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Malawi’s President Chakwera concedes election to his predecessor Mutharika

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Voters queue at the Civic Centre polling station in Malawi

Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera has conceded defeat in this month’s presidential election to his rival and predecessor, Peter Mutharika, in the largely poor Southern African nation, battered by soaring costs and severe fuel shortages.

“It is only right that I concede defeat out of respect for your will as citizens and out of respect for the constitution,” Chakwera, 70, said in an address. “It was clear that my rival Peter Mutharika has an insurmountable lead over me,” he added.

“In the days that remain, I want you to know that I am committed to a peaceful transfer of power,” Chakwera said.

While the Electoral Commission was due to release the results of the vote at a briefing later on Wednesday, official results released so far show ex-president Mutharika has gained a strong lead over Chakwera.

Last week, citizens took to the polls to vote on the country’s next leader, in a vote that analysts predicted would be one of the most tightly contested elections in the country in recent history between Mutharika and Chakwera, the candidates of the two biggest parties in Malawi’s parliament.

However, the dire state of the economy dominated the election, with critics accusing the president of mismanagement and indecisiveness.

Since Chakwera was elected in 2020, the country has experienced economic stagnation.

Credit: aljazeera.com

10 Ways to Improve Your Memory

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Use Repetition and Retrieval

Another way to “train” your brain into storing information is to repeat out loud (or write down) something you’ve just heard, read, or thought about that you want to recall later. Repetition reinforces the connection your brain forms as you learn a new piece of information. You can also “chunk” bigger bits of information into smaller pieces for easier retrieval. For example, think of phone numbers as three chunks of numbers instead of 10 numbers to remember at once.

Get Your Zs

Researchers link lack of sleep, restless sleep, and disturbed sleep with memory loss. If you haven’t been getting 7 to 9 solid hours a night, make it a priority. Go down the sleep hygiene checklist: keep your bedroom cool, dark, and free of distractions (such as TV or phones); avoid caffeine, heavy meals, and alcohol in the hours before bed; get enough movement in the day that your body naturally wants to rest; and go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. If other issues such as snoring or sleep apnea are in the way, make an appointment with your doctor to get to the bottom of the problem and better your shuteye.

Forego GPS From Time to Time

Your car’s GPS helps get you where you want to go, especially if time is of the essence or you’re headed somewhere new. But a study in Nature found that using these tools can have a profound impact on your brain’s spatial memory, or the ability to store and recall information about your environment. In short, it’s good to look up and even get lost from time to time, if it means better cementing your ability to know where you are and how to get to where you want to go.

Have a Social Calendar

Spending time with friends or family on a regular basis and being active in your community are important ways to keep up social connections and avoid becoming isolated. A study by the National Institute on Aging shows that social isolation is associated with a 50% increased risk of dementia. An easy way to increase your connections is to think of the things you already do and add a friend. If you take daily walks, find a walking buddy. If you like to read, ask a few friends to form a book group. Volunteering is a mutually beneficial way to connect with others, too. Use the skills you have and fill a need while reaping the brain benefits.

Learn Something New

Even if your job or hobbies already keep you mentally active, your brain will benefit from picking up a new skill. Your brain has less plasticity as you age, meaning it can be harder to learn new things. When you take on an activity you’ve never done before, you help train your brain to keep learning and build up a reserve for later on. But don’t overwhelm yourself. Pick one activity to learn and dive in. Take a class and schedule time to practice. You can even become more advanced at something you already enjoy. Like golf? Take lessons and set goals. Play piano? Find a teacher and sign up for lessons. The learning process is a healthy workout for your mind.

Challenge Your Ticker

Your brain needs exercise just like your muscles do. Scientists believe mental exercise may activate processes that help with upkeep of your brain cells and keep them communicating with each other. Make a point to engage your mind with activities that keep it working well, such as crossword puzzles, reading, playing games, or playing a musical instrument. Studies show crossword puzzles help keep your mind sharp, even if you start the habit late in life.

Adopt Mnemonics

Ask any doctor how they made it through medical school, and you’ll probably hear the word “mnemonics.” It’s a technique you can use to boost your ability to remember something. Mnemonics can be in the form of an acronym (“HOMES” to remember the Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior), or a sentence (“Every good boy does fine” to remember the notes on a treble clef in music: E, G, B, D, F). It may rhyme for even easier recall (“Thirty days hath September, April, June, and November”). By storing info in creative “packaging” like this, your brain can more easily pull up the information.

Credit: webmd

Feature: Uncle Hackman, Why Cry Over Alan?

