General News

 

A coalition of political parties led by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has officially submitted a petition to the Judiciary, calling on judicial authorities to prevail on President John Dramani Mahama to reverse the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

During the presentation of the petition, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin appealed to staff of the Judicial Service to stand with the political parties in defending justice and fairness within the judicial arm of government.

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin

He also issued a caution to key officials within the judiciary, including the Acting Chief Justice and the Acting Judicial Service Secretary, urging them not to become complacent simply because they may not be directly affected by the suspension.

He warned that the emerging pattern of removing Chief Justices and Superior Court judges with changes in political administration risks entrenching division and resentment within the system.

“For the Judiciary to rise, don’t be comfortable because it is Torkornoo. Don’t be comfortable, because you have your own grievances, you also have a party interest, because the attack is benefiting you. No, be with that attitude of touch one, touch all. Rather, pray that a fair system is created for all to benefit,” Afenyo-Markin stated.

In response, Acting Judicial Service Secretary, Dr. Cyracus Badinye Bapuuroh, expressed appreciation to the delegation for their engagement and assured them that the petition would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities for consideration.By:Juliana Odame Asare

 

Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo-Markin has issued a passionate appeal to fellow legislators, urging them to rise above partisan interests and help safeguard Ghana’s democratic institutions.

His comments came on Monday, 5 May, when members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) staged a demonstration and presented a petition to Parliament in protest against the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

Alexander Afenyo-Markin making presentation of the petition

Mr Afenyo-Markin described the ongoing political developments as a direct threat to the country’s constitutional order as he presented a petition to Parliament which was received by Clerk of Parliament Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror.

“Ghana is under siege,” he declared. “This is a call to all of us, regardless of political affiliation, to defend the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.”

He condemned what he termed as politically motivated interference in the judicial process and called on Parliament to play its oversight role in ensuring that democratic principles are not eroded.

“We cannot allow institutions of state to be undermined under the guise of accountability. Parliament must act as the last line of defence for our democracy,” he stated.

The demonstration, which saw a significant turnout of party supporters and civil society actors, was part of broader resistance to what the organisers describe as an unjust and unconstitutional move to sideline the Chief Justice.

The petition submitted calls for immediate parliamentary intervention and public transparency surrounding the suspension.Source: Ernest K. Arhinful

 

ACCRA, April 30, 2025 (GJA) – The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) will honour 24 distinguished individuals and institutions for championing press freedom and the cause of the GJA over the years as it commemorates this year’s World Press Freedom Day (WPFD).

The event, a marked departure from the annual daytime flag-raising ceremony at the Forecourt of the Ghana International Press Centre to commemorate WPFD, will be held in the evening, on Friday, May 2, 2025, at the Alisa Hotel, North Ridge, at 6pm prompt.

It is an innovation designed to use the occasion of WPFD to recognise and honour the recipients, with President John Dramani Mahama as the Special Guest of Honour, and Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, media partners and media practitioners in attendance.

The first category of honorees consists of individuals,who have made significant contribution to the promotion of press freedom in Ghana over the years.

They are Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere, Gifty Affenyi Dadzie, Esq and Ajoa Yeboah-Afari, all former GJA presidents; Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby, Chief Policy Analyst, Ghana Institute of Public Policy Options (GIPPO); Prof Kwame Karikari, media and communications expert; Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Managing Editor, The Insight, Elizabeth Ohene, former Editor of the Daily Graphic, and Ben Ephson Jnr, Managing Editor, Daily Despatch.

The second category of honorees is made up of individuals,who have made significant contribution to the development of the media in Ghana over the years.

They are Sir Sam Jonah, international business expert; Bright Blewu, former GJA General Secretary; Kwasi Afriyie Badu, lawyer; Cameron Duodu, renowned journalists; Chief Dr Crystal Djirakor, founder of Crystal TV, and Wilna and Alex Quarmyne, founders of Ada Radio.

The Embassy of the United States of America in Accra, Unilever Ghana Limited, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Electoral Commission, Innolink Ghana Limited; Friedrich Ebert Foundation, and Abrantie Amakye Dede, renowned highlife musician, are to be honoured for their dedicated support to the GJA.
For their dedicated support to the current administration, even at critical moments, Alex Dadey, Group Chairman of KGL Group of Companies; Dr Paul Kofi Fynn, Chancellor of Wisconsin International University College, Ghana, and adb Bank, will also be honoured.

