Charles Owusu, a former member of the Forestry Commission, has quizzed the General Overseer of Alabaster International Ministries, Prophet Kofi Oduro, following his criticism of his fellow men of God in Ghana.
Charles Owusu noted that Prophet Kofi Oduro has constantly branded Ghanaian pastors as fake and false prophets.
He accused the man of God of seeing himself as the only genuine man of God.
Mr Owusu further fired Prophet Oduro, reminding him that no one has appointed him as the leader of pastors in Ghana.
According to Charles Owusu, Prophet Kofi Oduro must tone down his criticism as he does not have the authority to determine who is right or wrong.
Speaking in an interview on Okay FM, Charles Owusu said, “A pastor has no reason to attack his fellow men of God because it is the same work they are all doing”.
The insults are too much. There is nothing that happens in this country that Kofi Oduro doesn’t add his voice to, and most of the time, it is negative and insulting.
“Who made you the class captain of pastors in this country? Who appointed you to determine which pastor is correct or not? Who gave you that position?”
He added, “If you don’t drink, how would you know someone who drinks? If you are not into prostitution, how would you know someone is into prostitution?”
Prophet Kofi Oduro is noted for his passionate criticism of pastors he accuses of delivering fake prophecies, particularly regarding elections.
The man of God has openly attacked several prophets, alleging that their prophecies do not come from God.
In related news, Prophet Kofi Oduro fired shots at the Presidential Envoy on Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, following his calls for the submission of prophecies to his office for review.
According to Prophet Kofi Oduro, the prophecy door must be shut, as Ghana does not need an office for reviewing prophecies.
He asserted that Ghana needs hospitals, schools and roads, but the government is opening doors for nonsense.
Speaking to his congregation, Prophet Oduro stated, “We are here talking nonsense. If someone receives a prophecy, he should bring it. What kind of nonsense is that? Do you know the nonsense prophecies some people want to prophesy?
Shut that door, we don’t need it, we need Hospitals, we need schools, look at the rubbish roads we have, and you are opening a table for what nonsense?”, he added.
Additionally, Prophet Kofi Oduro also called out Health workers, particularly Nurses and Doctors, following the recent ongoing brouhaha over the Ridge Hospital incident.
The man of God, speaking to his congregation, recounted some incidents of medical negligence he experienced first-hand at the Tema General Hospital and the Achimota Hospital.
According to Prophet Kofi Oduro, the majority of Nurses and Doctors are so heartless.
Speaking to his congregation in a short video shared by SIKAOFFFICIAL on X, Prophet Kofi Oduro stated, “I went to the Tema General, and a patient fell from his bed to the floor. The patient was lying there for 40 minutes. I went to the Achimota Hospital, where five nurses, one a doctor they were on tablets, laughing, and a patient was lying next to us, screaming, ‘I am dying, I am dying’, and they were just giggling on the internet”.
“You are so heartless, most of you, Nurses and most of you doctors are so heartless”, the man of God confidently added.
Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and Member of Parliament for Ketu South, has said her constituency deserves a Tertiary Institution.
According to Dzifa Gomashie, one of the reasons why she fought hard for the NDC to win the 2024 election is so she will be able to push for a Tertiary Institution in Ketu South
Speaking to Bola Ray of Starr Chat, Abla Dzifa Gomashie stated, “The second one will be education, it is a big constituency, but as I speak to you now, I don’t have even one Tertiary Institution in the community, and I am not happy about that.
It is the reason I fought as hard as I could so my party would win, so that I could champion that cause. So, I am not going to relent on it, I am going to push as hard as I can, but we do need a Tertiary Institution in Ketu South”.
Dzifa Gomashie also added that although she is happy to be known as the MP who brings in more votes for the National Democratic Congress, it must reflect the lives of the people in the constituency.
She asserted that dealing with the issues of Ketu South is very daunting and knows her predecessor will agree with her for the constituency to be divided.
According to her, she will push for Ketu South to be divided as the constituency is too huge.
Dzifa Gomashie, “Division of the Constituency, I think it should be divided. I am happy to be known as the person who brings in the biggest vote and all of that, but it must reflect in the lives of the people.
I will champion the division of the constituency because it is too large, and dealing with the issues that come with it is really daunting. I know from the bottom of my heart that all the MPs before me will attest to this fact”.
“It is a nice feeling to say I come with the votes, but for the sake of the people, I would rather the people benefit than to have personal glory for bringing the big votes, so what?”, she added.
When asked about her three main issues she wants to tackle and be known for, Dzifa Gomashie added, “I have said this in the constituency so many times, the human resources that I have there, their development are my most pressing need.
The Children of Ketu South, the youths of Ketu South, the women, and everybody within the space have the opportunity to improve upon who they are and where they are.
All the lists you gave me gave me a bittersweet feeling, because I have the opportunity to explore, I wish the same for Ketu South and the people in it”.
Meanwhile, President Mahama has assured Ketu South residents of a lasting solution to tidal waves.
The coastal communities of Agavedzi, Sallakope, and Amutinu in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region have been constantly hit by tidal waves in the past.
President Mahama in Agavedzi on Independence Day, after touring the flood-stricken areas, stated, “We already have a comprehensive report on the situation. The feasibility studies and design for the Blekusu Phase 2 (sea defence) project are ready; we just have to allocate the funding for the project”.
“The government has not forgotten you; we will do everything possible to ameliorate the plight you are going through”, Mahama affirmed.
Additionally, the Volta Regional Minister, Mr James Gunu, has pledged to deliver key infrastructure projects in Ketu South.
Togbui Fiti, speaking to the regional minister, stated, “We are ever ready with a very beautiful land befitting such a market”.
“The Komla Dumor Road is a big name indeed, with a poor road which is not befitting of the name. We are calling on the Regional Minister to take the proper step to call that contractor to order.”
“For over 20 years now, we don’t have enough water… No water is going through the pipelines in Aflao. Resetting should not be just a slogan. It should reflect in every corner, every activity, every action that we are taking as Ghanaians,” he added.
Mr James Gunu expressed self-assurance that the government would deliver on the market promise, noting that the site inspection was a key milestone.
The lawmaker called on the Transport Minister and the President to urgently intervene and stop private individuals from taking over the Abuja CMB Market.
Dr Zanetor warned that thousands of livelihoods and Accra’s food supply chain are at risk if the situation is not resolved.
Speaking at a press conference on the matter in Parliament, “The reality of it is that the CMB Abuja enclave is one that holds a very key part, in commerce in Greater Accra, also a very important part of our food chain in an Urban centre, because most of our food that comes from the hinterlands actually arrives at the Abuja CMB market.
So, what I will want to do is to stand unequivocally to condemn what is happening in this enclave because it is very clear that the land is state land and should not be taken over by a private individual. We are not sure who is giving the permission”.
“I would like to call on the Minister of Transport to come out and give clear guidance on this, and to the President to intervene on this issue to stop private individuals from taking over land for the railways department under the Ministry of Transport”, she added.
Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings highlighted that the CMB Abuja lands are state lands, and the people have been there since the 80s.
She further added that the drivers are positioned there and their livelihoods are key, and in the name of development, we must not destroy the livelihoods of people.
Dr Zanetor added, “I would like to call on EOCO to investigate this, because this is causing a huge uproar in terms of people’s stability, as a huge part of our informal sector is situated in the Abuja market enclave”.
“Sometimes it appears as though some of these things may not be related, but this is related to our very livelihood and our food security. It’s the reason why, during the lockdown of COVID, the market was allowed to continue operating,” she added.
“I do have a lot of questions about what is happening on the railway lines. Those who are working and residing there have called on me several times to intervene in this issue, and perhaps for once, a full investigation must be undertaken to know who is involved and why land belonging to the state is seems to be taken over by people who claim to supposedly have rights to the land”.
She added that clarity is needed to know what the land is being used for.
Dr Zanetor Agyemang Rawlings’ request follows the demonstrations by drivers of the Ghana Private Roads Union (GPRTU), who are demanding the return of land they say was originally earmarked for a lorry station.
Traders and transport operators in the enclave have also accused developers of encroaching on land belonging to the Ghana Railway Development Authority.
According to the aggrieved traders, the development has forced many of them onto the streets, worsening congestion and raising safety concerns in one of Accra’s busiest commercial areas.
Watch the video below:
The Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has called on the Transport Minister and the President to urgently intervene and stop private individuals from taking over the Abuja CMB Market.#3NewsGH#TV3GHpic.twitter.com/DckZMbThgH
A viral video of an Executioners at Manhyia Palace (Obrafo) is trending on social media, chasing after Kumasi residents after curfew hours.
Curfew was declared in Kumasi from 8 pm on Thursday, September 18, 2025, till dawn on September 19, 2025, due to the solemn procession to finally lay the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, to rest.
The Executioner had earlier issued a strong caution ahead of the burial rites of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III.
Ahead of the night’s proceedings, one of the Abrofour warned the public, he declared, “I can see you, but you can’t see me. If you see me and I don’t see you, you may lose consciousness. If you are bold, try it — let’s see. With my shell costume, no spirit can overcome me. If my mother comes, I will cut them; if my father comes, I will cut them. I don’t know you”.
The curfew forms part of the traditional restrictions surrounding the burial rites of the Asantehemaa.
In the viral video, the Executioner was spotted chasing after a person flouting the Manhyia Palace directives.
The late Nana Konadu Yiadom III died at the age of 91 after reigning for eight years.
She was the second most powerful person in Asanteman after the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
The news of her death was announced following an emergency Asanteman Traditional Council meeting on Monday, August 11, 2025.
Reports suggest the Asantehemaa passed at the dawn of August 7, 2025.
The late Asantehemaa was buried on the night of Thursday, September 19, 2025, after her four-day traditional funeral rites.
Meanwhile, Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is now expected to choose a successor to the late Konadu Yiadom III.
After a new queen mother is enthroned, the Asantehene, together with the queen mother, will organise the final funeral rites of the late Nana Ama Konadu Yiadom III in a year.
Biography of the late Asantehemaa
The late Nana Konadu Yiadom III, Asantehemaa, was enstooled on February 6, 2017, as the 14th Queen Mother of the Ashanti Kingdom.
She succeeded her mother, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, who reigned for 39 years until her passing in 2016 at age 109.
She was born in 1927 at Benyaade Shrine at Merdan, a small town located at Kwadaso, Kumasi, in the days of the restoration of the Asante Confederacy.
Born to Nana Afia Kobi and Opanin Kofi Fofie, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, known as Nana Panin, is the eldest sister of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
She was chosen as the customary heir after her mother’s death, despite other eligible relatives.
The Asantehemaa was raised by her aunt in Kumasi. She received no formal education but underwent rigorous informal training, equipping her with wisdom equivalent to formal schooling.
Nana Konadu Yiadom III married Kwame Boateng, a blacksmith, and is a member of the Saviour Church.
As Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III advises the Asantehene, preserves Ashanti traditions, and champions women’s empowerment, education, and healthcare.
She also holds court twice weekly to resolve cultural and spiritual conflicts.
Traditionally, the Asantehemaa is the mother of the Otumfuo.
Watch the video below:
Executioners chase individuals in Kumasi who defied directives against going out at night.#GHnow Bantama | FC Barcelona | Sammy Gyamfi | Burna | Rashford and Flick | Newcastle | Barcelona | Pedri | Ankrah Emmanuel pic.twitter.com/3wAnN7WmRN
Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and Member of Parliament for Ketu South, has said her constituency is too large, and it should be divided.
According to Dzifa Gomashie, she is happy to be known as the MP who brings in more votes for the National Democratic Congress, but it must reflect the lives of the people in the constituency.
She asserted that dealing with the issues of Ketu South is very daunting and knows her predecessor will agree with her for the constituency to be divided.
Speaking to Bola Ray of Starr Chat, Abla Dzifa Gomashie stated, “Division of the Constituency, I think it should be divided. I am happy to be known as the person who brings in the biggest vote and all of that, but it must reflect in the lives of the people.
I will champion the division of the constituency because it is too large, and dealing with the issues that come with it is really daunting. I know from the bottom of my heart that all the MPs before me will attest to this fact”.
“It is a nice feeling to say I come with the votes, but for the sake of the people, I would rather the people benefit than to have personal glory for bringing the big votes, so what?”, she added.
When asked about her three main issues she wants to tackle and be known for, Dzifa Gomashie added, “I have said this in the constituency so many times, the human resources that I have there, their development are my most pressing need.
The Children of Ketu South, the youths of Ketu South, the women, and everybody within the space have the opportunity to improve upon who they are and where they are.
All the lists you gave me gave me a bittersweet feeling, because I have the opportunity to explore, I wish the same for Ketu South and the people in it”.
Abla Dzifa Gomashie further added that Ketu South need a Tertiary Institution.
The Tourism minister added, “The second one will be education, it is a big constituency, but as I speak to you now, I don’t have even one Tertiary Institution in the community, and I am not happy about that.
It is the reason I fought as hard as I could so my party would win, so that I could champion that cause. So, I am not going to relent on it, I am going to push as hard as I can, but we do need a Tertiary Institution in Ketu South”.
Meanwhile, President Mahama has assured Ketu South residents of a lasting solution to tidal waves.
The coastal communities of Agavedzi, Sallakope, and Amutinu in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region have been constantly hit by tidal waves in the past.
President Mahama in Agavedzi on Independence Day, after touring the flood-stricken areas stated, “We already have a comprehensive report on the situation. The feasibility studies and design for the Blekusu Phase 2 (sea defence) project are ready; we just have to allocate the funding for the project”.
“The government has not forgotten you; we will do everything possible to ameliorate the plight you are going through”, Mahama affirmed.
Additionally, the Volta Regional Minister, Mr James Gunu, has pledged to deliver key infrastructure projects in Ketu South.
Togbui Fiti, speaking to the regional minister, stated, “We are ever ready with a very beautiful land befitting such a market”.
“The Komla Dumor Road is a big name indeed, with a poor road which is not befitting of the name. We are calling on the Regional Minister to take the proper step to call that contractor to order.”
“For over 20 years now, we don’t have water enough… No water is going through the pipelines in Aflao. Resetting should not be just a slogan. It should reflect in every corner, every activity, every action that we are taking as Ghanaians,” he added.
Mr James Gunu expressed self-assurance that the government would deliver on the market promise, noting that the site inspection was a key milestone.
Deputy Medical Director of Korle Bu, Dr Harry Akoto, has revealed that approximately 300 highly skilled and specialised health professionals left the health facility between January and June 2025.
Dr Harry Akoto, the health workers left in search of better opportunities abroad.
According to him, Ghana risks losing more experienced medical professionals to developed countries if the conditions of health workers’ remuneration and training opportunities are not improved.
Speaking in an interview with Citi News on Thursday, September 18, Dr Harry Akoto disclosed, “When we look at our data, we have approximately 300 people leaving between January and June this year. These are people who are highly skilled and highly specialised.
“The issues are multifactorial; some are based on a poor work environment. But the chunk of it is remuneration. People feel they can get more out there than being here,” he explained.
In related news, Dr Yakubu Seidu Adam, the Chief Executive of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), has assured Ghanaians that the faulty elevator at the Surgical Department will be fixed within the next two months.
According to the Korle Bu CEO, the delay was caused by challenges with approvals at the Public Procurement Authority (PPA).
Speaking to Parliament’s Health Committee on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Dr. Yakubu Seidu Adam stated, “The procurement has been done. There was some delay with the PPA, but it was finally approved, and we have given it to the vendor. The vendor has also engaged the manufacturer, and we have been assured that within two months, the elevator should be installed and operational. At the moment, only one elevator is working”.
Dr Yakubu Seidu Adam also urged Parliament to expedite the passage of legislation on organ harvesting.
He stressed that it would significantly reduce the cost of transplants for patients.
“Currently, anyone who needs a kidney transplant must travel to India, America, or the UK, even though we have the expertise here. For cornea transplants, we have to import corneas from America at prices ranging from $3,000 to $4,000. With legislation, we could harvest corneas locally, bringing the cost down to about GHC500 for patients,” he explained.
Also, Dr Yakubu Seidu has proposed increasing the levy from GHC2 to GHC5 to sustain the Intensive Care Unit of the Children’s Ward.
According to the management of Korle Bu, approximately 64 per cent of patients in the ICU of the Children’s Ward are unable to pay for services rendered to them.
They noted that these services are not covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Dr. Yakubu Seidu Adam, speaking to the Parliament Health Committee on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, when they visited the facility, stated, “We’re making a case to engage NHIS. We’re also proposing that we increase the levy from GHC2 to GHC5 for patients who come here [Korle-Bu]. Some small levy”.
“64% of the bill is outstanding. The social welfare unit keeps them, because you cannot keep them here; if you do, you have to feed them. Here, there’s no NHIS”, he added.
According to Franklin Cudjoe, Ghana has become dangerously xenophobic and quizzed what was wrong with the government accepting West African neighbours who have been deported.
In a social media post on X, Franklin Cudjoe wrote, “What even beats my mind is how dangerously xenophobic we have become. What is wrong with accepting our neighbours who, admittedly, wrongly overstayed their visas and have been brought here? And they are not proven hardened criminals. Why all this viciousness? What is wrong with some of you?”
The IMANI president noted, “Every day, thousands of our West African neighbours enter Ghana through our porous borders illegally. Have we accounted for them? You are lucky these harmless West African deportees are officially being ‘dumped’ here, who can all be identified and fed by whoever is sending them here. And you call yourselves Christians and Muslims? Ever heard of the story of the Good Samaritan in the bible?”
“Stop it already!!”, he boldly added.
It will be recalled that President John Mahama, speaking to the media some weeks ago, revealed that some 14 US deportees arrived in Ghana, with several of them being Nigerians and a Gambian.
He cited the regional bloc Ecowas’s free movement protocol that allows citizens of member states to enter other West African countries without a visa for up to 90 days.
John Mahama further revealed that Ghana had already facilitated the return of the Nigerians to their country, while the Gambian was still being assisted.
He stated, “We were approached by the US to accept third-party nationals who were being removed from the US. And we agreed with them that West African nationals were acceptable”.
“The government of Ghana took the principled and humanitarian decision to accept the limited number of West African nationals deported from the United States under exceptional circumstances, in line with Ghana’s long-standing Pan-African ideals and unwavering commitment to regional solidarity,” President Mahama stated.
He added, “Our decision is grounded purely on humanitarian principles and Pan-African solidarity to offer temporary refuge where needed, to prevent further human suffering, and to maintain our credibility as a responsible regional actor. Ghana’s decision must be understood as an act of Pan-African empathy. It is not transactional like Rwanda, Eswatini, Uganda, or South Sudan”.
Mahama, however, clarified that the arrangement should not be seen as an endorsement of President Donald Trump’s new U.S. immigration policies.
Additionally, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, has disclosed that Ghana is expecting 40 West African deportees from the US to arrive in the coming days.
Speaking on Channel One TV, Ablakwa revealed stated, “I can reveal to you that we’re expecting another 40 in the next few days. We vet them before they come”.
“We didn’t agree to this because we agree with President Trump’s immigration policies. We’re not doing the US a favour. We’re doing our fellow Africans a favour; we’re offering them refuge, hope, and we want them to come back home and be comfortable.
“We solidarised with them when we saw those images, the arrests, the violation of their rights, and their being detained against their will.
“It’s as if nobody wants to take them. It was purely on a humanitarian basis; we did not take any financial benefits. We’re doing this because we want to continue to position Ghana as the Mecca for Africans,” he said.
Meanwhile, some 11 US deportees have sued Ghana over alleged unlawful detention.
The eleven individuals, including three Nigerians, Daniel Osas Aigbosa, Ahmed Animashaun, Ifeanyi Okechukwu, and Taiwo K. Lawson.
Liberian national Kalu John; Togolese nationals Zito Yao Bruno and Agouda Richarla Oukpedzo Sikiratou; Gambian national Sidiben Dawda; and Malians Toure Dianke and Boubou Gassama.
They sued the Attorney-General, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service for violating their fundamental rights.
The Labour Division of the High Court in Accra has fixed Tuesday, September 23, 2025, to hear two ex parte applications.
See the post below:
What even beats my mind is how dangerously xenophobic we have become. What is wrong with accepting our neighbours who admittedly, wrongly overstayed their visas and have been brought here? And they are not proven hardened criminals. Why all these viciousness? What is wrong with…
Beatrice Agyemang, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Media General, has paid a courtesy call on the CEO of the Ghana Gold Board(GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, to fraternise.
According to a post by the Ghana GOLDBOD page on X, the TV3 boss visit was to discuss various areas of mutual interest.
In a post on X, the GoldBod wrote, “CEO and management of Media General paid a courtesy call on the CEO of the Ghana Gold Board( GoldBod) to discuss various areas of mutual interest”.
Although the mutual interest of the meeting was not disclosed, netizens have questioned what interest the Media General Group has in the GoldBod.
Some netizens alleged that the meeting with the GoldBod CEO, who is also the NDC National Communication, was to discuss Media General’s continuous support for the party.
It will be recalled that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has withdrawn from all Media General’s platforms, including TV3, 3 FM, and Onua FM.
The party’s communications director, Richard Ahiagbah, communicated through a press release issued on January 26, made this known.
According to the NPP, this follows months of supposed failed attempts to address concerns over biased and unprofessional conduct by Media General hosts and management.
One netizen stated, “To discuss how to continue supporting the NDC”.
Another described the meeting as, “Family and friends”.
A netizen wrote, “What areas of interest does a radio station have with the GoldBod? Is the Media General group involved in galamsey?”.
“Mutual interest indeed, no wonder they are a biased media station”, another added.
Another netizen stated, “Twea Wei nso yɛ surprise. You met one of your own, so what is news about this?”
In related news, the GoldBod CEO, Sammy Gyamfi Esq., has announced the arrest of three individuals in connection with a gold smuggling case.
The three suspects linked to Rafmoh Gold Ltd. & NK Benark Enterprise have been accused of smuggling 100 kilograms of gold, estimated to be worth GH¢100 million, out of the country over the past two months.
The Goldbod also issued a wanted notice for two Indian nationals and two Ghanaians over their alleged involvement in illegal gold smuggling and dealing.
The Ghana Gold Board placed a GH¢1 million bounty to be awarded for any credible information which would lead to their arrest.
Sammy Gyamfi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, announced that the four are part of a group of seven individuals engaged in the illicit trade.
