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“I am a cocoa farmer, price reduction affects me too” – Mahama on cocoa price cut 

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“I am a cocoa farmer, price reduction affects me too” – Mahama on cocoa price cut 

President John Dramani Mahama has revealed 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.

Speaking at the maiden Ghana Tree Crops Investment Summit and Exhibition on Tuesday, February 17, President Mahama stated, “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.

Mahama’s comments follow Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who has announced a revised cocoa price of 64kg cocoa bag from GHS 3,625 to GHS 2,587 for the remainder of the 2025/2026 season.

According to Ato Forson, the decision comes after the Producer Price Review Committee (PPRC), under his chairmanship, convened earlier in the day to assess the challenges facing the Cocoa sector.

Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, February 12, Dr Forson disclosed, “The PPRC has recommended that the farmer be paid 90% of the achieved gross fob of USD 4,200 per tonne”.

He added that the committee set the new producer price at GH₵41,392 per tonne, equivalent to GH₵2,587 per bag, effective immediately.

“As a result of that, the PPRC thereby announces that effective today, Thursday, 12th February, 2026, the new producer price for the remainder of the 2025, 2026 crop season will now be GH 41, 392 per tonne and 2,587 per bag,” he noted.

“This measure is necessary to enable the expedited payment of farmers and to guarantee the sustainability of our cocoa industry,” he said.

Meanwhile, the CEO of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Randy Abbey, in a press statement, has announced that the Executive Management and Senior Staff will take a pay cut following the challenges within the cocoa sector.

According to the press release, the pay cuts take immediate effect and will remain in place for the remainder of the 2025/2026 crop year.

The press release detailed that Executive Management will take a 20 per cent reduction in salaries, while Senior Staff will also be hit with a 10 per cent cut.

The pay cuts are seen as a broader cost-containment measure to align with revenue.

Also, the CEO statement indicated that additional steps, including procurement reforms and a staff rationalisation exercise, were to be taken to stabilise COCOBOD finances.

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Ghana Police hands over GHC85,000 cash found on highway to owner

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Ghana Police hands over GHC85,000 cash found on highway to owner

The Bono East Regional Police Command has returned GHC85,000 cash abandoned on the Techiman-Kumasi Highway to the owner.

Reports suggest that officers at the Police Snap Check Point discovered the bag on February 14, 2026, at around 4:20 a.m.

According to a Police statement, the bag is said to have fallen from a moving vehicle, had the name “Ofori” and a phone number written on it.

A police statement issued on X stated, “POLICE HANDS OVER FOUND BAG CONTAINING CASH OF GHC 85,000.00 TO THE OWNER.

The Bono East  Regional Police Command, Techiman, received a found bag containing cash amounting to GHC 85,000.00”.

On February 14, 2026, at approximately 04:20 hours, the attention of the police officers on duty at the Police Snap Check Point on the Techiman-Kumasi Highway was drawn to a bag which had possibly fallen off a moving vehicle and was lying on the roadside.

The bag bore the name “Ofori” and a phone number written on it.

The duty officers, led by Inspector George Appiah, with three (3) others, took the bag and realised it contained money. The officers dutifully handed over the bag to the Regional Command for investigation.

The contact number on the bag was called, and a 53-year-old businessman from Ashtown, Kumasi, who identified himself as Stephen Ofori, responded. He later reported the check to claim ownership of the bag.

Mr Ofori stated that the money, an amount of Ghc 85,000, was being transported from GCB Bank, Wa, to Kumasi via a commercial vehicle.

The amount was verified in the presence of the owner, and the same was confirmed to be GHC 85,000.00

After a satisfactory explanation from the claimant and upon further verification, the police released the cash sum of GHC 85,000.00 to him.

We wish to highly commend our officers and the community members who brought this to the attention of the Police”. 

In related news, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has cleared a decade-long promotion backlog in the Ghana Police Service, approving the elevation of 12,802 officers to various ranks.

IGP Yohuno’s promotions, ranging from Lance Corporals to Chief Inspectors, were part of a backlog exercise.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Secretariat made this known to the media following claims that promotions within the Service had been fraught with nepotism.

According to the Secretariat, the promotions were mainly administrative and based on special recommendations, which are in line with the Police Regulations, 2012 (Constitutional Instrument 76).

The IGP’s Secretariat dismissed the claims, stressing that all promotions were supervised by unit, district, divisional and regional commanders across the country’s 25 police regions.

The Secretariat stated in a press statement stated, “Information was sent to all unit, district, divisional and regional commanders across the 25 police regions to submit the names of officers due for promotion, and that was how the administration arrived at the final list.

“Moreover, promotions in the Police Service cannot be carried out solely by the IGP, as CI 76 makes that clear.”

The Secretariat further detailed that about 11,900 officers within the lower ranks were elevated by one step, with approximately 600 promotions being granted based on special recommendations.

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Mahama breaks silence on Ghanaian Tomato traders caught in Burkina Faso terrorist attack

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Mahama breaks silence on Ghanaian Tomato traders caught in Burkina Faso terrorist attack

President John Dramani Mahama has finally broken his silence following the killing of seven Ghanaian tomato traders in a terrorist attack in Burkina Faso on Saturday, February 14.

John Mahama expressed his deep regret over the killing of Ghanaian tomato traders, noting the rising insecurity in the subregion.

According to Mahama, GAF is arranging a medical evacuation for Ghanaians injured in Burkina Faso so that they can continue to receive treatment in Ghana.

President Mahama, on behalf of the government and the Ghanaian people, sent his condolences to the families of those who were either killed or injured.

Speaking at the Ghana Tree Crop Investment Summit in Accra on Tuesday, February 17, President Mahama stated, “And unfortunately, we lost a number of our compatriots. Thankfully, there are a few survivors. The Ghana Army is arranging to medevac them from Burkina Faso so that those who are injured can continue to receive treatment here in Ghana.

“On behalf of the government and the people, we express our condolences to the families of those who were either killed or injured,” he said, extending sympathy and support to the affected families.

President Mahama further stressed the dangers faced by cross-border traders and the broader threats that regional instability poses to economic and social integration.

Also, the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, has disclosed that the seven Ghanaian Tomato traders killed in a terrorist attack in Titao, northern Burkina Faso, have been laid to rest.

According to the Minister, the bodies of the deceased were burnt beyond recognition and had begun decomposing, which forced authorities to proceed with burial arrangements in Burkina Faso.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, February 16, Muntaka Mubarak stated, “The seven bodies have been burnt beyond recognition. As at yesterday, we agreed they had begun decomposing and had to be buried”.

“So the Burkina Faso authorities told us [Ghanaians] that they would bury them at 10 a.m today. But our women who are not really injured can go and witness and take as many pictures as possible,” he added.

He added, “And the sad thing is that we lost seven of our men. Three of them got injured. One woman was critically injured, and others were not badly injured”.

Meanwhile, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, a Veteran journalist and Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, has said news about Ghanaian Tomato traders killed in a terrorist attack in Titao, northern Burkina Faso, immediately raises several questions.

According to Kwesi Pratt, it is time for Ghana to wake.

The Veteran journalist questioned how a tropical country like Ghana, with all its favourable conditions, depends on Burkina Faso for tomatoes.

He further questioned how Ghana has watched on as terrorists wreak havoc in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger when Ghana can also be a target.

In a social media post, Kwesi Pratt wrote, “Some press reports say that seven Ghanaian tomato traders have been killed in a terrorist attack in Burkina Faso.

This immediately raises a number of questions.

How come that a tropical country like Ghana, with all the favourable conditions for tomato production, has become dependent on Burkina Faso for the supply of the vegetable?

Why have we sat back and watched terrorists wreak havoc in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, knowing fully well that the more successful they get in the Sahel, the more likely it is that we will become their targets?

Why has Ghana not taken action against the foreign governments which have been providing weapons and intelligence to the terrorists in the Sahel?

Is Ghana not aware of the fact that Western military bases in the sub-region are being used to supply the terrorists?

It is time for Ghana to wake up!”.

Watch the video below:

COCOBOD CEO living like an Arabian King – Miracles Aboagye alleges

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COCOBOD CEO living like an Arabian King – Miracles Aboagye alleges

Miracles Aboagye, an aide to the NPP flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has alleged that the CEO of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Randy Abbey, is living like an Arabian King.

 The NPP man alleged that Randy Abbey, at the time he had been claiming the cocoa buying company was bankrupt, had renovated the COCOBOD CEO’s house like an Arabian King’s Palace.

He further claimed that Randy Abbey has purchased 110 pickups and 10 Land Cruisers.

 Speaking on Asempa FM, Miracles Aboagye boldly alleged, “If you owe 32 billion cedis, but you are able to buy 110 pickups, you can also purchase Land Cruisers, about 10 of them, and the COCOBOD CEO’s house in Cantonment, December 2, 2024. I went to the house, OB. You are a senior journalist, I am sure you have been there for the event, it is one of the best houses you can find in Cantonment”.

“When you came, you took the claimed bankrupt COCOBOD money for renovation, and you have made the house like an Arabian King’s Palace, but you are saying there are debts and have now reduced the cocoa farmers’ money”, Miracles Aboagye claimed.

Also, Miracles Aboagye claimed that the former managers of COCOBOD under the NPP government left $500million in Ghana’s International Bank account in London.

According to Miracles Aboagye, the COCOBOD CEO, Dr Randy Abbey is trying to deflect the blame so they are left with no choice but to expose him.

The NPP man further detailed that in the first 4 months of 2025, COCOBOD ‘s revenue, according to the Budget, was $1.8billion, which he questioned was not the work of the NDC.

Miracles Aboagye added, “You didn’t sell the cocoa that you had to sell them; we all get that and could help, but if you try to turn it around and deflect the conversation by pinning it on the previous government, we will expose you”.

“I am saying, we left in the COCOBOD account, $500million cash sitting in the Ghana International Bank account in London for Randy; he should come and deny it”.

Miracles Aboagye added, “First two months in 2025, COCOBOD revenue, which was stated in the Budget reported by the NDC Finance Minister, $1.8 billion, is that money the work of the NDC?”

“So when you come, and you are telling the people that we owe 32 billion cedis and we will do this, we will do that, you are creating an expression that it is because of that you cannot pay workers”.

Meanwhile, Dr Randy Abbey, in a press statement, has announced that the Executive Management and Senior Staff will take a pay cut following the challenges within the cocoa sector.

According to the press release, the pay cuts take immediate effect and will remain in place for the remainder of the 2025/2026 crop year.

The press release detailed that Executive Management will take a 20 per cent reduction in salaries, while Senior Staff will also be hit with a 10 per cent cut.

The pay cuts are seen as a broader cost-containment measure to align with revenue.

Also, the CEO statement indicated that additional steps, including procurement reforms and a staff rationalisation exercise, were to be taken to stabilise COCOBOD finances.

In a press release dated Monday, February 16, 2026, COCOBOD announced that the pay cuts, which read, “The Executive Management and the Senior Staff of COCOBOD have effective today. Monday, February 16, 2026, reduced their salaries for the remainder of the 2025/26 crop year in recognition of the current liquidity challenges in the cocoa industry.

The Executive Management has taken a twenty (20) per cent cut, while the Senior Staff have taken a ten (10) per cent reduction in their respective salaries.

This decision and other cost-cutting measures in procurement and a staff rationalisation exercise are aimed at reducing the overall expenditure of COCOBOD and aligning costs with revenue”.

The announcement comes on the heels of heightened strain in the cocoa industry, with some key persons questioning COCBOD’s commitments.

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“My heart sank” – Methodist Bishop on women in Russian men’s videos 

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“My heart sank” – Methodist Bishop on women in Russian men’s videos 

Most Rev. Prof. Johnson Asamoah-Gyadu, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church in Ghana, has said no human being, regardless of their mistakes or failures, deserves to be described as ‘cheap’

According to the Methodist Bishop, his heart sank when a media commentary described the women recently caught up in sexual exploitation involving a Russian tourist as cheap.

The man of God called for compassion and pastoral care for women, expressing concern over the public shaming of the women.

He detailed that from a purely pastoral viewpoint, he sees the women as victims of the Russian man’s “beastly and vain sexual pursuits.”

The Methodist Bishop further recounted the biblical examples, where he referenced the stories of Mary Magdalene, the woman caught in adultery, and the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well as models of compassion and restoration.

In a post shared on his official Facebook page on Monday, February 16, the Presiding Bishop stated, “In the last few days, some women have been in the news for the wrong reasons. The women need our pastoral support, not condemnation”.

“My heart sank when in one media commentary, the ladies were described as ‘cheap,” he stated. “No human being, regardless of their mistakes and failures in life, deserves to be described as ‘cheap’.” he added.

He further told media practitioners and preachers that the “women need our pastoral support, not condemnation”.

“If you are reading this and it is your story, I offer you God’s redemptive grace in your time of distress. None of you is beyond God’s forgiveness and redeeming power,” he wrote, while cautioning against suicidal thoughts and self-harm.

Quoting Galatians 6:1-2, he encouraged believers to restore those who have fallen “in a spirit of gentleness” and to bear one another’s burdens in fulfilment of the law of Christ.

Meanwhile, Larry Madowo, a Kenyan journalist and CNN International correspondent, has detailed how the Russian man identified as Yaytselav exploited so many Ghanaian and Kenyan women.   

According to Larry Madowo, he has been speaking to the Russian man victims, who were all filmed without consent, and detailed that some of the footage dates back to March 2025, while other videos were recorded as recently as September 2025.

The CNN International correspondent revealed that Yaytselav had limited English proficiency and communicated through Google Translate.

Larry Madowo further alleged that once the women arrived at his hotel room, he allegedly pressured them almost immediately.

Speaking in a video shared on his X page on Monday, February 16, 2026, Larry Madowo explained, “I know this because I’ve been speaking to some of the victims, the women in those videos.

I’ve also spoken to a few women who turned him down to understand his tactics. He appears not to really know a lot of English that you see in the videos,” Madowo stated.

He added, “A lot of the conversation happened using Google Translate, and he appeared to be targeting vulnerable women”.

“The Kenyan women feel violated, and they feel that their government has abandoned them in this instance, compared to what the Ghanaian government has done,” he added.

” Trying to get him extradited back to the country to face charges, even though that’s unlikely. Russia does not extradite its citizens, but the government in Ghana says they will try him in absentia anyway”, he added.

“It is time for Ghana to wake up!” – Kwesi Pratt on Burkina Faso terrorist attack on Ghanaian tomato traders

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“It is time for Ghana to wake up!” – Kwesi Pratt on Burkina Faso terrorist attack on Ghanaian tomato traders

Kwesi Pratt Jnr, a Veteran journalist and Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, has said news about Ghanaian Tomato traders killed in a terrorist attack in Titao, northern Burkina Faso, immediately raises several questions.

According to Kwesi Pratt, it is time for Ghana to wake.

The Veteran journalist questioned how a tropical country like Ghana, with all its favourable conditions, depends on Burkina Faso for tomatoes.

He further questioned how Ghana has watched on as terrorists wreak havoc in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger when Ghana can also be a target.

In a social media post, Kwesi Pratt wrote, “Some press reports say that seven Ghanaian tomato traders have been killed in a terrorist attack in Burkina Faso.

This immediately raises a number of questions.

How come that a tropical country like Ghana, with all the favourable conditions for tomato production, has become dependent on Burkina Faso for the supply of the vegetable?

Why have we sat back and watched terrorists wreak havoc in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, knowing fully well that the more successful they get in the Sahel, the more likely it is that we will become their targets?

Why has Ghana not taken action against the foreign governments which have been providing weapons and intelligence to the terrorists in the Sahel?

Is Ghana not aware of the fact that Western military bases in the sub-region are being used to supply the terrorists?

It is time for Ghana to wake up!”.

Some Ghanaians reacting to Kwasi Pratt’s post stated, “The problem with the AES is isolating themselves and thinking they can survive on their own. With cooperation with other govt within the ECOWAS, they can mount effective diplomatic pressure on other members to support them in their fight against this insurgency. We need each other”.

Another X user added, “Kwasi, some of those foreign forces recently left Ghana after a ‘disguised’ jungle warfare training. We all know foreign mercenaries based in Côte d’Ivoire mostly are behind these attacks. Our weakest link is the north-western border with the Ivory Coast”.

One more X user added, “Come to Navrongo and see how people are doing dry season gardening of tomatoes,if the government deliberately support the farmers in upper east, we can produce more than 70 %of our vegetables, including tomatoes, pepper, irrigation and storage”.

Meanwhile, the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, has disclosed that the seven Ghanaian Tomato traders killed in a terrorist attack in Titao, northern Burkina Faso, have been laid to rest.

According to the Minister, the bodies of the deceased were burnt beyond recognition and had begun decomposing, which forced authorities to proceed with burial arrangements in Burkina Faso.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, February 16, Muntaka Mubarak stated, “The seven bodies have been burnt beyond recognition. As at yesterday, we agreed they had begun decomposing and had to be buried”.

“So the Burkina Faso authorities told us [Ghanaians] that they would bury them at 10 a.m today. But our women who are not really injured can go and witness and take as many pictures as possible,” he added.

He added, “And the sad thing is that we lost seven of our men. Three of them got injured. One woman was critically injured, and others were not badly injured”.

Reports had earlier revealed that seven (7) Ghanaians have reportedly lost their lives in a terrorist attack on tomato traders in Titao, Burkina Faso, on Saturday, February 14, 2026.

All seven victims were Ghanaian male tomato buyers and the drivers of the trucks.

Alhaji Gbangbanku, a journalist who reported the attack on Saturday, revealed the terrorists spared the Ghanaian traders who were women.

The journalist shared the news before the Ministry of the Interior in a statement confirmed the attack on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

According to Alhaji Gbangbanku, the Islamist military group, JNIM, was responsible for the attack.

He further shared pictures of some of the traders who were killed and visuals from the scene of the incident showing vehicles set ablaze.

