Court Action Follows Arrest of Democracy Hub Activist Over Galamsey Allegations: What Happened?

Najat Adamu
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Court Action Follows Arrest of Democracy Hub Activist Over Galamsey Allegations: What Happened?

Wendell Nana Yaw Yeboah, Head of Mobilisation at Democracy Hub, alleged during an interview on 18th November 2025 on Aluta FM that three Regional Ministers were involved in illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey. The officials he named, Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Awatey, Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene, and Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson, have since petitioned the Criminal Investigation Department, claiming his remarks were defamatory and harmful to their reputations.

Arrest and Bail Process
Mr. Yeboah was arrested on 26 November. Democracy Hub sought to bail him out but reported facing irregularities and interference from police authorities. On 27 November, Circuit Court 11 granted bail set at GHC60,000 with two sureties; one a government worker earning at least GHC3,000 per month, and the other a person of good standing. Democracy Hub said it secured the sureties and completed the necessary documentation.

However, on 2 December, the process stalled. A judge declined to sign the bail papers, citing illness, despite presiding over other cases earlier that day. The group further alleged that police officials disqualified the sureties, despite their prior verification.

In a press release, Democracy Hub stated that Mr. Yeboah was eventually released on 3 December, but only after two unidentified police officers signed off on the bail.

Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, has initiated legal action against Mr. Yeboah of Democracy Hub, accusing him of making defamatory statements during a live radio interview that later spread widely on social media.

Separate lawsuits have also been filed against Aluta FM and its presenter, Agyaba Owusu, popularly known as Agyaba Kwaku, who hosted the November 18, 2025, edition of the Anopa Koko Morning Show where the remarks were made.

According to the court filings, Mr. Yeboah alleged in both Twi and English that Dr Amoakohene was involved in illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, saying on air:

“Alright, mene wo kasa sesei, the Ashanti Regional Minister is into Galamsey,” and “Alright, as I speak with you right now, the Ashanti Regional Minister is into Galamsey.”

Legal Ramifications
Reports indicate that the ministers’ petition accuses Mr. Yeboah of criminal defamation and publication of false news. Both charges carry serious penalties under Ghanaian law.

Human rights groups have long criticised these statutes as overly broad, warning that they are often used to stifle press freedom. Critics argue that Mr. Yeboah’s detention sends a troubling signal to journalists and civil society organisations. The government maintains that no one is above the law and that ministers have the right to defend their reputations. But the speed and severity of the response have raised concerns among observers about the balance between state authority and civic activism.

The Galamsey Controversy
Illegal mining has become an existential threat to Ghana’s environment and public health. Major rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, and Tano have been contaminated, while the use of mercury and cyanide has left large tracts of land infertile.

Successive governments have launched initiatives to combat the menace, including military-led operations like Operation Halt. Yet observers note that illegal mining often resumes once task forces withdraw, pointing to entrenched political patronage and corruption shielding financiers of the operations.

Here are some reactions from social media.

By Ebenezer De-Gaulle

MCE Cuts Sod for 30-Bed Pediatric Centre to Tackle Infrastructure Deficit at Kasoa Polyclinic

Najat Adamu
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MCE Cuts Sod for 30-Bed Pediatric Centre to Tackle Infrastructure Deficit at Kasoa Polyclinic

The Medical Superintendent of the Kasoa Polyclinic, Dr. Awo Johnson, has raised serious concerns about the facility’s lack of a dedicated children’s ward, revealing that five out of every ten admissions are children. Due to the absence of a pediatric ward, young patients are currently housed in the same space as adult female patients—an arrangement she described as unsafe, overcrowded, and unacceptable.

Dr. Johnson made these remarks during a brief ceremony in which an abandoned children’s ward project initially started by an NGO was officially handed over to the Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly for completion. The project is expected to be transformed into a 30-bed pediatric centre to meet the growing healthcare needs of the Kasoa population.

“The congestion and mixing of children with adults is unacceptable. We urgently need a dedicated children’s ward and a functional theatre to improve service delivery,”
— Dr. Awo Johnson, Medical Superintendent

Government Reaffirms Commitment to Healthcare

Speaking to ATINKA NEWS reporter Samuel Nyamekye Jnr, the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Seth Sabah Sewornoo-Banini, who received the project on behalf of the Assembly, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to improving healthcare infrastructure in the municipality.

