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Madagascar set to become the next chapter in the Kwesi Appiah, Sudan fairytale  

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James Kwesi Appiah, Sudan

Football has a way of bringing unlikely heroes to the fore, and Tuesday’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) semi-final in Dar es Salaam promises just that. 

Sudan, a nation battling internal strife yet thriving under Ghanaian coach James Kwesi Appiah, will meet Madagascar, the island nation whose fairytale rise has captured imaginations across the continent.

For both sides, the stakes could not be higher. Neither has ever reached the CHAN final.

A win at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium would write a golden new chapter in their football history — and for the wider East African region, it would mark a rare step into continental prominence.

James Kwesi Appiah

Few expected Sudan to come this far. Yet under Kwesi Appiah, the Falcons of Jediane have defied all odds.

Having topped their group ahead of champions Senegal, they went on to stun last edition’s finalists Algeria on penalties in Zanzibar.

Appiah insists his side is unfazed by shifting from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam.

“After moving from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam, I don’t think there will be a difference in the climate and weather. The most important thing is the preparation of our players,” he said.

“Our journey wasn’t easy. All our matches so far have been tough. This is a semi-final match and it won’t be easy. We will fight throughout the match until the end.”

For Appiah, the bigger motivation lies beyond football. “We are focused on making the Sudanese people happy. They don’t need anything from us. All they want is to see the fighting spirit and for us to make them happy during the match.”

Madagascar

If Sudan represent resilience in the face of turmoil, Madagascar embody the power of collective belief.

The Barea have followed up their 2022 semi-final run with another deep charge, eliminating debutants Kenya in Nairobi on penalties.

Coach Romuald Rakotondrabe believes that victory has transformed his squad’s mindset.

“The victory over Kenya in front of their fans and at home was good psychologically for our team, and we will take advantage of it,” he explained.

“Our strength lies in our unity. It’s our spirit of teamwork that has propelled us forward. We have players who can make a difference, and we now have faith in the power of teamwork.”

Rakotondrabe has urged his team to embrace the challenge. “We will fight to win and qualify for the final. We must be patient, keep our goals in mind, and fight for them until the last minute of the match.”

Clash of philosophies

This semi-final is more than just a meeting of two underdogs — it’s a clash of philosophies. Sudan’s compact discipline and reliance on mental strength contrasts with Madagascar’s fluidity and possession-based football.

Rakotondrabe admitted the key will be focus in the decisive moments. “We must be focused throughout the match, especially in front of goal. We must aim to qualify, not perform. We have watched Sudan’s matches many times, and we are ready to face them.”

For Sudan, defender Faris Abdallah Mamoun echoed the determination within the camp. “We prepared well for the match, and we will try to give everything we have to continue our journey in the tournament,” he said.

Credit: cafonline.com

Akwatia By-Election: Police To Deploy ‘Black Maria’ … Five Arrested For Possession Of Weapons

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JOHN BEDIAKO
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Black Maria (prison on wheel) on standby for deployment

A contingent of 5,000 strong police, backed by ‘Black Maria’ (Prison on Wheel), are ready for deployment to Akwatia, in the Eastern Region, to ensure the safe conduct of the impending by-election.

Another pump Action gun seized from the suspects

The 5000 personnel have been drawn from the General Duties, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Police Intelligence Directorate (PID), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Rapid Deployment Force (RDF), Formed Police Unit (FPU) and a medical team from the Police Hospital.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, who disclosed this to the media recently, stated that the inclusion of the ‘Black Maria’ for the first time in its operations was to foster a speedy evacuation of troublemakers and for that matter, suspects during the election to the right place for confinement.

According to the IGP, six hundred out of the 5000 strong force benefitted from pre-deployment training at the High Risk Operations Training Centre at Boti, in the Yilo Krobo Municipality. This, he noted, was a testament of his outfit’s preparedness for the task ahead.

Two of the suspects

During  the training at the centre, which was formally operationalised in 2020, the personnel went through counter terrorism training, rappelling, self defense, Very, Very Important Persons protection, jumping and shooting from moving vehicles, life saving swimming, shooting at targets from speeding motorbikes, physical training, police duties and crowned it with academic works in criminal law and criminal procedure.

