Johnson Asiedu Nketia, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman has revealed that the late Dr. Samuel Sarpong was appointed Board Chairman of the Cocoa Processing Company by President John Dramani Mahama on the morning of August 6, 2025, just before his untimely death in a helicopter crash.
Asiedu Nketia made this revelation during a visit to console Dr. Sarpong’s family at Juaben.
NDC delegation at Juaben
According to him, he had informed Dr. Sarpong about his appointment letter during their discussion on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 and that he was set to officially receive the letter on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
Asiedu Nketia praised Dr. Sarpong’s dedication to the NDC and highlighted his significant contributions to the party and the nation. The NDC Chairman’s emotional outpouring underscored the significant loss felt by the party and the nation.
The news of Dr. Samuel Sarpong’s appointment and subsequent tragic death has sent shockwaves throughout Ghana, with many paying tribute to his sense of leadership and service.
Nananom from the Adansi Traditional Council at Samuel Aboagye's family house
A delegation from the Adansi Traditional Council, led by the Adansihene’s Akwamuhene, Nana Kwadu Kwakye II, at the weekend visited the family of the late Samuel Aboagye, who died in a helicopter crash at his family house at Boete, in the Obuasi East Municipality of Ashanti region.
Nana Kwadu Kwakye conveyed the Adansihene’s condolence and that of the entire Adansiman to the family.
AsieduNketia (second right) being welcome to the family house
Nana Kwakye suggested that since Samuel Aboagye died while serving the country, the government should consider supporting his children, wife and the aged mother he left behind.
He noted that the youth could take inspiration from what the government will do to Samuel Aboagye’s sons and wife, to also aspire to serve their country to the best of their ability.
“It will not speak well for the government if children of Aboagye are seen roaming about aimlessly in the street and for that matter the government should come to their aid,” the Akwamuhene stated.
The BretuoAbusuapanin of Kwapia, Nana Amponsah Kyeremateng, on behalf of the family thanked Nananom for the visit. He also reiterated the call for government support for the late Aboagye’s wife, children and aged mother.
In a related development, a delegation of the government led by the Chairman of the NDC, Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia were also at Samuel Aboagye’s family house to console them.
Mr. Asiedu Nketia outlined plans for the burial of the eight victims of the plane crash, stating that as National Heroes they will be buried in Accra.
Madam Amma Adwubi (sitting 2nd right, Samuel Aboagye’s mother) with family members
He mentioned that government will provide a bus to convey members of Aboagye’s family to Accra on the burial day.
Samuel Aboagye’s mother, Madam Amma Adwubi was in tears and visibly disturbed, when the government delegation arrived, and she had to be consoled by family members.
GM Odoh Chikwere (L) criticises State Governor, Francis Nwifuru (r)
A private radio station in Ebonyi State, Legacy FM, has suspended its acting General Manager, Odoh Chikwere, for allegedly criticising the State Governor, Francis Nwifuru.
According to reports, Chikwere’s suspension followed a series of alleged criticisms he made against the governor’s administration both on air and on his social media platforms on Friday, August 8, 2025.
The management on Saturday announced his suspension on air, stating that the suspension was due to his “unruly behaviour” and disobedience to the code of conduct guiding the radio station.
“The management of Legacy FM 95.1, The Sound of Now, hereby suspends the acting General Manager, Godfrey Chikwere, with immediate effect, till further notice.
“This is due to unruly behaviour and disobedience to the code of conduct guiding the Legacy FM.
“With such effect, he is hereby directed to hand over all the company property in his position to the next senior officer,” it announced.
In a Friday post on his Facebook page, which preceded his suspension, Chikwere made a series of allegations.
He claimed that the administration was suffering from poor communication, underperformance by his appointees, and lack of clear policy direction.
He also advised the Nwifuru to “step on toes to achieve results,” adding that the current state of affairs weakened the governor’s support base.
In response to the allegations, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Monday Uzor, issued a statement describing the criticisms as unfounded and baseless.
He accused Chikwere of being ungrateful, noting the government’s support for the radio station, which included a new SUV, a transformer, and the construction of the road leading to the station.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State has responded to remarks by the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Alhaji Abubakar Kana-Zuru, who described the party as “irrelevant” and “led by immature youths.”