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“NPP left $500million in COCOBOD’s account” – Miracles Aboagye

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“NPP left $500million in COCOBOD’s account” – Miracles Aboagye

Miracles Aboagye, an aide to the NPP flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has alleged that the former managers of COCOBOD under the NPP left $500million in Ghana’s International Bank account in London.

According to Miracles Aboagye, the COCOBOD CEO, Dr Randy Abbey is trying to deflect the blame so they are left with no choice but to expose him.

The NPP man further detailed that in the first 4 months of 2025, COCOBOD ‘s revenue, according to the Budget, was $1.8billion, which he questioned that money was not the work of the NDC.

Speaking on Asempa FM, Miracles Aboagye boldly stated, “You didn’t sell the cocoa that you had to sell them, we all get that and could help, but if you try to turn it around and deflect the conversation by pinning it on the previous government, we will expose you.

I am saying, we left in the COCOBOD account, $500million cash sitting in the Ghana International Bank account in London for Randy; he should come and deny it”.

Miracles Aboagye added, “First two months in 2025, COCOBOD revenue, which was stated in the Budget reported by the NDC Finance Minister, $1.8 billion, is that money the work of the NDC?”

“So when you come, and you are telling the people that we owe 32 billion cedis and we will do this, we will do that, you are creating an expression that it is because of that you cannot pay workers”.

Miracles Aboagye further alleged that Randy Abbey has purchased 110 pickups, 10 Land Cruisers and also renovated the COCOBOD CEO’s house in Cantonment were he lives like an Arabian King, at the time he claims the cocoa buying company is bankrupt.

“If you owe 32 billion cedis, but you are able to buy 110 pickups, you can also purchase Land Cruisers, about 10 of them, and the COCOBOD CEO’s house in Cantonment, December 2, 2024. I went to the house, OB. You are a senior journalist, I am sure you have been there for the event, it is one of the best houses you can find in Cantonment.

When you came, you took the claimed bankrupt COCOBOD money for renovation, and you have made the house like an Arabian King’s Palace, but you are saying there are debts and have now reduced the cocoa farmers’ money”, Miracles Aboagye claimed.

Also, 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, when 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 had 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.

Watch the video below:

U.S Embassy announces release of over 1,000 non-immigrant visa appointments

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U.S Embassy announces release of over 1,000 non-immigrant visa appointments

The U.S. Embassy in Ghana has announced the release of more than 1,000 appointment slots for Non-Immigrant (B1/B2) visa applicants in the coming weeks.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity by submitting new applications or rescheduling existing appointments to earlier dates, where available.

In a post on social media on February 17, 2026, the U.S. Embassy in Ghana stated, “In case you hadn’t heard the news, Embassy Accra has Non-Immigrant Visa Appointments available now!

There are more than 1,000 B1/B2 visa appointment slots available in the next week – one of those could be yours.

If you’ve been planning to apply for a U.S. visa, this is a great time to schedule your interview.  Book a new appointment – or move up one scheduled for later in the year – we want to interview you now! Visit our visa page for more information and application: https://gh.usembassy.gov/visas/” 

However, the Trump administration, some months ago, announced that the United States is temporarily halting immigrant visa processing for Ghana, Nigeria and 73 other countries.

According to the U.S. State Department, the move takes effect January 21 and will remain in place indefinitely.

They highlighted that consular officers will reassess how visa applicants are evaluated to determine whether they may become overly dependent on U.S. public welfare systems.

Tommy Piggott, a spokesperson for the State Department, stated the move is intended to protect U.S. public resources.

“The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people,” Piggott told Fox News.

“Immigration from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassesses immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.”

Meanwhile, Emmanuel Victor Smith, Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, has clarified that the United States is only halting immigrant visas.

Ghana’s Ambassador to the US clarified that business or tourism visas, known as B1-B2 visas, remain unaffected by the temporary suspension.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, January 15, 2026, Ghana’s Ambassador to US Victor Smith explained that the directive applies strictly to immigrant visas.

Emmanuel Victor Smith wrote, “The US State Department confirms that B1-B2 visas will continue. Only immigrant visas are being paused”.

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“If NDC build a 2-tier Suame interchange, we shall dismantle it when we come to power” – NPP communicator

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“If NDC build a 2-tier Suame interchange, we shall dismantle it when we come to power” – NPP communicator

A New Patriotic Party (NPP) communicator has made some shocking claims regarding the Mahama government’s decision to reduce the Suame interchange from four-tier.

According to the NPP Ashanti Regional communicator, should the NDC build a 2-tier Suame interchange, the NPP, upon assuming office in2028 will dismantle it and build a four-tier interchange.

Speaking on the Orange Sunrise show posted on X, the  Ashanti Regional NPP communicator boldly stated, “You don’t have the money to do this project that was started by the New Patriotic Party government. The assurance we are giving the people of Ashanti Region is that, Insha Allah, we are coming back in 2028.

 If the NDC build the 2-tier interchange, we shall dismantle it and make it a 4-tier interchange for the people of the Ashanti Region. What is this?”, he quizzed.  

In related news, former Roads Minister Francis Asenso-Boakye has slammed the Mahama government following the redesign of the Suame interchange.

Speaking on behalf of the Ashanti caucus of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Parliament, Asenso-Boakye questioned the government’s funding priorities following the decision to downgrade the Suame Interchange Project.

The former Roads Minister quizzed why the government could mobilise funds for other major road projects while the Suame Interchange is being scaled back.

He further cited the public statements by the Finance Minister Ato Forson, who announced that GHS 43 billion has been allocated to road infrastructure this year.

Asenso-Boakye questioned why a fraction of that funding could not be used to complete the Suame Interchange as it was originally designed.

“If government could mobilise funds for the Ofankor–Nsawam road and other major projects, why is the Suame Interchange being short-changed?” he queried.

“Kumasi deserves infrastructure that meets its scale and significance,” Mr Asenso-Boakye said. “Short-changing major projects now will cost the city and the nation—far more in the long term.”

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Asenso-Boakye stated,  “The two-tier plan proposed by the government will not resolve the ongoing traffic problems. Kumasi continues to grow, and effective traffic solutions are essential.

The financing for this project was secured through a loan agreement with a bank in Spain, which was approved by Parliament. Everything was set for the project when the debt restructuring occurred, leading to a withdrawal of resources. The previous government then obtained funding from Afreximbank for the Suame Interchange,” he said.

Meanwhile, Governs Kwame Agbodza, the Minister for Roads and Highways, has fired back at the former Roads Minister Francis Asenso-Boakye following his criticism of the redesign of the Suame interchange.

According to Governs Kwame Agbodza, Asenso-Boakye and the NPP are to blame for their misplaced priorities under their administration.

He highlighted that the NPP’s over $100 million on the National Cathedral could have financed at least half of the Suame Interchange project.

The Roads Minister, in a statement, stated, “Over $100 million was spent on the National Cathedral. With that amount, you could have completed half of the Suame Interchange, which would have saved the people of the Ashanti Region from years of delay and inconvenience.”

He explained, “Construction of the outer ring road will divert most of the traffic up north from the city centre. Suame will therefore require less capacity than originally projected”.

“The fourth-tier bridge would have affected multiple commercial properties, the Suame Police Station, and parts of Garden City Mall land, with costs exceeding half of the original construction budget,” Mr Agbodza said.

He added, “Kumasi deserves the best, and this modification, combined with ongoing complementary road works, will deliver a modern, efficient road network for the city and the Ashanti Region”.

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Works, Housing Chief Director fingered in the alleged fraudulent sale of State lands

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Works, Housing Chief Director fingered in the alleged fraudulent sale of State lands

Rev Stephen Yaw Osei, the Chief Director for the Ministry of Works and Housing, has been fingered in an alleged fraudulent sale of State lands.

According to reports, the Works, Housing Chief Director is under Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) investigation for the alleged fraudulent sale of state land earmarked for redevelopment in 2016.

Reports suggest that he allegedly sold UNDP Flats land at Cantonments, earmarked for redevelopment in 2016, to five different companies.

The Ghana Chronicles in a post on X, stated, “BREAKING: The Chief Director at the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources has been transferred.

He is under the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) investigation for the alleged fraudulent sale of state land. It is alleged that he has sold UNDP Flats land at Cantonments, earmarked for redevelopment in 2016, to five different companies.

The firms claim that the dealings led to the diversion of millions of dollars. They further state that although they were awarded the redevelopment contract in 2016, they were forcibly removed from the site following the NPP’s election victory, allegedly by the party’s vigilante group, Invisible Forces”.

They further alleged that, “It claims Rev. Osei subsequently reallocated portions of the land through secret deals.

The firms involved are Joberg Construction, Amantra Limited, Lysaro Group, Unique Shalom Properties Ghana Limited, and a Chinese company linked to Zhang You and Jackie Chan.

One of the most controversial transactions involves Amantra Limited, owned by a businessman identified only as Berchie.

The company reportedly acquired 0.53 acres of the land, resold it to its sister firm Unique Shalom, attempted to transfer it to the Chinese company, and ultimately sold it to Lysaro Group for US$1.2 million.

Information available to us is that he is working tirelessly to have his letter withdrawn, as he is speaking to some bigwigs at the Jubilee House”.

Ghana Chronicles, in another post, alleged that Rev Stephen Yaw Osei has been holding meetings with senior members at the Jubilee House to stop his transfer.

“Since last week, this man has been doing everything he can, meeting senior officials at the Flagstaff House to stop his transfer.

He is under investigation for selling state land to multiple companies. He is a Pastor”, the post stated.

Some Ghanaian on X reacting to the news stated, “In civil service, it’s called posting if what you are saying is anything to go by. It’s not a transfer!

Before you argue, Transfer is the movement of an officer from one service to another service eg: from civil service to education service, or from Health Service to Civil service!”.

“For your information He became Chief Director in the middle of 2024, so stop this cheap propaganda and know that He’s a decent Man of God, so be very careful of the lies against him”, one X user added.

“Transfer How? Why not  Interdiction?”, a netizen quizzed.

Another Ghanaian added, “Why is he not being interdicted or sacked, but rather transferred? So he’s transferred to another place to continue his crimes?”.

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama, some months ago announced he has ordered the Land Ministry to conduct a comprehensive audit of state lands leased or sold between 2017 and 2024.

According to Mahama, the audit will be conducted by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources in collaboration with the Lands Commission, will cover lands acquired for state purposes.

Speaking at the newly reconstituted National Lands Commission during their inauguration on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, John Mahama stated, “I’ve directed the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Lands Commission to immediately undertake a comprehensive audit of all state lands allocated, leased or sold, particularly between 2017 and 2024”.

“This audit will cover lands acquired for schools, hospitals, and public institutions, forest and ecological zones, and lawfully converted to private use, any transaction tainted by conflict of interest, abuse of power, or political patronage,” he explained.

Mahama warned that any transactions found to have been carried out illegally will be reversed, and the land reclaimed by the state.

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Sam George’s bid to extradite Russian man a lost cause – MP

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Sam George’s bid to extradite Russian man a lost cause – MP

Patrick Yaw Boamah, the Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central, has said the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam Nartey George, attempts to extradite a Russian man over leaked intimate videos is a lost cause.

The MP argued that the Communications Minister lacks the legal position to initiate such an extradition process.

According to Patrick Boamah, who serves on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Ghana does not currently have an extradition treaty with Russia, which makes the process legally challenging.

Speaking to Channel One News on Monday, February 16, Patrick Boamah explained, “The Attorney General hasn’t made any application for extradition, which I think no court will grant, with the greatest of respect, because we don’t have that treaty with the Russians.

“Russia is not a state party to the Budapest Convention, which criminalises some of these things that the minister was talking about, including the additional protocols. And also, the amendment to the Cybersecurity Bill is not properly before Parliament. So those are issues that the government has to deal with,” he said

His comments follow, Sam Nartey George, the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, has revealed that the government has started processes to get the Russian man fingered for filming his sexual escapades with several Ghanaian women back to Ghana to face the law.

According to Sam George, it is a crime to record a person without their consent, adding that he has already invited the Russian Ambassador to work with our law enforcement for the man brought back to Ghana.

Speaking to the media on Saturday, February 14, 2026, Sam George said, “It is a crime to record a person without their consent, and even when you record and keep it on your phone, if the person finds out and reports it to us, we will prosecute you, and you will go to jail. That’s the law of the land.

“Now you don’t just record it, but you go and post it on a website for financial gain. That gentleman would be looked for. We will activate every resource at our disposal, working with Interpol, the way we’ve worked with Interpol to extradite Ghanaians to other jurisdictions,” he said.

“I’ve invited the Russian Ambassador to work with our law enforcement. We want the gentleman to come to Ghana, to be brought back to Ghana, extradited to Ghana, for him to face the rigours of our law.

“Ghanaian citizens, irrespective of their decision-making, will be protected by their government. The Government of John Dramani Mahama will ensure that every citizen’s rights are protected. And you cannot record a citizen without their consent and air that or post that online; that constitutes a crime under the Cyber Security Authority Act (CSA), Act 1038,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Russian Embassy in Ghana has confirmed notice of reports of a Russian national, who reportedly engaged in the non-consensual recording of sexual relations with multiple Ghanaian women.

The embassy, in a brief comment on its official X account, acknowledged reports on a sexual exploitation case; however, it added no further comment on possible actions that would be initiated against the individual.

Furthermore, the Embassy did not confirm the identity or nationality of the individual involved, nor did it disclose whether it had formally initiated any engagement with Ghanaian authorities on the matter.

 “The Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Ghana has taken note of the reports in the Ghanaian media on the alleged involvement of a supposedly Russian citizen engaged in sexual activities with some Ghanaian women and recorded those acts without consent,” the statement on X stated.

Mahama’s orders SNUB as GAF fails to construct Asuokow’s bridge one year on

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Mahama’s orders SNUB as GAF fails to construct Asuokow’s bridge one year on

Residents of the Asuokow community in the Lower West Akim Municipality in the Eastern Region have called out President John Mahama over his failed promise to construct a bridge for them, following a viral video of two school children crossing a stream using a fallen tree.

It will be recalled that engineers from the Ghana Armed Forces have visited the Asuokow community following President John Dramani Mahama’s directive to tackle challenges being faced by schoolchildren who are forced to cross a dangerous water body to access education.

This follows a video which emerged last year of two young pupils struggling to cross a stream on the back of a piece of log at Asuokow.

The situation prompted a reaction from President Mahama, who quickly addressed the dangerous situation in a Facebook post in February 2025 detailed that the community had been identified and immediate steps were being taken to provide a lasting solution.

President Mahama stated, “Earlier today, the MP for Lower West Akim, Owen Kwame Frimpong, visited the Asuokow community and assured them and the Eastern Regional Minister will also visit as we work to permanently and urgently resolve the challenge the people and the schoolchildren are confronted with”.

Also, the late Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, before his tragic death, revealed Engineers of the Ghana Armed Forces visited the area to assess the situation.

The late Dr Edward Omane Boamah, back then, stated, “Engineers of the Ghana Armed Forces have already visited the Asuokow community (where young schoolchildren have to cross this water body to access school) in the Eastern Region”,

“As President John Dramani Mahama assured Ghanaians, we’re working to permanently and urgently resolve the challenge the people and the schoolchildren of Asuokow are facing,” he added.

However, in recent times, Content creator Amaro Shakur, in the video, has revealed that the bridge has still not been constructed one year on following President Mahama’s directives.

In a viral video, he stated, “The president himself posted about it on X and Facebook, saying because of these kids, they will be constructing a bridge for them. These are the children whose video came out. It has been one year now”.

A resident in the area also stated in the video, “The school is over here, so all the children pass through here to go to the school. What is even more painful is that they have removed the tree that they said was risky for kids to walk on, cutting the tree and are selling it.

We are begging them, the bridge they promised to construct, but there was no truth in it; they did not construct it”.

The residents further revealed that one person fell in the stream and died, as they were not able to save that person’s life.

In his post, Amaro Shakur captioned his video calling on the presidency, saying, “Mr President @GhanaPresidency, please the bridge still hasn’t been constructed. They urgently need this”.

Some netizens reacting to the video stated, “Why do u tag the president on every issue/problem? Why do we elect mdce’s, dce’s, and assemblymen? And even a regional minister.

It’s about time u identify what must and what must not be the calling on the president”.

“This river does not need a bridge; they have a bridge at the roadside that links to their house. That’s my hometown”, a netizen claimed.

“We can’t keep begging for a bridge in 2024. Is Ghana only Accra? Our leaders need to wake up and fix this-how long must we wait for something so basic?”, a netizen added.

One more X user stated, “So all the rush and urgency that came after the video broke out on the internet was just for nothing. The where clear directives given to that regional minister”.

“H.E. @JDMahama, what disappointment was that? We all praised the efforts announcing the construction of the bridge, only for us to hear today that the bridge was never constructed. This is unacceptable. This is shameful. Get that bridge done asap” an X user added.

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NDC gov’t has not made any real impact, one year in office – Afenyo-Markin

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NDC gov’t has not made any real impact, one year in office – Afenyo-Markin

Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader in Parliament, has said the John Mahama-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) government has not made any tangible imapcat one year in government.

The minority leader questioned whether the Mahama administration had undertaken any major projects or settled outstanding payments to contractors who secured bank loans to execute public works.

According to Afenyo-Markin, macroeconomic indicators are meaningless if they do not improve the lives of ordinary Ghanaians.

Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV on February 16, 2026, Afenyo-Markin stated, “Last year, 2025, what did the government do? Did it pay contractors who had worked and borrowed from banks? If the economy is stagnating and we continue to talk about paper growth, I am interested in the cocoa farmer and the real impact on citizens”.

“I am not here to talk about numbers that have no effect. If the numbers have made a positive impact, I will acknowledge and applaud them. But so far, one year in office, the government has not made any real impact,” he added.

Also, Dr Stephen Amoah, the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, commonly known as Sticka, has fired shots at the NDC majority in parliament.