The Police, IGP Yohuno told the gathering, are prepared and they will not tolerate any form of lawlessness. He noted that the ‘Black Maria’ is not just a vehicle, but symbolises police’s commitment to maintaining order and ensuring the safety of all citizens.

According to him, as the election day approaches, residents of Akwatia are breathing a sigh of relief, knowing that the police are taking proactive steps to prevent any potential unrest.

Gun and cartridges seized from one of the suspects at Akwatia

He stressed that the ‘Black Maria’ had a history, dating over a century ago in Boston, United States of America (USA), where a strong black woman by name Maria Lee, who ran a boarding house for sailors, was assisting police to arrest and transport criminals.

The police chief stated that her assistance and name became associated with ‘Black Maria’ and have since been adopted by police around the world.

A suspect

Features of a Black Maria include coaches for high risk prisoners, washroom, handcuffs bay, no access to escape, cameras, intercom system connected between the driver and officers in their cubicle onboard, for the modern type of ‘Black Maria’.

The repressive character of ‘black maria’, he went on, was much felt in neighbouring Nigeria some years ago, when the dreaded Mobile Police Force would deploy and its mere sight alone sent shivers down the spines.

 

Eastern South Regional Police Command

Meanwhile, the Eastern South Regional Police Command has arrested five suspects in separate operations at Akwatia in the Eastern Region for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

These operations, conducted between 22nd and 23rd August, 2025 form part of intensified security measures ahead of the Akwatia By-Election.

A locally manufactured gun was also seized

On August 22, 2025 near St. Dominic Hospital in Akwatia, Police intercepted a vehicle driven by suspect Bernard Kumi Ofosu and a search led to the discovery of one Tulpar double-barrel pump-action gun, four AAA live cartridges and two FTB blank cartridges.

The suspect admitted ownership of the firearm and produced a valid license. He is currently in custody assisting investigations, with the exhibits retained for verification.

In a separate operation at the Akwatia Y-Junction snap check, Police arrested suspect Joshua Amenuku after retrieving 15 live BB cartridges from him. A subsequent search at his residence uncovered one ADLER TULPA pump-action gun and five additional live BB cartridges.

Later that evening, Police intercepted a Toyota Hilux pick-up at the Boadua Livingstone snap check point and arrested suspects Enoch Asiedu, and Lu Youyan, a Chinese national, after four live BB cartridges were retrieved from the vehicle. Preliminary interrogation revealed that the ammunition allegedly belonged to their employer, one Mohammed, identified as the owner of the vehicle. Efforts are underway to trace and arrest suspect Mohammed for interrogation, while the two suspects remain in custody assisting investigations.

This powerful gun was also seized by the police during the special operation

On August 23, 2025 Police officers on duty at the Boadua Livingstone Junction snap check point again arrested suspect Pieterson Joseph, after retrieving one (1) ADLER TULPAR pump-action gun and 46 AAA and BB cartridges from his vehicle. The suspect admitted ownership of the firearm.

On 23/08/2025, officers on snap-check duty at Staff Village Boadua, intercepted a Toyota Tundra pick-up with registration no WR 5535-13 from Asamankese direction towards Boadua. A search conducted in the Tundra pick up revealed the three pump Action guns including, (1) Pardus pump Action gun, one (1) Hulglu Atroe pump Action and one (1) other pump Action gun.

Suspect Stephen Nkansah claimed ownership of two of the Pump Action guns and stated that, the third Pump Action gun belonged to his chief.  Meanwhile, suspect Stephen Nkansah has been arrested and detained for investigation.

The Eastern South Regional Police Command assures the public and all stakeholders that these operations would be intensified as part of efforts to ensuring security, law and order before, during, and after the Akwatia By-Election.

Bryan’s Alleged Tribal Comment Rankles Bawumia

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RICHARD OWUSU-AKYAW
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Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia

The 2024 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has disclosed that a fellow aspirant within the party has resorted to tribal politics in the troubled Bawku enclave.

