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Lead counsel for former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director, Kwabena Adu Boahene, Samuel Atta Akyea, has defended his decision to walk out of court during Thursday’ hearing, saying the trial has become “unfair” and “bizarre.”
Speaking to reporters after the court proceedings, Mr. Atta Akyea said he left the courtroom because key documents needed for the defence were not given to him by the Attorney-General’s office. He claimed that without these documents, his client could not get a fair trial.
“How can we continue when important evidence that could help the accused is being kept from us?” he asked. “That is what we call evidence gagging.”
Mr. Atta Akyea said the missing documents included some related to the NSB’s operational accounts. He accused the prosecution of selecting which files to release and hiding others.
He also objected to the court’s plan to hear the case day by day, saying he had other cases to handle and could not commit to such a tight schedule.
The lawyer, who has practiced for over 30 years, described the situation in court as one of the most unusual he had seen. “What is going on is bizarre,” he said. “The judge had said she would give her decision on the 21st, but the Attorney-General pushed for an earlier date even when the decision was not ready.”
The case has been adjourned to Monday, October 28, when the court is expected to continue hearing the matter.
The Defence Press Corps (DPC) of Ghana has paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu, to congratulate him on his new role and discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the Ghana Army and the media.
The meeting held at the Army Headquarters in Accra, focused on improving relations between the military and the public through transparent and responsible reporting on defence and security issues.
The DPC team was led by its Dean, Mr. Joseph Armstrong Gold-Alorgbey of TV3. He was joined by former Dean Mr. Kofi Ampeah-Woode, Financial Secretary Ms. Christiana Efua Nyarko, and Mr. Benjamin Niibi Martey of the Ghana News Agency.
Mr. Gold-Alorgbey congratulated Major General Gbetanu and assured him of the Corps’ commitment to accurate and professional coverage of the Army’s activities. He also suggested that journalists be allowed to take part in some military events to give the public credible information about the Army’s work.
He said stronger ties between the Army and the media would help fight misinformation and improve public understanding of the Army’s role in maintaining peace and security.
The DPC later presented a plaque to Major General Gbetanu in recognition of his leadership and service to the nation.
In his response, Major General Gbetanu thanked the delegation for their visit and promised to work closely with the media. He described the media as an important partner in national security communication and praised the DPC for its professionalism.
He also pledged to maintain regular engagement with journalists who report on defence and security issues.
The Defence Press Corps is a group of journalists who specialize in reporting on defence, peacekeeping, and security matters in Ghana and abroad. They work with the Ghana Armed Forces and other security agencies to raise public awareness about the country’s defence efforts and peacekeeping missions.
As Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia wraps up his campaign tour of the Bono Region today, delegates in Berekum East have sent a strong message to skeptics — his support base is not limited to the upper ranks of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), but firmly rooted among grassroots members.
Speaking to journalists during Dr. Bawumia’s engagement with delegates, several party members in Berekum East voiced their firm backing for his flagbearership bid.
“He is the only candidate Ghanaians will vote for. Who says he does not have support? That cannot be true. The mistake we made in Berekum East will not be repeated. We are voting massively for Dr. Bawumia. Even though there are five contenders, he will win with a great margin. He has enormous support,” a polling station executive said.
Another delegate, who serves as an electoral area coordinator in Bono East, emphasized that Bawumia’s record speaks for itself.
“I can assure Dr. Bawumia of our full support. All we want to say is that his performance in the election petition will be rewarded. When he wins, the NDC will be silenced,” an electoral area coordinator noted.
From Kankaba polling station, the women’s organizer shared a similar sentiment.
“All 17 of us here support Dr. Bawumia because he is the only one who can win 2028 for us. Claims that he lacks grassroots support are not true,”
Another delegate expressed faith in Bawumia’s ability to build on President Akufo-Addo’s legacy.
“Left to me alone, Dr. Bawumia should be our flagbearer to continue the good works of Nana Akufo-Addo. Even with the free SHS, the cost is high with NDC in power, and Dr. Bawumia will bring inclusive development,”
Dr. Bawumia’s visit to the Bono Region, which has drawn significant attention and enthusiasm, concludes today with stops in Berekum East, Sunyani West and Sunyani East constituencies, where he is expected to meet more delegates and rally support ahead of the NPP’s upcoming presidential primaries.
The Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ahanta West Constituency, Hon. Barnabas Annan, has raised serious concerns over the prolonged delay in making the Bokro Agenda 111 Hospital fully operational, warning that the situation is endangering the lives of residents in the area.
