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Madina MP Sosu Appeals for Presidential Pardon for Death Row Inmates

Member of Parliament for Madina, Hon. Francis-Xavier Sosu, is calling on President John Dramani Mahama to grant amnesty to some death row inmates at Nsawam Medium Security Prison.

This follows a visit by Parliament’s Human Rights Committee to the prison’s condemned block, where 173 inmates are currently on death row. 

The MPs witnessed emotional pleas for mercy from the inmates, many of whom have been there for over a decade.

Hon. Sosu, a human rights lawyer, described the situation as unjust. He noted that while recent legal reforms allow murder convicts to be sentenced directly to life imprisonment, older cases remain under the outdated death penalty regime. 

He urged the President to consider commuting these sentences to fixed terms, such as 25 years.

The prison, originally built to house 717 people, now holds over 3,000—more than four times its capacity. Prison officials raised concerns about overcrowding and the challenges it poses.

The Committee plans to submit a formal petition to the President and Attorney General, seeking a fair and humane resolution in line with Ghana’s Constitution and human rights commitments.

Ghana|Atinkaonline.com 

Family Of Late Contemporary Highlife Musician Dada KD Speaks Out After His Death

Dada KD

Veteran Ghanaian highlife musician Nana Kwaku Duah, popularly known by his stage name Dada KD, passed away on Friday, May 16, 2025, at the age of 56 after a brief illness.

In an interview with GH Page TV following his death, some family members shared personal insights into the late musician’s life. They revealed that while they had lost contact with Dada KD in recent years, he was known for being a respectful and kind man who once shared a close bond with his family.

According to the family, they were informed of his passing by a neighbour, highlighting the distance that had grown between them over time.

One family member recounted how Dada KD was discovered and mentored by highlife legend Daddy Lumba during his formative years in Ashtown, Kumasi.

The family also addressed longstanding rumours that Dada KD had “taken” Cecilia Yaa Sarfoa—who later became the mother of his two children—from Daddy Lumba. They clarified that Dada KD was unaware of any romantic relationship between Cecilia and Lumba at the time. In fact, they said, Daddy Lumba had introduced Cecilia to him as his sister.

Several allegations involving Daddy Lumba and his past disputes with other musicians were also touched upon during the interview.

Additionally, the family disclosed that Dada KD had fathered a child with another woman before meeting Cecilia. Although he initially denied responsibility, he eventually acknowledged the child as his own.

While fans continue to mourn the loss of the iconic singer, the family’s revelations have added a new layer of depth to the story of Dada KD’s life, legacy, and personal relationships.

By Najat Adamu

Anti-Galamsey Taskforce Arrests 13 for Illegal Mining at Wassa Gyapa

A joint anti-galamsey taskforce made up of officers from the Western Regional Police Command and the Wassa Amenfi East Police Command has arrested thirteen individuals for engaging in illegal mining activities at Wassa Gyapa in the Amenfi East Municipality.

The operation, which took place on Monday, May 19, was led by Superintendent Wallie and resulted in the destruction of over 120 “changfan” machines — small-scale mining equipment commonly used in illegal mining operations. 

Six motorbikes were also confiscated during the raid.

The arrested suspects include Owusu Asare, 36; Atta Kwame, 18; Apiyanga Emmanuel, 28; Kojo Montanakito, 23; Maxwell Owusu, 19; Obofo Vincent, 22; and Soogal Fataw, 19. Others are Nana Ampadu, 58; Stephen Tetteh, 18; Yaw Dalame, 23; Samuel Amoah, 20; Kwame Oppong, 19; and Francis Oduom, 18.

According to police sources, the suspects will be arraigned before the Tarkwa Circuit Court today, Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Authorities have reiterated their commitment to clamping down on illegal mining activities, which have severely impacted water bodies and the environment across several communities in the Western Region.

The crackdown forms part of the ongoing national effort to eliminate galamsey and restore degraded lands and polluted rivers.

Ghana|Atinkaonline.com 

Kasoa GPRTU Clears Encroachers from Bus Terminal

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has forcefully evicted traders from the Kasoa main station terminal in a move aimed at reclaiming the space for its intended purpose—vehicle operations.

For months, drivers have raised concerns over increasing congestion as traders encroached on both the entrance and interior of the terminal. 

Designed specifically for transport activities, the terminal had become heavily obstructed, making parking and vehicular movement difficult.

During the clearance operation, some traders resisted the eviction, claiming they had paid for the spaces through unofficial channels.

 However, the GPRTU insisted it had issued several prior warnings which went unheeded.