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Feature

These days, news coming out from the New Patriotic Party, seems to admit that Alan Kyerematen’s exit had cruelly damaged the party and it may seem that the very people who screamed “Good Riddance,” when he left to form the Movement for Change (MFC) and run independent, are now eating humble bofrot and praying he comes back.

This humble appeal seems to support allegations, that in pages 68 and 69 of the Prof. Mike Ocquaye’s report on the reasons NPP performed badly in the 2024 General Elections, it stated that the Alan Exit factor contributed a lot.

Just at the time that H.E. John Mahama granted amnesty to nearly one thousand prisoners, the NPP also granted amnesty to suspended and dismissed members. What a coincidence! And all eyes were focussed on Alan and Afoko. But Afoko had never left the NPP.

Recently, my uncle, Hackman Owusu Agyeman, was in the news, talking about Alan. He accused Alan’s supporters of inflicting electoral and reputational damage to the NPP during the 2024 general elections. He admitted that Alan’s resignation left a deep scar on the NPP.

He condemned what he said was Alan’s repeated resignation and return cycle for weakening the party. But Alan had never resigned and returned to the party. In 2008, he continually drew the party’s attention, through Chairman Mac Manu, to orchestrated attacks on his supporters by other members of the party. Unfortunately, these appeals fell on deaf ears.

Alan then wrote an official letter to Chairman Mac Manu and indicated that without unity the party would not win the General Elections, and if attacks on his supporters did not cease, he would step out of the party for it to become united and win the elections. This was a conditional statement.

Instead of the elders of the party, waking up and looking into Alan’s grievances, they went about saying Alan had resigned because he lost the presidential primaries. And so, if they felt so and even the great B.J. da Rocha could say “good riddance” then it meant that they supported division in the party where supporters of the flag bearer could at any time attack supporters of other aspirants.

But if indeed Alan resigned in 2008 and returned, how come the party laws were not applied, for him to serve for at least two years before putting up his name for any office in the party? In 2010, Alan contested the presidential primaries.

The Establishment which took over the party in 2008, came to implement an order that made some party members to live by the party laws while some die by the same laws. Free choices are allowed but your choice could determine your fate. Choose Alan and you would perish, choose Nana Addo and you would have life everlasting.

From all indications what Uncle Hackman is saying means that the NPP has realised its mistake in luring Alan to quit from the NPP, which led to loss in votes. During the 2024 Presidential Election, the NPP had 2.1 million votes less than it had in 2020. In the Ashanti region the NPP lost over 400,000 votes than it had in 2020 and this worked out to over one-fifth of total national votes lost to the NPP.

It is possible that the confidential report attribute voters’ apathy to what the party did to Alan, that is why elders and gurus are calling out Alan’s name.

Since the Kufuor era came to an end and the Establishment took over, it threw the party’s honoured standards and principles into the storm drain. This same Establishment which during Kufuor’s era succeeded in separating Government from Party, so that President Kufuor could not have control over the NPP, made a quick 180ᵒ turn in 2009, and put the party fully under H.E. Nana Akufo Addo.

While in Kufuor’s time, he was not allowed to suggest any name for any position in the party, in Nana Addo’s hecould freely hand-pick party officers and even went on to imposeParliamentary Candidates (PC) on constituencies. Anyone who is not a favourite of Nana but managed to get elected into any office could be thrown out before long.

Many parliamentary candidates lost elections more due to internal attacks than anything else. All because Nana Addo had said that he could not work with them.

During the 2012 electioneering campaign some candidates perceived not to be pro-Nana,but could have won their seats, suffered that fate and lost. In some cases, presiding officers at some polling stations were compromised to reduce votes gained by the NPP candidate and award them to the NDC’s. This act had the blessings from the Establishment.

In the then Brong-Ahafo region, the strong dislike for a candidate, made flag bearer Nana Addo, to refuse to even talk to him or even attend a political rally organised by the PC, while he, Nana, was in town.

In 2020, with Alan still in the party, the NPP lost thirty-two seats in Parliament. So, the main problem is what the Establishment did. It must be noted that during the two terms of Nana Addo, NPP lost a total of eighty-two seats in Parliament, the highest ever recorded loss in this Fourth Republic.

Unfortunate as it is, under the Establishment some party members’ matters do not matter. Under a liberal democratic system of a center right party like the NPP, a democratic dictatorship evolved. In the first republic, Nkrumah’s word was final, under NPP after Kufuor, Nana Addo’s word was final. Nkrumah imposed parliamentary candidates on constituencies and Nana Addo did same. Is this surprising? For strong allegations reveal that Nana Addo was a strong CPP activist during his youth days.