Speaking on the floor of parliament, Dr Stephen Amoah accused the NDC government of telling lies and being deceitful.

Dr Stephen Amoah claimed that Ghanaians are now enjoying what the NPP government did in office, which has nothing to do with the NDC government.

According to Dr Stephen Amoah, Ghanaians are yet to feel the impact of the NDC after a year in power.

Dr Stephen Amoah, on the floor of parliament, vehemently stated, “Ghanaians are enjoying what the NPP government did. Stop lying to them. Can you calculate any of your contributions as a percentage of our GDP today? Tell us, we’re tired of the lies, deception and propaganda.

I am not blaming you for not doing anything. You are building your first year, you are doing rearrangement, calibration and configuration, we agree, but you have not done anything, the NDC government has not done anything yet.

We are yet to feel the impact of anything you are going to do, stop the lying to Ghanaians, what have you added to the economy, tell me?”

Meanwhile, a leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gabby Otchere-Darko, has showered praises on the John Mahama led NDC-government.

According to Gabby Otchere-Darko, the John Mahama government’s performance has been good.

He further highlighted that he hopes and prays that the good work the Mahama government is doing continues.

Gabby Otchere-Darko, in an interview with GHOne, stated, “This government’s performance has been good so far, I pray it continues”.

In that same interview, Gabby also indicated that both the NPP and NDC must be credited for where Ghana is now.

He added, “We should credit both NPP and NDC for where Ghana is now”.

Also, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, a former Education Minister and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, has praised the John Mahama-led NDC government for Ghana’s steady economic management.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, January 17, Dr Adutwum stated that he is happy that the Mahama government is doing something good for Ghana.

He highlighted that he likes inflation being at 5 per cent, which brings stability and a stable cedi.

How Russian man exploited Ghanaian and Kenyan women  – CNN’S Larry Madowo details 

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How Russian man exploited Ghanaian and Kenyan women  – CNN’S Larry Madowo details 

Larry Madowo, a Kenyan journalist and CNN International correspondent, has detailed how the Russian man identified as Yaytselav exploited so many Ghanaian and Kenyan women.   

According to Larry Madowo, he has been speaking to the Russian man victims, who were all filmed without consent, and detailed that some of the footage dates back to March 2025, while other videos were recorded as recently as September 2025.

The CNN International correspondent revealed that Yaytselav had limited English proficiency and communicated through Google Translate.

Larry Madowo further alleged that once the women arrived at his hotel room, he allegedly pressured them almost immediately.

Speaking in a video shared on his X page on Monday, February 16, 2026, Larry Madowo explained, “I know this because I’ve been speaking to some of the victims, the women in those videos.

I’ve also spoken to a few women who turned him down to understand his tactics. He appears not to really know a lot of English that you see in the videos,” Madowo stated.

He added, “A lot of the conversation happened using Google Translate, and he appeared to be targeting vulnerable women”.

“The Kenyan women feel violated, and they feel that their government has abandoned them in this instance, compared to what the Ghanaian government has done,” he added.

” Trying to get him extradited back to the country to face charges, even though that’s unlikely. Russia does not extradite its citizens, but the government in Ghana says they will try him in absentia anyway”, he added.

In related news, the Russian Embassy in Ghana has confirmed notice of reports of a Russian national, who reportedly engaged in the non-consensual recording of sexual relations with multiple Ghanaian women.

The embassy, in a brief comment on its official X account, acknowledged reports on a sexual exploitation case; however, it added no further comment on possible actions that would be initiated against the individual.

Furthermore, the Embassy did not confirm the identity or nationality of the individual involved, nor did it disclose whether it had formally initiated any engagement with Ghanaian authorities on the matter.

 “The Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Ghana has taken note of the reports in the Ghanaian media on the alleged involvement of a supposedly Russian citizen engaged in sexual activities with some Ghanaian women and recorded those acts without consent,” the statement on X stated.

Meanwhile, Sam Nartey George, the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, has revealed that the government has started processes to get the Russian man fingered for filming his sexual escapades with several Ghanaian women back to Ghana to face the law.

According to Sam George, it is a crime to record a person without their consent, adding that he has already invited the Russian Ambassador to work with our law enforcement for the man brought back to Ghana.

Speaking to the media on Saturday, February 14, 2026, Sam George said, “It is a crime to record a person without their consent, and even when you record and keep it on your phone, if the person finds out and reports it to us, we will prosecute you, and you will go to jail. That’s the law of the land.

“Now you don’t just record it, but you go and post it on a website for financial gain. That gentleman would be looked for. We will activate every resource at our disposal, working with Interpol, the way we’ve worked with Interpol to extradite Ghanaians to other jurisdictions,” he said.

“I’ve invited the Russian Ambassador to work with our law enforcement. We want the gentleman to come to Ghana, to be brought back to Ghana, extradited to Ghana, for him to face the rigours of our law.

“Ghanaian citizens, irrespective of their decision-making, will be protected by their government. The Government of John Dramani Mahama will ensure that every citizen’s rights are protected. And you cannot record a citizen without their consent and air that or post that online; that constitutes a crime under the Cyber Security Authority Act (CSA), Act 1038,” he added.

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We are struggling to pay our fees due to cocoa farmers’ payment delays – TESCON President

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We are struggling to pay our fees due to cocoa farmers’ payment delays – TESCON President

TESCON President at the University of Education, Winneba, Emmanuel Osei, has said that Tertiary students are struggling to pay fees due to cocoa farmers’ payment delays.

 The University of Education, Winneba TESCON President made this known to the Minority leadership.

According to him, tertiary students are struggling to pay their fees due to delays in payments to cocoa farmers, most of whom are their parents.

Speaking during a press conference, Emmanuel Osei stated, “Leader most of us, our parents are farmers, they depend on this to pay our fees. As you speak now, when you go to our campuses, most of our people are struggling with school fees.

It is not affecting NDC nor NPP; it is affecting the entire people. It means that this haircut is not just affecting our fathers and parents and their houses; it is affecting the students”.

Also, the TESCON President stressed that the NDC government promised automatic posting for nuses but they have yet to see any posting.  

“Leadership, we have our colleagues from the Nursing college here. They promised them automatic posting, but we have not seen anything”, he added.  

Some Ghanaians reacting to the TESCON President’s claims stated, “He has been paid by the NPP bigwigs in the central region to voice out this trivial comment. The minority leader, Afenyo Markin, is one of the political tags influencing this young Tescon leader to run these comments on the national front in order to tarnish the image of NDC”.

One X user added, “We can understand you people because almost all cocoa farmers are from a particular region. Please don’t make it look as if this particular crisis is the only problem we have in Ghana.. He is doing the deeds of his party. Is not his fault”.

“This is the handiwork of the NPP period. They’re trying to manipulate the people’s minds, tarnishing the name of the government. These guys need to be arrested for at least one year in prison, and the rest will stop this fooling. Gyiimie fuo NPP. They’ll never see anything good at all”, one more Ghanaian added.

A netizen added, “In 2023, the then government was unable to pay these farmers for almost 9 months, and none of them, in fact, most Ghanaians didn’t even hear about this except for those who were closer to the issue, but we didn’t hear this drama oo”.

In related news, the CEO of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Randy Abbey, in a press statement, has announced that the Executive Management and Senior Staff will take a pay cut following the challenges within the cocoa sector.

According to the press release, the pay cuts take immediate effect and will remain in place for the remainder of the 2025/2026 crop year.

The press release detailed that Executive Management will take a 20 per cent reduction in salaries, while Senior Staff will also be hit with a 10 per cent cut.

The pay cuts are seen as a broader cost-containment measure to align with revenue.

Also, the CEO statement indicated that additional steps, including procurement reforms and a staff rationalisation exercise, were to be taken to stabilise COCOBOD finances.

In a press release dated Monday, February 16, 2026, COCOBOD announced that the pay cuts, which read, “The Executive Management and the Senior Staff of COCOBOD have effective today. Monday, February 16, 2026, reduced their salaries for the remainder of the 2025/26 crop year in recognition of the current liquidity challenges in the cocoa industry.

The Executive Management has taken a twenty (20) per cent cut, while the Senior Staff have taken a ten (10) per cent reduction in their respective salaries.

This decision and other cost-cutting measures in procurement and a staff rationalisation exercise are aimed at reducing the overall expenditure of COCOBOD and aligning costs with revenue”.

The announcement comes on the heels of heightened strain in the cocoa industry, with some key persons questioning COCBOD’s commitments.

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Democracy Hub files suit to halt Ayawaso East by-election over NDC’s vote buying brouhaha

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Democracy Hub files suit to halt Ayawaso East by-election over NDC’s vote buying brouhaha

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.

Parts of the suits read, “An order of mandamus directed at the 2nd Defendant to refuse to accept or act upon the nomination of the said candidate unless and until a primary conducted in accordance with democratic principles is held.”

“A declaration that the parliamentary primary conducted by the 1stDefendant for the Ayawaso East Constituency, having been found to have been characterised by widespread vote buying, inducement and monetisation, did not conform to the democratic principles required under Article 55(5) of the Constitution, and that the continued reliance on the outcome thereof and the presentation of a candidate founded on that process constitute actions contrary to and inconsistent with the Constitution in violation of section 9 of the Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574).”

Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has cleared Baba Jamal of his vote-buying allegations during the party’s parliamentary primary held on Saturday, February 7.

According to the NDC, they are unable to annul the Ayawaso East parliamentary primary, as several constraints block the annulment of the primary.

He further cited that the Electoral Commission is expected to close nominations for the by-election on Wednesday, February 11, which leaves the NDC no room to restart the process.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, February 10, the NDC’s General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey, stated, “The committee’s report is that ideally, we should have annulment of the primary. However, the committee acknowledges that there are real obstacles that make it difficult for us to do that. The party’s constitution doesn’t have a provision for annulment of the election.

“We are time-bound because we need to present a candidate to the EC on February 11, and there are legal challenges that could be mounted by whoever won. In light of that, the party has taken the recommendations, and we have no option but to present Baba Jamal as our candidate,” he said.

He added, “We’re going to do a comprehensive review of the whole process that led to our internal elections. We’re expanding the committee by adding four more members, to make it a 7-member committee, so that they come out with recommendations to deal with this inappropriate canker as far as the elections are concerned”.

Furthermore, the EC has scheduled the Ayawaso East by-election for March 3, 2026, with the Democracy Hub suit now putting the name in jeopardy.

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COCOBOD management and senior staff get ‘Haircuts’, salaries slashed by 20% and 10%

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COCOBOD management and senior staff get ‘Haircuts’, salaries slashed by 20% and 10%

The CEO of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Randy Abbey, in a press statement, has announced that the Executive Management and Senior Staff will take a pay cut following the challenges within the cocoa sector.

According to the press release, the pay cuts take immediate effect and will remain in place for the remainder of the 2025/2026 crop year.

The press release detailed that Executive Management will take a 20 per cent reduction in salaries, while Senior Staff will also be hit with a 10 per cent cut.

The pay cuts are seen as a broader cost-containment measure to align with revenue.

Also, the CEO statement indicated that additional steps, including procurement reforms and a staff rationalisation exercise, were to be taken to stabilise COCOBOD finances.

In a press release dated Monday, February 16, 2026, COCOBOD announced that the pay cuts, which read, “The Executive Management and the Senior Staff of COCOBOD have effective today. Monday, February 16, 2026, reduced their salaries for the remainder of the 2025/26 crop year in recognition of the current liquidity challenges in the cocoa industry.

The Executive Management has taken a twenty (20) per cent cut, while the Senior Staff have taken a ten (10) per cent reduction in their respective salaries.

This decision and other cost-cutting measures in procurement and a staff rationalisation exercise are aimed at reducing the overall expenditure of COCOBOD and aligning costs with revenue”.

The announcement comes on the heels of heightened strain in the cocoa industry, with some key persons questioning COCBOD’s commitments.

Nana Aduna II, the spokesperson of the Ghana Farmers Association, has questioned the fairness of the cocoa price reduction.

Speaking on JoyNews AM Show, Nana Aduna II quizzed why only cocoa farmers are taking the hit and not COCOBOD staff salaries too.

According to Nana Aduna II, if COCOBOD staff are also taking a hit on their salaries, too, it would create a fairer system and a level playing field for farmers.

Nana Aduna II  on the show stated, “The question we would like to ask is, why are only farmers taking the hit? When you look at the trajectory of our cocoa system, there’s the farmer, the haulage system, licensed buying companies, and COCOBOD. That’s before the beans are even exported. So why is the farmer alone taking the hit?”

“The first step should have been to reduce the salaries of staff and the margins that the government makes by the same amount,” he stated.

“If COCOBOD staff were also affected, it would create a fairer system and a level playing field for farmers.

“Farmer groups have been made poor and weakened over time. There is very limited collective bargaining. So how do we fight back? What tools do we have? Do we just put our hands behind our backs?” he asked.

Also, Andy Appiah-Kubi, a former member of parliament for Asante Akim North, has said management of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) must cut salaries by 28% to show commitment following the crisis in the cocoa sector.

According to him, COCOBOD management’s slashing of salaries by 28 per cent will demonstrate they are finding solutions to the crisis.

Speaking on TV3 Key Points on Saturday, February 14, Andy Appiah-Kubi stated, “I want to wake up to the news that COCOBDO management has received sales of 28 per cent”.

He further debunked claims that COCOBOD problems started just eight years ago, arguing that COCOBOD are historic, dating back to Nkrumah’s time.

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“When my business was struggling, Ken gave me $5m, no paperwork, no questions” – Afenyo-Markin

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“When my business was struggling, Ken gave me $5m, no paperwork, no questions” – Afenyo-Markin

The Minority Leader in Parliament and MP for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has revealed the bond he shares with former Assin Central MP, Ken Agyapong.

According to Afenyo-Markin, he has a longstanding personal and political relationship with Ken Agyapong, drawing attention to years of financial support and joint community development projects.

The minority leader revealed that Ken Agyapong invested $5 million into his business when it was struggling with no formal contractual agreement signed.

Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV on February 16, 2026, Afenyo-Markin recounted, “When my business ran down, Kennedy gave me $5 million; we didn’t sign any agreement. He took a risk on me by giving me that money. We’re more than a family; there’s a history to it. It’s not right to cut the relationship. It’s a relationship we have. If he won in Winneba, and so what? People should stop it, we have moved past that”.

The minority leader further revealed, “I’m constructing an ICT facility, which, being named after him, was conceived five years ago; it’s a big project”.

Also, the Minority leader detailed why Ken Agyapong secured an overwhelming victory in Effutu during the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primaries.

According to him, it is no news that Ken won in Winneba as he has been helpful to the people of Winneba.

Afenyo-Markin added, “You know the numbers and some of your colleagues are in a mischief mood…It is no news that Kennedy won in Winneba. He is my friend. Don’t waste your time on this matter. The gentleman has been very helpful to the people of Winneba.

“In 2012, on election day, when we needed funds for our clean-up exercise, he drove all the way from Assin to Winneba to support us. When I won in 2012, and we were in opposition in 2013, he gave Winneba 22 brand-new taxis, tear rubber, under a work-and-pay arrangement. He also provided a tractor which we sent to the rural areas and supplied outboard motors to support fishermen, “he said.

He continued, “It was not free; it was work and pay, and I paid, but the relationship started long ago. In fact, we are related. My great-grandfather moved from Effutu to Assin to establish a cocoa farm.

Earlier, Alexander Afenyo-Markin revealed that Ken Agyapong is a true and trusted friend in whom he shares a code.

According to Afenyo-Markin, his relationship with Kennedy Agyapong remains unsoiled till time shall be no more, however, adding that NPP comes first.

Afenyo-Markin highlighted that Ken Agyapong has passion, belief in accountability and has an unshakeable commitment to the ordinary Ghanaian.

Speaking during a programme in his constituency on February 1, 2026, Afenyo-Markin stated, “We salute Honourable Kennedy Ohene Agyapong for his passion, his firm belief in accountability and his unshakeable commitment to the ordinary Ghanaian. For me personally, this is a true and trusted friend, with whom I share a code. I believe that in life, loyalty to friendship is very essential.

“A man must not forget his friend because there is everything wrong with betraying a friend. My relationship with him remains unsoiled, till time shall be no more. But I equally recognize and he himself recognises, that our party comes first, “he said.

“I am therefore happy to inform you, my constituents, that yesterday he graciously, without any prompting, spoke with our flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. It was a short but hearty chat, and he gave his commitment to support Dr Bawumia to win the 2028 election.”

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“It is no news” – Afenyo-Markin speaks on Ken’s overwhelming win in his constituency  

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“It is no news” – Afenyo-Markin speaks on Ken’s overwhelming win in his constituency  

The Minority Leader in Parliament and MP for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has detailed why the former Assin Central MP Ken Agyapong secured an overwhelming victory in Effutu during the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primaries.

According to the Minority leader, it is no news that Ken Agyapong won in Winneba, as he has been helpful to the people of Winneba.

Afenyo-Markin further listed a number of the support Ken Agyapong has offered the people of Winneba over the years.

Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV on February 16, 2026, Afenyo-Markin explained, “You know the numbers and some of your colleagues are in a mischief mood…It is no news that Kennedy won in Winneba. He is my friend. Don’t waste your time on this matter. The gentleman has been very helpful to the people of Winneba.

“In 2012, on election day, when we needed funds for our clean-up exercise, he drove all the way from Assin to Winneba to support us. When I won in 2012, and we were in opposition in 2013, he gave Winneba 22 brand-new taxis, tear rubber, under a work-and-pay arrangement. He also provided a tractor which we sent to the rural areas and supplied outboard motors to support fishermen, “he said.

He continued, “It was not free; it was work and pay, and I paid, but the relationship started long ago. In fact, we are related. My great-grandfather moved from Effutu to Assin to establish a cocoa farm.

The Minority Leader in Parliament also revealed the bond he shares with former Assin Central MP, Ken Agyapong.

