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Mahama Declares Zero Tolerance For Gold Smuggling

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President John Dramani Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has declared a sweeping crackdown on gold smuggling and illicit trade in Ghana’s mining sector, warning that any individual or group found engaging in illegal transactions will face the full force of the law.

“Our message is simple – operate within the law or face the consequences. Let this serve as a warning to all those involved in gold smuggling and illegal trade: the law will be enforced without fear or favour,” President Mahama declared during the inauguration of the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD) Task Force at the Jubilee House yesterday.

He described inauguration of the Task Force as a “defining moment” in the fight to reclaim Ghana’s gold sector from decades of illegal trade, value loss, and foreign exploitation.

Describing the move as a critical step in the implementation of the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140), President Mahama emphasized that the Task Force is more than a security measure and that it is a strategic instrument in Ghana’s broader economic transformation agenda.

“This Task Force is not just a security initiative, it is a strategic arm of a national economic transformation project, purposefully designed to restore integrity, accountability, and value to Ghana’s gold sector,” President Mahama declared.

Mineral Wealth

President Mahama noted that although Ghana is the leading gold producer in Africa and sixth globally, the country has historically failed to derive fair value from its mineral wealth. The Ghana Gold Board, he said aims to change that by asserting national sovereignty over gold production and trade.

Under the new regime, GOLDBOD holds exclusive rights to purchase and export all gold produced in the country excluding large-scale mining firms, where it still maintains pre-emptive rights.

“Like cocoa, gold will now be consolidated, traded, and exported through a centralised and transparent system,” the President announced.

Since its interim formation in January 2025, the Ghana Gold Board has recorded significant achievements.

By May 2025, it had exported 11 tonnes of gold valued at $1.1 billion, with total exports from the small-scale sector reaching 51.5 tonnes worth an estimated $5 billion – a 95% increase from the same period in 2024.President Mahama argued that these gains would help stabilise the Ghana Cedi, improve the balance of payments, and increase foreign reserves.

The newly inaugurated Task Force includes personnel from National Security, the military, and other security agencies, and has undergone comprehensive vetting, polygraph testing, and anti-corruption training. The Task Force will be governed by rigorous accountability mechanisms:

All officers will wear body cameras during operations whilst Vehicles will be GPS-tracked in real time.

A written warrant from the GOLDBOD CEO is required before any field operation.

Whistleblowers are eligible for 10% of the value of seized gold or cash.President Mahama issued a stern warning that any abuse of authority would not be tolerated.

“Any officer found engaging in misconduct will face immediate sanctions, including dismissal, prosecution, and forfeiture of all entitlements,” he cautioned.

Smuggling and Illegal Trade

The President cited a report indicating a 229-metric tonne discrepancy between Ghana’s official gold exports and the import records of its trading partners—resulting in over $11.4 billion in lost revenue over five years.

This, he declared, cannot continue as “Today’s inauguration of the GOLDBOD Task Force signals our readiness to act decisively.”

The GOLDBOD Act criminalizes unlicensed gold trade and bars foreigners from buying gold locally. Penalties include fines up to GHC 2.4 million, jail terms between 5 to 10 years, or both. However, President Mahama encouraged licensed foreign investment in refining and value addition.

Sustainability, Local Refining, and Global Integration

In a forward-looking vision, Mahama announced a directive for GOLDBOD to implement a nationwide gold traceability system, ensuring every gram of gold is sourced from licensed, environmentally compliant mines.

The government will also fund land reclamation efforts under initiatives like Blue Water and Tree for Life, and support geological surveys to assist small-scale miners.Plans are underway to establish an ISO-certified assay laboratory by 2026, and transition Ghana’s gold exports from raw Doré bars to refined bullion. The President also revealed efforts to develop a “Gold Village,” a local manufacturing hub for gold jewellery and ornaments.

To international partners such as the London Bullion Market Association, World Gold Council, and the OECD, President Mahama extended an invitation to collaborate with Ghana in a transparent, profitable, and sustainable gold trade system.