That spirit might still in him when he took over the NPP and successfully removed a dye-in-the-wool, UP Traditionalist, Paul Afoko, replacing him with a dye-in-the-wool, socialist and Nkrumaist, Freddy Blay, who controlled the party, as national chairman, for seven years. The longest ever-serving chairman.

Instead of the party elders assembling to do serious self-criticism from which they would find outthat it was their faults which led to the party’s greatest loss, they are rather blaming Alan, while many party gurus are wishing he came back.

In September 2023, after Alan quit the party, Hon. Boakye Agyarko prophesied that Alan physically quit but many had quit in their hearts and that would show at the polls. Come 2024, over two million NPP supporters decided not to vote at all. And this affected the NPP.

By the way, did the party not say, “good riddance” when Alan quit? Did the party not say his resignation would have no effect on the NPP’s chances at the polls and that victory was sure and well packaged with the elections just a mere formality? So, why is Alan being blamed?

Serious and honest retrospection will reveal that the problems the NPP is facing today are the singular doing of all the elders under the Establishment. They moved away from the original principles of the party and implemented things that only pleased them, even when it meant violating party laws.

The party’s constitution mandates among others in Art 9 (1) under Expulsion of Member, that anyone who supports a candidate other than the party’s candidate shall forfeit his or her membership. But elders of the party who attacked PCs perceived to be non-Nana, and did serious underground campaign against them so they lost the elections, are not punished.

Paul Afoko was seriously mistreated by the NPP because Nana Addo never wanted him. Try hard as the Establishment did, it could not evoke Art. 11, which mandates that only those who elect an officer into office can remove him. No region agreed to submit any petition against Afoko because they saw nothing wrong with him. So, the Establishment unconstitutionally had him removed.

Today, Paul Afoko is out there talking and people are understanding things better and are hailing him. The NPP members who want him back as national chairman keep growing in leaps and bounds.

I will suggest that the elders, like Uncle Hackman must stop putting the blame on Alan for the party’s failures and rather restore back, the party’s original principles and standards. The Establishment must be disbanded because dictatorship cannot be allowed in a party like the NPP.

If the NPP, especially the elders and members of the Establishment, would continue mentioning Alan’s name in vain, he may come out and talk.And if Alan talks, that would be the end of the NPP, since many more millions will desert the party.

Uncle Hackman should know too well that the unguided principles in the party, which have been implemented after Kufuor’s era, is what is bearing sour fruits today. Alan is not at fault and so please, the party should fix the problem and leave him out.

In Sacred Scriptures, it is written that “temptations are inevitable, but woe to the one who tempts” (Matthew 18: 7), so Uncle Hackman and the elders must not tempt Alan to speak, because if he talks, woe to the party.

Hon. Daniel Dugan

Today’s UEFA Europa League Fixtures & Previews

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Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa

Aston Villa, Bologna kick-off their Europa League campaign

Meeting in Birmingham for the second consecutive season, Aston Villa and Bologna will clash again today evening, kicking off their Europa League campaign at Villa Park.

The Premier League side won 2-0 in last year’s Champions League contest, but they come into this rematch after a sluggish start to the new campaign.

Yet to win a domestic game this season, Aston Villa seem to be suffering from a hangover after their near miss with Champions League qualification – plus a frustrating summer in the transfer market.

A return to continental competition could prove Villa’s route to salvation – particularly following last season’s spectacular exploits. In their first appearance at Europe’s top level for more than four decades, Villa reached the Champions League quarter-finals before going out to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain.

Having subsequently finished sixth in England, they are set for a first Europa League campaign since 2008; the club’s best UEFA Cup runs took them to the quarter-finals in both 1978 and 1998, before it was rebranded.

Aided by the vast experience of Unai Emery – the most successful coach in Europa League history, having won it four times to date – the Villans seem to have a straight path through the first phase, albeit only if they can rediscover some form.

The Serie A side were eliminated early in last term’s Champions League, finishing 28th of 36 teams in the league phase, but they have built on that experience by securing consecutive European qualifications for the first time this century.

As hosts Aston Villa are at a low ebb – struggling to score and looking bereft of ideas – they may have to settle for an opening draw.

Bologna will return to Villa Park still seeking their first victory over English opponents in any major competition.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

 

Lille host SK Brann on matchday one

In their first meeting against them on the European stage, Lille will host SK Brann on matchday one of their Europa League campaign on Thursday at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Olivier Giroud, Lille

A fifth-place finish in Ligue 1 last season booked Les Dogues’ place into this tournament, while Brann wound up cruising past AEK Larnaca in their playoff tie, advancing 6-1 on aggregate.