According to Afenyo-Markin, he has a longstanding personal and political relationship with Ken Agyapong, drawing attention to years of financial support and joint community development projects.

The minority leader revealed that Ken Agyapong invested $5 million into his business when it was struggling with no formal contractual agreement signed.

He added, “When my business ran down, Kennedy gave me $5 million; we didn’t sign any agreement. He took a risk on me by giving me that money. We’re more than a family; there’s a history to it. It’s not right to cut the relationship. It’s a relationship we have. If he won in Winneba, and so what? People should stop it, we have moved past that”.

The minority leader further revealed, “I’m constructing an ICT facility, which, being named after him, was conceived five years ago; it’s a big project”.

Meanwhile, Alexander Afenyo-Markin had earlier revealed that Ken Agyapong is a true and trusted friend in whom he shares a code.

According to Afenyo-Markin, his relationship with Kennedy Agyapong remains unsoiled till time shall be no more, however, adding that NPP comes first.

Afenyo-Markin highlighted that Ken Agyapong has passion, belief in accountability and has an unshakeable commitment to the ordinary Ghanaian.

Speaking during a programme in his constituency on February 1, 2026, Afenyo-Markin stated, “We salute Honourable Kennedy Ohene Agyapong for his passion, his firm belief in accountability and his unshakeable commitment to the ordinary Ghanaian. For me personally, this is a true and trusted friend, with whom I share a code. I believe that in life, loyalty to friendship is very essential.

“A man must not forget his friend because there is everything wrong with betraying a friend. My relationship with him remains unsoiled, till time shall be no more. But I equally recognize and he himself recognises, that our party comes first, “he said.

“I am therefore happy to inform you, my constituents, that yesterday he graciously, without any prompting, spoke with our flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. It was a short but hearty chat, and he gave his commitment to support Dr Bawumia to win the 2028 election.”

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Ken Agyapong’s commitment unshaken, unbroken, but… – Kwasi Kwarteng

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Ken Agyapong’s commitment unshaken, unbroken, but… – Kwasi Kwarteng

Kwasi Kwarteng, spokesperson for Ken Agyapong’s campaign, has said his boss’s commitment to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is unshaken, unbroken.

According to Kwasi Kwarteng, the NPP members and the general public should allow Ken Agyapong some time to reflect following the party’s recent presidential primary.

He noted that Ken is also a human and, for a whole year, was accused of having orchestrated the party’s 2024 defeat with his comments.

Speaking to Citi News, Kwasi Kwarteng explained, “He is still a member of the NPP. He has not and will not break away from the NPP. In relation to his absence yesterday at the event, he was out of town. His commitment to the party remains unshaken, unbroken, unresolved and will still remain high”.

“I think out of respect, we should give people moments to also reflect. I mean, it can’t be said that for a whole one year, one person is accused of having orchestrated the party’s 2024 defeat and that his comments are so sour and that he has been insulting women and all manner of accusations”.

“He is a human being, he has his low moments and his high moments. I think after such a tense contest like this with accusations, we should give people at least some room to reflect,” Kwasi Kwarteng added.

His comments follow speculation on social media suggesting that Kennedy Agyapong may be considering a break from the party after he was absent from the NPP’s thanksgiving service held at the UPSA auditorium on Sunday, February 15.

Earlier, Kwasi Kwarteng debunked reports claiming his boss has broken away from the party.

According to Kwasi Kwarteng, Ken Agyapong has not and will not break away from the NPP.

In a post shared on social media, Kwasi Kwarteng wrote, “ Hon Ken Ohene Agyapong has not and will not break away from the New Patriotic Party (NPP: Development in freedom)”.

His post follows an alleged post by Lawson TV, which claimed Ken Agyapong has decided to break away from the NPP to contest in the 2028 election.

Lawson TV post shared on social media stated, “Hon Kennedy Agyapong breaks away from the NPP and set to contest in 2028 elections”.

In related news, Joojo Rocky Obeng, a former Western North Regional Minister and a member of the Ken Agyapong campaign team, has said the former Assin Central MP will not break away from the party to contest the 2028 presidential election as an independent candidate.

According to Joojo Rocky Obeng, defeat is painful, but a breakaway is not an option for Ken Agyapong.

Rocky Obeng detailed that Ghana’s political history shows it is highly improbable to win an election without the backing of the NPP or the NDC.

In a Facebook post on Friday, February 13, 2026, Mr Obeng wrote, “The idea of a “third force” is politically ridiculous and completely off-limits as far as I am concerned. The same must go for anyone who genuinely wanted Hon Ken to win and be on the ticket of our party, the New Patriotic Party.

I find it awfully interesting the idea that Hon Ken can win a national election without the strength of either our party, NPP, or a National Party like the NDC. That is an overstretch – going by our recent history and precedents in the fourth republic. Hold a different view, but if you genuinely believe he can, why did you not at least protest his decision to seek the flagbearership of the NPP at the outset, but rather waited for him to spend hundreds of millions of Ghana cedis to compete with fellow patriots for the flagbearer slot of our party?

I am talking about Hon Ken’s first choice of wanting to be the NPP’s Presidential Candidate. That decision in itself, without doubt, is a candid admission that running on the ticket of NPP is the most feasible option to winning any Presidential Elections in Ghana”.

His post added, “We concluded our primaries two weeks ago, and I am aware of how strong the sentiment is for all and the many true loyalists of Hon Ken, but let’s give our party a chance to reflect and continue from where we collectively left with our internal electoral reforms.

Everyone, including our flagbearer, knows that we need to cleanse ourselves from the excesses and the regrettable utterances that came with our primaries. Those excesses & utterances cut very deep. And must receive the highest priority.

I therefore think, in spite of how strong our fears are, it is only fair that we do not indulge in suggestions that are completely off-limits and could hurt any reforms and reconciliation efforts by the flagbearer and the leadership of our party.

I end by stating again that defeat is painful, but a breakaway “third force” must not be on the table”.

NDC’s 24-Hour Economy promise would not happen overnight – Fifi Kwetey tells critics 

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NDC’s 24-Hour Economy promise would not happen overnight – Fifi Kwetey tells critics 

Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has told critics that the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy promise cannot happen overnight.

The NDC General Secretary detailed that the 24-Hour Economy initiative is a long-term structural programme.

According to Fifi Kwetey, the 24-Hour Economy initiative was a key campaign promise for the NDC, and steps are being taken for its implementation.

He revealed that Goosie Tanoh, the 24-Hour Economy secretariat, has completed important preparatory work with a proposal submitted to parliament for consideration.

Speaking in an interview on TV3, Fifi Kwetey explained, “The process has been on. Goosie Tanoh, who is in charge of that [the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat], who is a member of the cabinet, has presented what you call the step that needs to be taken.

And at the moment, as you know, the bill is in parliament. It came through the cabinet. It is now in Parliament. Parliament will look at it. Then, after that, the implementation can begin”.

He added, “Other things that need to be put in place regarding especially tax exemptions. That’s very important because all the people who need to come along need to have guarantees, especially about taxes.

“So it is not something that you can simply just do overnight. You need to make sure the foundations are in place in order to be able to bring all the people who need to come on board and do it properly.”

Fifi Kwetey further highlighted that the success of the 24-Hour Economy initiative goes beyond the legislative process before the Parliament, adding that economic incentives, particularly tax-related guarantees, are needed to encourage the private sector to get on board.

Meanwhile, 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.

“You do not need another authority to promote exports and thereby create a 24-hour economy. We already have the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, whose sole mandate is to promote exports,” he asserted.

The Damongo MP added, “Mr Speaker, this is another gimmick. This is another deception. It is meant to buy time and give false hope to the unemployed youth. This authority will only create jobs for a few—another CEO, deputy CEOs, and managers. It will not affect the suffering unemployed youth from Bolgatanga to Keta, Bosome Freho, and across the length and breadth of this country”.

“Ghanaians are tired of hope; they want action. Young men and women in this country cannot find jobs. One year down the line, instead of implementing the 24-hour economy, they are asking us to create another bureaucracy,” he added.

Also, Dr Stephen Amoah, the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, has criticised the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) proposed 24-Hour Economy initiative.

According to Stephen Amoah, the NDC 24-Hour Economy is just a fallacy, arguing that the NDC do not know what they mean by 24-Hour Economy.

NDC in opposition never promised cocoa farmers an increase in price – Professor

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NDC in opposition never promised cocoa farmers an increase in price – Professor

Professor Yarhands Dissou Arthur, a leading member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ashanti Region, has debunked claims that the party in opposition promised cocoa farmers an increase in price.

According to the Professor, the NDC in opposition never promised cocoa farmers an increase in price.

He detailed that the NDC argument was that cocoa farmers under Akufo-Addo were not being paid well per the world market price.

 Speaking on Kumasi-based Akoma FM, Professor Yarhands Dissou Arthur explained, “The NDC in opposition never promised cocoa farmers that when they come to power, we’re going to increase cocoa prices. What we said was that, per the world market price at the time and our calculations, the Akufo-Addo government wasn’t paying the farmers accurately and that the prices should have been increased.

“We told the Akufo-Addo government and the farmers that if we were in power, we would have done better for these farmers, and that was a conditional statement. We didn’t say that when we come to power, we are going to increase cocoa prices. No! We didn’t make any emphatic statement,” the university don stressed.

However, an irate cocoa farmer, in Adomfe, has boldly told President John Mahama that their marriages are collapsing as they are going hungry.

According to the irate cocoa farmer, President Mahama has thrown dust into their eyes after he promised to increase the cocoa price beyond what they expected.

The irate cocoa farmer recounted how former President Akufo-Addo, during covid time, cut the salaries of his appointees to help Ghanaians, arguing that Mahama, on the other hand, has increased salaries by 67 per cent.  

Speaking to the media, the Cocoa farmer stated, “Mahama has thrown dust in the eyes of Ghanaians. President Mahama, I am not begging you, I am telling you that, Cocoa farmers, here you are collapsing our marriage, you are making us go hungry, and you are also making people starting a cocoa farm stop.

The old price you told us you were going to increase it more than expected, that was why people voted for you. Those gathered here, if we list the number of farmers who voted, we are a lot”.

He added, “Because of the deceit you told us, Akufo-Addo and his appointees were taking our money when you came, what you promised us, you have not been able to give it to us. During Akufo-Addo’s time, when there was covid his MPs, MCEs and other he cut their salaries to help the country. As for yours, you have to increase your people’s pay by 67 per cent”.  

Meanwhile, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who announced a revised cocoa price of 64kg cocoa bag from GHS 3,625 to GHS 2,587 for the remainder of the 2025/2026 season.

Also, Ato Forson announced key reforms aimed at strengthening the cocoa sector, adding that the Cabinet has also directed the Attorney General to commission concurrent forensic and criminal investigations into COCOBOD’s activities.

He stated, “To ensure accountability and transparency in the management of COCOBOD and the cocoa sector as a whole, Cabinet has also directed the Attorney General to commission concurrent forensic and criminal investigations into COCOBOD’s activities over the last eight years”.

Photos of Haruna Iddrisu emerge after surviving a ghastly car crash

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Photos of Haruna Iddrisu emerge after surviving a ghastly car crash

Following news of the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, being discharged from the hospital following a ghastly car crash in Bolgatanga, photos of him have surfaced on social media.

On Monday, February 16, 2026, a social media post shared on X captured the minister in the company of some guests, looking well and cheerful.

A netizen who shared the photo caption stated, “Alhamdulilah, Hon Haruna Iddrisu is recovering”.

Recall that the Minister of Education and the Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technology were involved in a road accident.

Reports suggest the two Ministers are in stable condition following a road accident on the Bolgatanga-Tumu Road on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

According to reports, the accident happened in the early hours of Thursday, February 12.

The two ministers in their convoys were travelling to the Upper West Region to attend the 40th anniversary celebrations of Tumu College of Education and Jahan College of Education.

Earlier, the Parliament of Ghana disclosed that the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, and the Deputy Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Adam Sukparu, are both receiving treatment at the 37 Military Hospital.

Parliament, in a statement, expressed deep concern over a road traffic accident involving two members of parliament.

In an official statement, they showed compassion with the two ministers and extended sincere compassion to their families, constituents and the public.

The statement further disclosed that both Ministers are in stable condition and responding positively to treatment.

Also, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the Speaker of parliament, the leadership from both sides of the House and other MPs paid a visit to the MPs.

Later, another statement issued stated, “The Office of the Honourable Minister of Education announces that Hon. Haruna Iddrisu has been discharged from the 37 Military Hospital following a road traffic accident”.

“He is in good spirits and has been advised to rest as part of his recovery,” the statement added.

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Russian Embassy breaks silence on alleged non-consensual sexual recording videos

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Russian Embassy breaks silence on alleged non-consensual sexual recording videos

The Russian Embassy in Ghana has confirmed notice of reports of a Russian national, who reportedly engaged in the non-consensual recording of sexual relations with multiple Ghanaian women.

The embassy, in a brief comment on its official X account, acknowledged reports on a sexual exploitation case; however, it added no further comment on possible actions that would be initiated against the individual.

Also, the Embassy did not confirm the identity or nationality of the individual involved, nor did it disclose whether it had formally initiated any engagement with Ghanaian authorities on the matter.

 “The Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Ghana has taken note of the reports in the Ghanaian media on the alleged involvement of a supposedly Russian citizen engaged in sexual activities with some Ghanaian women and recorded those acts without consent,” the statement on X stated.

However,  Sam Nartey George, the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, has revealed that the government has started processes to get the Russian man fingered for filming his sexual escapades with several Ghanaian women back to Ghana to face the law.

According to Sam George, it is a crime to record a person without their consent, adding that he has already invited the Russian Ambassador to work with our law enforcement for the man brought back to Ghana.

Speaking to the media on Saturday, February 14, 2026, Sam George said, “It is a crime to record a person without their consent, and even when you record and keep it on your phone, if the person finds out and reports it to us, we will prosecute you, and you will go to jail. That’s the law of the land.

“Now you don’t just record it, but you go and post it on a website for financial gain. That gentleman would be looked for. We will activate every resource at our disposal, working with Interpol, the way we’ve worked with Interpol to extradite Ghanaians to other jurisdictions,” he said.

“I’ve invited the Russian Ambassador to work with our law enforcement. We want the gentleman to come to Ghana, to be brought back to Ghana, extradited to Ghana, for him to face the rigours of our law.

“Ghanaian citizens, irrespective of their decision-making, will be protected by their government. The Government of John Dramani Mahama will ensure that every citizen’s rights are protected. And you cannot record a citizen without their consent and air that or post that online; that constitutes a crime under the Cyber Security Authority Act (CSA), Act 1038,” he added.

Also, the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has finally broken its silence regarding the Russian man identified as Yaytseslav’s intimate recordings of Ghanaian women.

According to the Gender Ministry, preliminary information indicates that the individual may not currently be within the country’s jurisdiction, adding that the non-consensual recording and distribution of intimate images is a criminal offence.

The Gender Ministry revealed it is working with police, security agencies and international partners on investigations, takedowns, and possible cross-border action, while offering psychosocial and legal support to victims.

The Ministry revealed they are working with the Ministry of Communication and its relevant agencies on measures to prevent and respond to image-based sexual abuse.

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“Every MP has engaged in vote-buying; scapegoating one or two would not solve the issue” – Fifi Kwetey

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“Every MP has engaged in vote-buying; scapegoating one or two would not solve the issue” – Fifi Kwetey

The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, has said every member of parliament engages in vote-buying.

According to Fiifi Kwetey, scapegoating one or two MPs would not solve the issue, as vote-buying in Ghanaian politics is a societal problem that goes beyond individual politicians.

He asserted that political parties themselves are sometimes compelled to resort to such practices during internal elections as the Ghanaian society expect it.

Speaking recently on TV3’s Hot Issues, Fiifi Kwetey explained, “There’s no Member of Parliament today who can claim they have not had to engage in this practice during their primaries. It is widespread”.

“People literally tell you that if you don’t do this, they won’t vote. So, it is a society-wide issue that must be addressed from a broader perspective. Simply scapegoating one or two people does not solve the problem. If we want to resolve it, we must pursue comprehensive solutions,” he said.

Also, addressing disciplinary action taken by the NDC following the allegations of voting buying and voter inducement during the recent Ayawaso East parliamentary primaries, he stated, “The party recommended also that other people who took part in the primaries, who have government positions, whether on the board or CEO positions, should also be recalled.

So, the party has not actually allowed them to get away. Then the party now has been made a recommendation that we should have a seven-member committee that goes into a comprehensive political proposal as to how we can resolve the issue”.

“What is worth doing is worth doing well. This problem has been with us for decades. If we are going to tackle it, we must do so properly,” he stressed.

“We have made a decision that we need to come to terms with this reality and stop it once and for all. So, even those of them who may not be happy about the fact that it’s about to go, we need to appreciate it that the moment is here”, he added.

Meanwhile, Legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso East, Baba Jamal, will be forever tainted with vote-buying. 

Kpebu criticises the NDC for failing to annul the Ayawaso East parliamentary primary despite widespread vote-buying.

According to lawyer Kpebu, the NDC has so many seats in parliament already and missing out on one seat to send a direct message against the vote buying would have endeared the party to Ghanaians, adding that the party missed the opportunity.

Speaking on TV3 Keypoints, Martin Kpebu stated, “The NDC should have annulled the Ayawaso East Parliamentary primary due to vote buying we all saw. Baba Jamal’s name will forever be tainted”.

Also, Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, has said the NDC should have sacrificed the seat to end vote-buying.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue on Saturday, February 14, Mr Cudjoe stated, “I was angry that the NDC held an election marred by the naked exchange of gifts and money. For once, I thought we were going to see the end of monetisation in our elections”.

“Even if they lose that seat, what is the point? They have so many seats. If any party could change the perception, I thought this current NDC would have been the best to do that.”

