His comments follow the Minority’s call for a parliamentary probe into the cocaine busts, following the interception by French authorities of a large consignment of suspected cocaine believed to have originated from Ghana, which the Minority says raises serious national security concerns.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Newsnight on Thursday, Mr Agalga said several arrests have already been made, with some suspects arraigned before court and remanded.

He questioned the need for Parliament to begin a separate investigation while the security agencies are still working on the case.

“When accused persons are remanded by the court, what it means is that investigations are ongoing. If Parliament intervenes by embarking upon yet another round of investigation, you would now have a situation whereby you have investigations conducted by separate bodies or more concurrently, which would then result in an absurd situation where you possibly have different outcomes,” he said.

Mr Agalga said conflicting findings from parallel investigations could create uncertainty over which conclusions should be relied upon.

He noted that law enforcement agencies have already seized cocaine in some cases and taken appropriate samples as part of their investigations.

“Some cocaine has been seized and in some cases samples, appropriate samples taken, and a larger volume, probably a kilogramme of those samples, has been seized,” he said.

The Majority Leader maintained that Parliament should wait until the security agencies have completed their investigative work before considering any further action.

“So while security agencies are investigating, I think that cannot be invoked at this stage. You wait when the law enforcement agencies have completed their investigative activities,” he said.

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The clarification follows a September 23 directive from the GES ordering heads of Senior High Schools and Senior High Technical Schools to stop collecting unauthorised fees and levies, including PTA dues.

In a statement dated September 24, the NCPTA said it supports the Free Senior High School policy and agrees that no student should be denied admission, enrolment, participation in school activities or access to school services because of non-payment of any fee or levy.

The Council, however, cited a July 21, 2026 High Court ruling in Suit No. GJ/0054/2026, involving the NCPTA, the Attorney General and the Ghana Education Service.

According to the NCPTA, the court granted an interlocutory injunction restraining the Attorney General and GES from implementing the GES PTA Guidelines in areas where NCPTA associations operate and from preventing its branches from operating.

The Council said contrary to the impression created by the GES directive, the court did not suspend the collection of PTA dues and levies but directed that the status quo be maintained until the substantive case is finally determined.

The NCPTA said it has formally written to the Director-General of the GES seeking urgent clarification on the application of the directive to its branches.

It said pending the clarification, its branches would continue to operate lawfully, while ensuring that payment of dues and levies remains strictly voluntary.

The Council also directed its branch executives to ensure that no child is denied any right or school service for non-payment and that all monies collected are properly receipted and accounted for.

The NCPTA urged parents who experience any form of compulsion to pay PTA dues as a condition for admission or access to school services to report such cases for prompt action.

It reaffirmed its commitment to working with the GES and other stakeholders in the interest of students and said it respects the authority of the courts.

Read the statement below:

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The High Court on Thursday, September 24, denied a bail application filed on behalf of Ms Baffoe after the prosecution argued that she was still needed to assist with ongoing investigations.

The court said the investigation is cyber-related and that releasing the accused at this stage presented a real risk of interference with witnesses. It subsequently directed the Republic to expedite its investigations.

But reacting to the decision in an interview with JoyNews, Mr Shaib questioned the basis for keeping Ms Baffoe in custody, particularly because she is facing a misdemeanour charge and has three young children.

“Obviously not,” he said when asked whether he was satisfied with the judge’s decision.

“Against the background that you are dealing with a misdemeanor offence, and you are dealing with a woman who has three children, who children are very young, and there is every reason that she’s not going to interfere with the investigations.

“I actually just think that this is just a facade, a way to divert attention from us speaking largely about the cocaine economy. That is all,” he said.

He questioned why public attention was focused on Ms Baffoe when authorities were dealing with several major cocaine seizures, including the reported 3.9-tonnes consignment in France .

“If 3.9 tonnes of cocaine are being arrested… the whole thing has just become a cocaine economy. That is all. This woman is just being used as a scapegoat, a way to divert attention from the main issue, cocaine,” he stated.

Mr Shaib also challenged the court’s reasoning that Ms Baffoe could interfere with the cyber-related investigation by deleting evidence.

“We don’t have a cybercrime unit, and that she would now suo motu move and go and delete? What are we talking about?” he questioned.

He argued that investigators already had access to Ms Baffoe’s electronic devices and therefore questioned how her release would enable her to interfere with evidence.

“Meanwhile, you have the gadgets. No, that is an insult. You have everything of hers. So how is the person going to deal with that?” he asked.

He further called for greater attention to be paid to the circumstances surrounding the movement of the large cocaine consignment.

“3.9 tonnes. That is huge. How did it move from the Tema port straight to wherever it went to? Which is more critical. And that is what we need to be. If there are issues of cocaine, deal with the issues of cocaine,” he added.

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Ms Baffoe, a mother of three, was denied bail by the High Court in Accra on Thursday, September 24, after she was charged with abetment of crime, to wit, publication of false news.

Her case is linked to investigations into the Ghana Jollof TikTok account, which the police identify as being operated by Barbara Asantewaa Kodua.

The court, in denying bail, cited the cyber-related nature of the case and concerns that her release could potentially interfere with ongoing investigations.

According to the police, Ms Baffoe allegedly assisted Ms Kodua in disseminating videos and recruiting others to redistribute the content.

Investigators also claim that financial transactions were found between the two women.

Reacting to the court proceedings, Mrs Appiagyei expressed concern about the impact of Ms Baffoe’s detention on her children and urged the First Lady and Vice President to intervene.

“It’s rather unfortunate as we speak now we are using women against other women. I would like to make a passionate appeal to our First Lady and our Vice President that what is happening is very disturbing, especially in Ghana where most of the women are single mothers,” she told JoyNews.

She said Ms Baffoe’s continued detention was particularly worrying because of her responsibilities as a mother and the need to cater for her children’s education and welfare.

“This is a pretty serious occasion of a woman who is single-handedly taking care of the children and she has to see to it that her children attends school,” she said.

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His office, in a statement signed by his Chief of Staff, Ivan Dzakpasu, assured the public that the MP is in good condition while appealing to the public to disregard unverified reports and speculation circulating on social media.

“The Office of the Honourable Member of Parliament for Madina, Dr Francis-Xavier Sosu, has taken note of reports, videos, and other content circulating on social media concerning an incident involving the Honourable Member during a speech at GIMPA today,” the statement said.

The office expressed appreciation to constituents, supporters and well-wishers for their concern, prayers and messages of support following the incident.

It also urged the public to remain calm, stressing that further information would be communicated through the MP’s official channels when necessary.

The statement comes after Dr Sosu appeared to lose his balance while delivering a speech at GIMPA.

The MP had been speaking about his journey into leadership and his opportunities to serve, recounting his early days at St John’s Grammar School, where he served as a class captain before rising through various student leadership positions to become SRC General Secretary and later Senior Boys Prefect.

During the address, his movement became unusual and his speech appeared difficult to follow. Two people close to him quickly moved to support him as he appeared to slump and almost fell to the floor.

He was subsequently assisted out of the auditorium as the atmosphere in the room shifted from anticipation to concern.

The circumstances surrounding the incident have not been disclosed by his office, which has instead emphasised that the MP is doing well after receiving medical attention.

The exercise, announced in a public notice dated Thursday, September 24, 2026, targets individuals and entities occupying or dealing with SHC properties without valid authority.

According to the company, the exercise covers persons occupying SHC land without lawful authority, encroaching on its lands, or whose leases and other interests in the properties have expired.

It will also cover individuals developing or occupying SHC property without the required approvals, as well as those who have unlawfully assigned, sublet, transferred or otherwise dealt with SHC properties.

SHC has given all affected persons 21 days from the date of the notice to regularise their occupation or interest where legally permissible, apply for renewal of expired leases where applicable, or give vacant possession of the affected properties.

Affected persons have also been directed to present their relevant lease, allocation, payment and other supporting documents for verification.

The company warned that persons without valid and subsisting interests in SHC properties who fail to comply within the stipulated period may be subject to lawful recovery and other remedies available to the company under applicable law.

SHC has further cautioned the public against purchasing, leasing, developing or otherwise dealing with its lands without first verifying the status of the property and the authority of the person claiming to have the right to transact on it.

The exercise forms part of efforts by the State Housing Company to protect its land and property assets and regularise interests in its properties.

Read the statement below:

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He said although the current contest is his first competitive party position, his previous service to the NPP and exposure across the country give him the experience needed to mobilise and engage young people.

Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Mr Opoku Gyamfi said he had so far toured 15 of the 16 regions as part of his campaign.

He noted that his appointment as a District Chief Executive under former President Nana Akufo-Addo at a young age gave him national exposure and helped establish his credentials beyond his immediate political environment.

“I believe this being my first competitive party position is even an advantage for me. I have served the party and, at my young age, President Akufo-Addo appointed me to serve as District Chief Executive,” he said.

According to him, his appointment attracted national attention at the time, but he used the opportunity to work hard and demonstrate his capabilities.

He added that his experience in the corporate sector would also help him connect with professionals and mobilise support from outside the party’s traditional structures.

“I have also worked in the corporate environment, so I will be able to mobilise the corporate space. We need someone of my calibre because I speak their language. Professionally, it is easy for me to attract the professionals,” he said.

Mr Opoku Gyamfi stressed that the NPP needs a youth leader who can serve as a mentor and role model to young people, rather than one who focuses solely on party politics.

“We need a youth leader for all, not just NPP. He must be seen as a mentor and idol. If the young ones don’t see a mentor in you as a youth leader, then you have failed,” he said.

He said the party had invested significantly in his development and that his decision to contest the position was partly driven by a desire to give back through service.

“The party has invested so much in me and I need to deliver for the party,” he said.

Mr Opoku Gyamfi expressed confidence that he has the strategies required to strengthen the youth wing and contribute to the NPP’s efforts to return to power in 2028.

“I think I am the right person to serve at the youth wing. I am going to serve the party very well and they are not going to regret voting for me,” he said.

He said the youth wing requires clear direction and effective strategies to mobilise young people and support the party’s electoral objectives.

“We need the direction, and I have the strategies that will take us to victory in 2028. I won’t disappoint,” he added.

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The defence will also petition the Chief Justice to let the Court of Appeal sit, if necessary, during the court vacation to hear the matter quickly.

Her lawyer, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, spoke to journalists after the ruling on Thursday, September 24.

“As counsel, we have been instructed by her family to proceed to ensure that the liberty of the mother of three minor children is secured. We are proceeding by filing an appeal against the decision of the High Court.”

The Accra High Court refused the bail application on Thursday after the prosecution opposed it, arguing that Ms Baffoe was still needed to assist with ongoing investigations.

The court held that the investigation was cyber-related and that releasing her posed a real risk of interference.

Ms Baffoe, a senior nursing officer, is facing an allegation of abetting the publication of false news linked to content attributed to the “Ghana Jollof” social media account.

Mr Awuah disagreed with the ruling, saying the police charge sheet shows the investigation into Ms Baffoe herself is complete.

“Per the charge sheet, what is outstanding is rather the search for third parties who are alleged to have done the redistribution of the videos.”

He also questioned how she could tamper with evidence when the police already hold her phones and have stated that they accessed them and reached certain findings.

“In terms of deletion, how is Madam Salomey Awiti Baffoe in a position to delete information?”

