Speaking on Channel One TV on Saturday, December 13, Mr Cudjoe argued that the decision to rerun the election resulted from administrative lapses by the Electoral Commission (EC), rather than any proven wrongdoing by the candidates who contested the 2024 polls.

According to him, the dispute over the Kpandai results largely stemmed from weaknesses in the collation process, for which the EC must take responsibility.

“The collation issues tell me clearly that the problem lies with the Electoral Commission. The fact that these things were allowed to happen means the EC should be chastised,” he stated.

Mr Cudjoe said he was particularly concerned about the impact of the rerun on Mr Nyindam, whom he believes legitimately won the initial election.

“I feel very uncomfortable with how this has played out. It is unfair to the candidate who won, and I genuinely hope he wins again,” he said.

He also questioned the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) decision to pursue the matter, suggesting it formed part of a broader strategy to increase its numbers in Parliament.

“I honestly don’t understand where the NDC wants to take all these majority seats to. It almost feels like a ‘buy one, get one free’ approach,” he remarked.

The Kpandai rerun was ordered by the Tamale High Court following a petition filed by the NDC’s candidate, Nsala Wakpal, who challenged the validity of the 2024 parliamentary results.

The court ruled that the final collation was conducted without the presence of the NDC candidate or a recognised agent. As a result, Parliament declared the seat vacant, and the Electoral Commission fixed the rerun for Tuesday, December 30.

Yet this focus risks obscuring a more profound policy failure: the persistent weaknesses within Ghana’s financial system that allow cyber fraud to pass undetected until foreign authorities intervene. Cyber fraud is often framed as an online crime. In truth, it is fundamentally a financial crime. No scam of this magnitude can succeed without banks—accounts must be opened, funds must be received, transferred, layered, withdrawn, or converted. At every stage, the formal banking system is involved. The real question, therefore, is not merely who committed the crime, but how the system failed to stop the money early.

Banks as Gatekeepers of Financial Integrity
In advanced financial systems, banks are legally designated as gatekeepers. This role is not optional. It is codified in law and reinforced through regulation and sanctions. Ghana’s own banking laws reflect this principle. Section 3 of the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930) mandates the Bank of Ghana to ensure “the safety, soundness and stability of the banking system.” Financial integrity is inseparable from this mandate. Further, Act 930 places a clear responsibility on banks to conduct their operations in a manner that does not expose the system to abuse. Section 56 empowers the Bank of Ghana to take supervisory action where a bank’s practices “are unsafe, unsound or pose a threat to depositors or the financial system.” Cyber-enabled fraud clearly falls within this scope.

AML/CFT Obligations: Clear in Law, Weak in Practice
The Bank of Ghana’s Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Guidelines are explicit about banks’ responsibilities. They require institutions to adopt a risk-based approach, under which customers and transactions must be assessed according to their risk profile. Crucially, the Guidelines state that institutions must apply “enhanced due diligence where the risk of money laundering or terrorist financing is higher.” This includes situations involving unusual transaction patterns, large foreign inflows, or activities inconsistent with a customer’s known economic background. In plain terms, a customer with no discernible income stream suddenly receiving large or repeated foreign transfers should automatically trigger heightened scrutiny. The law does not merely permit this—it requires it. Yet cases like the alleged $8 million romance scam suggest that such scrutiny is often delayed or ineffective. Funds move through multiple accounts, sometimes across several banks, before action is taken. By then, the damage is done.

Transaction Monitoring: Where the System Falls Short
The weakness lies not only in customer onboarding but in continuous transaction monitoring. The BoG’s Risk Management Directive requires banks to maintain systems capable of “identifying, measuring, monitoring and controlling risks inherent in their activities.” This includes operational and financial crime risks. However, many banks still rely heavily on rule-based thresholds—flagging only single large transactions—rather than advanced behavioural analytics. Fraud networks understand this and deliberately structure transactions to avoid detection, sending funds in smaller tranches or cycling them rapidly across accounts. Romance scams are particularly adept at exploiting this gap. The sophistication of these schemes means that only dynamic, behaviour-based monitoring systems can detect them early. Static compliance tools are no longer sufficient.

Reporting Obligations and the Role of the Financial Intelligence Centre
Under Ghana’s AML framework, banks are required to file Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) with the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) whenever they “know, suspect or have reasonable grounds to suspect” that funds are the proceeds of crime. This threshold is intentionally low. Suspicion, not proof, is enough to trigger reporting. The law is designed to err on the side of caution. The challenge, however, is that delayed reporting undermines the entire system. If reports are filed after funds have already been withdrawn or transferred abroad, the preventive function of the AML regime collapses. At that point, enforcement becomes reactive rather than preventive.

