Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has lifted the suspension of four Members of Parliament following a bi-partisan appeal from both the Majority and Minority caucuses.
The suspension was initially imposed after chaotic scenes erupted during the vetting of ministerial nominees, prompting the Speaker to take disciplinary action.
But speaking on the floor today, the Speaker indicated that, “They demonstrated and assured me of their total support to me and the deputy speakers to ensure that we have an efficient and an effective function in parliament in Ghana. So I am satisfied with not just the statement, but also their conduct.
Alban K. S Bagbin
“And I will proceed to lift the suspension of the four members of parliament that I considered were involved in this disorderly conduct which amounted to contempt.”
This followed after appeals from leaders on both sides of the House, for the the decision to be reversed to restore harmony and cooperation in Parliament.
The appeal, led by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and supported by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, stressed the need for unity and constructive engagement in parliamentary proceedings.
Mr Afenyo-Markin had earlier taken responsibility for the disturbances and pleaded with the Speaker to reconsider his decision.
“Mr Speaker, I take full responsibility as a leader on my side, on all actions that took place. I will therefore conclude by inviting you, Mr Speaker, to in the circumstance and with assurance given, consider a recession of the decision you communicated to the house, as well as all consequential matters there too,” he stated.
The vetting session, which was marked by heated exchanges and disruptions, led to the Speaker establishing a special committee to investigate the matter.
Additionally, four MPs from both sides were suspended following the altercation.
The suspended MPs included the two chief Whips for both the Minority and Majority caucuses, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor and Frank Annoh-Dompreh, as well as Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli and Jerry Ahmed Shaib.
Minority Members of Parliament donned black attires with red arm and head bands on Tuesday, February 4, to protest the suspension of four MPs—three from their side and one from the majority side.
The NPP MPs reported to Parliament with the unusual attire to participate in the fourth sitting of the House for business.
Some MPs explained to JoyNews’ parliamentary correspondent, Kwaku Asante, that their attire was a symbolic gesture of discontent following the suspension of their colleagues by the Speaker, Alban Bagbin.
The suspended MPs are: the two Chief Whips, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor and Frank Annoh-Dompreh, as well as Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli and Jerry Ahmed Shaib.
The MPs were suspended following their roles in the chaotic scenes recorded at one of the sittings of the Appointments Committee of Parliament.
The Speaker went ahead to set up an investigative committee to probe the incident for the necessary action to be taken against those found culpable including surcharging them for the destruction of tables and microphones.
But the minority side insists the Speaker acted arbitrarily and outside of the Standing Orders of Parliament. They are demanding that the Speaker rescinds the decision, gives the affected MPs a fair hearing and allows the investigative process to continue.
On Tuesday, Parliament tightened security in the chamber in a bid to prevent the suspended MPs from gaining access.
Pressure is mounting on the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to release the withheld results of some students.
The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) is demanding urgent action.
WAEC filed a stay of execution at the High Court on Thursday, January 30, against a court order directing the release of the withheld results.
The results, which have sparked widespread controversy, were allegedly withheld due to suspected malpractice during the 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
“They should release all the results forthwith, within a week. Whatever investigations they are doing they should conclude within a week, because we went to them as far back as January 2, and from January 2 to now is over a month, they should have enough time to appeal all these results by now,” he said on February 4.
At a press briefing, NUGS President Daniel Korley Botchway warned that if WAEC fails to comply with the court order within the given time frame, the union will take legal action and stage protests.
“They should release it within a week, failing which, we are going to commence a series of protests occupying their offices nationwide. And we’ll make sure that we are going to make it uncomfortable for them. If they cannot do the work, they should inform the government of Ghana, for the government of Ghana to employ a news examination body.”
The student union further accused WAEC of bias and unfair treatment in handling the withheld results.
The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) is calling on the Ghanaian government to intervene urgently as fuel prices continue to climb, marking the third consecutive increase this year.
Consumers are feeling the impact, with petrol and diesel prices rising once again in February, following similar hikes in January. Shell has raised petrol prices from GH₵15.59 per litre to GH₵16.23, while diesel has increased from GH₵15.79 to GH₵16.20. Meanwhile, Star Oil has maintained petrol at GH₵14.99, but increased diesel prices from GH₵14.99 to GH₵15.37.
These price surges are driven by global crude oil market fluctuations and the depreciation of the local currency, making fuel importation more expensive.
COPEC’s Executive Secretary, Duncan Amoah, has cautioned that if this trend continues, businesses and consumers will face prolonged economic hardship.