Mr Awuah said the court did not properly consider key documents before it.

“What is obvious is that the court exercised its discretion without considering very vital materials before it. That is why we disagree with the decision, even though we respect it.”

He said that once the record of proceedings reaches the Court of Appeal, the defence will ask for an expedited hearing, adding that the record is not large.

He said the petition to the Chief Justice would draw on the way courts have been allowed to sit during vacation in exceptional circumstances where a person’s liberty is at stake.

“We are also going to petition the Lord Chief Justice that, just as in exceptional or very exceptional circumstances, it allowed the Supreme Court to even sit during vacation once it concerns the liberty of a person, we are petitioning the Chief Justice to let the Court of Appeal sit.”

He also spoke of the toll on Ms Baffoe’s family, noting that her three minor children keep asking where their mother is, and that the situation is hardest on the 15-year-old.

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The incident occurred while the legislator was speaking about his journey into leadership and the opportunities he has had to serve in various capacities.

Sosu was reflecting on his humble beginnings at St John’s Grammar School, where he served as a class captain before rising through the ranks to become an SRC executive, General Secretary of the SRC and later Senior Boys Prefect.

However, while addressing the gathering, his speech became difficult to follow as he appeared incoherent and struggled with his movement.

Two people nearby quickly noticed the unusual movement and rushed to support him as he appeared to lose his balance.

They managed to hold him before he slumped and almost tumbled to the floor.

The atmosphere in the auditorium, which had been filled with anticipation as the MP delivered his address, quickly turned silent as attention shifted to his condition.

Sosu was subsequently assisted out of the auditorium by those around him.

The circumstances surrounding the incident were not immediately clear.

The launch, held in Accra, unveiled the biggest prize package in the history of the game, with the overall winner for Season 4 set to go home with GH₵5 million in cash.

According to the organizers, this year’s edition will also feature additional rewards including electronic gadgets such as TVs, fridges and other exciting giveaways throughout the campaign.

Speaking at the press launch, Chief Executive Officer of The Luckiest, Dennis Adutwum, said Season 4 is designed to be closer to the people than ever before. He announced that the campaign will cover 100 communities nationwide, with activations planned for everyday spaces where Ghanaians live and work, including washing bays, restaurants, hospitals and corporate offices.

He explained that tickets for the draw range from GH₵1 to GH₵5,000 and can be purchased via the short code *712#. Buyers receive a transaction confirmation from their telecommunications provider, followed by a separate message from The Luckiest containing the amount purchased, ticket number and the community assigned to the ticket.

Purchases in multiples of GH₵100 will qualify participants for corresponding gifts from October 10. For instance, a participant who purchases GH₵1,000 worth of tickets would qualify for 10 opportunities to redeem gifts. He added that the game comes with a sharing feature that allows players to share their ticket codes with friends and family, enabling multiple participants to win collectively when a ticket hits.

The season is scheduled to run from October 3 to December 19, 2026, with participants who purchase tickets from GH₵100 upwards eligible to redeem gifts from October 10. Organizers emphasized responsible play, with participation strictly for individuals aged 18 and above.

In line with its social impact focus, the company says it is committing 50 percent of its earnings back to stakeholders through community rewards and social impact programmes.

Corporate Social Responsibility Lead for The Luckiest Africa, Angela Bamford, said 50 percent of their profit is dedicated to the public, with focus on initiatives that create lasting impact.

“Our CEO has set a clear and ambitious goal, which is that 50 percent of everything that The Luckiest makes should go back to stakeholders,” she said.

She explained that while the company had previously supported communities through donations, it was now seeking to structure its social investments around projects capable of delivering sustainable benefits.

The 2026 CSR programme will focus on areas including education, sanitation, public health, agriculture, vocational training and emergency services. In education, The Luckiest plans to introduce scholarships for university students to support tuition and accommodation costs. The company also plans to develop a community learning facility equipped with computer desks, running water and other facilities to support digital learning and studying after dark.

Ms. Bamford said the shift was intended to create measurable and reusable community assets rather than relying solely on short-term donations.

“Stand-alone efforts, however good, can fade. A donation that ends with a photograph is just not enough on its own. So, this year, we are doing things differently,” she said.

With GH₵5 million at stake and half of its earnings going back into community development, The Luckiest says Season 4 is not just about luck, but about shared growth and impact.

Vehicles travelling between Tuna and Kalba can no longer use the route following the collapse of a bridge at Kunfugsi on the Tuna-Kalba road.

The situation has been worsened by flooding on the Gbeniyiri-Kalba road, where large volumes of water have taken over sections of the route, preventing motorists from passing through.

The disruption has also affected residents in nearby communities, with some houses reportedly inundated by the floodwaters.

Students and teachers have equally been affected, as the condition of the roads and collapsed bridges has made it difficult for them to cross to their schools.

Passengers and other road users who have been left stranded have expressed concern over the situation, particularly the difficulty in accessing the affected communities and continuing their journeys.

Some residents have also lamented the worsening condition of the roads and the impact of the flooding on daily activities.

The situation has renewed concerns about access to the affected communities, particularly as residents continue to depend on the roads for transportation, education and other essential activities.

Addressing the United Nations, President Mahama acknowledged that people naturally draw a sense of dignity and identity from their origins, cultures, inherited memories and traditions.

However, he cautioned that belonging can become dangerous when it is exploited for political purposes.

“Every human being belongs to the human family,” President Mahama said, stressing that no race should be considered superior to another and no nation should be regarded as inferior.

He said the weaponisation of identity and belonging could fuel prejudice against people considered different, creating conditions for discrimination, displacement, persecution and war.

According to him, the founding principles of the United Nations require the organisation to uphold equality and human dignity, regardless of the circumstances into which a person is born.

“No race is superior. No nation is inferior. No child’s life is worthless because of the language they speak, or the faith they profess, or the colour of their skin, or the land of their birth,” he said.

President Mahama also used the occasion to revisit Africa’s longstanding demand for international recognition of the transatlantic trafficking and racialised chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.

He recalled that during his address to the UN the previous year, he had made a commitment on behalf of Africa and the global African diaspora to pursue that recognition.

While some had cautioned that revisiting the history could reopen old wounds, President Mahama said the objective was not to create division or seek empty judgment.

“We came to seek healing, and true healing requires truth, and truth requires acknowledgments, and acknowledgment must lead to meaningful repair,” he said.

He further challenged the way the history of the transatlantic slave trade has sometimes been narrated, arguing that the millions of Africans who were subjected to the trade did not simply disappear into history.

“For centuries, this tragedy was rendered in the passive voice as though the millions of African men, women, and children just vanished into the shadows of time, They did not vanish. They were hunted. They were captured. They were trafficked. They were bought. They were sold. They were exploited in exchange for profit,” he said.

President Mahama said the forced labour of enslaved Africans contributed to the development of cities, industries, banking institutions and empires in the modern Western world, while the African continent was left grappling with depopulation, broken families, structural disruption and generational trauma.

He argued that confronting that history honestly was necessary to achieving meaningful healing and addressing its enduring consequences.

His remarks placed the historical experience of Africans within a broader appeal for equality, urging the international community to reject systems that define people’s worth based on their identity, origin or differences.

Addressing the UN, President Mahama pointed to Africa’s growing population and influence within the General Assembly, saying it was difficult to justify a system in which the continent has no permanent voice on the Security Council.

“Africa is home to 1.5 billion people, over 18 percent of humanity, and constitutes the largest regional voting bloc in this General Assembly,” he said.

Yet, despite that numerical strength, Africa remains without a single permanent seat on the Security Council.

“For Africa and people of African descent, Mr. President, the injustices of the past remain embedded in today’s power structures,” Mahama said.

He described Africa’s exclusion from permanent membership as unacceptable in the 21st century and called for the continent to be given a seat with the full rights and responsibilities that come with permanent membership.

He argued that the current structure of the Security Council reflects a geopolitical order created after the Second World War, one that no longer reflects the realities of the world today.

“We cannot credibly champion the sovereign equality of nations while preserving a global governance structure that was designed for the post-war geopolitical realities,” he said.

He stressed that reform should not be viewed as a concession or favour to the continent, but as part of a broader effort to make the United Nations more representative and responsive to the world it serves.

“Security Council reform is not a favor to Africa, it is an imperative for the legitimacy, the credibility, and the survival of the United Nations.”

His call adds Ghana’s voice to the longstanding African campaign for reform of the Security Council, particularly the demand for permanent representation that would give the continent greater influence over decisions on international peace and security.

Natalie and Joshua Strong say they spent years navigating injections, hormones, medication and the emotional strain of fertility treatment before finally welcoming their long-awaited baby girl in 2025.

But what should have been one of the happiest moments of their lives quickly turned into a devastating discovery.

According to the couple and their lawsuit, routine blood work conducted after their daughter was born showed that her blood type was incompatible with Joshua being her biological father. A subsequent DNA test reportedly found a zero per cent probability that Joshua was the child’s biological father.

The couple now alleges that Brown Fertility in Jacksonville, Florida, mistakenly used another man’s sperm to create the embryo that resulted in their daughter.

The clinic has denied the allegation.

Natalie said the discovery was particularly difficult because it came almost immediately after she had given birth.

“I was so happy I had her and I love her more than anything in the world. But to hear that right after you have your baby is devastating,” she told CBS News.

Despite the circumstances surrounding her conception, Natalie stressed that the revelation has not changed how she feels about her daughter.

The couple’s IVF journey began in 2023, when they sought to have a biological child together. Their first attempt was unsuccessful, forcing Natalie to go through another round of injections, hormones and medication before the second attempt resulted in a pregnancy.

“We finally got our beautiful baby girl, and it was the best day of my life,” she recalled.

Their happiness, however, was short-lived.

Joshua said he became suspicious after being told their newborn daughter was B positive, while both he and Natalie have negative blood types. The lawsuit alleges that the result raised questions about the child’s biological parentage.

“Within a day they told us her blood type and I pretty much knew immediately that something was messed up at that point,” Joshua said.

The subsequent DNA test confirmed that suspicion, leaving the couple searching for an explanation for how an embryo created through their IVF treatment could have resulted in a child who was not biologically related to Joshua.

They are now suing Brown Fertility and lead physician Dr Samuel Brown as they seek answers about the identity of their daughter’s biological father and what happened to Joshua’s sperm.

The case has also raised another deeply troubling question for the couple: whether Joshua’s sperm could have been mistakenly used in another patient’s IVF treatment.

“We have no idea if they still have it, if they’ve used it elsewhere,” Joshua told CNN. “If there are other potential children somewhere, we have no idea.”

The Strongs say they still have three embryos stored at the clinic, but they do not know whose sperm was used in those embryos.

For Joshua, the uncertainty has added another layer to an already painful situation. While he says he loves his daughter and is grateful to have her, he has described the experience as an emotional struggle that remains difficult to process.

“I think about it every day,” he said at a press conference. “It’s just overwhelming at times.”

The couple’s lawsuit now seeks to establish what went wrong during the IVF process, identify the biological father of their daughter and determine whether any other embryos or patients may have been affected.

For Natalie and Joshua, the questions go far beyond a laboratory error. They say the discovery has changed their understanding of the family they spent years fighting to build, even as they remain determined to raise and love the daughter they had long hoped for.