By Jennifer Ambolley & Richard Owusu-Akyaw

Komfo Anokye Is Not From Awukugua–Researcher

By
SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU
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Joseph Ofori Amanfo - The Researcher

Joseph Ofori Amanfo, a 42-year-old researcher and nuclear scientist, has disproved the claims that the legendary Fetish Priest, Komfo Anokye, is from Awukugua-Akuapim.

While one account points to one Ano and Yaa Anubea, from Awukugua-Akuapim, as his parents, another account has it that Komfo Anokye was born in Ghana in 1655 to Agya Ano and Maame Kobe, from Awukugua in the Nifa Division of the Okere state.

But Ofori Amanfo, a PhD candidate, based on intensive research, has proved otherwise to end the historical debate on the origin and parentage of the legend.

He claims Komfo Anokye is a royal of Asante Agona, contrary to the wild belief that he is from Awukugua in the Akuapem area of the Eastern Region of Ghana to provoke yet another debate.

Setting the records straight to clear the uncertainty about his lineage to the Agona stool, Ofori Amanfo mentioned Kyei Birie from Adansi as Komfo Anokye’s father, with Dwirawiri Kwa as his mother from Agona.

“Fact is”, Ofori Amanfo stressed, “Komfo Kwame Frimpong Anokye Kotobere”, is a true royal of the Krabi Asenie Family of Asante Agona. He was a close confidant of King Osei Tutu, the first Asantehene.

R. S. Rattray’s Geneology of Komfo Anokye from his book

Komfo Anokye was first and foremost a fetish priest, statesman, and lawgiver who played a crucial role in the formation of the Ashanti Empire and helped to unite the regional states under King Osei Tutu.

Komfo Anokye was the first priest (Okomfo) of the Ashanti Empire. Anokye is known for his participation in the expansion of the empire. He was also the codifier of the constitution and laws of the Ashanti Empire.

Komfo Anokye’s legacy extends beyond his association with a particular region, as he was revered for his spiritual powers, wisdom, and contributions to the Ashanti Empire’s foundation. His influence and reputation as a powerful priest and healer drew people from all over the Ashanti kingdom.

But Ofori Amanfo has stated that the five royal Asenie families of Asante Agona trace their ancestry from Amea Gyata, who originated from a place in Adanse known as Bona Bom in present day Adanse Dompoase in the Adanse North District of the Ashanti region of Ghana.

Amea Gyata gave birth to Komfo Dampte and Dufie Gyampontima. Komfo Dampte was also called Krabi. That is how the Krabi Asenie family name came about. Komfo Dampte was the first priest of the great god of the Krabi Asenie family, ‘Kyekyere’.

Dufie Gyampontima, the daughter of Amea Gyata, gave birth to Adutwumwa, Opong Payin, Opong Tuasekan, and Esa Payin. Opong Payin became the first Chief of Agona Asante when it was founded in 1620. Esa Payin gave birth to Bediako Ntim, who became the successor of Opon Payin. Opong Tuasekan founded the present day Kofiase.

Adutwumwa gave birth to Dwirawiri Kwa, Abena Dankwa, and Adwoa Ako. Abena Dankwa gave birth to Adwoa Adwoboa Payin, having Kwabena Adu (Akyere) Asenie family as descendants, Asantewaa  Ntansa Yiadom, having the Biani Asenie family, and later Yaawe and Tiwaa family as descendants, Adu Ajai, who also became the sixth chief of Agona.

Adwoa Ako gave birth to Kwame Siaw Anim, who became the fifth chief of Agona, Ammoa, and Abena Serwaa, having the Krabi Asenie family as descendants. Dwirawiri Kwa gave birth to Komfo Yamoa and Komfo Kwame Frimpon Anokye Kotobere (Komfo Anokye). Komfo Yamoa became the successor of Komfo Dampte (Krabi) as the priest of ‘Kyekyere’ and also the third Chief of Asante Agona, and Komfo Kwame Frimpon Anokye Kotobere (Komfo Anokye) succeeded his elder brother as the priest of the great god ‘Kyekyere’ and fourth chief of Agona.

Twumasi Amponsem, the husband of Aduwumwaa and the grandfather of Komfo Kwame Frimpon Anokye Kotobere, was a brother to Owusu Payin, the father of King Osei Tutu I. Therefore, King Osei Tutu I and Dwirawiri Kwa, the mother of Komfo Anokye, were cousins.

