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Naa Torshie Congratulates Bawumia

By
RICHARD OWUSU-AKYAW
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Irene Naa Torshie Addo

Naa Torshie Addo has congratulated former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on his victory in the New Patriotic Party’s presidential primaries, describing the January 31, 2026 contest as a defining moment in the party’s democratic journey.

In a statement addressed to party faithful, Naa Torshie commended NPP delegates nationwide for their commitment and participation, saying their conduct had strengthened the party’s internal democratic processes.

She paid glowing tribute to Kennedy Agyapong for what she described as his leadership, energy and conviction throughout the race and praised Team Ken and its supporters for their sportsmanship and cooperation.

Naa Torshie said the collective efforts of all aspirants and supporters had helped to deepen unity and resilience within the party, urging members to rally behind Dr. Bawumia as the NPP prepares for the 2028 general elections.

“As we move forward, we must come together as one united party, placing our shared vision and collective strength above all else,” she said, stressing that unity remains the NPP’s greatest asset.

She expressed confidence that a united party would be well positioned to secure victory in 2028 “for the good of Ghana.”

She ended her message with a rallying call: “Long live the NPP. Long live Ghana.”

 

 

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Most Of You Don’t Speak The Truth – Bagbin Tells MPs

By
MAXWELL OFORI
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Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban S. K. Bagbin

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Suman Kingsford Bagbin, has noted that “many” Members of Parliament are not truthful. According to him, many of them tell “lies” under the cover of politics.

The former Legislator passed the verdict on the MPs during sitting on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

He had listened to both the majority and minority on an issue but said that they were all giving different accounts of what actually transpired, which got him “confused”.

“So I have to go and read the Hansard, because many of you are not fond of speaking the truth. Well, one of the things I hate in life is to tell lies. I am being truthful and factual,” he said.

He added that “when you want to raise the issue, you say it is politics. As if politics is not about speaking the truth. So please, let’s go and refresh our memory on this matter.”

ISSUE

The Majority Leader and Leader of the House, Mahama Ayariga presented the business for the week. The Minority Leader, Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin, later caught the eye of the Speaker and made a plea.

He beseeched Speaker Bagbin to direct the Business Committee to include the debate on the motion for a probe into the mass dismissal by the government in 2025. He said about 15,000 people have been affected and that could not be left unattended.

In his pleadings, the Effutu legislator informed the Rt Hon. Speaker that the majority had already presented their case in opposition to the motion for review and was left with his side.

He said that the motion was at a stage where it was only the Speaker who could preside over it, given that the First Deputy Speaker’s ruling was being challenged.

According to him, the motion used to be advertised on the order paper, but due to the busy schedule of the Speaker, the item has not been dealt with.

COUNTER

The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, rose to his feet to challenge the argument of his colleague on the other side.

He told the House that the Minority Leader did not present the full facts.

The fact, he told the Speaker, was that the First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, had ruled on the matter because the case was pending in court and it was not proper for Parliament to probe the same matter.

The Speaker called the First Deputy Speaker to speak on the matter. Bernard Ahiafor, MP, corroborated the statement presented by the majority leader that he had ruled that the same case was pending in court and thus could not be taken by Parliament.

According to him, he was presented with the court document on the matter filed by the MP for Old Tafo, Ekow Vincent Assafuah, based on which he gave the ruling.

UNPRINCIPLED

In a sharp rebuttal, the minority leader pointed out that the majority leader and the first deputy Speaker were not being principled, apart from the fact that they had moved from that stage.

He argued that when the current Chief Justice, Baffoe-Bonnie, was nominated and a date set for his vetting, the minority informed the House that former Chief Justice Gertrude Araaba Esaaba Torkornoo was challenging the matter in court.

Due to that, the minority urged the House to allow for the legal processes to be completed, ensuring no injustice was done.

However, he recalled that the majority argued that the matter in court could not bar Parliament from performing its duties.

DIRECTIVE

Speaker Bagbin, who had earlier bemoaned the practice of workers losing their jobs as a result of a change of government, directed the chairman of the business committee to re-list the motion on the order paper. He said it was important for Parliament to have a say on that matter.

It was after this directive that the majority leader raised the issue of the First Deputy Speaker’s ruling.

However, the minority leader countered that, saying they had crossed that part.

“The ruling of the First Deputy Speaker was challenged under 127 of our rules. We attached the ruling and stated the four facts of the case. And filed this before you,” he said.

Afenyo-Markin continued that, “Mr Speaker, what the issue is, is simply that you admitted our appeal. You admitted our motion for review. And in fact, we have actually moved our application.