His concerns come after a visit to the facility was not captured on the itinerary of President John Mahama when he visited the Municipality on 21st October, 2025 to inspect some ongoing projects which were started by the previous government.
Speaking in an interview on Atinka FM’s AM Drive with host, Ekow Budu Sam, Hon. Annan lamented that despite the completion of a significant portion of the hospital’s physical structure, the facility remains closed to the public, leaving residents without access to critical healthcare services.
He said, it appears the Municipal Chief Executives and Member of Parliament do not have genuine effort to make this crucial facility functional.
He explained that communities within the Ahanta West Municipality continue to travel long distances to Sekondi-Takoradi or Agona Nkwanta for medical care — a situation that has resulted in avoidable deaths and health complications.
“The people of Ahanta West deserve better. Many lives have been lost because the Bokro Agenda 111 Hospital is not yet operational. We are appealing to the government and the Ministry of Health to speed up the process so that this facility can begin serving the people,” Hon. Annan emphasized.
He noted that the hospital, when opened, would greatly improve healthcare delivery and reduce pressure on other health facilities in the Western Region.
Hon. Annan also appealed to stakeholders, including the contractors and relevant government agencies, to address any remaining administrative or logistical hurdles preventing the hospital’s commissioning.
“This is not about politics; it’s about the lives of our people. We need urgent action to operationalize the Bokro Agenda 111 Hospital,” he stressed.
The Bokro Agenda 111 Hospital is one of the government’s flagship health infrastructure projects under the Agenda 111 initiative, aimed at ensuring that every district in Ghana has a well-equipped hospital to enhance access to quality healthcare.
After USAID withdrew $78 million in health assistance, Ghana is facing a significant blow to its healthcare funding. To satisfy its health needs in 2025, the nation now confronts a million-dollar funding deficit.
The government’s promised $8.4 million has not been provided, according to the Ghana AIDS Commission, which is impeding attempts to continue the country’s fight against HIV and AIDS.
The 14th National HIV & AIDS Partnership Forum, which took place on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, provided information about this.
Ghana now has 334,721 HIV-positive individuals, including women and children, according to recent data from 2024. The greater testing rates among women as opposed to men are primarily responsible for the numbers. Over 15,000 new infections and 12,614 AIDS-related deaths were reported during that time.
Isaiah Doe Kwao, Director of Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation of the Ghana AIDS Commission, emphasized the increasing HIV prevalence in Ghana. He blamed the trend on low condom use and hazardous sexual conduct.
“Ghanaians can live risk-free lives. You see, ABC is still very important. You abstain, if you can. If you cannot be faithful to your partner, choose one girlfriend or one wife. If that doesn’t work for you, use condoms consistently and correctly when having sex,” He advised.
According to Dr. Kharmacelle Prosper Akanbong, the Acting Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, a serious funding gap is making it difficult for the Commission to intensify awareness and education efforts across the country:
“It must be noted that domestic seed funding for the National HIV-AIDS Fund remains outstanding. We continue to face significant financing gaps, which must be addressed through strengthened partnerships, innovative financing, and improved efficiency”.
“At the policy level, the government is redirecting resources, deepening partnerships with the private sector, and introducing structural fiscal reforms, including widening the tax base. External aid is no longer a reliable strategy, we all agree. If we are to end AIDS by 2030, we must prioritise prevention and repurpose our budgets.” Deputy Chief of Staff Nana Oye Bampoe Addo gave stakeholders the assurance on behalf of Chief of Staff Julius Debrah.
The Ghana AIDS Commission is optimistic that the nation will achieve its goal of eradicating HIV/AIDS as a public health issue in spite of the obstacles.
The management of J.A. Plant Pool (Ghana) Limited (JAPP) has denied recent allegations made by the Attorney-General, Hon. Dominic Ayine, about financial irregularities in the District Roads Improvement Programme (DRIP).
In a statement, JAPP said the Attorney-General’s comments gave a “partial narrative” that could damage the company’s reputation, insisting that all its dealings under the DRIP contract were lawful and transparent.
No Overpayment
The Attorney-General had claimed that JAPP was overpaid by USD 2 million, suggesting that the contract sum was USD 176 million, but USD 178 million was paid.
JAPP, however, clarified that the official contract amount, as approved and signed by all parties, was USD 178,704,739.50 — not USD 176 million.
The company explained that the difference came from a clerical mistake in the Public Procurement Authority’s approval letter, not from any overpayment. “It is factually incorrect to assert that the contract sum was USD 176 million,” – JAPP stated.
