President John Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to press freedom, stressing that he will never condone attacks on journalists in any form.
Addressing journalists at the Presidential Media Encounter at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, Mr. Mahama condemned the growing incidents of harassment of media practitioners, particularly by security personnel at public events.
“I’ve condemned assaults on journalists in any form. Journalists are doing their job, and their job is to bring news to the doorsteps of our people and to inform, educate and entertain them,” he said.
The President noted with concern that some security officers have developed a “passion” for harassing journalists. He stressed that this culture must end through a combination of education, sanctions, and stronger collaboration between the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the security services.
File picture of the Press
“It’s a matter of sanctioning people who assault journalists. I’ve been speaking with the President of the GJA, and we’re going to bring them together with the security agencies so they can carry out awareness among their personnel. If you see a journalist at an event, he is also doing a job, just like the security officer is doing his job. You don’t have the right to assault or manhandle them,” Mr. Mahama emphasized.
The President assured that his government will continue to work closely with media stakeholders to ensure journalists can operate in a safe and supportive environment.
“As a lifetime member of the GJA, there’s no way I’ll condone the assault of journalists in any form,” he added.Source:myjoyonline.com
President John Mahama has dismissed suggestions that he intends to use his current tenure to push constitutional amendments that would allow him to run for a third term as president.
Speaking at the Presidential Media Encounter at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, Mr Mahama laughed off the speculation, joking: “Look in my face, do I look like a supreme leader?”
His response came after questions were raised about whether his so-called “legacy term” would embolden him to seek an extension of Ghana’s presidential term limits.
President John Mahama
“That is, to paraphrase Prof Atta Mills, do I look like a cat Hunter? Do I look like a supreme leader? I’m a Democrat, through and through. And even when we attained two-thirds of Parliament, I said that we are not going to use it to ride roughshod over the minority, and that we are going to give opportunity for democracy to flourish. And so we know we intend to use that two-thirds majority to steamroll our democracy.”
The 1992 Constitution restricts presidents to a maximum of two four-year terms.
He reiterated his commitment to constitutional democracy, adding that attempts to weaken institutions for political gain undermine Ghana’s democratic progress.Source: Kenneth Awotwe Darko
Built a US$6 million cardio‑thoracic Centre at the 37 Military Hospital.
Contributed US$100,000 to train hospital staff on operating the cardio‑center.
Was among the first politicians to support Ghana’s COVID‑19 fight, donating US$1 million.
Donated 200 hospital beds to bolster COVID‑19 treatment capacity.
Kennedy Ohene Agyapong
Supplied 100,000 face‑masks, 100,000 gloves, and 10,000 hand‑sanitizers to support health ministries.
Gave US$145,000 to KATH’s Oncology department to repair radiotherapy equipment and provide beds.
Donated 1,000 kVA generator to Tamale Teaching Hospital during Ghana’s power crisis.
Support for Hospitals and Maternity
GHC 120,000 to Assin Fosu RC Hospital to cover newborns’ bills for over 600 infants.
GHC 100,000 to Agogo Hospital (Ashanti Region) to improve facilities.
GHC 50,000 for Assinman Nursing & Midwifery, and for classroom block expansions at Obiri Yeboah and St. Francis Hospital.
Party Loyalty & Infrastructure Support
Founding member of the Danquah‑Busia Club (1991), instrumental in NPP’s 1992 formation.
Secured and personally repaid a US$3 million loan to fund early NPP activities.
Donated pickup vehicles to constituencies to boost party operations.
Specifically gave 15 pickups (1996), 50 pickups (2000), and 100 pickups (2004)
Provided 245 Tata pickups and 77 Russian‑made trucks (sprayed in NPP colours) in 2008.
Contributed US$2 million during the 2008 presidential runoff campaign.
Single‑handedly sponsored the 2014 NPP national congress during financial challenges.
In 2016, funded 120 out of 240 pickups purchased for the party, and donated 11 containers of clothes to constituents.
Bailed out an NPP-independent MP for GHC 1 million plus GHC 0.5 million loan to secure a parliamentary majority.
Health & Agricultural Investments
Leading construction of a US$6 million cardiac & dialysis center, including sponsoring 11 Ghanaian medical officers to train in India.
Donated five fish ponds (1 km each) to the Ghana Armed Forces at Atwima Kwanwoma for food security support.
Spent USD 143,000 to service a cancer machine at KATH.
His companies are constructing the largest cold store in Africa, plus Africa’s largest steel factory and a starch processing facility in Atebubu-Amanteng—creating thousands of jobs.
Humanitarian and Social Impact
Has employed over 7,000 people globally, set to reach 10,000 by 2024.