She said children must not be deprived of their fundamental right to education because of conflict, displacement, school closures or the absence of teachers.

Dr Casely-Hayford made the call ahead of a high-level conference on Education in Emergencies, which will bring together education stakeholders, researchers, innovators, financiers, academics and regional bodies to explore strategies for ensuring continuity of education during crises.

Research into fragile communities

She said Associates for Change had, over the past two to three years, worked with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada to support research, implementation and scaling of education interventions in fragile and conflict-affected areas of West Africa.

The research covers countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Liberia and Sierra Leone, where communities have experienced conflict or are facing varying forms of instability.

According to Dr Casely-Hayford, the factors contributing to instability across the sub-region are varied and include land disputes, chieftaincy conflicts, illegal mining and poverty.

She said the research was focused on identifying educational innovations that governments could implement and scale up at relatively low cost, particularly in communities affected by conflict and other emergencies.

“Where do those children go to school when there is conflict? When the teachers have fled? When the schools are closed?”

She said the questions underscored the urgent need for innovative approaches that would allow children to continue learning even when conventional education systems are disrupted.

Education a fundamental right

Dr Casely-Hayford reiterated that education is a fundamental right and that governments and society have a responsibility to create opportunities for every child to access at least basic education, regardless of their circumstances.

Among the innovations being researched is the provision of psychosocial support to teachers at the pre-service level to prepare them for deployment to fragile and conflict-affected communities.

She explained that the training would equip teachers with skills to manage their own psychosocial well-being while also providing appropriate support to children affected by conflict and trauma.

Complementary education

Dr Casely-Hayford also highlighted complementary basic education as another approach being explored.

She cited the “speed schools” model, under which out-of-school children receive mother-tongue literacy and numeracy instruction for a year before transitioning into the formal education system at an appropriate level.

She said Ghana was already implementing complementary basic education through the Complementary Education Agency (CEA), which had received support to reach about 20,000 children this year.

However, she noted that the intervention needed to be significantly expanded, given that more than one million children are currently out of school in Ghana.

Dr Casely-Hayford expressed hope that the high-level conference would generate practical and scalable solutions to strengthen education systems and ensure that children affected by conflicts and other emergencies continue to receive quality education.

The two-day conference, scheduled for September 29 and 30, 2026, in Accra, will focus on practical strategies to protect education during emergencies, scale successful interventions beyond pilot projects and mobilise sustainable financing for education responses.

Speaking at a press conference, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu said the conference would seek answers to four critical questions concerning the continuity of education during emergencies.

He said these include identifying what works when crises force schools to close, determining how successful interventions can be scaled up, establishing who finances emergency education responses when ministries lack contingency funds, and exploring how West African countries can work together to protect education during crises.

“What works when a crisis forces schools to close; what it takes to scale successful interventions beyond pilot projects; who finances education interventions when ministries and their agencies lack emergency contingency funds; and what countries in the West African region can do collectively to protect education during emergencies.”

COVID-19 lessons

Mr Iddrisu cited the COVID-19 pandemic as a major example of how emergencies can disrupt education systems.

Following the closure of schools in March 2020, millions of learners from kindergarten through to tertiary level were sent home, with many losing significant instructional time.

He said Ghana responded with innovative and largely digital mechanisms to sustain teaching and learning during the pandemic.

According to the Minister, the government is now seeking to introduce additional digital education mechanisms, tools and equipment from kindergarten through the basic education level, building on interventions already implemented at the secondary level.

Conflicts and disasters

Mr Iddrisu warned that conflicts and other emergencies could have serious consequences for education, including increased school dropout rates, teenage pregnancies, learning losses and declining literacy and numeracy outcomes.

He cited the conflict in Bawku and developments in Burkina Faso and Mali as examples of situations that can disrupt education.

Teachers may be forced to leave affected communities, while learners and their families may relocate to safer areas, he explained.

The Minister also stressed the need to design education interventions for communities without access to electricity, radio, smartphones and other digital learning facilities.

He said this was particularly important for vulnerable and underserved communities.

Akosombo spillage impact

Mr Iddrisu also highlighted the October 2023 Akosombo Dam spillage, which submerged communities in parts of North Tongu, Central Tongu and South Tongu in the Volta Region.

Tens of thousands of people were displaced, while some schools were submerged or converted into shelters for displaced persons.

The disaster, he said, resulted in the loss of school furniture, textbooks, records and examination preparations, disrupting teaching and learning at a time when affected students were expected to participate in national examinations.

Other emergencies cited included tidal waves and coastal erosion around Keta and other coastal communities, flooding in northern Ghana, the effects of the Bagre Dam spillage, seasonal floods in the Upper East, Northern, Savannah and Oti Regions, as well as communal and ethnic conflicts.

These emergencies, he noted, place considerable pressure on teachers and educational infrastructure.

Strengthening foundational learning

Despite these challenges, Mr Iddrisu said Ghana had continued to implement measures to protect access to education.

He pointed to the expansion of Complementary and Accelerated Education programmes for out-of-school children, particularly in northern Ghana, as well as investments in foundational learning.

He said strengthening basic and foundational education would remain a major priority, warning that weaknesses at that level could leave the broader education system vulnerable.

The Minister also acknowledged the contribution of development partners and organisations supporting foundational learning and accelerated education initiatives.

Teacher development

On teacher development, Mr Iddrisu said government was taking steps to strengthen teacher professionalism through continuous professional education.

He said this would help improve teachers’ capacity to respond effectively to changing educational needs and challenges.

The Minister also urged innovators and implementers attending the conference to share both successful and unsuccessful interventions.

He argued that lessons from failed initiatives were just as important as successes in improving education responses during emergencies.

Mr Iddrisu commended Dr Leslie Casely-Hayford, Director of Associates for Change, for her continued evidence-based analysis of education policies and government budgets.

He said her professional scrutiny had contributed to public understanding of challenges within the education sector and encouraged her to continue drawing attention to areas requiring greater government attention, including special and inclusive education.

He expressed optimism that the conference would provide an opportunity for Ghana and its international partners to move beyond discussions and develop practical approaches to ensuring that children continue to access quality education even when emergencies disrupt normal schooling.

The party said EOCO’s conduct was unfair and unconstitutional, expressing concern over what it sees as the inappropriate treatment of a sitting Member of Parliament.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, September 23, at the premises of the Accra High Court, where Mr. Baffour Awuah had appeared as counsel for social commentator Salomey Baffoe Awiti, whose bail application was before the court in connection with the “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account case.

Videos circulating on social media showed a woman approaching the MP and asking him to accompany her, leading to a confrontation around his vehicle before he eventually drove off.

At a press briefing to react to the development, Manhyia South constituency executives said the action undermines the dignity of Parliament and due process.

The Constituency Women’s Organiser, Mary Coka, said she was shocked by the news, noting that the MP was only performing his professional duty as a lawyer and had not committed any crime to warrant such an arrest.

“The whole Manhyia South constituency and the entire Kumasi are in shock over this news. Now in this country we live in fear because of this Rambo-style of arrest,” she said.

She claimed the attempted arrest was politically motivated and orchestrated to silence critical voices.

According to her, EOCO’s action is a smokescreen designed to shift national discourse away from pressing national security issues, particularly allegations of drug trafficking that have dominated public discussion in recent weeks.

“EOCO has never invited the MP; they just want to divert attention from the security concerns about the cocaine issues,” she added.

Also addressing the media, the Manhyia South Constituency Communication Officer, Joseph Appiah, condemned the incident and said it sets a dangerous precedent for the rule of law.

He argued that if EOCO had any lawful invitation or charges against the MP, it should have followed laid-down procedures, including formally notifying the Speaker of Parliament, rather than attempting to effect an arrest on the court premises.

Mr. Appiah further said the action was an attempt to intimidate opposition MPs and called on the leadership of Parliament, civil society, and the Ghana Bar Association to speak against what he termed an abuse of power.

The constituency executive of the largest opposition party stressed that the NPP in Manhyia South is resolute and unfazed, insisting the party will not succumb to what she described as state-sponsored harassment and intimidation of its members.

Meanwhile, residents of Manhyia South have also reacted to the incident with anger and disappointment, saying the attempted arrest is an affront to the constituency.

Some of the residents, in an interview with Adom News, said they view the action as disrespectful to the mandate they gave their MP, and called on EOCO to respect the privileges and immunities of Members of Parliament.

They further urged the security agency to refrain from actions that could heighten political tension in the country and to ensure that due process is followed at all times.

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The drivers are calling on government to reconsider the adjustment and introduce measures to ease the burden on commercial transport operators.

The Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with transport operators, has announced an eight percent upward adjustment in transport fares, effective Saturday.

However, a visit by Adom News to Mpraeso revealed that many taxi drivers believe the increment does not reflect the current economic realities.

According to them, the prices of vehicle spare parts, engine oil, tyres, and other maintenance materials have increased significantly in recent months, making it difficult for them to sustain their businesses.

The drivers argued that the eight percent adjustment is too small to offset their rising expenses and said some operators have already adjusted their fares ahead of the official implementation date.

They are therefore appealing to government to engage transport operators and consider additional interventions to support commercial drivers.

“The eight percent increase is not enough. The cost of spare parts and vehicle maintenance keeps rising every day. We are struggling to make ends meet, so government must do more to support drivers.”

The drivers maintain that without further support, many transport operators will continue to face financial difficulties, a situation they say could eventually affect transport services and passengers.

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His family confirmed the development in a statement, saying he was found but was not alive.

“It is with profound sadness that we share that, after his disappearance, Nana Yaw Kyere has been found. Regrettably, he was not found alive,” the family said.

The family has appealed for privacy as investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death continue.

Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports allege that Dinero was kidnapped, murdered and buried after being lured to the location.

According to an account attributed to his colleague, who was reportedly the last person to communicate with him, Dinero sent a WhatsApp message around midnight on Sunday claiming that he had been “set up” by a girl in a room.

He reportedly sent a photograph of the room and a location indicating Teshie.

His colleague reportedly became suspicious during the exchange because the messages did not appear consistent with Nana Yaw’s usual style of communication.

A subsequent message allegedly indicated that Nana Yaw had been released and had left the location.

However, concerns grew when he failed to return home and attempts to reach him by phone reportedly proved unsuccessful.

His car has since been retrieved, while three suspect have reportedly been arrested as investigations continue.

The family has expressed gratitude to everyone who assisted with the search and offered prayers following his disappearance.

It had become a painful reminder of the day her husband, former Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, collapsed while exercising and died shortly afterwards.

The memory was so difficult that Mrs Amissah-Arthur stopped going to the gym altogether, describing the place as one of the triggers that brought back painful emotions surrounding her husband’s death.

Recalling the day he died, she said her husband had woken up and decided to go to the gym, as the family often did together.

“He just woke up and said he was going to the gym. I went with him. We all go to the gym together. He collapsed in the gym,” she recalled.

She said after her husband was taken away for medical attention, she was initially told that he had been stabilised and would be kept for observation. But about 45 minutes later, she received the devastating news of his death.

Mrs Amissah-Arthur said she immediately requested an autopsy, despite the sudden nature of his death.

For her, however, the difficulty of losing someone is not necessarily determined by how they die or how long they had been ill.