Accountability: The Missing Deterrent
The Payment Systems and Services Act, 2019 (Act 987) further strengthens the regulatory framework by placing responsibility on payment service providers including banks to ensure the integrity of electronic transactions. Act 987 requires providers to operate systems that are “safe, efficient and secure” and empowers the Bank of Ghana to issue directives where payment systems are used in a manner that threatens financial stability or consumer protection. In an era where cyber fraud is increasingly digital and cross-border, this Act gives regulators ample authority to demand stronger controls. The question is not whether the Bank of Ghana has the legal tools but whether they are being used forcefully enough. One of the most uncomfortable realities is the issue of enforcement intensity. In Europe and North America, banks have paid billions of dollars in fines for AML failures. Senior managers have lost jobs. Reputational damage has been severe. In Ghana, enforcement actions are less visible and penalties are often modest. Without meaningful deterrence, compliance risks being treated as a box-ticking exercise rather than a core governance issue. This creates a permissive environment—one that fraudsters quickly identify and exploit.

Why This Matters Beyond One Case
Persistent cyber fraud has broader consequences. It damages Ghana’s international reputation, threatens correspondent banking relationships, and increases scrutiny on legitimate transactions. The cost is borne not only by the state, but by ordinary businesses and citizens who face delays, higher compliance costs, and reduced trust in the financial system. Ironically, the gains from cyber fraud accrue to a few individuals, while the losses are socialised across the economy. If Ghana is serious about tackling cyber fraud, reform must move beyond rhetoric: The Bank of Ghana must visibly enforce its AML/CFT directives using the full powers granted under Acts 930 and 987. Banks must invest in modern, behaviour-based transaction monitoring systems, not merely compliance software. KYC must evolve into continuous customer risk assessment, as envisaged under BoG’s risk-based supervision framework. Intelligence sharing across banks, coordinated through the FIC, must become the norm rather than the exception.

Conclusion: Prevention Is the Real Test
High-profile arrests make headlines, but they do not fix systems. Prevention is quieter, harder, and far more effective. As long as illicit funds can move faster than oversight, cyber fraud will persist—regardless of how many individuals are prosecuted. Ghana’s laws are clear. The Bank of Ghana’s mandates are explicit. Banks’ responsibilities are well defined. The challenge lies in implementation, enforcement, and accountability. Cybercrime thrives where money moves faster than control. In Ghana’s fight against cyber fraud, banks are not peripheral actors—they are the front line. The only remaining question is whether policy action will finally reflect that reality.

In a statement dated December 12, 2025, the Minority accused the two leaders of acting in direct contradiction to President John Dramani Mahama’s stated policy on the OSP, after sponsoring a private member’s bill to repeal the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959).

“Their attempt to dismantle an institution the President was simultaneously praising represents either spectacular incompetence or deliberate insubordination — possibly both,” the Minority said.

According to the statement, Ayariga, the MP for Bawku Central, and Mr Dafeamekpor, the MP for South Dayi, sponsored the Office of the Special Prosecutor (Repeal) Bill, 2025 on December 8, seeking to abolish the OSP and transfer its functions to the Attorney-General’s Department.

However, just two days later, President Mahama publicly described the OSP as “a vital cog in the fight against corruption,” urging it to do more to boost public confidence and tackle corruption frontally. On December 11, the Presidency announced that the bill had been withdrawn at the President’s request.

The Minority described the withdrawal as a “devastating public rebuke” that exposed deep cracks between the President and his parliamentary leadership.

Beyond the policy contradiction, the Minority raised concerns about the timing of the bill, linking it to the recent arrest of Martin Kpebu, a known critic of the OSP and an individual the group described as an NDC loyalist.

“The timing is damning,” the statement said, questioning whether the arrest of a politically connected individual triggered “a coordinated, multi-pronged assault on an independent anti-corruption institution.”

The statement further noted that the legislative move coincided with a Supreme Court challenge to Act 959, announced by Deputy Attorney-General Justice Srem-Sai on social media. According to the post, a citizen, Noah E. Tetteh, is seeking to strike down provisions of the Act that grant prosecutorial independence to the OSP.

The Minority concluded that the actions of the Majority Leader and Chief Whip amount to a fundamental breach of trust, arguing that their positions as the President’s principal parliamentary lieutenants demand higher standards of judgment and discipline.

“The Presidential intervention confirms this initiative was unauthorised, ill-conceived, and contradicted government policy,” the statement said, adding that the episode has damaged Ghana’s anti-corruption credibility and undermined prosecutorial independence.