Repatriated 1,000 stranded Ghanaian women from Lebanon, funding their rescue.
Supported victims of severe flooding in Ashaiman in 2002.
In 2023, donated 500 bags of rice and boxes of cooking oil to conflict-affected communities in the Upper East Region.
Poured another GHC 3.5 million into NPP operations ahead of the national delegates’ conference to ensure logistics and success.
The Ashanti Regional branch of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) has expressed outrage and deep sorrow following the violent clashes in Mpatuam, Amansie West District, which claimed the life of a serving Assembly Member and a resident.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the Association condemned the incident, describing it as “a painful loss not only to the family but also to Ghana’s local governance structure.”
“The death of an elected representative serving his people is a tragedy for his family, his community, and the nation as a whole,” the statement read.
The Association extended its condolences to the bereaved families, the people of Mpatuam, and the entire Amansie West District, calling for calm as investigations unfold.
NALAG warned that the violent confrontations between state security agencies and residents raise fresh concerns about the state of security in Ghana’s communities, stressing that such avoidable deaths are unacceptable.
The Ashanti Regional Representative, Nana Yaw Wiredu, urged the Ghana Police Service, Ministry of the Interior, and other security stakeholders to conduct a full-scale, transparent, and independent investigation to unravel the circumstances behind the tragedy.
“The perpetrators of this act must be identified and brought to justice without fear or favor, in order to restore public trust and assure our citizens of their safety,” Wiredu stated.
NALAG further called on the government and security agencies to strengthen proactive engagement with community leaders in conflict-prone areas to prevent similar deadly clashes in the future.
The release concluded with a solemn prayer: “May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.”
Hon Nana Yaw Wiredu, The Ashanti Regional Representative-NALAG.
Call: 0202-335474
The Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. Richard Gyan-Mensah, has launched the 9th edition of the Ghana Energy Awards in Accra, urging stakeholders to reposition the energy sector as a central pillar of Ghana’s national development.
Speaking at the media launch and opening of nominations, held under the theme “Repositioning the Energy Sector as a Pillar of National Development”, the deputy minister who represented the sector minister John Jinapor commended the Energy Media Group and the Awards Secretariat for their consistency in celebrating excellence and innovation in Ghana’s energy space.
Some scenes from the ceremony
“The Ghana Energy Awards has become a beacon of excellence, innovation, and leadership in our energy sector,” Gyan Mensah said. “It not only celebrates achievements but also inspires continued commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable energy future.”
Key Sector Achievements
Highlighting progress under the government’s green transition agenda, the deputy minister outlined several milestones:
• Renewables: He said over 200MW of solar projects are underway, including a 25MW floating solar plant at the Bui Dam and a 30MW project at the Kpong Reservoir in partnership with Germany’s KfW Bank.
• Rural Electrification: New mini-grid systems have been commissioned in Azizakpe, Aflive, and Alorkpem, providing power to more than 3,700 residents in Ada. Feasibility studies have been completed for 150 island and lakeside communities in Afram Plains, with a $100 million investment planned.
• Efficiency and Safety: Nearly 2,500 smart solar streetlights have been installed in the Ashanti Region as part of a pilot programme, with nationwide expansion planned.
• Government Goes Solar: A 22MW solar project is being rolled out across public institutions, expected to save GHS 52 million annually.
• Nuclear Energy: Ghana has advanced to Phase 2 of the IAEA roadmap, with 60% of the nuclear site acquisition process completed and Cabinet approval granted for a National Owner/Operator Company.
• Clean Cooking: 450,000 LPG stoves are being distributed under the Cylinder Recirculation Model to transition households to safer cooking methods.
The Minister also pointed to reforms aimed at improving sector transparency and efficiency. Over 200 non-performing ECG contracts worth $227 million have been terminated, while the Cash Waterfall Mechanism has strengthened liquidity and ensured accountability.
Supporting Local Content
On local participation, the deputy minister highlighted the growth of the Petroleum Commission’s Local Content Fund, which has increased by 11.22% in cedi terms (GHS 29.89 million) and by 27.08% in dollar terms (USD 2.49 million). The fund supports training and capacity-building for Ghanaian businesses in the oil and gas industry.
A Roadmap for the Future
Ghana’s Energy Transition Framework, a $560 billion roadmap launched at COP27, remains at the core of the government’s strategy. It seeks to deliver affordable energy—targeting below 4.5 cents per kilowatt-hour—while prioritizing decarbonization and universal access.
Call to Action
The deputy minister urged stakeholders across government, private sector, academia, and civil society to treat this year’s theme as a call to action.