Speaking with Citi Business News, Amoah emphasized the need for a well-planned approach to stabilizing fuel prices.“Clearly, we are not out of the woods and something has to give. A plan or a strategy needs to be in place to cushion all of us. You can’t continue to have your refinery down. You can’t continue to import everything.
“You can’t continue not to have a strategic reserve at this point. You can’t continue to be a price taker and expect that your people will get fuel at the price you want it. Something needs to be done,”** he stated.
COPEC’s strong call for action highlights growing concerns about the impact of rising fuel prices on the cost of living and economic stability. The group is urging the government to take immediate steps to address the situation and ease the financial burden on Ghanaians.Source:Dailymailgh.com
As part of its commitment to equip civil society organisations (CSOs) with the needed skills to mobilise more funds for their activities, Livelihood Environment Ghana (LEG), a Sunyani-based non-governmental organisation, has organised a day’s intensive training for four CSOs.
Participants in a group photograph
The training workshop, which was held on 28th January 2025 at Chareleva Hotel in Kumasi, focused on Resource Mobilisation under the Mutual Capacity Strengthening, Power of Voices and Fair for All Project.
The training was on the theme: “Developing Fair for All members’ skills in resource mobilisation for improved advocacy and sustainable organisation”.
Madam Aba Oppong making a presentation
The training workshop was participated by some Fair for All members in Ghana, who are partners of Oxfam in Ghana and TWN Africa consortium.
Participants included the Centre for Public Interest Law (CEPIL), Women in Law and Development and Friends of the Nation, Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM) as well as the members of LEG.
The workshop was organised by LEG in the ticket of “Mutual Capacity Strengthening-MCS” under the Power of Voices and Fair for All Project with financial support from Oxfam Novib.
Mrs. Aba Oppong, the Executive Director of Rights and Responsible Initiatives Ghana, who was the key facilitator for the training programme, encouraged the participants to embrace “life-long learning”, ask questions when necessary and keep themselves abreast of relevant laws pertaining to their line of work.
She urged participants to be disciplined and committed to their work and make conscious efforts to understand corporate values and apply themselves to them. “You, as a worker, should also create a niche for yourself by making significant contributions to the work,” he added.
Madam Aba Oppong also encouraged the participants to develop good working relations with other colleagues, ensure mutual respect amongst them and cross-check pieces of information before acting on them.
“Every worker in a CSO should have good communication skills and be able to relate well with all manner of persons,” she added.
Speaking with the media after the programme, the Executive Director of LEG, Richard Adjei-Poku, said “resource mobilisation is a big challenge to many non-governmental organisations, especially rural and community- based groups.”
“The issues are, many at times as a result of lack of capacity and linkages.Therefore, it is a great opportunity for the three-colleague organisations and LEG to have been sponsored by Oxfam Novib to undergo a very useful training exercise,” he added.
LEG is research, policy and advocacy not-for-profit and non-governmental organization established in 2004 to promote active citizenship to enhance social and resources benefits, environmental justice and Climate change, environmental sustainability, sustainable livelihoods for the marginalized and engage with duty bearers and policy makers for policy change.
Source: tntnewspapergh.com with additional file by mordenghana
The Achimota District Court presided over by his worship, Prince Osei Owusu, has granted a motion filed by Ms. Karen Baaba Sam’s lawyers seeking an order to set aside what she says is was an “illegally” obtained arrest warrant against her allegedly procured by her ex-partner, Nana Kwadwo Adjei with the assistance of some elements in the Ghana Police Service.
At the hearing of the motion today, Tuesday, 4 February 2025, lawyers representing Ms Baaba Sam told the magistrate that the warrant of arrest had no basis and the same ought to be rescind The state, represented by a senior state attorney, David Beecham, did not oppose the application. To this end, the magistrate proceeded to set aside the arrest warrant. In effect, Ms Karen Baaba Sam is no longer threatened with arrest and is free to go about her daily activities.
Background
The warrant of arrest, dated Monday, 20 January 2025, emerged on social media. It declared Baaba Sam wanted by the District Court in Achimota (Achimota District Court) to assist the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in a case of unlawful child removal.
The Police warrant further states that Ms Baaba Sam is 29 years old, 5 feet and 6 inches tall, fair in complexion, slim in stature, has a tattoo on her right breast, and is a native of Dormaa Ahenkro.