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7 Ghanaian Tomato traders killed in a terrorist attack buried in Burkina Faso

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7 Ghanaian Tomato traders killed in a terrorist attack buried in Burkina Faso

Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, has disclosed that the seven Ghanaian Tomato traders killed in a terrorist attack in Titao, northern Burkina Faso, have been laid to rest.

According to the Minister, the bodies of the deceased were burnt beyond recognition and had begun decomposing, which forced authorities to proceed with burial arrangements in Burkina Faso.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, February 16, Muntaka Mubarak stated, “The seven bodies have been burnt beyond recognition. As at yesterday, we agreed they had begun decomposing and had to be buried”.

“So the Burkina Faso authorities told us [Ghanaians] that they would bury them at 10 a.m today. But our women who are not really injured can go and witness and take as many pictures as possible,” he added.

He added, “And the sad thing is that we lost seven of our men. Three of them got injured. One woman was critically injured, and others were not badly injured”.

Reports had earlier revealed that seven (7) Ghanaians have reportedly lost their lives in a terrorist attack on tomato traders in Titao, Burkina Faso, on Saturday, February 14, 2026.

All seven victims were Ghanaian male tomato buyers and the drivers of the trucks.

Alhaji Gbangbanku, a journalist who reported the attack on Saturday, revealed the terrorists spared the Ghanaian traders who were women.

The journalist shared the news before the Ministry of the Interior in a statement confirmed the attack on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

According to Alhaji Gbangbanku, the Islamist military group, JNIM, was responsible for the attack.

He further shared pictures of some of the traders who were killed and visuals from the scene of the incident showing vehicles set ablaze.

Also, Eric Tuffour, the President of the Tomato and Onion Truck Drivers Association sepaking in an interview with JoyNews, corroborated the report but failed to provide an exact number of people killed in the attack.

According to Eric Tuffour, the terrorists attacked the Ghanaian trucks because they perceived them as their enemies, shooting all the men and leaving the women unharmed.

“What actually happened was that the terrorists suspected that some of their enemies had entered the country, and our vehicle was in the town at the time.

“They shot the male passengers, leaving the female passengers unharmed. All the men who were seated on top of the vehicle were shot dead,” Tuffour is quoted to have.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior confirmed the news of the attack.

According to the Ministry of the Interior, the Ghanaian tomato traders were caught in a Terrorist attack in Titao, Burkina Faso.

The Ministry of the Interior, in a statement released on February 15, signed by the Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, labelled the attack as ‘disturbing’.

The ministry confirmed that it received communication from Ghana’s Embassy in Burkina Faso about the deaths of some Ghanaian tomato merchants and truck drivers following an attack by the Islamist militant group JNIM in Titao, Burkina Faso.

Their statement added that the Government of Ghana is currently collaborating with the Burkinabè authorities to identify the deceased victims and facilitate the rescue and support of the surviving individuals.

Interior Ministry’s Statement published stated, “The Government of Ghana has received disturbing information from Burkina Faso of a truck carrying Tomato Traders from Ghana which was caught in a Terrorist attack in Titao, Burkina Faso on Saturday, 14 February 2026.

The Ghana Embassy in Burkina Faso is liaising with the officials of Burkina Faso to visit the attack site for details and identification of Ghanaians caught in the attack.

Further details would be communicated to the public”.

“It is not a sin, if you are a politician and you are arrested” – Afenyo-Markin to NPP members

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“It is not a sin, if you are a politician and you are arrested” – Afenyo-Markin to NPP members

Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, has told his fellow New Patriotic Party (NPP) members that being arrested as a politician is not a sin.

According to Afenyo-Markin, the NPP must remain resolute and united, stressing that arrest should not be seen as a disgrace for politicians.

He detailed that when the NDC government back are against the wall, they will come out with arrests, urging fellow members not to let the arrest intimidate them.

Speaking at the Thanksgiving Ceremony of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Sunday, February 15, 2026, Afenyo-Markin stated, “Please, if you are a politician and you have been caught, it is not a sin. Let’s stand firm behind Dr Bawumia and win power in 2028. Don’t let them intimidate you with arrest”.

“Colleagues, they will try and divide us. They will come with all manner of arrests. (Every) Now and then, when their back is against the wall, they will come with all manner of arrests,” he stated.

Also, the Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has told members of the party their victory in 2028 will not be gifted to them.

Dr Bawumia stressed that the NPP victory in 2028 must be earned, constituency by constituency, household by household, with humility and purpose.

According to Dr Bawumia, the road ahead for the NPP is demanding discipline, sacrifice, and hard work.

Dr Bawumia stated, “The road ahead will demand discipline, sacrifice, and hard work. Victory in 2028 will not be gifted to us. It must be earned, constituency by constituency, household by household, with humility and purpose”.

“While at that, the re-organisation of our party structures will continue in earnest to give us the stronger and well-motivated machinery required for election 2028,” he added.

Dr Bawumia further called on NPP members to put behind personal grudges, internal suspicions and factional lines that arose during the NPP presidential primaries.

According to Dr Bawumia, party faithful should put aside hurt caused by heated campaign exchanges as the party reorganises for the future.

The NPP flagbearer added, “Let us put behind us personal grudges, internal suspicions and factional lines, let us rebuild trust among ourselves, let us return to the values that build this party service competence and respect for institution and believe in the Ghanaian people.

This is the beginning of our journey to win back the trust and love of the Ghanaian people; our nation requires the best effort that each of us can put into it, which requires that we all give the best of our ideas, our sweat, and our sacrifice to build the nation ourforebearers envisioned”.

Dr Bawumia highlighted that reunion remains vital as the NPP prepares for the next political cycle.

Dr Bawumia added, “On this day as we celebrate and give thanks together, I want to ask all of us, from the bottom of my heart, that we forgive each other for some of the unpalatable things we may have said during the campaign”.

“I have been encouraged by the efforts many of you have made to reach out to your brothers and sisters after the elections. Though I know the exercise of healing is not yet completed, I believe we have started well, and I commend all patriots for the steps taken so far,” he added.

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250 teachers in the Northern Region protest over 25 months of unpaid salaries

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250 teachers in the Northern Region protest over 25 months of unpaid salaries

About 250 teachers in the Northern Region who were recruited in 2023 and posted to schools across the region have protested their over 25 months of unpaid salaries.

The group of teachers petitioned the Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, to intervene.

According to the Teachers, their situation is a grave professional and financial injustice as they have not received their  Staff ID issuance and unpaid salaries.

In their petition, they detailed that after working for over 25 months, about 250 teachers in the region and roughly 400 nationwide have been affected.

They further stressed that the situation has worsened by the Regional Education Director claims that their appointments are “fake”.

According to them, their appointments were genuine and followed due procedures with their appointment letters, regional posting letters, signed upon assumption of duty letters from various districts and institutions.

Part of the petition stated, “Despite our dedicated service of over 25 months, the Regional Education Director recently stated on Sagani TV that our appointments are ‘fake’. We vehemently reject this claim”.

The teachers highlighted that they have been unfairly confused with appointment revocations after the 7th December 2024 elections.

“They referenced a revocation letter dated 17th February 2025 with reference number GES/HRMD/SEC/REV.25/01, which they said targeted appointments made after the 7th December 2024 election. The petitioners argued that because their appointments date back to 2023, they should not have been affected by the directive.

“They also cited a reinstatement letter dated 5th March 2025 with reference number GES/DG/247/25/ED056, stating that it equally did not apply to their cohort”.

“As part of their proposed solution, the group pointed to a precedent by the Ghana Education Service headquarters, referencing a letter dated 12th December 2025 (GES/HQ/PR/25/115) which, according to them, facilitated the onboarding of the 2024 year group through the issuance of new appointment letters”, reports suggested.

The petition further added, “It is deeply demoralising that we, who assumed duty in 2023, remain unpaid while college teachers posted in 2024 and even recruits hired after the 7th December 2024 period have been fully processed and paid,”

The teachers in their petition are calling for the Northern Regional Minister to coordinate with the Minister of Education for their staff  ID generation and facilitate payment of all outstanding arrears.

Death toll in Accra-Nsawam highway fuel tanker explosion rises to six – GNFS

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Death toll in Accra-Nsawam highway fuel tanker explosion rises to six – GNFS

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has disclosed that the tragic fire incident on the Accra-Nsawam highway caused by a Fuel Tanker claimed the lives of six, with seven injured.

In a press release signed by Ignatius K. Baidoo, Divisional Officer Three (DO III) and Eastern Regional Public Relations Officer of the GNFS, confirmed that the fire outbreak occurred around 4:45 am Saturday, February 14, 2026 and claimed six lives.

The GNFS detailed that three persons died at the scene, with three others succumbing to their injuries at the Koforidua Regional Hospital.

The GNFS press release stated, “The Eastern Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has confirmed a tragic road traffic accident that resulted in a fire outbreak at Signboard near Okanta, off the Accra-Nsawam Highway, in the early hours of Saturday, February 14, 2026

2. The Service received the distress call at 0445 hours and deployed firefighters from the Suhum Fire Station. The crew arrived to find a fully developed vehicular fire involving a petrol tanker carrying about 54,000 litres of fuel, a VIP bus, three (3) saloon cars, and four (4) motorbikes, all engulfed in flames and extensively damaged

3. Due to the intensity and rapid spread of the fire, reinforcement was requested, and firefighters from the Bunso Fire Station were deployed to augment operations

4. Through coordinated and tactical firefighting efforts, including the application of foam compound, the fire was brought under control at 0824 hours and completely extinguished at 1 108 hours

5. A total of 15 casualties were recorded (11 males and 4 females). Three (3) victims (two males, one female) tragically died at the scene, and their badly charred bodies were handed over to the Police for preservation and further investigation. Twelve (12) injured were taken to Nsawam Hospital, where two (2) were discharged, including one (1) against medical advice. Ten (10) critical patients (8 males, 2 females) were referred to Koforidua Regional Hospital

6. Unfortunately, three (3) of these patients (2 males, 1 female) later died. The remaining seven (7), comprising 2 male children, 4 male adults, and 1 female, are still receiving treatment at the Koforidua Regional Hospital.

7, Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire. Preliminary assessments suggest that sparks generated during attempts by some individuals to illegally breach the petrol tanker using) Cutting tools may have ignited petrol vapours, leading to the intense fire that engulfed vehicles travelling along that road at the time of the incident.

The swift intervention of firefighters prevented a potential explosion. The fatalities were reportedly trapped by the sudden fire following ignition of the petrol vapour cloud.

9. The Ghana National Fire Service strongly cautions the public against fuel siphoning. which is illegal and extremely dangerous, and urges the public to stay away from accident scenes involving flammable substances and 1o immediately alert emergency services

10. The Eastern Regional Command of the GNFS extends its heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this tragic incident, and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured, both those discharged and those still receiving treatment.

11. The Eastern Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service remains committed to protecting lives and property and appeals for public cooperation 1o enhance fire safety across the region”.

See the statement below:

President Mahama commissions $9.8 million Ghana Chancery in Ethiopia

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President Mahama commissions $9.8 million Ghana Chancery in Ethiopia

President John Mahama has today Febraury 16, 2026, commissioned a new Chancery for Ghana’s Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

According to reports by GHOne, the Ghana Chancery in Ethiopia cost $9.8 million.

In a post shared by the Foreign Affairs Minister, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, on social media, he detailed that the project has a ten-year history dating back to when funding was arranged under the 2016 SG-SSB facility.

Ablakwa, in his post, wrote, “President John Mahama has today commissioned a new Chancery for Ghana’s Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

This magnificent edifice is more than just a new building; it is an affirmation of Ghana’s firm belief in multilateralism, our demonstrable commitment to the African Union vision and our strong resolve to deepen the cherished bilateral relations with the friendly nation of Ethiopia.

The timely commissioning of the new Chancery also signals President Mahama’s readiness to assume the Chairmanship of the African Union next year.

This project has a ten-year history dating back to when funding was arranged under the 2016 SG-SSB facility through to when actual construction commenced, the project stalling due to economic challenges and the current government’s resumption and payment of outstanding IPCs last year.

We convey profound appreciation to our special guest, the distinguished Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, Dr Gedion Timothewos.

I commend all those who made this day possible, particularly colleagues at the Ministry, Embassy staff, the Ethiopian contractor and the Ghanaian consultant”.

Ghanaians reacting to the news stated, “A solid milestone for Ghana’s diplomatic footprint! Strengthening ties within the AU hub is always a smart strategic move”.

Another X user added, “All we know is building, not actions. A failed AU whose budget is financed by Europeans”.

One more netizen added, “For God and for country. The government is fully committed to the reset agenda of our country. We are building the Ghana we all desire together. Keep up the good works”.

In related news, President Mahama in Addis Ababa announced that by 2030, Ghana will stop exporting raw mineral ores like Bauxite, Manganese.

According to John Mahama, that is the way Ghana can provide opportunities for our people to stop them from braving the dangers of the Sahara and Mediterranean to try to get to Europe to look for opportunities.

He highlighted that the strategy is already being applied to the cocoa sector, which he noted is facing challenges.

Speaking at the Accra Reset Addis Reckoning event in Addis Ababa on Saturday, February 14, explained, “I say by 2030, there are not going to be any raw manganese ores out of Ghana. We are not going to ship manganese ore, bauxite, or iron ore out of Ghana raw. You must process all that locally. That is the only way we can provide opportunities for our people.

Our young people are not as patient as our generation. They want to see progress and prosperity today. That is why Accra Reset has that urgency that we need to implement in order that we stop our young people from braving the dangers of the Sahara and Mediterranean to try to get to Europe to look for opportunity.

So I want to thank you who found time to attend. This is Addis Reckoning. From Addis, we must start implementing”.

Meanwhile, President John Mahama has departed Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, concluding his participation in the 39th African Union Summit, where he was appointed AU First Vice Chair and advanced Ghana’s landmark reparations resolution set for UN adoption in March 2026.

See the post below:

“Such a foolish act” – Prophet Opambour fires women in Russian man’s video

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“Such a foolish act” – Prophet Opambour fires women in Russian man’s video

The Founder of the Ebenezer Miracle Worship Centre, Reverend Ebenezer Opambour Adarkwa Yiadom, also known as Prophet 1, has fired shots at Ghanaian women found in the Russian man videos.

Prophet Opambour, in a video shared on YouTube, slammed the Ghanaian women, describing their conduct as a foolish act.

According to Opambour, the ladies cannot embarrass Ghana or John Mahama’s reputation, as they are only embarrassing themselves.

Prophet Opambour in the video stated, “They can’t embarrass Ghana or John Mahama’s reputation. They have embarrassed themselves. Their families are not part of it. Also, the tribe they come from is not part of this embarrassment”.

“If they had good advice, they wouldn’t have engaged in such a foolish act. Are they women or animals? Any woman who finds it interesting to talk about sexual activity is very easy to sleep with,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sam Nartey George, the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, has revealed that the government has started processes to get the Russian man fingered for filming his sexual escapades with several Ghanaian women back to Ghana to face the law.

According to Sam George, it is a crime to record a person without their consent, adding that he has already invited the Russian Ambassador to work with our law enforcement for the man brought back to Ghana.

Speaking to the media on Saturday, February 14, 2026, Sam George said, “It is a crime to record a person without their consent, and even when you record and keep it on your phone, if the person finds out and reports it to us, we will prosecute you, and you will go to jail. That’s the law of the land.

“Now you don’t just record it, but you go and post it on a website for financial gain. That gentleman would be looked for. We will activate every resource at our disposal, working with Interpol, the way we’ve worked with Interpol to extradite Ghanaians to other jurisdictions,” he said.

“I’ve invited the Russian Ambassador to work with our law enforcement. We want the gentleman to come to Ghana, to be brought back to Ghana, extradited to Ghana, for him to face the rigours of our law.

“Ghanaian citizens, irrespective of their decision-making, will be protected by their government. The Government of John Dramani Mahama will ensure that every citizen’s rights are protected. And you cannot record a citizen without their consent and air that or post that online; that constitutes a crime under the Cyber Security Authority Act (CSA), Act 1038,” he added.

Also, the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has finally broken its silence regarding the Russian man identified as Yaytseslav’s intimate recordings of Ghanaian women.

According to the Gender Ministry, preliminary information indicates that the individual may not currently be within the country’s jurisdiction, adding that the non-consensual recording and distribution of intimate images is a criminal offence.

The Gender Ministry revealed it is working with police, security agencies and international partners on investigations, takedowns, and possible cross-border action, while offering psychosocial and legal support to victims.

The Ministry revealed they are working with the Ministry of Communication and its relevant agencies on measures to prevent and respond to image-based sexual abuse.

Watch the video below:

“Ken Agyapong has not and will not break away from NPP” – Kwasi Kwarteng

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“Ken Agyapong has not and will not break away from NPP” – Kwasi Kwarteng

The spokesperson for the defeated New Patriotic Party (NPP), presidential hopeful Ken Agyapong, Kwasi Kwarteng, has debunked reports claiming his boss has broken away from the party.

According to Kwasi Kwarteng, Ken Agyapong has not and will not break away from the NPP.

In a post shared on social media, Kwasi Kwarteng wrote, “ Hon Ken Ohene Agyapong has not and will not break away from the New Patriotic Party (NPP: Development in freedom)”.

His post follows an alleged post by Lawson TV, which claimed Ken Agyapong has decided to break away from the NPP to contest in the 2028 election.

Lawson TV post shared on social media stated, “Hon Kennedy Agyapong breaks away from the NPP and set to contest in 2028 elections”.

In related news, Joojo Rocky Obeng, a former Western North Regional Minister and a member of the Ken Agyapong campaign team, has said the former Assin Central MP will not break away from the party to contest the 2028 presidential election as an independent candidate.

According to Joojo Rocky Obeng, defeat is painful, but a breakaway is not an option for Ken Agyapong.

Rocky Obeng detailed that Ghana’s political history shows it is highly improbable to win an election without the backing of the NPP or the NDC.