Equating the wave of tribal and religious bigotry in the party to dangerous propaganda ahead of the presidential primary, sometime in January 20204, Dr. Bawumia expressed deep concern over the unfolding mudslinging.

“As we prepare to go into the primary, I am very, very concerned and troubled that some of our presidential aspirants have embarked on religious and tribal bigotry against me in a desperate attempt to win votes,” he said.

“They have completely ignored the real reasons behind our 2024 electoral defeat and want to mislead delegates and the party with such propaganda.”

According to Dr. Bawumia, who previously served as Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), some aspirants have falsely claimed that his candidature caused the NPP to lose support in Bawku.

“One such issue that has come up and I think is important for all of us to know, is the Mamprusi–Kusasi conflict,” he said.

Referring to Bryan Acheampong, a former Minister of Agriculture under the Akufo-Addo administration, Dr. Bawumia accused him of stoking tribal sentiments by suggesting that because he belongs to the Kusasi ethnic group, the NPP will remain unpopular in the area.

“An aspirant has said that there is no vote for me because I am a Mamprusi man and that we will lose votes in Kusasi and other areas. This is very unfortunate and demonstrates a complete lack of understanding on the ground,” he lamented.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia made these remarks while addressing the 33rd anniversary of the NPP New York branch in the United States of America yesterday.

Refuting claims attributed to Bryan Acheampong, who is also seeking to lead the NPP, Dr. Bawumia explained that the NPP’s electoral record in the Bawku enclave has historically been weak, irrespective of his involvement.

“Since 1965, our tradition has contested elections in the Bawku zone. Out of six constituencies, the NPP has consistently struggled. In 1965, we had zero seats.

“In 1969, we won two seats. In 1979, under Victor Owusu, we had zero seats. In 1996, we had zero again. In 2000, we had one seat. In 2004, under President Kufuor, we had zero seats. In 2008, we won one seat,” he outlined.

“Fast forward, in 2012 under President Akufo-Addo, we had zero seats. In 2016, we managed two seats. In 2020, we won one seat, but lost it in 2024. So, clearly, the Bawku zone is not a stronghold of the NPP.”

Dr. Bawumia emphasized that between 1965 and 2024, out of eleven elections, the NPP had zero seats in six contests within the Bawku enclave.“In 2024, when you put the six constituencies together, we lost by just 30,000 votes. That shows the Bawku factor was not decisive in our national loss,” he stressed.

He therefore dismissed Bryan Acheampong’s claim that the Bawku election accounted for the NPP’s 2024 defeat.

“It is not the Bawku election that made us lose the 2024 elections. We must be clear on this. The Bawku factor was not a factor in the national outcome, and we should stop moving in that direction,” he concluded.

Feature: NPP Lost 2024 Largely Due To Bad Economy NOT Because Of Bryan’s Attempt To Partner SSNIT In Its Hotels’ Management

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Feature

It is very funny how some members of Dr. Bawumia’s camp are alleging that the decision by SSNIT to sell off 60% of its stake in four hotels to private investors under a public-private partnership with a strategic investor like Rock City Hotel automatically caused the 2024 defeat of the NPP.

However, the two reports which are very dear to the heart of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, that is, the Mike Oquaye Report and the Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu Report never fingered SSNIT-Rock City deal as the possible cause of NPP’s defeat in 2024.

Kennedy Agyapong, Bryan Acheampong, Yaw Osei Adutwum, and all members of NPP EXCEPT Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and his people have been accused of as the cause of NPP 2024 defeat.