Kyei Birie of Adanse, the husband of Dwirawiri Kwa, was the father of Komfo Kwame Frimpon Anokye Kotobere and Komfo Yamoa.

It is the great god ‘Kyekyere’ that Komfo Kwame Frimpong Anokye Kotobere became the third priest and served to acquire the magical powers to unite the Asante Kingdom. Hence the saying ‘Kyekyere ne Kyerekye so’. Kyerekye was the great god of the Denkyira people, who were defeated by the Asantes with the help of Komfo Anokye.

‘Kyekyere’ priesthood follows a family dynasty, and only a member of the Krabi family is chosen by the god as a priest. A person outside the Krabi Asenie family cannot serve as a priest for the great god Kyekyere.

Komfo Kwame Frimpon Anokye Kotobere was not the one who brought ‘Kyekyere’ god; rather, he was the third priest. It was Komfo Yamoa, the second priest of ‘Kyekyere’ and third chief of Asante Agona, who interpreted the dream of Obiri Yeboa, the chief of the then Kwaman, the present day Kumasi, to signify the Unity of the then Asante states and prophesied about the Asantes coming together and also to win the war against the Dormaa. The Asantes, therefore, formed a loose confederation under the reign of Komfo Yamoa and Obiri Yeboa to fight the Dormaa people.

Unfortunately, Komfo Yamoah of Agona, Obiri Yeboah of Kwaman, and Dwamena Akenten of Offinso died in the war against the Dormaa, led by their powerful chief, Kyereme Sikafo.

Komfo Kwame Frimpon Anokye Kotobere, who is the brother of Komfo Yamoa of Agona Asante, succeeded him as both Chief of Agona and Priest of the great god ‘Kyekyere’, and King Osei Tutu succeeded Obiri Yeboa of Kwaman as Chief.

The Krabi Asenie family has two great gods, ‘Kyekyere’, whose priest is a male, and ‘Mpemano’, whose priest is a female. That is why, till today, the priest and priestess of both ‘kyekyere’ and ‘Mpemano’ can revoke any curse placed on anyone, irrespective of the river or deity used to curse one.

Komfo Kwame Frimpon Anokye Kotobere married two sisters, Ofuwa and Asiedua, of the Dormaa chief, Domina Kusi. Asiedua gave birth to Gyapa, and Ofuwa to Bresiama. Ever since the Agona State was founded in 1620, both gods have chosen their priest and priestess from the Krabi Asenie family till today.

Komfo Kwame Frimpon Anokye Kotobere ushered in a god called ‘Boaboduru’, and the first priest was his son, Bresiama. ‘Boaboduro’ was instituted by Komfo Kwame Frimpon Anokye Kotobere to signify how far he has brought the Asantes. Since then, the descendants of Bresiama, who are sons of the Krabi Asenie family, have been chosen as the priests of ‘Boaboduru’.

The other son of Komfo Kwame Frimpon Anokye Kotobere ‘Gyapa’ was given Asante Bepoa to rule as a chief, and since then the descendants of Gyapa reign in Asante Bepoa as the Nifahene and also the acting chief in the absence of the paramount chief in the Agona Traditional area.

The descendants of Komfo Kwame Frimpon Anokye Kotobere, the custodians of the gods ‘Kyekyere’ and ‘Mpemano’, exist in present day Asante Agona as the Krabi Asenie family, and the gods are in their custody to date. Asante traditions have it that the priests are the spiritual leaders of the people, and the chief of Asante Agona is the chief priest of the Asante Kingdom.

The Krabi Asenie family doubles as priest and priestess of ‘Kyekyere’ and ‘Mpemano’, and also ascends the Komfo Anokye Amoampong stool as paramount chiefs since Komfo Yamoa and Komfo Kwame Frimpon Anokye Kotobere were both priest and chief.

The research of Ofori Amanfo, an MPhil. Nuclear Science & Technology holder from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, in Kumasi – Ghana (November 2021 – March 2025) and a PhD candidate in the same area is collaborated by R. S. Rattray’s Ashanti Law and Constitution of 1929 Fig. 98 on the Genealogy of Komfo Anokye, which shows his ascendants and descendants and his relationship to King Osei Tutu and the then chief of Agona.and Osei Kwadwo

“An outline of Asante History Part 2 Vol. 1’ (2000) Page 194 and the extensive work done by his 82-year-old grandfather, the late Kwaku Dua (Retired Teacher) of Asante Agona.