The Minority insists that the only appropriate response is for both leaders to step aside in the interest of accountability and to restore public confidence in Parliament and Ghana’s anti-corruption architecture.

In a post on Friday, December 12, he questioned how the government failed to allocate capital expenditure to the Ghana Immigration Service in the 2026 Budget, yet committed substantial funds to by-elections within the same period.

Rev. Ntim Fordjour highlighted that the state spent “GH¢38.6 million in a single day on the Akwatia by-election and GH¢1 million on a rerun of a few polling stations in Ablekuma,” describing the expenditure as unjustifiable.

He added that the administration was now “bent on blowing more millions in a needless rerun in Kpandai where a legitimately elected MP is alive,” arguing that such decisions undermine prudent public financial management.

He further criticised the government for seeking logistical assistance from international partners while continuing to pour resources into electoral activities.

“It is shameful this same government goes begging for GH¢1.77 million worth of equipment from Germany,” he wrote, questioning why the state should “waste millions on by-elections and reruns and go begging to retool your security sector”.

Rev. Ntim Fordjour maintained that the government’s approach raises serious concerns about its priorities in governance and security.

He urged the administration to rethink its spending choices, insisting that investment in national security institutions such as the Ghana Immigration Service must take precedence over what he termed “avoidable and needless electoral expenditures.”

Speaking in response to the fallout from the deportation of Ghanaian nationals from Tel Aviv and subsequent retaliatory deportation of three Israelis who arrived in Accra on December 10, Abu Jinapor said the Minority supports any legitimate effort to defend Ghanaians abroad but warned that the situation requires careful diplomatic handling.

“Any effort by the Government of Ghana to protect the interest of Ghanaians abroad and safeguard the dignity of Ghanaians should be welcomed,” he said. “The Minority welcomes such effort by the government to defend the rights of our citizens abroad.”

However, he urged the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to adopt a more discreet approach at a time when public commentary risks inflaming tensions.

“It is important that we call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs to take the path of quiet, calm and strategic diplomacy in dealing with some of these matters,” Jinapor stressed.

The Ranking Member reiterated that Ghana and Israel have maintained diplomatic relations for more than six decades, with Ghana first formalising ties with Israel in 1956.

Against this backdrop, Abu Jinapor said it was essential to preserve Ghana’s credibility as a nation known for balanced and principled foreign policy engagement.

The political temperature rose further after Ablakwa stated publicly that Israel had apologised for the treatment of Ghanaian deportees, a claim swiftly denied by the Israeli Embassy in Accra, triggering concern about mixed signals from the government.

“His conduct and public rows as Minister for Foreign Affairs is becoming one too many. The issue relating to the apology and denial by the Israeli Embassy is very disturbing and potentially embarassing.”

The Damongo lawmaker warned that the Minister’s current posture may heighten an already sensitive situation to the detriment of Ghana’s broader national interest.

“Ghana’s foreign policy response must be guided by sound judgement, prudence and measured engagement through the appropriate diplomatic channels,” he affirmed.

Abu Jinapor stressed that the Minority would raise the issue on the floor of Parliament and demand answers from the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Kodua claimed that the recent removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo by the Mahama administration is part of a broader plan to “capture the judiciary” and eliminate any legal obstacles to a potential future Mahama bid.

He argued that the circumstances surrounding Justice Torkornoo’s dismissal were questionable, noting that petitions against her were not heard, yet she was removed from office.

According to Mr. Kodua, subsequent rulings in politically sensitive cases suggest bias, which he described as evidence of a coordinated effort by the NDC.

He urged Ghanaians to remain vigilant, stressing that these developments pose a serious threat to democratic governance and the independence of the judiciary.

The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Frimpong Kodua, has alleged that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is laying the groundwork for President John Mahama to pursue a third term in office.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Kodua claimed that the recent removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo by the Mahama administration is part of a broader plan to “capture the judiciary” and eliminate any legal obstacles to a potential future Mahama bid.

He argued that the circumstances surrounding Justice Torkornoo’s dismissal were questionable, noting that petitions against her were not heard, yet she was removed from office.

According to Mr. Kodua, subsequent rulings in politically sensitive cases suggest bias, which he described as evidence of a coordinated effort by the NDC.

He urged Ghanaians to be vigilant about these developments, stressing that such actions pose a serious threat to democratic governance and judicial independence.

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The new law amends the Road Traffic Act of 2004 (Act 683) and introduces updated measures on alcohol limits for drivers, emissions testing, and strict regulatory standards for motorcycles, tricycles, and quadricycles used for commercial transport.