According to him, three of the seven suspects have been arrested and are in the custody of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, September 16, Mr. Gyamfi stated, “We have an arrest warrant for all of them; they are wanted by the police and the GoldBod.
If you have any information about them, you can report to the nearest police station or the GoldBod head office. We have a bounty of GHC1 million on each of them”.
Also, Sammy Gyamfi has revealed plans for Ghana to refine gold before export from October 2025.
According to Sammy Gyamfi, the Goldbod will establish a wholly state-owned and international-standard gold refinery.
He highlighted that the reset agenda of Mahama is aimed at transitioning Ghana from the export of raw doré to refined bullion.
He further argued that it was unacceptable for Ghana, as a leader in gold production on the continent, to be exporting raw gold without significant value addition.
See the post below:
CEO and management of Media General paid a courtesy call on the CEO of the Ghana Gold Board( GoldBod) to discuss various areas of mutual interest . pic.twitter.com/nVquWTN2c1
A Ghanaian man has narrated how a simple act of kindness landed him in trouble after he offered a woman a lift from Amasaman to Pokuase.
According to him, the woman had pleaded with him at Amasaman for a ride to Pokuase to attend to an emergency.
He explained that during the journey, the woman suddenly asked him to stop so she could alight.
However, after stopping, she refused to get down and shockingly insisted that he must pay her before she would leave the vehicle.
The situation escalated into a confrontation, drawing the attention of some men nearby who approached the scene.
The woman then accused him of having an affair with her and claimed he owed her GHS1,000 for her services. The man said the onlookers forced him to bargain with the woman.
Speaking in the viral video, the man narrated, “ Today I have cried a lot. I left the house going to work, when I got to Amasaman, a lady was standing by the roadside and begged me for a lift. The lady claimed he had an emergency at Pokuase, so I should take her there, as she was dressed nicely. I agreed to offer her the ride.
Getting to Pokuase, the lady asked me to stop so she could alight there after parking. She was looking at my face and asked me to give her his money”.
The man added. “Two men arrived, and the woman claimed he slept with me last night, and I am refusing to pay her. I told the people the lady was lying and that I just gave her a lift. But the two men supported the lady after all I said. Another man also joined in the confrontation, and they narrated the situation to her. The men even threatened to harm me, and I begged them, but they still insisted I pay her”.
The lady claimed we had bargained, and I told her I was going to pay her a thousand cedis. The men even wanted to enter my car, so I locked the door, but the lady was in the car talking to the men. The man pleaded with the lady to reduce the money as I will not be able to pay everything. The lady then asked for 800 cedis”.
The man added that he was compelled to pay GHS700 through a mobile money transfer.
Meanwhile, some netizens have commented on the situation, saying, “ Do not give strangers a lyft..The best you can do is help with money or book bolt for them”.
“A few loopholes, sure, but not outrageous. It’s a mad world out there. If it were me, I’d have tried to secretly record for later ID. But looking at it, those guys seemed in on it, and in that case, pulling your phone could’ve made things a whole lot riskier”, another stated.
“I now understand why my neighbour doesn’t like giving females a lift. Edey make sense now”, one more netizen added.
Additionally, another X user added, “Dear men, it’s not so common for a lady to stop you for a lift in this Accra, when that happens you have to know she’s up to something; run”.
“The story doesn’t make sense to me oo. So why didn’t ask her to show you and them prove that you booked her and slept with her.. if truly you didn’t do anything, u should have called someone u spoke with before going to sleep or someone you live with”, one more X user added.
A netizen wrote, “After you send, you immediately have to call MTN to tell them that you have done a wrong transaction to a wrong number, so they should hold the money for you. They will do it right away.
You have to be vigilant when you are on the street, sorry 😢 bro next time you have to be sharp”.
Watch the video below:
A man has narrated how a simple act of kindness ended in trouble after he offered a woman a lift from Amasaman to Pokuase. According to him, the woman had pleaded with him at Amasaman for a ride to Pokuase to attend to an emergency.
A Fetish Priest protecting illegal miners (galamseyers) at a galamsey site has bolted following the Western Regional Anti-Galamsey Task Force storming the area.
The Anti-Galamsey Task Force discovered a shrine within a makeshift structure at the banks of the River Ankobra.
According to reports, the room is used for purification rituals.
One Sheep, One Goat, Six Fowls, One Guinea Fowl, 3,000 cedis worth of cowries and an additional cash payment of GHC 300.00 were found at the makeshift structure.
Two sheep and one fowl were also found near the shrine, tied, likely awaiting sacrifice.
Also, the Western Naval Command discovered a shrine dedicated to Maame Wata, known locally as Togbe Nana Benin.
The fetish priest, upon noticing the anti-galamsey team bolted without attempting to use his spiritual powers, which he claimed to possess.
A naval officer at the scene stated, “This room is designated for the mallam or juju man. You’ve escaped, yet you’re supposed to wait and meet with us. We don’t have time for this; we only answer to God. You’re running away? Next time, we expect to see you with the juju.”
“This is where they consult the gods—their operating bed, so to speak. That’s the Maame Wata shrine. They believe that by doing this, they’ll be granted more gold, but in reality, they’re destroying our water bodies. We won’t forgive them; we’ll destroy everything.
“Wherever their gods reside, we’re ready to confront them. We’ve encountered various rituals white sheep, white fowls, and other things but we won’t back down. We’ll take them down and move forward,” the naval officer stated.
Also, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has issued a stern warning to illegal miners commonly known as galamseyers.
The land minister revealed President John Mahama’s focus is clear as he wants to take direct control of every river body.
According to the lands minister, there will be a clear occupation by security agencies on all Ghana’s river bodies.
Armah-Kofi Buah warned galamseyers violating and destroying water bodies to stop, as the government is determined to turn the water blue again.
Speaking during an anti-galamsey operation with officers of the National Anti-illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) at Ankobra River from Wiawso Armah-Kofi Buah stated, “We are sending a warning to anybody who has been violating our laws and destroying our water bodies. We are determined to turn them blue again.
“This order has already been given — stay out, or you do so at your own peril,”
“We are moving to another major phase of our fight against illegal mining. There is no law in Ghana that allows anybody to mine in any river body,” he said. “Yet, our major rivers that are key to our survival are being destroyed.”
“In the coming months, you will see a new shift. President Mahama’s focus is clear — we are going to take direct control of every river body. There will be a clear occupation by our security forces on all the major rivers,” he said.
Additionally, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications and MP for Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese, has revealed that the John Mahama-led government will intensify their fight against galamsey.
According to Kwakye Ofosu, the military will be stationed permanently in 44 galamsey areas.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face programme on Tuesday, September 16, Kwakye Ofosu stated, “All the 44 areas that are threatened by galamsey, there is going to be a permanent military presence”.
“In the past, they would go and flush out the characters engaged in galamsey and then leave, but now they will have a permanent military presence”.
He added, “All the rivers we have will have a permanent military presence”.
See the post below:
In a dramatic turn, a spiritualist allegedly protecting galamsey operators at River Ankobra makes a quick escape as security forces approach.#TV3GH#3NewsGHpic.twitter.com/Wix8hTPM7M
However, the law professor noted that Gertrude Torkonoo’s return to the bench may be impractical.
According to Prof Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, a toxic environment has been created, with many of the decisions in Court going against those that were taken by her colleagues.
Speaking to Channel One News on Thursday, September 18, Prof. Appiagyei-Atua stated, “It spells out why there’s a need to amend Article 146, because as it is now, I see a loophole. And that loophole is that you can be a chief justice, you are removed, but you can remain as a Supreme Court judge.
In that sense, the practicality is that there has been a toxic environment created. Most of the decisions are made against her. How is she going to relate to her colleagues who made those decisions against her?”.
He added, “That is where the gap is. I think that in practical terms, it may be difficult for her to come back. But in terms of law, she has the right to go there”.
The law professor’s remarks come following former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo’s challenging her removal as Justice of the Supreme Court at the High Court.
Gertrude Torkonoo argue that the petitions against her were for her removal as Chief Justice, and the process for removing Justices of the Supreme Court is different.
The former Chief Justice filed an application for judicial review at the High Court, challenging the legality of her removal by President John Dramani Mahama.
Justice Torkornoo is seeking multiple declarations that the President acted outside the powers conferred by the 1992 Constitution.
Justice Torkornoo is seeking the following from the High Court:
“Declare that the President has no authority to remove a Justice of the Superior Court without adhering to the constitutionally required process.
Declare that jurisdiction to hear any removal petition against a Justice of the Superior Court lies solely with a body established under Article 146(4).
Declare that the President’s warrant of removal is “unlawful, null, void, and of no effect.”
The suit is titled The Republic v. Attorney-General, Ex Parte Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo.
Meanwhile, the Accra High Court has blocked lawyers of former Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo’s attempts to orally withdraw the case challenging her removal process.
The High Court ordered lawyers of former Chief Justice Torkornoo to follow the appropriate procedure in withdrawing the case challenging her removal process.
According to the court, the lawyers for the former Chief Justice must use an appropriate process to file their withdrawal.
Presiding Judge Justice Eugene Nyadu Nyantei blocked efforts by the lawyer for the former Chief Justice to withdraw the suit filed on June 23, orally.
Background
President John Mahama sacked the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, from office with immediate effect after he received a first report from the five-member committee he constituted to investigate three petitions brought against the Chief Justice.
Hours after President Mahama received the committee reports, Chief Justice Torkornoo was sacked with immediate effect.
A statement from the presidency stated, “President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution, removed the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, from office with immediate effect”.
“This follows receipt of the report of the Committee constituted under Article 146(6) to inquire into a petition submitted by a Ghanaian citizen, Mr. Daniel Ofori. After considering the petition and the evidence, the Committee found that the grounds of stated misbehaviour under Article 146(1) had been established and recommended her removal from office.
“Under Article 146(9), the President is required to act in accordance with the Committee’s recommendation,” the statement concluded.
Ghanaian TikTokers Bornbold, Pikaboo, Pricy 1 and Queenflow have been arrested following the publication of false information.
According to TikTok IGP, she had the information some days ago, but has been contemplating whether to disclose it.
She revealed that there are more TikTokers who are yet to be arrested for sharing false information.
Speaking in a viral video on TikTok, TikTok IGP stated, “The information reaching me is that my four sisters have been arrested by Olivia. Bornbold, Pikaboo, Pricy one and Queenflow, today the information got to me a long time ago, but I have been contemplating whether to address it or keep quiet.
There are other people who have yet to be arrested. When I found out about this issue, I started calling and reaching out to some of my sisters. Some didn’t pick up my call, some when I call them, they tell me I don’t have the right to tell them they were wrong, that they put false information out there. They spoke to me badly. All of a sudden, they are turning against me”.
She further added, “I came on live to tell you guys that there is a list of some people who have gone contrary to the laws of Ghana, and the fact that I was arrested does not mean I will sit and want you all to be arrested.
I am the one in the soup, and I am the one who realises that when I was arrested, the same people who were pushing my head IGP, go nothing will happen, none of them came through for me, none of them bailed me”.
In a separate video, TikTok IGP added that she never betrayed Bornbold, as she is claiming she did.
TikTok IGP stated, “ She is the one I beg most, but they are saying I betrayed her, no problem, because they told her that the court requested her, and I told the court he is in the house. The court we went to was me, Ida and Olivia.
Even the court we have yet to go to for trials, and the trial date is not out, and it has nothing to do with Bornbold. I am not even going to clear the air about anything anybody says about me, I believe.
TikTok IGP boldly added that at this point, she only cares about his peace of mind as she does not wish this for anybody.
The TikToker’s arrest comes following false claims they made about a business owner.
According to a TikToker, the four were arrested after claiming a restaurant owner (Ida) was selling food full of maggots and insects to customers.
In a viral video, another TikToker detailed the situation, “ We have sinned against this lady, and we have destroyed her business. We said a lot of bad things about the business”.
Meanwhile, some Ghanaians have reacted to the news saying, “We are all humans but if it wasn’t for social media Anka Priscy wan you are insulting Olisto.And you don’t have anything too when I met you I was like Awurade..Hmm Wonni wo ho hwee twea”.
“olisto is a wicked person paa”, another wrote.
A netizen added, “She never said anything bad honestly. Those audios were brought out by one of Olivia’s workers. Why doesn’t she go and arrest that worker becos that was the downfall of her business?”.
Additionally, another wrote, “Fans of TikTok IGP, those of us who still stood by her through the storm in comment sections, shall we all say, 🎤God is Gooood”
“I feel for Olisto tho..buh then with her restaurant issue, abi her own friends sent her a recording that they found insect in her food and her kitchen were dirty then stuff…”, a netizen added.
According to the GMA, they are joining the galamsey fight to reduce preventable diseases in the country.
Speaking to Citi News on Thursday, September 18, 2025, Dr Frank Serebour stated, “When the GMA asked political parties to declare their positions and sign a pact, we wanted clarity on where they stand.
Some called for strike action, but strikes aren’t sustainable. The only consequence politicians fear is electoral loss. My message is: if you don’t fight it, we’ll boot you out”.
He further highlighted, “We should continue to apply pressure. We will continue to talk and to advocate”.
Pressure has been mounting on the Mahama-led government to declare a state of emergency on galamsey and intensify its fight against galamsey.
Also, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has issued a stern warning to illegal miners commonly known as galamseyers.
The land minister revealed President John Mahama’s focus is clear as he wants to take direct control of every river body.
According to the lands minister, there will be a clear occupation by security agencies on all Ghana’s river bodies.
Armah-Kofi Buah warned galamseyers violating and destroying water bodies to stop, as the government is determined to turn the water blue again.
Speaking during an anti-galamsey operation with officers of the National Anti-illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) at Ankobra River from Wiawso Armah-Kofi Buah stated, “We are sending a warning to anybody who has been violating our laws and destroying our water bodies. We are determined to turn them blue again.
“This order has already been given — stay out, or you do so at your own peril,”
“We are moving to another major phase of our fight against illegal mining. There is no law in Ghana that allows anybody to mine in any river body,” he said. “Yet, our major rivers that are key to our survival are being destroyed.”
“In the coming months, you will see a new shift. President Mahama’s focus is clear — we are going to take direct control of every river body. There will be a clear occupation by our security forces on all the major rivers,” he said.
Additionally, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications and MP for Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese, has revealed that the John Mahama-led government will intensify their fight against galamsey.
According to Kwakye Ofosu, the military will be stationed permanently in 44 galamsey areas.
The minister highlighted that, unlike in the past administration, where security forces would conduct short-term operations before withdrawing, the military will be stationed permanently in the galamsey areas.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face programme on Tuesday, September 16, Kwakye Ofosu stated, “All the 44 areas that are threatened by galamsey, there is going to be a permanent military presence”.
“In the past, they would go and flush out the characters engaged in galamsey and then leave, but now they will have a permanent military presence”.
He added, “All the rivers we have will have a permanent military presence”.
Meanwhile, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, has admitted that the John Mahama-led National Democratic Congress government can do better in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey).
Ablakwa highlighted that Ghana is on a suicidal path if the country does not win the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
He, however, expressed confidence in President Mahama’s commitment to tackling the galamsey menace, adding that he believes the government will succeed.
The NDC Regional Chairman emphasised that he has never faked any degree, as his academic journey is well documented.
According to him, GTEC is deliberately attempting to damage his reputation.
GTEC revealed that the Dr title adopted by the NDC Central Regional Chairman is inappropriate, as it was conferred as an honorary degree.
The commission on July 31, 2025, also ordered Richard Kofi Asiedu to cease using the Professor title.
GTEC, in a letter, stated, “Despite prior communication and your own disclaimer regarding the use of the title ‘Professor’ and the nature of the Doctorate, the Commission has not received the required documentation. Intelligence available to the Commission indicates that the Doctorate in question is honorary.
“As such, and in accordance with academic standards and protocols in Ghana, the use of the title ‘Dr’ in public or official capacities is not permissible for honorary degrees”.
“Pending the submission and successful verification of a formally earned Doctorate certificate, you are hereby directed to immediately cease the use of the title ‘Doctor’ or the abbreviation ‘Dr’ in all official, professional and public contexts”, part of the letter stated.
However, in a statement by St. Andrews Group reacting to GTEC, part of the statement read, “We are compelled to state on record that this development appears to be a deliberate attempt to tarnish the hard-earned reputation of Dr. Asiedu, a man who has devoted his life to education, philanthropy, and national service”.
The statement further detailed, “While Dr Asiedu was in Japan, officials from GTEC contacted him by phone requesting that he make his academic documents available. He informed them that he would do so and initially set 15th September 2025 as the date. However, some of the documents were in the custody of his former spouse, and the court needed to issue directions for their release. When the court did not sit as expected, Dr. Asiedu promptly communicated this challenge to GTEC. At no point has GTEC provided him with an official written directive; the first he and Management learned of any public action was through media publications.
When GTEC earlier directed that the honorary title of “Professor” should not be used, Dr. Asiedu immediately complied and publicly announced that he would henceforth not use that title. Since then, he has only used the academic title “Dr.”, which reflects his earned qualification. This demonstrates that he is law-abiding and respectful of regulatory authority”.
“We further wish to place on record that Dr Asiedu has never faked any degree”.
Read the statement by St. Andrews Group below:
Press Statement To All Media Houses
St. Andrews Group Defends Dr Richard Asiedu: Academic Credentials Authentic, Reputation Under Unfair Attack
Press Statement For Immediate Release
The Management of St. Andrews Group of Schools & Companies has noted with deep surprise and disappointment the recent public statement by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) concerning our Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Richard Kofi Asiedu.
We are compelled to state on record that this development appears to be a deliberate attempt to tarnish the hard-earned reputation of Dr. Asiedu, a man who has devoted his life to education, philanthropy, and national service.
While Dr. Asiedu was in Japan, officials from GTEC contacted him by phone requesting that he make his academic documents available. He informed them that he would do so and initially set 15th September 2025 as the date. However, some of the documents were in the custody of his former spouse, and the court needed to issue directions for their release. When the court did not sit as expected, Dr. Asiedu promptly communicated this challenge to GTEC. At no point has GTEC provided him with an official written directive; the first he and Management learned of any public action was through media publications. This sequence of events raises serious questions and gives us reason to believe GTEC may be being used as an instrument for mischief or to serve political interests.
When GTEC earlier directed that the honorary title of “Professor” should not be used, Dr. Asiedu immediately complied and publicly announced that he would henceforth not use that title. Since then, he has only used the academic title “Dr.”, which reflects his earned qualification. This demonstrates that he is law-abiding and respectful of regulatory authority.
We further wish to place on record that Dr. Asiedu has never faked any degree. His academic journey is well documented as follows:
After completing his Advanced Level education, he enrolled at the Takoradi Polytechnic (now Takoradi Technical University), where he pursued a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Purchasing and Supply Management from 1997 to 2000.
From 2002 to 2005, he undertook a top-up programme leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) under the public admission scheme.
In 2009, he successfully completed a Master’s degree at the University of Cape Coast (UCC).
Between 2009 and 2012, he pursued and completed a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) at Atlantic International University, Hawaii, USA. His doctorate is purely academic, and he possesses all relevant documents, including transcripts, to verify this qualification.
Dr. Asiedu has nothing to hide. All his academic qualifications and honorary recognitions can be independently verified with the respective institutions that awarded them.
For his outstanding contributions to education, Dr. Asiedu has also been honoured internationally:
In February 2022, the Alfred Nobel University in Ukraine conferred on him the honorary title of Professor in Human Development, during a public ceremony to which he invited John Dramani Mahama, then-presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and now President of the Republic of Ghana, who delegated Prof. Joshua Alabi to represent him.
In October 2023, he was conferred with an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree in Human Resource Management by Azteca University, Mexico, in recognition of his remarkable contributions to education and national development.
It is important to note that Dr. Asiedu is currently not using any honorary titles, even though they were conferred by accredited institutions both in Ghana and abroad.
With respect to GTEC’s current directive, Dr. Asiedu has already indicated his readiness to submit all relevant academic documents. He is set to receive the last batch of documents on Tuesday, 23rd September 2025, following the court’s direction for their release, and will accordingly submit the complete set to GTEC on Thursday, 25th September 2025, in the company of his lawyers.
Against this background, the premature release of GTEC’s directive into the public domain—despite his formal communication and ongoing arrangements—comes as a shock to us. It is unfair, unnecessary, and damaging to the reputation of a distinguished Ghanaian educationist who has consistently acted in good faith and complied with directives.
We also wish to caution political actors who may be attempting to feed into this development for partisan gain. Matters of academic verification should remain professional and above politics.
Finally, we call on the public, stakeholders and media houses to hold regulatory bodies to the highest standards of transparency and accountability. We urge the media to exercise restraint and circumspection in their reportage and to allow due process to run its course before rushing to judgment.
Signed William Mintah Hayford Management Secretary St. Andrews Group of Schools & Companies
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, has warned that Ghana is on a suicidal path if the country does not win the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Ablakwa admitted that the John Mahama-led government, of which he is a part, can do better in the fight against galamsey.
He, however, expressed confidence in President Mahama’s commitment to tackling the galamsey menace, adding that he believes the government will succeed.
According to Ablakwa, he still stands by all the pronouncements he made in past about illegal mining.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of View on Wednesday, September 17, Ablakwa stated, “Let me be honest with you, on galamsey, I believe that we can do better. And all the propositions I made in the past, I stand by them. We’re on a suicidal path if we don’t stop this. We must take this up and win this war,” he said.
Also, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, in a statement issued on Monday, September 15, 2025, once again reiterated its calls for President John Dramani Mahama to declare a state of emergency on illegal mining (galamsey).
According to the Catholic Bishops’ in January and May 2025, they met President Mahama, but his response to their demand for a declaration of a state of emergency was unsatisfactory.
The Catholic Bishops cried out that once-pristine rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, Birim, Offin, and Ayensu are now poisoned with mercury and toxic effluents.
They cited that turbidity levels in the Ayensu River have reached 32,000 NTU compared to the Ghana Water Company’s treatment threshold of 2,500 NTU, warning that purification is now impossible.
The Bishops wrote, “Illegal and unregulated mining, commonly known as galamsey, has become one of the gravest afflictions of our time.
It ravages our rivers and forests, poisons our soil, endangers public health, corrupts governance, erodes our moral fibre, and extinguishes livelihoods.