One of the giant killers in the opening phase of the previous Champions League will be the favourites in nearly every first-round Europa League game they play this time around.

Bruno Genesio’s side defeated Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in Europe last season, while going unbeaten in the opening phase on their home field.

Lille have not lost a Europa League group fixture at home since December 2014, when Wolfsburg beat them 3-0, while their last European group defeat at Stade Pierre-Mauroy came at home to Ajax in a 2019 Champions League affair (2-0).

They are a perfect 2-0 at home to begin the new Ligue 1 campaign, but on Thursday could suffer consecutive competitive defeats for the first time since March after losing 3-0 domestically at Lens on Saturday.

Lille have a variety of weapons and creative players at their disposal, and should eventually find a way through the Norwegians who could be in for a rude awakening against an experienced European side.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

 

Red Bull Salzburg, Porto meet for the first time in Europe

Red Bull Salzburg and Porto will meet for the first time on the European stage as both sides begin their Europa League campaign with a clash at Red Bull Arena.

The hosts are featuring in the competition proper for the 12th time, while they welcome the 2010-11 champions, who are entering their eighth campaign.

Samu Aghehowa, Porto

A second place finish in the Austrian top flight in 2024-25 saw Salzburg fall into the Champions League second qualifying round, where they advanced comfortably past Norwegian side Brann.

However, Die Roten Bullen’s hopes of a seventh straight appearance in the elite, were dashed by Belgian outfit Club Brugge, forcing them to drop into the Europa League.

Back in the tournament for the first time since 2018-19, the Red Bulls, who failed to progress beyond the group phase in last season’s UCL, will be eager to avoid another early exit and will draw belief from their positive starts in Europe’s second-tier competition.

In contrast, Porto have enjoyed a dominant record against Austrian opposition in Europe, winning five and drawing one of their six such matches.

The Dragons have every reason to back themselves to continue that fine run, given their blistering form this season with six straight victories, the latest a 3-0 success at Rio Ave, leaving them at the summit of the Portuguese top flight.

Porto’s poor away record in the Europa League lingers, but the Dragons’s history against Austrian opposition and their explosive start to the season make them favourites to take maximum points on Thursday.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

 

VfB Stuttgart welcome Celta Vigo

VfB Stuttgart welcome Celta Vigo to the MHPArena both clubs kick off their UEFA Europa League campaigns.

Stuttgart are preparing to compete in back-to-back UEFA tournaments for the first time in nearly 15 years, while their Spanish opponents return to European football for the first time since 2016-17.

Stuttgart rubbed shoulders with some of the biggest clubs on the continent last season, participating in the Champions League against the likes of Real Madrid, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.

Iago Aspas, Celta Vigo

The Bundesliga side struggled to match themselves against elite opposition, winning just three of their eight league phase matches. With that in mind, Stuttgart will welcome a step-down to the Europa League – a competition in which they will be expected to reach the knockout stages.

Stuttgart lost their first two competitive games, but the team have since bounced back with three wins from four across all competitions.

Celta Vigo, on the other hand, return to Europe for the first time in nine years. The Spaniards sealed their continental return after finishing seventh in La Liga last season – their best league finish in nearly a decade.

Celta Vigo have endured five straight 1-1 draws – a sixth such result would be rather unprecedented.

We are not expecting a repeat of that scoreline, with Stuttgart playing well in recent games – especially at home. Bearing everything in mind, we are backing the hosts to prevail by a single goal.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

 

FIXTURES

Go Ahead Eagles 17:45 FCSB

Lille 17:45 Brann  

Aston Villa 20:00 Bologna

Ferencváros 20:00 Viktoria Plzeň

Rangers 20:00 Genk

Red Bull Salzburg 20:00 Porto

Stuttgart 20:00 Celta Vigo

Utrecht 20:00 Olympique Lyonnais

Young Boys 20:00 Panathinaikos 

No-Syndication Cocoa Financing Policy: Boahen Aidoo Emasculates Bryan

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JENNIFER AMBOLLEY
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Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo

Former Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Joseph Boahen Aidoo, has fired a blistering broadside at New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential hopeful, Dr Bryan Acheampong, accusing him of dishonesty and “blatant intellectual plagiarism” over Ghana’s historic no-syndication cocoa financing policy.

In a strongly worded rebuttal, Joseph Aidoo dismissed Bryan Acheampong’s claim of pioneering the reform as “a shameful attempt to arrogate glory to himself for a policy he never believed in, opposed ferociously, and even wished dead.”