According to the Police, she was believed to be hiding in East Legon, Airport Residential Area, Cantonments, Osu, or Dzorwulu. The warrant was signed by the Superintendent of Police, Joseph Benefo Darkwah.
However, in an affidavit deposed to by Karen Baaba Sam, she indicates that her attention has been drawn to an arrest warrant issued by the Achimota district court for her arrest based on which publications were made in the Daily Graphic on 22 January and splashed in several other newspapers on 23 January 2025, projecting her as a fugitive from justice.
As her first step, Ms Baaba Sam said she caused her lawyer to conduct a search at the Achimota District Court to find out the specific case upon which the arrest warrant was issued. The lawyers found nothing.
To this end, her lawyers wrote to the Daily Graphic to withdraw and apologize for their publication. Ms Baaba Sam further states in her affidavits that within hours of the search, the Registrar of the Achimota District Court telephoned her lawyers to say that he (the Registrar) had made a new discovery on the matter.
He (the Registrar) then went to see Ms Baaba Sam’s lawyers to discuss what he said he had found and then returned to write a letter with an attached affidavit that stated something different from what he stated in search results without producing any order or record of the Achimota District Court that authorized the issue of the warrant or its publication in the Daily Graphic.
Ms Baaba Sam also deposed further as follows: “That the warrant, whether issued by the Court, with respect, was procured through fraud and illegally perpetrated by Detective Inspector Samuel Sakyi appeared in the honorable Court to obtain the warrant against me (Baaba Sam).
“That Detective Inspector Samuel Sakyi’s depositions that the complainant had custody and that I (Baaba Sam) took away my daughter and am refusing to return her are all false.
“That, I (Baaba Sam) am engaged in two cases involving domestic abuse and custody with the complainant, with one pending in the Circuit Court (Child-Friendly Gender-Based Violence Court), Police Headquarters, Accra, and the other pending before the District Court (Family Division), Accra.”
In her affidavits, Ms Baaba Sam states that on 13 December 2024, the District Court made orders for the sharing of the Christmas vacation between her and the complainant (Nana Kwadwo Adjei). Subsequently, the complainant abused the daughter, and Ms Sam applied to both courts. On 23 December 2024, the Circuit Court granted me and my daughter interim protection orders against the complainant.
“The Circuit Court ordered the complainant to appear in court on 14 January 2025 to show cause why the protection order should not be finalized. I (Baaba Sam) picked up my daughter on 29 December 2024 and the complainant was served with the order to appear on 31 December 2024
“On 14 January 2025, I appeared in the Circuit Court with my daughter, but the complainant refused to appear and instead sent his lawyer to tell the Circuit Court judge that he had traveled, even though that was a lie, and that he had been before the District Court without notice to me (Baaba Sam) to obtain orders behind my back.
“The Circuit Court nevertheless granted the complainant another adjournment to 11 February 2025 to show cause, but he has so far refused, and instead, he is misleading the police and other officers he has influenced to harass me with false allegations behind my back,” Ms. Baaba Sam’s affidavit read.
“I (Baaba Sam) am keeping my daughter pursuant to an interim protection order issued by the Circuit Court on 23 December 2024. The alleged complainant challenged the order at the High Court, which resulted in my counter-challenge in the Supreme Court.
“As such, when the said policeman (Detective Inspector Samuel Sakyi) appeared in this Court with the said affidavit representing me as a criminal and fugitive from justice, he was lying and doing Nana Kwadwo Adjei’s bidding only because of bribes he continued to pay to those willing to do his bidding and pervert the course of justice in the dispute between us,” the affidavit further read.
Ms Baaba Sam ends her affidavits by stating that “Kwadwo Adjei is only using this Court and sections of the police to unlawfully advance his personal interests and that the issuance of the warrant and its publication in the Graphic has caused her exceedingly great harm and injury.
“I hereby pray this Court to set aside the warrant and issue consequential orders to bring all those who played any role in it to justice. My daughter is in my lawful custody by virtue of the interim protection order granted me by the Circuit Court, which is still undergoing the lawful appeal and review processes in the appropriate higher courts. This Court should not lend its powers to perpetrate illegality against me (Baaba Sam),” the affidavit concluded.
Why NPP needs a different presidential candidate for 2028 elections- A press statement by Concerned NPP traders of Kumasi
LADIES AND Gentlemen of the press, thank you very much for your attendance in this all-important press conference.
Though, at a short notice, you made it to this significant meeting, for which we are grateful again.