However, according to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in April 2025, NPP lost the elections in 2024 because of:

 

  1. E-levy
  2. Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP)
  3. High Cost of living
  4. Prices of goods and services went up and left many Ghanaians struggling
  5. Arrogance of power (we were not willing to listen)
  6. Government’s inability to pay NABCO and others
  7. School feeding caterers and others were also not being paid
  8. Controversy surrounding the $ 58 million National Cathedral project
  9. Last-minute fuel price hike

 

Other major factors that caused the defeat of NPP in 2024 not mentioned by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia were:

  1. Cedi Depreciation, moving $1 to 4ghc to $1 to 17ghc.
  2. High Inflation
  3. High Interest rates
  4. Galamsey
  5. Disrespect towards certain Chiefs
  6. Break-down of the relationship between NPP and the media
  7. Sidelining of Party members leading to Apathy
  8. Suffering of the Private sector, and collapse of several private enterprises
  9. Failed 1 Village 1 Dam policy, 1 million dollars, one constituency policy, among others
  10. Lack of proper infrastructural development and Interchanges in the Ashanti Region as promised.
  11. Demographics challenges faced by the 2024 Presidential candidate.

 

The question now is; When did Public-Private Partnerships become an illegality under the laws of Ghana?

In its own wisdom, Ghana’s Parliament even enacted the Public-Private Partnership Act, 2020 (Act 1039) to regulate the entire PPP process, from project identification to implementation, as well as provisions for procurement, contracting and dispute resolution.

 

According to the Management of SSNIT before settling on Rock City Hotel, SSNIT:

  1. Went through International Competitive Tendering (ICT) processes as prescribed by the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663), as amended by Act 914 for the selection of a strategic investor.
  2. Commenced the process with the engagement of a Transaction Advisor through ICT method of procurement, with publication of advertisements in the Daily Graphic on 14th November, 2018, and in the Ghanaian Times on 15th November, 2018. The said advertisement was equally published in The Economist, a renowned and reputable international magazine in its 5-11, 2019 edition.

The legitimate questions any reasonable person would ask regarding SSNIT’s decision to sell 60% of its stake in four hotels are;

  1. Was Rock City Hotel the only company that applied for the contract? Absolutely NO.

A total of nine (9) companies responded to the advertisements by SSNIT and accordingly submitted proposals by the 23rd of March, 2022 deadline. Six (6) out of the nine (9) companies were shortlisted and issued with Request for Proposal (RFP) documents. The qualifying companies were invited for the opening of their financial proposals.

Based on the technical and financial evaluation by an independent committee, Rock City Hotel emerged the best.

  1. Was the contract finally awarded to Rock City Hotel to take over 60% of SSNIT’s Stake in the four(4) hotels (Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel, and Elmina Beach Resort) even after emerging with the best and strongest technical and financial proposals amongst those received by SSNIT? Absolutely NO.

The process of SSNIT getting a strategic partnership was not yet concluded before a petition was submitted to CHRAJ requesting for a full-scale investigation into the sale of SSNIT hotels. As a law-abiding corporate entity, Rock City Hotel expressed disinterest in the contract given the impending investigation by CHRAJ, and the politically sponsored attacks on its owner, Dr. Bryan Acheampong.

  1. Is Bryan Acheampong the first businessman who has had his company express an interest in a strategic partnership with Hotels publicly owned by State entity? Absolutely NO.

(a). In 2006, the government in partnership with Saudi Prince, Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdul Aziz Alsaud, a world acclaimed entrepreneur invested about $100 million into the renovations and construction works of the State-owned Ambassador Hotel, which was built as a gift to Ghana about 50 years ago (then in 2006) and now 68years ago in 2025 by the United Kingdom. The Ambassador Hotel has been taken over and managed by Movenpick Hotel, a hotel management chain.

Ghanaians saw nothing wrong with this arrangement probably because the Saudi Prince wasn’t a Black businessman or a Ghanaian Politician. The Saudi Prince expressed an interest in the Ambassador Hotel around 2003.

(b). In 2008, Ghana Libyan-Arab Holding Company Limited (GLAHCO) took over the ownership of state-owned Kumasi City Hotel and Accra City Hotel and further entered into a contractual agreement with the Golden Tulip Hospitality Group of the Netherlands to manage these two hotels under the brand name Golden Tulip Kumasi City Hotel and Golden Tulip Accra.

The financiers of the projects were Government of Ghana, Libyan Government Investment Company in Africa, and Ghana Commercial Bank.