He outlined several ongoing interventions, including:

  • -Refurbishment of the Iron City Health Centre
  • -Construction of a new maternity ward at the Opeikuma Health Centre
  • -Upgrades at various sanitation pick-up points across the municipality

According to the MCE, healthcare remains one of the Assembly’s top development priorities.

“We will not allow any community to be deprived of quality health services,” he assured.

The completion of the 30-bed pediatric centre is expected to significantly improve child healthcare delivery in the rapidly expanding Kasoa enclave.

By Samuel Nyamekye Junior

Kasoa Health Directorate Raises Alarm Over Shortage of Health Professionals and Infrastructure Deficit

Najat Adamu
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Kasoa Health Directorate Raises Alarm Over Shortage of Health Professionals and Infrastructure Deficit

The Awutu Senya East Municipal Health Directorate has expressed serious concern over a growing shortage of health professionals and critical infrastructure gaps hindering effective healthcare delivery in the municipality.

Municipal Health Director, Dr. Stanley Kweku Yaidoo, disclosed that the municipality is in urgent need of key specialists, including gynaecologists, internal medicine physicians, general surgeons, and family physicians. Currently, the entire municipality has only one gynaecologist, although every hospital is expected to have at least four specialists across these essential disciplines.

Speaking to Atinka News, Dr. Yaidoo acknowledged that while government interventions are ongoing—such as the construction of a new paediatric ward and additional CHPS compounds—major infrastructural gaps persist. He revealed that the Mother and Child Hospital lacks both male and female wards, and the Kasoa Polyclinic, which records a high number of daily deliveries, is without a theatre to handle emergency procedures.

Dr. Yaidoo appealed to the Minister of Health for swift intervention to help address the pressing challenges and ensure improved healthcare delivery for residents of the municipality.

By Samuel Nyamekye Jnr

Youth Unemployment Driving Rush for Security Jobs — Kwesi Ashiama

Ebenezer Madugu
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Youth Unemployment Driving Rush for Security Jobs — Kwesi Ashiama

The Acting Executive Director of the Complementary Education Agency, Hon. Daniel Kwesi Ashiama, has attributed the massive turnout for military and police recruitment to high youth unemployment, stressing that every government must priorities job creation to reduce desperation among young people.

Speaking on the issue, Hon. Ashiama compared Ghana’s situation to Russia, where many young people avoid police and military enrollment. In Ghana, however, the opposite is true, with thousands of young people rushing to join the security services.

He explained that the overwhelming interest in police and military recruitment is a direct result of limited job opportunities in the country.

According to him, this places a responsibility on all governments to deliver on their mandate by creating sustainable employment avenues for the youth.

The reason people rush to the police and soldiers is because there is no work in the country,” he said, adding that leaders must think about the welfare of citizens and provide realistic support systems.

Hon. Ashiama stated that under the NDC, young people are beginning to regain hope as the party focuses on managing the economy responsibly and creating more opportunities for the youth. He noted that the number of unemployed young people roaming the streets is alarming and must be urgently addressed.

He emphasized that the proposed 24-hour economy policy is designed to tackle this challenge by expanding job opportunities, boosting productivity, and reducing the high-pressure young people face in seeking limited government jobs.

Hon. Ashiama called for sustained commitment to job creation, stressing that solving youth unemployment is critical to restoring dignity, reducing desperation, and ensuring national stability.

Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Noble Jomoson

“Prof. Beyuo: Rural Doctors ‘Cheated’ Under Current Pay System”

Najat Adamu
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“Prof. Beyuo: Rural Doctors ‘Cheated’ Under Current Pay System”

Chairman of the Board of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Prof. Titus Beyuo, has lamented the absence of defined incentives for doctors posted to rural areas. Speaking in yet to be aired interview on Bullet TV, he noted that despite past suggestions to design such a scheme, no pay differential or support system currently exists.

“Currently, we don’t have one. So, there is no pay differential. The person working in the village, who is on duty every day, is paid the same as a doctor in Korle Bu who goes on normal shifts and gets days off,” Prof. Beyuo said.

“The absence of pay disparity means you are cheated if you are in the village,” he added.

Prof. Beyuo further criticized the current posting regime, which he said is based on regional needs but often manipulated by individuals with connections to authority, allowing them to avoid rural postings and remain in urban centers.

Background: Doctors Shun Rural Postings

Fresh data from the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has revealed a worrying nationwide turnout gap. The November 2025 report revealed, 7 out of every 10 newly posted medical officers failed to report to their assigned regions.

