The Accra Circuit Court II, presided over by Her Honour Basilia Adjei-Tawiah, has granted bail to two teens accused of robbing and attacking a policewoman with a cutlass, at the Nungua Barrier in June, this year.
The accused, Mustapha Abu, an auto mechanic and Sadat Mohammed Issah, an electrician, both without fixed places of abode were each granted bail in the sum of GH¢10,000 with two sureties.
One surety must be a salaried worker earning at least GH¢2,000 monthly, while the other must be justified. The case has been adjourned to August 28, 2025 for continuation at the Criminal Matters Court (CMC).
The two are facing two charges: conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery, contrary to Sections 23(1) and 149 respectively, of the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
The Incident
Chief Inspector Daniel Ofori-Appiah narrated that the incident occurred on the evening of Friday, June 6, 2025.
Lance Corporal Confidence Tetteh, stationed at Tema Community Two, had just alighted from a vehicle near the Hisense Showroom at the Ashaiman-Spintex junction, when the attack took place.
While attempting to cross the road, the policewoman was confronted by two men on a Royal motorbike, registration number M-25GT8589 and a third accomplice, who is currently on the run.
Mustapha Abu, wielding a short cutlass, reportedly disembarked from the motorbike and grabbed the policewoman by her shirt, threatening her with the words: “Your life or your phone.”
When the complainant hesitated, Abu slashed the left side of her neck, inflicting a deep wound. The attackers made away with her iPhone XR (64GB) and SIM card.
Lance Corporal Tetteh later reported the attack to the Nungua Police and was issued a medical form for treatment.
The accused were intercepted later that night at a snap checkpoint at Katamanso. A search led to the recovery of the complainant’s stolen phone and three other mobile phones suspected to be stolen from other victims.
They were handed over to the Nungua Police for further investigations and were subsequently charged and arraigned before the court.
During the initial hearing on June 23, 2025 the accused claimed to be minors, aged 16 years and 17 years, despite initially stating they were both 18 years.
The court ordered age verification. A medical report dated July 2, 2025, revealed that Mustapha Abu is between 16 and 17 years old, while Sadat Mohammed Issah is at least 19.
The court initially remanded the accused into police custody, pending the age determination and further proceedings.
With bail now granted, the case is scheduled to continue on August 28, 2025 as investigations and legal processes progress.
I was writing a feature article for the Ghanaian Chronicle, on Wednesday afternoon of August 6, 2025, when I had the sad information about the helicopter crash in Adansi, Ashanti, resulting in two ministers of state, perishing. I must say, it really saddened me and turned the already dull day into a gloomy one.
The two ministers were, Dr. OmaneBoamah, minister of Defense and Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, minister of Environment. Others who also perished were AlhajiLimunaMuniru, acting deputy security coordinator, Dr. Samuel Aboagye, an NDC parliamentary candidate and Samuel Sarpong, national vice chairman of the NDC. The military personnel who also died in the crash were Squadron Leader Peter BafemiAnala, Flt. Officer Twum Ampadu and Sergeant Addo Mensah.
The ministers were on an all-important assignment to inaugurate responsible mining, which would make people turn away from illegal and destructive mining.
How heartbreaking this news will be for the families of the perished. Waving theirgood-byes to family and friends before departing, turned out to be their final-farewells. How sad.
I extend my heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families.
Of the two ministers, Dr. Omane Boamah attended my former school, Pope John’s Senior High School. A Catholic and parishioner of Christ the King Catholic Church, we shared the same faith and belief.
I must say, I never got into close relationship with him and cannot even classify him as an acquaintance. All the same, I saw him as a fine gentleman and someone who would follow the footsteps of POJOBA men who got appointed into government. They always worked for good results. And today, a hero has fallen. May his soul rest with the Elect in Heaven.
Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed was an acquaintance and when we meet, we share good conversation. May his soul and the souls of all who perished on that flight, be invited by God to rest with the Elect in Heaven.
Could this crash have been prevented? Last year, in March 19, 2024, to be precise, a military helicopter crash-landed at Bonsokrom, in the Ahanta Municipality in the Western Region. Fortunately, no one died. Then, this one comes in at the beginning of the NDC administration, but unfortunately, eight people perished.
Is the Ghana Armed Forces having challenges with its aircrafts? Are they outmoded and need to be retired and replaced? What steps is government taking to equip our forces with brand new aircrafts? Mind you our Police will need some helicopters to do their work.
On very important occasions, for the sake of proximity, the president and top government officials can be transported by military aircrafts, which includes helicopters. The other day in 2009, US President Obama while in Ghana, was flown by helicopter from Accra to Cape Coast and back.