Let’s also mention that, in 1979, Ace Hotels and Resorts Limited acquired the Kumasi City Hotel through the formation of a joint venture company to rehabilitate the hotel.

In 2022, the management of Golden Tulip Hotels, the Ghana Libyan-Arab Holding Company (GLAHCO) stated that, they have leased the Golden Tulip Accra and Golden Tulip Kumasi City Hotel to Achour Holdings, operators of Grand Lancaster chain of hotels for 12years.

Achour Holdings is a private Lebanese company located in Beirut. Imagine the level of political spinning if these two hotels were leased to Rock City Hotel for 12years?

Ghana Libyan-Arab Holding Company Limited(GLAHCO) is a joint-venture between the Libyan Arab African Investment Company(LAAICO) and the Government of Ghana with participating interest of 40% and 60% equities respectively.

(c). Rawlings’ government ushered in the Ghana Libyan-Arab Holding Company (GLAHCO) during the period of Divestiture Implementation Committee (DIC). The Divestiture Implementation Committee(DIC) is widely considered by many as a body set up by the PNDC junta to oversee the process of their large-scale corruption of sale of state lands, buildings, and properties to themselves and their cronies. Over 60 state-owned companies were placed on Divestiture and sold to cronies of NDC between 1989 and 1992.

GLAHCO and several private business persons benefitted from this divestiture exercise.

Certainly, the genuine intentions of Rock City Hotel owned by Dr. Bryan Acheampong to go through all the procurement processes to partner with SSNIT as a strategic investor to raise capital to invest in the SSNIT hotels as well as their management under Public-Private partnership can NEVER be considered as one of the major reasons why the NPP lost the 2024 elections.

….Signed…

Razak Kojo Opoku (PhD)

Founding President of UP Tradition Institute

 

GNASSM calls for dialogue to end to attacks on miners

By
ERNEST BEST ANANE
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Mr. Frank Osei (Denero), Chairman, GNASSM-Ashanti Regional Chapter

Mr. Frank Osei (Denero), the Chairman of the Ashanti Regional Chapter of the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM), has called for a halt to all operations while a collaborative dialogue ensues to address errors in mining practices.

The call follows a recent clash between a police task force and community members at Bonteso, which led to the arrests that sparked concerns about the treatment of small-scale miners.

Speaking during a visit to Bonteso, Chairman Denero stated that while there might be errors or mistakes in their work, the approach to addressing them should be more constructive.

He emphasized the need for the authorities to halt all operations and engage in discussions with the miners to ensure that reclamation is done regularly after mining and assured that the Union was ever ready to dialogue over the matter.

Chairman Denero also expressed concern over the portrayal of Ghanaian miners as criminals noting  that it was unfair to attack Ghanaian miners while shielding others, a situation he described as worrying.

“It is never fair to attack Ghanaian miners and be shielding others. It is very worrying that we are being portrayed as criminals, which is never the case,” he stressed.

The GNASSM Chairman emphasised the commitment of small-scale miners to working together for the betterment of Ghana. He noted that the country’s youth are suffering and that mining could be a solution to their problems if done properly.

“If we are mining and there are mistakes, it’s not about gun attacks, but the solution should be good policies to guidance on how to mine the right way.”

IGP’s Anti-Galamsey Taskforce seizes more excavators 

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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How illegal miners (Galamsey) are destroying water bodies

In a significant development in the ongoing national fight against illegal mining (galamsey), the Special Anti-Galamsey Task Force under the Inspector General of Police has impounded three excavators believed to have been used for illicit mining activities in the Dwendwenase Forest Reserve.

The operation, conducted on Saturday, August 23, 2025, was led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Bawah Abdul Jalil and involved a 37-member team from the Anti-Galamsey Unit based at Manso Adubia.

The team, traveling in six service vehicles, moved into the area following actionable intelligence reports about illegal mining operations by foreign nationals, particularly Chinese miners, within the protected forest reserve.

According to ASP Jalil, upon arrival at the scene in Dwendwenase, the suspects fled when they detected the presence of the task force, abandoning two excavators.