“Death is death. It is not the fact that the person was ill three years or sudden death that makes it difficult to bear. It’s the fact of separation. That’s it.”

That realisation also helped her understand why certain places and activities could unexpectedly bring back powerful emotions.

She described these experiences as “triggers”, explaining that activities once shared with a deceased loved one can suddenly reopen memories of the person.

For her, the gym was one of such places.

“I couldn’t go to the gym. So I stopped going to the gym because it triggers memory,” she explained.

Interestingly, she did not stop exercising completely. A few years ago, while in Addis Ababa for work, she decided to confront the memory in a different environment.

“I said, ‘Lord, I need to break this thing in a foreign land.’ I took my gym clothes and every morning I went to the gym. And I broke it, it worked,” she said.

She also avoided attending the church where her husband worshipped because going there brought back memories, although she could drive past the location without difficulty.

For Mrs Amissah-Arthur, overcoming the fear was not simply about forcing herself, but making a conscious decision to confront something that had become emotionally difficult.

She believes faith can provide strength during grief, but personal determination is also necessary.

In a statement dated September 24, 2026, the DVLA said motorists are responsible for ensuring that their licences remain valid and should not allow them to expire.

The Authority cited Regulation 46(1) of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (LI 2519), which allows a driver’s licence to be renewed within one month before its expiry upon payment of the prescribed fee.

It said the regulations also require licences to be renewed every two years and replaced after six years from the date of issue.

According to the DVLA, licence holders are required to personally renew their licences after passing an eye test and providing evidence of training from a certified driver training institution.

The Authority said the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 (LI 2512) provides for delinquency charges for licences that are not renewed before their expiry dates.

The charges include GH¢52 for non-renewal involving one sticker and GH¢104 for two stickers.

For expired driver’s licences, the delinquency charges are GH¢75 for renewals between seven and 12 months, GH¢111 for renewals above one year to two years, and GH¢148 for renewals exceeding two years.

The DVLA urged motorists to renew their licences on time to avoid the additional charges.

It said it sends SMS alerts to licence holders using the phone numbers provided during the application process, first one month before expiry and again a few weeks before the expiry date.

The Authority said it remains committed to maintaining high driver standards and urged licence holders to comply with their responsibilities.

Read the statement below:

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Speaking about her experience after the death of her husband, former Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, Mrs Amissah-Arthur said she does not subscribe to the common expression that someone has lost a loved one.

She also questioned the widespread use of the expression “the late” when referring to someone who has died.

“I don’t like ‘I lost my husband.’ I didn’t lose my husband. My husband died. The one I hate is, ‘the late, he’s late’. He’s late where? Where is he going that he’s late?” she asked.

For Mrs Amissah-Arthur, these expressions reflect a broader discomfort with death in Ghanaian society, where people often avoid speaking about demise directly.

“You see, we don’t talk about death in this part of the world. So death is a mystery. Elsewhere, death is a common thing to talk about,” she explained.

She believes this reluctance can extend into the grieving process, with families sometimes avoiding mentioning the names of loved ones who have died or speaking openly about their memories.

She argued that rather than avoiding such conversations, people should be encouraged to acknowledge the death and talk about the person they have lost.

According to Mrs Amissah-Arthur, openly confronting the reality of death can be therapeutic and help people work through their grief.

“We need to confront things as they are. We need to confront. And you see, it’s good for us if we do that. It helps the healing. It’s therapeutic,” she said.

For Mrs Amissah-Arthur, being more direct about death is therefore not about being insensitive. It is about acknowledging reality and giving people the space to grieve openly.

He said the congress would help attract investment and promote development in the Kpandai area by providing an opportunity for people across the country to learn more about the constituency.

Mr. Nyindam noted that the event had placed Kpandai in the national spotlight and could create opportunities for increased investment and development.

He described the theme of the congress as timely, saying it would promote unity among the Basare people and encourage them to work together to advance their communities.

The MP made the remarks at the 2026 Basare Youth Association National Congress held in Kpandai under the theme “One People, One Heritage,One Future.”

He urged the Basare people to continue organising such congresses to strengthen unity and promote development.

Mr. Nyindam also encouraged the association to consider establishing an educational fund or other institutional funds to support the development of the Basare people.

He commended the organisers for bringing together Basare youth and other stakeholders and urged them to sustain the initiative for the benefit of present and future generations.

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Ghana Jollof case: High Court refuses Salomey Baffoe’s bail application

Addressing the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, September 24, 2026, President Mahama said Africa must be given permanent representation on the UN Security Council, including the rights, responsibilities and veto powers attached to such membership.

He said Africa, with about 1.5 billion people and the largest regional voting bloc at the UN, could no longer remain without a permanent seat on the Security Council.

President Mahama also called for affordable and accessible financing for developing countries, saying high borrowing costs and debt burdens were limiting their ability to invest in development and respond to climate-related disasters.

He stated that Africa would not remain a passive source of raw materials for the global economy and urged greater local processing of the continent’s critical minerals to create jobs and retain more value.

The President further renewed Ghana’s call for reparatory justice for Africans and people of African descent, following the adoption of a Ghana-led UN resolution recognising the transatlantic slave trade and racialised chattel enslavement as the gravest crime against humanity.

He also addressed conflicts in Gaza, Sudan and other parts of the world, calling for respect for international law, protection of civilians and unhindered humanitarian access.

On climate change, President Mahama said Africa contributes less than four per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions but continues to face severe consequences, including flooding, drought and coastal erosion.

He called on developed countries to fulfil their climate financing commitments through predictable, non-debt-creating grants.

Turning to Ghana, President Mahama highlighted what he described as progress under his government’s “Resetting Ghana Agenda”, including macroeconomic stabilisation, infrastructure development and expanded social protection.

He said the government was also pursuing the Big Push infrastructure programme, the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme, and initiatives aimed at expanding access to healthcare.

President Mahama said Ghana would use its upcoming chairmanship of the African Union to promote continental integration, accelerate implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area and strengthen Africa’s voice on global issues.

He concluded by calling on world leaders to build a global system founded on justice, equality and respect for human dignity.

The 81st UN General Assembly is being held from September 22 to 28, 2026, under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”

Read the full speech below:

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The court reportedly held that the case involves cyber-related investigations and that releasing Ms Bafoh at this stage presents a real risk of her interfering with witnesses.

The court has, however, directed the prosecution to expedite its investigations.

Ms Baffoe was arrested in September and subsequently arraigned before the Adentan Circuit Court, where she pleaded not guilty to a charge of abetment of crime, specifically the alleged publication of false news under Sections 20(1) and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

The prosecution alleges that Ms Bafoh acted as a liaison for UK-based TikTok personality Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, popularly known as “Ghana Jollof,” and assisted in recruiting people to redistribute videos produced by her on various social media platforms.

Police have also alleged that investigations uncovered financial transactions between the two women, with Ms Kodua allegedly sending money to Ms Bafoh to facilitate the distribution of the videos.

The Police say portions of the money were subsequently distributed to other people involved in circulating the content.

The Police have been investigating Ms Kodua over alleged publication of false news, inciteful comments and offensive conduct. Authorities have also declared her wanted as investigations continue.

Ms Baffoe was initially denied bail by the Adentan Circuit Court and remanded into police custody for two weeks. She is scheduled to reappear before that court on September 30, 2026.

The allegations against Ms Baffoe have not been established by the court, and she has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The engagement held at Goaso dubbed Regional Multi – Stakeholder Mining Forum under the theme ” Reducing Deforestation Caused by Pervasive Irresponsible Mining ” brought together traditional councils, forestry commission, environmental protection agency, small scale miners, civil society organisations, municipal and district assemblies, Ghana Water Company among others.

Addressing the media, NDF Deputy Director of Operations Glen Asomaning said that the rate at which illegal mining is destroying water bodies and forest reserves in some regions could, if left unchecked, spread to the Ahafo Region and affect its people.

According to him, the forum where presentations were made by NDF, Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, Forestry Commission, Ghana Water Company, CSOs among others has informed stakeholders in the region that the fight against illegal mining (galamsey) on water bodies and forest reserves needs collective efforts.

He commended the stakeholders for their contributions which clearly show that they are ready to protect their water bodies and forest reserves in the region against illegal mining.

The Paramount Chief of Hwidiem together with the Paramount Queen mother of Goaso, Barima Apea Twaah Boafoh and Nana Afia Serwaa respectfully appreciated NDF for the forum which has broaden their knowledge to protect water bodies and forest reserves from illegal mining.

They appealed to government to engage chiefs more on issuing license to small scale miners who are permitted by the Lands Ministry to operate in the region.

Some other stakeholders in an interview with Adom News also appreciated the NGO for the forum and also called on all to help fight against illegal mining activities in the forest reserves and on water bodies to safeguard the people in the region.

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The Teshie desalination plant has been out of operation since October 2025, after Ghana Water Limited halted operations amid unresolved contractual issues and concerns over maintenance.

Residents say the prolonged shutdown has forced them to rely on alternative sources, including water tankers and boreholes. Those living close to the plant have also resorted to collecting wastewater when it is discharged.

Speaking to JoyNews, one resident said the situation had persisted for more than a year without a lasting solution.

“We started experiencing this since September last year, and till now there is no solution,” the resident said.

The resident said that although the wastewater was not suitable for drinking, it provided some relief for household activities such as washing and cleaning.

Residents say the reliance on alternative water sources has also increased the financial burden on households, particularly those dependent on water tankers.

They are therefore appealing to the authorities to resolve the outstanding contractual and maintenance issues and restore a reliable supply of potable water to Teshie and neighbouring communities.

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Speaking on behalf of the Policy Think Tank, Senior Research Fellow Dr. Frank Bannor warned that celebrating current reserve figures without addressing Ghana’s underlying structural weaknesses creates a dangerous illusion of economic recovery.

The Policy Think Tank noted that while the central bank’s gold acquisition strategy and aggressive market interventions have offered temporary relief to the Cedi, recent indications of pressure on foreign exchange reserves, even with gold trading near historical highs of $4,280 per ounce, highlight the economy’s extreme vulnerability.

“We are witnessing an economy running on borrowed time and inflated commodity cycles. The heavy lifting currently keeping our foreign exchange reserves intact is being done almost entirely by extraordinary global gold prices. If gold were to pull back to $1,800 levels, the Cedi would instantly require emergency support,” he said.

He added, “Interventions that artificially support the currency without an expansion in domestic production and non-traditional exports are unsustainable. When the global commodity tide recedes, the real productivity of the economy is all that remains.”

Core Findings & Policy Recommendations:

The Institute outlined four critical observations for national policy direction:

Unrealized Structural Reform:

Current exchange rate stability is predominantly exogenous, driven by favorable terms of trade in gold rather than domestic industrial growth or import substitution.

Commodity Price Dependency:

Relying on primary commodities exposes Ghana to severe external shocks once the global commodity super-cycle corrects.

Re-evaluating FX Interventions:

Reserve management should focus on long-term buffer accumulation rather than short-term market smoothing that dampens price signals.

Aggressive Export Diversification:

Policy efforts must urgently shift toward building competitive value-added manufacturing to generate resilient, multi-sector foreign exchange inflows.

The IERPP urges policymakers to use the current windfall to implement deep structural adjustments before global market conditions shift.

