Nana Akomea Rejects Agyapong’s Religious Election Theory as Baseless

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Nana Akomea Rejects Agyapong’s Religious Election Theory as Baseless

Veteran NPP figure Nana Akomea has forcefully dismissed Kennedy Agyapong’s claim that religious bias contributed to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s 2024 election defeat, calling the argument “untenable” and “dangerous.”

In a Citi News interview, Akomea systematically dismantled Agyapong’s assertion that Christian voters rejected Bawumia as a Muslim candidate. “If religion were a factor, how did Bawumia defeat nine Christian contenders, including Agyapong himself, in the NPP primaries?” he challenged, referencing the Vice President’s decisive victories in both the super delegates and main presidential primary rounds.

Akomea drew parallels to John Mahama’s 2016 loss, noting nobody attributed that defeat to religion. He warned that such narratives risk inflaming religious tensions within the party and electorate.

The rebuttal comes after Agyapong doubled down on his controversial stance, insisting the NPP’s Christian majority wouldn’t support another Bawumia candidacy following the election loss. The Assin Central MP had earlier argued the party traditionally sidelines underperforming flagbearers, though his religious framing has drawn widespread condemnation from party members.

Political analysts suggest the exchange exposes deepening fractures within the NPP as it grapples with post-election soul-searching. With the party set to review its 2024 campaign strategy, Akomea’s intervention appears aimed at preventing religion from becoming a wedge issue in future internal contests.

Supreme Court Overturns Contempt Ruling Against Akwatia MP

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Supreme Court Overturns Contempt Ruling Against Akwatia MP

Ghana’s Supreme Court has nullified the contempt conviction and arrest warrant against Akwatia MP Ernest Yaw Kumi in a 4-1 majority decision.

The ruling overturns a February 2025 High Court order that found the NPP legislator guilty of defying an injunction related to his swearing-in.

The apex court determined the Koforidua High Court lacked jurisdiction because the Electoral Commission had not gazetted the disputed parliamentary election results when the case was filed. Justice Gabriel Pwamang dissented in the judgment supported by Justices Mensa-Bonsu, Gaewu, Kwofi and Frimpong.

Kumi’s lawyers, led by Gary Nimako Marfo, had argued the High Court demonstrated bias by proceeding with contempt hearings while jurisdictional challenges remained unresolved. The Supreme Court’s decision voids all prior rulings and injunctions connected to the election petition case.

The ruling represents a significant judicial intervention in Ghana’s electoral dispute resolution process, reaffirming procedural requirements for election petitions.

Speaker Bagbin Dismisses “Girlfriend” Rumors Amid Parliamentary Tensions

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Speaker Bagbin Dismisses “Girlfriend” Rumors Amid Parliamentary Tensions

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin sharply rebuffed rumors about romantic relationships with female MPs during a heated session, while condemning growing disrespect in the legislative chamber.

His remarks came amid chaos as some lawmakers attempted to physically block enforcement of his directives.

Bagbin recounted how MPs, including a female colleague, formed a human shield around the Member for Effiduase-Asokore during a confrontation that involved “unprintable” language toward the chair. The Speaker then addressed persistent gossip with biting sarcasm: “Anytime honorable ladies get close to the Speaker, there’s always an allegation that she is the Speaker’s girlfriend.”

Rejecting the term, the 66-year-old Speaker retorted: “We don’t have girls in this House. I prefer ‘Speaker’s woman friend.’ How many girlfriends can the Speaker take at this age?” While drawing laughter, his comments highlighted frustration with trivialization of governance issues.

Bagbin thanked God for sustaining him through the pressures of office, alluding to his senior status with the phrase “look no do” – suggesting his age and position should preclude such salacious speculation. The outburst underscores mounting tensions in Ghana’s legislature, where procedural disputes increasingly spill into personal attacks.

BoG Governor Touts Collateral Registry as Key to Expanding Credit Access

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BoG Governor Touts Collateral Registry as Key to Expanding Credit Access

Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama has hailed the Collateral Registry as a transformative force in Ghana’s financial sector, calling it a “quiet but powerful enabler” of financial inclusion during its 15th-anniversary commemoration.