According to the Majority, the legislation will improve road safety, reduce alcohol-related accidents, and create new employment opportunities for young people, particularly those engaged in the growing motorcycle transport and ride-hailing industry.

Debate over the bill, however, was intense. The Minority argued that the move is motivated more by the President’s desire to fulfill a manifesto promise than by a genuine commitment to road safety or transport sector reform.

Despite the disagreements, the Majority defended the bill’s significance. Second Deputy Majority Whip Richard Acheampong emphasised the need for a clear regulatory framework to effectively manage the expanding commercial motor transport sector.

The First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, who presided over proceedings, ultimately put the question, leading to the bill’s passage.

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Kodua claimed the Speaker acted improperly by allegedly directing the Clerk of Parliament to notify the Electoral Commission (EC) that a vacancy had occurred in the Kpandai seat, despite an ongoing court case on the matter.

“I’m very disappointed in the behavior of the Speaker of Parliament. I respect him a lot, and I don’t believe he is the one who ordered the Clerk to send that letter. The matter is in court — what happened for Parliament to declare a seat vacant? Which part of the Constitution gives them that mandate?” he questioned.

He further accused the governing NDC of attempting to manipulate the Kpandai outcome, insisting their candidate knew he lost the original election.

Mr. Kodua also alleged that broader political motives were at play, claiming the NDC was pursuing an agenda to weaken the NPP through judicial processes and even suggesting an attempt to create conditions for what he described as a possible third-term bid for President John Mahama.

“Power doesn’t stay forever. They want to weaken the NPP using the judiciary, but we know the law is on our side,” he said.

He urged judges to “uphold integrity regardless of who appointed them,” stressing the need to preserve fairness and the credibility of Ghana’s justice system.

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Kodua said although there is nothing wrong with the NDC seeking political advantage, the party must not mislead Ghanaians in its quest for power.

He alleged that the NDC brought contractors to Akwatia during the campaign period to create the impression of ongoing development, only for the contractors to abandon the site after the party won the elections.

“Now all contractors are off the site after they lied to the people to win their votes, and they are trying to use the same strategy at Kpandai,” he said.

Mr. Kodua argued that while political competition is normal, it should not come at the expense of Ghana’s democratic values.

“Any good citizen should be fearful of the NDC. Forget that I am a politician — what went on in some constituencies during the elections shows attempts to skew results simply because their party won the presidential election,” he added.

He further attributed disturbances in some constituency elections to alleged efforts by the NDC to extend their presidential victory to parliamentary seats.

The NPP General Secretary urged Ghanaians to remain vigilant and prioritise the national interest above partisan politics.

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Kodua said every Ghanaian should be concerned about the direction in which the NDC is heading, particularly regarding judicial independence.

He claimed that the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo by the Mahama-led administration was politically driven, arguing that the reasons for her dismissal were unclear and that the petition against her was never properly heard.

“The moment the Mahama-led administration removed the former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, we knew they had a plan because the reasons were blurry. The petitions weren’t even heard; she was just sacked,” he alleged.

Mr. Kodua further pointed to recent rulings in politically related cases as evidence of what he believes are partisan influences.

“The judgments and rulings coming from political cases — you don’t need a soothsayer to tell you that it is politically biased,” he said.

He urged Ghanaians to remain vigilant and protect the independence of the judiciary, insisting that safeguarding the courts is essential for preserving the country’s democratic integrity.

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Kodua accused the NDC of relying on “propaganda and lies” to win the last elections, arguing that key promises such as fixing the economy, tackling galamsey, addressing LGBTQ concerns, and ensuring national unity have not been fulfilled.

He explained that the NPP’s new constitution places strong emphasis on building a more effective and accountable communication machinery. According to him, making communication positions elective will enhance responsibility, efficiency, and overall performance.

“The NPP has always struggled with issues of propaganda and misinformation. The NDC used propaganda to win the elections, promising to fix the country, address issues like galamsey and LGBTQ rights, and provide strong leadership. However, none of these promises have been fulfilled. We are very confident that we will win the next general elections,” he said.

Mr. Kodua expressed confidence that the NPP’s ongoing reorganisation will position the party strongly ahead of the 2028 general elections.

“Our new constitution emphasizes improved party communication, and I’m proud that we are revamping our communication strategy. Moving forward, communication officers will be elected positions, from the national level down to the constituencies. The 2028 elections will be very interesting, and we believe that our party’s reorganization is on the right track,” he added.

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In a Facebook post on Thursday December 11, Awuku warned that a series of recent political developments points to an attempt to weaken the institutional checks that protect accountability and national stability.

He urged President John Dramani Mahama to safeguard his legacy by resisting any moves that encourage altering constitutional limits or extending presidential authority.

