The Deputy Minister for Defence, Hon. Ernest Brogya Genfi, has announced the government’s plans to commence the recruitment of 12,000 personnel into the Ghana Armed Forces over the next three years, as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s military and defense capabilities.
Ernest Brogya Genfi
A file photo of Soldiers
The minister added that as part of the president’s dedication to fairness in the distribution of opportunities, the price of application forms has been slashed by 40% and the recruitment processes will be held at all regional levels.The announcement is being viewed by analysts as a strategic move to win public confidence in security.The ruling government also hails the initiative as a bold investment in national stability.
Source : King Edward Ambrose Washman/Peacefmonline.com
The Ghana Police Service has recovered a large cache of weapons, vehicles, and valuables from a criminal gang behind a series of violent rural bank robberies across the country.
According to the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Lydia Yaako Donkor, the items seized include a wide range of weapons and valuables from the gang, including:
3 AK-47 assault rifles
1 single-barrel gun with 1 AAA ammunition
7 pump-action guns with 96 rounds of AAA ammunition
3 Bruni pistols with 40 rounds of ammunition
1 M&P pistol with 4 rounds of ammunition
Cash of GH¢18,845, $104, 190 Liberian dollars, ₦5,800, and CFA 31,000
A quantity of assorted Ghanaian coins
6 vehicles and 4 motorbikes
Several mobile phones and jewellery
Briefing the media on Wednesday, September 24, said the discovery was made after six months of sustained intelligence operations under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police.
“Through sustained intelligence operations, the Ghana Police Service has successfully dismantled the notorious criminal syndicate who have been behind several robberies in various regions of the country,” she stated.
Ms Lydia Yaako Donkor
The syndicate, believed to be made up of about 15 members, has carried out robberies in the hafo, Western, Central, Eastern and Ashanti Regions. Police have so far arrested 10 suspects, while three others were shot dead in a gun battle. A manhunt is ongoing for the rest.
One of their recent attacks happened at 3:30 am on Sunday, September 14, when they stormed the Saint Martins De Porres Cooperative Credit Union armed with pump-action guns and AK-47 rifles. The gang held the security guard and his wife hostage before escaping with cash. Police recovered a loaded AK-47 magazine at the scene.
Ms Donkor confirmed that one of the AK-47 rifles retrieved had originally been issued to the Ghana Police Service. The weapon, marked GH GP/ASH/TEPA/TP/B1523, belonged to Corporal Francis Adu Yaw of the Tepa District, who was killed by armed robbers on the Bibiani-Goaso highway on November 29, 2024.
“This is an indication that this same gang committed that heinous crime,” she added.Source: Clara Seshie
The Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council (ARCC) is admonishing residents in the Greater Kumasi metropolis to abide strictly with directives from the Manhyia palace as the late Queenmother, Nana Konadu Yiadom III is laid to rest on Thursday September 18, 2025.
Schools and markets have been ordered to shut down on the day while Pharmacies, banks, fuel stations, restaurants, and transport operators have been excluded from the restrictions of movement.
Utility companies and essential service providers including the Electricity Company of Ghana, Ghana Water Company Limited, Fire Service, Ambulance and Health Service personnel have also been exempted.
However, they must comply with new directives from the ARCC for their easy identification during the day.In a press release signed by the Ashanti regional minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, essential government workers must wear their official uniforms and carry valid Identification cards.
They have also been requested to commute to and from their offices in their official government vehicles.“All exempted institutions and essential workers are advised to cooperate fully with security personnel and other regulatory agencies enforcing the movement restrictions,” portions of the statement noted.Source: Emmanuel Bright Quaicoe
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
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 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 tragic military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, August 6, has reportedly claimed the lives of the Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, and the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.
Others who have been confirmed dead in the crash are Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, and Samuel Aboagye a former Parliamentary Candidate, and Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of NDC.
The crew members are Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed & Dr. Edward Omane Boamah
According to initial reports, the high-ranking government officials were aboard a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter en route to Obuasi when the aircraft went off radar.
Emergency response teams rushed to the crash site following the incident. Graphic footage and images obtained by Citi News showed the charred remains of several victims, though officials have yet to release a full list of the deceased or injured.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, who was attending an anti-illegal mining event at the time, reportedly abandoned the programme and rushed to the crash scene upon receiving the news.
In a brief statement, the Ghana Armed Forces confirmed that efforts were underway to trace and assess the wreckage of the helicopter after it lost contact shortly after takeoff on Wednesday morning. The cause of the crash remains unknown, and authorities have yet to confirm further details.
This incident comes more than a year after a previous helicopter accident on March 19, 2024, when a military aircraft crash-landed near Bonsukrom in the Western Region. Fortunately, that earlier crash resulted in no fatalities.