Delivering the governor’s keynote address in Accra, First Deputy Governor Dr. Zakari Mumuni emphasized how the Registry has broadened credit access by allowing movable assets—such as vehicles, inventory, and machinery—to serve as loan collateral. “Fifteen years ago, credit was out of reach for many small businesses. Today, more Ghanaians can secure financing by leveraging movable assets,” the statement noted.

Established in 2010 under the Borrowers and Lenders Act and later reinforced by Act 1052 in 2020, the Registry was designed to overcome a fragmented lending system that once excluded micro and small enterprises. It now serves as a centralized platform for real-time collateral registration and verification, reducing lender risk and improving transparency.

“The Registry has enhanced credit risk management, enabling fairer and more predictable lending processes,” Dr. Mumuni added. Since its inception, the system has facilitated over 4,450 “Memoranda of No Objection,” expediting asset recovery for lenders without protracted court proceedings.

A major achievement has been expanding credit access for MSMEs that lack traditional collateral like land or buildings. “By serving underserved groups, the Registry has spurred job creation, business resilience, and local economic growth,” the governor’s statement highlighted.

Looking forward, the Bank of Ghana plans to integrate artificial intelligence and digital upgrades into the Registry while strengthening partnerships with agencies like the DVLA, Lands Commission, and international backers such as the IFC and Switzerland’s SECO.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we must ensure credit access becomes a pathway to opportunity—for every entrepreneur, farmer, and innovator,” Dr. Asiama’s message concluded.

Ghana Approves 2024/25 Book and Research Allowances for Tertiary Staff

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Ghana Approves 2024/25 Book and Research Allowances for Tertiary Staff

The Ghanaian government has approved the disbursement of Book and Research Allowances for senior staff at public universities and colleges of education for the 2024/2025 academic year.

The decision comes after sustained pressure from academic unions, who had threatened industrial action over delays in finalizing payment details.

Academic staff in public universities will receive $1,500 as Book Allowance and $1,600 as Research Allowance, while non-academic senior staff are allocated $1,500. The amounts will be converted to cedis at a fixed exchange rate of GHS 15.47 per dollar, covering claims submitted between September 2024 and March 2025.

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), the Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG), and the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) had warned of a nationwide strike if the government failed to clarify the exchange rate for computation. A government directive, obtained by Asaase News, confirmed the approval shortly after the unions issued their ultimatum.

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson stated in a June 10 Facebook post that the allowance had been fully captured in the 2025 budget. “We remain committed to supporting our educators and ensuring timely disbursement of these funds,” he wrote following a meeting with union leaders.

Institutions must submit audited claims through their Internal Audit Units before processing by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC). The government maintains this step is necessary to ensure accountability and prevent delays in payment.

Union leaders have cautiously welcomed the announcement but insist they will proceed with strike action if payments are not made by the June 13 deadline. “This allowance is not a privilege but a right enshrined in our conditions of service,” said a UTAG representative.

The Book and Research Allowance was established to support academic staff in maintaining current scholarly materials and conducting research. Payment delays have been a recurring issue in recent years, often leading to tensions between the government and tertiary educators.

Snake Invasion Triggers Power Outage in Ejisu, Highlights Grid Vulnerabilities

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Snake Invasion Triggers Power Outage in Ejisu, Highlights Grid Vulnerabilities

A power disruption in Ejisu on June 11, 2025, has drawn attention to an unusual but persistent challenge for Ghana’s electricity infrastructure—wildlife interference.

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) confirmed that a snake intrusion at the Kwaso substation caused a temporary outage along the Akyawkrom 2 feeder, affecting parts of the Ashanti Region.

ECG crews promptly restored power, but officials acknowledged the recurring nature of such incidents. “Wildlife, particularly snakes and birds, remain a significant threat to grid stability,” said Collins Manu, ECG’s Ashanti Sub-Transmission PR Head. The company has implemented preventive measures, including snake guards, enhanced substation sealing, and community awareness campaigns to reduce such occurrences.

ECG Ashanti Sub-Transmission General Manager Ing. Peter K. Fletcher urged public cooperation, emphasizing that early reporting of unusual activity near electrical installations can help avert outages. The incident underscores the need for continued investment in wildlife-proofing infrastructure to ensure reliable power supply.