Mr. James Dawuso, Kasoa Area Welfare Trustee and Taskforce Commander, who led the operation, urged traders to vacate the premises before the next phase of the demolition. 

He also warned the public against paying unauthorized individuals for space within the terminal.

While some drivers expressed relief at the GPRTU’s intervention, the affected traders, visibly concerned, declined to comment publicly.

Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Samuel Nyamekye 

GPRTU To Implement A 15% Reduction In Transport Costs Effective May 25.

Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU)

A 15% decrease in transport fares is set to take effect on Saturday, May 25, 2025, according to the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU).

The decision follows a meeting between the Minister of Transport and the Union’s National Executive, as confirmed by GPRTU Public Relations Officer, Abbas Ibrahim Moro, in an interview with 3news.

“We just had a meeting with the Minister of Transport, and we have agreed that effective Saturday, May 25, transport fares must be reduced by 15%,” he stated.

He explained that the fare adjustment was prompted by an 18% decrease in fuel prices. Although the Union typically adjusts fares using one-third of the fuel price reduction, he clarified that they opted for a 15% cut this time to ease the burden on passengers.

“We normally use one-third of the fuel price reduction to adjust fares, but we opted for 15% this time to reflect the fuel price trend. We also expect our counterparts in the spare parts industry to follow suit and reduce their prices,” he added.

Mr. Moro further emphasized:

“We want to place on record that we did not wait for the other components of our cost build-up to reduce before implementing the 15% reduction.”

He also issued a stern warning to members:

“If your Union has decided, you have no option but to comply,” he said, cautioning that GPRTU members who fail to implement the fare cut will face consequences.

By Najat Adamu

Free Surgeries for Hernia and Goitre Patients in Kwahu

A U.S.-based nonprofit, Anidaso Health Chicago, in partnership with the Salomey Volunteer Group and GOKWAHU, has flown in 19 doctors from the United States to provide free surgeries for hernia and goitre patients in the Kwahu area.

The two-week medical outreach, which began this week, is being held at the Nkawkaw Holy Family Hospital and the Kwahu Government Hospital at Atibie, serving patients from both the Kwahu West and South municipalities in the Eastern Region.

The surgeries are being offered completely free of charge, targeting individuals suffering from hernias and other treatable conditions.

Hospital Administrator of Holy Family Hospital, Father Derrick Mawule, urged patients not to fear the procedures, emphasizing that the surgeries are safe and could significantly improve their quality of life.

Mr. Fredrick Frimpong Kwasi, a representative of the medical mission, also encouraged residents to take full advantage of the initiative and bring along their National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cards for easier processing.

The team has expressed its intention to extend similar healthcare services to other communities in the near future.

Ghana|Atinkaonline.com| Yaa Yeboah Boamah 

Focus on the Boy Child Too – Religious Leader Urges

Chairman of the Schools Outreach Ministry of the Church of Pentecost, Rev. Prof. Joseph Buertey, has called on parents, educators, and stakeholders to pay equal attention to the development of the boy child, warning that neglecting their needs could have long-term societal consequences.

He made this appeal during a ceremony held to mark the International Day of the Boy Child in Ashaiman. 

The event was organized by the Schools Outreach Ministry and the Men’s Ministry of the Church of Pentecost, in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES), under the theme “Unleashing the Boy Child Through Holistic Development.”

Rev. Prof. Buertey expressed concern over the growing disparity in educational participation between boys and girls, noting that while initiatives to support girls’ education have seen great success, boys are increasingly falling behind. 

He cited declining male participation in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) over recent years as a worrying trend.

National Coordinator of the Schools Outreach Ministry, Pastor Frank Mensah Tandoh, echoed these sentiments, urging religious institutions and community leaders to actively participate in nurturing boys through moral and spiritual guidance.

Supporting the call, Greater Accra Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Education Service, Mr. Peter Abledu Gooden, stressed that the welfare of the boy child must be prioritized not only for their academic and personal development but also because they are future heads of families and leaders in Ghanaian society.

The event concluded with a renewed call for national dialogue and action to ensure the boy child is not left behind in efforts to build a more equitable and progressive Ghana.

Ghana|Atinkaonline.com| Edward Graham Sebbie

Report Illegal Developers  to Assembly – Tema West MCE

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the Tema West Municipal Assembly, Mr. Ludwig Teye Totimeh, has called on residents to promptly report any illegal physical developments in their communities to the Assembly.