Ablekuma North: The Verdict Can’t Be Stolen – NPP

By
JENNIFER AMBOLLEY
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NPP General Secretary, Mr. Justin Kodua Frimpong

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has vehemently rejected the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to hold a rerun of the Ablekuma North parliamentary election in 19 polling stations, insisting that the directive not only contradicts a standing High Court order, but also undermines the will of the people.

At a press conference held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, NPP General Secretary, Mr. Justin Kodua Frimpong, declared unequivocally that the party would not participate in what he described as an unconstitutional and unjustified rerun.

“We have won the Ablekuma North seat. We have the evidence and we will not sit idle while the verdict of the people is stolen. The court said collate and declare, not rerun and distort,” he said.

Mr. Frimpong emphasized that the Electoral Commission, as far back as June, had admitted in both private correspondence and public engagements including testimony before Parliament that only three polling stations remained uncollated in the constituency.

He questioned the Commission’s sudden decision to expand the scope to 19 polling stations, calling it a “shocking and shameful U-turn that defies logic and legality.”

According to the NPP, the EC’s current directive violates a High Court ruling issued on January 4, 2025, which instructed the Commission to return to Ablekuma North, complete the collation of outstanding results and declare the winner. Nothing more, nothing less.

“The High Court never ordered a rerun. The Electoral Commission is acting in contempt. We have decided as a party to go back to court. We will resist this illegality with every legal and political tool available,” Frimpong asserted.

During the press conference, the party presented scanned copies of pink sheets, polling station-level results, and a full Excel computation, claiming that their candidate, Nana Akua Afriyie,  won the contest with a margin of 440 votes over the NDC’s Ewurabena Aubynn.

“These are not just numbers. These are signed, verified results by agents of both parties and EC officials. How can you order a rerun in polling stations where all stakeholders have signed off results that clearly show our victory?” he queried.

He described the EC’s inconsistency as a serious threat to Ghana’s electoral integrity. “Today it is Ablekuma North. Tomorrow it could be any other constituency. If electoral outcomes can be redefined at will, then democracy itself is under siege.”

The NPP also accused the EC of political manipulation and warned against what it called “subtle attempts to alter the balance of power in Parliament through manufactured reruns.”

He called on the media, civil society organisations, and observers to pay close attention to the developments in Ablekuma North. “This is bigger than just one seat. It is about the sanctity of elections in Ghana. If we allow this to stand, no election result will ever be safe again.”

The NPP has vowed to exhaust every legal option and maintain its political resolve.

“Under no circumstance will we be coerced into accepting an illegality. The will of the people will not be overturned by bureaucratic backpedalling,” he concluded.

2 men arraigned over series of thefts at Ablekuma 

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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A court gavel

Two men, Bashiru Mohammed, 35, a labourer, and Ibrahim Rauf, 24, a driver’s mate, have been arraigned before Circuit Court Dansoman for allegedly embarking on a stealing spree in the early hours of June 13, 2025, at Abease, a suburb of Ablekuma.

Her Honour Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit heard that the accused persons, who both reside at Timber Market in Accra, face seven counts including conspiracy to commit stealing, unlawful entry, and multiple counts of stealing, in violation of various sections of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

According to Chief Inspector Emeila Mensah, around 2:00 am on the day of the incident, the wife of Albert Nii Amartey, one of the complainants and a professional footballer, spotted Rauf (A2) stealing her husband’s iPhone XR through a window, after taking the phone, Rauf scaled a wall and escaped, despite being pursued.

Shortly after, another resident, Sulley Mohammed, discovered that his unregistered Royal motorbike, two laptops (HP and Toshiba) and another iPhone XR had been stolen from his room. He is believed to be the second victim in the case.

With assistance from a witness and mobile phone tracking technology, the stolen iPhone was traced to Bashiru Mohammed (A1) at Agbogbloshie Yam Market.