This is not a routine challenge to be managed with half-measures; it is a national emergency requiring decisive, extraordinary response,” the bishops said.
The Bishop highlighted that the desecration of creation through galamsey is a grave sin against God.
“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it. To desecrate creation through galamsey is not only an offence against neighbour; it is a grave sin against God Himself, the Creator and Owner of all,” they declared.
The Catholic Bishops statement added, “Farmers can no longer trust the land to sustain their families, and our capacity to feed the nation diminishes. Children, seduced by the mirage of quick riches, forsake school for perilous pits, many losing their lives in collapses that are both tragic and preventable.”
“This betrayal of trust cuts to the very marrow of our national identity. We call such leaders to repentance without delay.”
The Catholic Bishops further expressed dismay at President Mahama’s refusal to declare a state of emergency.
They added, “In both January and May 2025, delegations of our Conference raised these concerns directly with him, only to be met with unsatisfactory responses focused narrowly on economic gain.
“At his ‘Meet the Press’ session of 10 September 2025, he dismissed calls for a state of emergency. This is profoundly troubling. The hour is late. Delay is betrayal. Now, not tomorrow, not later, is the time to act.”
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, however, warned that declaring a state of emergency in galamsey-affected areas may be necessary, but it is not sufficient to address the full extent of the devastation.
“While urgent, a declaration is insufficient. Ghana requires a holistic, integrated national strategy”, the statement read.
According to the Bishops, the government must prosecute not only the poor but also the powerful.
“His government must prosecute not only the poor but also the powerful; not only the weak but also the well-connected. Without courage, no policy will stand, no law will hold, no declaration will succeed.”
“This struggle is not merely about law enforcement. It concerns the very soul of Ghana. It is about whether we choose life or death, blessing or curse. With God’s grace, let us choose life, for ourselves, for our children, and for generations yet unborn.”
Meanwhile, Andy Appiah-Kubi, a former Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North, has called for a ‘wartime’ approach and presidential commitment in the fight against galamsey.
According to Andy Appiah-Kubi, galamsey is a war situation, and President John Mahama must show commitment.
He further asserted that when Akufo-Addo declared he would put his presidency on the line to fight galamsey, it was just words.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr Appiah-Kubi stated, “When the NPP was in power, I spoke against our commitment to fight galamsey. Even in my constituency, I did not allow galamsey operations. All those who made an attempt were arrested and handed over to the police”.
“I never got afraid and stood my ground to stop the menace, even if it meant putting my life on the line. When Akufo-Addo declared he would put his presidency on the line, it was just words. True commitment must trickle down to those mandated to fight,” he argued.
The former lawmaker stressed, “If the President is committed, only one battalion can fight them. This is like a war situation; if the illegal miners want to threaten our survival, we must defeat them before they defeat us”.
Private legal practitioner Thaddeus Sory has showered praise on his arch-rival and nemesis, Godfred Yeboah Dame, the former Attorney General and Minister for Justice.
Mr. Sory commended Mr. Dame for the professionalism he demonstrated in handling the bail conditions for Collins Dauda, the former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament (MP) for the Asutifi South Constituency, when he was arrested and arraigned for allegedly causing a public disturbance at a voter registration centre.
Speaking on the KSM Show, Sory’s words of praise came as a shock to many, given that the two legal juggernauts have crossed swords in the public sphere on several occasions and over several cases.
According to him, Mr. Dame did not oppose the bail conditions for the former MP during a court hearing. Instead, he supported the bail motion so that Collins Dauda could continue to discharge his mandate as a Member of Parliament.
“I am going to mention Godfred Dame — the credit I give to him. People read my publications and think I have something against him, but I don’t. I just speak my mind. There was a case he came to court to prosecute. It involved Collins Dauda. When it was time for me to move an application for bail, I said no.
“Godfred Dame was the Minister for Justice, and I didn’t think that I should be moving a motion for a bail application for a sitting Member of Parliament. He was supposed to inform the court he was not opposed to granting bail for a sitting MP, and honestly he got up and did it. Credit to Godfred Dame for making sure the right thing was done.”
Mr Sory’s comment came at the back of the arrest and delay application of Bono Regional NPP Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, also known as Abronye DC.
Kwame Baffoe Abronye was detained by the Ghana Police Service for days over alleged breach of peace and publication of false news.
He was subsequently granted bail by the court in the sum of GH¢50,000 with one surety, without justification.
Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, a New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential hopeful, has recounted how he escaped death in the line of duty for Ghana.
The former Education Minister revealed he was almost killed during a regional tour to promote the implementation of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy while returning from Bawku to Buipe.
According to Dr Adutwum, the attackers were masked and fired multiple shots at his vehicle.
Speaking in an interview on Joy News, Dr Adutwum narrated, “One of my journeys back from Bawku, Buipe, my car was shot at, literally killed on the line of duty. I almost lost my life,” he said.
When I went to the Buipe Police Station, they said it had never happened before. Nobody has ever shot into a government vehicle because they know you don’t carry money. Normally, they will attack traders and not somebody in a Land Cruiser. I almost lost my life”, he recounted.
When asked if he thinks it was a targeted assassination, he replied, “I don’t know, but all that I know is that the side of my car was bullet-ridden, and I saw these people who had masks on.
“We turned a corner; we saw them with their masks on, and then they started shooting. My driver had to do a zigzag, go this way, come this way, to dodge the bullets. It was a very difficult day, and we escaped that”, Dr Adutwum narrated.
Dr Adutwum continued, “I remember the Chief of Staff on the phone with me throughout the night to make sure I arrived in Kumasi safely. When we got to the Buipe Police station, and we stopped, that is when the tyre went flat. They shot into the tyre nonstop, so that they could stop there. So, I was almost killed in the line of duty for this country.
Dr Adutwum, in that same interview, has said the greatest threat facing Ghana is poverty.
He highlighted that Ghana must confront poverty head-on with bold and innovative solutions.
According to Dr Adutwum, his presidential ambition is anchored on fighting poverty through education reform.
He added, “The President of Ghana means that you have a mindset that tells you that things can be better than what I’ve inherited or what I see today.
“If I ask anybody, what’s the greatest challenge facing Ghana on the street, a number of them will talk about the cost of living, issues, things are very difficult.
“At the end of the day, I conclude that the greatest threat facing this nation is poverty, and that we have to be frontal with it”.
The former Education Minister further added that Ghana’s development history shows lost opportunities.
He added, “Why is it that we built factories in the 1960s, but they are gone. Why is it that we started so well, and countries like Singapore come here and they marvel at the pace of transformation of Ghana?
“In fact, some economists thought that Ghana will be the first black nation to become developed. What went wrong? What did we miss?”
Dr Adutwum further cited Singapore, saying, “When Lee Kuan Yew came to Ghana and visited us in 1963, he was amazed as to the Ghanaian transformation that was taking place at the time.
“In fact, it is on record that he wrote in his diary that he had seen something in Africa, and Ghana has gold, diamonds, cocoa, and other resources that he didn’t have, but he was going to focus on human capital development.
It is also said that he mentioned the fact that he didn’t understand why a developing country would have such a great university, but the university was being headed by a non-scientist”.
The former education minister added, “So in his mind, he knew clearly that education was what was going to change Singapore, but not just any education, STEM education at the foundation, built on it with engineering innovation. Then, before you know, you have a country that is emerging out of poverty.
So essentially, my quest to become, first the flag bearer of the NPP and then to become the president of Ghana is for us to do what we have never done, for us to directly look at poverty and say, what kind of education system should we create that will enable us to become innovators, critical thinkers, collaborators, effective communicators, what is called the four CS, so that we can begin to tackle our issues around it through a different prism. We need to be able to look at age-old problems with a new set of eyes and devise solutions that we’ve never seen before.”
Watch the video below:
NPP 2028 Presidential Hopeful Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum recounts escaping death in the line of duty for his party.#JoyNewspic.twitter.com/FBqCqR1uxG
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has issued a stern warning to illegal miners commonly known as galamseyers.
The land minister revealed President John Mahama’s focus is clear as he wants to take direct control of every river body.
According to the lands minister, there will be a clear occupation by security agencies on all Ghana’s river bodies.
Armah-Kofi Buah warned galamseyers violating and destroying water bodies to stop, as the government is determined to turn the water blue again.
Speaking during an anti-galamsey operation with officers of the National Anti-illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) at Ankobra River from Wiawso Armah-Kofi Buah stated, “We are sending a warning to anybody who has been violating our laws and destroying our water bodies. We are determined to turn them blue again.
“This order has already been given — stay out, or you do so at your own peril,”
“We are moving to another major phase of our fight against illegal mining. There is no law in Ghana that allows anybody to mine in any river body,” he said. “Yet, our major rivers that are key to our survival are being destroyed.”
“In the coming months, you will see a new shift. President Mahama’s focus is clear — we are going to take direct control of every river body. There will be a clear occupation by our security forces on all the major rivers,” he said.
Additionally, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications and MP for Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese, has revealed that the John Mahama-led government will intensify their fight against galamsey.
According to Kwakye Ofosu, the military will be stationed permanently in 44 galamsey areas.
The minister highlighted that, unlike in the past administration, where security forces would conduct short-term operations before withdrawing, the military will be stationed permanently in the galamsey areas.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face programme on Tuesday, September 16, Kwakye Ofosu stated, “All the 44 areas that are threatened by galamsey, there is going to be a permanent military presence”.
“In the past, they would go and flush out the characters engaged in galamsey and then leave, but now they will have a permanent military presence”.
He added, “All the rivers we have will have a permanent military presence”.
Meanwhile, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, has admitted that the John Mahama-led National Democratic Congress government can do better in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey).
Ablakwa highlighted that Ghana is on a suicidal path if the country does not win the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
He, however, expressed confidence in President Mahama’s commitment to tackling the galamsey menace, adding that he believes the government will succeed.
According to Ablakwa, he still stands by all the pronouncements he made in past about illegal mining.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of View on Wednesday, September 17, Ablakwa stated, “Let me be honest with you, on galamsey, I believe that we can do better. And all the propositions I made in the past, I stand by them. We’re on a suicidal path if we don’t stop this. We must take this up and win this war,” he said.
Also, Dr Ken Ashigbey, the Convener of the Coalition Against Galamsey, has confidently told President John Dramani Mahama to sack all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in areas where illegal mining (galamsey) is prevalent.
According to Dr Ken Ashigbey, the galamsey fight requires urgent action as it is not progressing the way it should be.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Dr Ashigbey stated, “We believe it is not only us talking about it, but churches are also speaking about it. We all have to come on board to work on it.
But if galamsey is still ongoing in areas like Tarkwa, Obuasi, Prestea, then the DCEs and MCEs there must be sacked,” he insisted.
He added, “After sacking them, the government can investigate further to find out if they are part of the activities. If they are, then deal with them, because clearly, they are not helping matters”.
Dr Ken Ashigbey, in a separate interview, quizzed what the national security is not telling President John Mahama about galamsey.
According to Dr Ken Ashigbey, the Mahama himself said that galamsey has become a national emergency, but State institutions have not followed through with decisive measures.
He added that there are conditions for declaring a state of emergency in areas affected by galamsey.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Dr. Ashigbey stated, “We know the president, and that he is not a person who will implement a law in its draconian nature. So, we believe that under a state of emergency, we can be specific in the way we apply it and what it is that we do”.
“Currently, if we take all our water bodies, there is no fishing going on in them. But the ‘chamfans’ are still on them. There are many places where people have blocked portions of rivers and are mining illegally. You can declare a state of emergency in those areas,” he explained.
“The president said they have reclaimed about nine. Their grading used to be red and now some have improved to amber. But people are still destroying them. You can declare a state of emergency in those as well so that no excavator moves into those communities,” he added.
Dr Ken Ashigbey cited that Article 39 of the Constitution provides clear grounds for a national emergency as the destruction of galamsey meets the criteria.
“The president has said it himself that it is a national emergency, and it is because the ingredients that constitute a national emergency in Article 39 are all clearly shown. So, I don’t know what the national security is not telling the president,” he lamented.
According to Asiedu Nketia, the NDC didn’t pull out of the Akwatia by-election because we wanted to expose the Electoral Commission and the NPP.
Asideu Nketia alleged that the Electoral Commission and the NPP rigged the 2024 elections in Akwatia for the NPP candidate, the late Ernest Kumi.
The NDC Chairman is quoted by GHOne TV to have said, “NDC didn’t pull out from the Akwatia by-election because we wanted to expose the Electoral Commission and NPP for rigging the 2024 elections in favour of the NPP candidate”.
The late Ernest Kumi secured the Akwatia seat for the NPP in a closely contested election marked by allegations of vote buying and irregularities at some polling stations, with his victory ending up in court.
The lawmaker’s death came just weeks after the Supreme Court overturned his contempt conviction related to the disputed 2024 parliamentary election results.
Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the minority leader called the National Democratic Congress (NDC) shameless for contesting in the Akwatia by-election.
The minority leader confidently stated that the NDC as a party has no shame; if they did, they would not contest the Akwatia by-election after the NPP decided not to contest the Tamale Central by-election because of the tragic demise of the MP in a helicopter crash.
Afenyo-Markin urged NPP supporters not to be intimidated and to stand firm, even if their opponents come with guns during the by-election.
Speaking at the 40-day observation of the late Akwatia Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Ernest Yaw Kumi, Afenyo-Markin stated, “If the NDC brings guns, face them squarely with confidence and prayers.”
“Do not let anyone instil fear in you. The things going on in parliament are painful. Go out in your numbers and vote.
The NDC has no shame as a party. If the NDC had shame when we (NPP) decided not to contest the Tamale Central by-election, they should have done the same at Akwatia”, he added.
Meanwhile, Bernard Bediako Baidoo of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) was confirmed the winner of the Akwatia by-election by the Electoral Commission.
The NDC candidate delivered a crucial victory for the Mahama-led government in a tight, contested election.
The Electoral Commission’s certified results, the NDC’s Bernard Bediako Baidoo secured 18,199 votes of the total valid votes cast, with the NPP’s Kwame Asumadu garnering 15,235 votes.
The Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Owusu Patrick, trailed far behind with 82 votes.
In all, 33,819 total ballots were cast, while 303 were rejected.
Additionally, Mussa Dankwa, the Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics, has revealed that the National Democratic Congress (NDC), before the Akwatia by-election, reached out for their data on Akwatia.
According to Mussa Dankwa, the NDC used their data to flip 5 areas in Akwatia where the NPP was leading.
Speaking to Kafui Day in an exclusive interview shared on social media, Mussa Dankwa detailed, “NDC did in the last before the election, they wanted to see the entire election by electoral area, which areas they have lost. This is when we did the last poll, which came on Friday. Somebody reached out to me on Saturday because we had published only ten electoral areas, and they wanted the entire thing.
We gave it to them free of charge; we didn’t charge them because that was just public data we wanted to share”.
He added, “So they knew where the NPP was leading, and where they were leading and even places where people were undecided. NDC came for the date and went to the areas where they were undecided. NPP was leading with 12, NDC was leading in 9 in the final poll.
Mussa Dankwa further revealed that Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s visit to Kusi did not help the NPP, as they were already losing the area.
“When the election was done, the NDC had gone to flip 5 of the 12 that the NPP was holding, using the data. Remember, Bawumia went to Kusi, which was an NPP area, but his visit didn’t help; they lost Kusi”, he added.
Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Hohoe, has tackled former Kumbungu MP, Ras Mubarak, following his criticism of the NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah.
Ras Mubarak bluntly told the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, not to hide behind his Thank you tour” to advance your premature presidential ambitions.
The former lawmaker highlighted that Asiedu Nketia is setting a dangerous precedent with his Thank You Tour across the country.
According to Ras Mubarak, never in the NDC’s history has a National Chairman after an election victory decided he is going on a “Thank You Tour”.
He emphasised that, thank you, tours are led by Presidential or Parliamentary candidates.
Ras Mubarak, in a post, wrote, “Thank you, tours are led by candidates (Presidential or Parliamentary candidates if it’s a constituency tour) who lead a party into an election in partnership with party executives.
Never throughout NDC’s history has a National Chairman after an NDC victory decided he is going on a “Thank You Tour” aside what the flag bearer in collaboration with the party has done or is doing”.
Ras Mubarak also accused Asiedu Nketia of creating an unnecessary distraction to the ruling NDC government.
“This is a dangerous precedent and an unnecessary distraction to the government. Nobody must be allowed to hide under a “Thank You Tour” to advance their premature presidential ambitions. It’s intolerable, and the Chairman must be bluntly told”, Ras Mubarak added.
Ras Mubarak’s remarks come after Asiedu Nketia officially announced an appreciation exercise to acknowledge the contributions of party executives and grassroots for their role in the NDC’s victory in the 2024 general elections.
Johnson Asiedu Nketiah’s three-day tour, scheduled for September 17 to 19, 2025, will cover 16 constituencies in the Eastern Region.
NDC officials claim the planned thank-you tour is strictly meant to celebrate and encourage the NDC’s base for their efforts; however, some Ghanaians are not convinced.
However, taking to social media on September 17, 2025, Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo stated, “Dear Comrade Ras Mubarak, I come in peace. If indeed the Chairman is acting wrongly, why not petition the General Secretary to suspend him? You and I know that the NDC is a democratic party, unless you think otherwise, my brother.
Why was there no complaint when the Chairman formed his campaign team and toured the country? Since when has a thank-you tour become a cardinal sin in our party?”
“What is wrong if the National Chairman and his team return to the same people they went to for votes, simply to express gratitude? Similarly, when Hon. Joseph Yamin and Mustapha Gbande recently embarked on regional tours to thank constituency executives, no objections were raised”.
The NDC MP added, “As a true party person, you should know that the party’s work does not cease simply because our government is in power. No one has declared an intention to contest any election. It is far too early for such divisions. Let us not start what could divide us”.
He also cited an example using his constituency, “In Hohoe, for instance, after my own thank you tour as MP, my Chairman and the Council of Elders will also visit branch executives to thank them and take stock of developments at the grassroots. From my experience as a former Regional Youth Organiser, I know that leadership must always find new ways of keeping the party vibrant and alive.
President John Dramani Mahama is our leader; let us all support him to succeed. Hon. Johnson Asiedu Nketia is our National Chairman; let us also support him to keep the party strong and active. The party must be allowed to function while the government delivers”, Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo post added.
Kwesi Pratt Jr, the Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, has quizzed why the former vice president, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, is apologising to Ghanaians.
Mr Pratt recounted that before the election, the NPP were telling Ghanaians their government had performed better than any other government, even better than that of Kwame Nkrumah, so why is Dr Bawumia apologising?
Speaking on Good Morning Ghana, Kwesi Pratt stated, “Watch the scenario, the horrible performance in an election, and everyone agrees, there is no dispute about that at all.
You just heard the clip of the presidential candidate himself; the results were very bad; it was horrible. It appears to be going down and down; you need to do something extraordinary to jack up public confidence in the party”.
The Veteran Journalist added, “What is he apologising for? Do you have any idea? He hasn’t told us anything about why he is apologising, that is number one. Number two, just two, three months ago, he was saying he lost because he was a first timer and that in Ghana it is normal for first timers to lose.
Before then, the claim was that, even your Kwame Nkrumah could not better us, we have done so; what is the true position? I don’t know. If it was the best-performing government in our history, why the apology? Even your Kwame Nkrumah doesn’t come anywhere near then, why the apology? “
“This party need to have people who are sombre, who are reflective, who can imagine and who can design a better future for the party”, Kwesi Pratt noted.
Kwesi Pratt’s remarks come on the heels of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia rendering an unqualified apology to Ghanaians for the way they led and governed the country.
The former vice president was speaking to some party faithful in the Ashanti Region as part of his regional tour of uniting and re-energising the base of the party.
Dr Bawumia, who did not exempt himself from the mistakes of the previous government, pleaded for forgiveness on behalf of all those who were part of the erstwhile Akufo-Addo-led government.
“After the 2024 elections, we have done our research. We know the NPP government and the party made a lot of mistakes in governance. There were things we needed to do which we didn’t, and others we did that, if we had had the benefit of background, we would not have done them,” he said.
He stressed that the blame was not his alone but a collective responsibility of the party’s leadership. “We are all to be blamed – Vice President, Ministers, MPs, Board Chairmen, appointees. We have all made mistakes, and please forgive us. We’re sorry. We have learned our lessons,” he added.
Dr Bawumia assured delegates that, if given the mandate as flagbearer and subsequently elected President, he would ensure that the past would not be repeated.
“If, by the grace of God, you make me the flagbearer and I become the President, these will not happen again. They will not happen again,” he pledged.
Meanwhile, a Ghanaian man in a viral video has said that the former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo must apologise to Ghanaians, not Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
The man asserted that Dr Bawumia has begged Ghanaians, but they are not going to accept his apology, as the Ghanaian people need Akufo-Addo’s apology.
According to the man, Akufo-Addo promised the Ghanaians after taking e-levy that he was not going to the IMF, but ended up at the IMF.
He also cited the Domestic Dept Exchange Programme (DDEP) haircuts under Akufo-Addo and the $97 million spent on the National Cathedral hole.
The unidentified man also blamed Akufo-Addo for changing Ghana’s laws, which prohibited mining in forest reserves, as the cause of the galamsey menace in the country.
Speaking in a viral video, the man stated, “The former vice president, Dr Bawumia, has begged Ghanaians, but we are not going to accept his apology. We need the former president, Akufo-Addo himself, who was the one who told us that when Ghanaians pay e-levy, they were not going to the IMF.
However, he collected the e-levy and still took Ghana to the IMF, and he also changed the laws to mine in forest reserves, which has destroyed our water bodies and lands. After doing all that, he also gave us a haircut, with many Ghanaians dying as a result of the haircut”.
He further added, “He also used our money, of over $100 million, to dig a hole claiming he was building a Cathedral. When Ghanaians told him to change the finance minister, Akufo-Addo hit his chest and boldly backed him, so when he does hit his chest and begs Ghanaians, then the NPP should forget about coming back to power because Ghanaians are angry”.
Ras Mubarak, a former Member of Parliament for Kumbungu, has bluntly told the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, not to hide behind his Thank you tour” to advance your premature presidential ambitions.
The former lawmaker highlighted that Asiedu Nketia is setting a dangerous precedent with his Thank You Tour across the country.