Dr. Bryan Acheampong, in a widely circulated address, had claimed full credit for ending Ghana’s reliance on syndicated offshore loans to finance cocoa purchases. He recounted his supposed role, saying:

“When I went to the Ministry of Agriculture, Cocoa Board told me that since 1947, we had always gone for syndication… At Cabinet, everybody thought I was on something strong, but President Akufo-Addo took a chance on my decision and supported me. For the first time in 2024, we did not do syndication… That’s the kind of bold ideas I bring.”

According to the Abetifi MP, his decision to cancel syndicated loans and insist on upfront payments from buyers marked a turning point that secured deposits worth billions of dollars for COCOBOD.

But Joseph Boahen Aidoo has rubbished the account, insisting the true story is the exact opposite.

He maintained that the policy was his brainchild, developed with his management team and COCOBOD’s board and fully backed by President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

“Bryan vehemently opposed the policy from the very beginning. He was the only dissenting voice when the matter went before the Economic Management Team. For him to now parade himself as the architect of the policy is not only dishonest, but disrespectful to those who truly birthed and defended it,” Joseph Boahen Aidoo declared.

The former COCOBOD boss added that he was shocked to later discover that Dr Acheampong, after resisting the idea and blocking its path to Cabinet, secretly pushed it forward.

“After disagreeing with me and frustrating every chance of taking the policy to Cabinet for approval, Dr Bryan Acheampong later nicodemously sent it there, without the knowledge of the true architect. Even that action in itself is disingenuous,” he stressed.

Joseph Boahen Aidoo further charged that Dr Acheampong nearly derailed the landmark reform altogether.

“But for the personal intervention of President Akufo-Addo at Jubilee House, the bold no-syndication legacy would have been killed by Dr Bryan Acheampong just as he killed the noble idea of introducing private commercial cocoa plantations,” he fired.

The no-syndication policy, which ended Ghana’s 32-year dependence on offshore syndicated loans, has been hailed as a game-changer. It saved the country hundreds of millions of dollars in interest payments and improved COCOBOD’s financial sustainability.

Mr. Aidoo underscored that the reform was already paying dividends. He pointed to Bank of Ghana projections showing stronger reserves, cost savings and enhanced bargaining power for Ghana on the global cocoa market.

“These achievements belong to those who had the vision and courage to fight for them in the face of stiff resistance. Honour must go where it is due, not to those who shamelessly plagiarise intellectual property or rewrite history to suit their ambition,” he said.

The fierce exchange has sharpened the political battle lines in the NPP, as the party heads into its flagbearership contest.

Dr Bryan Acheampong, who has been touting his record as proof of bold leadership, now faces accusations of hypocrisy and opportunism.

Lifts And Elevators Company Adjudged Best Elevator Service Provider

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SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU
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Derrick Frimpong received the 2025 Best Elevator Service provider award for LELC

The Ghana Industries and Manufacturing Awards (GIMA) has conferred the “2025 Best Elevator Service provider” award on Lifts and Elevators Limited Company.

For two consecutive years, the company has consolidated on this position.

In June 2024, the company was awarded the “Best Elevator and Lift Maintenance Service provider” by the Ghana Outstanding Business Achievement Awards (GOBAA) and went further to win the 2024 Best Elevator Service Provider by the Ghana Industries Manufacturing Achievements (GIMA) in October 2024, thus bagging two Awards within the year.

All the awards

The feat comes two years after the establishment of Lifts and Elevators Limited Company, headquartered at Sakumono, near Tema.

Mr. Derrick Frimpong, Chief Operations Officer of LELC received the award at a ceremony at the Movenpick Hotel in Accra last Friday.

Lifts and Elevators Limited Company is a fully owned premier Ghanaian-owned company established on 25th April 2023 under the Companies Act, 2019, Act 992.

As a premier elevator company in Ghana, the company focuses on providing top-notch elevator solutions to enhance vertical mobility across various infrastructures and deliver unparalleled elevator services tailored to meet the unique needs, ranging from residential buildings to commercial complexes and industrial facilities of clients.

Among the company’s major clients are Gagrafa Apartment C20 Tema; Caksunity Services Limited – Ho; Mixbless Petroleum Company Limited – Sowutuom Accra; Des’ev Fashion Academy – East Legon Hills – Accra; Omay Company Limited – Haatso; Alhaji Rashid Namoro – Pakyi, Kumasi;  Perez Chapel Int – Dzorwulu, Accra; Alhaji Sadat – East Legon, Accra; Hapin Real Estate – Madina, Accra and Janus Company Limited – Cantonments, Accra.

The founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lifts and Elevators Company Limited, Ing. Yawson Otoo, a building engineer (Construction, Technology and Management Expect) assured that the company was committed to excellence and innovation towards setting the standard for elevator installation, maintenance, and modernization in Ghana.

Lifts and Elevators Limited Company provides a mastry of various construction works and particularly the designing, assembling, installation and after sale servicing of various kinds of llifts and elevators with a quest to ensure safety and conduciveness of lifts and elevators.

“At Lifts and Elevators Limited, we envision a future where safe and efficient vertical transportation is accessible to all”, adding that “With this vision in mind, we continuously invest in cutting-edge technology and industry expertise to deliver reliable, cost-effective elevator solutions that elevate the quality of life for our customers.”.

He said with a dedicated team of professionals, the company aims to expand the company’s presence by opening additional branches in key cities across Ghana, aiming for a total of eight branches within the next five years.

Ing. Yawson Otoo says his vision is to see LELC grow and become the leading choice of clients in search of general construction and Lifts and elevators services in Ghana and beyond.

“LELC wants to become the leading provider of elevator and escalator solutions in Ghana within the next five years, capturing at least 30% of the market share and achieve a customer satisfaction rating of at least 90% by providing high-quality products, exceptional service and prompt response to customer inquiries and concerns”, Ing. Yawson Otoo said.

The CEO called on Ghanaians to patronise Lifts and Elevators Limited Company as a trusted partner for all vertical transportation needs.

Mahama Nominates Justice Baffoe-Bonnie For CJ Position

By
RICHARD OWUSU-AKYAW
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Justice Baffoe-Bonnie

Barely weeks after the dismissal of Justice Gertrude Araba Essaba Torkonoo, President John Dramani Mahama has nominated Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as her replacement, making him the ninth Chief Justice under the Fourth Republic.

In a statement issued by the Presidency, it was announced that the President has, in line with Article 144(1) of the 1992 Constitution, forwarded Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s name to the Council of State for consideration and subsequent approval as Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana.

“President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Article 144(1) of the 1992 Constitution, forwarded the name of His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to the Council of State for consideration as Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana,” the statement read.

A Distinguished Judicial Career

The Presidency described Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as a jurist of “diligence and integrity”, who has served with distinction at the High Court, the Court of Appeal and currently, the Supreme Court.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, it added, has made “invaluable contributions to the development of Ghanaian jurisprudence,” and has earned the respect of the Bench, the Bar and the wider legal fraternity for his intellect, impartiality and unwavering commitment to justice.

His extensive experience and long service on the Bench, according to the government, render him “eminently qualified” to occupy the high office of Chief Justice.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has been serving as Acting Chief Justice since April 22, 2025, following the suspension of Justice Torkonoo.

Events Leading to the Dismissal of Justice Torkonoo

Justice Torkonoo’s removal stemmed from a series of petitions submitted to the Presidency earlier this year.

In July, President Mahama suspended her pending investigations, and subsequently appointed a committee chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Pwamang to probe the allegations.

The committee’s report, submitted weeks ago, established prima facie evidence of misconduct against the former Chief Justice. Acting on the findings, President Mahama dismissed her from office.

Justice Torkonoo, who succeeded Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah in June 2023, served a relatively short tenure that was marked by both judicial reforms and controversies, culminating in her suspension and eventual removal.

Next Step

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s nomination will follow constitutional procedure, beginning with advice from the Council of State, after which Parliament is expected to vet and approve him.

Once confirmed, he will become Ghana’s 16th Chief Justice.

Observers say the appointment comes at a critical moment, as Ghana’s judiciary faces heightened public scrutiny over integrity, independence, and accountability.

2 Nigerians granted GH¢2M bail for defrauding America & Canadian citizens 

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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The Accra Circuit court complex

Two Nigerian nationals accused of orchestrating a sophisticated online fraud and laundering the proceeds through vehicle and property acquisitions have been granted bail by the Circuit Court in Accra.

The accused, Solomon David King and Kingsley Okokon Etuk, both 48, were on Tuesday slapped with GH¢1 million bail each, to be justified with two sureties each, supported by title deeds in the names of the sureties.

The ruling was given by Her Honour Susana Eduful, presiding over the Circuit Court.

The pair pleaded not guilty to four counts: conspiracy to commit crime, defrauding by false pretences and money laundering.

Alleged Fraud Scheme

According to the prosecution, led by DSP Emmanuel Nyamekye, the accused allegedly defrauded two foreign nationals – Mr Gommarie Michele, an American citizen and L. Anthony, a Canadian of a total sum of $715,000 USD between 2020 and 2025.