Police from the Agbogbloshie station arrested A1, recovering the phone and motorbike. He subsequently led authorities to Rauf, from whom the second stolen motorbike was also retrieved.

Both accused later admitted to the thefts during police investigations, claiming they had targeted multiple homes in Abease.

They led police to Odorgono in an attempt to recover the stolen laptops, but the devices could not be located.

The stolen items include; two iPhone XR mobile phones, one belonging to each complainant, one unregistered Royal motorbike, one HP laptop and one Toshiba laptop.

The total estimated value of the items remains unknown, as some of the stolen property is yet to be recovered.

Both men pleaded not guilty when they appeared in court on June 19, 2025. They were remanded until July 2, 2025, and later granted bail of GH¢100,000 each with two sureties.

As part of the bail conditions, they must deposit their Ghana Cards with the court registry and report to police every two weeks.

The case has been adjourned to August 25, 2025 as police continue efforts to recover the remaining stolen items and gather additional evidence.

Dansoman Circuit Court Grants Bail in GH¢49,917 Theft Case

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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The Dansoman Circuit Court, presided over by Her Honour Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit, has granted bail to Emmanuel Dodoo, an unemployed former pump attendant, who is standing trial for allegedly stealing GH¢49,917 from the Sakaman Shell Filling Station.

Emmanuel Dodoo, who was present in court on Tuesday after a previous absence, pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing, contrary to Section 124 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). The prosecution is being led by Chief Inspector Portia Nuasko.

The court admitted the accused to bail in the sum of GH¢50,000 with two sureties, both of whom are to be justified.

As part of the bail conditions, Emmanuel Dodoo is required to deposit his Ghana Card with the Registrar of the court and report to the police station every two weeks until further notice.

The case has been adjourned to July 7, 2025. The prosecution is expected to file disclosures and witness statements ahead of a case conference scheduled for August 25, 2025.

Background of the Case

According to court documents, the complainant, Mr. Kwabena Agyemang Barning, is the CEO of the Sakaman Shell Filling Station.

Emmanuel Dodoo was employed as a pump attendant at the station. The alleged offence occurred between April and May 2024, during which time Dodoo is said to have manipulated sales records and dishonestly appropriated company funds.

The theft was uncovered on October 5, 2024, when branch manager, Mr. Benjamin Duah, conducted a routine reconciliation and identified discrepancies amounting to GH¢49,917.00.

During a subsequent interrogation by management, Emmanuel Dodoo reportedly admitted to the theft and requested time to repay the money. However, he failed to do so.

A formal complaint was later lodged with the Odorkor Police on October 31, 2024 leading to Emmanuel Dodoo’s arrest.

Investigations revealed that GH¢20,000 was recovered from him, which has been kept as an exhibit.

Emmanuel Dodoo is said to have confessed to the crime in his caution statement to the police. He has since been formally charged with stealing and brought before the Dansoman Circuit Court.

Lawyer Challenges Land Commission’s Trust Claims Over Disputed Adum Property

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Kumasi High Court

Edwin N. Poku, a Kumasi-based lawyer and defendant in a long-standing land dispute, has fiercely contested the Land Commission’s claim that lands in Adum, Kumasi, are held by the Government of Ghana in trust for the Golden Stool.

The case, currently before the High Court in Kumasi and presided over by Justice Frederick Tetteh, centers on Plot No. 83, Block VII OTA (Old Town Section A), a property at Adum. During cross-examination of Augustine Obeng Gyasi, a senior officer at the Land Commission, Mr. Poku argued that the Commission’s assertion lacks historical and documentary backing.

“It is not correct that the Government holds all Adum lands in trust for the Golden Stool,” Mr. Edwin Poku told the court, referencing leases dating from January 16, 1920 to April 30, 1974 (Exhibits B1–B7).

“Nowhere in those documents is it stated that the property is held in trust for the Golden Stool,” he emphasised.

Mr Edwin Poku further questioned the authenticity of a controversial document, Exhibit B8, which allegedly contains phrases not found in earlier leases.

He claimed the document includes deletions, insertions, and computer-generated elements inconsistent with the 1970s.

“In the 1970s and even into the early 1990s, Ghana did not have access to computers or electronic typewriters that could produce such documents,” he argued.

