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Ghana to serve as bridge for West African unity -Mahama 

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President John Dramani Mahama

Ghana stands ready to serve as a bridge to help re-knit the fabric of West African unity, President John Dramani Mahama has stated.

“We believe that through sustained dialogue, patient diplomacy and principled negotiation, we can restore cohesion and rebuild trust in our good community,” President Mahama stated in his address at the launch of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Accra.

The event, on the theme: “Stronger Together for a Brighter Future”, was attended by Liberian President Joseph Boakai, Togolese Prime Minister, Victoire Tomegah Dogbé, Mr Muhammad B. S. Jallow, the Vice President of The Gambia, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and representatives from all the 12-Member ECOWAS countries.

President Mahama said the recent decision by Mali, Burkina Faso and the Sahel to withdraw from ECOWAS was a regrettable development.

“Yet, even in this, continuous engagements must remain our road star. We must respond not with isolation or recrimination, but with understanding, dialogue and a willingness to listen and to engage,” he said.

“Since assuming office as President, I have prioritised diplomatic re-engagement with our Sahelian neighbors.”

He said Ghana had appointed a special envoy to initiate high-level conversations with the Alliance of Sahel States.

“I have personally led missions to foster trust, rebuild communication channels and affirm our shared aspirations.”

President Mahama said these efforts reflected their belief that they had a shared destiny as a sub-region and that unity, however difficult, remained the best path to shared prosperity and regional stability.

President Mahama said the period called for giving greater solidarity and understanding for the difficult challenges that confronted their brothers in the Sahelian states.

He said diplomacy was not only about resolving disputes, and that it was about creating the conditions for peace, for inclusion and progress, adding that it was about fostering mutual respect and advancing their common interests.

He said in this regard, their commitment to integration through diplomacy must extend into economic, social and cultural dimensions.

“Whether we are harmonising trade negotiations, whether we are facilitating free movement of our people, or championing education and health cooperation, our diplomatic instruments must always work in the service of our people.”

President Mahama advocated the empowerment of ECOWAS institutions to act swiftly, credibly and transparently.

“Our citizens must feel that ECOWAS is not some distant bureaucracy, but a living community that understands their struggles and champions their hopes,” he said.

“And let us never forget the power of soft diplomacy, our shared languages, our new faith, our literature and youth culture.”

He underscored that they were powerful tools binding them together more deeply than any treaty could.

“Let this 50th anniversary be a turning point for diplomacy in West Africa.” He called for more investment in early warning systems, mediation capacities and youths and women as peace builders.

He urged his fellow West African leaders to put position as sub-region ECOWAS, not only as a political and economic bloc, but as a diplomatic anchor for the continent; model of integration, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence.

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, in a speech read by Madam Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, lauded President Mahama’s visionary leadership, unwavering dedication and steadfast commitment to regional integration and development ideals had been a source of inspiration and strength.

He said as a proud member of ECOWAS, Nigeria pledged to collaborate with every nation, large or small, to build an ECOWAS that was resilient and prepared to confront the challenges of their time.

Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, said in marking the 50th anniversary their objective was to celebrate, reflect and recalibrate their community.

GNA

10 top health benefits of spinach

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Spinach is a popular leafy green vegetable with numerous health benefits.

1. May help maintain good vision

Spinach is a powerhouse of goodness, rich in plant pigments chlorophyll and carotenoids. As well as being anti-inflammatory, these plant compounds are important for healthy eyesight, helping reduce the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.

2. May support energy levels

Spinach has long been regarded as a plant that can restore energy, increase vitality and improve the quality of the blood. There are good reasons for this, including its iron content. Iron plays a central role in the function of red blood cells, helping transport oxygen around the body, supporting energy production and DNA synthesis.

Spinach also contains high levels of a compound called oxalic acid, which may hamper our absorption of iron. Lightly cooking or wilting the leaves may minimise these effects.

3. May support heart health

Spinach, like beetroot, is naturally rich in compounds called nitrates; these help improve blood flow and lower pressure by relaxing the blood vessels, reducing arterial stiffness and promoting dilation. A reduction in blood pressure may help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Studies suggest that nitrate-rich foods – especially leafy greens like spinach – may also promote heart attack survival.

4. May support healthy bones

Spinach is an excellent source of vitamin K, as well as being a source of bone-friendly magnesium, calcium and phosphorus.

5. May help in our fight against cancer

Diets rich in vegetables, including green leafy veg like spinach, have a modest protective effect and as such may help reduce the risk of cancer. This is because they are packed with plant compounds called polyphenols. It’s these, along with its vitamin content, that may explain the cancer-protective properties of spinach.

6. Has protective antioxidant properties

The value of plant compounds, like those in spinach, is that they help the body combat the damaging effects of a process called oxidation. Over time, this process may cause chronic inflammation and, as a result, lead to age-related conditions like heart disease and cancer.

7. Is a useful source of fibre

Spinach is a useful source of insoluble fibre. This type of fibre promotes the passage of food waste through the intestines and supports our gut health and immunity.