Per court documents, the accused convinced the victims online that they could assist them to acquire and ship a consignment of goods valued at over US$12 million.

The victims, believing the representations to be true, made payments in tranches via money transfers and through intermediaries in the USA and Togo.

The victims were eventually lured to Togo under the pretext of receiving the consignment, but ended up parting with additional funds and returned home empty-handed. It was later revealed the consignment never existed.

The matter came to light after the victims narrated their experience to Victor Efiong, a fellow Nigerian resident in Accra, who then reported the incident to the police.

The prosecutor alleged that part of the defrauded funds were used to purchase personal assets. King is said to have bought a Hyundai Elantra (AW 3144-13), while Etuk allegedly acquired a Toyota Camry (KWL 359 HZ) and a five-hectare farm plantation in Suhum, Eastern Region — all purportedly acquired from proceeds of the unlawful activity.

Both accused are facing separate money laundering charges under Section 1(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2007 (Act 749).

The digital devices of the accused have been retrieved for forensic analysis as part of ongoing investigations. Prosecutors believe these may contain evidence of the alleged communications and transactions with the victims.

The case has been adjourned to November 3, 2025, as investigations continue.

We won’t be silenced by political persecution -NPP Youth

By
RICHARD OWUSU-AKYAW
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Protesters wield a banner during the demonstration in Accra

 The youth wing of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has staged a massive demonstration in Accra, accusing President John Dramani Mahama and his administration of weaponising state institutions, especially the security services, to suppress opposition voices and intimidate citizens.

A demonstrator holds a placard to express his disappointment with authorities

The protest, which was named ‘Yen Suro Ahunahuna’ – meaning we are not afraid of intimidation in Akan – began at the popular Obra Spot and proceeded through the streets of the capital to the Police Headquarters and finally to the Jubilee House, the official seat of government.
Dressed in symbolic red and black attire to signify anger and resistance, the demonstrators carried placards with messages expressing their frustrations and demands.

The inscriptions on some of the placards read: “Stop the Intimidation”, “Jezebel Used False Judges, Mahama Uses Chief Unjust Justice”, “The Removal of the Chief Justice Equals the Death of Democracy”, “IGP, Stop the Selective Arrests – Justice Must Be Equal”.

Henry Nana Boakye
Addressing the media ahead of presenting a formal petition to the police, Henry Nana Boakye, the National Organiser of the NPP, condemned what he described as a dangerous and deliberate strategy by the Mahama-led administration to stifle dissent and suppress political opposition.
He lamented what he termed the increasing politicisation of state security institutions warning that such developments threaten Ghana’s democratic gains.

According to him, opposition voices are being unfairly silenced through arbitrary arrests, particularly when they express views that are critical of the government.
“This protest is against the deliberate weaponisation of state institutions, especially the security agencies, to harass members of the opposition party. Selective justice and the unjustified arrests of individuals merely for expressing views—no matter how critical—are becoming far too common.”
He called on President Mahama to take immediate action to curb the injustices and restore public confidence in state institutions.

Nana Boakye insisted that being elected president comes with the responsibility to protect all citizens, not just loyalists of the ruling party.
“What the youth wing is seeking to achieve today is to send a clear message to President Mahama: You are the President of the Republic of Ghana.

“You were elected to defend the Constitution and protect the rights of all Ghanaians. Unfortunately, the trajectory of our democracy under your leadership is alarming, it is declining.”
He further emphasised that a change in government should not give any administration the license to misuse power, adding that state institutions must operate independently and fairly, without political interference.

Sammy Awuku
Also speaking to the media during the protest was Sammy Awuku, Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, who criticized the apparent double standards in how justice is administered in the country.
“Today, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” he said, paraphrasing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“The selective application of the rule of law in Ghana is not only sickening, but dangerous to our democratic future.”
Sammy Awuku cited specific examples where members of the ruling NDC made inflammatory or threatening statements and were treated leniently, sometimes invited for casual discussions and released on bail without further consequence.

In contrast, he argued, NPP officials and supporters who make even moderately critical remarks are swiftly arrested, denied bail, and subjected to harsh legal conditions.
“You will see a Vice Chairman of the ruling party making violent threats, and he is merely called in for tea or coffee and allowed to go. Yet, an opposition regional chairman makes a comment the police find uncomfortable, and that person is immediately detained and given draconian bail conditions.

“Then you have judges making comments that suggest not all citizens are equal before the law, quoting George Orwell’s Animal Farm to justify their decisions.”
Awuku praised the NPP youth for organizing the protest, saying it was a timely and necessary stand against what he called creeping tyranny and suppression.

