heavy-duty Sino trucks.

Prosecutors allege that Ahadzie persuaded Williams to deposit the $1 million into Ming’s CalBank account after a pro forma invoice was allegedly prepared to facilitate the transaction. The trucks were reportedly never supplied, while the two alleged accomplices remain at large.

A new report by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) has provided further details on the case.

The report stated, “An Accra Circuit Court has remanded a 51-year-old Managing Director into police custody for allegedly conspiring with two others, who are currently at large, to defraud his employer of $1 million.

Emmanuel Ahadzie is alleged to have conspired with Akponu Kwaku Joseph and Guo Nian Ming, also known as David, to defraud Moses Kwame Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Service Machinery Ghana Limited (SMGL), of the amount.

The accused persons allegedly collected the money from Mr Williams under the pretext of supplying him with six heavy-duty Sino trucks but failed to deliver the vehicles.

Ahadzie has been charged with conspiracy to commit crime, namely defrauding by false pretences, and defrauding by false pretences.

The court did not take his plea, and he is expected to reappear on October 13, 2026.

The prosecution told the court that Mr Williams, a resident of Baatsona-Spintex, is the CEO of SMGL, while Ahadzie, a resident of Spintex, was the company’s managing director.

It said Akponu and Ming, the second and third accused persons respectively, are currently at large.

According to the prosecution, in April 2026, Ahadzie and his alleged accomplices agreed to collect $1 million from Mr Williams under the pretext of supplying him with six heavy-duty Sino trucks.

The prosecution said that on April 17, Ahadzie allegedly persuaded Mr Williams to open an account at CalBank and deposit the money into an account belonging to Ming.

After receiving the money, Ming allegedly failed to honour the agreement to supply the trucks.

The prosecution said Mr Williams subsequently petitioned the Police Intelligence Directorate on September 28, 2026, for investigations into the matter.

Following sustained intelligence and surveillance, Ahadzie was arrested.

Preliminary investigations allegedly established that Ahadzie planned with Ming to send a pro forma invoice to Mr Williams to facilitate payment of the $1 million without raising suspicion.

The prosecution said efforts were underway to arrest the two alleged accomplices”.

See the post below:

An Accra Circuit Court has remanded 51-year-old managing director of SMG Ltd. Mr. Emmanuel Ahadzie into police custody over an alleged plot to defraud his employer of $1 million. The 51-year old business executive is accused of conspiring with Akponu Kwaku Joseph and Guo Nian Ming, also known as David, to obtain the money from Service Machinery Ghana Limited CEO Moses Kwame Williams under the pretext of supplying six heavy-duty Sino trucks. Prosecutors allege that Mr. Ahadzie persuaded the CEO to deposit the $1 million into Ming’s CalBank account, after a pro forma invoice was allegedly prepared to facilitate the transaction. The trucks were reportedly never supplied, while the two alleged accomplices remain at large. [📸: CitiNewsRoom]
— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) October 5, 2026

@ghnow_ Wildlife Division officers at the Sakumo Ramsar Site rescued a large sea turtle stranded in Community 5 after receiving a distress call from a concerned citizen. The turtle was safely released back into the sea. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – Sarkodie

@ghnow_ Ahhh!!! Did Andy Dosty really say that??? #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

‘We don’t have the fine details yet’ – Wontumi’s team reacts to Mahama’s presidential pardon

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Makay

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06.10.2026

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‘We don’t have the fine details yet’ – Wontumi’s team reacts to Mahama’s presidential pardon

Dr Palgrave Boakye Danquah, a spokesperson for businessman and former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, commonly known as Chairman Wontumi, has broken his silence on President John Dramani Mahama granting some 863 convicted persons granted a presidential pardon.

According to Wontumi’s team, they are yet to receive official confirmation on whether Wontumi is among the 863 convicted persons granted a presidential pardon.

Speaking on President Mahama’s presidential pardon, Dr Boakye Danquah said the team had not received any formal communication confirming that Wontumi is among those covered by the President’s decision.

He stressed that they would refrain from concluding until the relevant authorities officially communicate the names and categories of persons covered by the pardon.

Dr Boakye Danquah stated, “We don’t have the fine details yet, and so if we are yet to be communicated to, we will let the public know. Our prayer and consideration will be that if we would have our name anywhere at all, it would be within the Special Recommendation or Petition category.”

He, however, disclosed that their immediate priority is to secure bail for Wontumi on October 15, pending the determination of his appeal.

“We are just praying that the appeal goes through and also we are praying that the bail pending the appeal goes through”, he stated.

His comment follows President Mahama’s announcement of the pardon as part of Ghana’s 70^th Independence celebration covering 863 convicted persons across the country.