I do not want to imagine or suggest what would have happened if Obama was on board the helicopter that was taking the two ministers to Obuasi.
Civilians as well as the military, on very important assignments will need military helicopters to travel to areas not easily accessible. This is why; I will suggest that government should re-equip the military with modern aircrafts.
Another thing also, is our roads. The earlier our roads, especially the cross-country ones, are well constructed or fixed, the better it will be for safe and quick travels.
It was claimed that a day before the tragic event, a certain man of God, called Samuel Henry aka Prophet Roja or the Dangerous Prophet came on TikTok around 8:20 am on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, and urgently asked Dr. Omane Boamah to get in touch with him,asap.
It is said that earlier this year, he prophesied that on July 29, 2025, a domestic plane would crash and less than twenty people will perish. Fortunately, there was no plane crash in July, until the helicopter crash of August 6, 2025.I am finding problems with these nowadays prophets we have.
They always come with tragic news as if they are doomsday prophets and they never conduct themselves like the prophets of God in Sacred Scriptures. In the Holy Bible, reading about God’s prophets, one will find that they never announce someone’s prophecy, publicly.
They would go to the person and deliver the message from God. But not these nowadays Homo Sapiens, parading themselves as prophets. They will come out and some will even attempt to speak in parables, telling the whole world what God has for an individual person. Why can’t they go to the person to deliver the message, but want people to know that they have powers, as if even God seeks their counsel. This is vain pride and it is ungodly.
So, Prophet Roja, had a message for Dr. Omane Boamah and the following day, the minister dies in a crash. And so? So, Prophet Roja wants to be seen as one of the most powerful prophets in Ghana. What arrogance! Pride and arrogance are of Satan and not of God. So, I dare ask, are prophets like Prophet Roja and those senior tele-prophets really prophets of God?
Since God does not walk in the company of the proud and arrogant persons, it is most likely we have on hand prophets of Satan in our midst. Mind you, since Satan can also work miracles, it is very likely that evil things would be planned, then a prophet speaks about it, and after that it happens, and many in the country will come to believe and trust these disciples of Satan and acknowledge them as prophets of God. Then they lead souls away from God.
Ghanaians, let us take caution about the way we accept such prophecies and give honor to these fake prophets. For if God truly gives a message meant for someone, He would make His prophet to deliver the message personally.
As we pray for the souls of the two ministers and all others on that ill-fated flight, let us pray for the gift of discernment to know which prophet is indeed a prophet of God the Most High.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Amen.
Hon. Daniel Dugan
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Chronicle’s stance.
Tragedy struck the nation yesterday, Wednesday August 6, 2025 when two ministers of state – Dr Omane Boamah, Dr Murtala Mohammed and some top military officers died in helicopter crash in the Akrofuo area in the Ashanti Region. According to various accounts, the two prominent ministers and the military men were on their way to Obuasi to perform national duties geared towards the fight against illegal mining in the country.
This is indeed a sad day for Ghana. Dr Omane Boamah – the young medical doctor who had bright political future, including the possibility of leading this country as president and Dr Murtala Mohammed who speaks the English Language like his mother’s tongue – Dagbani – have all perished, whilst serving mother Ghana.
The Chronicle extends its condolences to the bereaved families, President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government as a whole. The Chronicle does not remember the last time such a tragedy struck this nation. If our memories serve us right, in the 1990s, the country experienced a similar tragic accident, when a military aircraft escorting then President Rawlings’s plane to land at the Kotoka International Airport was crashed close to the tarmac.
A few years later, there was another military helicopter crash in the Atiwa Forest, killing all the passengers and crew members on board. But the latest one is the first time two serving ministers have died whilst on their way to perform official government assignment.
But, whilst Ghanaians await official announcement from the Ghana Armed Forces regarding the actual cause of the crash, those who have made it their habits to destroy our natural environment through illegal mining or galamsey should stop momentarily and ponder over their actions.
But for illegal mining activities, which are threatening the very survival of this county, Dr Omane Boamah, Dr Murtala Mohammed and all those who perished yesterday would have been alive.
Dr Omane Boamah who, until his untimely death, was the Defence Minister, was a qualified medical doctor who could have served in the consulting room, but he decided to enter politics to shape the destiny of our mother land.
In the case of Murtala, our information is that he has just obtained his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree after years of hard work. Why should these calibre of people suffer such painful deaths because of the sheer greed of a few people who are only interested in what they would earn today and not future generations?
In our opinion, the former defence Minister and his Environment, Science and Technology counterpart have sacrificed their lives to rescue this country from the galamsey madness that is seeking to destroy Ghana and they would forever be remembered for this great sacrifice.