Awuku argued that Ghana’s past leaders, including Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor, John Evans Atta Mills and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, all respected constitutional term limits, and he stressed that the current administration must do the same.

He emphasised that elections exist so citizens can either renew or withdraw their consent, adding that political authority is “borrowed, not owned” and should never be allowed to overshadow the will of the people. He called on the government to allow Ghanaians to freely decide whether they want the NPP or NDC in future elections.

The MP also expressed concern about what he called the “loud silence” of clergy, civil society organisations and moral leaders who, in the past, openly criticised wrongdoing in government. He noted that remaining silent at a time like this poses significant danger.

Awuku pointed to several recent events as part of a troubling pattern: the removal of the Chief Justice, the Ablekuma North rerun, controversies surrounding the late Ernest Yaw Kumi’s seat, tensions in Kpandai over another rerun, attempts to remove the Electoral Commission Chair and her deputies, and a new bill seeking to abolish the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

According to him, these actions show that Ghana is “on a slippery slope,” and he called on all principled citizens, regardless of political affiliation, to speak up in defence of the country’s democratic future. He warned that silence now could cost the nation dearly.

Awuku ended his message by urging Ghanaians to protect the country’s democracy for future generations, affirming: “I am a Ghanaian and I have a voice too.”

Dr. Bawumia argued that the EC’s decision overlooks ongoing legal processes involving NPP candidate Matthew Nyindam, who currently has appeals before both the High Court and the Supreme Court. He emphasised that none of these cases have been concluded, making the commission’s rush inappropriate.

He further noted that in similar electoral disputes in other constituencies, the EC waited until all judicial processes were fully exhausted before taking action, questioning why Kpandai is being treated differently.

Dr. Bawumia warned that bypassing established democratic procedures could undermine public confidence in Ghana’s governance and threaten institutional stability.

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Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Gbande said the party is “already on our way,” adding, “We are doing preparations and campaigning hard, and we will win that seat.”

He also criticised the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and incumbent MP Matthew Nyindam, saying, “Nyindam was in Kpandai doing campaign when the Minority was disrupting Parliament and needed numbers just to make noise. Of what use will it be to keep Nyindam in Parliament when their numbers will only be used for noise?”

Gbande accused the NPP of attempting to rig the election, stressing, “The people of Kpandai deserve better and a very peaceful constituency, but the NPP tried to manipulate that election. They did nothing for the constituency when they were in power for eight years, so it is best that the NDC wins.”

He also dismissed the idea that the NPP could win with a sympathy vote, saying, “The NPP just wants a sympathy vote, but Ghanaians won’t give them that.”

Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Frimpong Kodua, challenged Gbande’s claims during the same show.

He questioned whether the events in Kpandai were “a good thing,” blaming the NDC for the confusion that erupted during the 2024 elections and accusing the government of failing to deliver on the economy.

The Electoral Commission (EC) is expected to announce a timetable for the rerun in the coming days as political developments in the constituency continue.

While the NDC welcomed the Tamale High Court ruling that nullified the previous results, the NPP has rejected the decision, questioning why the entire election is being rerun instead of only the affected polling stations.

Mr. Nyindam, the incumbent MP, has filed notices of appeal and a stay of execution against the court’s ruling.

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Dr Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as Napo, has been engaging members of the NPP ahead of the party’s January 31 primaries, with his latest tour taking him to the Bono Region.

He urged delegates to remain firmly behind Dr Bawumia, describing him as the “most prepared” candidate to lead the NPP.

“In my engagement with the regional and constituency executives in the Bono Region, I reinforced this call for unity and civility in our campaign conduct. I also stated my clear conviction that Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is the most prepared to lead our party into the future,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

He also highlighted his continued message of peace and unity among party members as he rallies support for the former Vice President.

“My message throughout this campaign period for a flagbearer has remained consistent. Regardless of our individual preferences or internal differences, we are one political tradition, strengthened only when we close ranks and rally behind the elephant and the leader of our party, the New Patriotic Party.”

It wasn’t NDC – Mustapha Gbande says Afenyo-Markin politicised and crippled…

The Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency insists the real damage was done by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin. He says, “It wasn’t NDC.”

Speaking on PM Express, he dismissed claims that his party orchestrated the pressure that eventually removed the Chief Justice. He said the NDC was focused elsewhere.

“Ghana has a constitution, and that constitution is the instrument that controls all of us,” he said. He added that President Mahama and the party leadership were “more occupied with battling the difficulties that President Akufo-Addo have taken this country to.”