According to Ras Mubarak, never in the NDC’s history has a National Chairman after an election victory decided he is going on a “Thank You Tour”.
He emphasised that, thank you, tours are led by Presidential or Parliamentary candidates.
Ras Mubarak, in a post, wrote, “Thank you, tours are led by candidates (Presidential or Parliamentary candidates if it’s a constituency tour) who lead a party into an election in partnership with party executives.
Never throughout NDC’s history has a National Chairman after an NDC victory decided he is going on a “Thank You Tour” aside what the flag bearer in collaboration with the party has done or is doing”.
Ras Mubarak also accused Asiedu Nketia of creating an unnecessary distraction to the ruling NDC government.
“This is a dangerous precedent and an unnecessary distraction to the government. Nobody must be allowed to hide under a “Thank You Tour” to advance their premature presidential ambitions. It’s intolerable, and the Chairman must be bluntly told”, Ras Mubarak added.
Ras Mubarak’s remarks come after Asiedu Nketia officially announced an appreciation exercise to acknowledge the contributions of party executives and grassroots for their role in the NDC’s victory in the 2024 general elections.
Johnson Asiedu Nketiah’s three-day tour, scheduled for September 17 to 19, 2025, will cover 16 constituencies in the Eastern Region.
NDC officials claim the planned thank-you tour is strictly meant to celebrate and encourage the NDC’s base for their efforts; however, some Ghanaians are not convinced.
Also, a netizen on social media has fired shots at the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government for subtly focusing on who takes over from President John Mahama after he exits office in 2028.
The netizen on the social media page X highlighted that the National Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, is thanking voters while the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, is walking.
He noted that the NDC’s flagship program, the 24-hour economy, is nowhere to be found, and the galamsey menace is getting worse.
The netizen further labelled the NDC as a Qnet Party, accusing them of only focusing on the next election.
In a post on X, the netizen wrote, “Eiii, these People are they serious Aseidu Nketiah is thanking. Julius is walking. But 24 24-hour economy is nowhere to be found.
Galamsey is worse than ever. Qnet Party, all they think is elections”, he wrote.
Some Ghanaians have claimed that Asiedu Nketia and Julius Debrah’s thank-you tour and walks are a subtle attempt to position themselves for a possible presidential bid.
Meanwhile, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has reiterated that whoever succeeds President John Dramani Mahama as NDC flagbearer will ride on the achievements of the current government.
Asiedu Nketia called for calm and urged persons interested in contesting for the NDC flagbearer to be very careful about the way they express their ambitions.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face on Tuesday, August 26, Asiedu Nketia detailed, “The party has not declared anything,” he noted. “I keep repeating my caution that we have to be very careful about the way we express our ambitions. Whoever succeeds President Mahama will ride on the achievements of the current government.”
He added, “If you conduct yourself in ways that will disrupt the activities of this government in ways that will make the government less successful, then you have a bigger problem,” he said. “President Mahama is only about eight months in office now, and you want to struggle to decide who will replace him—you know what it can cause.”
“If all of us decide today that, ‘Well, people say I can be president, so let me start organising,’ then everybody will be going across the country appointing campaign coordinators. How do you think that President Mahama can focus on achieving anything?”
Founder and CEO of IMPC, a leading technology training and solutions giant in West Africa, Mr. Amardeep Singh Hari, was arrested by the National Security of Ghana sometime in April 2025.
The respected Indian businessman, who also serves as a shareholder and Board Chairman of Goldcrest — the second-largest gold refinery in Africa — was arrested at the request of his business partner and son, who, as has since emerged, are now wanted fugitives for various crimes including money laundering and identity fraud.
This information is contained in a petition dated September 4, 2025, signed by Mr. Amardeep Singh Hari and submitted to the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service, seeking their arrest and prosecution.
Mr. Amardeep Singh Hari, who was released shortly after his arrest, stated that Ms. Handa and her son, Punar Vasu Handa, falsified records of Goldcrest, including board resolutions and board documents, to incorporate companies abroad. Ms. Handa, in particular, he added, misrepresented to Austrian authorities that Goldcrest had resolved to incorporate a new legal entity named Goldcrest Trading GmbH, headquartered in Vienna, Austria.
With the help of other employees of the firm, the two allegedly misappropriated USD 7,660,000 plus €2,499,671.82 belonging to the company.
According to the petition, USD 1,550,000 was transferred from the company’s accounts with ABSA Bank (No. 0641580554) and Republic Bank (No. 0040181301102) into an account belonging to Trassaco Estates Development Company Limited for the acquisition of a property within the estate by Ms. Niharika Handa and Mr. Punar Vasu Handa. Evidence of the transfer and the offer for the sale of the property was also provided.
It is further alleged that Niharika Handa obtained Ghanaian citizenship without meeting key immigration requirements and may also have engaged in identity fraud not only in Ghana but also in several other countries.
This follows earlier concerns raised by investigators about how Ms. Handa and her son, Vasu Handa, obtained Ghanaian citizenship and passports after residing in the country for fewer years than the mandatory requirement, as well as why the birth year listed in her Ghanaian passport (September 14, 1965) differs from that in her Indian passport (September 14, 1961).
Read the full petition below
4 SEPTEMBER 2025
THE DIRECTOR GENERAL
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT
GHANA POLICE SERVICE
ACCRA
ATTN: COP LYDIA YAAKO DONKOR
Dear Madam,
PETITION TO INVESTIGATE CONCEALMENT OF IDENTITY AS AFUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE, FRAUDULENT ACQUISITION OF GHANAIANCITIZENSHIP, FALSIFICATION OF ACCOUNTS, MISSAPROPRIATIONOF COMPANY VEHICLES, STEALING OF COMPANY MONIES, ANDMONEY LAUNDERING AGAINST MS. NIHARIKA HANDA, MR. PUNARVASU HANDA AND MR. PULKIT ARORA
A. The Petitioner:
1. I am Amardeep Singh Hari. I am an Indian National living at Adjiringanor-Accra. I am a Business Executive. I have lived, conducted business and invested in Ghana for over thirty (30) years. I am also a philanthropist.
2. I am a Founding Partner and Executive Chairman of IPMC Ghana Limited-a leading IT Solutions Company headquartered in Accra. I am also a Founding Shareholder (with 50% shares) and Chairman of the Board of Goldcrest Refinery Limited (hereinafter referred to as “Goldcrest”), a limited liability Company, duly incorporated and licensed under the Laws of the Republic of Ghana and engaged in the business of trading and refinery of gold. (Please see Annexure
1). Currently, I am the acting CEO of Goldcrest.
3. I bring this petition in my tripartite capacity as 50% Shareholder of Goldcrest, Chairman of the Board of Goldcrest and acting CEO of Goldcrest.
B. The Suspects
4. Ms. Niharika Handa is the mother of Mr. Punar Vasu Handa. Ms Niharika is a 50% shareholder of Goldcrest. Ms. Handa’s son, Mr. Punar Vasu Handa was nominated by the Board of Goldcrest to be in charge of the operations and administration of the Company as a Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
15. Mr. Pulkit Arora is the former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Goldcrest. He has, since April 09, 2024 ceased to be an employee of the company having voluntarily resigned from the company. (See Annexure “2”-Evidence of the resignation).
6. Ms Niharika Handa and Mr. Punar Vasu Handa though originally of Indian Nationality have, in furtherance of their common criminal enterprise acquired Ghanaian citizenship. (See Annexure “3 series”– copies of their Ghanaian Passports and photographs).
7. Mr. Pulkit Arora is an Indian National. (See Annexure “4 series” –his Indian Passport and Photograph).
8. The three suspects, Ms. Niharika Handa, Mr. Punar Vasu Handa and Mr. Pulkit Arora agreed to work together, and did work together with a common purpose to steal monies and properties belonging to Goldcrest and/or launder the monies within and out of the jurisdiction of Ghana
9. Ms. Niharika Handa is also, a fugitive from justice in India. Fourteen (14) nonbailable arrest warrants have been issued against her. She has also, fraudulently acquired a Ghanaian Citizenship and has concealed her identity from law enforcement authorities.
10. It is believed, that Ms. Niharika Handa and Mr.Punar Vasu Handa are currently hiding in London, United Kingdom, UAE, Austria, Ghana or some of the Shengen States whiles Mr. Pulkit Arora is believed to be currently in India, London, Ghana or Nigeria.
11. To the best of my knowledge, Ms. Niharika Handa and Mr. Punar Vasu Handa have since March 2025 been out of the jurisdiction of Ghana and have refused to return to Ghana, having been demanded by my goodself to come and account for their operations with the company.
12. It is important to add, that, the suspects in most of their criminal dealings conspired with other former employees of Goldcrest being: Lakhwinder Singh, Martin Amevor, Ashok Kumar Dobbal (hereinafter referred to as the four ex- employees)
C. The Allegations against Ms. Niharika Handa and/or Mr. PunarVasu Handa
2(i) Fugitive from Justice
13. The New Delhi District Court in India has issued fourteen (14) non-bailable arrest warrants against Ms. Handa having allegedly committed criminal offences and supposed to stand trial under Section 82 of the Indian Criminal ProcedureCode in Criminal Revision No. 198/21 in the case of Niharika Handa vs Statebefore the New Delhi District Court. (Please see Annexure 5-evidence of this fact).
14. However, she managed to flee India to Ghana. The arrest warrants remain pending to date.
(ii) Fraudulent Acquisition of Ghanaian Citizenship
15. I am legally advised, and I believe same to be true, that under Ghanaian law, an applicant for Ghanaian Citizenship (naturalization) should meet certain mandatory conditions including that:
a. He has resided in Ghana throughout the period of twelve months immediately preceding the date of the application.
b. During the seven (7) years immediately preceding the period of twelve months, he has resided in Ghana for periods amounting in aggregate to not less than five (5) years.
c. He has not been involved in fraudulent or illegal transactions to which he or she is being wanted by Ghanaian or other countries amongst others.
d. He makes full disclosure of his particulars especially regarding his identity (actual name, date of birth, place of residence, nationality etc) and not conceal any fact, which to his knowledge, upon disclosure can disqualify him.
16. At the time of her application for citizenship, Ms. Handa had not lived in Ghana throughout for a period of twelve (12) months. Again, she had never lived in Ghana for an aggregate period of seven (7) years immediately preceding the twelve months required (of which she did not even meet). Yet, she concealedand/or misrepresented these mandatory statutory conditions from government officials. Moreso, Ms. Handa never disclosed the fact of her criminal records and being on the wanted list of the Indian Authorities prior to applying and even upon acquisition of the Ghanaian Citizenship.
317. Further, the date of birth of Ms. Handa is 14 September 1961. (Please See Annexure 6-her Indian Passport). Yet, she procured her passport with, and misrepresented, that her date of birth is actually 14 September 1965 (please see Annexure “7”-the Ghanaian passport).
18. Indeed, the principal reason for her fraudulent acquisition of the Ghanaian Citizenship was to change her identity and seek solace in Ghana from the Indian Law Enforcement Agencies.
19. With her new status and identity, Ms. Handa has secured visas, travelled to and resided freely in the United Kingdom, UAE and other Schengen states.
(iii) Falsification of Accounts and Forgery of Corporate Documents
20. Ms. Handa and her son Punar Vasu Handa falsified records of Goldcrest, board resolutions and board documents to incorporate companies abroad. Ms. Handa in particular misrepresented to Austrian authorities, that Goldcrest had resolved to incorporate a new legal entity with the name GOLD CREST TRADINGGmbH and to be headquartered in Vienna, Austria. She further misrepresented to the Austrian Authorities, that Goldcrest had resolved, that she be the only shareholder of the new entity. (Please see Annexure “8”) evidence of her fraudulently procured resolution.
21. Based on these fraudulent arrangements, Ms Handa, using her falsified date ofbirth, and Mr. Punar Vasu Handa were successful in incorporating the company. (Please see Annexure “9”) the Austrian incorporation Documents.
22. I state that, the Board of Goldcrest never at any point in time, met or had any meeting or agreement anywhere to incorporate another company affiliated to Goldcrest in Austria.
23. It has now dawned on me, that the Austrian Company, was a conduit to launder monies belonging to Goldcrest.
24. In furtherance of their criminal enterprise, Ms. Niharika Handa, using herfalsified date of birth, and Mr. Vasu Handa have incorporated several companies in the United Kingdom. (Please see Annexure “10 series”).
25. In order to further conceal her identity, Ms. Niharika Handa included a further addition to her name “Ajay” as part of incorporation documents in the United Kingdom. It is important to point out that, Mr. Ajay Kumar Handa is the former husband of Ms. Niharika Handa. They divorced several years ago, yet, Ms. Niharika Handa has found it convenient, yet, rather fraudulent to include the ex-husband’s name in her documentations in the United Kingdom to further conceal her true identity and to evade KYC checks. (Please see Annexures “11series”) evidence of these.
D. The allegations against all three suspects-Ms. Niharika Handa, Mr. VasuHanda and Mr. Pulkit Arora
(i) Stealing and laundering of company monies.
26. At all material times, until their respective exit from Ghana, Mr. Punar Vasu Handa was the principal operations person of the Company, under the directions mainly of his mother, Ms. Niharika Handa. Mr. Pulkit Arora was also in charge of the financial accounts of the Company as well as withdrawals of cash from the banks, buying of gold etc (Please see Annexures “11-B”).
27. I however began suspecting the operations of the company and demanded an auditing, yet the three (3) of them were not forthcoming. My enquiries revealed that they (including the four ex-employees) were withdrawing large amounts of monies from the banks and pocketing them or using them for other activitiesunknown to me. Especially considering that we are a gold trading company, this became of serious concern to me.
28. Following an internal audit of Goldcrest, it was revealed, that the three suspects had misappropriated an amount of Seven Million, Six Hundred and SixtyThousand United States Dollars (USD$7,660,000) plus 2,499,671.82 Euros all belonging to the company. (Please see Annexure “12”-Evidence of theaudit).
29. Most of these funds were withdrawn in cash or transferred from the Company’s accounts (without any Board approval) into several personal accounts bearing the name of the suspects. (Please see Annexure “13” -a list of about 26 bankaccounts connected to the suspects). 30. Infact, One Million Five Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars (USD$1,550,000.00) was transferred from the company’s account withABSABank – No. 0641580554 and Republic Bank – 0040181301102] into an account belonging to Trassaco Estates Development Company Limited towards the acquisition of a property within the estate by Ms. Niharika Handa and Mr.Punar Vasu Handa. (please see Annexure “14 series”) evidence of the transfer and the offer for the sale of the property.
31. Again, an amount of USD324,233.00 out of the total amount stolen was transferred by the suspects towards satisfying a personal debt owed by Mr. Vasu Handa from the company’s accounts without any approval from the Board. (Please see Annexure “15”).
32. Additionally, monies belonging to Goldcrest was utilised in incorporating the Austrian Company as well as various transfers from Goldcrest Bank accounts in Ghana into the Austrian Bank Account being Oberbank with IBAN: AT531500004601047105 and Account No. 4601-047105. (Further evidence of the transfers are Annexure “16”)
(ii) Misappropriation of Company Vehicles and Motorcycles
33. The company acquired several vehicles and motorcycles for its operations. (Please see Annexure “17”–a list of the vehicles and motorcycles). None of these vehicles or motorcycles (numbering about 17) is available at the offices of the company. It is believed, that most of these vehicles and motorcycles are hidden at the last known residence of Ms. Niharka Handa and Mr. Vasu Handa being No. 266, Trassaco Valley, Phase 2-Accra.
34. These vehicle have been unlawfully taken without the consent of the company by the suspects together with the four(4) ex-employees.
35. It is further believed, that some of these vehicles and motor cycles have also been unlawfully sold and the proceeds repatriated outside the jurisdiction of the country and / or transferred or deposited into the personal accounts of the suspects as per Annexure 13 above.
(iii) Misrepresentation to and Abuse of Law Enforcement Agencies
36. When as Chairman of the Board, these matters came to my attention, I made various demands on the suspects to account for their stewardship and operations in the company. They kept on dilly-dallying with me. In a very surprise turn of events, they rather, submitted a petition (falsely alleging same to be emanating from the company) and claimed, that a certain amount of gold that was non-existent was stolen by me and my nephew, when as per the company’s audited accounts of March 31, 2024, the gold in stock was zero.
37. They consequently deceived officers of National Security to launch an investigation and caused my arrest. (See annexure “18 series” evidence of these).
38. I find it quite troubling and worrying, that the very people who are involved in these criminal enterprise were able to ‘swindle’ the state’s security agencies to hide their nefarious activities.
F. Reliefs Sought :
39. By this petition, I respectfully request your high office to launch an investigation into this criminal enterprise, and in particular, but where you find appropriate :
a. Cause an arrest of the suspects (including their various accomplices) and prosecute them but based on due process.
b. Immediately sanction the revocation of the passports fraudulently acquired by any of them.
c. Deport Ms. Niharika Handa to India to face her criminal charges.
d. Recover all the proceeds of the crimes committed.
e. And do any such activity which will safeguard, and protect the security of the state, including its investors such as myself and the company Goldcrest Refinery Limited.
40. I trust in your processes and I respectfully request your urgent intervention.
41. Please, do not hesitate to revert to me for any further information and/or evidence.
A Ghanaian man has tackled President John Dramani Mahama after he agreed to accept people deported from the US as part of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
President John Mahama, speaking to the media some weeks ago, revealed that some 14 US deportees arrived in Ghana, with several of them being Nigerians and a Gambian.
He cited the regional bloc Ecowas’s free movement protocol that allows citizens of member states to enter other West African countries without a visa for up to 90 days.
John Mahama further revealed that Ghana had already facilitated the return of the Nigerians to their country, while the Gambian was still being assisted to get back home.
He stated, “We were approached by the US to accept third-party nationals who were being removed from the US. And we agreed with them that West African nationals were acceptable”.
“All our fellow West African nationals don’t need visas to come to our country”, John Mahama added.
However, reacting to the news, the young man noted that 48,000 of President Mahama’s tribesmen fled Ghana seeking refuge, but he is rather concerned about bringing in deportees.
Speaking on Property TV, the man stated, “When I heard this, I was not surprised, because in 2015, President Mahama had a relationship with deportees. We were in this country when two people from Guantanamo Bay were sneaked into the country, and we had to speak against it, with the case ending up in court.
We are in our own country, we cannot even solve our own problems, why do you go and take deportees who are not even Ghanaians, Nigerians and Gambians? Let’s put the laws aside”.
He added, “As president, in his own backyard, about 48,000 of his people have been displaced to another country in Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina, but you are not speaking about that. A different country is even looking after them, but some say he is deporting people you have gone for them”.
He further cited that the laws of Ghana are clear that President Mahama needs parliament approval before accepting deportees.
“Coming to laws, our constituency is very clear, such things should pass through parliament for ratification and transparency.
President Mahama did the same in 2016, and parliament spoke about it, so why will you repeat the same again? Your own people, just in your country, have turned refugees in another country, but you want to take another refugee from another country into your country when they are not even Ghanaians”, the young man added.
It will be recalled that Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, the Minister for Interior, revealed that 13,253 Ghanaians have crossed into neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire following clashes over land at Gbiniyiri in the Savannah Region.
Speaking in a radio interview with Joy FM, he stated, “The exact number confirmed by the authorities in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire is 13,253, who have been displaced, and they are there”.
However, NADMO had earlier claimed that they estimated that more than 48,000 people, mainly women and children, were affected.
Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka added, “This morning, the delegation of the Gonjaland leadership with the peace council [is meeting] the Yagbonwura. And I’m very optimistic with the way we are working. Hopefully by tomorrow or at least by Monday, we are setting up a committee to investigate all this and then come out with a report on how best we can avoid this from recurring”.
“Many of them left their farms to the areas where they find themselves now. Their animals, their food, their farms and all those are left unattended. And if we don’t resolve this quickly, we are going to lead to a lot of food insecurity in that area,” he cautioned.
However, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has revealed that the Cabinet approved Ghana’s participation in a third-country deportation arrangement with the United States.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, September 15, Mr. Ablakwa stated, “Let me emphasise that under this understanding with the United States, Ghana must first independently vet the background of those the U.S. intends to deport, to satisfy ourselves that they do not pose any threat to the security of our country and that they cannot harm our citizens”.
“The Mahama administration would never compromise the safety and well-being of Ghanaians”, he added.
He further clarified, “By established convention, MoUs are not sent to Parliament for ratification. I have inherited hundreds of MoUs from the previous administration, which were not sent to Parliament for ratification. May I assure the nation that if this initial understanding is elevated into a full-blown agreement, we shall not hesitate to comply with Article 75 of the 1992 Constitution by proceeding to Parliament for ratification”.
Additionally, Ablakwa has revealed that an additional 40 West African deportees from the United States will be arriving in Ghana in the coming days.
Speaking on Channel One TV, he stated, “I can reveal to you that we’re expecting another 40 in the next few days. We vet them before they come”.
“We didn’t agree to this because we agree with President Trump’s immigration policies. We’re not doing the US a favour. We’re doing our fellow Africans a favour; we’re offering them refuge, hope, and we want them to come back home and be comfortable.
“We solidarised with them when we saw those images, the arrests, the violation of their rights, and their being detained against their will.
“It’s as if nobody wants to take them. It was purely on a humanitarian basis; we did not take any financial benefits. We’re doing this because we want to continue to position Ghana as the Mecca for Africans,” he said.
Watch the video below:
Mahama is ready to accept deportees, yet under his watch, his own people fled and became refugees elsewhere. Leadership must first protect its citizens! pic.twitter.com/dJwmgOhV3q
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, has disclosed that Ghana is expecting 40 West African deportees from the US to arrive in the coming days.
It will be recalled that President John Mahama, speaking to the media some weeks ago, revealed that some 14 US deportees arrived in Ghana, with several of them being Nigerians and a Gambian.
He cited the regional bloc Ecowas’s free movement protocol that allows citizens of member states to enter other West African countries without a visa for up to 90 days.
John Mahama further revealed that Ghana had already facilitated the return of the Nigerians to their country, while the Gambian was still being assisted.
He stated, “We were approached by the US to accept third-party nationals who were being removed from the US. And we agreed with them that West African nationals were acceptable”.
“The government of Ghana took the principled and humanitarian decision to accept the limited number of West African nationals deported from the United States under exceptional circumstances, in line with Ghana’s long-standing Pan-African ideals and unwavering commitment to regional solidarity,” President Mahama stated.