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Majority Leader and Chairman of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, James Agalga, said the agency was not sufficiently equipped to keep pace with the increasingly sophisticated methods used by drug traffickers.

Addressing journalists in Parliament, the Builsa North MP said understanding NACOC’s condition before 2025 was crucial to assessing the reforms being introduced by the current administration.

“The public must be informed of the extent of institutional neglect that preceded 2025 to fully value the transformation that is now taking place and hold this government to the standard it has set itself. The state of the situation prior to 2025, an institution left to fail,” he said.

He argued that NACOC had for years operated with inadequate resources and personnel, limiting its ability to effectively combat narcotics trafficking.

“This was not a commandment which was not carried out. This was a need that was not met and resources were not available to do so,” he said.

Mr Agalga also raised concerns about changes introduced in 2018 regarding the inspection of containers at the Tema Port.

According to him, the decision to exclude NACOC from mandatory joint physical inspections created a gap in the country’s port security arrangements.

“This country made a decision in 2018 whose impact we are still facing. NACOB was no longer to be subject to mandatory joint inspection at the Tema port,” he said.

However, former Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul has challenged the description of the reform as NACOC being removed from the ports.

Mr Nitiwul explained that NACOC personnel remained at the port but were no longer part of routine physical container inspections.

He said the change was aimed at reducing delays and eliminating the bureaucracy associated with having several agencies inspect the same containers.

The differing accounts have reignited debate over the impact of the 2018 port reforms and whether they contributed to weaknesses in Ghana’s efforts to intercept narcotics concealed in consignments.

Former government official Kofi Brako-Powers has also cautioned against directly linking the 2018 decision to the recent increase in major drug seizures, arguing that there is currently no data establishing such a causal connection.

The debate comes amid growing scrutiny of Ghana’s role in the international narcotics trade following several high-profile seizures involving Ghana-linked consignments.

In the latest case, French authorities intercepted nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at the Port of Dunkirk in a container that had originated from Ghana.

The seizure has prompted investigations in Ghana, with President John Dramani Mahama directing security agencies to develop measures to prevent narcotics trafficking through the country’s borders.

As part of the government’s response, NACOC is being brought back into the joint container inspection process at Ghana’s ports, alongside efforts to improve coordination among security and regulatory agencies.

The issue is also expected to feature prominently when Parliament reconvenes on September 29 following a petition by 48 MPs calling for an extraordinary sitting to examine major narcotics seizures linked to Ghana.

Although the Speaker’s notice confirms the recall, it does not state the specific business to be considered.

The Majority’s claims about NACOC’s past resourcing and the 2018 port inspection changes are therefore set to form part of the broader debate over how Ghana arrived at its current narcotics-control challenges and the measures needed to address them.

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Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, Mr Fuseini said Baffour Awuah had acted as a lawyer for both SSNIT and Equity Loans in negotiations over an outstanding debt.

“It’s true that he was a lawyer. Yeah. It’s true. And that SSNIT had loaned money to Equity Loans, and that at a point this company owes SSNIT GH¢14 million, and as a lawyer, he negotiated for both SSNIT and Equity.”

According to Mr Fuseini, the negotiated settlement resulted in SSNIT recovering less than the amount owed.

He said Baffour Awuah’s fees from the transaction were significant compared with the amount recovered.

“So, he negotiated for both SSNIT and Equity, and he recovered less than the amount that was at stake, and his fees are almost half of the amount that he recovered.”

Mr Fuseini further alleged that the fees exceeded the legally permissible limit.

“Yes, it’s true that he’s the senior partner. Yes, it’s true that he represented SSNIT. Yes, it’s true that he entered into a negotiated settlement of the issue. Yes, he received a lower sum in satisfaction of the larger sum. Yes, he took fees that were more than the legally allowable fee limits.”

He also alleged that other transactions involving the lawyer are under investigation.

“Yes, there were other transactions that occurred that are the subject matter of investigations.”

The comments come amid an ongoing dispute over EOCO’s attempts to get Baffour Awuah to assist with an investigation.

Mr Fuseini said Baffour Awuah was aware of why authorities wanted to speak to him and urged him to report to the agency if he believed he had committed no offence.

“He is aware of the reasons why he’s being looked for. He is convinced that he’s not committed an offence, and that all at all material times he was acting as a lawyer.”

Mr Fuseini maintained that the EOCO matter had nothing to do with Baffour Awuah’s representation of Salomey Awity Baffoe.

“And it has absolutely nothing to do with his representation of Salomey. Absolutely nothing.”

Salomey Baffoe is at the centre of the “Ghana Jollof” controversy after her arrest on allegations of links to the TikTok account.

Police have alleged that she helped redistribute content associated with the account, while her lawyers have denied key aspects of the allegations.

The dispute intensified on Wednesday after a confrontation at the Accra High Court involving Baffour Awuah and security personnel believed to be from EOCO. The circumstances surrounding the incident have generated competing accounts.

Mr Fuseini said Baffour Awuah should use the appropriate process to address the investigation.

“But to be honest with you, I know more than is disclosed. And it has absolutely nothing to do with his representation of Salome.”

“And so, all I will say is that if he believes that these are the facts of the case, he should just go and report and clear his name and walk away.”

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The drivers argue the frequent increases in fuel prices and the rising cost of spare parts and other operational expenses have made it difficult for them to make a decent income under the current fares.

According to them, the latest fare adjustment does not reflect the realities confronting commercial drivers, who are struggling to support their families amid the rising cost of living.

Some of the drivers told Adom News that they were being treated unfairly, despite the increasing cost of running their businesses.

“We have families to take care of, but we are now working without making enough income. Prices of almost everything have gone up, yet drivers are always the ones being cheated,” some of the drivers lamented.

The Chairman of the Concerned Transport Operators at Anloga Junction, Abubakar Issah, described the 8% increase as inadequate but said they would comply with the decision of their union.

“Since the fuel price started increasing, we have not added even a pesewa to our fares. We were expecting at least 25% or 30%, but unfortunately, we did not get that,” he said.

Meanwhile, some passengers have expressed concern about the impact of the fare increase on their livelihoods.

They appealed to the government and transport authorities to reconsider the adjustment, arguing that commuters are already struggling to cope with the current cost of transportation.

“The drivers have already increased the fares, so there is no need for another increase. They should maintain what we are already paying,” some passengers said.

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The meeting, convened by Ghana Cocoa Marketing Company (UK) Ltd. (GCMC UK), brought together representatives of major international cocoa trading and processing companies with longstanding commercial relationships with Ghana’s cocoa sector.

The meeting formed part of COCOBOD’s commitment to maintaining open dialogue with key stakeholders and ensuring that trading partners remain informed and engaged as Ghana implements reforms aimed at strengthening the sustainability, efficiency, and competitiveness of its cocoa sector.

Discussions focused on the newly enacted Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026 (Act 1182), the proposed cocoa sector financing framework, preparations for the 2026/27 cocoa season, and other operational and commercial matters relevant to industry participants.

Key discussion areas included the proposed commercial paper and bond financing programme, liquidity arrangements for the season, the role of private-sector financing in supporting Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs), EUDR implementation readiness, and opportunities to strengthen collaboration between COCOBOD and international trading partners.

The engagement was characterised by open, constructive and forward-looking discussions.

Participants welcomed the opportunity to engage directly with COCOBOD leadership and exchange perspectives on strengthening Ghana’s cocoa sector and ensuring a successful start to the new season.

COCOBOD reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, stakeholder engagement and continuous collaboration with its trading partners as implementation arrangements for the new financing framework evolve.

The meeting also reinforced the longstanding partnership between Ghana and the international cocoa trade and underscored the shared commitment to maintaining Ghana’s position as a trusted and preferred origin of premium cocoa.

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His comments follow a tense incident at the Accra High Court on Wednesday, September 23, involving lawyers for detained Techiman-based nurse Salomey Baffoe Awiti, security personnel believed to be from EOCO, and a Member of Parliament.

The incident has sparked concerns about the manner in which law-enforcement agencies engage with MPs, particularly when legislators are carrying out their parliamentary responsibilities.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said the incident was “the most unfortunate,” particularly because it occurred within the precincts of the court.

He questioned why EOCO proceeded with an action against the MP after the law firm concerned had already engaged the investigative body and submitted a statement.

According to him, the firm had responded to EOCO’s invitation through a designated senior officer, who engaged the agency on three separate occasions.

He said the engagements eventually culminated in the submission of a statement, but EOCO had not, to his knowledge, indicated that it was dissatisfied with the response or requested further engagement with the firm’s representatives.

“They have not expressed any apprehension, and they have not expressed any will to further invite the firm or their representatives in particular. So why this resort?” he asked.

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu described the subsequent action as unnecessary and cautioned against allowing similar incidents to occur.

“It is unnecessary and should not be allowed to have any further proliferation. It’s dangerous to our democracy,” he said.

According to him, these provisions are intended to ensure that Members of Parliament can perform their constitutional duties without undue obstruction.

He argued that where an MP attends court in connection with a matter of parliamentary interest, including for the purpose of observing proceedings or subsequently bringing the matter before Parliament, the legislator should be allowed to perform that responsibility.

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, therefore, questioned the circumstances surrounding the alleged attempt to prevent the MP from entering the court.

He said law-enforcement officials must recognise the constitutional framework governing Parliament before taking action involving legislators.

“I think Raymond must be sufficiently enamoured to understand the constitutional imperatives and will not walk this path,” he noted.

He further noted that Parliament has constitutional powers to protect its privileges and deal with conduct considered contemptuous of its authority and dignity.

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said the privileges enjoyed by MPs are not intended to shield them from legitimate investigations but to protect Parliament’s ability to function effectively.

He urged EOCO and other law-enforcement institutions to exercise caution when dealing with legislators and to resolve disagreements through established legal channels.

The former Majority Leader said Ghana’s democratic institutions must respect each other’s constitutional mandates if the country is to strengthen its democratic governance.

He maintained that accountability and parliamentary privilege can coexist, provided all parties operate within the law.

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According to him, the decision by an EOCO official in plain clothes to jump in front of the MP’s vehicle could easily have resulted in a more serious incident.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr Anyenini said the circumstances of the encounter created unnecessary risks, particularly because the officer was not in uniform and had not immediately established his identity.

“It was very dangerous and a lot of things could have gone bad.”

He said the MP had indicated that he was prepared to follow the officers to the EOCO office in their vehicle, questioning why the matter could not have been handled without the confrontation.

Mr Anyenini noted that the EOCO office was only about five minutes from the court, arguing that there was little justification for an encounter that could potentially put lives at risk.

He stressed that when law enforcement officers in plain clothes seek to arrest someone, they should first identify themselves and explain the basis of the action.

“When you are going to effect an arrest and you are not in an official uniform, it is very basic to identify yourself or for some to ask who you are or your form of identification. This shouldn’t lead to a fight or disagreement,” he explained.

He expressed concern about what he described as situations where law enforcement officers become angered when people seek clarification about their identity or authority.

“There are certain things that anger law enforcement officers in this country, and I don’t understand. It is not good,” he said.

Mr Anyenini maintained that members of the public have a right to ask plain-clothes officers where they are from, where they are being taken, and why they are not in uniform.

“There is nowhere in this world where a police officer not in an official uniform and properly designated will not identify themselves or follow due process.”