“So Mr Speaker, all we are saying is that let us continue the debate. All these things that you are saying – there was a ruling; we moved past that. If a body of first instance makes a determination and a plaintiff opens a case, you don’t go back and say that there was a ruling. We’ve moved past that. We’ve moved the motion; it’s been seconded.

And you, the majority, you have submitted strong points in opposing our application. What Mr Speaker is saying is, let us relist it, because the motion has been pending. We need to continue the debate.  Then you make a determination.”

Meanwhile, Speaker Bagbin said they were all raising different issues about the same thing, which has confused him, thus the need for the House to refresh its memory and revisit the matter.

 

 

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Minority Meets Bawumia

By
RICHARD OWUSU-AKYAW
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Dr Bawumia and with leader of the minority caucus Alexander Afenyo-Markin

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has met with former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in a significant post-primary engagement that signals a renewed push for unity within the New Patriotic Party (NPP), ahead of the 2028 general elections.

The meeting, led by Minority Leader Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, comes days after  Dr. Bawumia secured a decisive victory in the party’s January 31, 2026 presidential primaries, emerging as the NPP’s flagbearer after a fiercely contested race.

Addressing the delegation, Dr. Bawumia called for forgiveness, discipline and collective responsibility, stressing that internal contests are a normal feature of democratic politics and must not be allowed to weaken the party’s future prospects.

Dr Bawumia and wife Samira Bawumia pose for the camera with the minority caucus in Parliament

He assured the Minority MPs that he harboured no grudges over statements made during the campaign period and was prepared to work with all party members committed to winning back power.

“My mind is open, my heart is open and my hands are open,” Dr. Bawumia said, underscoring his commitment to inclusive leadership.

Dr. Bawumia won the primaries with 110,643 votes representing 56.48 per cent of total valid votes cast, defeating four other contenders in one of the most competitive internal elections the party has held in recent years.

Former Assin Central MP, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, placed second with 46,554 votes (23.76%), followed by Dr. Bryan Acheampong with 36,303 votes (18.53%).

Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum and former General Secretary Kwabena Agyei Agyepong recorded marginal figures.

The Minority caucus’ visit is widely seen as a strategic effort to close ranks after a campaign that exposed internal divisions, with sections of the parliamentary wing perceived to have aligned with rival aspirants.

Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin pledged the caucus’ support for Dr. Bawumia’s leadership and urged MPs to abandon factionalism and internal whispering, warning that disunity would undermine the party’s electoral fortunes.

He acknowledged that the party’s time in opposition since the 2024 elections had been difficult, noting that the lack of central coordination had often constrained parliamentary effectiveness.

Samira Bawumia with the NPP female Members of Parliament

Afenyo-Markin also highlighted the party’s reduced strength in Parliament, pointing out that the NPP’s seats had declined from 169 in 2017 to just 87 after the 2024 polls.

Dr. Bawumia expressed confidence that the 2024 defeat was not irreversible, arguing that electoral data suggests the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) vote share remained largely unchanged, while the NPP suffered from voter apathy among its supporters.

According to him, the path back to power lies in re-engaging the party’s base, restoring confidence in its message and presenting a united front to the electorate.

The meeting ended with commitments from both sides to strengthen coordination between the parliamentary caucus and the party’s flagbearer, marking one of the earliest and most significant post-primary unity engagements within the NPP.

 

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Odame-Darkwa likens Asamoah’s Sky Train approval search to “looking for a missing cow in a hen coop”

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Court

A former board member of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), Yaw Odame-Darkwa, on Monday delivered a stinging analogy in court, as he dismissed claims that the Accra Sky Train Project received board approval.

Testifying under cross-examination before an Accra High Court, presided over by Her Ladyship Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, the prosecution’s first witness (PW1) likened the attempts by Solomon Asamoah, former Chief Executive Officer of GIIF and first accused person, to prove board approval for the project, as “a farmer desperately searching for a missing cow in a hen coop.”

Mr Odame-Darkwa was responding to questions by Victoria Barth, counsel for Mr Asamoah, who sought to rely on internal memos and budget documents to establish that the Sky Train Project had already been approved by the GIIF board.

“Counsel is referring to a memo written by a Tier-2 management member. This document has nothing to do with project approvals,” the witness told the court.

“What one realises is that counsel is behaving like a farmer who has lost his prized cow and out of desperation, is now looking in a hen coop, when logically a cow cannot be there.”

According to the witness, for the sake of transparency and proper governance, all GIIF board decisions, whether on projects or budgets, are captured strictly in board minutes.