8. May help weight management

Phytochemicals and active plant compounds in spinach may help curb food intake by triggering the release of satiety hormones.

9. May reduce the adverse effects of a high-fat diet

Animal studies suggest a high intake of spinach may reduce the adverse effects of a high-fat diet on the gut microbiome, blood fat profile and cholesterol built up in the liver.

10. May support mental health

Spinach appears to have anti-stress and anti-depressant properties, as it has been found to lower the stress hormone, cortisol, and increase neurotransmitters that regulate mood such as glutamate and glutamine. Again, because this research used animal models, more studies are needed to assess whether these effects are replicated in humans.

Is spinach safe for everyone?

For the majority of us, spinach is a safe and nutritious option to include as part of a balanced diet. However, there are some people who should exercise caution. Being high in oxalates, spinach is not a good choice for people with a history of oxalate-containing kidney stones. If this is relevant to you, aim to include spinach in moderation.

Those on blood-thinning medication, such as warfarin, should also be aware that spinach is a source of vitamin K. Typically, the advice for those taking this medication, is that you need to keep your dietary intake of this vitamin approximately the same so check with your GP before making any significant changes to your diet.

Overall, is spinach good for you?

Spinach has an impressive nutrient profile and is rich in a number of protective polyphenols and antioxidant nutrients. Including it as part of a balanced diet may help decrease oxidative damage, maintain eye health and help prevent heart disease and cancer.

It’s worth remembering that many of the studies assessing the health benefits of spinach have mostly been performed using animal or test tube models, and include spinach at relatively high doses. Nevertheless, unless you are prone to oxalate-containing kidney stones or are on certain prescribed medication, this is one leafy green that is worth adding to your diet.

Credit: bbcgoodfood.com

Feature: Who Will Be The Next Pope? Key Candidates In An Unpredictable Contest

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Feature

Who will be the next pope? The decision could have a profound impact on the Catholic Church and the world’s 1.4 billion baptised Roman Catholics.

It also promises to be a highly unpredictable and open process for a host of reasons.

The College of Cardinals will meet in conclave in the Sistine Chapel to debate and then vote for their preferred candidates until a single name prevails.

With 80% of the cardinals appointed by Pope Francis himself, they are not only electing a pope for the first time, but will offer a broad global perspective.

For the first time in history, fewer than half of those given a vote will be European.

And although the college may be dominated by his appointments, they were not exclusively “progressive” or “traditionalist”.

For those reasons, it is harder than ever to predict who will be elected the next Pope.

Could the cardinals elect an African or an Asian Pope, or might they favour one of the old hands of the Vatican administration?

Here is a selection of names being mentioned as Francis’s potential successor, and we expect more to emerge in the coming days.

 

Cardinal Pietro Parolin

Nationality: Italian

Age: 70

Softly spoken Italian Cardinal Parolin was the Vatican’s secretary of state under Pope Francis – making him the Pope’s chief adviser. The secretary of state also heads the Roman Curia, the Church’s central administration.

Having acted effectively as deputy pope, he could be considered a frontrunner.

He is viewed by some as more likely to prioritise diplomacy and a global outlook than the purity of Catholic dogma. His critics consider that a problem, while his supporters see a strength.

But he has been critical of the legalisation of same-sex marriage around the world, calling a landmark 2015 vote in favour in the Republic of Ireland “a defeat for humanity”.

The bookmakers may back him but Cardinal Parolin will be well aware of an old Italian saying that stresses the uncertainty of the pope-picking process: “He who enters a conclave as a pope, leaves it as a cardinal.”

Some 213 of the previous 266 popes have been Italian and even though there has not been an Italian pope in 40 years, the pivot of the upper echelons of the Church away from Italy and Europe may mean there may not be another for now.

 

Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle

Nationality: Filipino

Age: 67

Could the next pope come from Asia?

Cardinal Tagle has decades of pastoral experience – meaning he has been an active Church leader among the people as opposed to a diplomat for the Vatican or cloistered expert on Church law.

The Church is massively influential in the Philippines, where about 80% of the population is Catholic. The country currently has a record five members of the College of Cardinals – which could make for a significant lobbying faction if they all back Cardinal Tagle.

He is considered a moderate within the Catholic definition, and has been dubbed the “Asian Francis” because of a dedication to social issues and sympathy for migrants that he shared with the late pope.

He has opposed abortion rights, calling them “a form of murder” – a position in line with the Church’s broader stance that life begins at conception. He has also spoken against euthanasia.

But in 2015 when he was Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Tagle called for the Church to reassess its “severe” stance towards gay people, divorcees and single mothers, saying past harshness had done lasting harm and left people feeling “branded”, and that each individual deserved compassion and respect.

The cardinal was considered a candidate to be pope as far back as the 2013 conclave in which Francis was elected.

Asked a decade ago how he viewed suggestions he could be next, he replied: “I treat it like a joke! It’s funny.”

 

Fridolin Ambongo Besungu

Nationality: Congolese

Age: 65

It’s very possible the next Pope could be from Africa, where the Catholic Church continues to add millions of members. Cardinal Ambongo is a leading candidate, hailing from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

He has been Archbishop of Kinshasa for seven years, and was appointed cardinal by Pope Francis.