He advised anyone confronted by unidentified persons claiming to be law enforcement officers to seek legal assistance or notify someone they trust before accompanying them.

He added that where a person remains uncertain about the identity of the officers, the safer option would be to request to be taken to the nearest police station.

“When people in plain clothes come to arrest you, you have the right to ask questions about where they are from, where they are taking you to, and why they are not in uniform.”

“You must get a lawyer or inform people you know are aware before leaving with them.”

“If you don’t have anyone and are not certain in your mind, ask to be taken to the nearest police station.”

Also read:

• Chaos erupts at Accra High Court as EOCO attempts to arrest Salomey Baffoe’s lawyer…

• No ID, no warrant: Manhyia South MP explains why he drove away from alleged…

Mr Sosu argues that a person cannot be arrested simply because they failed to respond to an invitation from an investigative agency, insisting that law enforcement must follow the prescribed legal procedures when seeking to arrest a suspect.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, he rejected EOCO’s claim that it had invited the MP since February, but he had failed to honour the invitations.

According to him, citizens are not legally required to assist investigative bodies merely because they have been invited to provide information.

“No citizen is under obligation to assist any investigative body in investigations,” he said.

Mr Sosu said where an investigative agency believes it has sufficient evidence to justify an arrest, it should proceed according to the law rather than treating an unanswered invitation as grounds for an arrest.

He questioned the basis for using an unhonoured invitation as justification for an arrest.

“If there is a complaint before you and you believe you have evidence to place the person under an arrest, go ahead. You can’t say you invited the person, and for a long time, it hasn’t been honoured so you go ahead to make arrest,” he stated.

The lawyer stressed that Ghana’s substantive and criminal procedural laws provide the framework within which investigations and arrests must be conducted.

“Nobody is saying law enforcement agencies shouldn’t do their work, but it should be in accordance with the law. Why is the person your boyfriend or girlfriend for you to say you invited the person and the invitation was not honoured?” he asked.

He maintained that even where an individual is suspected of breaching the law, law enforcement authorities must not abandon the procedures required by law in seeking to arrest that person.

“You can’t say someone has flouted the law, and you will also breach the procedure to effect an arrest.”

Mr Sosu called for strict adherence to due process, saying this would help prevent unnecessary confrontations between law enforcement agencies and citizens.

“Due processes must be followed. We must all follow the law and due process, and everything will be fine,” urged.

Also read:

• “Why engage someone else if you wanted Manhyia South MP?” – Lawyer asks EOCO

• I’ve never come across a woman that strong – Manhyia South MP recounts botched…

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr Kwakye Ackah said the military had demonstrated that it could be trusted to deliver major infrastructure projects efficiently.

He argued that the GAF should have been entrusted with the entire project instead of involving multiple private contractors.

According to him, the performance of the military demonstrates its capacity to execute such projects with precision and within schedule.

“I am really impressed with the work the military has done on the Accra-Kumasi Expressway project. They can always be trusted to deliver,” he said.

He said the entire contract should have been awarded to the GAF, arguing that this would have ensured better coordination and management of the project.

“We shouldn’t have given the contract to anybody else. They should have been given the entire contract, and it would have been done with precision and on time,” he stated.

Mr Kwakye Ackah also commended the military for its ability to properly manage and maintain equipment used for the project.

He questioned the practice of awarding major projects to several local contractors, who, he alleged, sometimes subcontract portions of the work to Chinese companies.

“We have given it to six local contractors, but before you know it, they will sublet it to the Chinese. What do these Chinese know that we don’t?” he questioned.

Mr Kwakye Ackah further advocated for a maintenance arrangement that would ensure contractors remain responsible for the infrastructure after completion.

He said Ghana could insure major infrastructure projects and require contractors to undertake maintenance for a specified period, a practice he said is common in other countries.

GAF executed a total of 183.6 km, exceeding the original 175.6 km contract within 19 weeks, marking a major move towards the actual construction of the road.

As a result, President John Mahama, during the official handing-over, declared that the 48 Engineer Regiment of GAF would be the major sub-contractor for the Expressway.

Also read:

• Alan Kyerematen proposes private sector financing for Accra-Kumasi Expressway

• Accra-Kumasi Expressway to be operated and maintained for 50 years under state-owned company

This is part of the efforts to equip young people with relevant digital and technology skills for the future.

The initiative is designed to expose beneficiaries to coding, digital literacy, and other technology-related skills, with the broader objective of preparing Ghanaian youth to take advantage of employment, entrepreneurship, and other opportunities in the rapidly growing digital economy.

The One Million Coders Programme is a flagship national initiative being implemented by the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations.

The programme aims to train one million Ghanaians in digital and ICT-related skills over four years.

As of September 2026, about 140,000 people had registered for the One Million Coders Programme, while more than 10,000 participants had completed courses, according to figures announced by the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George.

The national programme was launched in April 2025, with the government targeting the training of one million Ghanaians in essential digital skills over a four-year period. Initial courses included areas such as cybersecurity, networking, data analytics and data protection.

The introduction of the programme in Jomoro therefore represents an effort to extend Ghana’s digital-skills agenda to young people at the constituency level and ensure that residents in the area can participate in the country’s growing digital economy.

Stakeholders are expected to encourage eligible young people to enrol and take advantage of the training opportunities available under the initiative.

In Jomoro, the introduction of the programme is expected to provide young people with greater access to technology education and help bridge the digital skills gap, particularly among those who may otherwise have limited opportunities to receive structured training in emerging technologies.

The programme offers training in several areas, including software development, cybersecurity, data analytics, digital literacy, networking, cloud computing, digital marketing, data protection and artificial intelligence.

Speaking on the importance of the initiative, the District Coordinator, Meya Nzema, emphasised the need for young people in Jomoro to acquire skills that can position them for opportunities beyond traditional employment.

He encouraged prospective beneficiaries to take the training seriously and make effective use of the opportunities presented through the programme.

Mr Nzema said the initiative comes at a time when digital skills are becoming increasingly important to employment, entrepreneurship and participation in the global economy.

He explained that they have visited several villages to train the youth who have the skill to learn about coding, among others, and they are willing to do more.

The coordinator explained that the target of his office is to train about 300 youths by the end of the year 2026.

Mr Nzema urged the youth to desist from internet fraud since the programme is not about cybercrime.

Also read:

• Sam George directs all Ministry staff to register for One Million Coders programme

• ‘One million coders’ approach lacks strategy for jobs – Franklin Cudjoe

His comments follow EOCO’s attempted arrest of the MP at the Accra High Court, amid claims by the agency that it had invited him since February 2026, but he failed to honour the invitations.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr Anyenini disputed the suggestion that EOCO had been pursuing Baffour Awuah through a series of unanswered invitations.

He explained that EOCO’s first letter in February was not addressed to the MP but to the senior partner of the law firm, requesting assistance with an ongoing investigation.

According to him, Baffour Awuah responded on February 17 and 18, informing EOCO that he had become a Member of Parliament and that the matter should be referred to the Clerk of Parliament if the agency required his involvement.

Mr Anyenini said the senior partner at the time, Theresa Terbi, subsequently went to EOCO, where her statement was taken.

He therefore questioned why EOCO now presents the matter as though Baffour Awuah had simply ignored an invitation from the agency.

He argued that the initial communication did not suggest that the MP had committed a crime for which investigators were actively seeking him.

“It was not as if you stated that he had committed a crime and you were looking for him,” he said.

Mr Anyenini acknowledged that a second letter was sent directly to Baffour Awuah on February 27 but questioned why EOCO had continued with Theresa Terbi if the MP himself was the person of interest.

“But why is it that if he was the person of interest, another person was engaged with her statements taken?”

He said the decision to engage Theresa and take her statement could reasonably raise questions about whether EOCO still required Baffour Awuah’s involvement at that stage.

“If indeed they wanted Baffour, they shouldn’t have engaged the other person because it shows that you didn’t need Baffour again,” he stated.

Mr Anyenini also questioned why, after more than six months, EOCO officials would attempt to arrest the MP without immediately providing identification when they approached him at the High Court.

“So why is it that after over six months, you wake up that you are coming to arrest him and can’t provide an ID card or any form of identification?” he asked.

He further explained that not every EOCO official has the authority to effect an arrest and said the agency’s arrest powers are exercised by the Executive Director, deputies, or officers specifically authorised by the Executive Director.

According to him, EOCO has police powers similar to those exercised by certain other specialised state institutions, but those powers must be exercised by authorised persons and in accordance with the law.

Mr. Anyenini, therefore, said a person approached by unidentified officers in plain clothes is entitled to establish who they are and the legal basis for the intended arrest.

He stressed that the circumstances surrounding the attempted arrest made identification particularly important.

“So if a person asks for a warrant or ID card, it is the right thing. You just can’t get up and follow someone you don’t know and not in uniform without any identification,” he stated.

Also read:

• Manhyia South MP’s lawyers dispute EOCO’s account of February invitations

• EOCO explains attempted arrest of Manhyia South MP Baffour Awuah

Branch Chairman, Safianu Muniru, told Adom News that commercial drivers expected a higher increase to reflect rising fuel prices, spare-parts costs, and vehicle maintenance expenses.

The new fares, agreed with GPRTU and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC), will take effect from Saturday, September 26, 2026.

The adjustment follows consultations between the Ministry and commercial road transport operators held from September 8 to 22.

According to the Transport Ministry, the decision was reached after taking into consideration changes in ex-pump prices of petroleum products, spare parts, vehicle maintenance and other operational costs.

The parties also said they considered the financial difficulties facing drivers, commuters, and the travelling public before settling on the adjustment.

However, Mr. Muniru has said the proposed 30% adjustment would offer greater relief to drivers and help improve their working conditions.

Some commercial drivers also backed the call, urging further negotiations to reach a fare adjustment that takes into account the financial pressures facing drivers and vehicle owners.

Also read:

• Transport fares to go up 8% from Saturday

• 30% transport fare hike still on the table, talks resume Tuesday – GPRTU

A six-day Photonics and Optics initiative, with a focus on health and safety, has convened 38 emerging scientists from six African countries and leading photonics researchers from Africa, Europe and North America.

Running from September 21 to 26, the programme moves beyond the conventional conference format, immersing students in working laboratories for hands-on practical training.

In a move to strengthen Ghana’s capacity in light-based science, the event also marked the commissioning of the Ghana Photonics and Optics Laboratory (GPOL).

Hosted at the KNUST Department of Physics, the state-of-the-art GPOL is a teaching, research and outreach laboratory dedicated to advancing research, training and outreach in optics and photonics in Ghana and across West Africa, spanning fundamental optics and instrumentation science to applications in health, agriculture, industry and the environment.

The photonics laboratory project is the work of KNUST researchers led by Dr Akyana Britwum, as the principal investigator and scientific lead, and Dr Michael Kweku Edem Donkor, Technical Lead and Co-Principal Investigator, with the support from SPIE.

Speaking at the launch, Principal Investigator and Scientific Lead Dr Akyana Britwum described the initiative as a pivotal step in transitioning Ghana from a consumer of foreign technologies to a producer of homegrown scientific solutions.

He explained that photonics and optics, which is the science and technology of light, underpin modern innovation, yet Ghana has remained largely an end-user.