Bernard Okoe Boye

Former Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, also took part in the protest and urged the security agencies, particularly the police, to uphold their professional code rather than follow political directives.
He expressed disappointment over what he called the discriminatory application of the law and emphasized the importance of professionalism in public service.
“We are here to tell the police leadership that it is always better to remain professional than to take instructions from politicians. Politics will always have an expiry date, but your integrity and professionalism will live beyond any political administration.”
NPP Youth
The protesting youth made several demands in their petition, which was presented to the police. They called for an immediate end to the politicization of law enforcement and urged the Mahama administration to uphold the principles of fairness, justice, and equal treatment under the law.
They also demanded an end to politically motivated arrests and the persecution of opposition members. Additionally, they called for the restoration of independence and professionalism within the Ghana Police Service and other state institutions.
The protesters further emphasised the need to protect freedom of speech and expression for all Ghanaians, regardless of political affiliation.

Finally, they requested public assurance from the President that all citizens will be treated equally before the law.

 

Editorial: The Rising Cost Of Politics And The Future Of Ghana’s Democracy (Part Two)

By
THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

Recent reports indicate that the cost of securing the presidency in Ghana may reach as high as $200 million USD – a staggering figure that should provoke deep concern among all stakeholders invested in the future of our democracy.

Each election cycle exposes a dangerous and growing trend, the escalating cost of political participation. From exorbitant campaign expenditures to monetised party primaries and widespread vote-buying, the financial barriers to entry are spiraling out of control.

If this trajectory remains unchecked, it will not only marginalise qualified candidates lacking deep pockets, but also entrench corruption as elected officials seek to recoup campaign expenditures once in office. This threatens to undermine the very foundation of Ghana’s democratic governance.

Fortunately, the 1992 Constitution provides the Electoral Commission (EC) with the necessary mandate to regulate political financing and supervise political parties. But constitutional authority must now be translated into decisive action. Ghana’s democracy cannot afford complacency.

Article 55(14) of the Constitution clearly empowers the EC to oversee political party funding. This is not merely a bureaucratic responsibility it is a fundamental democratic imperative. The Electoral Commission must leverage this authority fully to confront the corrosive influence of money in politics.

Central to this task is the enforcement of financial transparency. Political parties and candidates must be compelled to disclose their sources of funding and detail campaign expenditures openly. These disclosures should be accessible to the public to build trust and deter illicit financing, including money laundering and foreign interference.

Such transparency must go beyond mere paperwork. The Electoral Commission should establish a publicly accessible financial disclosure platform and enforce robust penalties for non-compliance, including fines, suspension or disqualification of offenders.

Moreover, the EC should advocate for legislated spending caps on election campaigns, applicable at all levels of government. By collaborating with Parliament and civil society actors, the Commission can help define reasonable limits that level the playing field and reduce undue financial pressure on candidates.

In addition, the Commission must regulate third-party campaign financing to prevent candidates from circumventing spending limits through allied organisations or individuals.

Media exposure is another significant driver of campaign costs. The EC, in partnership with the National Media Commission, should mandate free and equitable airtime for all qualified candidates on state-owned media outlets. This intervention will ensure fair visibility and competition, mitigating the advantage of candidates with greater financial resources.

Furthermore, the Electoral Commission must enforce strict prohibitions on the use of state resources for partisan purposes. Abuse of public assets—such as government vehicles, staff, and facilities—by ruling parties during campaigns undermines democratic fairness and must be decisively curtailed.

The high cost of politics is also perpetuated within party primaries, where candidates often expend vast sums to secure nominations. The Electoral Commission should monitor internal party processes, encouraging political parties to adopt transparent, inclusive, and affordable nomination mechanisms. Internal democracy must not become a commodity for sale to the highest bidder.

Addressing the cost of politics demands collaborative efforts. The E.C. should work closely with anti-corruption agencies like CHRAJ, EOCO, and the Auditor-General’s office to track, investigate, and prosecute violations of electoral finance laws.

Equally vital is civic education. Many voters expect or accept inducements because they lack awareness of the long-term damage these practices inflict on governance and national development. The EC must partner with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and civil society organisations to enlighten citizens on the dangers of monetized politics.

The escalating cost of political participation is not simply an economic challenge – it is a direct threat to the health and sustainability of Ghana’s democracy. Without urgent intervention, our elections risk devolving into auctions where wealth, not merit or ideas, determines leadership.

The Electoral Commission must rise to the occasion. Through unwavering commitment to transparency, regulation, collaboration, and public education, the E.C. can restore integrity to Ghana’s political system, making it less about money, and more about service to the people.

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