He is a cultural conservative, opposing blessings for same-sex marriage, stating that “unions of persons of the same sex are considered contradictory to cultural norms and intrinsically evil”.

Though Christianity is the majority religion in the DRC, Christians there have faced death and persecution at the hands of jihadist group Islamic State and associated rebels. Against that backdrop, Cardinal Ambongo is viewed as a fierce advocate for the Church.

But in a 2020 interview, he spoke in favour of religious plurality, saying: “Let Protestants be Protestants and Muslims be Muslims. We are going to work with them. But everyone has to keep their own identity.”

Such comments could lead some cardinals to wonder if he fully embraces their sense of mission – in which Catholics hope to spread the Church’s word throughout the world.

 

Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson

Nationality: Ghanaian

Age: 76

If chosen by his peers, the influential Cardinal Turkson would likewise have the distinction of being the first African pope for 1,500 years.

Like Cardinal Ambongo, he has claimed not to want the job. “I’m not sure whether anyone does aspire to become a Pope,” he told the BBC in 2013.

Asked if Africa had a good case to provide the next Pope based on the Church’s growth on the continent, he said he felt the Pope shouldn’t be chosen based on statistics, because “those types of considerations tend to muddy the waters”.

He was the first Ghanaian to be made a cardinal, back in 2003 under Pope John Paul II.

Like Cardinal Tagle, Cardinal Turkson was considered a potential Pope a decade later, when Francis was chosen. In fact, bookmakers made him the favourite ahead of voting.

A guitarist who once played in a funk band, Cardinal Turkson is known for his energetic presence.

Like many cardinals from Africa, he leans conservative. However, he has opposed the criminalisation of gay relationships in African countries including his native Ghana.

In a BBC interview in 2023, while Ghana’s parliament was discussing a bill imposing harsh penalties on LGBTQ+ people, Turkson said he felt homosexuality should not be treated as an offence.

Back in 2012, he was accused of making fear-mongering predictions over the spread of Islam in Europe at a Vatican conference of bishops, for which he later apologised.

 

Jean-Marc Aveline

Nationality: French

Age: 66

According to the French press, he is known in some domestic Catholic circles as John XXIV, in a nod to his resemblance to Pope John XXIII, the round-faced reforming pope of the early 1960s. Pope Francis once quipped that his successor might take the name of John XXIV.

Aveline is known for his folksy, easy-going nature, readiness to crack jokes, and ideological proximity to Francis, especially on immigration and relations with the Muslim world. He is also a serious intellectual, with a doctorate in theology and a degree in philosophy.

He was born in Algeria to a family of Spanish immigrants who moved to France after Algerian independence, and has lived most of his life in Marseille, a port that has been a crossroads of cultures and religions for centuries.

Under Francis, Aveline has made great career strides, becoming a bishop in 2013, an archbishop in 2019, and a cardinal three years later. His standing was boosted in September 2023 when he organized an international Church conference on Mediterranean issues, at which Pope Francis was the star guest.

If he got the top job, Aveline would become the first French pope since the 14th century, a turbulent period in which the papacy moved to Avignon.

Cardinal Peter Erdo

Nationality: Hungarian

Age: 72

If Erdo is elected, he will inevitably be seen as a compromise candidate—someone from the conservative camp who has nonetheless built bridges with Francis’ progressive world.

Erdo was already considered a papal contender in the last conclave in 2013, thanks to his extensive Church contacts in Europe and Africa, and his being seen as a pioneer of the New Evangelisation drive to rekindle the Catholic faith in secularized advanced nations—a top priority for many cardinals. He ranks as a conservative in theology, and in speeches throughout Europe, he stresses the Christian roots of the continent. However, he is also seen as pragmatic and never clashed openly with Francis, unlike other tradition-minded clerics.

That said, he raised eyebrows in the Vatican during the 2015 migrant crisis when he went against Pope Francis’ call for churches to take in refugees, saying this would amount to human trafficking — seemingly aligning himself with Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

He is excellent in Italian, and also speaks German, French, Spanish and Russian — which could help him thaw relations between the Catholic and Russian Orthodox Churches after the deep chill of the war in Ukraine.

Source: bbc.com

Midweek European Leagues Fixtures & Preview

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Arsenal players

Arsenal to prolong title ‘fight’ as they host Crystal Palace

As Liverpool players and fans watch on with bated breath, Arsenal can prolong the Premier League title ‘fight’ for a little while longer by beating Crystal Palace in Wednesday’s London derby at the Emirates.

The Gunners kept the Reds waiting by hitting Ipswich Town for four over the Easter weekend, while the Eagles and Bournemouth shook hands on a 0-0 draw following yet another dose of refereeing controversy. Nursing no Champions League hangover from their marvellous feats in Madrid, Arsenal ensured that Liverpool would not be breaking out into a title party at Leicester City later in the day, dominating and eventually dismantling Championship-bound Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

Still 13 points below Liverpool in the top-flight standings, Arsenal will officially hand the title to Arne Slot‘s side if they lose on Wednesday, not that Gooners should be losing sleep over what has been a foregone conclusion for some time; it is Champions League or bust in terms of silverware.