“Photonics is the science and engineering of light. What we try to do is to generate light, to control light, manipulate light and understand its interactions with matter, and this has applications across all our modern technologies,” he explained.

According to him, Ghanaians should be empowered to pursue locally relevant science using the most advanced tools available, a vision that informed the establishment of the laboratory and the one-week training school.

“Ghanaians should be able to do the science that matters to us with the most advanced tools that are available. That is why we set up the lab, and as part of the lab, we are running a one-week school that we are calling the Photonics School on Health and Safety, because one of the key areas for modern health and safety technologies is photonics.

“From your LEDs when we are generating light, to your lasers that you can use for surgeries, your lasers are used for telecommunication, lasers are used for computing these days as well. All these technologies are usually developed outside the country and brought here for us to use, and so we usually end up as end users. What we are trying to do is to change the conversation,” he added.

He expressed concern that photonics is not introduced early in Ghana’s educational curriculum.

“Our students usually hear about photonics when they are in the university, not even in their high school syllabus,” he said.

He disclosed that GPOL, which he co-founded in 2024 with his co-Principal Investigator, Dr Michael, has since rolled out more than 30 outreach programmes across the country, engaging over 6,000 students.

The initiative, he said, is part of a deliberate effort to demystify photonics and optics and to inspire interest in light-based sciences among young learners.

He stressed the need for Ghana to invest deliberately in research that addresses local challenges and drives homegrown solutions.

“What we are saying is that as Ghanaians, we need to own some of this research. Research is expensive and takes time, but if we don’t invest in it, we will end up as end users using technologies that have not been made with you in mind and with your problems in mind. Those things can only come from us when we do the science that matters to us.”

The 2025 President of SPIE, Dr. Peter de Groot, also underscored the importance of optics and photonics to Ghana’s national development strategy, describing the establishment of the Ghana Photonics and Optics Laboratory (GPOL) as a critical opportunity for students and researchers to pursue world-class science locally.

Dr. de Groot, who is also Scientist Emeritus at Zygo Corporation and the Chair of the GPOL Advisory Board, said the impact of light-based sciences cuts across key sectors of the economy.

“You see optics and photonics in healthcare, in infrastructure, telecommunications, in mining and agriculture. These are all very important as part of the national strategy for economic development in Ghana,” he said.

He noted that beyond advancing research in photonics, the laboratory offers students a strong practical foundation in mathematics and science that can be applied across diverse fields.

“For students, it is also an opportunity to study mathematics and science in a practical context, so that they can go on to do any one of a variety of things, not necessarily optics and photonics. It is an excellent foundation in science,” he stated.

Dr de Groot stated that the laboratory will help reverse the trend of Ghanaian students having to travel abroad to access quality research facilities.

“That is how I see the benefit of the laboratory. It allows young people in particular to do research and to learn here in Ghana. They can supplement that with overseas travel to visit other laboratories, but it does not become a prerequisite for learning to have to leave the country,” he emphasised.

He expressed optimism that GPOL will not only drive high-quality research but also position Ghana as a regional hub for photonics training.

“We are hoping that with the laboratory, we will not only be able to do very high-quality research, but will also provide the opportunity for students to study here and regionally. In fact, many people will come to Ghana from neighbouring countries to take part,” he added.

In his remarks, the Technical Lead and Co-Principal Investigator, Dr Michael Kweku Edem Donkor, outlined the core mandate of the laboratory.

This, he said, will include the development of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in optics and photonics, as well as cutting-edge research in low-cost instrumentation, materials characterization through microscopy and spectroscopy, and medical optics/biophotonics.

He expressed optimism about the transformative potential of the initiative for Ghana’s scientific landscape.

“We see a lot of optimism because it’s creating an avenue for training. This will help to raise the human capital needed to drive the photonics industry,” Dr Donkor said.

He added that GPOL will also focus on forging strong national and international partnerships to foster innovation and scientific exchange, while deepening public understanding of photonics through sustained communityoutreach programmes.

The Bonwirehene, Nana Bobie Ansah II, graced the occasion to unveil the GPOL Kente, a symbolic fabric designed to reflect the convergence of science and Ghanaian heritage.

He called for stronger collaboration between researchers in photonics and optics and local Kente weavers, noting that such partnerships could drive innovation in textile design and preserve cultural identity through science.

The NYANSAPƆ Photonics School and the launch of GPOL is founded by SPIE, with additional support from Optica, Menlo Systems and Thorlabs, and from the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) through KNUST’s partnership with the Pan-African Initiative for Research (PAIR) at the University of Waterloo, and in partnership with ICFO.

This indicates that many Ghanaians are undertaking mobile money transactions than formal banking activities. It also shows the huge opportunities within the financial technology space.

From the recent trend, the total value of mobile money transactions will surpass the GH¢4.45trn recorded in 2025.

According to the September 2026 Bank of Ghana’s Summary of Economic and Financial Report, the total value of mobile money transactions stood at GH¢446.2 billion in January 2026, but shot up marginally to GH¢446.6 billion in February 2026.

It again increased to GH¢484.6 billion in March 2026, and subsequently to GH¢493.2 billion in April 2026.

Again, it went up marginally to GH¢494.0 billion in May 2026, and then to GH¢492.9 billion in June 2026. In July 2026 and August 2026, the total value of mobile money transactions stood at GH¢509.4 billion and GH¢518.8 billion, respectively.

In 2025, the total mobile money transaction values grew by 50.8% to GH¢4.54 trillion, from GH¢3.01 trillion in 2024.

According to the 2025 Payment Systems Oversight Annual Report, the acceleration in transaction values underscored the increasing importance of e-money platforms in supporting economic transactions.

Meanwhile, the active mobile money accounts stood at 26.4 million as of August 2026, compared to 85.8 million registered accounts.

Speaking on the Joy Super Morning Show, he said the incident raises serious questions about the conduct and oversight of intelligence agencies, particularly in their dealings with Members of Parliament.

He said the Constitution provides clear safeguards governing how MPs and other parliamentary officers should be engaged, pointing to Articles 117, 118(1) and (2), and 123.

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu questioned why the MP was pursued to court and an attempt made to arrest him when, according to his account, the law firm where Baffour Awuah is a senior partner had already responded to an earlier invitation.

He said the invitation was directed at the law firm as an entity, with the MP expected to assist in his capacity as a senior officer of the firm.

According to him, Baffour Awuah consulted the Clerk of Parliament, after which it was determined that another senior officer could represent the firm.

A female senior officer subsequently appeared before investigators on three occasions and eventually submitted a statement on behalf of the firm, he said.

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said the investigators had not, since April, raised any further concerns about the statement or requested another engagement.

“So why out of the blue do they trace and track Baffour to the court premises and attempt an arrest?” he asked.

He criticised the explanation subsequently given by the intelligence authorities, saying it failed to acknowledge the earlier engagement with the law firm.

“What they are saying clearly is an aftershock. It comes with no justification,” he said.

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu described the incident as unnecessary and unfortunate and warned that it should not be allowed to escalate.

“It’s dangerous to our democracy,” he added.

The incident has triggered questions about the appropriate limits of intelligence and investigative agencies when dealing with elected representatives, particularly where parliamentary privilege and legal proceedings are involved.

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu also relied on Article 123 of the Constitution, which he said gives an MP the opportunity to witness at first hand situations in which a citizen is suffering affliction, persecution or a breach of freedom and to bring such matters before Parliament.

He argued that Baffour Awuah, as a lawyer, was also entitled to be present at court proceedings involving his client.

The Manhyia South MP was at the court premises in connection with proceedings involving one of his clients when the attempted arrest occurred.

He subsequently went to Parliament, where he sought sanctuary and addressed the incident.

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said the constitutional provisions should be respected to prevent similar confrontations between state agencies and Parliament in future.

Also read:

• I’ve never come across a woman that strong – Manhyia South MP recounts botched…

• EOCO incident: John Darko says ‘defending clients should never imperil a lawyer’

The Commission has maintained the existing third-quarter tariffs for both utilities, resulting in a 0 per cent adjustment effective October 1, 2026.

The decision follows PURC’s quarterly review of key economic and operational factors that influence the cost of providing electricity and water.

For electricity, the Commission considered movements in the cedi-dollar exchange rate, inflation, the country’s generation mix and fuel costs, particularly the price of natural gas used by thermal power plants.

PURC applied a weighted average exchange rate of GH¢11.5646 to US$1 for the fourth quarter, compared with GH¢11.2228 to US$1 in the third quarter, representing a 3.04 per cent depreciation of the cedi between the two review periods.

The Commission also used an average annual inflation rate of 4.97 per cent, up from 3.43 per cent in the previous quarter.

However, the weighted average cost of natural gas fell by 1.67 per cent, from US$7.9708 to US$7.8379 per MMBtu.

PURC also expects a shift in the country’s electricity generation mix, with hydro generation projected to rise from 20.90 per cent in the third quarter to 24.25 per cent in the fourth quarter.

Thermal generation, meanwhile, is projected to fall from 79.10 per cent to 75.75 per cent.

The Commission said the combined impact of these factors did not justify an adjustment to electricity tariffs.

Consequently, all customer categories, including residential lifeline, other residential, non-residential and special load tariff users, will continue paying the existing rates.

Water consumers will also maintain their current tariffs throughout the fourth quarter.

The unchanged rates will apply to residential and non-residential users, as well as commercial consumers, sachet and bottled water producers, drinks manufacturers, industrial users, public institutions, public standpipes, ports and harbours and bulk supply customers.

PURC said it will continue monitoring regulated utility providers to ensure they meet the required regulatory standards and benchmarks.

The Commission said the monitoring will also focus on promoting value for money and improving the quality of services delivered to consumers.

The fourth-quarter tariff decision will be published in the Gazette and made available on the Commission’s website.

Read the full statement below:

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According to CDM, the latest development, the seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at France’s Port of Dunkirk, raises questions about how such a consignment was able to leave Ghana undetected.

French authorities said the cocaine was concealed in plastic waste in a container originating from Ghana.

The group questioned why security agencies allegedly failed to alert President John Dramani Mahama to weaknesses in the port inspection system before the latest seizure.

CDM specifically raised concerns about the 2018 reform that excluded NACOC from routine physical container inspections, although former Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul has clarified that NACOC remained at the ports but was stopped from physically inspecting containers.

CDM is consequently demanding that officials of the key security, customs, maritime, and port agencies account for their roles, while calling for a bipartisan parliamentary inquiry to establish responsibility based on evidence rather than party affiliation.

“Each of them must account,” the statement said, urging Parliament to examine the entire record from the 2018 decision through the narcotics seizures recorded in 2025 and 2026.

Read the full statement below:

In a statement, the group said the latest concern followed the seizure by French customs of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at the Port of Dunkirk on September 7, 2026.

The consignment, concealed in a container carrying plastic waste from Ghana, was estimated by French authorities at about €225 million.

CDM said the Dunkirk seizure forms part of a wider pattern of narcotics cases linked to Ghana since 2025.

The group argued that the developments could have consequences for legitimate Ghanaian businesses and travellers if the country becomes increasingly associated with international drug trafficking.

The organisation has therefore backed calls for an emergency sitting of Parliament and urged Speaker Alban Bagbin to establish a bipartisan committee of inquiry.