In a Facebook post on Friday, February 13, 2026, Mr Obeng wrote, “The idea of a “third force” is politically ridiculous and completely off-limits as far as I am concerned. The same must go for anyone who genuinely wanted Hon Ken to win and be on the ticket of our party, the New Patriotic Party.

I find it awfully interesting the idea that Hon Ken can win a national election without the strength of either our party, NPP, or a National Party like the NDC. That is an overstretch – going by our recent history and precedents in the fourth republic. Hold a different view, but if you genuinely believe he can, why did you not at least protest his decision to seek the flagbearership of the NPP at the outset, but rather waited for him to spend hundreds of millions of Ghana cedis to compete with fellow patriots for the flagbearer slot of our party?

I am talking about Hon Ken’s first choice of wanting to be the NPP’s Presidential Candidate. That decision in itself, without doubt, is a candid admission that running on the ticket of NPP is the most feasible option to winning any Presidential Elections in Ghana”.

His post added, “We concluded our primaries two weeks ago, and I am aware of how strong the sentiment is for all and the many true loyalists of Hon Ken, but let’s give our party a chance to reflect and continue from where we collectively left with our internal electoral reforms.

Everyone, including our flagbearer, knows that we need to cleanse ourselves from the excesses and the regrettable utterances that came with our primaries. Those excesses & utterances cut very deep. And must receive the highest priority.

I therefore think, in spite of how strong our fears are, it is only fair that we do not indulge in suggestions that are completely off-limits and could hurt any reforms and reconciliation efforts by the flagbearer and the leadership of our party.

I end by stating again that defeat is painful, but a breakaway “third force” must not be on the table. What is on the table now is NDC’s MESS of the Cocoa sector and the bad treatment they’ve put millions of Cocoa Farmers through this Cocoa season. I shall be back on this subject after we have secured better conditions for the Cocoa farmer. Thank you!”.

His comment follows some sections of Ken Agyapong’s supporters who are calling on him to break away and form a third force to contest in the 2028 elections.

See the post below:

“You goofed, be apologetic and tell Ghanaians the truth” – Ofori-Atta’s Lawyer tells OSP

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“You goofed, be apologetic and tell Ghanaians the truth” – Ofori-Atta’s Lawyer tells OSP

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.

However, the OSP has broken its silence following the International Criminal Police Organisation’s (INTERPOL) deletion of former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta’s Red Notice.

According to the OSP, INTERPOL cited political neutrality and notice processing, adding that the polarised political statements from members of current and former administrations about the conduct of the investigation form part of its decision to expunge his name.

Also. OSP further detailed that recent developments with Ken Ofori-Atta, already in custody, made the notice unnecessary.

However, the OSP notes that criminal charges remain active, with summons currently being served in the United States to secure the former Finance Minister’s appearance in court.

The OSP in a press release dated February 13, 2026, stated, “The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has received the decision of the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files concerning the Red Notice issued at Ghana’s request for Mr Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta.

The Commission directed the deletion of the notice under INTERPOL’s rules on political neutrality and notice processing, citing contextual factors at the time of issuance, including “polarized political statements from members of current and former administrations about the conduct of the investigation,” as well as public controversy surrounding prosecutorial and extradition processes, including public acknowledgment by senior officials at the Ministry of Justice of an inability, at the time, to pursue extradition due to the early procedural stage of the case.

It further observed that subsequent developments made the notice unnecessary, as Mr Ofori-Atta’s location was known, cooperation with U.S. authorities was ongoing and extradition processes had already been initiated following his arrest in the United States on 6 January 2026.

Summons issued by the Criminal Division of the High Court in Accra have been transmitted for service in the United States, requiring him to answer multiple criminal charges. Efforts to secure his appearance continue through established legal and diplomatic channels.

The OSP reiterates that it remains guided solely by law and evidence and is committed to due process and the fair, lawful, and impartial prosecution of corruption and corruption-related offences”.

Watch the video below:

“President Mahama, our marriages are collapsing, we are hungry” – Irate cocoa farmer

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“President Mahama, our marriages are collapsing, we are hungry” – Irate cocoa farmer

An irate cocoa farmer, in Adomfe, has boldly told President John Mahama that their marriages are collapsing.

According to the irate cocoa farmer, President Mahama has thrown dust into their eyes after he promised to increase the cocoa price beyond what they expected.

The irate cocoa farmer recounted how former President Akufo-Addo, during covid time, cut the salaries of his appointees to help Ghanaians, arguing that Mahama, on the other hand, has increased salaries by 67 per cent.  

Speaking to the media, the Cocoa farmer stated, “Mahama has thrown dust in the eyes of Ghanaians. President Mahama, I am not begging you, I am telling you that, Cocoa farmers, here you are collapsing our marriage, you are making us go hungry, and you are also making people starting a cocoa farm stop.

The old price you told us you were going to increase it more than expected, that was why people voted for you. Those gathered here, if we list the number of farmers who voted, we are a lot”.

He added, “Because of the deceit you told us, Akufo-Addo and his appointees were taking our money when you came, what you promised us, you have not been able to give it to us. During Akufo-Addo’s time, when there was covid his MPs, MCEs and other he cut their salaries to help the country. As for yours, you have to increase your people’s pay by 67 per cent”.  

Also, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, has told the John Mahama-led government to use funds allocated for the presidential jet to pay cocoa farmers.  

It will be recalled that Parliament has approved a Sixty Million, Six Hundred and Eighty Thousand United States Dollars (US$60,680,000.00) contract for the purchase of a Falcon 6X aircraft for the air force.

According to Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the US$60,680,000.00 allocated for the purchase of a Falcon 6X aircraft for the air force should rather be used to pay cocoa farmers.

The minority leader is quoted by The1957News to have said, “Use funds allocated for the presidential jet to pay cocoa farmers instead”.

 Also, Metro TV quoted in a news flyer saying, “Presidential Jet Funds Should Go to Cocoa Farmers”.

Additionally, Afenyo-Markin has vowed that the minority caucus this week will force the NDC government to pay cocoa farmers what is due them.

 According to Afenyo-Markin, cocoa farmers are more concerned about receiving their earnings than policy pronouncements and big English on social media.

The minority leader also declared that this week in parliament, it will be a scene to behold.  

 Speaking at the Thanksgiving Ceremony of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Sunday, February 15, 2026, Afenyo-Markin stated, “Cocoa farmers were being paid GH¢3,625 per bag. Today, the NDC government has reduced the price to GH¢2,587”

“What I want every NPP member to tell the NDC government is that it is not all about speaking very big English on social media and hiding behind CSOs. The cocoa farmers want their money, so pay them,” he stated.

The minority leader added, “So, this week, for us, the Minority, it will be a scene to behold in Parliament. They must pay the cocoa farmers”.

They will try to divide us and come with all manner of arrests. When their back is against the wall, they will come out with arrest, please. If you are a politician and you are arrested, it is not a sin. Let us remain focused behind Dr Bawumia and win power in 2028. Don’t let them intimidate you with arrest”.  

The development follows, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who announced a revised cocoa price of 64kg cocoa bag from GHS 3,625 to GHS 2,587 for the remainder of the 2025/2026 season.

Watch the video below:

“Victory in 2028 will not be gifted, it must be earned” – Bawumia tells NPP members

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“Victory in 2028 will not be gifted, it must be earned” – Bawumia tells NPP members

The Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has told members of the party their victory in 2028 will not be gifted to them.

Dr Bawumia stressed that the NPP victory in 2028 must be earned, constituency by constituency, household by household, with humility and purpose.

According to Dr Bawumia, the road ahead for the NPP is demanding discipline, sacrifice, and hard work.

Speaking at the National Thanksgiving Service at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) on Sunday, February 15, 2026, Dr Bawumia stated, “The road ahead will demand discipline, sacrifice, and hard work. Victory in 2028 will not be gifted to us. It must be earned, constituency by constituency, household by household, with humility and purpose”.

“While at that, the re-organisation of our party structures will continue in earnest to give us the stronger and well-motivated machinery required for election 2028,” he added.

Dr Bawumia further called on NPP members to put behind personal grudges, internal suspicions and factional lines that arose during the NPP presidential primaries.

According to Dr Bawumia, party faithful should put aside hurt caused by heated campaign exchanges as the party reorganises for the future.

The NPP flagbearer added, “Let us put behind us personal grudges, internal suspicions and factional lines, let us rebuild trust among ourselves, let us return to the values that build this party service competence and respect for institution and believe in the Ghanaian people.

This is the beginning of our journey to win back the trust and love of the Ghanaian people; our nation requires the best effort that each of us can put into it, which requires that we all give the best of our ideas, our sweat, and our sacrifice to build the nation ourforebearers envisioned”.

Dr Bawumia highlighted that reunion remains vital as the NPP prepares for the next political cycle.

Dr Bawumia added, “On this day as we celebrate and give thanks together, I want to ask all of us, from the bottom of my heart, that we forgive each other for some of the unpalatable things we may have said during the campaign”.

“I have been encouraged by the efforts many of you have made to reach out to your brothers and sisters after the elections. Though I know the exercise of healing is not yet completed, I believe we have started well, and I commend all patriots for the steps taken so far,” he added.

Meanwhile,  Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Member of Parliament for Offoase-Ayirebi, has said the  New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) biggest challenge is how to win back the love and the trust of Ghanaians.

The former Information, Works and Housing Minister explained that unity within the New Patriotic Party is crucial and a starting point to winning back power in 2028.

He, however caution that internal cohesion alone would return the NPP to power.

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Monday, February 2, 2026, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah stated, “We are clear in our minds that when we are united as a party, we are a strong force, but that is only the foundation. The bigger challenge is how to win back the love and the trust of the average Ghanaian”.

“It starts with a lot of candour in what we did that went right, what we did that went wrong, and being able to communicate that clearly to the Ghanaian people,” he said.

“We are not under any illusion that all that we need is a united house. No! Absolutely not,” he added.

“There’s a lot of work behind the scenes that we are beginning to look into,” he said.

“For the first time, we’ve set up a policy secretariat by constitutional fiat in the party,” he explained.

There will be a ministerial reshuffle, but I can’t say how soon – Fifi Kwetey

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There will be a ministerial reshuffle, but I can’t say how soon – Fifi Kwetey

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 expalined, “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”.

Some netizens reacting to the NDC General Secretary’s remarks stated, “Reshuffle kɛkɛ but the same squad? Ei Ghana, how many times we go watch this old movie? We need fresh energy-otherwise it’s just rerun after rerun!”.

“It should be soon… some of the appointees are sleeping”, one Ghanaian added.

A netizen added, “Especially the Greater Accra Minister”.

One X user also added, “Transport minister must be replaced..”.

Also, Social media influencer Kaly Jay has called on President Mahama to reshuffle some of his appointees.

According to him, some of Mahama’s appointees are making the work difficult.

In a post on X, Kaly Jay wrote, “President Mahama should be planning a reshuffle by now. Some of his appointees are making the work difficult. The legacy term does not need the Mr Nice Guy Mahama. They should help build the Mahama Legacy or move on for others to do the job”.

Somen netizen reacting under his post stated, “President John Dramani Mahama must prioritise results over comfort. If some appointees are slowing progress, a decisive reshuffle could refocus the team and protect the Mahama legacy. Leadership sometimes means making tough changes for the greater good”.

Another X user added, “Please, Akandoh should be number one on his list, management of the various hospitals are quiet and scared of being transferred, but the ghims that they’ve brought is draining the hospitals dry. The loss of revenue is scary, things are happening in the background under him”.

One more Ghanaian added, “I don’t understand the logic behind reshuffling ankasa. If someone is underperforming, they should be dismissed…not reassigned to another role while still being paid. Or it doesn’t work like that?”

“Do you think Governance is like content creation or managing social media accounts? Funny guy, you can form your political party and contest for president in 2028 and do things the way you want”, a netizen quizzed.

One X user added, “I have always maintained that JM will have difficulty balancing party fulfilment with government fulfilment. The conflict is where he finds himself now.

In the coming months, that weakness will be exposed, and he will have a great deal of challenge balancing these state”.

“President Mahama’s legacy is already secured,,The president is trying to leave a goodwill for the next NDC presidential candidate, but these foolish appointees want to make the job hard”, a netizen claimed.

Additionally, another Ghanaian wrote, “Dominic Ayine has to go. He is just interested in plenty of talk, zero action. That man has made ORAL very useless because of his inaction.

The Transport Minister has to go. That man and his deputy are clueless.

Minister of Lands, Armah Kofi Buah, has to go”.

Watch the video below:

Use funds allocated for the presidential jet to pay cocoa farmers – Afenyo-Markin tells gov’t 

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Use funds allocated for the presidential jet to pay cocoa farmers – Afenyo-Markin tells gov’t 

Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, has told the John Mahama-led government to use funds allocated for the presidential jet to pay cocoa farmers.  

It will be recalled that Parliament has approved a Sixty Million, Six Hundred and Eighty Thousand United States Dollars (US$60,680,000.00) contract for the purchase of a Falcon 6X aircraft for the air force.

According to Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the US$60,680,000.00 allocated for the purchase of a Falcon 6X aircraft for the air force should rather be used to pay cocoa farmers.

The minority leader is quoted by The1957News to have said, “Use funds allocated for the presidential jet to pay cocoa farmers instead”.

 Also, Metro TV quoted in a news flyer saying, “Presidential Jet Funds Should Go to Cocoa Farmers”.

Additionally, Afenyo-Markin has vowed that the minority caucus this week will force the NDC government to pay cocoa farmers what is due them.

 According to Afenyo-Markin, cocoa farmers are more concerned about receiving their earnings than policy pronouncements and big English on social media.

The minority leader also declared that this week in parliament, it will be a scene to behold.  

 Speaking at the Thanksgiving Ceremony of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Sunday, February 15, 2026, Afenyo-Markin stated, “Cocoa farmers were being paid GH¢3,625 per bag. Today, the NDC government has reduced the price to GH¢2,587”

“What I want every NPP member to tell the NDC government is that it is not all about speaking very big English on social media and hiding behind CSOs. The cocoa farmers want their money, so pay them,” he stated.

The minority leader added, “So, this week, for us, the Minority, it will be a scene to behold in Parliament. They must pay the cocoa farmers”.

They will try to divide us and come with all manner of arrests. When their back is against the wall, they will come out with arrest, please. If you are a politician and you are arrested, it is not a sin. Let us remain focused behind Dr Bawumia and win power in 2028. Don’t let them intimidate you with arrest”.  

The minority leader’s remarks follow, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who announced a revised cocoa price of 64kg cocoa bag from GHS 3,625 to GHS 2,587 for the remainder of the 2025/2026 season.

According to Ato Forson, the decision comes after the Producer Price Review Committee (PPRC), under his chairmanship, convened earlier in the day to assess the challenges facing the Cocoa sector.

Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, February 12, Dr Forson disclosed, “The PPRC has recommended that the farmer be paid 90% of the achieved gross fob of USD 4,200 per tonne”.

He added that the committee set the new producer price at GH₵41,392 per tonne, equivalent to GH₵2,587 per bag, effective immediately.

“As a result of that, the PPRC thereby announces that effective today, Thursday, 12th February, 2026, the new producer price for the remainder of the 2025, 2026 crop season will now be GH 41, 392 per tonne and 2,587 per bag,” he noted.

“This measure is necessary to enable the expedited payment of farmers and to guarantee the sustainability of our cocoa industry,” he said.

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Mahama pays me at the end of every month – Bulldog

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Mahama pays me at the end of every month – Bulldog

Artiste manager and entertainment pundit Lawrence Nana Asiamah Hanson, popularly known as Bulldog, has revealed that President John Dramani Mahama pays him at the end of every month.

According to Bulldog, he has been on the payroll with John Mahama since he started work as the president.

Bulldog detailed that whenever President Mahama is paid, he also pays him with his salary.

Speaking on JoyFM, Bulldog stated, “I am on a payroll with His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, since he started work everymonth I take something small from his pay. So when he is paid, he also pays me.

That’s my guy right there, that’s my big brother, I spend the pay with him”.

Bulldog added, “I think for six months his pay didn’t come, he dedicated six months of his pay to Mahamacares, so it made me look someway at the time, but we have resumed”.

When quizzed on how much President Mahama pays him a month, Bulldog responded, “Why do you want to know? That’s my big brother, it’s a family matter, he is looking after his younger brother”.

Bulldog, when questioned to rate President Mahama one year in office, added, “400 per cent. I don’t even have to think about it”.

Some netizens reacting to Bulldog’s revelation stated, “Our money they are chopping like that”.

“Which rumour? And what do you want to do about it? The same Mahama is single-handedly taking care of all the old Kumawood actors; you didn’t hear that rumor too? Naniama”, a netizen added.

One X user added, “I have finished uni, I no get job saf but them Dey pay somebody free chale this country has failed the youth”.

“You know the first time I saw this video, someone commented that it will be twisted to gain political scores, and I hate to say they were absolutely right”, another Ghanaian added.

In related news, Obuoba Jackson Alfred Adofo, a Legendary Ghanaian Highlife musician, has praised President John Dramani Mahama for supporting him ever since he became ill.

According to the Legendary Ghanaian Highlife musician, the president has been providing him with monthly stipends to cover his medical bills, plus some items.

He highlighted that President Mahama’s monthly support is purely an act of generosity, adding that he does not engage in politics.

He further added that there is no ulterior motive behind President Mahama’s assistance.

Speaking in an interview with Ohemaa Woyeje, Obuoba Jackson Alfred Adofo revealed, “Ever since I fell sick, President Mahama has been giving me gifts, including money to buy medicine every single month. You can ask Mr Beautiful, because he is the one who brings the money”.

“Truth be told, I don’t involve myself in politics, but he likes me. My child has passed away, and under normal circumstances, I would have invited him to the burial. However, I understand the responsibilities he carries as President.

“Therefore, I will not disturb him because he is the father of the nation. But I am sure that if he hears that I am burying my child, he would come to support me,” he added.