No Tax Evasion
The Attorney-General also alleged that JAPP evaded GH¢ 38.7 million in taxes after importing equipment under false tax exemption claims.
JAPP dismissed this claim, explaining that it only imported 99 additional equipment parts—mainly spare and service components—to support the maintenance of machines supplied under the DRIP project.
According to the company, all these items were properly declared to the Ghana Revenue Authority and kept in a bonded warehouse, so “there is no case of tax evasion.”
No Over-Invoicing
Responding to another allegation of over-invoicing with mark-ups between 100% and 300%, JAPP stated that its prices reflected competitive market rates and were approved through the right procurement processes.
The company added that the DRIP equipment was cheaper than similar government purchases in the past, saving the country a significant amount of money.
Positive Impact of DRIP
JAPP highlighted the benefits of the DRIP project, saying it had created over 11,000 jobs, trained more than 4,000 Ghanaian mechanics, and ensured that every piece of equipment came with a two-year warranty.
The company also established maintenance units in all 16 regions and partnered with Technical Universities to train more local technicians, boosting Ghana’s technical capacity.
JAPP reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and national development, thanking the Government and people of Ghana for their continued support.
“We remain a responsible Ghanaian company dedicated to advancing local capacity and supporting national growth,” the statement concluded.
The Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, Mr. John Dumelo, has assured the public that crops cultivated in areas affected by illegal mining activities — commonly known as galamsey — are not yet proven to be unsafe for consumption.
His comments follow recent reports suggesting that soils from illegal mining zones contain alarming levels of heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury, and lead, sparking concerns about the safety of food produced in those areas.
Speaking to journalists at the launch of FarmSense at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Mr. Dumelo emphasized that no definitive research has yet confirmed contamination of crops in such regions.
“Until we conduct thorough research to ascertain that crops from these areas — which end up in markets such as Madina, Dome, and Agbogbloshie — are indeed laced with harmful chemicals, there is no cause for alarm,” he said.
He added that premature conclusions could cause unnecessary panic, stressing that only evidence-based investigations should guide public health responses.
“At this point, there shouldn’t be any fears. Once the research confirms contamination, then we can take the appropriate line of action,” he noted.
The Deputy Minister, however, acknowledged the need for targeted studies to identify any food items grown in heavily polluted zones. Such data, he said, would be essential for alerting consumers and protecting public health.
Mr. Dumelo also commended the ongoing efforts of the anti-galamsey taskforce for working tirelessly to curb illegal mining and safeguard water bodies and forest reserves.
While admitting that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture remains concerned about the environmental impact of galamsey, he clarified that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources holds the lead mandate in addressing the menace.
“We don’t want to overstep our jurisdiction. The Lands Ministry is handling the issue, and the anti-galamsey taskforce is doing an incredible job,” he stated.
The Deputy Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring food safety, sustainable agriculture, and environmental protection through inter-ministerial collaboration.
Sixty-three Members of Parliament (MPs) from the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) have formally declared their support for former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the party’s upcoming presidential primaries.
At a press conference in Accra on Thursday, October 23, the MPs described Dr. Bawumia as “tried, tested, and trusted”, the most experienced and visionary leader to lead the NPP into the 2028 general elections.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Mampong MP Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong said the endorsement was a united declaration of faith in Dr. Bawumia’s leadership qualities and proven record of service.
“Today, over 60 Members of Parliament, 63 precisely, stand together in unity and conviction to make this clarion call. We declare our total and unwavering support for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the next flagbearer of our great party,” Mr. Ampratwum-Sarpong stated.
He added that the decision was based on confidence in Dr. Bawumia’s track record, discipline, and readiness to serve.
“We have seen his work, his discipline, resilience, and readiness to serve. We believe Dr. Bawumia embodies the next chapter of the NPP, one built on competence, innovation, unity, and hope,” he said.
The MPs noted that Dr. Bawumia represents a renewal of leadership for the party and the nation, citing his instrumental role in Ghana’s digital transformation and economic management during his tenure as Vice President.
Prominent among the 63 MPs are Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Samuel Abu Jinapor, Mustapha Ussif, Dominic Nitiwul, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, and Habib Iddrisu, among others.
The group pledged to mobilize delegates across constituencies to ensure a decisive victory for Dr. Bawumia, whom they described as the “unity candidate” capable of leading the NPP to retain power in 2028.