“If she wants approval, she should refer to the board minutes. That approval cannot be in a memo,” he stressed.

During cross-examination, counsel referred the witness to Exhibit 29A, an addendum to the 2019 budget estimates presented to the GIIF board in December 2019.

The document listed several projects described as “already board approved,” including the Accra Sky Train Project, with a projected disbursement of US$2 million for project development equity.

Mr Odame-Darkwa agreed that the Sky Train Project appeared in the table under already approved projects, but maintained that the reference did not amount to formal board approval.

“Yes, the Sky Train is mentioned there,” he admitted, “but that does not mean it was approved. Budget documents include pipeline projects as well and pipeline projects are not necessarily board-approved projects.”

He further explained that management budgets are essentially “wish lists” presented to the board and may include projections for both approved and pipeline projects.

The witness also acknowledged that when Exhibit 29A was circulated by email, neither he nor other members of the audit committee raised questions about the Sky Train being described as an approved project.

However, he said their attention at the time was focused on budgetary issues, particularly the recruitment of additional staff.

“My focus was not on projects. My focus was on the budget issues before us,” he said, adding that similar descriptions had been used for other projects, such as the fuel storage depot, which he knew had not received any financial commitment before he left GIIF.

Under further questioning, Mr Odame-Darkwa conceded that Exhibit 8, one of the board minutes tendered in evidence, appeared to be missing page four, creating a gap between agenda items.

He, however, attributed this to a possible clerical error and denied that it affected the substance of the minutes.

He admitted that, due to the voluminous nature of the documents, his review—both at the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) and later in court was primarily focused on issues relating to the Sky Train Project.

Tensions rose when defence counsel suggested that Mr Odame-Darkwa had agreed to become a prosecution witness to avoid being charged himself.

Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai objected, arguing that the question was unfair and that prosecutorial discretion rests solely with the Attorney-General.

The court, however, overruled the objection and allowed the witness to answer.

“As I sit here, I don’t know why,” Mr Odame-Darkwa said, when asked why he became a prosecution witness, firmly denying that he was doing so to escape liability.

The witness confirmed that GIIF’s 2019 and 2020 financial statements were independently audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Boateng, Offei & Co. and that the board accepted the audit reports without query.

However, he said he was not aware whether the auditors raised concerns about the Sky Train Project lacking board approval, insisting he would need to see the auditors’ specific terms of reference before commenting.

The trial, which centres on whether the Accra Sky Train Project received proper board approval before funds were disbursed, continues at the High Court today.

 

 

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Editorial: Big Push Without Rail: A Mirage?

By
THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

When President John Dramani Mahama launched the Big Push Agenda last year, he assured Ghanaians that the $10 billion (GH¢120 billion) initiative would close long-standing infrastructure gaps in roads, bridges, water systems and other essential facilities. Central to the 2025 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review, the programme promised to complete abandoned projects, revamp the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) to drive self-financing projects and expand water supply for equitable access across communities.

The President described the initiative as a nationwide transformation: “From roads to hospitals, from schools to water supply, the Big Push will transform Ghana into a construction site.” To ensure timely execution, GH¢14 billion was allocated in 2025, with GH¢30 billion earmarked for 2026, and contractors assured of strict two-week payment timelines for certified works.

While the programme spans multiple sectors, roads dominate the agenda. The Dodowa-Afienya-Dawhenya and Oyibi-Appolonia-Afienya corridors are earmarked for reconstruction to improve mobility, ease congestion and attract investment in historically neglected regions.

The Chronicle notes that President Mahama also promoted railway development. At the Czech-Ghana Business Cooperation Seminar in April 9, 2025 he urged Czech investors to collaborate on tram and light rail networks for Accra and Kumasi under the Big Push. He emphasised that modern urban transport would ease city mobility and boost economic activity, especially within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

We find a glaring omission: Ghana’s railway system, long neglected, is in near collapse. Rail currently accounts for only 4% of passenger traffic and 3% of freight, with most of the original 947 km network non-operational. While the Eastern line functions, the Western line has been dormant since 2008. Narrow-gauge tracks dominate and over 60% of the system is unusable.

Railways are not a luxury, they are an economic necessity. Rehabilitation of 668 km of existing tracks to standard gauge, coupled with 3,340 km of new lines to northern regions, would reduce road congestion, lower transport costs for bulk goods and stimulate industrial and agricultural productivity.

A modern railway network would also enhance Ghana’s global competitiveness, facilitate trade via ports like Tema, create thousands of jobs and foster rural development by connecting producers to markets.