Before welcoming Paris Saint-Germain to North London for next week’s blockbuster semi-final first leg, the Gunners endeavour to extend their unbeaten run in all tournaments to 12 matches, against opponents who may feel justifiably aggrieved at a sense of injustice at the weekend.

A third game in the space of seven days may lead to some jellied Arsenal legs, but Arteta can make a handful of changes here and there, and his side are arguably in their best moment of the season so far.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

Athletic Bilbao welcome relegation threatened Las Palmas

Top-four chasing Athletic Bilbao welcome relegation candidates Las Palmas to San Mames in La Liga on Wednesday night. There was a late heartbreak for Bilbao away at the Bernabeu at the weekend, but most of their focus will be elsewhere for the remaining few weeks of the season.

Inaki Williams

Athletic took one step closer to playing in a European final at their home stadium by beating Rangers on Thursday night, and all eyes will now be on their semi-final with Manchester United at the start of May.

There is no La Liga gameweek at the weekend with the Copa del Rey final taking place, so that will afford Bilbao more time to prepare for the semi-final, but they do have a Basque derby against Real Sociedad coming up in between the two legs.

That will be important in the race for the top five, where sixth-place Real Betis are chasing down those above them, so Bilbao will hope to maintain their excellent home form this midweek, having won over two points-per-game at San Mames this season.

Bilbao star man Nico Williams is set to be rested again ahead of the Europa League semi-finals after he was left out of the squad to face Real Madrid with a minor thigh problem.

Apart from that, Valverde has a fully-fit squad to choose from, and many changes could be in store again, after he made 10 alterations to his XI at the weekend.

While Valverde is evidently prioritising the Europa League, they will still be clear favourites here, and with good reason, given their excellent form at home.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

Parma and Juventus will clash at Stadio Tardini

Both battling for different objectives at either end of the Serie A standings, Parma and Juventus will clash at Stadio Tardini today. While the Gialloblu are fighting for survival, Juve aim to secure a top-four finish and salvage something from another below-par campaign. After beating both Genoa and Lecce on home turf – either side of an away draw with in-form Roma – Juve have now won eight of 13 league games in the second half of the season, and they hold their destiny within their own hands.

Teun Koopmeiners, Juventus

Among seven sides still vying for two Champions League places, Juventus are therefore targeting a sprint to the Serie A finish line before featuring in FIFA’s new Club World Cup.

So, as Juve have won on their last three top-flight visits to the Tardini – already a club record – and have lost just one of their last 15 meetings with Parma, they will expect to prevail again. Following a recent series of stalemates, , Parma have inched four points clear of the relegation places, as they aim to consolidate their Serie A status after last year’s promotion.

Having cast off the shackles, Juventus are finally finding some form, and they should have too much firepower for Parma to withstand.

Though the Gialloblu have tightened up under new management, they sometimes struggle to score goals – and that could yet cost them a place in Serie A.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

Inter Milan, AC Milan meet in Coppa Italia semi-finals

All square following a tense first leg, old foes Inter Milan and AC Milan meet for the fifth and final time this season when they conclude their Coppa Italia semi-final on Wednesday.

Both beaten at the weekend, the city rivals reconvene at San Siro for another Derby della Madonnina, with the winner set for a place in next month’s final.

Inter are now keen to reinstate their derby dominance and stay on track for a treble, as they chase success in Serie A, the Champions League and Coppa Italia – not to mention this summer’s new Club World Cup.

The Nerazzurri won six straight derbies between January 2023 and April 2024, but Milan have bitten back with two victories and two draws this season, so reaching Rome may not be a straightforward task.

Milan derby

With a 13-game undefeated streak now ended, Inter’s nosediving away form will cause Inzaghi some concern, but they now head home to San Siro for a clash with familiar foes.

While the Nerazzurri have lifted the cup in two of the past three seasons, Milan’s sole Coppa success for almost half a century came 22 years ago, so the stakes are even higher for the red-and-black side of Italy’s second city.

The gulf between these two Lombardy giants can be seen in the league table, though Milan have held the upper hand this season and are fond of a fightback.

While they may have other priorities, disciplined Inter should still beat their arch-rivals for the first time in five attempts, helping them reach another Coppa Italia final.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

FIXTURES

Premier League

Arsenal 20:00 Crystal Palace

Spanish La Liga

Athletic Club 18:00 Las Palmas

Celta Vigo 18:00 Villarreal

Deportivo Alavés 20:30 Real Sociedad

Getafe 20:30 Real Madrid

Italian Serie A

Cagliari 17:30 Fiorentina

Genoa 17:30 Lazio

Parma 17:30 Juventus

Torino 17:30 Udinese

Coppa Italia

Semi-finals

Inter Milan 20:00 AC Milan

Yohuno Orders Detention Of 3 Cops …Over Alleged $70k Theft

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JOHN BEDIAKO
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IGP, Christian Tetteh Yohuno

The police have apprehended the suspect behind the theft of $70,000.00 (seventy thousand dollars) from a Nigerien national, just two days after the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno ordered the detention and interdiction of three policemen linked to the investigation.