Below is the full list of the 63 MPs who have declared support for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia:
1. Frank Asiedu Bekoe
2. Ida Adjoa Asiedu
3. Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah
4. Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh
5. Francis Asenso-Boakye
6. Hassan Tampuli
7. Collins Adomako Mensah
8. Mustapha Ussif
9. Vincent Ekow Assafuah
10. Kofi Amankwa-Manu
11. Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah
12. Ernest Yaw Anim
13. Frank Yeboah
14. Kofi A. Marfo
15. Tweneboa Kodua Fokuo
16. Damata Ama Appianimaa Salam
17. Akwasi Konadu
18. Rudolf Amoako-Gyampah
19. Mahama Tiah Abdul-Kabiru
20. Sammi Awuku
21. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah
22. Charles Asuako Owiredu
23. Alexander Akwasi Acquah
24. Nana Ampaw Addo-Frempong
25. Seth Osei-Akoto
26. Kwame Appiah Kodua
27. Samuel Abu Jinapor
28. Eric Nana Agyemang Prempeh
29. Michael Kwasi Aidoo
30. Duke Ofori-Atta
31. Michael Okyere Baafi
32. Ralph Poku-Adusei
33. John Ntim Fordjour
34. Kingsley Nyarko
35. Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong
36. Mohammed Amin Adam
37. Habib Iddrisu
38. Dominic Nitiwul
39. Fatahiya Abdul Aziz
40. Mathew Nyindam
41. Patrick Boakye-Yiadom
42. Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi
43. Gideon Boako
44. Ayew Afriyie
45. Francis Owusu Akyaw
46. Kobby Okyere Darko-Mensah
47. Frank Annoh-Dompreh
48. Isaac Boamah-Nyarko
49. Mavis Nkansah-Boadu
50. Anthony Mmieh
51. Yaw Frimpong Addo
52. Fred Kyei Asamoah
53. Elvis Dapaah
54. Mumuni Muhammed Nurideen
55. Akwasi Gyamfi Onyina
56. Alex Agyare
57. Kingsley Agyeman
58. Tony Mmieh
59. John Darko
60. Col. Kwadwo Damoah
61. Kofi Obiri Yeboah
62. Gloria Owusu
63. Korkor Asante
The NPP is scheduled to elect its next flagbearer on January 31, 2026, ahead of the 2028 general elections.
The Ghana Robotics Competition is set to take place at the University of Ghana on October 25, 2025, with a focus on “Youth, AI, and the Future of Work in Africa.”
Charles Fiifi Hagan, Founder and CEO of Chayil SecureX, will be among the esteemed speakers sharing insights on the intersection of technology and innovation.
The competition aims to provide a platform for young innovators to showcase their skills and creativity in robotics and artificial intelligence.
With the theme “Youth, AI, and the Future of Work in Africa,” the event promises to be an exciting opportunity for attendees to learn from industry experts and network with like-minded individuals.
As a renowned cybersecurity expert, Charles Fiifi Hagan will share valuable insights on the importance of cybersecurity in the rapidly evolving technological landscape.
His talk is expected to highlight the need for robust security measures to protect against emerging threats.
The Ghana Robotics Competition, organized by FireflyIO in collaboration with the School of Engineering Sciences at the University of Ghana and NSBE Ghana, is a premier national robotics event.
It brings together students from across the country to showcase their technological innovation and creativity.
President John Dramani Mahama has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Ghana’s former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings.
A delegation made up of her children and other family members visited the President at the Jubilee House on Thursday, October 23, 2025, to officially inform him of her death.
During the swearing-in of 37 new High Court judges later, President Mahama called for a moment of silence in her memory, describing her as a remarkable woman who made a lasting impact on Ghana.
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings died at the age of 76 at the Ridge Hospital in Accra.
Born on November 17, 1948, in Cape Coast, she attended Ghana International School and Achimota School, where she met her future husband, the late former President Jerry John Rawlings. She later studied Art and Textiles at the University of Science and Technology (now KNUST) and earned a diploma in Interior Design from the London College of Arts.
As First Lady, she founded the 31st December Women’s Movement in 1982, which empowered millions of Ghanaian women through education, training, and community development.
She also played an important role in promoting gender equality and social justice, helping to advance laws that protected the rights of women and children.
In 2016, she made history as the first woman to contest the presidency of Ghana on the ticket of the National Democratic Party (NDP), which she founded after leaving the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
President Mahama prayed for her peaceful rest, saying her contributions to national development and women’s empowerment will never be forgotten.