“Energy is not just an enabler of development, it is its foundation,” he stressed. “Let us work together to reposition the sector as a true pillar of national growth and honour those who are driving innovation with integrity.”
Nominations for the 9th Ghana Energy Awards are officially open, with the main awards ceremony scheduled for November.
The Chief of Manso Tetrem in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region, Nana Akwasi Koh, has narrated the circumstances surrounding the killing of the Assembly Member for Manso Aboabo, Hon. Samson Dankwa, by armed military men.
According to the Chief, the Assembly Member was shot dead in broad daylight on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, during a standoff between youth in the area and security officers of Asanko Mines.
Nana Akwasi Koh revealed that he had called the deceased Assembly Member to calm down some agitated youth who had vowed to block vehicles of Asanko Mines from passing through the community.
“When I saw the agitated youth, I anticipated a possible chaos, so I called the Assembly Member to help speak to the youth to help water down the case,” he said.
Tragically, the Assembly Member was shot dead by soldiers despite having no weapon or anything that could have threatened the life of the security personnel.
“He had no weapon or anything that could threaten the life of the soldiers, yet he was killed in cold blood,” the Chief lamented.
The youth’s agitation stemmed from the death of a 50-year-old miner who was reportedly chased by security officers and fell into a pit, resulting in his death.
The community has accused Asanko Mines’ security of terrorizing them and making life unbearable.
The Chief has called on authorities in the region to step in to avoid further bloodshed.
The incident has heightened tensions between the community and the mine, with the youth demanding justice for the deceased Assembly Member and an end to the alleged harassment by security officers.
A member of Kennedy Agyapong’s campaign strategy team, Dr Stephen Amoah, has expressed confidence that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will return to power in the 2028 elections under the leadership of the former Assin Central MP and presidential aspirant.
Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Dr Amoah acknowledged the party’s heavy defeat in the 2024 polls, but stressed the need for restructuring and reforms to reposition the NPP for victory in the next elections.
“After losing the elections, we are still in the process of re-configuring the party. We have admitted our defeat, and now we need to analyse why we lost so we can make the necessary adjustments. The NPP will surely bounce back, and we will win the 2028 elections under Kennedy Agyapong,” he said.
Mr,Kennedy Agyapong Dr Stephen Amoah
He praised Mr Agyapong’s track record, insisting that his contributions to national development and lack of corruption scandals make him the right candidate to lead Ghana.
According to him, Agyapong is the only aspirant with a clearly defined grassroots-focused initiative, which he believes will energise the party’s base ahead of 2028.
“It’s not about propaganda; the NPP is better than the NDC. Kennedy Agyapong has no incidents of corruption and has done a lot for the country using his own money. So, what makes us think he can’t lead the country? he asked.
For us, it’s about performance, not propaganda, and it is Kennedy Agyapong’s time. He is the only candidate with a well-defined policy specifically for activists and grassroots members, known as Ken’s Grassroots and Welfare Policy,” Dr Amoah added.Source: Farida Seidu
The Chief Executive Officer(CEO ) of the Kaakyire Kwame Appiah Foundation, Mr. Simms Kwame Appiah Kubi, has appealed to the general public, corporate institutions, and philanthropists to support the foundation’s ongoing efforts to provide educational assistance to underprivileged children in rural communities.
Speaking to the media in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Mr. Appiah Kubi expressed concern that many parents in rural areas are finding it increasingly difficult to purchase textbooks and other basic school materials for their children.
He explained that the foundation, which is headquartered in Kumasi, is currently assisting vulnerable children with school uniforms, exercise books, pens, pencils, and other essential items, but the demand far outweighs the resources available.
Kaakyire Kwame Appiah
Mr. Appiah Kubi further disclosed that,the number of orphans and brilliant but needy children in rural areas keeps increasing, hence the urgent need for public support.
“As a journalist, a pastor, and a former Assemblyman for the Nerebehi Electoral Area, I feel deeply saddened whenever I hear the cry of orphans and needy children,” he stated with emotion.
“We are appealing to the public to support us in providing educational materials and financial assistance to ensure that no child is left behind simply because of poverty,” he added.
The CEO emphasized that education is the most powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty and called on all stakeholders to join hands with the foundation in its mission to empower the next generation through education.
For donations and partnerships, the public can reach out via:
📍 Kaakyire Kwame Appiah Foundation, Atwima Nerebehi – Ashanti Region, Ghana.
📧 simmskwameappiahkubi@gmail.com
📞 024 456 0027
Kaakyire Kwame Appiah Foundation
Everybody’s Child is Your Child