He added, “Our decision is grounded purely on humanitarian principles and Pan-African solidarity to offer temporary refuge where needed, to prevent further human suffering, and to maintain our credibility as a responsible regional actor. Ghana’s decision must be understood as an act of Pan-African empathy. It is not transactional like Rwanda, Eswatini, Uganda, or South Sudan”.
Mahama, however, clarified that the arrangement should not be seen as an endorsement of President Donald Trump’s new U.S. immigration policies.
“Since the days of our forebears, Ghana has hosted freedom fighters, welcomed Africans in the diaspora, offered them safe haven, resources, citizenship, and even passports. That is why we are seen as the maker of Pan-Africanism. We shall not depart from that inspiring track record,” Mahama added.
Speaking on Channel One TV, Ablakwa revealed stated, “I can reveal to you that we’re expecting another 40 in the next few days. We vet them before they come”.
“We didn’t agree to this because we agree with President Trump’s immigration policies. We’re not doing the US a favour. We’re doing our fellow Africans a favour; we’re offering them refuge, hope, and we want them to come back home and be comfortable.
“We solidarised with them when we saw those images, the arrests, the violation of their rights, and their being detained against their will.
“It’s as if nobody wants to take them. It was purely on a humanitarian basis; we did not take any financial benefits. We’re doing this because we want to continue to position Ghana as the Mecca for Africans,” he said.
Also, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa had earlier revealed that the Cabinet had approved Ghana’s participation in a third-country deportation arrangement with the United States.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, September 15, Mr. Ablakwa stated, “Let me emphasise that under this understanding with the United States, Ghana must first independently vet the background of those the U.S. intends to deport, to satisfy ourselves that they do not pose any threat to the security of our country and that they cannot harm our citizens”.
“The Mahama administration would never compromise the safety and well-being of Ghanaians”, he added.
He further clarified, “By established convention, MoUs are not sent to Parliament for ratification. I have inherited hundreds of MoUs from the previous administration, which were not sent to Parliament for ratification. May I assure the nation that if this initial understanding is elevated into a full-blown agreement, we shall not hesitate to comply with Article 75 of the 1992 Constitution by proceeding to Parliament for ratification”.
Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament had demanded the suspension of what it described as an unconstitutional deal.
A netizen on Facebook, identified as Eric Abavare, has fired shots at President John Mahama for ignoring the galamsey fight for economic gains.
Eric Abavare accused John Mahama of abandoning his social contract to Ghanaians to root out galamsey.
In a Facebook post on September 18, 2025, the netizen identified as Eric Abavare wrote, “Dear Ghanaian, do you know that Ghanaians are 100% the root cause of the problems in Ghana? The Kwaku Ananse’s trick stories you imbibed during childhood are ingrained in our subconscious minds to be evil and liars? That the presidential candidate of NDC promised a cause and then reneged after being voted for? If someone lied for your vote through Kwaku Ananse’s scheme, is he a con person?
The conman didn’t know gold was the one commodity holding Ghana’s economy before the election and promised to root out galamsey?. He just blatantly ignored his so-called social contract and justified the galamsey menace”.
He added, “Did the conman say, because of gold, Ghana must burn to keep the economy going?. Listen to his own words.
My question to him is, what would be the essence of the existence of an economy if Ghanaians don’t exist?. What would posterity live on?
This is the man who thinks Ghana will not exist after tomorrow and has no plans for the future of this country. If he has any plans for posterity, his utterances would be different”.
The netizen added, “Unfortunately, Major Maxwell Mahama died painfully, and the 8-Officials died needlessly. We never learned anything from their deaths. Their deaths never served any lesson”.
Also, a brother of the late President, Prof. John Evans Atta-Mills, Cadman Atta-Mills, has said illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, is killing Ghanaians.
Cadman Atta Mills criticised the John Mahama-led NDC government over their poor handling of illegal mining.
According to Cadman Atta-Mills, he refuses to pay for the accolades the government is receiving for the cedi recovery at the expense of his health or life.
In a post on X, accompanied by a video of the galamsey menace, Cadman Mills wrote, “I refuse to pay for the accolades President Mahama and the NDC are receiving for the cedi’s recovery with my health or life.
Call it galamsey or ‘legal’ small-scale mining (when bankrolled by the politically connected). It is killing us. #StopGalamseyNow”, he added.
Additionally, the Chief Executive Officer of Dalex Finance, Joe Jackson, has said that Ghana’s gold could be blacklisted as blood gold.
Joe Jackson noted that if the world realises Ghana is not selling sustainable gold, the country could be blacklisted.
According to him, Goldbod, which was set up as a game changer, could fail if the Mahama government does not tackle illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, with the necessary urgency.
However, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications and MP for Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese, has revealed that the John Mahama-led government will intensify their fight against galamsey.
According to Kwakye Ofosu, the military will be stationed permanently in 44 galamsey areas.
The minister highlighted that, unlike in the past administration, where security forces would conduct short-term operations before withdrawing, the military will be stationed permanently in the galamsey areas.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face programme on Tuesday, September 16, Kwakye Ofosu stated, “All the 44 areas that are threatened by galamsey, there is going to be a permanent military presence”.
“In the past, they would go and flush out the characters engaged in galamsey and then leave, but now they will have a permanent military presence”.
He added, “All the rivers we have will have a permanent military presence”.
Prof Kingsley Nyarko, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kwadaso, has asked NPP members why they are blaming the party’s defeat on Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, when the party could not maintain its 138 seats in parliament.
The lawmaker asserted that he does not understand why people blame the party’s defeat in the 2024 election on Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
He emphasised that it is irrational to blame the defeat solely on Bawumia, as the party had 138 parliamentarians across the 276 constituencies but could not maintain its seat in the 2024 general election.
According to him, if the NPP had won more seats or maintained their seat with Dr Bawumia losing, he would have sided with those accusing the former vice president of the party’s defeat.
Speaking during Dr Bawumia’s Ashanti Region tour, Prof Kingsley Nyarko stated, “I don’t really understand when I hear people blame the NPP 2024 loss on Dr Bawumia. What if we had won? What would those people say? Wouldn’t these same people be crediting themselves if the party had won? Were they not part of the campaign? Why blame it on Dr. Bawumia?”.
He further detailed, “Before the elections, we had 138 parliamentarians across the 276 constituencies in Ghana. If we had won more seats or maintained the 138 seats for Dr Bawumia to lose, then I would side with those blaming the defeat on him. Now the 138 has reduced to 87.
Why do you make such an argument that Dr. Bawumia is the cause of our defeat? It doesn’t make any sense to me. If the majority of MPs reduced to 88, now 87, for one man to gain almost 42 per cent, why do you blame him for the defeat? It doesn’t make sense”, Prof Nyarko explained.
Prof Nyarko further declared his support for Dr Bawumia’s flagbearer bid, “Dr. Bawumia, we are behind you. I, Kingsley Nyarko, I am by your side and I will support you till your leadership, and I know God will surely honour Dr Bawumia”.
“Dr Bawumia, we will not change him… he’ll be our flagbearer into the 2028 elections. Let’s support our party in good faith. It’s not normal to speak against our own party in a negative manner; anyone who does that is not a good party member”, he concluded, urging party members to unite behind Dr Bawumia.
Meanwhile, Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has rejected claims that the party’s electoral loss was due to his religion or ethnicity.
According to Bawumia, he told former president Akufo-Addo he would not run again if Prof Mike Ocquaye’s report attributed the party’s defeat to me.
Dr Bawumia stressed that if the report had held him responsible for the defeat, he would have prioritised the party’s interests over his personal ambitions.
Speaking to delegates at Abuakwa on Saturday, September 13, 2025, Dr. Bawumia detailed, “Before Ocquaye report came out, I had a meeting with Akufo-Addo and others. We were having a discussion about reasons on why we lost the 2024 election.
“I told Akufo-Addo that if the findings of the Ocquaye report indicate that because I’m a Muslim or because or I’m a Mamprusi-Kusasi, we lost the election, I will step down and not contest anymore. This is what I told Akufo-Addo. Because I will not choose my interest over the party’s interest. The party’s interest must always be ahead of me.
“I told Akufo-Addo that because of the party, I will sacrifice any ambition including the fact that if I contest, we will lose. But when the Ocquaye report, Ashanti report and Konrad Adenauer Foundation report came out, all of them pointed to the same conclusion – religion, tribe was not a factor in the 2024 election,” Dr. Bawumia added.
In a separate video, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has said he cannot be blamed for the party’s poor performance in the Bawku zone in the 2024 elections.
The NPP during the 2024 election failed to secure a seat in any of the six constituencies.
Dr Bawumia argued that the NPP’s struggles in the Bawku enclave are historical,
He noted that the area has traditionally been a stronghold of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaking to NPP party supporters at Effiduase in the Ashanti Region on Thursday, September 11, Dr Bawumia stated, “They claim we lost the 2024 elections because of the Mamprusi-Kusasi conflict. Those claims will not wash. They would have given me a knock-out if it’s true because I’m a Mamprusi. I was not even born when the conflict started”.
“Since 1965, there have been 11 elections in Ghana, in the Bawku zone, which has six constituencies. The NPP has won only two seats, being the highest. In most of the elections, we had zero seats in six of the 11 elections,” Bawumia explained.
Dr Bawumia further recalled, “In 2004, former president J. A. Kufuor won the election, but the NPP scored zero in the Bawku zone. In 2012, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was the flagbearer, but we had zero seats in the Bawku zone. We were not part of the conflict.
In 2024, we had zero seats in the Bawku enclave. If you look at the trajectory, was I the cause? I can’t be blamed for our poor performance in the Bawku zone, which is an NDC stronghold,” he emphasised.
A Nigerian man in a viral video has confidently claimed that Ghanaians cannot send Nigerians back home, as they rule the people of Ghana in their own country.
According to the man, Nigerians are the giants of Africa.
He boldly claimed that Ghanaians can only try, but they cannot send them back home.
Speaking in the viral video shared on X, the Nigerian man claimed, “We cannot let Ghanaians send us back to our homes, and we cannot let them insult us. If they want to try to send us back to our home, we are the ones ruling them; they cannot send us back to our country.
We are the ones ruling Ghanaians; they cannot have the veto power to send us back to our country. They can only try to make it so, but it is not possible”.
“As a Nigerian, I am a giant of Africa. I am not saying anything bad against them; they are my neighbours”, he aded.
Some Ghanaians have reacted to the video, saying, “But it’s a fact. A Nigerian has every right to live in Ghana and vice versa. Because of the ECOWAS thing. It would be impossible for any government to deport all Nigerians, but it must be on record these two nations are sovereign states and no one rules them but themselves”.
“Ghainans would learn the hard way, allowing these foreigners to feel free to think that they’re part of us and even better than we, the citizens.
Very soon, they’ll start dictating, and more of them are already controlling some lands. No hope for the kantry”, another added.
One more Ghanaian wrote, “We no go mind am, if there is no justification to send Nigerians back to their country, why should we do so, but if he strongly believes that we can’t send them back, then they should sack our people from their country and see if we will stand aloof..kasa by heart nkoaa”.
Meanwhile, there is a growing tension in Ghana as some groups of Ghanaians gathered at Accra’s Obra Spot to stage a protest demanding the immediate expulsion of Nigerians from the country.
They accused Nigerians of being behind a rise in crime and social vices.
The demonstrators carried placards with messages saying “Nigerians Must Go,” “End Kidnapping,” “End Prostitution,” “End Armed Robbery,” and “End Ritual Murders.”
Also, Ghanaian traders have claimed Nigerian traders are violating the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act 865 of 2013, which bars non-citizens from engaging in small-scale trading. Many Ghanaian traders argue that they are increasingly dominated by foreigners.
Additionally, Chief Albert Baylor Ashaolu, the president of the All Nigerian Community in Ghana, has urged Ghana and Nigeria to come together and find a lasting solution to the dispute.
Speaking on GTV’s Breakfast Show, he stated, “This matter has lingered for some time now, and it will not help the long-standing relationship between Nigeria and Ghana. Our governments, the higher leaders of the two countries, should look into this matter and find a lasting solution”.
“The same consideration given to foreigners from the West should not be applied to West Africans, especially Nigerians. You can walk from Nigeria into Ghana without borders stopping you. Our forefathers wanted integration, and they would be disappointed to see Africans treating each other this way”, he added.
He added, “Ghana and Nigeria cannot be compared with other countries. We are brothers through business, marriage, and history. We should be finding ways to strengthen this bond, not weaken it.”
Watch the video below:
A Nigerian man claims Ghana 🇬🇭 can’t deport Nigerians because they, Nigerians, “rule Ghana” 😂.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, has admitted that the John Mahama-led National Democratic Congress government can do better in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey).
Ablakwa highlighted that Ghana is on a suicidal path if the country does not win the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
He, however, expressed confidence in President Mahama’s commitment to tackling the galamsey menace, adding that he believes the government will succeed.
According to Ablakwa, he still stands by all the pronouncements he made in past about illegal mining.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of View on Wednesday, September 17, Ablakwa stated, “Let me be honest with you, on galamsey, I believe that we can do better. And all the propositions I made in the past, I stand by them. We’re on a suicidal path if we don’t stop this. We must take this up and win this war,” he said.
Also, Dr Ken Ashigbey, the Convener of the Coalition Against Galamsey, has confidently told President John Dramani Mahama to sack all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in areas where illegal mining (galamsey) is prevalent.
According to Dr Ken Ashigbey, the galamsey fight requires urgent action as it is not progressing the way it should be.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Dr Ashigbey stated, “We believe it is not only us talking about it, but churches are also speaking about it. We all have to come on board to work on it.
But if galamsey is still ongoing in areas like Tarkwa, Obuasi, Prestea, then the DCEs and MCEs there must be sacked,” he insisted.
He added, “After sacking them, the government can investigate further to find out if they are part of the activities. If they are, then deal with them, because clearly, they are not helping matters”.
Dr. Ken Ashigbey, in a separate interview, quizzed what the national security is not telling President John Mahama about galamsey.
According to Dr. Ken Ashigbey, the Mahama himself said that galamsey has become a national emergency, but State institutions have not followed through with decisive measures.
He added that there are conditions for declaring a state of emergency in areas affected by galamsey.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Dr. Ashigbey stated, “We know the president, and that he is not a person who will implement a law in its draconian nature. So, we believe that under a state of emergency, we can be specific in the way we apply it and what it is that we do”.
“Currently, if we take all our water bodies, there is no fishing going on in them. But the ‘chamfans’ are still on them. There are many places where people have blocked portions of rivers and are mining illegally. You can declare a state of emergency in those areas,” he explained.
“The president said they have reclaimed about nine. Their grading used to be red and now some have improved to amber. But people are still destroying them. You can declare a state of emergency in those as well so that no excavator moves into those communities,” he added.
Dr Ken Ashigbey cited that Article 39 of the Constitution provides clear grounds for a national emergency as the destruction of galamsey meets the criteria.
“The president has said it himself that it is a national emergency, and it is because the ingredients that constitute a national emergency in Article 39 are all clearly shown. So, I don’t know what the national security is not telling the president,” he lamented.
Meanwhile, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications and MP for Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese, has revealed that the John Mahama-led government will intensify their fight against galamsey.
According to Kwakye Ofosu, the military will be stationed permanently in 44 galamsey areas.
The minister highlighted that, unlike in the past administration, where security forces would conduct short-term operations before withdrawing, the military will be stationed permanently in the galamsey areas.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face programme on Tuesday, September 16, Kwakye Ofosu stated, “All the 44 areas that are threatened by galamsey, there is going to be a permanent military presence”.
“In the past, they would go and flush out the characters engaged in galamsey and then leave, but now they will have a permanent military presence”.
He added, “All the rivers we have will have a permanent military presence”.
President John Dramani Mahama has said that the launch of the $10-billion ‘Big Push’ project will make the whole of Ghana a construction site.
John Mahama highlighted that GH¢30 billion had been allocated in next year’s budget to support the ‘Big Push’ infrastructure project.
Speaking at the sod cutting for the redevelopment works on the 117-kilometre stretch from Atimpoku in the Eastern Region to the Volta Region towns of Asikuma through Anyrawasi, Ho and Denu to Aflao, John Mahama stated, “The whole of Ghana is going to become a construction site.
“Today, we are delivering that bouncing baby, Big Push. The Volta Region has had some of the most neglected, abandoned roads in the country, and year in, year out, the chiefs have cried for repair and maintenance.”
He added, “The ‘Big Push’ is a concerted effort to bridge our infrastructure gap and propel Ghana towards sustainable development.
This is not just about asphalt and concrete; it is about building the foundations for a stronger economy, improved connectivity, and a better quality of life for all Ghanaians”.
President Mahama also revealed that priority has been given to Ghanaian construction companies.
He added, “We have given priority to Ghanaian contracting companies because we believe that Ghanaian companies can do as well as foreign companies.
“Once you have First Sky on the road, you can rest assured they will do a good job,” the President added.
Additionally, President John Dramani Mahama has said his government’s flagship Big Push infrastructure programme is for competent and well-resourced contractors, not wheelbarrow contractors.
According to John Mahama, some friends have approached him to secure contracts under the scheme, but he made it clear to them that the project was designed to accelerate large-scale national infrastructure projects.
Speaking at the official launch of the programme at Afienya in the Greater Accra region on Tuesday, September 16, John Mahama stated, “There are a few wheelbarrow contractors who have come to me saying, ‘Oh, I hear they are distributing projects under the Big Push.
I want one.’ I say, ‘My friend, this is not for wheelbarrow contractors.’ You are my friend, but I won’t give it to you because it is not meant for wheelbarrow contractors,” he stated.
President Mahama further added that every region in Ghana will benefit from his government’s flagship Big Push infrastructure programme.
The president explained that the project is designed to revolutionise Ghana’s road network and improve national connectivity.
According to him, the Big Push programme is aimed at opening economic opportunities, improving food distribution networks, and making travel between regions and districts easier.
John Mahama added, “From January 7, we have been designing road projects across the length and breadth of the country. The Big Push touches all 16 regions of the country. Every region is going to benefit from its share of the Big Push programme”.
“Our priority was to take roads that connect one regional capital to another. We believe that it should be easy for people to travel from one capital to another, for example, from Accra to Ho, or Accra to Cape Coast,” he explained.
He further revealed that the second priority is roads linking district capitals. “We have 261 districts in Ghana, and we believe that districts that are close should have good roads linking their district capitals to each other”.
President Mahama added that the third priority is road infrastructure in food-producing and industrial manufacturing areas.
“We selected all the major food-growing areas in the country, looked at the roads in those areas, and added them to the Big Push,” he added.
Also, Governs Kwame Agbodza, the Minister for Roads and Highways, has promised Ghanaians that the results of the newly launched Big Push road project will be there for everyone to see.
The road minister described the Big Push as a bold intervention that goes beyond politics.
According to Governs Kwame Agbodza, the former Akufo-Addo government left a 40 billion Ghana cedis in debt to contractors, yet, going round the 16 regions, it was difficult to see what the money was spent on.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Mr Agbodza stated, “Mr President, if you come to the Ministry of Roads and Highways, we owe probably 40 billion Ghana cedis in debt to contractors”.
“But when we went round the country, the 16 regions, it was difficult to see what the money was spent on.”
He added, “Despite all that, Mr President, you made a bold commitment to institute an intervention that will go down in history as the president that gave the biggest dose of intervention at a single time on our roads”.
“The Big Push is not a campaign promise; it is a bold intervention by your government.”
Mr Agbodza further assured, “When we say we can do this project within four months, we mean business. The people of Greater Accra and Ga-Dangbe, don’t be worried”.
“The contractor that is on this stretch, I believe, can do this project in less than 24 months.”
“We shall implement Big Push, and the results will be there for everyone to see,” he confidently added.
See the post below:
Apologies to Ghanaians, but with the Big Push launch, the whole country will become a construction site pic.twitter.com/1bYlUGBw71
Ras Mubarak, a former Member of Parliament for Kumbungu, has bluntly told the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, that he is setting a dangerous precedent with his Thank You Tour across the country.
According to Ras Mubarak, never in the NDC’s history has a National Chairman after an election victory decided he is going on a “Thank You Tour”.
He emphasised that, thank you, tours are led by Presidential or Parliamentary candidates.
Ras Mubarak, in a post, wrote, “Thank you, tours are led by candidates (Presidential or Parliamentary candidates if it’s a constituency tour) who lead a party into an election in partnership with party executives.
Never throughout NDC’s history has a National Chairman after an NDC victory decided he is going on a “Thank You Tour” aside what the flag bearer in collaboration with the party has done or is doing”.
Ras Mubarak also accused Asiedu Nketia of creating an unnecessary distraction to the ruling NDC government.
He added that the National Chairman must not hide under a “Thank You Tour” to advance his premature presidential ambitions.
“This is a dangerous precedent and an unnecessary distraction to the government. Nobody must be allowed to hide under a “Thank You Tour” to advance their premature presidential ambitions. It’s intolerable, and the Chairman must be bluntly told”, Ras Mubarak added.
Ras Mubarak’s remarks come after Asiedu Nketia officially announced an appreciation exercise to acknowledge the contributions of party executives and grassroots for their role in the NDC’s victory in the 2024 general elections.
Johnson Asiedu Nketiah’s three-day tour, scheduled for September 17 to 19, 2025, will cover 16 constituencies in the Eastern Region.
NDC officials claim the planned thank-you tour is strictly meant to celebrate and encourage the NDC’s base for their efforts; however, some Ghanaians are not convinced.
Also, a netizen on social media has fired shots at the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government for subtly focusing on who takes over from President John Mahama after he exits office in 2028.
The netizen on the social media page X highlighted that the National Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, is thanking voters while the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, is walking.
He noted that the NDC’s flagship program, the 24-hour economy, is nowhere to be found, and the galamsey menace is getting worse.
The netizen further labelled the NDC as a Qnet Party, accusing them of only focusing on the next election.
In a post on X, the netizen wrote, “Eiii, these People are they serious Aseidu Nketiah is thanking. Julius is walking. But 24 24-hour economy is nowhere to be found.
Galamsey is worse than ever. Qnet Party, all they think is elections”, he wrote.