Watch the video below:

“Let us put behind personal grudges, internal suspicions and factional lines” – Bawumia to NPP members

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“Let us put behind personal grudges, internal suspicions and factional lines” – Bawumia to NPP members

The Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has urged members of the party to unite as the party targets victory in the 2028 elections.

Dr Bawumia called on NPP members to put behind personal grudges, internal suspicions and factional lines that arose during the NPP presidential primaries.

According to Dr Bawumia, party faithful should put aside hurt caused by heated campaign exchanges as the party reorganises for the future.

Speaking at the National Thanksgiving Service at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) on Sunday, February 15, 2026, Dr Bawumia stated, “Let us put behind us personal grudges, internal suspicions and factional lines, let us rebuild trust among ourselves, let us return to the values that build this party service competence and respect for institution and believe in the Ghanaian people.

This is the beginning of our journey to win back the trust and love of the Ghanaian people; our nation requires the best effort that each of us can put into it, which requires that we all give the best of our ideas, our sweat, and our sacrifice to build the nation ourforebearers envisioned”.

Dr Bawumia highlighted that reunion remains vital as the NPP prepares for the next political cycle.

Dr Bawumia added, “On this day as we celebrate and give thanks together, I want to ask all of us, from the bottom of my heart, that we forgive each other for some of the unpalatable things we may have said during the campaign”.

“I have been encouraged by the efforts many of you have made to reach out to your brothers and sisters after the elections. Though I know the exercise of healing is not yet completed, I believe we have started well, and I commend all patriots for the steps taken so far,” he added.

Meanwhile,  Dr Mahamudu Bawumia had earlier shared how he handled personal attacks during the NPP primaries during the NPP’s Muslim thanksgiving prayers.

According to Dr Bawumia, despite the vicious attacks he endured during the NPP primaries, his patience, good character, and belief in God ensured that he overcame the situation.

Speaking at the NPP’s Muslim thanksgiving prayers held at the National Mosque in Accra, Dr Bawumia revealed, “We have been through a gruelling election cycle. One that has the potential to have caused wounds and strained relationships. Elections can leave scars that may not show on the surface but can sometimes cut deeply.

Throughout this campaign, I have listened to my own party members insult me, I have listened to them tell lies about my family and me, I have listened to them say hurtful and unprintable things about me, all in the quest to bring me down and achieve their ambitions or the ambitions of those they supported”,  Dr Bawumia added.

He added, “It was a storm of lies and vilification against my family and me. There was tribal and religious bigotry directed towards me. But I smiled through the storm because I knew Allah knows the truth and will not forsake me.”

Dr Bawumia explained that in the midst of the attacks, he took inspiration from the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, which” advised that we should respond to false accusations with patience, good character and trust in God” rather than “retaliation or harshness”.

The NPP flagbearer added, “It is in following His teachings that I chose not to respond to all the lies and insults. Thankfully, God’s mighty will was shown on January 31st 2026, when He rewarded me with a stunning victory at the primaries.”

“I was so happy with the overwhelming nature of the victory because it showed very clearly that the NPP is not a tribal party, and it also showed clearly that the NPP is not a religiously bigoted party.

“The delegates showed that our party votes on the basis of competence, capability, vision, character, humility, integrity and tolerance and not on the basis of tribe or religion,” he noted.

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We will force NDC gov’t to pay cocoa farmers what is due them – Afenyo-Markin vows

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We will force NDC gov’t to pay cocoa farmers what is due them – Afenyo-Markin vows

Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, has vowed that the minority caucus this week will force the NDC government to pay cocoa farmers what is due them.

 According to Afenyo-Markin, cocoa farmers are more concerned about receiving their earnings than policy pronouncements and big English on social media.

The minority leader also declared that this week in parliament, it will be a scene to behold.  

 Speaking at the Thanksgiving Ceremony of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Sunday, February 15, 2026, Afenyo-Markin stated, “Cocoa farmers were being paid GH¢3,625 per bag. Today, the NDC government has reduced the price to GH¢2,587”

“What I want every NPP member to tell the NDC government is that it is not all about speaking very big English on social media and hiding behind CSOs. The cocoa farmers want their money, so pay them,” he stated.

The minority leader added, “So, this week, for us, the Minority, it will be a scene to behold in Parliament. They must pay the cocoa farmers”.

They will try to divide us and come with all manner of arrests. When their back is against the wall, they will come out with arrest, please, if you are a politician and you are arrested, it is not a sin, let us remain focused behind Dr Bawumia and win power in 2028. Don’t let them intimidate you with arrest”.  

Also, the Minority in Parliament has told President John Dramani Mahama to immediately dismiss the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Randy Abbey, over the ongoing crisis facing the cocoa sector.

According to the Minority, the recent reduction in the producer price of cocoa will have serious consequences for cocoa farmers and their families.

Speaking to journalists in Accra on Thursday, February 12, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, stated, “… Respectfully, we ask the president to relieve the COCOBOD Board CEO of his responsibilities at this point in time.”

“The NDC government should absorb the cost of what they have done and protect the cocoa farmer, and restore at least the GH¢3,625 that they promised. This GH¢2,800 or so that they are promising is totally unacceptable.

“Already, we are receiving messages from cocoa farmers who say that if this is what is going to happen, they are going to demonstrate in a number of days. And if they do, we will join them on the streets to do this demonstration,” he warned.

His remarks follow, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who announced a revised cocoa price of 64kg cocoa bag from GHS 3,625 to GHS 2,587 for the remainder of the 2025/2026 season.

According to Ato Forson, the decision comes after the Producer Price Review Committee (PPRC), under his chairmanship, convened earlier in the day to assess the challenges facing the Cocoa sector.

Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, February 12, Dr Forson disclosed, “The PPRC has recommended that the farmer be paid 90% of the achieved gross fob of USD 4,200 per tonne”.

He added that the committee set the new producer price at GH₵41,392 per tonne, equivalent to GH₵2,587 per bag, effective immediately.

“As a result of that, the PPRC thereby announces that effective today, Thursday, 12th February, 2026, the new producer price for the remainder of the 2025, 2026 crop season will now be GH 41, 392 per tonne and 2,587 per bag,” he noted.

“This measure is necessary to enable the expedited payment of farmers and to guarantee the sustainability of our cocoa industry,” he said.

Watch the video below:

“Every woman knows the father of her child” – A Plus on why he is pushing to criminalise paternity fraud

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“Every woman knows the father of her child” – A Plus on why he is pushing to criminalise paternity fraud

Gomoa Central MP Kwame Asare Obeng, commonly known as Kwame A Plus, has detailed why he is proposing a Private Member’s Bill in Parliament to criminalise paternity fraud in Ghana.

According to Kwame A Plus, every woman who gets pregnant knows the father of her child, arguing that the person who deliberately misled men who are not the biological father of their child should be punishable by law.

Speaking on United Showbiz on February 14, 2026, Kwame A Plus said, “Any child that is born needs to know his father and mother. I know of a man who has birthed 5 children. He is now 70 years just recently learned that four of the children are not his, just one was his.

I know of someone also, who was taking his children abroad, when they went for a DNA test, the woman went to the lawyers and said she was not going to do any DNA test, and she disclosed that the children are not the man’s. The man was abroad, thinking he had four children here and was spending on them”.

Kwame A Plus added, “Every woman who gets pregnant knows the father of her child. If you are married and also having an affair with another man, no law stops you from getting pregnant. But when you do, don’t pin the pregnancy on someone who did not get you pregnant. Be honest with your partners”.

“Every woman who gets pregnant knows the father of her child. If you are married and also having an affair with another man, no law stops you from getting pregnant. But when you do, don’t pin the pregnancy on someone who did not get you pregnant. Be honest with your partners,” A Plus said.

He added, “Yesterday I heard Kofi Bentil say when the law is passed, it means we are going to crimalised adultry as a crime, we are not trying to prevent anyone from cheating in their marriage or in a relationship.

The bill we are taking to parliament, we are not thinking about it now; it is already drafted, and we are going to present it”.

Also, a netizen identified as Abena Manokekame, who shared the news, stated, “A Plus (MP for Gomoa Central) is planning to bring a new law to Parliament to make paternity fraud a crime.

In simple terms, he wants women who knowingly lie about who a child’s real father is and make a man raise a child that isn’t his to face jail time.

He’s also suggesting that DNA tests could become mandatory after birth, so the real father is always known from the start.

Let me go and dust my markers and papers. It’s time to start making some noise”.

Meanwhile, Prince Benson Mankotam, a private Legal practitioner, has Kwame Asare Obeng that his move to criminalise paternity fraud will have huge ramifications.

 The lawyer argued that paternity fraud in Ghana is currently not a criminal offence, adding that it can be pursued as a civil wrong through claims of misrepresentation and compensation.

Mankotam detailed that under civil processes, a person who believes they have been deceived into assuming fatherhood can sue to recover expenses and damages and warned that shifting the issue into criminal law could create serious complications.

According to the lawyer, criminal prosecutions would require the state to prove intentional deception, which he believes will be difficult in many real-life situations.

Speaking on Starr Showbiz with Feeling Daddy, Mankotam argued, “In Ghana, as we speak, paternity fraud is not a crime; rather, it can be a civil wrong. If you are going the criminal route, what you say is that… it should be punishable by imprisonment or by fine, and that has huge ramifications”.

“I don’t think that anyone can say that she is pregnant for another person she has never slept with before,” he said.

He further explained, “I know people who have been pregnant and, because of their encounters with more than one person, they are unable to determine which of them is the actual father”.

The private Legal practitioner also questioned whether the proposal would gain support in Parliament, noting that it could be viewed as an attempt to suppress women, which could carry political effects.

“No politician will agree to such an arrangement… because politicians only think about elections,” he added.

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7 Ghanian tomato traders killed in Burkina Faso terrorist attack – Reports  

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7 Ghanian tomato traders killed in Burkina Faso terrorist attack – Reports  

Seven (7) Ghanaians have reportedly lost their lives in a terrorist attack on tomato traders in Titao, Burkina Faso, on Saturday, February 14, 2026.

Reports suggest all seven victims were Ghanaian male tomato buyers and the drivers of the trucks.

Alhaji Gbangbanku, a journalist who reported the attack on Saturday, revealed the terrorists spared the Ghanaian traders who were women.

The journalist shared the news before the Ministry of the Interior in a statement confirmed the attack on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

According to Alhaji Gbangbanku, the Islamist military group, JNIM, was responsible for the attack.

He further shared pictures of some of the traders who were killed and visuals from the scene of the incident showing vehicles set ablaze.

Also, Eric Tuffour, the President of the Tomato and Onion Truck Drivers Association sepaking in an interview with JoyNews, corroborated the report but failed to provide an exact number of people killed in the attack.

According to Eric Tuffour, the terrorists attacked the Ghanaian trucks because they perceived them as their enemies, shooting all the men and leaving the women unharmed.

“What actually happened was that the terrorists suspected that some of their enemies had entered the country, and our vehicle was in the town at the time.

“They shot the male passengers, leaving the female passengers unharmed. All the men who were seated on top of the vehicle were shot dead,” Tuffour is quoted to have.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior confirmed the news of the attack.

According to the Ministry of the Interior, the Ghanaian tomato traders were caught in a Terrorist attack in Titao, Burkina Faso.

The Ministry of the Interior, in a statement released on February 15, signed by the Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, labelled the attack as ‘disturbing’.

The ministry confirmed that it received communication from Ghana’s Embassy in Burkina Faso about the deaths of some Ghanaian tomato merchants and truck drivers following an attack by the Islamist militant group JNIM in Titao, Burkina Faso.

Their statement added that the Government of Ghana is currently collaborating with the Burkinabè authorities to identify the deceased victims and facilitate the rescue and support of the surviving individuals.

Interior Ministry’s Statement published stated, “The Government of Ghana has received disturbing information from Burkina Faso of a truck carrying Tomato Traders from Ghana which was caught in a Terrorist attack in Titao, Burkina Faso on Saturday, 14 February 2026.

The Ghana Embassy in Burkina Faso is liaising with the officials of Burkina Faso to visit the attack site for details and identification of Ghanaians caught in the attack.

Further details would be communicated to the public”.

See the post below:

See photos of Ghanaian tomato traders killed in Burkina Faso Terrorist attack

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See photos of Ghanaian tomato traders killed in Burkina Faso Terrorist attack

Photos of Ghanaian tomato traders killed in the Burkina Faso Terrorist attack have emerged on social media.

On Saturday, February 14, 2026, a truck carrying Ghanaian tomato traders was caught in a terrorist attack in Burkina Faso.

 Reports alleged that several trucks transporting tomatoes were set ablaze, with male drivers and traders reportedly killed while female traders were spared.

However muliple sources suggest the circumstances surrounding the incident, including possible casualties and injuries, are yet to be officially confirmed.

The Ghana Chronicles, who shared the news on X with the images, stated, “SAD NEWS: Exclusive images have emerged of Ghanaian tomato truck drivers and traders who were k!ll£d in a brutal âttâck by extremist group Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) in Titao, northern Burkina Faso”.

Furthermore, reports suggest seven (7) Ghanaians have reportedly lost their lives in a terrorist attack on tomato traders in Titao, Burkina Faso, on Saturday, February 14, 2026.

Reports suggest all seven victims were Ghanaian male tomato buyers and the drivers of the trucks.

Alhaji Gbangbanku, a journalist who reported the attack on Saturday, revealed that the terrorists spared the Ghanaian traders who were women.

The journalist shared the news before the Ministry of the Interior in a statement confirmed the attack on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

According to Alhaji Gbangbanku, the Islamist military group, JNIM, was responsible for the attack.

He further shared pictures of some of the traders who were killed and visuals from the scene of the incident showing vehicles set ablaze.

Similarly, Eric Tuffour, the President of the Tomato and Onion Truck Drivers Association sepaking in an interview with JoyNews, corroborated the report but failed to provide an exact number of people killed in the attack.

According to Eric Tuffour, the terrorists attacked the Ghanaian trucks because they perceived them as their enemies, shooting all the men and leaving the women unharmed.

“What actually happened was that the terrorists suspected that some of their enemies had entered the country, and our vehicle was in the town at the time.

“They shot the male passengers, leaving the female passengers unharmed. All the men who were seated on top of the vehicle were shot dead,” Tuffour is quoted to have.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior confirmed the news of the attack.

According to the Ministry of the Interior, the Ghanaian tomato traders were caught in a Terrorist attack in Titao, Burkina Faso.

The Ministry of the Interior, in a statement released on February 15, signed by the Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, labelled the attack as ‘disturbing’.

The ministry confirmed that it received communication from Ghana’s Embassy in Burkina Faso about the deaths of some Ghanaian tomato merchants and truck drivers following an attack by the Islamist militant group JNIM in Titao, Burkina Faso.

Their statement added that the Government of Ghana is currently collaborating with the Burkinabè authorities to identify the deceased victims and facilitate the rescue and support of the surviving individuals.

Interior Ministry’s Statement published stated, “The Government of Ghana has received disturbing information from Burkina Faso of a truck carrying Tomato Traders from Ghana which was caught in a Terrorist attack in Titao, Burkina Faso on Saturday, 14 February 2026.

The Ghana Embassy in Burkina Faso is liaising with the officials of Burkina Faso to visit the attack site for details and identification of Ghanaians caught in the attack.

Further details would be communicated to the public”.

See the post below:

Ghanaian tomato traders in Burkina Faso attacked by terrorist

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Ghanaian tomato traders in Burkina Faso attacked by terrorist

A truck carrying Ghanaian tomato traders was involved in a terrorist attack in Burkina Faso on Saturday, February 14, 2026.

According to the Ministry of the Interior, the Ghanaian tomato traders were caught in a Terrorist attack in Titao, Burkina Faso.

The Ministry of the Interior, in a statement released on February 15, signed by the Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, labelled the attack as ‘disturbing’.

The ministry confirmed that it received communication from Ghana’s Embassy in Burkina Faso about the deaths of some Ghanaian tomato merchants and truck drivers following an attack by the Islamist militant group JNIM in Titao, Burkina Faso.

Reports alleged that several trucks transporting tomatoes were set ablaze, with male drivers and traders reportedly killed while female traders were spared.

However muliple sources suggest the circumstances surrounding the incident, including possible casualties and injuries, are yet to be officially confirmed.

Their statement added that the Government of Ghana is currently collaborating with the Burkinabè authorities to identify the deceased victims and facilitate the rescue and support of the surviving individuals.

Interior Ministry’s Statement published stated, “The Government of Ghana has received disturbing information from Burkina Faso of a truck carrying Tomato Traders from Ghana which was caught in a Terrorist attack in Titao, Burkina Faso on Saturday, 14 February 2026.

The Ghana Embassy in Burkina Faso is liaising with the officials of Burkina Faso to visit the attack site for details and identification of Ghanaians caught in the attack.

Further details would be communicated to the public”.

Some Ghanaian reacting to the news stated, “Mahama should focus on matters like this, our national security and others, instead of going on world tours asking for reparations. Why do we always want to make ourselves seem like beggars? Smh. This needs to be addressed”.

“If you’ve ever been to the market to purchase tomatoes, you won’t understand why they go all the way there to buy their tomatoes.

These people have mastered the narrative of telling buyers in the market that the tomatoes they purchase from Burkina and the likes are better than Ghanaian tomatoes..

There are many Farmers who plant tomatoes in Ghana, but these women chose to go out there through this danger to purchase this tomatoes”, a netizen added.

One more X user added, “This is devastating. These were hardworking Ghanaians just trying to earn a living. No one should lose their life over trade. The government must ensure justice, support the affected families, and strengthen protection for our traders on high-risk routes. May the souls of the departed rest in peace”.

A Ghanaian added, “It is no more Ecowas free movement.. we will learn the hard way. May the souls of the dead ones rest in peace and God restores the living of everything they have loss”.