Suspect Abdul Munaf Lawal, aka Doctor

After the arrest, the police recovered $10,000.00 (ten thousand dollars) and some amount of Ghana Cedis from the suspect, 31-year-old Abdul Munaf Lawal, aka Doctor.

However, our source close to the Accra Regional Police Command, who are conducting an enquiry into the bizarre occurrence, fell short of stating whether the said amount retrieved would be used as part of exhibits that the criminal investigators would rely on to advance their case in court.

The Chronicle is withholding the names of the three policemen for now.

Narrating his ordeal to The Chronicle, a Tema-based 49-year-old Black marketeer, Abdulai Salifu, states that around mid-morning on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 he received a call from Kumasi by a colleague to assist the a client in Accra to acquire $70,000.00 (seventy thousand dollars).

The businessman stated that he asked a colleague, Hamza, who provided ten thousand dollars and another sixty thousand dollars from another, Safianu, and both in turn put together the required amount.

Salifu added that the client, who introduced himself as a staff member of Parliament House, impressed upon him for the business to be transacted at the Legon Campus Branch of ECOBANK, after 18:00 hours the same day since the client claimed that he would close late.

The Nigerien continued that he got to the location around half past six, and later the said client also arrived in a V-8 Land Cruiser, wearing a nose mask, and invited him into the plush vehicle for them to transact the business.

The client, Salifu, told him that even though the bank had closed, he was going to take the amount through the back door for its genuineness to be verified with a counterfeit-detecting machine, which, for unexplained reasons, he accepted.

The client asked him to remain in the vehicle and wait for him with the driver.

Barely ten minutes after he headed to the back of the bank with the dollars, a police patrol vehicle pulled up and the leader of the team, in uniform, got down.

He walked towards the Land Cruiser shouting ‘Doc Doc’, stopped by the driver’s side and enquired about the whereabouts of ‘Doc’, who the officer claimed had called on the phone several times without response.

At this juncture, a man in mufti, wearing a bulletproof vest, opened the V-8 and entered without uttering a word to the occupants.

The driver, seated behind the steering wheel, then reached out for his phone and stated that an Inspector (name being withheld) was around, while the phone was passed on to the said officer allowing them to converse.

Salifu further stated that he remained in the Land Cruiser together with the person in plain clothes, but the driver and the inspector stood aside and had some discussion, after which the officer ordered the driver to move the car and follow his patrol vehicle to the police station.

According to the black market operator, both vehicles stopped a few metres from the Charge Office and all the occupants of both vehicles, including himself, disembarked.

Meanwhile, the three policemen in uniform and the one in a bulletproof vest, together with the Land Cruiser driver, converged and engaged in talks.

Moments later, he saw the driver and the vest-wearing man hurry into the vehicle and start it. As he rushed to also get onboard, they sped off at top speed. Even though he shouted that his money was with those in the car, the police looked on unconcerned.

He reached out to his colleagues and tribesmen, and in no time they stormed the Legon Police Station in a chaotic scene, leading to the District Commander herself coming to the station at that ungodly time.

Both Salifu and his colleagues, together with the three policemen, were paraded before the District Police boss for interrogation, after which Safianu lodged a complaint against Salifu, saying he was rather the owner of the amount which was stolen.

Salifu said he was subsequently detained in cells from 04:00 hours on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 to the night of Thursday, April 10, 2025 before he was granted bail.

On Monday, April 7, 2025 he went to the Police Headquarters to report and was made to petition the Director General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for action.

The case was referred to the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit the following day, and just before the respected squad could put on their action apparel, the docket was sent from Legon to Accra Regional Police Command.

A source at the summit of police administration who preferred anonymity told The Chronicle that the IGP, Mr Yohuno, literally charged at his men in Accra when his intelligence suggested that the Regional Police Commander had no knowledge of the case but the crime officer was aware.

The deep throat source continued that the new Chief Constable on that same Wednesday night ordered the detention and interdiction of the three police officers, which was carried out to the letter.

On Good Friday, April 18, 2025 barely 48 hours after the issuance of IGP’s fiat, the suspect, Abdul Munaf Lawal, was apprehended by the police.

On Saturday, April 19, 2025 as part of the investigation, he took the detectives to Kumasi, where he claimed that the sixty thousand dollars was spent on gambling.

Stay tuned as The Chronicle tiptoes behind the detectives to unravel the mystery behind the theft.

Akonta Mining Has Become A Criminal Syndicate -Armah Buah

By
JENNIFER AMBOLLEY
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Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has labelled Akonta Mining Company Ltd. as a “criminal syndicate.”