Some Ghanaians have claimed that Asiedu Nketia and Julius Debrah’s thank-you tour and walks are a subtle attempt to position themselves for a possible presidential bid.
Meanwhile, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has reiterated that whoever succeeds President John Dramani Mahama as NDC flagbearer will ride on the achievements of the current government.
Asiedu Nketia called for calm and urged persons interested in contesting for the NDC flagbearer to be very careful about the way they express their ambitions.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face on Tuesday, August 26, Asiedu Nketia detailed, “The party has not declared anything,” he noted. “I keep repeating my caution that we have to be very careful about the way we express our ambitions. Whoever succeeds President Mahama will ride on the achievements of the current government.”
He added, “If you conduct yourself in ways that will disrupt the activities of this government in ways that will make the government less successful, then you have a bigger problem,” he said. “President Mahama is only about eight months in office now, and you want to struggle to decide who will replace him—you know what it can cause.”
“If all of us decide today that, ‘Well, people say I can be president, so let me start organising,’ then everybody will be going across the country appointing campaign coordinators. How do you think that President Mahama can focus on achieving anything?”
The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has revealed that plans are in motion to help resolve the ongoing feud between Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Ahmed Ibrahim revealed he has engaged some stakeholders to help mediate the feud that appears to be escalating.
Speaking in an interview on Peace FM, Ahmed Ibrahim detailed, “The Dormahene is my father, and the Otumfuo is also my father, but looking at the way things are going, they are part of the two powerful Kings we have in the country, and their efforts in resolving most issues in the country are high. They are structures we cannot do without as a country.
Ahmed Ibrahim cited the Saudi King, Morocco and Dubai using their Chieftaincy to transform their country.
“If you listen to what I said about the Saudi King, Morocco and Dubai, their Chieftaincy transformed their country so clearly, Ghana, we can use our chieftaincy to transform the country”, he added.
The minister noted, “In Ghana, we can also use our Chieftaincy to develop the country. When we had the Dagbon issue, was it not Opemsuo (Otumfuo Osei Tutu II) who resolved it?
“As Minister responsible for Chieftaincy, I have spoken to some people about this matter, and we will engage them further. So, we will speak to them. This is the first time I am saying it. I respect authority”, he stated.
The Dormaahene and the Asantehene feud stems from historical claims, which Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II believes are being misrepresented in the public domain.
Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, some weeks ago punched holes in the historical tales of Okomfo Anokye.
History tells us that the Asante Kingdom was founded in the 18th century by King Osei Tutu I, with the direction of his spiritual leader, Okomfo Anokye.
According to historical accounts, Okomfo Anokye planted two trees in a forest, saying one would grow to become the capital of the Ashanti Kingdom, with the other dying.
However, in a recent viral video, the Dormahene has debunked the tales as lies.
The Dormahene in the video stated, “They said Komfo Anokye planted two trees, that one survived and the other did not, which gave the names to Kumawu and Kumasi. That is not true.
When we say Kumasi today, I am teaching you live and clear. In the olden days, the place they called Asante was under the Denkyira chief. The Kumasi people were under Denkyira and were fetching firewood for him. The name of the tool used for cutting firewood is the axe, akuma. So, the actual name was ‘Akuma Ase Hene’, not Kumasi. It is a lie.
If you are a chief who can read and write, you should fear nobody. If everyone keeps quiet, the Dormaa people will not keep quiet or hide”, he confidently added.
It will be recalled, Dormahene, in another interview stated that anyone who claims the Golden Stool was summoned to descend from the sky is a liar.
According to the Dormahene, the Golden Stool, when it was recently outdoored, looked welded when it was displayed in public.
Speaking during the launch of the Bonokyempem Council in the Bono Region on August 14, 2025, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, stated, “If anyone tells you they can summon something to descend from the sky, I, Agyeman Badu II, am saying it is a lie”.
“Didn’t you see when the Golden Stool was recently outdoored, it looked welded? Didn’t you see?” he quizzed.
However, Otumfuo’s Nanahene, speaking in an interview on Adum TV on August 24, 2025, claimed the Dormaahene was being haunted by the ghost of his late mother after he had ignored investigating the cause of her death.
According to Otumfuo’s Nanahene, the Dormahene’s hatred against the Asantehene will not work.
Otumfuo’s Nanahene stated, “Did he see the Golden Stool that he is questioning whether it is from the sky? Everything the Dormaahene is saying about the Golden Stool does not make sense. He does not know what he is talking about”.
He further revealed that the Dormahene’s own uncle once served at the Manhyia Palace and also respected the Golden stool and quizzed why the Dormahene has changed since he became a chief and is now disrespecting the Golden stool.
Kennedy Agyapong, a former member of parliament for Assin Central and a NPP presidential candidate hopeful, has subtly told NPP delegates to reject presidential aspirants who are apologising to them.
According to Kennedy Agyapong, he would speak the truth by apologising to NPP members in Techiman South, as the party has not been fair to them in the last eight years they were in power.
The former lawmaker noted that the NPP members’ wealth is now being felt as the party is now in opposition, going through hardship.
Speaking at Techiman South during a campaign tour, Kennedy Agyapong stated, “Before I speak, I would like to apologise to all delegates here, from the constituency executive, patrons, Council of elders, electoral area coordinators, and polling station executives, as for me, I will speak the truth, the party for eight years has not been fair to us. I am standing on behalf of the party to beg you.
It is because of that that you did not come out in your numbers to vote; in just these 8 months, we have noticed your wealth. The hardship that we are going through now and the things the NDC are doing to the NPP members, please forgive us”.
Mr Agyapong further urged NPP delegates not to repeat the mistake of the past by voting against him.
According to him, in every corner of Ghana, the Ghanaian people are saying they want Kennedy Agyapong.
Kennedy Agyapong added, “However, what I am putting before you on January 31st 2026, is that the mistake that we made in the past by letting people intimidate us, people using money to entice us not to vote for someone, Ghanaians are saying, when we bring him, they will vote for. By now we will be in power, let me ask, if I were in power, would I sack NPP workers? But you knew plainly that Ghanaians wanted Kennedy Agyapong.
The last time we made a mistake, I have forgiven you, and I am here today this time around. Try me for four years, if the things I say today I am not able to fulfil them, vote against me after four years”.
Also, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia rendered an unqualified apology to Ghanaians for the way they led and governed the country.
The former vice president was speaking to some party faithful in the Ashanti Region as part of his regional tour of uniting and re-energising the base of the party.
Dr Bawumia, who did not exempt himself from the mistakes of the previous government, pleaded for forgiveness on behalf of all those who were part of the erstwhile Akufo-Addo-led government.
“After the 2024 elections, we have done our research. We know the NPP government and the party made a lot of mistakes in governance. There were things we needed to do which we didn’t, and others we did that, if we had had the benefit of background, we would not have done them,” he said.
He stressed that the blame was not his alone but a collective responsibility of the party’s leadership. “We are all to be blamed – Vice President, Ministers, MPs, Board Chairmen, appointees. We have all made mistakes, and please forgive us. We’re sorry. We have learned our lessons,” he added.
Dr Bawumia assured delegates that, if given the mandate as flagbearer and subsequently elected President, he would ensure that the past would not be repeated.
“If, by the grace of God, you make me the flagbearer and I become the President, these will not happen again. They will not happen again,” he pledged.
Prof Kingsley Nyarko, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kwadaso, has said he does not understand why people blame the New Patriotic Party (NPP) defeat on Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
He emphasised that it is illogical to blame the defeat solely on Bawumia, as the party had 138 parliamentarians across the 276 constituencies but could not maintain its seat in the 2024 general election.
According to him, if the NPP had won more seats or maintained their seat with Dr Bawumia losing, he would have sided with those accusing the former vice president of the party’s defeat.
Speaking during Dr Bawumia’s Ashanti Region tour, Prof Kingsley Nyarko stated, “I don’t really understand when I hear people blame the NPP 2024 loss on Dr Bawumia. What if we had won? What would those people say? Wouldn’t these same people be crediting themselves if the party had won? Were they not part of the campaign? Why blame it on Dr Bawumia?”.
He further detailed, “Before the elections, we had 138 parliamentarians across the 276 constituencies in Ghana. If we had won more seats or maintained the 138 seats for Dr Bawumia to lose, then I would side with those blaming the defeat on him. Now the 138 has reduced to 87.
Why do you make such an argument that Dr Bawumia is the cause of our defeat? It doesn’t make any sense to me. If the majority of MPs reduced to 88, now 87, for one man to gain almost 42 per cent, why do you blame him for the defeat? It doesn’t make sense”, Prof Nyarko explained.
Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah has outrightly rejected every call to adopt extreme aggression to combat the activities of illegal miner (popularly known as galamseyer) in Ghana.
The galamseyers who are fast decimating Ghana’s river bodies and forest reserves with impunity have to been described by many well-meaning Ghanaians, Civil Society Organisations, Clergy Groups, journalists and even some government officials as “hardened criminals”.
Despite the extreme measures rolled out in recent past to mitigate the menace including burning of galamsey site, equipment like excavators, hundreds of arrest and prosecution, the canker still festers with many now calling for a declaration of state of emergency. Others even suggest a “shoot-to-kill” but the minister rebuffed all these calls.
According to the minister, dialogue and education of illegal miner will help win their hearts and end the menace that has reached a disastrous level.
The Minister speaking at Bibiani in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality, said the fight against illegal mining is centered on sensitization, education and active engagement with communities. These methods he said will help people understand the harmful effects of galamsey on the environment and human life.
“The nation is under no illusion that we can end illegal mining through armed force. What will work is winning the hearts and minds of the people. Through education and dialogue, they will come to realize that destroying our environment is destroying our future,”
Mr. Armah Buah also stressed that the fight against galamsey is a collective responsibility. He called on all citizens to play their part in safeguarding the environment, adding that it cannot be left to government and security agencies alone.
A group of 3 individuals from the camp of Alan Kyerematen, leader of the Movement of Change has submitted a petition to the Office of Special Prosecutor(OSP) to investigate former Vice President of the Republic of Ghana and flagbearer aspirant of the leading opposition New Patriotic Party, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
The trio namely, Solomon Owusu, Andrew Appiah-Danquah, Edwin Godwin Buckman are charging the OSP under Act 2017 (Act 959), to conduct a full and independent investigation into recent public statements made by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
“In widely circulated video recordings and credible media reports, Dr. Bawumia is heard boasting of personally purchasing over three hundred (300) pickup vehicles for the NPP and claiming that “no one in the history of the party has raised the amount of money I have raised” for political campaigns. These declarations raise serious questions as to the source of the funds, the legality of the transactions, and the possible abuse of public office.” the petition states.
According to the trio as captured in the petition, the acquisition of over 300 pickup vehicles suggests access to extraordinary financial resources that demand verification of their origin and legitimacy.
“The Source of Funds – The acquisition of over 300 pickup vehicles suggests access to extraordinary financial resources that demand verification of their origin and legitimacy. Possible Abuse of Public Office – As a former Vice President and politically exposed person (PEP), Dr. Bawumia’s ability to raise such unprecedented sums gives rise to a reasonable suspicion of abuse of influence, conflict of interest, or diversion of public resources.”
FORMAL COMPLAINT AND PETITION FOR INVESTIGATION
To: The Special Prosecutor Office of the Special Prosecutor P.O. Box CT 1113 Cantonments, Accra, Ghana
From: Solomon Owusu Andrew Appiah-Danquah, Esq. Edwin Godwin Buckman
Date: 15 September 2025
Subject: Request for Investigation into Alleged Corruption, Illicit Enrichment, and Breaches of Ghana’s Political Financing Laws by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
Dear Special Prosecutor,
We respectfully submit this petition pursuant to the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), to request a full and independent investigation into recent public statements made by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Vice President of the Republic of Ghana and the 2024 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
In widely circulated video recordings and credible media reports, Dr. Bawumia is heard boasting of personally purchasing over three hundred (300) pickup vehicles for the NPP and claiming that “no one in the history of the party has raised the amount of money I have raised” for political campaigns. These declarations raise serious questions as to the source of the funds, the legality of the transactions, and the possible abuse of public office.
Grounds for Reasonable Suspicion
The magnitude of these financial claims triggers legitimate public concern that:
The Source of Funds – The acquisition of over 300 pickup vehicles suggests access to extraordinary financial resources that demand verification of their origin and legitimacy.
Possible Abuse of Public Office – As a former Vice President and politically exposed person (PEP), Dr. Bawumia’s ability to raise such unprecedented sums gives rise to a reasonable suspicion of abuse of influence, conflict of interest, or diversion of public resources.
Potential Breach of Political Financing and Anti-Corruption Laws
Ghana’s legal framework imposes strict disclosure, reporting, and anti-corruption obligations on public officers and political parties. Failure to adhere to these standards constitutes offences punishable under Ghanaian law.
Legal Basis for Investigation
The following statutory provisions provide firm jurisdictional and substantive grounds for your investigation:
Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959):
Section 2(c) empowers the OSP to investigate and prosecute corruption and corruption-related offences committed by public officers and politically exposed persons, including abuse of office for personal or partisan benefit.
Section 3 authorizes the OSP to act upon credible complaints or reasonable suspicion, both of which are present here.
Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574):
Section 21 requires political parties to declare and disclose their sources of funding.
Section 23 prohibits foreign or anonymous donations and mandates donor declarations. The procurement of over 300 vehicles and large-scale fundraising, if undisclosed or improperly sourced, would constitute a breach of these provisions.
Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044):
Sections 1, 2, and 3 criminalize the concealment, conversion, transfer, or use of property known or suspected to be the proceeds of unlawful activity.
The Act imposes enhanced due-diligence obligations on politically exposed persons (PEPs) to explain the legitimate source of substantial funds. Any failure by Dr. Bawumia to demonstrate the lawful origin of the monies used to purchase the over 300 vehicles would trigger offences under this Act and justify OSP intervention.
Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29):
Sections 239–244 criminalize corruption, bribery of public officers, and the use of public office for unjust enrichment.
Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921):
Prohibits the misuse or diversion of public funds and imposes fiduciary duties on public officers.
Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) (as amended):
If state influence or non-competitive procurement was used in the acquisition of the vehicles, this would trigger violations of the Act.
Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, 1992:
Article 286 requires public officers to declare assets and liabilities.
Article 284 prohibits conflicts of interest and the use of public office for private gain.
Reliefs and Actions Sought
In the interest of safeguarding Ghana’s democratic integrity, we respectfully request that your office:
Commence a Full Investigation into the origin of the funds used to procure the over 300 pickup vehicles and to finance related political activities.
Conduct a Comprehensive Audit:
Undertake a forensic audit to determine the exact cost of purchasing the over 300 pickup vehicles, including all related expenditures, financing arrangements, and payment channels.
Require Dr. Bawumia to make a full and sworn declaration of the total amount expended on the said purchase and to explain, with verifiable evidence, the lawful sources of the funds.
Publish the audit findings in line with the transparency mandate of the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the disclosure obligations under the Political Parties Act.
Audit All Fundraising Activities led or managed by Dr. Bawumia to determine compliance with the Political Parties Act and related statutes.
Determine Whether Public or Illicit Funds Were Used, directly or indirectly, in contravention of the Public Financial Management Act or other laws.
Publish Your Findings to promote transparency and public accountability.
Conclusion
The Office of the Special Prosecutor was created to protect the Republic from precisely this type of suspected high-level corruption. The statements of Dr. Bawumia, a former Vice President and leading political figure, present a compelling case for urgent action.
We trust that your office will discharge its constitutional and statutory mandate with the independence, courage, and fairness that the public expects.
According to the Ghanaian man, former President Addo must apologise to Ghanaians, not Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
His comment comes on the heels of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia rendering an unqualified apology to Ghanaians for the way they led and governed the country.
The former vice president was speaking to some party faithful in the Ashanti Region as part of his regional tour of uniting and re-energizing the base of the party.
Dr Bawumia, who did not exempt himself from the mistakes of the previous government, pleaded for forgiveness on behalf of all those who were part of the erstwhile Akufo-Addo-led government.
“After the 2024 elections, we have done our research. We know the NPP government and the party made a lot of mistakes in governance. There were things we needed to do which we didn’t, and others we did that, if we had had the benefit of background, we would not have done them,” he said.
He stressed that the blame was not his alone but a collective responsibility of the party’s leadership. “We are all to be blamed – Vice President, Ministers, MPs, Board Chairmen, appointees. We have all made mistakes, and please forgive us. We’re sorry. We have learned our lessons,” he added.
Dr Bawumia assured delegates that, if given the mandate as flagbearer and subsequently elected President, he would ensure that the past would not be repeated.
“If, by the grace of God, you make me the flagbearer and I become the President, these will not happen again. They will not happen again,” he pledged.
Reacting to Dr Bawumia’s apology, the man asserted that Dr Bawumia has begged Ghanaians, but they are not going to accept his apology, as the Ghanaian people need Akufo-Addo’s apology.
According to the man, Akufo-Addo promised the Ghanaians after taking e-levy that he was not going to the IMF, but ended up at the IMF.
He also cited the Domestic Dept Exchange Programme (DDEP) haircuts under Akufo-Addo and the $97 million spent on the National Cathedral hole.
The unidentified man also blamed Akufo-Addo for changing Ghana’s laws, which prohibited mining in forest reserves, as the cause of the galamsey menace in the country.
Speaking in a viral video, the man stated, “The former vice president, Dr Bawumia, has begged Ghanaians, but we are not going to accept his apology. We need the former president, Akufo-Addo himself, who was the one who told us that when Ghanaians pay e-levy, they were not going to the IMF.
However, he collected the e-levy and still took Ghana to the IMF, and he also changed the laws to mine in forest reserves, which has destroyed our water bodies and lands. After doing all that, he also gave us a haircut, with many Ghanaians dying as a result of the haircut”.
He further added, “He also used our money, of over $100 million, to dig a hole claiming he was building a Cathedral. When Ghanaians told him to change the finance minister, Akufo-Addo hit his chest and boldly backed him, so when he does hit his chest and begs Ghanaians, then the NPP should forget about coming back to power because Ghanaians are angry”.
Under the former Akufo-Addo government, of which Dr Bawumia was Vice President, Ghana descended into an extreme economic crisis, with many Ghanaians falling into economic hardship.
Inflation went as high as 50% while the major foreign trading currency, the US dollar, reached as high as GHS 17 against the Ghanaian Cedi.
The Akufo-Addo government ran to the IMF for liquidity support to alleviate the hardship after the economy was ranked as junk by global rating agencies.
The government had to restructure both domestic and external debts under the infamous Domestic Debt Exchange Program (DDEP) to secure a deal from the IMF.
Also, illegal mining (galamsey) was at its high time, with the galamsey menace destroying Ghana’s water bodies and lands. There was also the power crisis commonly known as dumsor.
Meanwhile, some Ghanaians reacted to the man’s video, saying, “Nana Addo the arrogant man will never apologise”.
“This man has just summarised NPP’s 8 years in a minute video”, another wrote.
Additionally, a netizen wrote, “Politics be someway o you fit chop money come beg? Slow”.
He emphasised that the President’s choice of travel exhibited prudence and a commitment to safeguarding national resources.
Ablakwa further revealed that the President is at ease with the arrangement and did not see it as odd.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of View, Ablakwa explained, “President John Dramani Mahama has not complained that he’s worried about flying commercial. He will not be the first to do that. Most of our Presidents did that, particularly when presidential jets were not available,” he stated.
“Absolutely. If you look at what former President Akufo-Addo was spending on private charters an hour, and all the costs that come with it, it is nowhere near. This discussion should be situated in protecting the public purse,” he stressed.
Additionally, Ablakwa, speaking at the Government’s Accountability Series on September 15, 2025, responded to critics regarding President John Dramani Mahama’s use of commercial flights for his travels.
Ablakwa stated, “President Mahama has not complained about commercial travels. I have seen some people say, ‘oh, President Mahama spent 22 hours in Dubai’ and they blame me for that.
“I saw a colleague [journalist] of yours apologising to President Mahama, that it is because of me, and that if President Mahama had his own way, he would have chartered a luxury jet, but because I’m the foreign minister, he cannot do that,” he added.
The minister further urged the public to desist from spreading such misinformation.
“That is so unfair to President Mahama. That was just propaganda; it is not true. No president will be allowed to be stranded at an airport. Let us get serious and stop this childish propaganda”, he warned.
However, Salam Mustapha, the National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party, has said the now Foreign Affairs minister, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa’s dirty politics have cocooned President John Dramani Mahama into waiting in transit for 22 hours.
According to Salam Mustapha, the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in opposition told Ghanaians the Presidential jet was in good condition.
He accused the NDC of dirty politics with Ghana’s president’s travels, which has today placed President John Mahama in a tight corner by waiting in transit for 22 hours.
He asserted that the NDC government must live by the standards they have set for former President Akufo-Addo.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in opposition, exposed then-President Akufo-Addo’s use of private jets.
He exposed former President Akufo-Addo’s $20,000-an-hour luxury jet travels, which he revealed as a wasteful expense.
The exposé pressured Akufo-Addo to revert to using Ghana’s presidential jet, saving millions of dollars in taxpayer funds.
Speaking on UTV, Salam Mustapha stated, “John Mahama is a beneficiary of the politics of insults; all the politics they did in this country, we have seen it. From Okudzeto Ablakwa…
Today, the president can board a plane and wait for transit for 22 hours because of the dirty politics we did in that country. It is because of the dirty politics Ablakwa did in the country, and he was supported, that is what has cocooned the president.
You see the president of the Republic of Ghana walking in the tunnel; it is a disgrace. You see the end of politics”.
He added, “They are telling lies; the Presidential jet is in pristine condition. I left the government about eight months ago. The time we were leaving the government, they told us that the presidential jet was in pristine condition. So far as we are concerned, the presidential jet is fit for purpose; there is nothing wrong with it.
The way they disturb former President Akufo-Addo, they should live by the standard”.
Ghana’s Falcon 900 EX Presidential Jet was purchased in 2009 and arrived in the country in 2010.
It replaced a 37-year-old Foker 27 aircraft, which was regarded as a flying coffin.
The Falcon 900 EX Presidential Jet has since been grounded at the Dassault Falcon Service facility in Le Bourget, France, due to massive wear and tear issues.
In 2021, the former Akufo-Addo government sought to purchase a new and bigger jet for the Presidency, but faced public backlash over accusations of extravagant travels by Akufo-Addo.