Kana-Zuru made the comments on Saturday during the flag-off of fertilisers and farm inputs distribution by the member representing Bagudo/Suru Federal Constituency, Bello Ka’oje, in Kaoje town, Bagudu Local Government Area.
In a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday, the ADC Chairman in the state, Alhaji Bala Sufiyanu, described the APC’s remarks as “desperation” amid alleged growing dissatisfaction with the ruling party’s performance not only in the state but nationwide.
He observed that the consequences of policies introduced by the APC government were glaring and had engulfed all Nigerians.
“Poverty levels have risen under the APC administration in Kebbi and Nigeria as a whole, while farmers face insecurity and poor market access, youth unemployment has increased, and basic infrastructure projects have stalled.
“Instead of addressing these issues, the APC has chosen to attack the only party offering a new vision for Kebbi and Nigeria based on integrity, inclusion, and competence,” he said.
Responding to the APC chairman’s description of the ADC as youth-led, Sufiyanu said the party defended the capacity of young and future leaders, hence the decision of the agile youths to rally round the new dawn.
The chairman cited historical precedents in Nigeria, where young, promising Nigerians displayed talented leadership at their youthful age.
“We have youths that led this country in the past, including former Heads of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who assumed office at 31, Gen. Murtala Mohammed at 37, and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari at 41.
“Vision, not age, defines leadership, and it’s youth-driven structure that reflects energy, innovation, and courage, which the state needs more than the current recycled politicians,” he said.
The chairman assured the people of the state that the days of politics without accountability “are numbered, and Kebbi’s future belongs to the youths.”
A bridge on the Katsina–Batsari road near Shagari Lowcost has collapsed following heavy rainfall on Saturday night, leaving the route impassable.
The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, said the bridge gave way a few meters from Salbak Filling Station. Sector Commander CC Maxwell Lede visited the site on Sunday and ordered the immediate closure of the section.
FRSC personnel have blocked access to the bridge from both ends, while motorists are being redirected to alternative routes.
Vehicles traveling from Katsina to Batsari are advised to take Ring Road via Al-Qalam University, while those heading from Batsari to Katsina should use the Army Barracks–Jibia Road.
Authorities have urged drivers to avoid the collapsed bridge, especially during evening hours or rainy conditions, to prevent accidents.
The Management of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State, has threatened to take legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over Sunday’s raid on its facility.
DAILY POST reports that operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, at about 2 a.m on Sunday, stormed the facility and arrested 93 youths, seized 18 vehicles and mobile devices during a Wet & Rave Splash Extravaganza party held at the OOPL, Rounda fun spot.
A viral video showed how some youths scampered for safety during the night raid.
According to a statement posted by EFCC on its official X account, the raid followed credible intelligence about the youths’ suspected involvement in internet crimes.
Reacting to the development, the Managing Director of OOPL Ventures, Vitalis Ortese, in a statement obtained by newsmen, said that the operatives invaded the facility with over 50 armed men, shooting guns and threatening to kill people.
He lamented that the invasion, led by one ‘Olapade’, caused panic and chaos, leading to serious injuries among participants who were trying to escape the shooting.
Vitalis described the action as a clear case of invasion of private property, infringement of OOPL’s rights as a corporate citizen and a stark and blatant violation of the rights of the people who gathered for the event.
The statement reads, “This morning, at about 2 am, the OOPL premises were invaded by a Gestapo-like gang of over 50 armed men, shooting guns, threatening to kill people, and purporting to be from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“The invasion, led by one “Olapade” caused serious panic and chaos, leading to serious injuries among participants trying to escape the shooting and near carnage that resulted, and causing terror among residents on the site.”
“Management wishes to state that this action by the EFCC is a clear case of invasion of private property, infringement of OOPL rights as corporate citizens, and indeed a stark and blatant violation of the rights of the people who so gathered for the event.”
In the cocoa heartlands of Ghana’s Central Region, 37-year-old Samuel Torbi stands on his 17-acre cocoa farm at Otabil Nkwanta in the Assin South District. After more than a decade of toil, his farm is now a model for climate-smart, science-driven agriculture—thanks to training from the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the German development agency.