At a press briefing in Accra on Monday, 21st April, 2025 the Minister announced a major breakthrough in the government’s sustained crackdown on illegal mining operations, citing a well-orchestrated criminal operation run by Akonta Mining Company Ltd. as a prime example of how illegal mining has been embedded in the fabric of corruption, environmental destruction and elite impunity.

“Akonta Mining has become a criminal syndicate, selling access to the Aboi Forest Reserve to illegal miners for a staggering GHC 300,000 per concession.

“These illegal miners are protected by Akonta and have devastated the River Tano and surrounding forests with impunity,” Armah-Kofi Buah revealed.

He added that the government’s resolve is firm and unwavering. “Let me be clear: We will not stop until galamsey is completely uprooted. We will not stop until our waters run blue, we will not stop until our forests are turned green and we will not stop until the soul of our country is healed.”

The minister detailed findings from an undercover investigation which exposed a chain of criminal operations linked to Akonta Mining.

Despite having a legal lease to operate outside of forest reserves, the company allegedly trespassed into protected areas in the Samreboi enclave of the Western North Region and turned the forest into a galamsey hub.

The investigation uncovered that the company, through one Mr Ayisi – identified as Akonta’s liaison, was actively subleasing forest concessions to illegal miners like “Mr. Henry” and “Shark.”

These miners, under a profit-sharing agreement, paid weekly royalties in the form of 250 grams of gold to Akonta Mining.

According to the minister, the criminal network extended to some officials of the Forestry Commission and security personnel, who allegedly received portions of the illegal fees in exchange for protection and tip-offs on raids.

“This is not just environmental degradation. This is economic sabotage. This is theft. This is treason against our environment and our people,” the Minister charged.

The minister confirmed that an intelligence-led operation conducted on the eve of Good Friday (April 17, 2025) led to a massive raid of six illegal mining sites affiliated with Akonta Mining in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.

In response to the revelations, Armah-Kofi Buah said the Minerals Commission has been directed to immediately revoke Akonta Mining’s lease, adding that the Attorney-General has taken over the investigation to ensure a thorough and impartial legal process.

Furthermore, all implicated forestry officials are to be interdicted, while security officers linked to the operation are under investigation.

“This is a warning to all large-scale mining concession holders hiding behind legal leases to fund the destruction of our forests and river bodies. We know some of your schemes; we are coming after you,” he cautioned.

The Minister appealed to the media and the general public to remain vigilant and report illegal mining operations to the appropriate authorities.

“To the youth engaged in illegal mining: there is a better way,” he said. “We are ready to support you with better alternatives. But to those who persist in defiance, the state will act without mercy.”

He concluded the emotional address with a rallying call that has since become a bold declaration of intent from the Mahama administration:

“We will not stop until every financier, every enabler, the real architects of this destruction, will face the full rigours of the law. We will name, shame, and prosecute them publicly.”

 

Frema Foundation Celebrates Easter With Assurance Of Hope For The Needy

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A group picture with the children

The former Chief of Staff, Hon. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, spent her Easter holiday with the children of the Assurance of Hope for the Needy orphanage in Teshie, Accra.

Hon Frema Opare carrying one of the children

Whiles there, she engaged with the children, a gesture which brought smiles and renewed hope to the entire orphanage. This commendable moment held on Monday, April 21, 2025, was created through her charitable organisation, The Frema Foundation.

The visit, which has become a tradition, forms part of the Foundation’s broader mission to uplift underprivileged children and support institutions that cater for their welfare. This marks Hon. Osei-Opare’s fourth personal visit to the orphanage — a place she has grown fond of and to which she has pledged her long-term commitment.

A donation was made to the orphanage

During the visit, The Frema Foundation presented assorted items to meet the immediate needs of the children and their caregivers. These included bags of foodstuffs, confectioneries, toiletries, school bags, children’s clothing, wax prints for the caregivers, and Bibles. The donations were received with immense gratitude by the management and staff of the orphanage.

Hon. Osei-Opare, who previously pledged to serve as a life patron of the home, reiterated her dedication to the wellbeing of the children and assured the home of continued support from her Foundation. She also commended the caregivers for their devotion and tireless efforts in nurturing the children.

The day was filled with joy and celebration. The children were treated to a hearty feast and participated in various fun activities such as face painting, ballon twisting, games, singing and dancing. The atmosphere was one of laughter, excitement, and love, reflecting the true spirit of Easter.

Hon Frema Opare, former Chief of Staff speaking

Speaking to the children, Hon. Osei-Opare encouraged them to take their education seriously, emphasising that knowledge is a powerful tool that can transform their lives. She also advised them to remain respectful and attentive to their caregivers and teachers — assuring them that they are not forgotten and that their dreams are valid.

The visit ended with heartfelt prayers, singing, dancing and expressions of appreciation from the children and staff, making it a truly memorable Easter celebration for all involved.

Minority raises red flag over new mining policy, says it’s unattractive to investors

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Kojo Oppong Nkrumah

The Minority in Parliament has strongly criticised the Mahama-led administration over recent decisions in the mining sector, warning that these actions are damaging Ghana’s image as a stable and attractive investment destination.