Speaking during a post-rainfall inspection of flood-prone areas on Monday, Mr. Totimeh said unauthorized construction—particularly on waterways—continues to be a major cause of flooding in the municipality, especially during the rainy season.

The inspection team, made up of officials from the Assembly’s Physical Planning Department and the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), visited several affected areas including Ashaiman Underbridge, Adjei Kojo, Suncity, Tema Community 5, and the Ramsar Site.

According to the MCE, many of these locations suffer from recurring floods because of illegal structures that block natural drainage paths. He stressed that most of these buildings are constructed without proper permits or consultation with municipal engineers.

He urged community members to be vigilant and report any unauthorized construction promptly, stating that the Assembly is committed to public safety and responsible urban planning.

Member of Parliament for Tema West, Lawyer James Enu, also joined the inspection and echoed calls for an attitudinal change among residents. He highlighted the problems of indiscriminate waste disposal and haphazard construction, which he said were worsening the situation.

He disclosed that his office, in collaboration with NADMO, the Assembly, and the Tema Development Company (TDC), has agreed to desilt the Ramsar Site and construct a canal as a long-term solution to channel excess water safely into the sea.

Meanwhile, two residents—Millicent Adzato and Mary Borketey—who were affected by the recent downpour, shared harrowing accounts of how the flooding impacted their homes and families. Both women appealed for swift intervention from authorities.

The Assembly has assured the public that it is working with relevant agencies to address the flooding challenges and improve resilience in vulnerable communities.

Ghana|Atinkaonline.com| Edward Graham Sebbie

Cedi’s rise is supported by $10.6 billion in reserves – Mahama

Strong foreign exchange inflows and intentional policy measures meant to stabilise the economy have been credited by President John Dramani Mahama with the recent recovery of the Ghanaian Cedi.

Recipes for Ghanaian cuisine The President claims that strengthened gross international reserves, which increased from $8.9 billion in December 2024 to $10.6 billion by April 2025, are a major factor in the local currency’s improved performance. 

He pointed out that improved external financial buffers and rising investor confidence are the causes of this upward trend.

 President Mahama emphasised the government’s resolve to achieve its annual economic growth goals during his remarks at the Ghana–EU Business Forum opening in Accra on Tuesday, May 20.

Key stakeholders from Ghana and the EU attended the forum, which had as its theme “Deepening Ghana-EU Cooperation on Trade and Investment in Non-Traditional Value Chains under the EU Global Gateway Strategy.”

“Fiscal consolidation is underway, we have reduced the fiscal deficit on commitment basis, from 7.5% of GDP in 2024 to 6.4% in the first half of 2025, and we are on track to meet our 2025 end year of 3.1% through expenditure rationalisation, improve domestic revenue mobilization and strong anti corruption measures”,

“These figures, though early in the year, are clear signs of discipline and inclusive economic recovery. Our trade with the European Union remains robust and neutrally beneficial,” he emphasized.

President Mahama built on the promising economic outlook by assuring domestic and foreign investors of his administration’s dedication to creating a safe and supportive investment environment.

“I assure all potential investors that under this administration, Ghana is committed to transparent Governance, policy predictability and a reformed business environment,

We are restoring confidence in our public procurement systems, enforcing contract sanctity and protecting investor rights under both domestic and international legal regimes,” he also mentioned.

Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Najat Adamu

Eco-Bliss Climate Gets Support from Ghana and Singapore for Carbon Credit Project

Eco-Bliss Climate, a Ghana-based company focused on environmental solutions, has received support from both the Government of Ghana and the Republic of Singapore to launch a major carbon credit project in the Upper West Region of Ghana.

The project will cover 91,000 hectares of land and is expected to cut or remove about 3.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2030. It will use climate-smart farming techniques such as agroforestry, better soil management, and improved irrigation. These changes aim to restore land, improve food production, and help fight climate change.

Eco-Bliss received a Letter of Intent from Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency and Ministry of Environment, and a Letter of Support from Singapore’s National Environment Agency. 

These early endorsements show that both countries believe in the project’s potential and are working together under a climate agreement.

“This support shows strong confidence in our vision for a low-carbon, climate-resilient future,” said Awuni Laud Anthony, CEO of Eco-Bliss Climate.

The project will benefit over 45,000 smallholder farmers in the region through training, better farming practices, and access to carbon finance. It supports Ghana’s national climate goals and fits into Singapore’s international carbon credit system.

The next step is to create a detailed Project Design Document, which outlines how the project will be carried out and measured.

This project is one of the largest of its kind in West Africa and aims to deliver real results for both the environment and local communities.

Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Vincent Kwofie