He said things had been hard. According to him, “the last few months, I have seen the President not resting.” He said ministers were also overwhelmed. He said his General Secretary admitted the “difficulty to even reach out to them.”

He said the National Chairman also shared this view. He insisted, “We are not bothered about these renditions being carried out by Alexander Afenyo-Markin and his people. They can talk, but the right things will be done.”

Mr Gbande said he had always been frank about his discomfort with Justice Torkonoo’s appointment. “I have always, and I have said that vehemently, my fear of having Justice Torkonoo being Chief Justice.”

When asked why, he said, “There were issues I was raising, and those issues I still stand by.” He said a petition went through a committee. He said the committee found clear reasons against her appointment. He stressed that “it is not an issue of President John Mahama or the NDC.”

He said he believes in strong institutions and cited examples. “I have come across women who have been heads of the judiciary, and they’ve discharged themselves creditably well. Justice Sophia Akuffo is one of them.”

He said if she had another chance to be Chief Justice, “I will be the first person to advocate for her.” He said she “discharged herself competently, so well that Ghanaians didn’t think that, because her family is one person or the other, she’s compromised.”

He then added, “I cannot say same of Justice Torkonoo, and I cannot say that she discharged herself creditably well. I will say that and take responsibility for it.”

He said Justice Torkonoo’s real undoing came from Afenyo-Markin. “Her wounds were more deeply scarred by the posture of Alexander Afenyo-Markin. He is the one who destroyed her. If she has anybody to accuse, it should be him and not anybody else.”

When pressed further, he added, “he helped in politicising her.” He said bystanders saw everything as pure politics. “What they see is politicisation and who cost it, it was Afenyo-Markin.”

Evans Mensah put it to him that Afenyo-Markin believed this was a partisan onslaught that threatened judicial independence and that the Minority forced the issue. Mr Gbande dismissed that.

He asked, “Who? Afenyo-Markin?” and said, “he had a proprietary interest. He was benefiting from it.” When Evans asked, “In what way?”, he replied, “he was a subcontractor. His companies were doing business with the judiciary.”

When the host said he had no evidence, Mr Gbande responded, “He has never come to deny it.” When Evans pointed out that silence does not prove anything, he insisted, “I can say to you for a fact that if there was anybody who exposed Justice Torkonoo to all this crisis, it is Afenyo-Markin, not the NPP per se, it is Afenyo-Markin.”

He added that “he opened the woman up for us all to come to believe that she’s a window President Akufo-Addo had created to grant escape routes for persons perceived to have stolen money from this country.”

He rejected claims that the NDC engineered the removal. “I didn’t see NDC’s hand in that,” he said. But he admitted his own involvement. “I was involved. I was involved in the advocacy. I spoke against it any day, anytime I get the opportunity.”

He said even with President Mahama, “the day he’s wrong, I will speak against him. Take it from me.” He said job security would not stop him. “Job security should not override my principles.”

He said Justice Torkonoo could have helped herself by distancing her work from politics. “I believe that Justice Torkonoo would have done herself some good if she had weaned herself off the politicisation and the way she went about her things.”

He said no public officer is perfect. But he asked what happens “when it becomes obvious that Ghanaians are short-changed.” He said the country must be protected.

“I’m not ready to take my children abroad. They will all be here and live here.” He said Ghana is a “prosperous country,” and urged the nation to “aspire to work to see this country become a better place.”

NDC Candidate files contempt application against EC Chair over delayed Kpandai…

Party supporters, adorned in the party’s blue, red and white colours, rode on motorbikes to welcome the former Vice President from the outskirts of the regional capital and accompanied him to the first destination of his campaign engagement at Wechiaw in the Wa West Constituency.

There, party stalwarts in the region, including former appointees of the erstwhile government, parliamentary candidates, as well as a host of grassroots members, met him upon his arrival amidst traditional drumming, singing and dancing.

Dr Bawumia then made a grand entry into the hall, where he addressed NPP delegates and supporters.

From there, he continued to Wa Central, where he held similar engagements with an enthusiastic crowd that openly expressed support for his bid to be retained as the NPP’s Flagbearer for the 2028 elections.

Dr Bawumia, who has been engaging delegates and party faithful across the country, is scheduled to tour the Upper East and North East Regions in the coming days.

He has so far toured the Ahafo, Bono, Bono East, Western North, Western, Oti, Volta, Central and Eastern Regions ahead of the NPP’s January 31 election to elect a Flagbearer.

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Her response comes after two MPs; Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, jointly submitted a Private Members’ Bill seeking a full repeal of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959).

The proposed legislation, dated December 8, would restore sole prosecutorial authority over corruption-related offences to the Attorney-General, as provided under Article 88 of the Constitution.