Additionally, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has called on all political actors to stop playing politics with the procurement of presidential planes and helicopters.
According to the Asantehene, lives are at stake, and Ghana must ensure the safety and efficiency of the president and its personnel in the security service.
He described the incident as a national concern and further expressed deep sympathy to President John Mahama and the bereaved families.
The Asantehene stated, “Enough of the politicising of the purchase of presidential planes and helicopters. Human lives are at stake here. We must invest to safeguard their safety and efficiency”.
Former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo challenges her removal as Justice of the Supreme Court at the High Court.
Gertrude Torkonoo argue that the petitions against her were for her removal as Chief Justice, and the process for removing Justices of the Supreme Court is different.
The former Chief Justice filed an application for judicial review at the High Court, challenging the legality of her removal by President John Dramani Mahama.
Justice Torkornoo is seeking multiple declarations that the President acted outside the powers conferred by the 1992 Constitution.
Justice Torkornoo is seeking the following from the High Court:
“Declare that the President has no authority to remove a Justice of the Superior Court without adhering to the constitutionally required process.
Declare that jurisdiction to hear any removal petition against a Justice of the Superior Court lies solely with a body established under Article 146(4).
Declare that the President’s warrant of removal is “unlawful, null, void, and of no effect.”
The suit is titled The Republic v. Attorney-General, Ex Parte Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo.
The legal team of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo had hinted that they will challenge the decision of the Committee of Inquiry that recommended her removal from office.
Nii Ayikoi Otoo, the lead counsel and former Attorney-General, highlighted that the former Chief Justice has been treated unfairly and deserves an opportunity to clear her name.
Nii Ayikoi Otoo, in an interview on Saturday, September 6, 2026, stated, “This is an option we are looking for to get the records straight. When Dr. Danquah went to court to talk about Re and Akoto, and that there was the abuse of a fundamental human right, people did not take him seriously.
But today, people are praising him for having fought that good fight. So, we will go to court at the right time”, he added.
Meanwhile, the Accra High Court has blocked lawyers of former Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo’s attempts to orally withdraw the case challenging her removal process.
The High Court ordered lawyers of former Chief Justice Torkornoo to follow the appropriate procedure in withdrawing the case challenging her removal process.
According to the court, the lawyers for the former Chief Justice must use an appropriate process to file their withdrawal.
Presiding Judge Justice Eugene Nyadu Nyantei blocked efforts by the lawyer for the former Chief Justice to withdraw the suit filed on June 23, orally.
Background
President John Mahama sacked the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, from office with immediate effect after he received a first report from the five-member committee he constituted to investigate three petitions brought against the Chief Justice.
Hours after President Mahama received the committee reports, Chief Justice Torkornoo was sacked with immediate effect.
A statement from the presidency stated, “President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution, removed the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, from office with immediate effect”.
“This follows receipt of the report of the Committee constituted under Article 146(6) to inquire into a petition submitted by a Ghanaian citizen, Mr. Daniel Ofori. After considering the petition and the evidence, the Committee found that the grounds of stated misbehaviour under Article 146(1) had been established and recommended her removal from office.
“Under Article 146(9), the President is required to act in accordance with the Committee’s recommendation,” the statement concluded.
A leaked document on social media concluded that Justice Torkornoo had engaged in conduct amounting to “stated misbehaviour” under Article 146(1).
The Key finding read, “Unlawful expenditure of public funds: The committee held that the Chief Justice caused the Judicial Service to pay travel expenses for her husband and daughter during private holiday trips in 2023, including per diem allowances. This, the report stated, was an “avoidable and reckless dissipation of public funds.”
Abuse of discretionary power: The committee found that her handling of the transfer of one Mr. Baiden breached Article 296(a) and (b) of the Constitution, describing the act as misbehaviour.
Interference in judicial appointments: The report also noted that she sought to bypass the established process for nominating Justices of the Supreme Court, contrary to precedent set in the Ghana Bar Association case. The committee concluded this amounted to misbehaviour”.
The committee subsequently recommended her removal in accordance with Article 146(7). President Mahama, bound by Article 146(9), which makes the President’s action mandatory once such a recommendation is made, formally removed Justice Torkornoo by Warrant of Removal under the Presidential Seal.
Meanwhile, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the most senior Supreme Court judge, was appointed by President Mahama to act as Chief Justice during the investigation process.
President Mahama is now expected to name former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo’s successor in the coming days.
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Former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo challenges her removal as Justice of the Supreme Court, contends the petitions against her were for her removal as Chief Justice, and the process for removing Justices of the Supreme Court is different#JoyNewspic.twitter.com/bEa3WkOXYe
Solomon Owusu, a leading member of the Movement for Change, had earlier revealed he will petition the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to probe the former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, over his 300 brand new pickups he claims to have bought for the NPP.
Speaking in an interview on TV3 New Day’s The Big Issue, Wednesday, September 17, 2025, Solomon Owusu stated that his petition is to ensure accountability and deepen the country’s democracy.
Solomon Owusu stated, “To help deepen our democracy, when I leave this place by 10:30 am, I am submitting a petition to the Office of the Special Prosecutor to help us in this regard. That we are going to find out who and who helped him to donate the 300-plus Navara pick-ups”.
“This morning together with Ebo Buckman and Lawyer Appiah Danquah, we are going to test the laws of the land to make sure that the former Vice President comes out to explain to the people of this country how and where he got these 300 Navara pick-ups that are brand new in nature and as to whether or not these were not aided by foreigners who are not supposed to take part in our body politics in terms of funding.”
Mr Owusu added, “Was it the case that this money came from his pocket? Was it the case that he was helped by friends or his network, as we have been told?
“We have to let the system work. People get away with a lot of things because we have the laws and institutions, and in this country, we are quick to identify the problem, but nobody wants to deal with the problem,” he added.
He also added that another petition on Bryan Acheampong will be submitted to the OSP after he claimed he gave out $1500 to each NPP executive.
Mr Owusu added, “From there, I am going to petition also on Bryan Acheampong. He was saying that he gave $1500 to each of the Executives. Ken Agyapong also was making reference to some monies”.
Solomon Owusu, in a separate interview on UTV Ghana, also told the Office of the Special Prosecutor to immediately investigate Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the former vice president and presidential candidate hopeful for the NPP.
According to Solomon Owusu, Bawumia confidently stated he personally donated 300 brand new Navara pick-ups to the NPP ahead of the 2024 elections.
He noted that one brand new Navara pick-up costs $60,000, adding that 300 pick-ups will cost $18 million, which Bawumia claimed he solely donated to the NPP.
Speaking on UTV, Solomon Owusu stated, “I will be going to the OSP to petition him. Bawumia thinks he is campaigning, but it is so dangerous, saying he donated 300 brand new Navara pick-ups, with one costing $60,000.
60,000 times 300, that is $18 million. Bawumia is saying he dashed $18 million, are you not scandalised by it? Are you not scared?”
He added, “Let’s take it as if he has people who donated to him, but under the Political Party Act, if someone gives you a donation, you have to indicate it. We were here, and Bawumia said Mahama went for a Ford, so if we had a vice president during a campaign, and he said he singlehandedly donated 300 pick-ups for the campaign, and we have the Ghana Revenue Authority, OSP, EOCO cannot call and question him, then the country is not worth dying for”.
It will be recalled that Dr Bawumia, some weeks ago, revealed he had contributed to the party but did not come out to declare them publicly.
According to Dr Bawumia, in the 2024 elections, he raised an unprecedented amount of money for the NPP in history.
Dr Bawumia further revealed he donated over 300 pick-ups, which are now being used by the NPP in constituencies.
Speaking during a gathering in the Adansi Asokwa constituency on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, Dr Bawumia stated, “I have also helped the party, but I do not come out publicly to state them. In the 2024 election, the amount of money I raised for the NPP was unprecedented in the history of the party.
It has never happened before, the pickups that I donated to constituencies over various regions, over 300 pick-ups that are now even being used in the constituencies”.
See the post below:
Movement for Change petitions OSP to investigate Dr. Bawumia's source of funding for 300 brand new pickups he claims to have bought for the NPP#JoyNewspic.twitter.com/WRsFaR5Pri
Fresh evidence has surfaced indicating that Niharika Handa, who allegedly acquired Ghanaian citizenship without meeting key immigration requirements, may also have engaged in identity fraud not only in Ghana but in several other countries.
This follows earlier concerns raised by investigators about how Ms. Handa and her son, Vasu Handa, obtained Ghanaian citizenship and passports after residing in the country for fewer years than the mandatory requirement, and why the birth year listed in her Ghanaian passport (September 14, 1965) differs from that in her Indian passport, which records September 14, 1961.
In response to media reports about her alleged use of false pretenses to acquire a Ghanaian passport, Ms. Handa’s lawyer, Thaddeus Sory, issued a statement claiming the discrepancy in birth years was “obviously a clerical error”. Despite this claim, it has emerged that Ms. Handa has done little, if anything, to correct the supposed error over the years.
But then it has since emerged that Niharika Handa acquired a GhanaCard on July 8, 2022 with the same year of birth (1965) in her passport, which her lawyers attribute to “a clerical error”. What is even more curious is that her Ghana passport was issued on July 20, 2022 – almost two weeks after the issuance of her GhanaCard, raising glaring questions about how two competent state institutions recorded the same birth year she now claims to be a clerical error, without any intention on Miss Niharika Handa’s part to deceive.
While claiming that the birthdate in her passport is an error without taking any steps to correct the so-called error, Miss Handa has continued to use the Ghanaian passport for international travel, securing visas for the UK, Schengen countries, Dubai, and Morocco, as well as opening bank accounts and new businesses in Ghana, the UK, Austria, and elsewhere.
At Ghana’s Registrar-General’s Department, she even updated company records to reflect the birthdate, the clerical error, in her passport. For instance, she amended the records of Gold Crest Refinery by replacing her earlier date of birth from the Indian passport (September 14, 1961) with the disputed date in her Ghanaian passport (September 14, 1965). With such widespread use of the altered birth year, investigators have raised the question as to whether this discrepancy is the simple or “obvious” clerical mistake her lawyer claims.
This prompted investigators to probe more deeply into Niharika Handa’s background. In addition to criminal court cases in India where she faced 14 non-bailable arrest warrants, and was declared an absconder and proclaimed offender, even as she was working on her naturalisation in Ghana, new findings suggest she has been involved in broader schemes which border on identity fraud.
In India, for example, Ms. Handa’s taxpayer identification card (PAN) and her driver’s licence both record her birth year as 1964. This means she has three conflicting birth years: 1961 on her Indian passport, 1964 on her PAN and driver’s licence, and 1965 on her Ghanaian passport. Investigators are therefore left mystified and asking – which is Ms. Handa’s real date of birth? Evidence further shows she has used all three dates of birth to open bank accounts and establish businesses in different countries.
“If a respected member of Ghana’s legal fraternity insists this is merely a clerical error, then as a country we must ask ourselves where we are heading. These discrepancies in birth dates clearly point to an attempt to deceive authorities globally and make it difficult for them to track down Niharika Handa,” an intelligence source said. “Far from a clerical error, this is a calculated deception for the purpose of hiding her criminal background, which is something the immigration authorities should have investigated before granting her citizenship in a short time.”
Also alarming is the fact that Niharika Handa’s son, Punar Vasu Handa, appears involved in similar identity fraud. His Ghanaian passport lists his date of birth as December 7, 1985, while his Indian PAN card records it as February 7, 1985. Before traveling from India to Dubai in 2015, he reportedly obtained a new passport declaring his date of birth as December 7, 1985, while claiming his old passport had been lost. Investigators are working with the assumption that the original passport reflected the date on his PAN card, and that he had the date of birth changed in the new passport with the intention to evade Indian immigration checks.
“This points to an identity fraud of international magnitude perpetrated by this woman and her son,” the intelligence source said. “Identity fraud is often the foundation of financial fraud. Normally, individuals do not alter their personal details; it is only when there is intent to deceive or to defraud that such manipulation is undertaken to bypass system checks.”
He continued: “To prevent such dubious foreigners from exploiting Ghana’s systems, immigration authorities must insist on police clearance reports from applicants’ home countries before issuing residence permits. For the granting of Ghanaian citizenship, far more thorough background checks by immigration authorities are essential. Fraudsters gaining Ghanaian citizenship directly undermines the reputation of Ghana’s passport and the relaxed visa regimes it currently enjoys with certain countries. At the same time, Ghana must confront the growing nexus between criminals and those tasked with upholding or defending the law.”
He highlighted that Ghana must confront poverty head-on with bold and innovative solutions.
According to Dr Adutwum, his presidential ambition is anchored on fighting poverty through education reform.
Speaking in an interview on JOY NEWS, Dr Adutwum stated, “President of Ghana means that you have a mindset that tells you that things can be better than what I’ve inherited or what I see today.
“If I ask anybody, what’s the greatest challenge facing Ghana on the street, a number of them will talk about the cost of living, issues, things are very difficult.
“At the end of the day, I conclude that the greatest threat facing this nation is poverty, and that we have to be frontal with it”.
The former Education Minister further added that Ghana’s development history shows lost opportunities.
He added, “Why is it that we built factories in the 1960s, but they are gone. Why is it that we started so well, and countries like Singapore come here and they marvel at the pace of transformation of Ghana?
“In fact, some economists thought that Ghana will be the first black nation to become developed. What went wrong? What did we miss?”
Dr Adutwum further cited Singapore, saying, “When Lee Kuan Yew came to Ghana and visited us in 1963, he was amazed as to the Ghanaian transformation that was taking place at the time.
“In fact, it is on record that he wrote in his diary that he had seen something in Africa, and Ghana has gold, diamonds, cocoa, and other resources that he didn’t have, but he was going to focus on human capital development.
It is also said that he mentioned the fact that he didn’t understand why a developing country would have such a great university, but the university was being headed by a non-scientist”.
The former education minister added, “So in his mind, he knew clearly that education was what was going to change Singapore, but not just any education, STEM education at the foundation, built on it with engineering innovation. Then, before you know, you have a country that is emerging out of poverty.
So essentially, my quest to become, first the flag bearer of the NPP and then to become the president of Ghana is for us to do what we have never done, for us to directly look at poverty and say, what kind of education system should we create that will enable us to become innovators, critical thinkers, collaborators, effective communicators, what is called the four CS, so that we can begin to tackle our issues around it through a different prism. We need to be able to look at age-old problems with a new set of eyes and devise solutions that we’ve never seen before.”
Dr Adutwum, in a separate interview, warned that he slash-and-burn politics in Ghana can put the lives of all Ghanaians at risk.
Adutwum was sharing his opinion on the recent military helicopter tragedy on August 6 that claimed the lives of eight Ghanaians when he made those remarks.
He blamed the NDC for the Akufo-Addo government’s failure to sufficiently retool the Ghana Air Force.
Speaking in an interview on Nhyira FM’s Kuro Yi Mu Nsem, Adutwum stated, “I have boarded the Air Force helicopter several times, and I never felt it could even crash because of the experienced and disciplined pilots and its smooth ride. I am still in a state of shock”.
“When Nana Addo decided to buy aircraft for the military, the then opposition MPs rose against it and played politics around it. The ‘slash and burn politics’ can put the lives of all Ghanaians at risk and eventually make politicians look stupid,” he cautioned.
Adutwum added, “We cannot continue to demonise all the contributions of our political opponents for political gains. I believe if what a particular government is doing will help the nation, we must all support it and avoid unnecessary criticisms”.
According to Prof. Mrs Goski Alabi, she wanted to pursue law, and she tried to achieve her dream of becoming a lawyer.
She revealed that she wrote the law exams and was even invited to the Law School interview.
Prof. Mrs Goski Alabi added that during the interview, she was asked how she was related to Prof Joshua Alabi, and she revealed that she is her wife.
She recounted that her interview was at a time the NDC had lost an election.
Speaking in an interview, Prof. Mrs Goski Alabi detailed, “I wrote the law exams, and I was invited for the interview. I went for that interview at the law school, and then during the interview, they asked me how you are related to Hon Joshua Alabi. I said, ‘he is my husband’ with a very broad smile. I was happy.
I came home, and I told my husband about my experience at that time the NDC had lost the elections, and he said to me what did you tell them I said I told them you are my husband and he said ‘Nine out of Ten, you are not going to enter law school and I did not”.
Meanwhile, some years ago, Professor Alabi praised his wife’s competencies in an interview, saying, “My wife is also a university professor, very learned and experienced. She has given addresses on various platforms, both on the local and international levels. I think my wife has what it takes to be a First Lady”.
“I have been married for the past 20 years. I have 2 kids. I am a very loving father, and my wife and children tell me that all the time. I would not like to cheat on my wife, and she knows I will not cheat on her”.
He added, “When you talk of blueprints, you are talking about a detailed plan. It will be worked out between myself and the NDC party. I have a general plan which will work. My team and I do not buy votes. When you buy votes, you won’t be able to sustain it”.
For decades, many LLB graduates from both public and private institutions have struggled to gain admission to the Ghana School of Law.
This is despite holding qualifying degrees, resulting in significant frustrations and a restricted pathway to legal practice.
However, there is now hope as the Attorney-General (A-G) and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has announced a major overhaul of Ghana’s legal education system.
The A-G revealed the abolishment of the centralised admissions process at the Ghana School of Law in Makola, Accra.
Universities offering the LLB degree will introduce a one-year practical Bar Practice Programme as part of qualifying for professional legal practice.
Graduates will thereafter sit for a new national bar examination to be admitted to the Bar for legal practice.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Monday, July 28, 2025, Dr Ayine stated, “The bill will abolish the Ghana School of Law system”.
He explained that universities will provide practical legal education, and students will write a national bar exam modelled after the Institute of Chartered Accountants’ system.
“We are shifting from exclusion to inclusion, ensuring all qualified LLB holders have a clear and merit-based path to becoming lawyers,” he added.
In related news, Prof Raymond Atuguba, the former Dean of the University of Ghana School of Law, is reportedly set to be appointed as the Director of the Ghana School of Law and Legal Education.
The reports follow the termination of the appointment of Justice Nana Yaw Oppong, who has been Director of the Ghana School of Law and Legal Education.
Watch the video below:
@citizen_sawajnr I tried getting into the law school but was rejected after saying Prof. Joshua Alabi is my husband~ Professor Goski Alabi, wife of Prof. Alabi. @Dr Frank Amoakohene @Pulse Ghana @BANTAMA COMM-OFFICIAL ♬ original sound – Sawa🇬🇭🇦🇪
Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has been spotted in his first public appearance after being released.
Abronye was captured at the week-long burial rites of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III.
He was clad in black cloth as he commiserated with the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
In the video shared on Facebook, Abronye was partly mobbed by individuals who were elated to see him.
Abronye was accompanied by the National Organiser of the NPP, Henry Nana Boakye.
Abronye was granted bail of the sum of GH¢50,000 with one surety, without justification.
In the viral video shared on social media, Abronye was captured with a smile, with some cheers from supporters of the NPP.
Abronye then told his supporters they were going to meet to celebrate.
He then proceeded into the vehicle, adding that he was going to meet his supporters..
Abronye was arrested on Monday, September 8, by the Ghana Police Service, based on what the police described as “offensive conduct conducive to the breach of public peace.”
The Accra Circuit Court had also remanded Abronye into police custody for one week.
Before his arrest, he had sought political asylum and security protection over threats on his life by government operatives and IGP Christian Tetteh Yohuno and his boys.
Abronye, in a detailed letter, September 5, 2025, appealed to the embassies and high commissions of Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, Côte d’Ivoire, Spain, France and Italy for urgent protection.
Over the weekend, Martin Kpebu, a private legal practitioner, revealed that the Attorney-General, Dr Dominic Ayine, had already indicated plans to intervene to ensure that Abronye is granted bail.
According to Martin Kpebu, Abronye should not be kept in custody for a week over his misdemeanour.
He revealed that the court can sit at any time, and the necessary legal processes can be filed to secure Abronye’s bail immediately.
Lawyer Kpebu cautioned the government to protect democratic freedoms and respect the rule of law.
Speaking on TV3’s Key Points program on Saturday, September 13, 2025, Martin Kpebu stated, “Ayine is stepping in so that, latest by Monday, Abronye should be out. This is not what we voted you guys in to do”.
He further added, “Abronye doesn’t have to be in custody for even one week. Today, the right process can be filed, the judge can sit today, and grant Abronye bail. If we don’t speak up, it will grow and become worse”.
“We have grown past the communist inferior tactics. I am not, for one moment, supporting the despicable comment by Abronye, but these are misdemeanours,” he indicated.
Also, the private legal practitioner in a separate interview highlighted that the NDC must know Ghanaians did not vote for them for this type of unlawful governance.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme on September 12, 2025, Martin Kpebu stated, “We must let the Attorney-General and IGP Yohuno know that this is not lawful. We didn’t vote for the NDC for this type of governance, and I cannot be part of this type of government”.
Lawyer Kpebu argued that the state must proceed to court while granting Abronye bail if they found the comments to be offensive.
He explained, “If they don’t want to forgive him, they can grant him bail as the case proceeds. When the verdict comes and it is too much, then we can talk about it”.
He cautioned that denying Abronye bail in a misdemeanour case sets a dangerous precedent “If in a misdemeanour case, Abronye cannot secure bail, then it means the verdict on my Kpebu Number 2 case in 2016 is void and useless. As citizens, we must get up and resist this, or else it will lead to tyranny”.
Lawyer Kpebu called on Abronye’s legal team to seek redress at the Human Rights Court.
“This is wrong and a sad day for our democracy. We must all rally support and speak against this because we cannot retrogress as a nation,” Kpebu said.
Meanwhile, reports suggest Circuit Court Judge, His Honour Samuel Bright Acquah, who presided over the Abronye case, will resign on 16th September 2025.
According to Mussa Dankwa, the NDC used their data to flip 5 areas in Akwatia where the NPP was leading.
Speaking to Kafui Day in an exclusive interview shared on social media, Mussa Dankwa detailed, “NDC did in the last before the election, they wanted to see the entire election by electoral area, which areas they have lost. This is when we did the last poll, which came on Friday. Somebody reached out to me on Saturday because we had published only ten electoral areas, and they wanted the entire thing.
We gave it to them free of charge; we didn’t charge them because that was just public data we wanted to share”.