But for their desire to end the illegal mining in the country, they wouldn’t have boarded the chopper,en-route to Obuasi, to inaugurate alternative livelihood for the teeming youth who are involved in the illegal mining.
Though it is too early, we are nevertheless calling on the John Mahama government to look for prominent national monuments and name these departed ministers after them. This is the only waythe state of Ghana will recognise and appreciate their sacrifices to save mankind. Such recognition will also spur others on to do their best to save and protect the interest of our beloved country.
We pray to the Almighty God that their souls will find ever resting place in his kingdom.
Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah-Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle in the Western region has hinted that henceforth mining leases would be extended based on the record of the mining companies.
“In the new dispensation, leases will be extended based on the records, the commitment made by the mining companies both technically and financially and in the interest of Ghanaians”.
Answering a question posed by this reporter in an interview with Journalist at Tarkwa after a tour of concessions of both Gold Fields Ghana Limited and Anglogold Ashanti, Iduapriem mine, Minister ArmahBuah indicated that issues to be looked would include how the mining companies had invested in the country.
His ministry would also consider whether these mining giants have been a good corporate citizens not only to host communities, but the country at large, in addition to how they have honoured their tax obligations and how they have committed to deals given them.
These issues, according to him, would be some of the considerations when determining a mining lease extension.
The Minister response to the question follows government decision to ratify one year lease for for the Aboso Gold Fields.
The new lease takes effect following the expiration of the previous agreement on April 18, 2025 and it includes a strict clause prohibiting any further extensions, transfers, mortgages or similar transactions beyond that date.
Earlier, Lands and Natural Resource Minister had commended Gold Fields Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project in the host communities.
He said he was impressed with the company safety and that the government had resolved to work with the company.
Tarkwa operations, he noted, was different from Damang and “we are very impressed with the potential of the mine.
“We are in a good position to have a good discussion and I believe we are going to make a good decision in the interest of Ghanaians”.
He, however, stressed government vision for large scale mining to actively get involved in developing and supporting small scale mining.
Minister indicated further that, he wanted to see large scale mining companies supporting small scale mining ones to succeed.
He also announced that government was reviewing both mining policy and the Minerals Act. The reforms, he explained, aimed to make Ghana mining laws and policies more responsive and forward looking.
President John Dramani Mahama addressing the gathering at the summit
In a bold move to redefine Africa’s place in global health governance, African Heads of State, Experts, development partners and civil society leaders converged in Accra on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 for the Africa Health Sovereignty Summit.
The summit seeks to initiate a continental shift in health leadership and financing by launching a reform agenda that is unapologetically African, rooted in sovereignty, equity and innovation.
At the heart of the summit was a call to action: to reposition African countries from being recipients of fragmented aid to becoming architects of their own health systems.
The gathering culminated in the unveiling of The Accra Initiative, a new continental framework that aims to:
Reduce donor dependency,
Promote domestic and regional investment in health, and
Drive structural reform in the global health architecture.
Delivering the keynote address, President John Dramani Mahama set a visionary tone for the summit. He challenged African governments to rise above externally imposed health agendas and to reclaim their rightful place at the decision-making table of global health governance.
“Africa must no longer be the patient. It must be the author, the architect and the advocate of its health destiny,” President Mahama said.
He described Africa’s over-reliance on donor-funded programmes as unsustainable and disempowering, noting that many international health policies fail to reflect the lived realities and priorities of African populations.
Some dignitaries present at the conference in a picture with the President
According to President Mahama, true health sovereignty is not simply about rejecting external support, but about ensuring African voices are central in shaping global policies and investments that affect the continent.
“Our sovereignty is not isolation,” he emphasised, adding “It is co-creation. It is dignity. It is self-determination and it is our right.”
Citing Ghana’s health sector reforms during his tenure and beyond, including the expansion of the National Health Insurance Scheme, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and improvements in primary healthcare, President Mahama highlighted the power of African-led solutions.
“We are not starting from zero. We have models that work, we must scale them,” he urged.
He also warned of the risks posed by abrupt cuts in global health aid, pointing to a projected 40% decline in funding to African health systems.
“We must prepare. We must protect our gains. And we must innovate from within,” he said.
A call for new global health rules
Several African leaders at the summit echoed President Mahama’s sentiments. The summit’s joint communiqué called for a new social contract in global health, one that reflects fairness, mutual accountability and shared ownership between African governments and global institutions.
A key deliverable of the summit was the formation of a Presidential High-Level Task Force on Global Health Governance to champion reforms in institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Fund, and GAVI.