The sponsors of the Bill contend that the OSP’s eight years of existence have exposed deep structural and constitutional challenges, including overlapping mandates and friction with the Attorney-General’s Department, resulting in duplicated efforts and slowed prosecutions.

Speaking to journalists in Accra on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, Ms Addah rejected the basis for disbanding the office, insisting that the OSP is only now gaining the traction needed to make meaningful progress.

“We are in the best stages of the office. The calls for it to be scrapped are very much unnecessary. It is sad that we have to be talking about this now,” she stressed.

She questioned the rush to repeal the law, noting: “The Attorney-General’s office has been there for more than 100 years. How many cases have they prosecuted? Perhaps we want quick action and results — and we cannot fault Ghanaians for that — but I think we should hasten slowly.”

The application, filed pursuant to Article 99 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 16 of the Representation of the People Act, 1992 (PNDCL 284), concerns the disputed December 7, 2024 parliamentary election in Kpandai.

Mr. Wakpal is challenging the EC’s declaration of the New Patriotic Party’s Matthew Nyindam as Member of Parliament-elect for the constituency.

In the motion for committal for contempt, filed under Order 50 Rule 1(2) of C.I. 47, counsel for the NDC candidate is asking the court to commit Madam Mensa for failing to comply with an earlier Tamale High Court directive ordering a rerun of the election.

The Tamale High Court is expected to hear the motion on December 23, 2025.

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This decision comes after a ruling by the Tamale High Court on Monday, November 24, 2025, directing that a fresh election be conducted within 30 days.

According to the Commission, it also received formal notification from the Clerk to Parliament on Monday, December 8, 2025, confirming that the Kpandai parliamentary seat has been declared vacant.

The rerun will involve only the three candidates who participated in the 2024 parliamentary election in the constituency.

Announcing the development, Mr. Fred Tetteh, Deputy Director of the Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Department at the Electoral Commission, urged the public to take note of the date and participate actively.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a transparent, credible, and peaceful election in compliance with the court’s directive.

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  Nyindam’s Seat: Minority Caucus rejects EC letter, pledges full defense
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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Tanko questioned why the EC has yet to fix a date for the rerun despite a clear directive from the High Court.

He dismissed claims by the Minority that the NDC is being unfair to the incumbent MP, Matthew Nyindam, stressing that the party is simply following due process.

“The claim by the Minority that we are being unfair to Nyindam is incorrect. Gyakye Quayson was stripped of all his privileges as an MP and faced even worse circumstances. Since the court has ruled on this matter, nothing prevents Parliament from exercising its mandate. Parliament cannot alter the decision made by the High Court,” he stated.

Mr. Tanko Computer further indicated that the NDC will not allow the matter to be delayed any longer.

“We are currently in the process of filing a contempt of court action against the Electoral Commission. Why are they not providing a date for the election? The court has spoken, and we are prepared to move forward. We are not pursuing this because we want to amend the constitution, as the Minority claims,” he added.

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The draft bill is yet to be presented to Parliament.

It comes on the same day President John Mahama indicated that it is too early for anyone to call for the abolition of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), insisting the institution still holds an important role in Ghana’s anti-corruption framework.

Speaking during a courtesy call by the National Peace Council at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, December 10, the President stressed that the OSP remains the only anti-corruption body with full prosecutorial independence.

“I think it’s premature to call for the closure of that office,” President Mahama said.

“The unique thing about that office is that it is the only anti-corruption agency that has prosecutorial powers to prosecute cases itself without going through the Attorney-General.”

He explained that public distrust in the Attorney-General’s office, because the AG is part of the sitting government, makes the independence of the OSP even more crucial.

“People believe the Attorney-General will be very reluctant to prosecute his own,” he noted.

“But if there is an independent office like the Office of the Special Prosecutor, it won’t matter who you are, because they have security of tenure and the prosecutorial authority to act.”

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, he dismissed claims by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) regarding the disputed parliamentary results, describing them as propaganda.

According to him, the NDC’s decision to challenge the results in court was aimed at ensuring “proper representation” for the people of Kpandai, insisting that the results declared in favour of incumbent MP Matthew Nyindam were flawed.

“We want proper representation of the people, that’s why we want the Kpandai seat. When things are not done right, it is within our right to follow the legal process to correct the wrong. We will go for the rerun in Kpandai,” he said.

Mr. Tanko Computer expressed strong confidence in the party’s chances, stating, “We are winning the seat hands down with a huge margin. The figure Nyindam won with is a fake figure. It’s a tainted vote.”