Challenging the origin of Exhibit B8, dated April 2, 1973 Mr. Poku accused the Land Commission and the Asantehene’s Stool Lands Secretariat of collusion to wrongfully dispossess him of his land.

He questioned how a computer printout supposedly created in 1973 could exist, given the technological limitations of the time. “This document is a computer printout — is that correct?” he asked the witness.

“Yes,” Mr. Gyasi replied, explaining that while typewriters were used, the evolving technology allowed for such documentation even in the early 1970s. He insisted the document was authentic and binding, regardless of the equipment used.

The core of Mr. Gyasi’s testimony, however, was that the state holds Adum lands, known as Part 1 or Kumasi town lands in trust for the Golden Stool and the Kumasi State.

“There is a fiduciary duty to act in utmost good faith to the beneficiaries,” he said, citing a 2006 court ruling by Justice E.A. Ampadu.

According to Gyasi, that ruling vested Part 1 lands in the Golden Stool and required the Lands Commission to provide full property records and rental accounts.

But when pressed by Mr. Poku to produce the said ruling and accompanying writ of summons, the witness admitted he could not, stating that the Legal Department of the Lands Commission might assist.

Justice Tetteh then ordered Mr. Gyasi to produce the judgment, writ of summons and any related consent judgment at the next hearing.

The matter has been adjourned to June 23, 2025 and other dates for continuation.

Poku, citing inconsistencies and lack of evidence from the Land Commission, called for the dissolution of the Commission’s Kumasi office, accusing it of systematically denying indigenes rightful ownership of their lands in Adum.

Please, Please, Please, All Nkrumaists Betrayed Nkrumah

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admin
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Opinion

It is high time all Nkrumaists, especially those who would angrily accuse people of being traitors who betrayed our first leader, Osagyefuo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, to know they are the traitors and betrayers.

A certain Yaw Anokye Frimpong, who parades himself as a historian but a fake one would always re-write history to suit his ignoramus status for Ghanaians to believe in his fake and false pronouncements. Anyone who he assumes, crossed Nkrumah’s path is a betrayer and traitor and gosh, how he invokes such fake anger to stress his point. The other day he said Quayson-Sackey, an uncle of CJ Getrude Torkonoo, betrayed Nkrumah, when Nkrumah, himself did not describe him as such.

It is about time a law is passed to protect our history from such wretched ignoramibefore this nation is turned upside down.

Let us begin from the First Republic and get informed about the true traitors and betrayers.

It is a fact, with references to the Daily Graphic and Times publications, that most of those arrested in bombing incidencesaimed at Nkrumah, were CPP activists.

Of the five persons arraigned before court on charges of attempt on Nkrumah’s life in the Kulungugubombing of August, 1 1962, three were top ranking CPP members, two cabinet ministers, TawiahAdamafio and AkoAdjei and a CPP national executive officer, C.S. Crabbe. CJ ArkuKorsah found the three, innocent.

Unfortunately, someone convinced Nkrumah that they were guilty and he had to sack the CJ and other justices on the panelon the case and ordered a re-trial.

CJ Sarkodee-Adoo’s court found them guilty as charged.

The question is, if they were innocent, as according to ArkuKorsah, then who in the CPP made that assassination attempt, but had to be protected? And if CJ Sarkodee-Adoo’s judgment reflected the truth on the ground, thenthe question is, why would these three top CPP members want to kill Nkrumah?

Then on Thursday February 24, 1966, a combined force of Military and Police overthrew Nkrumah in the first successful coup in the country. The CPP was a strong deeply rooted-political entity with children (Young Pioneers) and adults. One would have expected the party to rally their strength and support against the coup and sacrifice their all, even if it meant dying while trying, to show their unalloyed love and loyalty for Nkrumah. Nothing of that sort happened.

What actually happened to Young Pioneer members, like then twelve-year-oldKwasi Pratt Jnr, that is if he was a member? He could have rallied and organized these children to show defiance in support of Nkrumah. That would show loyalty.

What happened to Kofi Baako, Kwaku Baako’s father, the then minister of defense? And why was his son, Kwaku not found on the streets?