The announcement has since sparked interest in the status of several high-profile individuals who may have been considered for clemency, including Chairman Wontumi.

A statement signed by Government spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, disclosed that the decision was taken in accordance with Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution and follows consultations with the Council of State.

Felix Kwakye Ofosu stated, “The pardon forms part of the commemoration of the significant national milestone and is intended to mark the occasion with an act of mercy and national reflection.”

The statement revealed that the largest group to benefit involves 819 first-time offenders, who have been granted outright release.

Also, thirteen convicted persons aged 70 years and above have been granted outright release, with six persons serving life sentences having their sentences commuted to 20 years.

Additionally, 11 persons on death sentence will have their sentences commuted to life imprisonment, with six seriously ill prisoners granted outright release, while two persons have also been released following special recommendations.

The statement also disclosed that three other cases were considered under petitions, with three additional persons falling under other categories.

The Presidential amnesty is a constitutional provision that allows the President to pardon prisoners or reduce their sentences on the recommendations from the Prisons Service Council and the Council of State.

The Presidential amnesty is used as a measure to decongest prisons, also to address humanitarian concerns, and ensure justice is tempered with mercy.

It is particularly for defenceless groups such as the elderly, the sick, and nursing mothers.

Meanwhile, Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare (Kwaku Azar), a US-based Ghanaian academic and legal scholar, has demanded clarity in the process used to select the 819 first offenders granted presidential pardon by President John Dramani Mahama.

According to Kwaku Azar, the President’s constitutional power to grant mercy is not in question, but he quizzed how these 819 beneficiaries were selected for outright release.

Prof Azar argued that the description “first offender” alone does not provide enough information about how the 819 beneficiaries were selected, adding that a person convicted for the first time could have received a relatively short sentence or a much longer sentence for a serious offence.

He further questioned whether beneficiaries were required to have served a minimum portion of their sentences before qualifying for outright release.

@ghnow_ Wildlife Division officers at the Sakumo Ramsar Site rescued a large sea turtle stranded in Community 5 after receiving a distress call from a concerned citizen. The turtle was safely released back into the sea. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – Sarkodie

@ghnow_ Ahhh!!! Did Andy Dosty really say that??? #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

‘I’m shocked NPP elected a convict as 1st Vice Chairman’ – Akwatia MP

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06.10.2026

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‘I’m shocked NPP elected a convict as 1st Vice Chairman’ – Akwatia MP

Bernard Bediako, the Member of Parliament for Akwatia, has questioned the New Patriotic Party (NPP) over its decision to elect Kojo Fosu Boadu, popularly known as Kojo Bamba, as First Vice Chairman.

According to the Akwatia MP, he is so shocked that the NPP elected Kojo Bamba, a convict, as first vice chairman, arguing that he should not have been allowed to contest.

The Akwatia MP stressed that he was surprised that Kojo Bamba was able to pass the party’s vetting process despite the NPP Constitution’s position on people who have been convicted of certain offences.

He referred to Article 3(C)(iii) of the NPP Constitution, which he claims prevents members convicted of certain offences from holding positions or contesting elections within the party.

Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana on October 6, 2026, Bernard Bediako stated, “Now, when you come to the vice-chair and then all that, of course we were all surprised, but it’s a very interesting one. The first vice-chair is Boadu, and it’s been said, and I’m so shocked how NPP got it wrong because if you read Article 3 of the Constitution, it talks about eligibility to hold an office within their party, and it escaped the NPP that this is a convict”.

“Did it escape them that the said gentleman is a convict? What?… Article 3(C) (iii) of the NPP constitution says a member shall have the right to contest for any position or office within the party in accordance with rules and regulations governing elections,” he argued.

He added, “A member shall be disqualified from holding any office or contesting any election in the party if he or she has been convicted and/or sentenced by a court of competent jurisdiction in respect of any offence involving high treason, an offence involving the security of the state, dishonesty, fraud, or moral turpitude, unless a period of 10 years has elapsed after serving the sentence or he or she has been granted a full pardon”.

The Akwatia MP insisted, “I’m so shocked that it is not up to 10 years that this gentleman could pass vetting… but you know very well that you [NPP] goofed”.

Kojo Bamba was elected NPP 1st Vice Chairman after defeating twelve party heavyweights.

Kojo Bamba emerged victorious after beating off competition from 12 other candidates, including Dr Mustapha Abdul Hameed, Nana Akomea, Samuel Pyne, George Kwabena Abankwah Yeboah, Richard Ahiagba, Alhaji Masawudu Osman, Richard Oti Aboagye, Abena Pokua Boaitey Amoah, Yaa Amponsah Frimpong, Henry Nana Boakye, Horma Miez and Bright Esselfie Kumi.