A section of the cocoa farm covered with dried leaves (natural mulch) to retain moisture and enrich the soil
As he leads young journalists through rows of healthy cocoa trees, Torbi points to a thick carpet of mulched leaves beneath their feet.
“This keeps moisture in and weeds out. It also feeds the soil. You’ll see plenty of worms and millipedes here. That’s how you know the land is alive,” he said.
Towering shade trees, carefully planted to mitigate the effects of rising temperatures, cast a soft green light over the farm—an emblem of Ghana’s push toward sustainable cocoa farming in line with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
Under this framework, cocoa linked to deforestation or human rights abuses will no longer be welcome in European markets. In response, Ghana has partnered with the European Union, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), GIZ, and COCOBOD to meet the new standard.
But beneath this proud progress lies a haunting paradox. “Some of us have never even seen a bar of chocolate,” Torbi says quietly. “We grow the cocoa, but we can’t afford the products made from it.”
The Chocolate Gap
Ghana is the second-largest cocoa exporter in the world, with over 800,000 farmers – 60% men, 40% women – spread across seven cocoa-producing regions: Ashanti, Central, Eastern, Western North, Western, Bono, and Volta. Yet, most of these farmers have never tasted chocolate.
Golden Tree Chocolate, a premium chocolate brand in Ghana
Though per capita chocolate consumption in Ghana has increased from 0.45 kg to 1kg, this statistic marks a grim reality: chocolate remains a luxury in rural cocoa communities.
“To buy a single bar, you might need GHC70 to GHC100,” Torbi explains adding “Most farmers just can’t afford that. We produce the cocoa, but it is the town folks who eat the chocolate.”
Factories Rising, But Access Falling
Ghana now boasts several cocoa processing facilities—such as the Cocoa Processing Company (CPC) in Tema, which produces Golden Tree chocolate, and private companies like Niche Cocoa, 57 Chocolate, Midunu Chocolates, and Omama Royal Chocolate.
But the finished products rarely make it back to the villages where the cocoa is harvested.
“At COCOBOD offices, they drink Milo and snack on Pebbles. But when they visit us farmers, they never think to bring any. And yet, it’s our beans they use,”Torbi again said.
A Nutritional and Emotional Toll
COCOBOD promotes cocoa products as health-enhancing—rich in antioxidants, mood boosters, and energy stimulants. Cocoa’s theobromine is even known to support heart health and brain function. Yet the very people growing this nutritional powerhouse are deprived of its benefits.
“If it truly makes people healthier, why are we the ones left out? Are our bodies and minds less important?”, ”Torbi asked
A Cry for Inclusion
Torbi, who chairs the Assin Fosu branch of the Cocoa, Coffee and Sheanut Farmers Association (COCOSHE), told this reporter that cocoa farmers aren’t looking for handouts.
Samuel Torbi with journalists and facilitators of the Cocoa Media Workshop at Otabil Nkwanta
“We want fairness. If Ghana is making chocolate from our cocoa, then COCOBOD and the companies must ensure that some of it reach the people who grow the beans. Let our children taste what we produce. Let us feel part of the story.”
He believes this simple gesture could boost morale, improve nutrition, and strengthen national pride in Ghana’s chocolate identity.
Cocoa as a Luxury in a Cocoa Nation
The global chocolate industry is valued at over $130 billion. That the backbone of this wealth—Ghanaian cocoa farmers—cannot afford even one bar of chocolate is not just ironic. It is unjust.
Cocoa beans drying on a cocoa mat at Torbi’s
As Ghana deepens its efforts in value addition, local consumption, and traceability, it must also address the social injustice within its own borders. Climate compliance and transparency mean little if cocoa producers remain excluded from the fruits of their labour.
“It’s not just about chocolate. It’s about dignity,” Torbi argued during the interview with Ghe Chronicle.
Traceability, Sustainability, and Justice
Ghana’s cocoa sector is undergoing digital transformation. Under COCOBOD’s traceability programme, developed with GIZ support, farmers are issued ID cards and their cocoa quantities are logged. The system promotes environmentally friendly practices, including composting and shade farming, and also discourages child labour by encouraging education.