It is obvious that, suddenly, all the CPP loyalists, decided to recite bible passages on the events of the Garden of Gethsemane where most of Jesus’ loyal followers fled when He needed them most.The Nkrumaists chose to live according to the Word. At least in Jesus’ case, one of His followers, stood by His side right to the Cross. In the case of Nkrumah, however, not a single person from the millions of CPP members, hit the streets in protest against his overthrow.

Yaw Anokye Frimpong was not yet two years by then, so I will pardon him for not hitting the streets. But wait, more opportunities showed up later where he and other Nkrumaists should have stood up and fought for Nkrumah’s name.

In 1979, the only united pro-Nkrumaist political party, the People’s National Party (PNP) formed government. By December 1981, this pro-Nkrumaist government was overthrown by Nkrumaists. And just like February 1966, no Nkrumaist hit the streets in protest. Yaw Anokye Frimpong was seventeen then but failed to organize the student-front in protest.  I must admit that Kwaku Baako and a handful of others showed some resistance and were jailed. Kwasi Pratt Jnr, however offered unsolicited services to the new regime, which resulted in the arrest and jailing of some of his socialist colleagues. The Nkrumaists in the PNDC were now converts and could no longer be described as such.

The Nkrumaists petitioned Rawlings to remove Kotoka’s name from our international airport. He told them that they should leave Kotoka alone, because he was a hero who overthrew Nkrumah to restore democracy in Ghana. Apart from Kwaku Baako and a very few others who protested, no sound or cry came from any other Nkrumaist. Then Rawlings went about saying all Nkrumah did was to give Ghana, a national flag and a national anthem. There were no street protests.

Today, the Nkrumaists have decided to remain separate and watch the boat sink, but would be quick to hit the media landscape and accuse people as traitors and betrayers of Nkrumah. Speaking with such passion, as if Nkrumah’s fall is the worst thing that happened to this side of the planet earth.

If they have true love for Nkrumah and are pure loyalists, why did they drive Nkrumah’s daughter, Samia, from their fold?

The direct line of succession, from Nkrumah went to Limann’s PNP and later PNC. So, if the PNC holds direct inheritance, where from today’s CPP and the others?

Nkrumaists should give Ghanaians a big break and stop exaggerating their love for Nkrumah. They hate the old man!

Hon. Daniel Dugan

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Chronicle’s stance.

Editorial: We Applaud Engineers And Planners (E&P)

By
THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

Engineers and Planners (E&P), Ghana’s leading indigenous engineering and mining services company, according to a story we carried yesterday, has secured a landmark US$100 million investment facility from the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) to acquire and develop the Black Volta Gold Project in the Upper West Region.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Sir Samuel Esson Jonah, renowned Ghanaian business icon and former CEO of Ashanti Goldfields Company described the agreement as a “watershed moment in Ghana’s mining history.

“This is the first large-scale, indigenous-owned gold mining project in the country. Today is not just about signing a document. It’s about repositioning Ghana from the periphery to the centre of the mining value chain,” Sir Jonah said.

He praised Ibrahim Mahama, founder and CEO of Engineers and Planners as a symbol of vision, resilience and indigenous ambition. “Back in 1998, when Ibrahim Mahama came to me, focused on alluvial mining, I advised him to pursue hard rock mining instead. Today, he stands tall, leading a project that could redefine Ghanaian participation in the global gold economy.”

Sir Sam Jonah emphasised that the acquisition was purely merit-based, with no political or personal influences, noting that the deal dates back to 2023. Under the terms of the facility, the US$100 million will be disbursed in two tranches. The first US$50 million, originally due in June 2024 is now subject to a 4% penalty due to delayed disbursement.

The second tranche is expected by June 30, 2026. The funds will enable E&P to acquire full ownership of the Black Volta Gold Project and support mine development. Sir Jonah reiterated the commercial and strategic nature of the transaction, “This is not a favour. This is not crony capitalism. This is a purely commercial transaction built on strong fundamentals and a bold vision for indigenous ownership.”

He also called on the government to craft policies that enable more local mining companies to reach the stature of Engineers and Planners. The Chronicle congratulates Engineers and Planners (E&P) for the bold steps it has taken to acquire the mine that was formerly known as the Azuma Project.