More updates are expected as investigations continue and families are notified.Source:Leticia Osei
The Ashanti Regional Organiser for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Francis Adomako, who is affectionately called Francois, has vehemently condemned the unlawful action by some armed National Democratic Congress (NDC) youths who are seen in a viral video locking up the offices of the Forestry Commission at Bekwai, Nkawie and other officers during working hours.
He said all peace-loving Ghanaians, especially the National Peace Council, the clergy, civil society organisations, among others, should all come out boldly to condemn the unlawful act.
“It is sad that instead of President John Mahama and NDC members, especially the youth, to support the efforts to fight illegal mining, which is popularly known as galamsey, their focus now is protecting illegal miners against workers of the Commission,” he added.
Dr.Francis Adomako aka Francois
It would be recalled that on Monday, 28th July 2025, the unknown men stormed the Bekwai, Offinso South, and Nkawie district offices of the Forestry Commission, locked them up, and threatened to take over the facilities.
According to the viral video, coupled with eyewitnesses reports, about 15 armed men, believed to be NDC youths, claiming to be national security personnel, stormed the Bekwai District Office of the Forestry Commission, Nkawie District office and locked up the offices preventing the staff from entering.
Francois said what was more worried is that these armed men had been described as fake by the Ashanti Regional office of the National Security.
Interestingly, these fake national security operatives were wielding pump-action guns and other equipment, threatening the lives of innocent workers of the Forestry Commission.
Speaking to “The New Trust” newspaper on Tuesday, 29th July 2025, Francois described the action as condemnable, for which reason it should not be allowed to continue.
He said it was high time the NDC leadership, the President and the security agencies acted to prevent any imminent violence against any Ghanaian worker, especially the Forestry Commission staff.
Dr. Adomako, who is also the Dean of all Regional Organisers, said it took the swift intervention of the police to enable the staff of the Commission to gain access to their offices.
He said what is more disturbing is that in all the series of violent attacks on state properties, as well as some offices of the NDC, no serious action has been taken against the perpetrators.
He said this had encouraged the NDC supporters to continue to take the law into their hands to commit crime and attack innocent citizens.
The Mamprusi Traditional Council has strongly condemned the government’s imposition of a curfew on Nalerigu and its surrounding areas, describing the move as arbitrary, unjustified, and a direct affront to the authority of the Nayiri.
In a statement issued on Monday, July 28, the Nayiri Palace expressed its displeasure over the curfew imposed from 2:00 PM to 6:00 AM daily, effective July 27, 2025, stating that the decision was made without prior consultation, despite Nalerigu being calm and devoid of any ongoing conflict.
“The Nayiri Palace has taken grave notice of a communique circulating in the public domain announcing the imposition of a curfew… While Mamprugu remains firmly committed to constitutional rule… the Palace expresses its deep displeasure and dismay at the arbitrary and unjustified manner in which this curfew has been imposed,” the statement read.
The curfew follows the killing of two students at Nalerigu Senior High School on Saturday, July 26, by unidentified gunmen. While authorities have yet to confirm the motive, local speculation has linked the incident to the protracted Bawku conflict.
However, the Council insists that Nalerigu should not be lumped together with areas experiencing unrest.
“It is troubling that the government continues to pursue a misguided policy of equating the longstanding conflict in the Bawku Traditional Area with the peace and stability that exists in Mamprugu, particularly in Walewale and now Nalerigu,” the statement added.
The Council dismissed the government’s justification that the curfew was meant to facilitate the evacuation of students as “unfortunate and unconvincing,” and warned that such reactive security measures do not promote long-term peace.
Demanding immediate action, the Mamprusi Traditional Council called on the government to:
Lift the curfew on Nalerigu and its environs without delay.
Conduct a full and transparent investigation into the murder of the students and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Issue an unqualified apology to the Nayiri and the people of Mamprugu for bypassing traditional authority.
The Palace stressed that peace in Mamprugu must be preserved through collaboration and respect, not through what it described as unilateral and poorly informed decisions made without local engagement.
One of the students killed in Saturday’s attack
Two male students of Nalerigu Senior High School have been shot and killed following a violent attack by unidentified gunmen on the evening of Saturday, 26th July.
The victims, identified only by their first names, Lukman and Gideon, were reportedly in their dormitory when the assailants stormed the school premises and opened fire, killing them instantly.
The shocking incident has left the school community and residents of the wider North East Region in deep distress.
One of the killed students
Sources from the enclave disclosed to Myjoyonline that the incident is linked to the controversial Bawku conflict.
Assembly Member for the Denugu Electoral Area, Dasmani Fuseini, and uncle to one of the deceased students, confirmed the attack.
He disclosed that the bodies of the victims remain in police custody, with the bereaved families currently in the process of retrieving them for burial.
The Ghana Police Service has launched an investigation into the incident, as calls grow for heightened security across educational institutions in conflict-prone areas.Source: Myjoyonline