– Out of 463 medical officers allocated across the 16 regions, only 158 reported, representing just 34% of expected postings.
– An overwhelming 305 doctors (66%) have yet to show up.

This shortfall has left several regions critically underserved. Some recorded zero arrivals, while others reported only single-digit numbers.

Urban Pull vs. Rural Neglect

The contrast is striking. Ghana’s largest metropolitan regions Greater Accra and Ashanti recorded turnout levels well above 60%, underscoring a strong preference for urban postings. Meanwhile, many rural regions remain almost completely unattended, deepening inequities in healthcare access.

The figures highlight a growing crisis in workforce deployment, with rural communities left waiting for doctors who may never arrive.

By Ebenezer De-Gaulle

Mahama Inspects Ofankor–Nsawam Road, Project Hits 75% Completion

Najat Adamu
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Mahama Inspects Ofankor–Nsawam Road, Project Hits 75% Completion

President John Dramani Mahama has inspected ongoing construction works on the Ofankor–Nsawam road, confirming that the project is 75% complete and on track for completion by the end of the second quarter of 2026.

During the inspection on December 3, 2025, the President urged the contractors, Maripoma Enterprise Limited, to ensure a smooth flow of traffic throughout the construction period and to prioritize the use of high-quality materials.

President Mahama also raised concerns about the project’s financing, questioning how the initial loan facility was fully utilized before the project reached completion.

Mahama Inspects Ofankor–Nsawam Road, Project Hits 75% Completion

He emphasized the critical economic importance of the Ofankor–Nsawam stretch, a major link between Accra and Kumasi, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fully support the works under the Big Push Programme.

The Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, who joined the President on the tour, disclosed that the government has settled over $77 million in arrears owed to the contractor.

Upon completion, the upgraded corridor is expected to significantly ease chronic traffic congestion and enhance transportation efficiency within the region.

NSA Intensifies Supervision of Sports Infrastructure Nationwide — Yaw Kusi Gyemfi-Awere

Najat Adamu
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NSA Intensifies Supervision of Sports Infrastructure Nationwide — Yaw Kusi Gyemfi-Awere

The National Sports Authority (NSA) is ramping up efforts to enhance Ghana’s sports infrastructure through the development of standard pitches and the upgrading of sporting facilities nationwide.

Speaking on Atinka TV’s sports programme Kick Off, the NSA’s Chief Operating Officer, Yaw Kusi Gyemfi-Awere, emphasized the authority’s critical role in overseeing and maintaining sports facilities across the country.

He explained that the NSA’s mandate extends beyond managing national stadiums to include hockey pitches and various other sporting installations, ensuring they align with both national and international requirements.

According to Gyemfi-Awere, improving access to quality sports infrastructure is central to the NSA’s mission. This includes supporting athletes, sports clubs, and communities with facilities that meet standardized specifications, ultimately fostering talent development and increasing nationwide participation in sports.

He further highlighted that consistent monitoring and supervision remain key to maintaining high-quality facilities, a factor he believes will significantly strengthen Ghana’s performance in regional and international competitions.

By Prince Tuffuor

Youth Employment Soars in North East Region as Over 3,000 Young People Secure Jobs

Najat Adamu
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Youth Employment Soars in North East Region as Over 3,000 Young People Secure Jobs

The Northeast Region is witnessing a major boost in youth employment as the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) successfully recruits 3,071 young people under its latest nationwide employment drive.

Established under the Youth Employment Act 2015 (Act 887), YEA continues to play a key role in empowering Ghana’s youth through job creation, skills development and community service initiatives.

Over 3,000 Youth Engaged Under Key Modules

According to the North East Regional Director of YEA, Ganiu Mahama, the newly engaged beneficiaries have been posted under various modules, including:

-Community Police Assistant (CPA)

-Youth in Fire Service

-Youth in Prisons Service

-Other community-based service modules

These placements, he said, will not only help reduce youth unemployment but also strengthen public safety and service delivery across the region.

Arabic Instructors Recruitment to Be Revived

Mr. Mahama also disclosed in an interview with TMG News that plans are far advanced to revive Arabic language instruction in Arabic schools. YEA is expected to begin recruiting qualified Arabic instructors to support this initiative.

More Modules Coming in 2026

The Regional Director noted that additional flagship modules—Teaching Assistants, Youth in Agriculture, and Youth in Sanitation (Zoomlion)—are in the pipeline and will officially kick off in 2026.