Despite Ghana being one of the leading gold producing countries in the world, most of our mines are owned by foreigners or foreign based companies. They come here to dig for the precious minerals and export them in their raw state. In most of the cases, only a small portion of the proceeds from these exports are sent back to Ghana. This is one of the reasons why Ghana is still poor, because the country is not deriving maximum profits from its mineral wealth.

Meanwhile, if these mining companies were Ghanaian owned, proceeds from the sale of the gold would have been sent back to the country top shore-up our foreign currency reserves. Until recently, almost all the consumables items on our local market had hit the roof top due to the scarcity of the US dollar.

Yes, we were producing gold, diamond, bauxite, manganese among others, which were being exported in droves to foreign markets, yet we were struggling to get to the US dollar to import essential items. In a nutshell, Ghana is sitting on massive wealth yet her people are extremely poor because of our failure to support local companies to venture into areas dominated by the foreigners.

This is the reason why we are applauding Engineers and Planners for venturing into our gold mining industry. Already, another Ghanaian company has taken over the Ghana Bauxite Company at Awaso in the Western North Region. These are all good signs that the country has bright future provided politics will not be used to thwart the efforts being made by these indigenous companies and those that are yet to be formed.

Looking at the mineral resources of this country, she should not be going round the world with cup in hand begging for cramps from the advanced countries.  Most of the European counties do not have even half of the natural resources available to us, yet they are well developed because of proper planning and conscious efforts made by their governments to grow local companies to bring in more businesses.

Though we concede that Ghana is a largely a poor country, there are still wealthy people who could have raised the resources to invest in the various sectors of our national economy, but they are not doing so because of the vindictive nature of our politics. We need to accept the fact that it is only the private sector that can turn round the fortunes of this country. We hope and pray that other companies will follow the shining example of Mr Ibrahim Mahama, owner and CEO of Engineers and Planners in the interest of mother Ghana.

Gov Alia launches Quick Response Squad to tackle insecurity in Benue

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Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has unveiled a new security initiative tagged the Quick Response Squad (QRS), aimed at strengthening rapid response to security emergencies across the state.

Governor Alia was represented at the official inauguration of the squad by his Deputy, Dr Sam Ode.

The QRS is a joint operation comprising personnel from the Civilian Protection Guard (CPG), Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), local hunters, and the Joint Task Force (JTF).

The squad is designed to respond swiftly and effectively to threats, particularly in vulnerable communities across Benue.

Credit: dailypost.ng

Court to rule on Yahaya Bello’s application to travel abroad for medical July 17

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Yahaya Bello

Justice Maryann Anenih of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday, fixed July 17 for ruling on an application filed by the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello seeking to travel out of the country on health grounds.

At the resumed hearing of the money laundering case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against the former governor, his counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, told the court that he had filed an application, dated 19th June, 2025 and filed on June 20, 2025.

“It seeks an order for the release of the 1st defendant/applicant’s international passport by the Registrar of the court to enable him to travel for medical attention,” he said.

Justice Maryann Anenih of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday, fixed July 17 for ruling on an application filed by the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello seeking to travel out of the country on health grounds.

At the resumed hearing of the money laundering case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against the former governor, his counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, told the court that he had filed an application, dated 19th June, 2025 and filed on June 20, 2025.

“It seeks an order for the release of the 1st defendant/applicant’s international passport by the Registrar of the court to enable him to travel for medical attention,” he said.

The counsel said the application was predicated on 13 grounds in the face of the motion paper and supported by 22 paragraphs affidavit deposed to by Yahaya Bello himself.

The EFCC Counsel had filed a counter-affidavit, saying granting the request could delay further proceedings.

Daudu, SAN, in response to the prosecution team’s counter-affidavit, said the Defendant’s team had also filed a further affidavit of 20 paragraphs, filed on July 7, 2025, and deposed to by the applicant himself with two exhibits.

“Exhibits C is the Certified True Copy of the ruling of your lordship, admitting the defendant to bail and Exhibit D is the ruling of the Federal High Court also admitting him to bail.

“We adopt these documents in urging your lordship to grant our application,” he stated.

Credit: dailypost.ng

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