The economic argument is clear – transporting bulk commodities such as cocoa, timber and minerals by rail is cheaper, safer and more efficient than relying solely on roads.

Heavy trucks accelerate road deterioration, increase accidents and impose massive maintenance costs. Functional railways would relieve this pressure, allowing the state to redirect resources to modernisation rather than constant road repair.

We believe that while the Big Push Secretariat may transform roads and urban infrastructure, Ghana risks a transport imbalance unless rail development receives urgent attention. Roads alone cannot sustain industrialisation or decongest cities; rail is the backbone for bulk movement, logistics efficiency and regional integration.

The Chronicle fully supports the Big Push initiative but urge the government to match rhetoric with action on railways. To truly reset Ghana’s economy, infrastructure policy must be holistic, integrating roads, water, and rail. Otherwise, the vision of a modern, connected, and competitive Ghana risks remaining a mirage on paper.

Ghana cannot afford to build roads endlessly while letting its rail system rot. The time to walk the talk on railways is now, before the cost of inaction eclipses the promise of the Big Push.

 

 

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Kwame Agyeman-Budu calls for unity in Ejisu NPP

By
SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU
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Dr. Kwame Agyeman-Budu

Dr. Kwame Agyeman-Budu, a former Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana has called for unity among members and sympathizers of the New Patriotic Party in the Ejisu constituency.

He implored supporters of all five contestants in the just ended flagbearer race to bury their differences and unite as one big elephant family.

Dr. Agyeman-Budu in a post-election statement said with the internal elections over, it is incumbent on all party members to unite in pursuit of  progress and development for the great NPP party and nation.

“Let us not allow the disagreements of the past to divide us”, he cautioned, and advised them to channel their collective energy and passion towards a common purpose of supporting flagbearer-elect and to work tirelessly for the party and to win the 2028 General Elections.

According to the former ECG boss, the shared goals and aspirations of the party far outweigh the differences of supporters of the five aspirants.

He called for unity, reconciliation and a renewed commitment to the shared vision of the New Patriotic Party, once Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has now been elected to lead the party for the 2028 elections.

Dr. Agyeman-Budu commended the five contestants for their spirited campaigns, and passionate advocacy and their dedication to the party’s ideals and values.

 

 

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Concerned Farmers Union Launches “Operation Bare Lands” To Empower Youth

By
SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU
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Nana Oboadie Boateng Bonsu II, President - Concerned Farmers Association of Ghana

‎The Concerned Farmers Association of Ghana has launched an initiative dubbed “Operation Bare Lands, aimed at empowering the Ghanaian youth and transforming the nation’s agricultural landscape.

The Union believes that access to land is the key to unlocking the potential of our youth hence the quest to access unused lands belonging to chiefs and government (state farm lands) for acquisition and distribution to young Ghanaians.

A statement issued by the President of ‎Concerned Farmers Association of Ghana,

‎ Farmer General Nana Oboadie Boateng Bonsu II called on the President and the Minister of Agriculture to support efforts of the Union to put idle lands into productive use and creating a brighter future for our young people.

‎The Concerned Farmers Union also called on all stakeholders, including traditional leaders, government agencies, and well-wishers, “to join us in the noble initiative to put lands into good use.”

He explained that “‎Operation Bare Lands” is an integral part of the Back to the Village Campaign, aimed at revitalising rural communities and promoting agricultural development, adding “By bringing idle lands into production, we’re not only empowering youth, but also driving rural economic growth and food security.”

‎According to Nana Boateng Bonsu, the initiative is a call to action for all Ghanaians to return to the land, reconnect with their roots and contribute to national development.

‎Nana Boateng Bonsu said the goal of the group in this regard is to create a new generation of farmers, entrepreneurs and homeowners, who will drive the nation’s development and prosperity.

“By providing land and training, we will be  giving our youth the tools they need to thrive, reduce the scourge of drugs, stealing and robbery that plagues our communities, as well as create employment”, it was stated.

‎He noted that the initiative aligns perfectly with the President’s Feed Ghana project for which reason the Farmer’s group urge the President to consider incorporating “Operation Bare Lands” into the flagship Feed Ghana programme towards the creation of “a food-secure, job-rich and crime-free Ghana”.

 

 

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Dunkwahene launches 20th anniversary celebration 

By
admin
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Okofrobour Obeng Nuako III (middle) and elders

Okofrobour Obeng Nuako III, chief of Dunkwa-On-Offin, has announced a week long programme of activities to commemorate two decades of his enstoolment.