CDM wants the committee to examine the 2018 decision that excluded the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) from routine physical container inspections, as well as subsequent seizures and port-clearance procedures.

President John Mahama has since directed NACOC to return to joint container inspections and given security agencies two weeks to harmonise their operations.

Read the full statement below:

The suspects have been identified as 32-year-old Nigerien national Salifu Walid and 24-year-old Burkinabe Aziz Wadrago Mane.

Police arrested the two on September 20 at a hideout in Bampenase, near Mamponteng, following months of intelligence-led investigations into Toure’s death.

Toure’s body was reportedly abandoned at the Manhyia District Government Hospital in Kumasi on October 16, 2025, by three unidentified men believed to be foreign nationals.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 23, the Head of the Police Public Affairs Department, Superintendent of Police Godwin Ahianyo, said the arrests were made by the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit (AARU) of the Police Headquarters, working with the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) in the Ashanti Region.

Investigators believe Walid and Mane were members of a four-man group allegedly operating under the cover of football scouting agents.

The group allegedly used online platforms and personal contacts to attract unsuspecting individuals to Ghana with promises of football opportunities.

Police say the two suspects admitted during interrogation that they played roles in luring Toure to Ghana and allegedly disclosed the involvement of another suspect, Noukoubri Arzouma Sylviain, alias Prince Pierre.

Sylviain is currently wanted by the Police and is believed to have played a key role in the alleged cross-border operation.

Another foreign national identified only as Barry is also being sought.

Police have not yet disclosed how Toure was allegedly kidnapped or the circumstances surrounding his death, as investigations continue to establish the full details of the case.

The Ashanti Regional Police Command says efforts have been intensified to track down the two suspects still at large and identify anyone else linked to the alleged crime.

Walid and Mane remain in police custody and are expected to be put before court as investigations continue.

Also read:

• Senegalese goalkeeper found dead in Ghana

• Police investigate ‘unnatural’ death of Senegalese goalkeeper in Kumasi

Lawyer Anyenini has argued that the provision does not give Members of Parliament (MPs) blanket protection from arrest or the service of legal processes.

He explained that Article 117 specifically protects an MP while the legislator is “on his way to, attending at, or returning from” parliamentary proceedings.

However, the constitutional protection, he asserted, has been “so abused,” stressing that being an MP does not automatically place a legislator beyond the reach of law enforcement, particularly when Parliament is on recess or there is no evidence that the MP is engaged in parliamentary business.

“If there is a scheduled committee process in Parliament to which he was to be attending, that is not difficult to prove,” he said.

He made the comments on Adom FM Dwaso Nsem in the wake of the controversy over the attempted arrest of Manhyia South MP and lawyer Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah by officials of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) after proceedings at the Accra High Court have been generated.

Mr Anyenini also referred to a 2026 clarification by Speaker Alban Bagbin that security agencies do not require his permission before arresting or inviting an MP for questioning.

“Generally, my position has been that the returning from any proceedings of Parliament. My view is that they have abused it just too much.

“Sometimes they are in their bedrooms, and then they will claim that they are attending to Parliament, and they are attending to the business of Parliament. You know, it’s a difficult thing, so we need to be clear about some of these things,” he said.

Mr Anyenini emphasised that the current controversy underscores the need for clearer understanding of the circumstances in which Article 117 protections apply, stating the matter is currently before court.

Also read:

• I’ve never come across a woman that strong – Manhyia South MP recounts botched…

• Chaos erupts at Accra High Court as EOCO attempts to arrest Salomey Baffoe’s lawyer…

“

The initiative forms part of a major empowerment initiative aimed at equipping beneficiaries with employable skills, promoting entrepreneurship and improving livelihoods.

The nationwide programme, which is being implemented in partnership with the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), is expected to support beneficiaries seeking to start or expand careers in dressmaking, tailoring and other segments of the garment industry.

Announcing the initiative, Alhaji Agongo said the project was inspired by his extensive travels across the country, during which he witnessed the difficult living conditions faced by many underprivileged families and vulnerable individuals.

The founder of the collapsed Heritage Bank said many young people and women remain trapped in poverty despite possessing the determination and potential to improve their circumstances if given the necessary support and tools.

“Across our country, I have seen firsthand the struggles of many young people and families. Many of them need only a little support to break free from poverty and build sustainable livelihoods,” he said.

He noted that a significant number of the intended beneficiaries would include school dropouts, widows, orphans, and other socially disadvantaged persons, who often face economic hardship and limited access to employment opportunities.

Alhaji Agongo expressed the belief that the fortunes of many disadvantaged Ghanaians could be transformed if more affluent and successful citizens extended a helping hand to people in need.

The businessman stressed that the initiative is strictly non-partisan and has been designed with clear guidelines to ensure transparency, fairness, and equal access for beneficiaries across the country.

He added that the programme is broad-based and expected to benefit thousands of people from diverse social and economic backgrounds.

Track record of philanthropy
The sewing machine initiative is the latest in a long list of philanthropic interventions undertaken by Alhaji Agongo, who has earned a reputation for supporting vulnerable communities through education, healthcare, and humanitarian assistance.

In July this year, he donated food items, clothing, and other relief supplies valued at GH¢1.4 million to victims of the devastating June 29, 2026 floods that affected several communities in Accra.

Over the years, Alhaji Agongo has also made substantial contributions to Ghana’s health sector, including support for the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where he has assisted with donations of medical equipment and infrastructural support to improve healthcare delivery.

His charitable activities have extended to the construction and renovation of school buildings in various communities, helping to improve learning conditions for thousands of students.

He has also sponsored the education of many underprivileged children through the payment of school fees and provision of educational materials.

In addition, the businessman has supported vulnerable patients by settling hospital bills and providing financial assistance to individuals in need of urgent medical care.

For Alhaji Agongo, philanthropy is both a social responsibility and a religious obligation.
“As a Muslim, my faith teaches me that service to mankind is service to Allah. Giving is not a choice but a duty,” he said.

“It is the humane thing to do, and I am privileged that I can afford to share,” he added.

Agongo said he hopes to use the distribution of 10,000 sewing machines to create opportunities for thousands of women and young people to acquire livelihoods, build sustainable businesses, and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s economic development.

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• Seidu Agongo pledges nationwide support for Okere community football league

The three Freda Owusu, her husband Emmanuel Acheampong, and Mr. Osei Kuffour, a relative of Freda Owusu, were picked up after they identified a baby found with a traveler, Aliya Salomey, as their missing child, and circulated the claim on social media.

A subsequent identification parade conducted at Ejisu proved that the baby in Aliya Salomey’s custody was not theirs, leading to their arrest for false information and defamation.

Police have now released the trio after preliminary screening.

In a new development, however, the police have arrested the woman under whose care Freda Owusu reportedly left her child before the baby went missing at the Asafo Market.

The woman, whose name has been withheld for investigations, is currently in custody and assisting police with enquiries.

“The parents and the uncle of the missing child have been released after interrogation, but the woman who was allegedly entrusted with the baby before it went missing has been arrested to assist with further investigations,” Ejisu Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Samuel Kofi Gamson told Nhyira News.

The baby was reportedly stolen from the Cape Coast Bus Terminal section of the Asafo Market, at the area known as Opera Site, in the early hours of Sunday, September 20, 2026.

How False Accusation Arose

The case took a dramatic turn when the Ejisu Divisional Police arrested Aliya Salomey, who was travelling with a baby on board a VIP bus heading towards Accra after fellow passengers became suspicious of her interaction with the infant and reported her at Ejisu.

She was granted police enquiry bail after her husband appeared at the station and testified that she was his wife and that the baby belonged to them.

According to the Ejisu Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Samuel Kofi Gamson, no official report of a missing child had been filed at Ejisu at the time she was granted bail.

The parents of the missing baby later went to Ejisu, identified a photograph of the baby and the suspect as their missing child and his abductor, and posted the claim on social media, prompting police to re-arrest Aliya Salomey.

After the identification parade, the family admitted the baby was not theirs.

Case Transferred

Meanwhile, arrangements are in place to conduct a DNA test on the baby found with Aliya Salomey to scientifically establish maternity before she is formally cleared of the child-stealing allegation.

The entire case has now been transferred to the Asokwa Police Station for further investigation, where the parents initially reported the theft of their child.

“We have transferred the case to the Asokwa Police Station, where the parents first reported their child’s disappearance, for further investigation,” the Commander confirmed.

Police say investigations are ongoing to trace the missing infant and to establish the circumstances under which he went missing while under the care of the newly arrested caretaker.

Also read:

• Police launch manhunt for suspect as five-month-old baby is stolen at Asafo market

• Asafo Market baby theft: Police search for suspect after granting her bail; family wants…

Mr Kyerematen said commercially viable infrastructure projects such as the expressway should be structured to attract private capital, particularly where investors can recover their investment through toll revenues.

Speaking at a public lecture at the British Council in Accra on the theme, “Transformation of the Ghanaian Economy: From Stability to Prosperity,” he questioned the decision to use public funds to finance the entire project.

“You are using four billion dollars to finance a commercial road, which currently can be financed by the private sector. What happens in every country? Once the toll road is constructed, you don’t use government resources to fund it. It can pay for itself,” he said.

He argued that the government could instead allow private investors to finance, construct and operate the road under an arrangement that would enable them to recover their investment over an agreed period.

“We need to commend the government for at least thinking about public-private partnerships between our two actors, because it doesn’t make sense that for over 60 years we continue to rely on government resources to finance everything,” he said.

Mr Kyerematen said the principle should extend beyond the expressway to other infrastructure projects capable of generating revenue.

“Once the road is constructed, you don’t use government resources to fund it if it can pay for itself. Let the private sector manage that. Can you imagine what we can do with our public resources if we free them up?” he asked.

He said such an approach could release government resources for other pressing infrastructure needs, including roads within communities across the country.

The proposal comes as the government prepares to commence construction of the 175.6-kilometre expressway after the clearing of its right-of-way.

President John Dramani Mahama announced on September 14 that US$2 billion had been secured for the project and placed in a dedicated account at the Bank of Ghana. He said the money was sourced from taxpayers and that the project would not be financed through borrowing.

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson had earlier said US$1.7 billion had been secured and that the government expected the full funding requirement to be available by the end of 2026, also without borrowing.

The government’s current model also envisages the expressway generating revenue after completion.

The Chief Executive Officer of Accra-Kumasi Expressway Limited, Francis Ahlidza, has said the road will be operated as a commercial asset to enable government to recover the taxpayers’ investment within the concession period.

He said the government established Accra-Kumasi Expressway Limited as a special-purpose company to oversee the development, construction and maintenance of the road.

Mr Ahlidza has also said economic analysis is being undertaken with the expectation that the investment could be recovered over a 50-year period, while generating additional revenue for expansion of the road network.

Mr Kyerematen’s proposal therefore centres on whether that commercial potential should be used to attract private capital from the outset rather than requiring the state to provide the initial financing.

He said greater use of private capital should form part of a broader economic transformation strategy in which government creates the policy and regulatory environment while commercially viable projects attract private investment.

Also read:

• Accra-Kumasi Expressway to be ready by 2028 if all goes as planned – MD

• Accra-Kumasi Expressway: Only nation-wreckers will oppose project – Frank Amoakohene