The national theme for the commemoration of WPFD 2025 is: “Celebrating champions of press freedom and Ghana’s media growth; building a resilient media in the AI era”.
Globally, WPFD is commemorated on May 3, and this year, the global theme for the occasion is: “Reporting in the brave new world – The impact of artificial intelligence on press freedom and the media”.

The National Executive is extremely grateful to KGL Group of Companies, Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), National Communication Authority (NCA) Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC), National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and National Security for supporting the event.
All members of the GJA and media partners are cordially invited to this memorable occasion.
END.

[SGD]
Kofi Yeboah
(General Secretary)

The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Frimpong Kodua, has alleged that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) is orchestrating a plan to secure a third term for President John Dramani Mahama.

Speaking on Peace FM’s morning show Kokrokoo, Mr. Kodua claimed that the recent suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo is part of a broader strategy by the NDC to amend Ghana’s constitution in favor of President Mahama.According to him, individuals within the ruling party are pushing for a reinterpretation of Article 66(2) of the 1992 Constitution, suggesting that the presidential term limit applies only to two consecutive terms.

CJ Gertrude Torkornoo,Prez John Mahama and Lawyer Justin Frimpong Kodua

By this logic, Mr. Mahama, who served one full term, lost reelection, and then returned to win the 2024 election, would be eligible for another term.

 

“This is the motivation behind the Chief Justice’s suspension,” he alleged, suggesting that the move is aimed at clearing obstacles to constitutional amendments that could favor the President’s continued stay in office.Source : Peacefmonline.com

 

The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has issued a measured and firm call for adherence to constitutional procedures and the principles of the rule of law in response to the ongoing process for the removal of the Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 24, and signed by GBA National President Mrs. Efua Ghartey and National Secretary Mr. Kwaku Gyau Baffour, the Association said it has been closely monitoring developments over the past two months, culminating in the recent suspension of the Chief Justice by President John Mahama.

Gertrude Torkornoo and President John Mahama

The GBA emphasised that it remains committed to its core mandate of defending and upholding freedom, justice, and the independence of the judiciary. “Per the Constitution, Code of Ethics and Regulations of the GBA, the GBA concerns itself with matters affecting the legal profession,” the statement noted.

As of March 27, 2025, the General Council of the GBA reported that three separate petitions had been submitted for the removal of the Chief Justice, and two legal actions had been filed at the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the process, including applications for injunctions.

Citing Article 146 (6) to (10) of the 1992 Constitution, the Association acknowledged the President’s authority—acting in consultation with the Council of State—to appoint a committee to investigate such petitions and, if necessary, suspend the Chief Justice pending the outcome. The GBA reiterated that the process is legally grounded and that the committee’s proceedings must be held in camera, as required by law.

“While the GBA recognises the constitutional prescriptions for the removal of the Chief Justice… and mindful of the fact that presently, the entire matter is sub judice, it is the hope and belief of the GBA that the actors involved… would have the time-tested tenets of the Rule of Law as their guiding principles,” the Association stated.

The GBA further reminded all persons involved, directly or indirectly, to be guided by Article 296 of the Constitution, which calls for the exercise of discretion in a fair, candid, and non-arbitrary manner.

“Justice emanates from the good people of Ghana and is administered by the Judiciary headed by the Chief Justice,” the GBA underscored, calling for actions that protect and enhance public confidence in the justice system.

The GBA reaffirmed its role in national life, saying it shall remain “the conscience of society, the voice of the voiceless, and act to safeguard the Rule of Law and uphold the Constitution of the Republic which embodies the wishes and aspirations of the people of Ghana.” Source: Myjoyonline.com

 

Source: Kenneth Awotwe Darko

President John Mahama has suspended the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo.

This follows the establishment of a committee to investigate petitions against the top judicial official.

The move, announced in a statement from the Presidency, is in compliance with constitutional provisions and follows consultations with the Council of State.

The President cited Article 146(6) of the Constitution, which mandates the establishment of a committee to probe allegations against a superior court judge if a prima facie case is established.