He added, “So they knew where the NPP was leading, and where they were leading and even places where people were undecided. NDC came for the date and went to the areas where they were undecided. NPP was leading with 12, NDC was leading in 9 in the final poll.
Mussa Dankwa further revealed that Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s visit to Kusi did not help the NPP, as they were already losing the area.
“When the election was done, the NDC had gone to flip 5 of the 12 that the NPP was holding, using the data. Remember, Bawumia went to Kusi, which was an NPP area, but his visit didn’t help; they lost Kusi”, he added.
Meanwhile, Mussa Dankwa had said he would have been taken to the slaughterhouse if he got his projections for the Akwatia by-elections wrong.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday, September 3, Mussa Dankwa stated, “I knew I would have been taken to the slaughterhouse. They were preparing to take me there to finish me if I got this wrong”.
He further warned Ghanaian politicians that Ghana’s electoral demography has changed.
“The word here is poll, fair game, research, and science. Gone are the days when elections are won on propaganda, emotions, insults, or just anything. All the parties must realise that the demography of people who are voting in Ghana today has dramatically changed.
Over 70% of people who vote in Ghana today are below 35 years old. That is something that they must appreciate and understand the implications of the same,” Mr Dankwa explained.
He added, “These people are well-connected, are on social media, and will be quick to fact-check you. If they fact-check you and realise that you are telling lies, that is your end”.
Mussa Dankwa, in a separate interview, also revealed that getting his poll right for the Akwatia by-election was more difficult than the 2024 general election.
According to Mussa Dankwa, he is close to tears after his poll on the Akwatia by-election has been vindicated after the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) victory.
Mussa Dankwa was quoted by GHOne TV to have stated, “Getting Akwatia right was more difficult than the 2024 general election, I’m close to tears”.
He was once again vindicated when Bernard Bediako Baidoo of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) was confirmed the winner of the Akwatia by-election by the Electoral Commission.
The NDC candidate delivered a crucial victory for the Mahama-led government in a tight, contested election.
The Electoral Commission’s certified results, the NDC’s Bernard Bediako Baidoo secured 18,199 votes of the total valid votes cast, with the NPP’s Kwame Asumadu garnering 15,235 votes.
The Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Owusu Patrick, trailed far behind with 82 votes.
In all, 33,819 total ballots were cast, while 303 were rejected.
Watch the video below:
The NDC came for data from us before the Akwatia By-Election and went on to flip 5 out of the 12 places where the NPP were leading – @MKDankwah
Dzifa Gunu, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Digital Centres Limited, has told his fellow National Democratic Congress (NDC) members to accept the Catholic Bishops’ Conference’s call for decisive action against galamsey.
According to Dzifa Gunu, the Catholic Bishops’ statement would benefit the entire nation and strengthen the NDC government’s legacy.
He expressed worry over the negative reactions from some NDC members toward the bishops’ recent statement.
Dzifa Gunu further emphasised that the Catholic Bishops have been consistent, adding that under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, they staged a historic demonstration against “galamsey”, which was the first of its kind in Ghana.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, September 16, 2025, Dzifa Gunu wrote, “I have noted with deep concern how some of us have taken the call by the Catholic Bishops Conference on the president to act decisively on the ‘galamsey’ issue negatively”
“I am begging every one of us to accept their calls in good faith. Their calls will not benefit them alone neither will it help the opposition in any way, but if heeded to will rather benefit all of us as a country and the government in particular,” he added.
His post added, “This isn’t the first time they have made such calls, in fact, under the NPP they went as far as staging a demonstration, the first time in the history of this country that the Catholic Bishops Conference went on a demonstration,” he stated.
Dzifa Gunu, however, expressed confidence in Mahama, “If I know HE Mahama very well, he will be happy with their advocacy and will do everything to see the end of this rot.”
He further urged NDC supporters to remain focused, tolerate fair criticism, and avoid dismissing the clergy’s efforts.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, in a statement issued on Monday, September 15, 2025, once again reiterated its calls for President John Dramani Mahama to declare a state of emergency on illegal mining (galamsey).
According to the Catholic Bishops’ in January and May 2025, they met President Mahama, but his response to their demand for a declaration of a state of emergency was unsatisfactory.
The Catholic Bishops cried out that once-pristine rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, Birim, Offin, and Ayensu are now poisoned with mercury and toxic effluents.
They cited that turbidity levels in the Ayensu River have reached 32,000 NTU compared to the Ghana Water Company’s treatment threshold of 2,500 NTU, warning that purification is now impossible.
The Bishops wrote, “Illegal and unregulated mining, commonly known as galamsey, has become one of the gravest afflictions of our time.
It ravages our rivers and forests, poisons our soil, endangers public health, corrupts governance, erodes our moral fibre, and extinguishes livelihoods.
This is not a routine challenge to be managed with half-measures; it is a national emergency requiring decisive, extraordinary response,” the bishops said.
The Bishop highlighted that the desecration of creation through galamsey is a grave sin against God.
“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it. To desecrate creation through galamsey is not only an offence against neighbour; it is a grave sin against God Himself, the Creator and Owner of all,” they declared.
The Catholic Bishops statement added, “Farmers can no longer trust the land to sustain their families, and our capacity to feed the nation diminishes. Children, seduced by the mirage of quick riches, forsake school for perilous pits, many losing their lives in collapses that are both tragic and preventable.”
“This betrayal of trust cuts to the very marrow of our national identity. We call such leaders to repentance without delay.”
The Catholic Bishops further expressed dismay at President Mahama’s refusal to declare a state of emergency.
They added, “In both January and May 2025, delegations of our Conference raised these concerns directly with him, only to be met with unsatisfactory responses focused narrowly on economic gain.
“At his ‘Meet the Press’ session of 10 September 2025, he dismissed calls for a state of emergency. This is profoundly troubling. The hour is late. Delay is betrayal. Now, not tomorrow, not later, is the time to act.”
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, however, warned that declaring a state of emergency in galamsey-affected areas may be necessary, but it is not sufficient to address the full extent of the devastation.
“While urgent, a declaration is insufficient. Ghana requires a holistic, integrated national strategy”, the statement read.
According to the Bishops, the government must prosecute not only the poor but also the powerful.
“His government must prosecute not only the poor but also the powerful; not only the weak but also the well-connected. Without courage, no policy will stand, no law will hold, no declaration will succeed.”
“This struggle is not merely about law enforcement. It concerns the very soul of Ghana. It is about whether we choose life or death, blessing or curse. With God’s grace, let us choose life, for ourselves, for our children, and for generations yet unborn.”
Andy Appiah-Kubi, a former Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North, has called for a ‘wartime’ approach and presidential commitment in the fight against galamsey.
According to Andy Appiah-Kubi, galamsey is a war situation, and President John Mahama must show commitment.
He further asserted that when Akufo-Addo declared he would put his presidency on the line to fight galamsey, it was just words.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Appiah-Kubi stated, “When the NPP was in power, I spoke against our commitment to fight galamsey. Even in my constituency, I did not allow galamsey operations. All those who made an attempt were arrested and handed over to the police”.
“I never got afraid and stood my ground to stop the menace, even if it meant putting my life on the line. When Akufo-Addo declared he would put his presidency on the line, it was just words. True commitment must trickle down to those mandated to fight,” he argued.
The former lawmaker stressed, “If the President is committed, only one battalion can fight them. This is like a war situation; if the illegal miners want to threaten our survival, we must defeat them before they defeat us”.
Also, Dr Ken Ashigbey, the Convener of the Coalition Against Galamsey, has confidently told President John Dramani Mahama to sack all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in areas where illegal mining (galamsey) is prevalent.
According to Dr Ken Ashigbey, the galamsey fight requires urgent action as it is not progressing the way it should be.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Dr Ashigbey stated, “We believe it is not only us talking about it, but churches are also speaking about it. We all have to come on board to work on it.
But if galamsey is still ongoing in areas like Tarkwa, Obuasi, Prestea, then the DCEs and MCEs there must be sacked,” he insisted.
He added, “After sacking them, the government can investigate further to find out if they are part of the activities. If they are, then deal with them, because clearly, they are not helping matters”.
Dr. Ken Ashigbey, in a separate interview, quizzed what the national security is not telling President John Mahama about galamsey.
According to Dr. Ken Ashigbey, the Mahama himself said that galamsey has become a national emergency, but State institutions have not followed through with decisive measures.
He added that there are conditions for declaring a state of emergency in areas affected by galamsey.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Dr. Ashigbey stated, “We know the president, and that he is not a person who will implement a law in its draconian nature. So, we believe that under a state of emergency, we can be specific in the way we apply it and what it is that we do”.
“Currently, if we take all our water bodies, there is no fishing going on in them. But the ‘chamfans’ are still on them. There are many places where people have blocked portions of rivers and are mining illegally. You can declare a state of emergency in those areas,” he explained.
“The president said they have reclaimed about nine. Their grading used to be red and now some have improved to amber. But people are still destroying them. You can declare a state of emergency in those as well so that no excavator moves into those communities,” he added.
Dr. Ken Ashigbey cited that Article 39 of the Constitution provides clear grounds for a national emergency as the destruction of galamsey meets the criteria.
“The president has said it himself that it is a national emergency, and it is because the ingredients that constitute a national emergency in Article 39 are all clearly shown. So, I don’t know what the national security is not telling the president,” he lamented.
Additionally, the Coalition Against Illegal Mining, in a press conference, renewed its demand for the government to declare a state of emergency in areas affected by galamsey.
The Coalition Against Illegal Mining highlighted that galamsey is a grave threat to livelihoods, public health, and national security.
On Monday, September 15, the Convenor of the Coalition, Dr. Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey, addressing the press, stated, “We are, therefore, making the following demands of the government in response to the president’s statement on deploying a state of emergency as a last resort.
One, by Article 31 9A and B, the circumstances under which a state of emergency may be declared include the current galamsey situation in which the actions being taken by the environmental criminals are calculated to deprive large communities of potable water, which is an essential of life,” he said.
Prophet Samuel Henry, popularly known as Prophet Roja, has dropped yet another prophetic foretelling this time about the NDC and the Goldbod CEO Sammy Gyamfi.
According to Prophet Roja, Sammy Gyamfi will one day be sworn in as President of Ghana.
He gallantly emphasised that there is no condition on this, and no one can change this prophecy.
Prophet Roja revealed that Sammy Gyami has about eight years ahead of him before contesting, which he would win in a one-touch victory.
Speaking on Angel TV with Saddick Adams, Prophet Roja detailed, “I have said something about Ghana, if you like, record this video, one day, Sammy Gyamfi will be sworn in as the President.
It will not take long; he has eight years ahead. After eight years, he will contest, and that will be all. This is not a condition; no one can change this prophecy. If he stands for the NDC, it’s a one-touch win no one will try. If you like, record it”.
Prophet Roja confidently added, “All he has to do is to protect himself, that is all. It is a star that’s in his life”.
Meanwhile, Prophet Roja has made a name for himself following the tragic August Helicopter crash, and the passing of Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo Kantanka which resurfaced two viral videos of Prophet Roja on social media.
In the first viral video, dated April 4, 2024, Prophet Roja urged Ghanaian leaders to reach out to Apostle Safo, highlighting that the man of God held the secret to Ghana’s economic recovery.
Prophet Roja stated, “Go and look for Apostle Safo. For over 24 years, the Lord has revealed to me that he holds the road to Ghana’s economic freedom. If you do not hurry and tap into it, the man will soon be called by his maker.”
On 12 September 2025, Prophet Roja dropped yet another video about Apostle Safo, with vivid imagery to describe what he had spiritually witnessed.
The man of God stated, “I have seen something… a big star enter into the clouds. When it entered the cloud, it did not come back. Then I saw a mantle descending from the cloud, but it did not fall on anybody. May his soul rest in peace. You are a legend; you fought so hard, and may the Lord give you rest. I have seen it, praise the Lord. I am going to pray for you, men of God.”
Meanwhile, Sammy Gyamfi is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD).
Sammy Gyamfi is a lawyer and Economic Policy Analyst, and also holds a BSc in Environmental Science and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
He has a Barrister-at-Law certificate from the Ghana School of Law and an MA in Economic Policy Management from the University of Ghana.
Additionally, he is an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School, having obtained Executive Certificates in the Emerging Leaders and Strategic Leadership programmes.
Sammy Gyamfi earlier worked with Exton Cubic Group Limited, a mining company in Ghana, and currently serves as the National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress and also the CEO of Goldbod.
Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2028 elections is expected to field a new candidate as current President John Dramani Mahama is serving his constitutionally mandated second term in office.
The unofficial report gathered suggests that Haruna Iddrisu, Julius Debrah, Eric Opoku, and Johnson Asiedu Nketia are rumoured to be eyeing the NDC 2028 flagbearership.
A recent Global InfoAnalytics survey on the NDC flagbearer race indicates Haruna Iddrisu, the education minister, has become the National Democratic Congress (NDC )’s most preferred candidate to lead the country for the 2028 general elections, with Sammy Gyamfi’s name not mentioned by the poll.
The recent poll shows Haruna Iddrisu is slightly ahead of the NDC Chairman, Asiedu Nketia.
Haruna Iddrisu in the poll garnered a total of 27 per cent, followed by Asiedu Nketia pulling 26 per cent.
The finance minister, Ato Forson, pulled 22 per cent, with Chief of Staff Julius Debrah securing 11 per cent.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa also garnered 8 per cent, with the member of parliament for Korle Klottey, Zanetor Rawlings, polling 4 per cent.
Watch the video below:
🚨It is written in the stars and hopefully will be alive to see Sammy Gyamfi being sworn in as the President of Ghana
Solomon Owusu, a leading member of the Movement for Change, has revealed he will petition the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to probe the former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Bryan Acheampong.
Speaking in an interview on TV3 New Day’s The Big Issue, Wednesday, September 17, 2025, Solomon Owusu stated that his petition is to ensure accountability and deepen the country’s democracy.
Solomon Owusu stated, “To help deepen our democracy, when I leave this place by 10:30 am, I am submitting a petition to the Office of the Special Prosecutor to help us in this regard. That we are going to find out who and who helped him to donate the 300-plus Navara pick-ups”.
“This morning together with Ebo Buckman and Lawyer Appiah Danquah, we are going to test the laws of the land to make sure that the former Vice President comes out to explain to the people of this country how and where he got these 300 Navara pick-ups that are brand new in nature and as to whether or not these were not aided by foreigners who are not supposed to take part in our body politics in terms of funding.”
Mr Owusu added, “Was it the case that this money came from his pocket? Was it the case that he was helped by friends or his network, as we have been told?
“We have to let the system work. People get away with a lot of things because we have the laws and institutions, and in this country, we are quick to identify the problem, but nobody wants to deal with the problem,” he added.
He also added that another petition on Bryan Acheampong will be submitted to the OSP after he claimed he gave out $1500 to each NPP executive.
Mr Owusu added, “From there, I am going to petition also on Bryan Acheampong. He was saying that he gave $1500 to each of the Executives. Ken Agyapong also was making reference to some monies”.
Solomon Owusu, in a separate interview on UTV Ghana, also told the Office of the Special Prosecutor to immediately investigate Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the former vice president and presidential candidate hopeful for the NPP.
According to Solomon Owusu, Bawumia confidently stated he personally donated 300 brand new Navara pick-ups to the NPP ahead of the 2024 elections.
He noted that one brand new Navara pick-up costs $60,000, adding that 300 pick-ups will cost $18 million, which Bawumia claimed he solely donated to the NPP.
Speaking on UTV, Solomon Owusu stated, “I will be going to the OSP to petition him. Bawumia thinks he is campaigning, but it is so dangerous, saying he donated 300 brand new Navara pick-ups, with one costing $60,000.
60,000 times 300, that is $18 million. Bawumia is saying he dashed $18 million, are you not scandalised by it? Are you not scared?”
He added, “Let’s take it as if he has people who donated to him, but under the Political Party Act, if someone gives you a donation, you have to indicate it. We were here, and Bawumia said Mahama went for a Ford, so if we had a vice president during a campaign, and he said he singlehandedly donated 300 pick-ups for the campaign, and we have the Ghana Revenue Authority, OSP, EOCO cannot call and question him, then the country is not worth dying for”.
It will be recalled that Dr Bawumia, some weeks ago, revealed he had contributed to the party but did not come out to declare them publicly.
According to Dr Bawumia, in the 2024 elections, he raised an unprecedented amount of money for the NPP in history.
Dr Bawumia further revealed he donated over 300 pick-ups, which are now being used by the NPP in constituencies.
Speaking during a gathering in the Adansi Asokwa constituency on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, Dr Bawumia stated, “I have also helped the party, but I do not come out publicly to state them. In the 2024 election, the amount of money I raised for the NPP was unprecedented in the history of the party.
It has never happened before, the pickups that I donated to constituencies over various regions, over 300 pick-ups that are now even being used in the constituencies”.
GTEC revealed that the Dr title adopted by the NDC Central Regional Chairman is inappropriate, as it was conferred as an honorary degree.
The commission on July 31, 2025, also ordered Richard Kofi Asiedu to cease using the Professor title.
GTEC, in a letter, stated, “Despite prior communication and your own disclaimer regarding the use of the title ‘Professor’ and the nature of the Doctorate, the Commission has not received the required documentation. Intelligence available to the Commission indicates that the Doctorate in question is honorary.
“As such, and in accordance with academic standards and protocols in Ghana, the use of the title ‘Dr’ in public or official capacities is not permissible for honorary degrees”.
“Pending the submission and successful verification of a formally earned Doctorate certificate, you are hereby directed to immediately cease the use of the title ‘Doctor’ or the abbreviation ‘Dr’ in all official, professional and public contexts”, part of the letter stated.
Also, the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has backed the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission’s (GTEC ) efforts to regulate the growing development of individuals flaunting honorary doctorate degrees and fraudulent academic certificates.
According to UTAG, Academic titles must be earned, not purchased.
UTAG, in a press release, expressed concern about the abuse and misrepresentation of such titles.
UTAG statement stated, “Academic titles must be earned, not purchased, and their use must reflect the high standards of scholarship and service they represent”.
“UTAG fully supports the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) in its efforts to regulate, monitor, and, where necessary, sanction individuals and organisations involved in the proliferation and misuse of fake academic titles,” the statement added.
UTAG press release follows the ongoing dispute between the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) and Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah.
GTEC warned Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah against presenting herself as a professor.
According to GTEC, Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, despite her claims, was never appointed as an Assistant Professor of Surgery by the University of Utah in the United States.
GTEC, in a letter addressed to the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, requested Dr Ayensu-Danquah to provide documentary proof of her professorial appointment by August 11, 2025.
According to the deputy minister legal team responded and insisted she was an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Utah in the United States.
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission further revealed that documents submitted by Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah’s legal team were inconsistent.
GTEC added that a letter from the University of Utah, signed by Prof. W. Bradford Rockwell, Vice Chair for Academic Affairs in the Department of Surgery, clarified that Dr. Ayensu-Danquah was appointed as an Adjunct Assistant Professor and not Assistant Professor.
According to GTEC, the role of Adjunct Assistant Professor is a non-tenure track position which equates to a part-time lecturer under Ghana’s academic framework and not a senior lecturer, and certainly not a professor.
GTEC letter boldly stated, “Based on the above, the Commission concludes that Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah does not hold the title of Professor in any capacity”.
They further warn the deputy of presenting herself as a professor otherwise, legal action on grounds of public deception will be initiated against her.
In addition, GTEC has also warned the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC), Sofo Rashid Tanko-Computer, to cease using the doctor title.
Tanko-Computer had maintained he acquired a PhD from Kingsnow University in 2016, but GTEC, in a letter on June 3, 2025, stated the degree was unearned.
He was ordered to stop using the title Doctor. GTEC further requested Tanko-Computer to take off the Doctor title from platforms, such as official documents, institutional profiles, websites, letterheads, and any other public or professional representations.
Also, Hassan Ayariga, the Presidential Candidate of the All People’s Congress (APC), was directed to stop using the academic title “Dr” after he failed to provide evidence verifying the legitimacy of the designation.
In a press statement by the police dated September 16, 2025, the police revealed that three police officers and three students sustained injuries following a violent clash.
Portions of the statement read, “The students became aggressive upon seeing the Police and started pelting stones, which resulted in three students sustaining injuries, as well as, three Police Officers who are currently receiving treatment at the hospital. No damage to school properties and Police facilities were recorded”.
The statement added, “Intelligence received indicated that at about 9:00 am, students numbering about five hundred (500) massed up in front of the school’s administration block. Upon receipt of the information, a team led by Supt/Mr Richard Lantei Odartey was deployed to restore law and order.
“It was observed that the demonstrating students had set ablaze vehicle tyres at the main entrance of the school (TAMASCO direction) and in front of the Police Post (Kpalsi direction) on the main road, as well as in front of the Administration block,” the statement added.
The Northern Regional Police Command added that calm has been restored at the Tamale Technical University following an unlawful demonstration on Tuesday, 16th September 2025.
“The team managed to bring the situation under control and restored calm to the school. Meanwhile, a temporary deployment is stationed on the grounds to avert any recurrence,” it stated.
Yesterday, September 16 some students of the Tamale Technical University on Tuesday, held a protest against what they claim is management neglect and misappropriation of the school’s funds and baseless fee increment.
Reports suggest the student, in their protest, blocked all entry points of the school and also burnt lorry tyres at the administration.
The student later clashed with the police, and scores of students sustained various degrees of injuries after the students clashed with police during a protest against the management of the school.
According to the Public Relations Officer of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC), Musa Mahamudu, the demonstration was to demand better welfare for students and the development of the university.
Musa Mahamudu stated, “Our main aim for this demonstration is the issue we have at hand with management. Which has to do with the compressing issues that affect students in this university.
“Let’s talk about hostels, lecture halls, campus comfortability etc. Over the years, we have been paying school fees, and there are levies for development supposed to development this university,” he stated.
They further petitioned the Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu to address their grievances.
“We are compelled to bring to your urgent attention issues of systematic neglect of students’ welfare, alleged misapplication of funds and the proposed increment of fees without justification.
“These actions in our view contravene the principle of equity of accountability and quality education enshrined in the 1992 constitution of Ghana,” portions of the petition read.
They added that the school’s infrastructure is in a deplorable state despite paying levies and fees, and called on management to ensure judicious use of the monies paid.