Skills Training Changing Lives

The agency’s skills development programme is also making a significant impact in the region. Over 900 trainees are currently undergoing hands-on training in:

-Carpentry

-Masonry

-Makeup artistry

-Hairdressing

-Weaving

-Tiling

-And other employable trades

Beneficiaries receive monthly stipends to support them during their training period and will be provided start-up kits upon completion to help them establish their own businesses.

A Major Win for Youth Empowerment

The successful recruitment and ongoing skills development efforts highlight YEA’s commitment to improving livelihoods and expanding economic opportunities for young people in the North East Region.

CCTU’s Innovation Culture Over Four Decades Reflects Commitment to Quality Technical Education – Vice-Chancellor

Najat Adamu
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CCTU’s Innovation Culture Over Four Decades Reflects Commitment to Quality Technical Education – Vice-Chancellor

The Vice-Chancellor of the Cape Coast Technical University (CCTU), Prof. Kwaku Adutwum Ayim Boakye, has reaffirmed the institution’s unwavering dedication to delivering high-quality technical and vocational education over the past four decades.

Speaking at the University’s 40th Anniversary Grand Durbar, themed “40 Years of Quality Entrepreneurial-Oriented Technical and Vocational Education: Expanding the Frontiers of Renewable Energy,” Prof. Boakye highlighted several transformational strides made by CCTU since its establishment.

Four Decades of Innovation and Growth

According to him, CCTU has, over the years:

-Introduced competency-based training models

-Built strong industry partnerships to enhance practical learning

-Expanded key facilities including workshops, ICT laboratories and simulation centres

-Strengthened research output in Engineering, Applied Sciences, Business, and Renewable Energy

-Fostered innovative and entrepreneurial thinking among students through incubation programmes and soft skills development

Prof. Boakye noted that these achievements collectively demonstrate the University’s steadfast commitment to maintaining quality and relevance in technical education.

Appeal for Support to Build a Hostel Facility

The Chancellor of CCTU, Dr. James Condua Orleans-Lindsay, used the occasion to appeal to stakeholders, especially alumni, friends, and well-wishers of the University, to support an upcoming hostel project. He stressed that contributions—whether financial, material or technical—would help realise a lasting legacy for future generations of CCTU students.

Students Urged to Embrace Innovation and Integrity

Guest Speaker and CEO of Matras Engineering Service Limited, Engineer Abdulai Mahama, who is also an alumnus of CCTU, encouraged students to take pride in their institution and remain confident in their aspirations.

He reminded them that in today’s rapidly evolving world, shaped by technology, creativity, and innovation, technical university graduates hold a competitive advantage—not a limitation.

He urged students to embrace their training fully and allow their skills and integrity to distinguish them in every field they enter.

Transport Committee Chair Calls for Dialogue With Unions to Address “Trotro” Overcharging

Najat Adamu
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Transport Committee Chair Calls for Dialogue With Unions to Address “Trotro” Overcharging

Chairman of Parliament’s Transport Committee, Isaac Adjei Mensah, has called for stronger engagement between the Ministry of Transport and leaders of transport unions to ensure drivers do not exploit vulnerable periods to overcharge passengers.

Speaking on Morning Target on Bullet TV, the Wassa East MP noted that since every driver belongs to a union, accountability can be enforced more effectively through union leadership. “It is much easier and proper”. He said, stressing that using force will not yield results.

He added that collaboration between union leaders and stakeholders in the transport sector is also necessary to ensure recalcitrant drivers are held accountable.

“The police, the MTTU must be involved because they ensure that traffic controls and safety on the roads are being adhered to and so don’t want to use force,” he explained.

The issue of drivers and their assistants, popularly known as “mates,” illegally inflating fares has become increasingly common in major cities, particularly in the mornings, evenings and during downpours when vehicles are scarce. Commuters have repeatedly appealed for government intervention to protect them from what many describe as exploitation.

Meanwhile, the National Public Relations Officer of the Concerned Drivers Association, David Agboado, has attributed the problem to the absence of designated bus stops and terminals across cities. He explained that the situation often compels drivers to act on their own, especially in areas where union offices are not present.

“Government and the Assemblies should provide them with a loading point or correct loading points so that all vehicles will be assembled there,” he said.

Mr. Agboado hinted the union leaders will be meeting today to address the issue especially as we approach the festive season.

By Ebenezer De-Gaulle

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