According to the statement, President Mahama determined that sufficient grounds exist to warrant further inquiry.

The committee tasked with investigating the petitions comprises individuals from various sectors:

Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo and President John Mahama

Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang – Justice of the Supreme Court
Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu – Justice of the Supreme Court
Daniel Yaw Domelevo – Former Auditor-General
Major Flora Bazwaanura Dalugo – Ghana Armed Forces
Professor James Sefah Dzisah – Associate Professor, University of Ghana
In accordance with Article 146(10) of the Constitution and upon the advice of the Council of State, President Mahama issued a warrant suspending the Chief Justice with immediate effect pending the outcome of the committee’s proceedings.

11 persons have been confirmed dead following a gory accident that occurred around 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22, at Amanase, near Suhum, along the main Accra-Kumasi Highway.

The tragic incident involved a fuel tanker with registration number GR 1300-16 and a Benz Sprinter bus registered GW 6510-23.
Although the exact cause of the accident is yet to be determined, preliminary investigations by the police suggest that the driver of the fuel tanker, who was reportedly dozing off, veered off his lane into the path of the oncoming Sprinter bus.

The head-on collision resulted in the instant death of two females and nine male adults. Several others sustained life-threatening injuries.

 

some scenes from the accident
Emergency personnel from the Suhum Fire Service and Police were quickly dispatched to the scene. They assisted in both the rescue operations and the management of traffic along the busy stretch.

Confirming the incident, the Suhum Municipal Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, ADO1 Akonnor Opare Ohene Daniel, told journalists that the survivors are currently receiving treatment at the Suhum Government Hospital.Meanwhile, the Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Awatey, who expressed sadness over the incident, is on her way to the Suhum Government Hospital to assess the situation.

She is expected to provide the necessary support, including facilitating the transfer of critically injured victims to higher-level health facilities if needed.Source:Neil Nii Kanarku

 

 

 

Source: tntnewspapergh.com

Mr. Patrick Kwame Frimpong, the National Vice-Chairman for NALAG, has made a passionate appeal to President John Mahama to fast-track the names of the outstanding nominees for the various district assemblies.

He said the continued delay in releasing the names of outstanding MMDCEs for the Ashanti Region and other two regions, after releasing that of 13 regions, is not fair.

Mr.Patrick Kwame Frimpong

The call by Mr. Frimpong, who is also the Dean of Ashanti Regional Conference of Presiding Members and KMA Presiding Member, follows a series of violence in some parts of Ashanti Region and other regions over rumours of potential chief executives.

Therefore, Mr. Frimpong is appealing to President Mahama to fast-track the nomination of MMDCEs for the remaining districts.

President John Mahama

In an interview with “The New Trust” newspaper on Wednesday, 16th April 2025, Mr. Frimpong, who is also the elected Assembly Member for the Krofrom East Electoral Area, cautioned that any further delay in nominating chief executives for the remaining Assemblies could deepen agitation and apprehension among the various stakeholders.

 

By:Sulemana Braimah

Yesterday, I read with shock that National Security had invited a journalist, Prosper Agbeyega, for questioning over a story he had published in his digital outlet called Current Issues. When I first read the story, I didn’t believe it because it sounded so weird. So I became more alarmed when the journalist confirmed that he had indeed been invited and questioned about his story.
The said story was about a leaked document from National Security on the transportation of some ECG containers, which has beccome and should remain a matter of significant national interest.
In fact, the ECG containers issue deserves serious focus and scrutiny by all media houses. Ghananians deserve to know what happened under the previous government and what is happening under the current government.
Let it be clear that the current government’s Resetting Ghana agenda should not and connot be about intimidation of journalists or citizens through National Security. The job of the National Security does not include questioning journalists about their sources or preaching to journalists on how they should do their stories.
There are clear constitutional mechanisms for addressing any misgivings about the work of journalists or media organisations. Those mechanisms do not include questioning and inntimidation of journslists by National Security.
I urge our media and journalists to remain bold, professional and committed to holding the government accountable to the people of Ghana as required by the Constitution of Ghana.
Let no overzealous National Security officials think that journalists can be intimidated to become cheerleaders of the government.