While one of the machines was successfully started and loaded onto a low-bed carrier, the other was found to be faulty and immobile, complicating efforts to relocate it immediately.

Shortly after securing the first machine, the team received fresh intelligence about a third excavator hidden in a nearby cocoa farm at a village called Atta Ne Atta, near Dwendwenase.

Acting swiftly, the team proceeded to the location and discovered the excavator, which had been tampered with – critical components had been removed to prevent its operation. Nevertheless, with the support of the technical unit, the excavator was restarted and transported safely.

All recovered equipment has since been moved to the task force’s base at Patase for safekeeping and further investigation.

This latest operation underscores the security agencies’ growing efforts to curb illegal mining, especially within forest reserves, which are under increasing threat from environmentally destructive mining activities.

The Special Anti-Galamsey Task Force reiterated its commitment to protecting Ghana’s natural resources and warned individuals and groups involved in illegal mining to desist or face the full rigors of the law.

The President’s Security Should Be Our Priority

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Opinion

In my opinion a leader of a nation should be given a lot of protection, because he is the face and soul of the people.

With this viewpoint, I was not amused when the then opposition NDC took H.E. Nana Akufo Addo to the cleaners whenever he travelled by a rented private jet plane. Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa would always take control of a minigun and keep shooting at the flight of the president, and coming out with what it cost to the tax payer. To show how disgusting he felt about that, he took an oath that he would resign as minister of state, the very minute H.E. John Dramani Mahama would set foot in a private jet to travel out of the country.

Even though it became public that our presidential jet was not in great condition, the then opposition NDC would not accept that as an excuse.

In 2025, the NDC formed government with H.E. John Dramani Mahama as president. He soon had to take trips outside the country and unfortunately, the presidential jet was not in any good condition to take to the skies. So, John Mahama had to fly private. To this day, Ghanaians are reminding Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa, now Foreign Minister, of the need to honour the oath he took and resign from office.

Currently, the opposition NPP are tearing JDM and his administration apart as if paying back what NDC did when it was in opposition. This is where I feel it is not necessary at all. The fact that the NDC raised issues about Nana Addo and private jets, it was wrong then, as it is wrong now.

The president is the first citizen of the republic who holds this high office saddled with the weighty load of responsibility. As much as he holds the nation in his hands, he needs to be given not only maximum comfort but the highest protection as well.

All Ghanaians, whether they voted for John Mahama or not, must be concerned about his health and safety. No politics must be played here. We must put aside that because he is that precious to us.

Of course, anyone can hit at the president on issues like mismanagement of the economy and other matters under his control. But not about his health and safety.

Yes, Nana Addo was reduced to a door mat when it got to do with private jets, but that was very immature and NPP should not return that gesture.

I will rather advise the NPP members to just stay cool and always pray for the safety of the president. And most importantly, through Parliament, NPP must insist that a brand-new tear-rubber presidential jet is purchased as top priority, since the problems facing the current plane still exists.

If the current NDC government does not consider this proposal, and the NPP comes back to power, and the president uses private jets, no one would have the privilege to attack him or his government on this issue. Should the NDC members raise any objection, it will then be proper for the NPP to descend on them.

One other thing which is of great concern, in this republic, is that the party in opposition would raise a lot of noise against the party in power on any issue just to score political points and make it look bad and unpatriotic. This resolution to always attack sitting governments on anything good, but when in power do same and attempt to explain it, does not show respect to the citizens. It is like politicians are taking the people for a ride and mocking them.

Our Fourth Republic is thirty-two years old and this is the longest constitutional republic in our political history. It is about time all parties, especially the two leading ones, NDC and NPP, must study what the other is doing and come out with what it would have done if in that position. All criticisms must be constructive, in other words, better solutions must be proposed in the spirit of oneness so that it will be the state that will benefit.

Attacking and demonising anything a party in power does, without providing alternatives, only destroys progress and development in the country. Many things will be left stagnant and with party coming in and party going out, the state will be retrogressing. And when this is allowed to go on, it is the nation and the people who suffer.