The task force is expected to advocate for equitable decision-making structures and increased African representation in global health financing mechanisms.
Another major outcome was the launch of the SUSTAIN Initiative, a bold African-led platform that will help countries align health spending with national priorities, mobilise private and public capital and foster cross-border innovation in service delivery and manufacturing.
World Health Organisation
Addressing the summit virtually, WHO Director-General, Dr.TedrosAdhanomGhebreyesus praised the leadership shown by Ghana and other African nations and pledged WHO’s support for reforms that put African governments in the driver’s seat of their health systems.
“Africa does not need charity. Africa needs fair terms. It needs systems that work for its people. It needs the power to set its own priorities and invest accordingly,” Dr.Tedros stated.
He warned that the current trajectory of declining aid and increasing health burdens could push many African countries off a “cliff edge.”
According to WHO, over 30 million people on the continent are at risk of losing access to essential health services if emergency domestic and regional financing is not mobilized in the next 12 to 18 months.
Dr.Tedros outlined WHO’s ongoing support to African governments in strengthening procurement systems, increasing revenue generation through health taxes, integrating donor-funded programmes into national budgets, and improving the efficiency of public financial management in the health sector.
“We must move from fragmentation to integration. From dependency to autonomy. That’s the real meaning of sovereignty,” he said.
The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who also addressed the summit emphasized that health sovereignty was not about isolation, but about agency, leadership, and control over national priorities. “We need the power to make binding decisions, to deploy our own resources, and to lead the systems that determine whether our people live or die,” he stated.
He described the long-standing donor-driven health model as outdated and limiting. “For too long, Africa has been too relevant to ignore, but too dependent to listen to. Our health budgets and policies were shaped more by donor ceilings than by public need,” he said.
Mr.Akandoh urged African leaders to reframe health not as a consumption cost, but as a long-term development investment. “A dependent health system cannot defend itself, and a safe nation cannot defend it,” he warned.
He called for bold political will and investment in strong data systems, pharmaceutical production, and supply chain sovereignty, insisting that “sovereignty begins with courage.”
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, Deputy Chief of Staff Nana Oye Bampoe framed the summit as a strategic and action-driven milestone.
“This High-Level Summit is our response. It is a call to reimagine health governance through African leadership and continental sovereignty,” she said.
She made it clear that Africa is stepping into a new era. “We are authors of the reforms we need, investors in our own systems, and partners to the world on equal terms. Let us leave Accra with bold outcomes, actionable next steps, and a shared determination to protect the health and dignity of our people.”
The Court of Appeal in Lagos has reversed an earlier decision by a Federal High Court that stopped the EFCC from seizing 14 properties allegedly linked to Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Justice Yargata Nimpar, delivering the judgment virtually with two other justices concurring, said the lower court erred by dismissing the case based on the governor’s constitutional immunity. She stated the court should have ruled on whether the properties should be permanently forfeited to the government.
With this new ruling, the EFCC is now allowed to go ahead with a full hearing to decide if the properties should be permanently forfeited.
The case began at the Federal High Court in Lagos, where Justice Nicholas Oweibo had earlier allowed the EFCC to temporarily seize the 14 properties located in Lagos, Abuja, and Dubai.
The agency had claimed the properties were likely bought with illegal money.
The court also told the EFCC to publish the order in newspapers and give others the chance to contest the seizure if they had any interest in the properties.
Governor Bello later filed an objection. He argued that the properties were bought before he became governor and couldn’t have been purchased with state money.
He also said the EFCC had no right to go after him because, as a sitting governor, he was protected by the Constitution from court cases.
Kano State Commissioner for Transportation, Ibrahim Namadi
The Kano State Commissioner for Transportation, Ibrahim Namadi, has resigned following a controversial role in standing surety for an alleged drug baron, Sulaiman Danwawu.
Namadi’s resignation came just hours after Governor Abba Yusuf received the official report from a high-level investigative committee probing Namadi’s involvement in the case.
Speaking through a statement made available by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the embattled commissioner said his resignation was in the “overriding public interest,” citing the need to protect the integrity of the administration.
Namadi expressed gratitude to Governor Yusuf for the opportunity to serve, pledging continued loyalty to the principles of transparency and good governance.
“I must, as a good citizen, strive to protect, preserve, and uphold the trust and vision we have worked so hard to instill in our dear state,” he said.
“I remain loyal to the ideals that brought this administration into office.”
Governor Yusuf has accepted Namadi’s resignation and used the occasion to reaffirm his administration’s hardline stance on drug-related crimes.
“Our government will not compromise on discipline, transparency, and justice. The well-being and future of our youth must be protected at all costs,” the governor said.