Honorable members of the inky fraternity, we have called you here as members of concerned NPP traders of Kumasi this morning, to help us send a simple message to the rank and file of our dear party, the NPP.
Ofori Benjamin, Coordinator for the group speaking at the press conference
The simple message we are delivering with strong emphasis to our dear party is that we need a different presidential candidate for the 2028 elections other than Dr Alhaji Mahmud Bawumia, the immediate past vice president, should the party think of recapturing power in the next polls.
The humiliating defeat of the party in the just ended presidential and parliamentary polls have underscored why the NPP requires not only a different candidate but a winnable one for the upcoming elections.
Apart from unpopular government decisions that angered the populace, leading to the embarrassing and unprecedented electoral defeat, the election results have revealed that the NPP had a wrong candidate in the person of Dr Mahmud Bawumia.
This is because, the consideration that Dr Mahmud Bawumia was going to bring the northern regions and Islamic votes did not materialize, rather the party lost significant votes in the aforementioned areas.
The party did not only lose significant votes in the presidential elections but the parliamentary also as compared to the 2020 election across the country.
Losing 4 out 5 northern regions under the candidature of a northerner was embarrassing to say the least.
Even in Dr Bawumia’s home region, the margin of victory over President John Dramani Mahama was minimal as compared to the 2020 results.
Whereas, in the home region of President Mahama, the margin of victory over Dr Bawumia was astronomical.
Recording zeros in some constituencies was equally humiliating as splitting the parliamentary seats to 3:3 in the home region of Dr Bawumia, whose compelling factor of selection was wooing the northern regions votes.
Shamefully, the party currently has no MP in the Upper East and West regions under the candidature of a northerner and a Muslim.
Dr Bawumia has eroded all the gains made by the party since 1992 in the northern regions, predicting a further decline under his future candidacy.
Being a Zongo person, it was expected of Dr Bawumia to bring those votes, but regrettably, the party lost significantly in the aforementioned areas.
It has also become evidently clear that most NPP Christians for one reason or the other did not vote at all, a development which greatly affected the fortunes of the party in the polls.
Whilst, the party under the leadership of Dr Mahmud Bawumia, lost about 2.1 million votes Nationwide as compared to the 2020 polls, the party lost 58 seats, recording the heaviest electoral defeat in the history of the party.
The situation was such embarrassing that even in the Ashanti Region, which is the stronghold of the party, over 400,000 votes were lost, representing a 24% decline with the 2020 results.
With these discouraging numbers, it is obvious that Dr Mahmud Bawumia’s candidature was not what Ghanaians wanted the NPP to put forward for the 2024 elections.
The argument that former president Akufo Addo contested three times to record victory, therefore, Dr Bawumia deserves another chance falls flat on the face.
This is because ex-President Akufo recorded 49.7% in 2008 in a heated elections which even went into a third round, whilst recording 47.7% in the disputed 2012 elections, which are far better than the 38.40% achieved by Dr Bawumia in 2024.
It is clear that Ghanaians wanted a candidate who did not have trust issues and was not neck deep in the unwarranted things the government did to anger the people.
Ghanaians have told the NPP with the outcome of the elections that they did not want a candidate who could not talk about the economy after promising to arrest the dollar and strengthen the economic fundamentals.
Indeed Ghanaians told the NPP through the elections that they want a candidate who is a living testimony of his good works that have contributed to shaping the economy.
Therefore, we find as ridiculous and treacherous to the fortunes of the party, elements who have started pushing the second coming agenda of Dr Mahmud Bawumia and therefore cautions the party against falling for such moves.
We are stressing that if the party envisages to stage a comeback to power in 2028, then the candidature of Dr Mahmud Bawumia should be changed, else the party will be only be fielding a candidate and not a president and that the party can stay in opposition for 12 years.
We entreat all well meaning party members to dispassionately analyze the 2024 election results and come to the realization that the party made a grievous mistake in the choice of it’s flagbearer and that the necessary corrections would have to be made to give the party a chance in the next polls.
Most importantly, we want to call all those who have the wellbeing of the NPP at heart like us to resist any attempt to skew the process with the view of imposing Dr Mahmud Bawumia on the party for the upcoming polls.
Long live NPP, long live Ghana.
Thanks.
Ofori Benjamin
Despite reneging on its duty to repair and renovate the almost 70 year old dilapidated Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital building, the past government was collecting duties on all items purchased outside Ghana to commence the comprehensive renovation works being done on the facility.