Charles Amoah (in white) receiving a Citation from the chief

The Dunkwahene, who was enstooled on June 6, 2006 gave hints of the commemoration at the observation of the first “Akwasidae” last Sunday.

Dubbed, “Maaseman Akwantuo”, the anniversary will celebrate the migration of the people of Dunkwa-on-Offin from their original settlement (between Adanse and Amansie in the Ashanti Region) to their current location.

The chief said an array of activities, to be climaxed by a Grand Durbar, would soon be outlined for the attention of the general public.

Nana Obeng Nuako thanked God for His blessings and protection and acknowledged the support and encouragement of his elders and subjects during his 20-year reign.

He reminded his elders and subjects that the development of Dunkwa is a collective effort and appealed to all and sundry to contribute to its development.

The Dunkwahene also pleaded with President John Dramani Mahama to consider the rehabilitation of the 22 mile Dunkwa-Obuasi road, stressing that the stretch is vital in the livelihood of the people of Dunkwa and its environs.

Meanwhile, Okofrobour Obeng Nuako III has honoured Mr. James Amoah, also known as Awushi, an Entrepreneur, in recognition of his hardwork, dedication and promotion of the Entertainment industry, specifically Dunkwa Yellow and many other things.

The chief expressed appreciation for Mr Amoah’s support in the development of Dunkwa, describing the entrepreneur as a hero in his field of endeavour.

From Oswald P. Freiku, Dunkwa-on-Offin

 

 

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Imo police dismantle criminal gangs, arrest 25 suspects, and recover arms, ammunition

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admin
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Police arrest criminal gangs

‎The Imo State Police Command, in its renewed efforts against criminal activities in the state, has arrested 25 suspects in various criminal involvements and recovered arms and illicit drugs.

In a press statement by the Spokesperson of the Command, Henry Okoye, the police said it arrested 25 suspects for offenses bordering on kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, drug peddling, child trafficking and others.
‎Okoye revealed that ‎in the course of investigations, operatives recovered four assault rifles, twenty-five cartridges, two vehicles, three motorcycles, 35 bags of weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa.

Other items recovered, include suspected stolen aluminum roofing sheets, and other incriminating exhibits.
‎”Prominent among those arrested are suspected gang members terrorising Njaba LGA. The suspects are Eririogu Chukwuebuka, 28, native of Egwuede Atta, Njaba LGA, Ezemonye Orji, 32, native of Edda, Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Kelechi Michael, 28, hails from Ubowuala, Emekuku, Owerri North LGA, and three others.

“The suspects are allegedly responsible for the 2021 murders of HRH Eze Durueburuo of Okwudo Autonomous Community, and HRH Eze Sampson Osunwa, the traditional ruler of Ihebinowere Autonomous Community both in Njaba LGA, as well as kidnapping and armed robbery.

“Recovered from them were one AK-47 rifle, three magazines, thirty rounds of live ammunition, one pump-action gun, seven cartridges, and criminal charms”the release stated.

Credit: dailypost.ng

Abuja snakebite: FCTA laments death of Ifunanya, provides emergency numbers for anti-venoms

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admin
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Anti Snake venom

The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has promised to take proper and efficient measures to reduce snakebite-related deaths across the territory.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, expressed her deepest condolences to the family of Ms. Ifunanya Lucy Nwangene, who recently passed away following neurotoxic complications from a snakebite.

“The loss of a promising young life is deeply painful and distressing. I share in the family’s grief and reaffirm that such medically preventable deaths must be taken seriously, with strengthened measures to prevent recurrence,” Fasawe said.

She warned that snakebites remain a largely preventable public health emergency, noting that snakes inhabit rainforests, grasslands, farms, and semi-arid areas, often hiding near human dwellings.

Stating that hughly venomous species such as cobras, vipers, and puff adders are present in Nigeria, she insisted that all snakebites should be treated as venomous until proven otherwise.

Fasawe advised residents to adopt preventive measures, including wearing protective clothing when farming or walking in tall grass, avoiding dark areas at night or using flashlights, clearing debris around homes, sealing entry points, and never handling snakes.

In the event of a bite, she recommended immediate first aid such as staying calm, immobilising the affected limb below heart level, removing constrictive items, gently cleaning the wound, and proceeding immediately to a hospital with antivenom. She cautioned against harmful practices like cutting or sucking the wound, using tourniquets, applying ice, or relying on herbal remedies.

The FCTA assured that different types of anti-snake venom are widely available in FCTA-owned hospitals and public health facilities.

Credit: dailypost.ng

 

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