“We maintain a zero-tolerance policy on drug abuse and trafficking. No one, regardless of office, will be shielded from accountability.”
The governor advised all political appointees to “act with caution” on sensitive matters, urging them to always seek official clearance before involving themselves in cases of public interest.
Nine persons, including a police officer, have been killed in a renewed attack by suspected herders in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
A source told Channels Television that the attackers invaded Okwutanobe, Okpokpolo, Olegagbani, and Ikpele – all four communities along the border with Kogi State – and were seen last weekend in the area attacking the communities up to Tuesday.
He said, “The attacks started last Friday at Okwutanobe, where two people were killed, on Saturday, they attacked Okpokpolo and killed one person.
“Yesterday, Monday, the armed herders invaded Olegagbani, where they killed one person; today, the same armed herders attacked Ikpele, where they killed one police officer and four people. As we speak, people are fleeing their homes.”
The Chairman of Agatu LGA, Melvin Ejeh, confirmed the three-day attacks.
Ejeh said, “I can confirm to you that four people were killed in Okwitanobe, Okpokpolo, and Olegugbani while five people, including a police officer, were killed in Ikpele today.”
The chairman, who lauded security operatives in the council for their response to contain the attacks, however, noted that the terrain, which is unmotorable, poses a serious challenge to the security operatives in the discharge of their duties.
He said, “You know the roads in Agatu are bad, even when the security men receive distress calls, it can take them up to four hours to navigate some areas due to the bad terrain. By then, the armed herders would have wreaked havoc and left.”
The Benue State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, could not confirm the attack as of the time of this report. He, however, promised to get back to Channels Television about the incident.
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated three Nigerian students, Nafisa Aminu, Rukayya Fema, and Hadiza Kalli, for their outstanding performance at the 2025 TeenEagle Global competition in London, United Kingdom.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the trio as “exceptional young Nigerians” who have made the country proud by emerging world champions in English language communication skills and debate.
“Seventeen-year-old Nafisa was named the overall best in English language skills; 15-year-old Rukayya emerged as the overall best in debate, while Hadiza clinched the Outstanding Talent Award (gold medal),” the statement noted.
President Tinubu praised their brilliance and affirmed that “the nation’s future is much brighter with many of its youth as repositories of excellence”.
He further commended their institutions of learning, describing their achievements as a pointer to the potential of Nigeria’s education system to nurture some of the world’s brightest minds.
The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving access to education, citing the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a key initiative aimed at removing financial barriers for underprivileged Nigerians seeking higher education.
The President’s congratulatory message came after a former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to reward Nafisa Aminu for her exceptional international feat.
Nafisa, a student of Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC) in Yobe State, outperformed over 20,000 participants from 69 countries, including native English-speaking nations, to win the overall best in English at the TeenEagle Global Finals.
Pantami had, via a post on his official X handle, recommended that Nafisa be rewarded with $100,000, a three-bedroom flat, and a national honour similar to the package given to Nigeria’s victorious female football and basketball teams, the Super Falcons and D’Tigress.
He also called for a similar reward for her English teacher, emphasising the need to celebrate both talent and mentorship.
Mr. Lawrence AwiloAttitoe, Vice Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) in Ho has dismissed reports of a 20 per cent transport fare increase as false and unauthorised.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr. Attitoe stated that no transport union, including the GPRTU, has approved any fare adjustment.
He emphasised that the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) lacks the authority to unilaterally declare fare increases.
His remarks follow a GRTCC press release signed by its General Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Ohene-Yeboah and Acting Chairman, AlhajiTanko, announcing a 20 per cent fare hike, effective Friday, August 8, 2025.
“That directive should be disregarded. No driver union is implementing any fare increase,” Mr. Attitoe stressed.
He said GPRTU’s national office confirmed that no meeting had been held to consider or approve the proposed increase and insisted that decisions on fare adjustments are made collectively by driver unions, not the GRTCC.
“The GRTCC does not speak for us. We consult among ourselves and with the Minister for Transport before any adjustment,” he explained.
Mr. Attitoe added that the Automatic Adjustment Formula, which previously guided fare reviews, was abolished by the former government, making consensus and consultation essential.
He acknowledged the impact of the recent GH₵1.00 per litre fuel levy but urged patience, expressing hope that commodity prices would fall rather than prompting fare hikes.
He also warned that any union implementing the proposed hike would face legal consequences.
Meanwhile, the GRTCC has justified the fare increase, citing rising operational costs due to the new fuel levy, lack of price reductions in spare parts, and worsening road conditions that have escalated vehicle maintenance expenses.