In a five-page letter dated April 21, 2025 addressed to the ministers for Finance and Lands and Natural Resources, the minority caucus warned that the government’s recent actions could reverse hard-won gains in foreign direct investment (FDI), especially in the country’s gold mining industry.

Signed by the Ranking Member on the Economy and Development Committee, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Ranking on the Lands and Natural Resources Committee, Kwaku Ampratwum Sarpong and the Ranking on the Finance Committee, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, the letter cites a pattern of decisions made within the past three months which according to the Minority have collectively sent troubling signals to the investor community.

These decisions, the MPs argue, have generated discomfort and uncertainty, particularly within Ghana’s gold industry, where the country has historically enjoyed significant foreign capital inflows.

“These actions have generated high levels of discomfort among the investor community and have the potential impact of quickly eroding the gains Ghana has made in attracting foreign direct investments,” the letter reads.

Central to the Minority’s concerns are the introduction of two new tax measures targeting the mining sector under the 2025 revenue framework.

These include a two per percent Growth and Sustainability Levy imposed on gross mining volumes and an additional levy planned to take effect from 2026 through 2028.

Describing these measures as akin to royalties, the lawmakers argue that the burden falls heaviest on companies already facing financial strain, particularly those whose operations have not benefitted from recent commodity price surges.

They note that these levies risk aggravating operational losses and potentially leading to job cuts within the sector.

In a scathing critique, the Minority took issue with the recently enacted GOLDBOD Act, which they say bans all foreign investors from participating in gold trading and exports.

The opposition contends that this legislation was rushed through Parliament despite their objections and violates constitutional protections under Article 107(b), which bars retroactive laws that affect accrued rights.

They fear this could set a dangerous precedent and raise investor anxieties over the future security of their investments in Ghana.

“Following these levy increases, the government secondly announced the enactment of the GOLDBOD ACT, which among other things, proscribes the participation of foreign investors in gold trading and export.

Contrary to the concerns expressed by the Minority caucus in Parliament, the bill was rushed through and has since been announced to have banned all foreign investors involved in gold trading and exports,” the letter stated.

The letter also criticises the government’s refusal to renew a mining lease for Goldfields Ghana Limited, describing the move as a failure to recognise the value of renegotiation over outright rejection.

According to the signatories, the government could have used the lease renewal as an opportunity to secure better terms for the country, rather than taking an approach that risks driving out an established investor.

They argue that such decisions are likely to have long-term consequences for revenue projections and capital retention in the sector.

Another key issue raised by the Minority is the defunding of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), with the government reportedly diverting 80 per cent of its inflows away from its original purpose.

The lawmakers assert that this undermines the state’s own role in investing in strategic mining ventures and signals to the market that the government is no longer committed to holding equity in resource development.

They warn that this move erodes investor confidence further, as it implies that the state itself lacks confidence in the sector’s long-term profitability.

“Investors and potential investors are being informed that the state does not have skin in the game,” they said.

“This signals to the markets that Ghana is pulling back from its commitment to securing a bigger share of mining resources.”

Beyond fiscal and regulatory decisions, the letter references recent security concerns, citing an attack on a mine that led to the death of eight individuals.

The Minority attributes the incident, in part, to inflammatory rhetoric from public figures aimed at foreign investors.

They express concern that such language, coupled with stalled investigations into the violence, is fostering a sense of insecurity among mining companies operating in the country.

Additionally, the Minority linked the recent resurgence in illegal mining activities, or galamsey, to the government’s decision to abolish Community Mining Schemes.

The Minority argues that rather than shutting down the schemes, the government could have corporatised and reformed them to ensure accountability. They note that the promised replacement system being mining cooperatives remains poorly defined and lacks an implementation framework, leaving a vacuum that illegal miners are now exploiting.

“The reasons provided by the Minister for Lands for banning the Community Mining Schemes and promising to replace them with mining cooperatives were uncalled for,” the statement read. “We are not surprised that galamsey activities have increased.”

The lawmakers conclude by urging the government to reconsider its current approach to the mining sector. They argue that Ghana’s economic circumstances require policies that encourage rather than deter investment, particularly as the country seeks to rebuild after recent fiscal challenges.

According to the Minority, the current trajectory threatens not only immediate job losses and project disruptions but also long-term damage to the country’s economic credibility.

 

Bawumia to begin ‘Thank You’ tour Saturday

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Dr Mahamudu Bawumia

The 2024 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, is expected to commence a nationwide “Thank You Tour” from Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Together with the leadership of the party, the exercise seeks to express heartfelt gratitude to members of the NPP and the general public for their unwavering support before, during, and after the 2024 general elections.

The tour will be held under the theme: ‘In All Things, Give Thanks to God (1 Thessalonians 5:18)’, reflecting the party’s commitment to acknowledging divine providence in its political journey.

The exercise will also provide an opportunity for the Presidential Candidate and the party’s campaign team to reconnect with grassroot supporters and affirm their appreciation for the collective efforts that went into the 2024 electoral campaign.

The nationwide tour will culminate in interfaith national thanksgiving services involving both Christian and Islamic communities.