“We now use compost instead of chemicals. Our yields are better, and the cocoa is safer,”Torbi said
While this system places Ghana at the forefront of ethical cocoa production, Torbi believes that true sustainability must start with social inclusion.
The Sweet Taste of Justice
Torbi’s voice carries the hopes of many rural farmers whose livelihoods remain tied to a commodity they rarely enjoy.“Let the people who grow cocoa be part of Ghana’s chocolate story. Let justice be as sweet as the chocolate we produce,” he suggested.
Mr. Farouk Quansah Nyame, a Senior Manager at the Cocoa Marketing Company, admitted that local consumption of cocoa remains low. In a media briefing, he emphasized that COCOBOD’s Public Affairs Department is stepping up its campaign to make cocoa a regular part of Ghanaian diets.
“Cocoa is good for health. More Ghanaians need to benefit from what we produce,”Mr. Nyame said. Until that happens, Ghana remains a nation where the hands that harvest cocoa are still strangers to its sweetest reward.
Nigerian songstress, Tiwa Savage, has revisited the incident of her leaked intimate video with her partner, revealing that the video was released while she was still mourning her late father.
In a candid interview with Zeze Mills, Savage described the incident as the lowest moment of her life.
“It was a space of like two months where my dad died and my sex tape was released,” she said.
Savage added that she was able to survive the trauma because she tried not to think about it.
Recall that in October 2021, the singer made headlines after her sex tape was released online.
In an interview with Power 105.1’s Angie Martinez, Savage stated that the tape was leaked by someone who was trying to blackmail her.
She explained that the person tried extorting money from her but that she was not going to allow anyone to blackmail her.
Government has constituted a new 14-member governing board for the Creative Arts Agency, appointing prominent industry figures, including comic actor Clement Amponfi Bonney (Mr Beautiful).
It also includes playwright Latif Batalima Abubakar, as well as former radio host and singer Korkui Selormey.
The full composition of the board, as released by the Agency, is as follows:
Chairperson – Appointed by the President (name not specified in list)
Gideon Cyril Aryeequaye – Executive Secretary
William Akwetey Bonsu – Copyright Office representative
Divine Owusu Ansah – Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts
Yaw Lorlorwu Sekyi – Ministry of Trade, Industry and Agribusiness
Brenda Abankwah – Ministry of Finance
Divina Dornuki Nkwatabisa – Attorney General’s Department
Clement Amponfi Bonney (Mr Beautiful) – Creative Arts Industry representative
Akofa Edjeani – Creative Arts Industry representative
Leonora Buckman – Creative Arts Industry representative
Korkui Selormey – Creative Arts Industry representative
Latif Batalima Abubakar – Creative Arts Industry representative
Benjamin Anabila – Creative Arts Industry representative
[Vacant] – One seat remains unfilled
The newly constituted board brings together government officials and seasoned creative professionals to steer policy for Ghana’s arts sector. Their mandate includes addressing critical industry issues such as copyright protection, funding mechanisms, and infrastructure development.
The board is expected to commence work immediately following its inauguration.
One of Africa’s most talented theatre directors, theatre director George Quaye, will bring Wole Soyinka’s celebrated play Death and the King’s Horseman to the National Theatre in Accra this August.
The production opens on Saturday 23 August with shows at 4 pm and 8 pm, followed by performances on 24, 30 and 31 August at the same times.
The staging is a collaboration between the National Theatre, Image Bureau and April Communications, with sponsorship from Stanbic Bank, Bills Savings & Loans, The Luckiest and MTN.
The play, written by Nigeria’s Nobel Prize-winning dramatist, is one of Africa’s most acclaimed works. It explores themes of duty, tradition and the clash between indigenous culture and colonial influence.
George, known for his meticulous storytelling and striking stagecraft, previously directed the acclaimed Ghanaian run of Ola Rotimi’s The Gods Are Not to Blame. He said audiences can expect a world-class performance that honours Soyinka’s text while offering contemporary resonance.
Under his direction, the production will feature exceptional acting, innovative set design and high-quality lighting and sound. Organisers describe the event as “more than entertainment”, calling it a cultural experience that reflects on African identity and legacy.