“It’s high time Ghana joins hands with the Sahel states to combat these terrorists. If not, they may exploit unemployment in some parts of the North and weaponise vulnerable youths against the state, and that would be devastating.

These people must be completely destroyed , especially knowing fully well that Ghana’s northern borders are not fully secured.

What we see as a little snake today may turn to Anaconda tomorrow oo”, one more netizen added.

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Probe the GH¢52.5bn that was moved from GCB to unknown accounts – Kpebu orders EOCO   

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Probe the GH¢52.5bn that was moved from GCB to unknown accounts – Kpebu orders EOCO   

Martin Kpebu, a private legal practitioner, has told the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate the alleged transfer of GH¢52.5 billion from the government’s GCB account to an unknown account close to the 2020 elections.

According to Martin Kpebu, the transaction occurred 5 years ago, and there is still no trace of where the money went.

 He stressed that EOCO must probe the transaction to clarify whether the Akufo-Addo administration used the funds to finance the election.

Speaking on TV3’s Key Points show on February 14, 2026,  Martin Kpebu stated, “We are looking forward to EOCO going into the GH¢52.5 billion that moved from GCB to unknown accounts in 2020, close to the elections”.

“So the questions we are asking are: did the previous administration use that money to finance the election? If not, why is Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu failing to give the report more than five years on?

In December 2024, he said he would come out with a report on where the money went, but five years later, he is still not able to come out, and we are still sitting here and watching him, so what kind of country is this? Elsewhere, he would have lost his job. What kind of country is this? Is there any wonder we had to go to the IMF” Kpebu said.

Lawyer Kpebu remarks follow reports which indicated that in 2020, GH¢52.5 billion, equivalent to about US$9 billion at the time, was allegedly transferred from the government’s account at GCB to unknown sources.

The GCB bank, however, stated that a circulating letter on social media about the transfer was forged and denied that any unauthorised transactions had occurred.

“In August 2023, chartered accountant Mike Kofi Afflu petitioned the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), seeking answers on who authorised the transaction and who received the funds”, reports added.

Some netizens reacting to Lawyer Kpebu’s claims stated, “”What kind of country is this?” — Lawyer Martin Kpebu.  A kleptocratic country.   GHANA IS A KLEPTOCRACY”.

“This government is a waste of time. A bunch of specialists in rigmarole! Cutting deals… the Freudian slip of cutting deals is true”, a netizen added.

One X user added, “You were able to see it moving from the GCB account, but the destination is not known.

You can’t manage a problem, hence let’s shift the goalpost to the previous administration; however, at least we have some gullible Ghanaians who would support and believe such after a year in office”.

Meanwhile, Ghana has been ranked 76th out of 182 countries in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) after scoring 43 out of 100.

The Corruption Index was released by Transparency International in a press release dated February 10, 2026.

The findings show that Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts have so far yielded limited results.

A statement from Transparency International noted, “In an interconnected world, we need both national action and multilateral cooperation to protect the public interest and tackle shared challenges like corruption.

At a time when we’re seeing a dangerous disregard for international norms from some states, we need to protect a rules-based global order that is grounded in transparency, accountability to citizens and respect for human rights,” the statement said.

Ghana’s best CPI performance was in 2014, when it scored 48 out of 100. The score declined steadily in the years that followed, reaching 40 in 2017.

Ghana has declined on the index, maintaining a score of 43 since 2020, an indication that recent anti-corruption initiatives by successive governments have not translated into meaningful results.

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“Baba Jamal’s name will be forever tainted with vote-buying” – Kpebu

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“Baba Jamal’s name will be forever tainted with vote-buying” – Kpebu

Legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso East, Baba Jamal, will be forever tainted with vote-buying.  

Kpebu criticises the NDC for failing to annul the Ayawaso East parliamentary primary despite widespread vote-buying.

According to lawyer Kpebu, the NDC has so many seats in parliament already and missing out on one seat to send a direct message against the vote buying would have endeared the party to Ghanaians, adding that the party missed the opportunity.

Speaking on TV3 Keypoints, Martin Kpebu stated, “The NDC should have annulled the Ayawaso East Parliamentary primary due to vote buying we all saw. Baba Jamal’s name will forever be tainted”.

Also, Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, has said the NDC should have sacrificed the seat to end vote-buying.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue on Saturday, February 14, Mr Cudjoe stated, “I was angry that the NDC held an election marred by the naked exchange of gifts and money. For once, I thought we were going to see the end of monetisation in our elections”.

“Even if they lose that seat, what is the point? They have so many seats. If any party could change the perception, I thought this current NDC would have been the best to do that.”

Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has cleared Baba Jamal of his vote-buying allegations during the party’s parliamentary primary held on Saturday, February 7.

According to the NDC, they are unable to annul the Ayawaso East parliamentary primary, as several constraints block the annulment of the primary.

He further cited that the Electoral Commission is expected to close nominations for the by-election on Wednesday, February 11, which leaves the NDC no room to restart the process.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, February 10, the NDC’s General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey, stated, “The committee’s report is that ideally, we should have annulment of the primary. However, the committee acknowledges that there are real obstacles that make it difficult for us to do that. The party’s constitution doesn’t have a provision for annulment of the election.

“We are time-bound because we need to present a candidate to the EC on February 11, and there are legal challenges that could be mounted by whoever won. In light of that, the party has taken the recommendations, and we have no option but to present Baba Jamal as our candidate,” he said.

He added, “We’re going to do a comprehensive review of the whole process that led to our internal elections. We’re expanding the committee by adding four more members, to make it a 7-member committee, so that they come out with recommendations to deal with this inappropriate canker as far as the elections are concerned”.

Also, Baba Jamal has been granted a self-recognisance bail by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

Reports suggest that Baba Jamal, after several hours of interrogation at the Office of the Special Prosecutor, walked out after promising full cooperation with authorities.

According to his lawyer, Victor Kwadjoga Adawudu, his client was questioned on vote-buying linked to the NDC’s parliamentary primary and also the allegation of abetting thugs to physically attack their officer.

Victor Kwadjoga Adawudu, in an interview expalined, “He was also asked about an alleged incident involving an officer from the OSP, who reportedly faced assault while serving an invitation letter to him”.

“If he had known, and as a lawyer, he would have informed people about the legal position,” Adawudu added.

The development follows the OSP, fingered the newly elected National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the Ayawaso East by-election, Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed, for inciting attacks on one of its officers.

According to the OSP, during the NDC primaries, their officer was on the ground for a real-time investigation when Baba Jamal allegedly abetted thugs to physically attack their officer.

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34-year-old woman found dead in boyfriend’s room

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34-year-old woman found dead in boyfriend’s room

A 34-year-old woman identified as Ama Kwaku Oyo has been found dead in boyfriend’s room at Somanya.

Reports suggest that Ama Kwaku Oyo was earlier discovered unconscious in her boyfriend’s room before her body was later moved and abandoned at her family residence.

The Ghana Chronicles, sharing the news on X, wrote, “BREAKING: Woman found dead in boyfriend’s room at Somanya.

The deceased, identified as Ama Kwaku Oyo, was earlier discovered unconscious in her boyfriend’s room before her body was later conveyed and abandoned at her family residence.

Preliminary police findings indicate that the woman had visited her boyfriend, identified as Tetteh Bi, earlier in the day. The two reportedly prepared fufu together, although she did not eat.

“She later went into the room, and when he followed, he found her lying motionless. We were also informed that she was known to drink heavily,” the source said

“The body has been deposited at the Yilo Krobo District Hospital and will be transferred to the Police Hospital in Accra for an autopsy,” the police source added.

In related news, a popular guest house owner, known as “James Bond”, alleged to have murdered his girlfriend, is on the run.

According to reports, the tragic incident occurred at the BJ Tech Guest House in Ehiamankyene in the Fanteakwa South District.

The victim has been identified as Koryo, who was a well-known food vendor at the Ehiamankyene market.

Reports suggest the victim had a child with the suspect, James Bond, but the two did not stay together.

Family sources revealed the relationship after the victim’s relatives strongly disapproved of it.

On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, the tragic incident occurred when the victim visited the suspect at his guest house and never returned home.

Reports suggest that the victim’s younger brother went to the guest house and peeped through a window and found his sister in a pool of blood, alerting their parents immediately.

The Begoro police later retrieved the body on the evening of Thursday, November 13, 2025 and deposited it at the Begoro Government Hospital.

Tension later flared up with angry youths setting an Apsonic GY9 motorbike belonging to the suspect ablaze, and they aggressively tried to burn down the entire guest house.

John Kwame Narh, the Deputy Director of NADMO in the Fanteakwa South District, revealed that the suspect is currently on the run.

Meanwhile, the Police in Begoro have launched a manhunt for the suspect James Bond.

Also, the Begoro  Police are urging the public to remain calm as investigations continue.

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COCOBOD job simply not a ‘common sense’ job – Adom-Otchere

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COCOBOD job simply not a ‘common sense’ job – Adom-Otchere

Paul Adom-Otchere, a renowned broadcaster and Host of Good Evening Ghana, has said the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) is not a ‘common sense’ job.

According to Adom-Otchere, the COCOBOD position requires appointees who possess the necessary technical expertise.

He stressed that the ongoing challenges at COCOBOD highlight the dangers of placing politically connected individuals in technically demanding roles.

Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, February 14, 2026, he explained, “The issue at COCOBOD is bringing to the fore the conversation that politicians must understand that when a new government takes over, and they are distributing political positions, some of these positions are purely technical. You can take your person there, but make sure that such a person is technically competent.”

“From what we are seeing from COCOBOD, if you want to put someone who is a seasoned treasury banker over there, that will be fine. Or even a seasoned lawyer, who will also work. It is simply not a ‘common sense’ job,” he added.

He further added, “The good thing for politicians is that most of the jobs are common sense, and so many of them can do it. But those that are not, we must fit those places with competent people”.

Also, Andy Appiah-Kubi, a former member of parliament for Asante Akim North, has said management of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) must cut salaries by 28% to show commitment following the crisis in the cocoa sector.

According to him, COCOBOD management’s slashing of salaries by 28 per cent will demonstrate they are finding solutions to the crisis.

Speaking on TV3 Key Points on Saturday, February 14, Andy Appiah-Kubi stated, “I want to wake up to the news that COCOBDO management has received sales of 28 per cent”.

He further debunked claims that COCOBOD problems started just eight years ago, arguing that COCOBOD are historic, dating back to Nkrumah’s time.

Andy Appiah-Kubi, “The problems of COCOBOD are historic. Why do we continue to look for funding to support cocoa operations in Ghana? We can’t continue to politicise the sector.”

“The problems of COCOBOD are historic, so I don’t agree that it started 8 years ago. From Nkrumah’s time up to now, we were supposed to build enough funding to avoid syndication. The moment we started looking for funding for COCOBOD, I knew we had issues. The problems are multiple.”

“If the international price is 52,000, let’s make an adjustment so that the farmers can get 70 per cent of the returns…we have been fair to the farmer in the last year”.

Meanwhile, The Minority in Parliament has told President John Dramani Mahama to immediately dismiss the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Randy Abbey, over the ongoing crisis facing the cocoa sector.

According to the Minority, the recent reduction in the producer price of cocoa will have serious consequences for cocoa farmers and their families.

Speaking to journalists in Accra on Thursday, February 12, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, stated, “… Respectfully, we ask the president to relieve the COCOBOD Board CEO of his responsibilities at this point in time.”

“The NDC government should absorb the cost of what they have done and protect the cocoa farmer, and restore at least the GH¢3,625 that they promised. This GH¢2,800 or so that they are promising is totally unacceptable.

“Already, we are receiving messages from cocoa farmers who say that if this is what is going to happen, they are going to demonstrate in a number of days. And if they do, we will join them on the streets to do this demonstration,” he warned.

Female police officer knocked down by drunk driver

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Female police officer knocked down by drunk driver

A female Police officer has reportedly been knocked down by an alleged drunk driver while she was directing traffic.

Reports suggest the incident occurred on February 14, 2026, at Patasi in Kumasi, where the Police officer was directing traffic at a scene of an earlier traffic accident.

It is yet to be known the exact extent of injuries sustained by the officer.

The news posted by EDHUB on X stated, “A Toyota Corolla has reportedly knocked down a police officer who was directing traffic at the scene of an earlier accident at Patasi in Kumasi.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that the driver was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol”.

A narrator who was speaking in the video describing the incident in Twi stated, “This is the car. Today is Valentine’s Day. He went to intoxicate himself and used his car to knock down a female police officer directing traffic on the road. It happened this evening.

This articulator broke down and was on the road when another car rammed into it and burned. And now this accident too, the car has somersaulted.”

In related news, a video has surfaced on social media capturing an accident victim pleading for help following a crash on the Accra-Kumasi highway.

Reports suggest the accident occurred after a broken-down vehicle was left on the road without being towed away.

Another car rammed into the stationary vehicle, resulting in a heavy collision.

In the viral footage shared on social media, the victim, who was trapped inside one of the crash vehicles, was heard crying out, appealing to bystanders who came to the scene to take videos.

“Bossu, help me. The video is not important,” the victim is heard saying.

The bystander taking the video then stated, “We have called the fire service, they are coming, so be patient, the towing car is coming, so we can remove you”. 

Meanwhile, still on the road accident news, one person has died, with 16 others sustaining injuries in a road accident on the Peki–Asikuma highway near Mawutor Inn.

Reports suggest the accident occurred when a Toyota Hiace bus (registration GT 7012-24) reportedly suffered a rear tyre burst, causing it to somersault.

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in a Facebook post on Friday, February 13, announced the news.

According to them, personnel from the Peki Fire Station, led by ADO I Godwin Gbedemah, swiftly responded to the scene and rescued the trapped victims.

The sixteen injured passengers were made up of eight males, seven females and one child.

The GNFS detailed that the injured were handed over to the National Ambulance Service and transported to the Peki Government Hospital for treatment.

Also, the GNFS confirmed that one of the victims later died at the hospital.

However, the remaining sixteen casualties are in stable condition.

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“If the rules had been applied, Rawlings wouldn’t have been in the military” – Rtd Maj. General details

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“If the rules had been applied, Rawlings wouldn’t have been in the military” – Rtd Maj. General details

Retired Major General Kwamina Sam has revealed that the late former President Jerry John Rawlings would not have joined the army if not Air Force Commander’s personal decision.

According to Retired Major General Jerry John Rawlings, at the time failed his examinations and should have been disqualified, but the Air Force Commander took a personal decision to keep him as he was a good pilot.

Retired Major General explained that the commanders saw Rawlings as a nice chap whom they could handle, but it was to their own peril.

Speaking with Kafui Dey in a video shared on Facebook, Retired Major General Kwamina Sam explained, “June 4th, if anybody had told me it was coming, I wouldn’t have believed it. I just finished my service in Kumasi as commander and moved to Accra as Chief of Staff. I was then a Brigadier General”.  

According to the former Chief of the Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, he never met Rawlings at Achimota School, but added that he was aware of him.

“In fact, he always looked crafy to me. It was the Air Force Commander’s personal decision, despite the fact that he wasn’t passing his exams, that he was a good pilot and should be kept. If the rules had been applied, Rawlings wouldn’t have been in the service. They all thought he was a nice chap; they could handle him, to their peril,” he added.

Major General (rtd) Sam also stressed that some top military officers were needlessly and unwarrantably killed when Rawlings took over the country.

He recounted that Amedume’s crime was that he had taken an Armed Forces loan to buy a house, revealing that if that was his crime, he was also guilty.

“When they finished, what was it? Amedume’s crime was that he had taken an Armed Forces loan to buy a house. And I took an Armed Forces loan to buy this house, so I would have been guilty too, if the charge for Amedume was that he had used an Armed Forces loan to buy a house. When I bought this house, it was 34,000 cedis in the 70s.

“…when they looked at Yaw Boakye’s account, he had 4,000 cedis. So why should Yaw Boakye be killed for 4,000 cedis?” he quizzed.

In that same interview, Retired Major General Edwin Kwamina Sam recounted his experience in the condemned cells of Nsawam prison after the June 4th Uprising.

History tells us that the 1979 uprising was a dramatic turning point in Ghana’s political and military history, with late Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings staging a coup to overthrow the then-President Dr Hilla Limann’s government.

The June 4th Uprising caused significant mayhem within the military, resulting in the detention of several officers, both high-ranking and junior, by the Rawlings regime.

Retired Major General Edwin Kwamina Sam was one of the officers detained during this period.

He recounted the harsh conditions he and other military personnel endured in the aftermath of the uprising.

According to him, he spent two days at the Nsawam prison where they were served Gari, kako and raw pepper.

Speaking in an interview with Kafui Dey, Major General Kwamina Sam (Rtd) remembered the cruel treatment that prisoners were subjected to during their confinement.

He stated, “I stayed in Nsawam for two days. This was a condemned cell in Nsawam. There were two bunk beds, with one sleeping on top of the other. Four of us were placed in a room together with our thunderbox [latrine]. We arrived around 5 or 6 PM, and they said the food had already been served. What they gave us was Gari and Kako [salted fish and raw pepper].”

“Unfortunately, the next morning, the warden came in and asked who caused the mess. They then asked the personnel to clean up the mess themselves. It was a humiliating experience,” Major General Sam recounted.

He further added that the next day the meal served at the time was “koko” [porridge] without sugar, accompanied by five days bread.

“It was so hard that we had to put salt in it just to make it edible,” he said.

He further narrated, “The prison stores had been closed, so those who arrived earlier received mattresses for the beds. However, those who came later, including Major General Sam, were forced to sleep on hard springs without any mattress”.

“Can you imagine lying on a spring bed? It was uncomfortable, but I slept like a baby because it didn’t even feel like I was on it without a mattress,” he said.

He further detailed that for Nsawam, anything one wants if they had money, they could get anything they wanted.

“If you wanted Black Label whisky or corned beef, you could get it,” he added.

Watch the video below:

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