A detailed schedule of the regional engagements reveals that the team will begin the tour in the Western Region on 26th April, 2025 followed by visits to all sixteen regions across the country, including key strongholds such as the Ashanti Region (29th April to 1st May) and Greater Accra (10th to 12th May).

The Central Region will be the final stop of the tour on Wednesday, 4th June 2025.

Each visit will involve constituency-level gatherings and interactions aimed at strengthening party unity and morale ahead of future political activities.

The party has encouraged all faithful to actively participate in this nationwide expression of gratitude by attending events scheduled within their respective regions and constituencies.

The NPP believes this gesture will not only deepen its bond with supporters but also reinforce a culture of appreciation and unity within the party and the broader Ghanaian democratic landscape.

Ernest Owusu Bempah, Please Not Again!

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Ernest Owusu Bempah

Does Ernest Owusu Bempah realise he is a refugee in NPP, someone on self-imposed exile from his NDC and NDP?

First, he came out to say that he personally advised ex-President Nana Addo to sack IGP Dampare, but the president refused to listen to good advice. He therefore highly praised H.E. John Dramani Mahama for sacking Dr. Dampare.

The matter here is that we are talking about an NPP national executive officer, who is claiming the ex-president does not listen to advice and the party’s General Secretary is very mute but rather chooses to chase Adjoa Safo for also coming out to express her feelings about the party.

While we were trying to forget how divisive Ernest Owusu Bempah was, there he comes out again on social media, this time claiming that the party made a wrong choice in putting up Bawumia as flag bearer.

Is he now aware or did he know this much earlier?  Did he advised Nana Addo, who as usual would not listen? Is Ernest Owusu Bempah not aware at how things developed in NPP which gave Bawumia an astounding victory in both the Super Delegates Congress and the National Delegates Congress? He must be joking if he is claiming ignorance of events leading to how Bawumia was picked. As a national officer, he assisted in every step taken to land Bawumia a landslide victory, and he is now claiming the Party made a wrong choice?

To pull him out of his hypocrisy, I refer him, to the strategic but unconstitutional way the grassroot party delegates were elected, where in some constituencies, such elections took place at dawn. This divided the party at the grassroot, and as a national officer did, he protest?

Ernest Owusu Bempah should also not deny that as a national officer, he was not aware that, the delegates albums of about 80% of the constituencies, were tampered with in the national office, with the secret replacement of people suspected to have changed their minds on Bawumia. He should come and tell us what he did about this.

Most importantly, what advice did he give to Nana Addo to inform him that the NDC had set a trap by challenging the NPP to field a Muslim flag bearer when the NDC had never fielded a Muslim flag bearer and only once put up a Muslim running mate? As a born and bred NDC guy, Ernest should have recognised this trap easily and warned against it. The NDC had openly said no Muslim can be president in Ghana and like joke, it was proven in 2024.

The NPP went into Elections 2024, with so much pride and arrogance, highly believing that the choice of the party will be accepted by all. With 82% win for Bawumia in the Ashanti region’s Super Delegates Congress, the NPP started bragging that the region will give at least 80% of its votes to the NPP’s presidential candidate on December 7, 2024.

But even with the carefully picked delegates for the National Delegates Congress, Ashanti region, gave 66% of their votes to Bawumia, which was realistic to the 64.94% votes from the region in the general elections. Ernest Owusu Bempah did not see this as bad omen to warn the party. The NDC who begged for 30%, were gifted almost 35% of the votes in the region.

Truth be told, if this is what Ernest Owusu Bempah is saying about the 2024 General Elections, then party leadership should back out and allow the views and opinions of the main support base to decide who should be flag bearer.

Ex-president Nana Akufo Addo should have realised by now that his true friends were those who would tell him what he needed to hear, but he kicked them out of sight. And those he thought were real friends and kept close to himself, always told him wrong stuffs and today these people are now blaming him for the party’s loss. Maybe they want to catch the eyes of the next potential flag bearer and become kingmakers again, while Nana Addo would be cast away.

On the other hand, is Ernest Owusu Bempah being used to achieve the aims of the Establishment in the party by rendering Bawumia unfit to be flag bearer again? It is on social media that Nana Addo had declared to Bawumia that “it is finished,” when the flag bearer went to pour out the truth to him about how the NPP party and government made sure he lost the elections. Now, we are told Nana Addo has secretly anointed a successor, as the Prophet Samuel secretly anointed David, king.

In all this, did Ernest Owusu Bempah not see that measures implemented by the NPP government did not favour Bawumia? He kicked against E-Levy and other economic measures in cabinet but they were implemented, anyway, and government and NPP became more and more unpopular. Ernest Owusu Bempah should tell us that the Establishment had someone already in mind and since it could not risk to have Alan lead the party, it sacrificed Bawumia so that after his pre-destined failure, the crown prince would be introduced to us.

All the same, Ernest Owusu Bempah should just shut up and comport himself and stop maligning the very person, H.E. Nana Akufo Addo, who made him who and what he is today.

Hon Daniel Dugan

 

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