Speaking to newsmen, Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene II, Otumfuo Hiahene and member of the Heal Komfo Anokye Project (HeKaP) Committee expressed worry about the attitude of government.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Prof Addai-Mensah,CEO of KATH during the inspection of the project
He noted that originally government should have been the one carrying out the renovation works and borne the cost of same since that was urgently needed to put the health facility in good shape.
“Otumfuo is impressed with the high quality of renovation works at KATH by the HeKaP committee but for us we believe government could have taken off duties on items being used for the project so that we could be able to have some more cash to do other needed works here”, the Hiahene stated
Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene II, Otumfuo Hiahene and member of the Heal Komfo Anokye Project (HeKAP)
Appeal:
The Hiahene therefore appealed to the incoming Health Minister and government to see to how they could help out in taking away cost of duties on items purchased for the renovation project.
The Chief said if the committee was able to achieve this goal, it would be in a good position to apply the solicited funds to works needed to be done on the project.
The Otumfuo Hiahene said to avoid unduly delays of the project, the committee decided to pay the duties on the items just so they could use it to carry out works needed to be done on the facility.
“The committee decided to pay the hefty duties on the items for the renovation so that such did not delay the work we intended to do but it would have been nice if the previous government had seen wisdom and helping out”, the Chief stressed.
Project Committee Chairman:
Mr Sammy Adu-Boakye, HeKaP Committee Chairman speaking on the matter said they needed to commence the project on time and decided to use both high quality local or imported items.
This, he noted made them to take a decision to bear the cost of duties at the port so that they could avoid undue delays.
The Ghanaian currency, he noted has suffered depreciation for long and it was untenable to argue with government to take off the duties while the project was being delayed.
“We are happy that we’ve achieved 40% percent rate in our fund raising drive and for us we are committed to applying what we have now to carry out the renovations but would plead with all Ghanaians to contribute to the good course which was launched by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II aimed at putting KATH on its feet”, Mr Adu-Boakye appealed.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has announced plans to engage traditional leaders in the coming days to address the issue of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
Speaking to journalists after meeting with staff of the Ministry on his first day in office, the Minister reaffirmed the John Dramani Mahama government’s commitment to protecting Ghana’s forest reserves and water bodies by ensuring a regulated and sustainable mining sector.
Armah-Kofi Buah emphasised the importance of collaboration with traditional authorities, acknowledging their critical role in land and resource management.
Armah-Kofi Buah
“How do we make sure that illegal mining or galamsey is completely fashioned out and that we create a pathway for anybody who wants to engage in mining to do it legally and environmentally friendly way and make sure that we also protect our water bodies? You will see that shortly I will be visiting critical traditional authorities, engaging them, and soliciting advice and support as we go forward from here.”
He also announced a monthly media briefing on steps taken in dealing with the menace.
“We will need your [the media] support to commend people who are doing the right thing. We will need your [the media] support to expose people who are destroying our water bodies. And you have our complete support.
“I intend to engage you [the media] on a monthly basis to update you on the progress we are making. And you are going to be part of this.”By:Nii Ayikwei Okine
Students of Kumasi Technical Institute (KTI) and Kumasi Anglican Senior High School (KASS) in the Ashanti region have clashed, leading to vandalism of property on both campuses.
In a violent reprisal, the rampaging students burnt car tires and hurled stones and other objects. They destroyed four private vehicles on the campus of KASS, the school gate as well as a billboard and notice board at KTI.
Principal of KTI, Gabriel Kingsford Osei, alleged the students of Kumasi Anglican started attacking KTI with stones and machetes to vandalize their school billboard, Thursday night.
Some scenes of properties destroyed during the clash
“I pushed my students to the dormitory to prevent any chaos and went to talk to the students of KASS but they disobeyed me. In the midst of them was a security person with a catapult, leading them to cause destruction.
“When I went to the school to speak with the authorities to calm nerves, the KASS students were still throwing stones which led to the retaliation,” he alleged.
But a tutor at KASS, Rev Father Kenneth Collins Owusu, says the clash could be a fallout from arguments at the ongoing inter-school athletics event in Kumasi.
The least argument between our students and KTI often leads to these confrontations. When a group is provoked, they mobilize their colleagues for such attacks,” he stated.
The Ashanti regional education directorate has invited authorities of both schools to find a lasting solution to the situation.
The police intervened to bring the situation under control but no arrest has been made as investigations continue.Source: Joseph Obeng