Let us see Parliament debating issues amicably and having the best for the nation in mind, rather than politicising things just to benefit individual parties’ agenda.

NDC is now in power, let us have some peace and maturity in our daily discourses and consider the nation first before anything else. Inasmuch as the NPP could be justified in attacking the NDC as it did to it, when Nana Addo was president, it will be a great show of maturity to hold hands with one another and help this regime. If this happens, whenever the NPP also comes to power, such would be the case and Ghana will take giant leaps in democracy, progress and development.

We can see this happening if attacks on the president and private jets are dropped. The health and safety of our president, H.E. John Dramani Mahama should be our topmost priority.

Hon. Daniel Dugan

Editor’s note: Views expressed in this article do not represent that of The Chronicle

Editorial: Attacking Lawyers For Defending Accused Persons Obstructs Justice

By
THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

Last Friday, tension erupted at the Adabraka District Court in Accra, during the case involving the alleged killing of Immigration Officer, Stephen King Amoah. The second accused, Thomas Zigah, appeared before the court where his lawyer requested that he be treated at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, instead of the Police Hospital, citing deteriorating health.

The prosecution opposed the request, noting that the suspect had already been treated and discharged twice at the Police Hospital. The court ruled that a formal application would be required for any hospital change and also rejected a plea for a one-week adjournment.

After court proceedings, chaos ensued outside the premises, as members of the deceased officer’s family, visibly distressed, confronted and attempted to attack the accused’s lawyer. The situation escalated quickly, forcing police officers to intervene. The lawyer was mobbed briefly, before being escorted back into the courtroom for safety and later driven to his car under tight police protection.

First and foremost, we extend our deepest condolences to the family of the late Immigration Officer, Stephen King Amoah. His tragic death is a national loss and no words can adequately capture the grief and pain his family is enduring. The cry for justice in such circumstances is natural, valid and deserving of the highest respect.

However, the attack on the accused’s lawyer outside the Adabraka District Court was not only regrettable but also dangerous to the very cause the family seeks, justice. Under Ghana’s Constitution, every accused person, no matter the severity of the crime is entitled to legal representation. It is not a privilege but a fundamental right. Denying or intimidating a lawyer for defending an accused person does not serve justice; it obstructs it. Without a lawyer, the courts cannot proceed and justice for the slain officer would be delayed indefinitely.

History offers us lessons. Even warlords such as Sierra Leone’s Foday Sankoh, leader of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), whose reign of terror left thousands dead, was entitled to legal representation when brought before a court of law. If such individuals were afforded the right to a lawyer, then surely our justice system must protect the same right for anyone accused in Ghana today.

Attacking a lawyer for simply doing his duty undermines the rule of law and risks turning a solemn quest for justice into mob retribution. It is the courts, not the crowd, that determine guilt or innocence. For the family of Officer Amoah, the surest way to honour his memory is to allow the legal process to run its full course. This includes respecting the defence counsel’s role, however painful it may feel, because their presence ensures the trial is legitimate and the eventual verdict stands beyond reproach.

We urge the public, particularly grieving families, to resist acts of intimidation against lawyers or court officials. Such actions not only endanger lives but also compromise the very justice they seek. The police must also be commended for swiftly intervening to protect the lawyer, but they must go further by ensuring that court premises remain safe spaces where justice can unfold without fear.

What happened at Adabraka should never happen again. Justice is not vengeance. Justice is due process. And due process demands that both the prosecution and defence are heard before the truth is established and the guilty are punished.

Let us allow the law to work for the memory of Officer Amoah and for the integrity of our democracy.

Kente weavers Union launch Gala to promote Kente heritage

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Evans Nkum addressing the gathering

The Royal Kente Weavers and Sellers Association (ROKWESA) has officially launched the Royal Kente Gala (RKG) 2025 at the Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi. The theme is: “Preserving Royal Heritage, Weaving Global Connections”.

The programme marks the beginning of a milestone celebration dedicated to showcasing the artistry, history and global relevance of the Kente fabric.