Kojo Bamba was declared the winner of the 1st Vice Chairman position after securing 3,116 votes, with his immediate past National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, who obtained 3,061 votes, while Nana Akomea placed third with 2,987 votes.

Kojo Bamba rose to prominence as a leader of the Delta Force, which was involved in a 2017 confrontation over the appointment of George Adjei as Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator.

Kojo Bamba later moved into the NPP’s formal structures and was appointed Deputy National Director of Operations of the party’s youth wing in 2018.

Meanwhile, Kwesi Botchway Jnr, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) communicator, has said Kojo Bamba’s election as First Vice Chairman of the party has unsettled the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to Kwesi Botchway Jnr, reaction from some NDC members following Kojo Bamba’s election indicates that the party is in a panic.

Kwesi Botchway Jnr argued that Kojo Bamba’s election has sent a clear and unmistakable signal to the NDC.

Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana on Monday, October 5, 2026, Kwesi Botchway stated, “The election of Kojo Bamba to the national leadership of the NPP has sent a clear and unmistakable signal to the NDC. And the NDC is in panic mode”.

“The NPP is a national party. The NPP is a party that belongs to every single Ghanaian, irrespective of your race, religion, academic background, colour, competence or whatever,” he stated.

Kwesi Botchway Jnr also criticised the NDC for what he described as inconsistency in its assessment of political figures, citing NDC stalwart Sofo Azorka.

He stated, “You cannot glorify Sofo Azorka and denigrate Kojo Bamba”.

“Kojo Bamba is a professional auto mechanic. He has his first degree. He is a grassroots politician. Kojo Bamba just didn’t start. He represents the young people,” he added.

“You are no wiser than the NPP delegates who decided to vote for Kojo Bamba. Let’s respect the decision of the political party,” he said.

Watch the video below:

Kojo Bamba: NPP have elected a convict as 1st Vice – Akwatia MP #GoodMorningGhana #MetroTV https://t.co/umAqoZpyaE
— Metro TV Ghana (@metrotvgh) October 6, 2026

@ghnow_ Wildlife Division officers at the Sakumo Ramsar Site rescued a large sea turtle stranded in Community 5 after receiving a distress call from a concerned citizen. The turtle was safely released back into the sea. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – Sarkodie

@ghnow_ Augustine Okechukwu Maazi Arrives at Accra Circuit Court for Labone GCB Attempted Robbery Case #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – Paakow💰🕊

How were inmates selected for presidential pardon? – Prof Kwaku Azar chases gov’t for clarity

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Makay

-

06.10.2026

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How were inmates selected for presidential pardon? – Prof Kwaku Azar chases gov’t for clarity

Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare (Kwaku Azar), a US-based Ghanaian academic and legal scholar, has demanded clarity in the process used to select the 819 first offenders granted presidential pardon by President John Dramani Mahama.

According to Kwaku Azar, the President’s constitutional power to grant mercy is not in question, but he quizzed how these 819 beneficiaries were selected for outright release.

Prof Azar argued that the description “first offender” alone does not provide enough information about how the 819 beneficiaries were selected, adding that a person convicted for the first time could have received a relatively short sentence or a much longer sentence for a serious offence.

He further questioned whether beneficiaries were required to have served a minimum portion of their sentences before qualifying for outright release.

In a Facebook post on Monday, October 5, 2026, Kwaku Azar stated, “In commemoration of the country’s 70th Independence Anniversary on 6 March 2027, the President, in consultation with the Council of State, has granted 819 first offenders outright release.

The President’s constitutional power to grant mercy is not in question. The question is how these 819 beneficiaries were selected for outright release.

A first offender is simply a person convicted of an offence for the first time. That is a remarkably broad category.

A first offender sentenced to one year for possessing weed may qualify. So too may a first offender sentenced to 20 years for a serious offence.

So, “first offender” alone tells us very little about how the 819 beneficiaries were selected. What were the eligibility criteria?

Were particular offences excluded? Were violent offences excluded? Did the length of the sentence matter? Was there a minimum proportion of the sentence that had to have been served? Who recommended the prisoners, and what screening process was followed?

And importantly, who are the 819 beneficiaries?

We Ask. We Do Not Guess.

PS: Yɛde post no bɛto hɔ. Yɛnyɛ comprehension consultants.

Da Yie!”

His comment comes on the heels of President John Dramani Mahama granting a presidential pardon to 863 convicted prisoners.

The presidential pardon forms part of activities commemorating Ghana’s 70th Independence Anniversary.