Teenage Mother Delivers Baby During BECE Exams in Ashanti Region

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Teenage Mother Delivers Baby During BECE Exams in Ashanti Region

A 17-year-old candidate sitting for the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) gave birth at her exam center in Kwabre East District, Ashanti Region, on Wednesday.

The student had completed her Social Studies paper and was midway through the ICT examination when she went into labor at Presbyterian Primary School in Asenua.

According to education officials, the teenager requested a bathroom break accompanied by an exam security officer who noticed her distress. She was rushed to the headmaster’s office where she delivered a healthy baby boy before being transferred to Victory Hospital. Both mother and newborn remain in stable condition, with school authorities arranging for her to complete remaining papers.

The incident occurred as 120,285 candidates (including five inmates from Kumasi Central Prisons) undertake this year’s BECE across Ashanti Region’s 432 centers. Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene and municipal executives have been monitoring examination centers to ensure smooth administration.

Ghana Chamber of Mines Rejects Claims Linking Profit Repatriation to Cedi Depreciation

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Ghana Chamber of Mines Rejects Claims Linking Profit Repatriation to Cedi Depreciation

The Ghana Chamber of Mines has dismissed long-standing assertions that profit repatriation by multinational mining firms significantly contributes to the depreciation of the cedi.

Chamber COO Ahmed Dasana Nantogmah challenged this narrative during an Accra press conference, emphasizing that the sector retains at least 74% of gold export earnings within Ghana’s economy—a practice sustained over the past decade.

Nantogmah highlighted the mining industry’s fiscal discipline, noting consistent tax compliance and substantial local reinvestment. He argued that broader macroeconomic factors—including global monetary shifts and geopolitical tensions—have greater influence on exchange rate volatility than mining profit outflows. The Chamber pointed to recent cedi stabilization as evidence of the sector’s positive economic impact, while underscoring collaboration with the Ghana Gold Board to enhance local value retention.

This rebuttal aims to reshape perceptions of extractive sector accountability, positioning mining firms as stabilizers rather than stressors of Ghana’s foreign exchange market.

Trump Vows New Tariffs Within Two Weeks as Deadline Looms

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Trump Vows New Tariffs Within Two Weeks as Deadline Looms

President Donald Trump has reaffirmed plans to unilaterally impose revised tariffs on multiple U.S. trading partners by July 9, despite previous delays in implementing such measures.

Speaking at Washington’s Kennedy Center, Trump announced the administration would issue formal notices to nations outlining revised trade terms within the coming fortnight, adopting a “take-it-or-leave-it” approach.

The declaration follows months of stalled negotiations, with the U.S. having secured only a provisional UK trade framework and maintaining a fragile tariff ceasefire with China. Recent London talks between U.S. and Chinese officials attempted to address mutual allegations of breaching commitments, while the proposed China agreement includes rare earth minerals exports in exchange for maintained Chinese student access to American universities.

Commerce officials acknowledge particular complexity in forthcoming EU negotiations, suggesting any European agreement would likely conclude last. While Trump expressed willingness to extend the deadline, he deemed it unnecessary, despite market turbulence following April’s postponed tariff rollout. The administration has narrowed its focus to bilateral talks with strategic partners including Japan, South Korea and India after abandoning broader multilateral ambitions.

Ghanaian National Charged in U.S. Over Minor Sextortion Case

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Ghanaian National Charged in U.S. Over Minor Sextortion Case

A 21-year-old Ghanaian man faces federal charges in the United States for allegedly attempting to extort $200 from a minor by threatening to release explicit images.

Cross Abu Cole was arrested upon arrival at Houston International Airport and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer, where he was remanded into custody.

Court documents reveal the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began investigating in October 2022 after receiving a complaint. The victim reported receiving threatening messages demanding payment via CashApp, accompanied by compromising images obtained through a hacked Snapchat account. Although the victim initially sent then reversed the payment, the suspect allegedly continued the threats.

The case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, highlights growing concerns about transnational sextortion schemes. If convicted of interstate communications with intent to extort, Cole faces up to two years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The FBI’s investigation remains ongoing to determine if other victims were targeted.

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