Group picture of stakeholders

The project also has a vision to be an established World Premium Cultural Showcase, where African Heritage meets Global innovation, with the Mission to preserve Kente traditions, while creating a global platform that elevate Ghana’s heritage, as well as inspiring “pride” across Africa and the Diaspora.

An array of activities drawn for the programme include; Online Marketing Workshop (E-commerce) for Kente Weavers and Sellers on September 25, 2025 – Inter-SHS debate on Kente imitation, challenges and effects on the industry on October 20, 2025 – Kente Investment Forum, Banks and Artistry Dialogue on October 31, 2025.

Other activities are Royal Kente Runway Fashion Showcase, Exhibition and Live Kente Weaving on November 30, 2026 and Royal Kente Auction and Awards Presentation on December 20, 2026.

Mr Kwame Nyame, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), ROKWESA, disclosed that the Gala is “not just an event, but a movement” to honour the legacy of the Asante ancestry, celebration of today’s artistry, as well as inspire the future generations of Kente weaving for generations to come.

Kwame Nyame at the launch of the Kente Gala project

He acknowledged the blessings of His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, who is the custodian of the sacred “Twini Ntoma” and explained that Otumfuo’s blessing was a reminder that kente was not just a cloth, but an “identity, dignity and symbol of unity”.

Mr. Nyame stressed that the launch marked a “cultural renaissance”, which would elevate the Asante heritage, empowering Kente Weavers, as well as proudly connect the Asante Kingdom  to the world.

Mr. Evans Nkum, Deputy Manager, Akoma FM, disclosed that kente was embedded in the Asante culture, noting that his outfit understands the role it played in telling the Asante story.

Mr.Nkum indicated that Bonwire and Adanwomase are known for its massive production of the traditional cloth (Kente), stressing that Media General and its subsidiaries (Akoma FM and TV3), had produced special features highlighting the traditional cloth and the need for policy makers to leverage with tourism opportunities.

He said that most developed countries are thriving in the area of tourism, which primarily focused on “culture and heritage”, and noted that his outfit (Media General) believed the local economy could also thrive when people travel to have a first-hand appreciation of how the rich Asante kente is weaved.

Mr. Nkum hoped the Kente industry would help absorb more youth and create employment to support the government to push the 24-Hour Economy policy.

He suggested the erection of industrial structures for the Weavers as well as providing weavers with incentives and if possible acquire a technology that would not affect the traditional mode of production, but ensure less manual application with huge production numbers.

From Oswald Pius Freiku, Kumasi

A/R Minister Urges MMDAs to prioritise sanitation, healthcare

By
ERNEST BEST ANANE
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Dr. Frank Amoakohene poses with MCE and staff of the Assembly

Dr Frank Amoakohene, the Ashanti Regional Minister, has called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to prioritise sanitation and healthcare in their development agenda.

According to him, sanitation, hygiene and healthcare are basic necessities that require attention and resources.

Dr. Frank Amoakohene noted that the government has allocated 10% of the Assemblies’ Common Fund for sanitation and healthcare each.

He has, therefore, urged the management and staff of District Assemblies to make maximum use of working hours and involve the people in government projects to protect their health and well-being.

The Regional Minister was at Tepa as part of his familiarisation tour of the Ahafo Ano North Municipality.

He emphasised that the government had dedicated 80% of the Assembly Common Fund for priority areas, including healthcare, education and infrastructure development.

The Regional Minister highlighted the government’s developmental agenda, which includes providing access to potable drinking water, educational support, primary healthcare and completing abandoned projects.

He also emphasised the need to eradicate illicit mining, protect the environment and support corporate institutions that want to work with the government to reclaim destroyed lands.

The Ashanti Regional Minister reiterated the government’s determination to protect the environment and ensure that those engaging in illegal mining face the full rigor of the law.

He urged the public to support the government’s efforts to promote sustainable development and protect the lives of the majority.

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ahafo Ano North, Mr. Kwesi Adusei, expressed his commitment to creating opportunities for women, enhancing gender balance and improving infrastructure to create jobs for the youth.

The MCE also appealed for support to achieve the developmental agenda for the Municipality.

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