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According to the caucus, no action—including the controversial letter sent by the Clerk of Parliament to the Electoral Commission (EC)—can remove Matthew Nyindam from his seat until the courts deliver a final ruling.

Speaking to journalists, Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei cited multiple legal and parliamentary precedents to support their position. She stressed that Nyindam must continue to be recognized as a Member of Parliament until his stay of execution and appeal are fully determined.

Appiagyei referenced the case of Samuel Nyimakan of Wulensi, who remained in Parliament throughout his appeal process, with the seat only declared vacant after the Court of Appeal issued its final decision. She also pointed to former MPs Eric Amoateng, who retained his seat until resigning despite being detained abroad; Dan Abodakpi of Keta, who returned to Parliament in 2008 after receiving a presidential pardon; and Adamu Dramani Sakande, who served until a final criminal conviction in 2012 removed him from office.

The Minority accused the Clerk of Parliament, the Speaker, and Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga of attempting to “unlawfully take over” the Kpandai seat. They insisted that due process must be respected and established parliamentary precedent strictly followed.

The caucus vowed to defend the disputed seat until the courts issue a definitive ruling.

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, the MP expressed deep frustration over the ongoing legal and political developments surrounding his seat.

“The NDC has more than enough numbers, so what is the brain behind what they are doing? It doesn’t make sense. Some MPs are in Parliament with less than 100 votes, yet I am the one being targeted,” he said.

Nyindam described his current situation as “unbearable,” revealing that the judge presiding over his case has postponed judgment to December 18, 2025.

He compared his treatment to that of former Assin North MP James Gyakye Quayson, who faced a high-profile dual citizenship case. “Even he was not treated like this,” Nyindam noted.

“I have done no wrong. I am only a Member of Parliament, so why am I going through all this? What the NDC is doing is scary. They want to rob me just because they are in power,” he added.

The MP insists he is being unfairly targeted and hopes the legal process will ultimately deliver justice.

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Nyindam expressed frustration over the ongoing legal processes concerning the stay of execution filed by his lawyers. He said the court adjourned the matter to December 18, when a ruling will be delivered.

“The stay of execution has been scheduled to be heard in court. We want the law to be upheld. The lawyers made their submissions, but the judge said he will give a ruling on December 18. I don’t understand why I am being treated this way. I took a leave of absence from Parliament to explain my situation to my constituents. I was there when I received the news that my seat had been declared vacant,” he lamented.

Nyindam questioned the basis for the push for a rerun, arguing that election results cannot be canceled over what he describes as “unsubstantiated irregularities.”

He added, “I’ve come to realize that this is a planned action by the NDC against me. Where have you heard of election results being canceled due to unsubstantiated irregularities? I am also not being allowed to be heard in court. What wrong have I done?”

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Nyindam questioned why he should campaign when he believes he has done nothing wrong.

“I am not overly worried, but I am certainly not a happy man. I have done no wrong; I am merely a member of parliament. So why am I going through all this? The NDC has begun campaigning in the constituency, trying to sway the minds of the people. Why should I have to campaign? What crime have I committed?” he asked.

He alleged that the NDC has started campaigning in Kpandai to “influence the minds of the people,” describing their actions as an attempt to unseat him because the party is in power.

Nyindam, however, expressed confidence in his chances of victory should a rerun occur, but noted that the NDC bringing its “full machinery” to the constituency could put him at a disadvantage.

“My constituents are aware of what is happening, and I am confident that I will win, as long as the NDC does not deploy its full machinery, which could disadvantage me. If the law is to serve justice, it should do so fairly. Whether we go for a rerun will depend on my constituents and my party’s decision. What the NDC is doing is concerning; they seem intent on undermining me simply because they are in power,” he added.

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Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Nyindam said the support from the Minority has highlighted that he has not been treated fairly.

“I will thank the Minority for showing brotherhood and letting everyone know that I have not been treated well. On that basis, I thank them,” he said.

He added that even some members on the Majority side acknowledge that he has been unfairly treated.

“No one will be happy about the disruptions that happened in Parliament, but sometimes, if you have no one to speak for you, what else can you do?” he said.

Nyindam’s comments follow Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to defer a ruling on the disputed Kpandai parliamentary seat.

Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh had argued that no government business should proceed until the matter was resolved. However, the Speaker ruled, after a voice vote, that parliamentary sittings would continue.

The Minority responded by chanting and attempting to disrupt the session, leading to a heated standoff between the two sides of the House.

Earlier in the day, tensions escalated when the Minority blocked Mahama Ayariga from responding to demands to withdraw a December 4, 2025, letter from the Clerk to Parliament, further fueling the dispute.

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Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Nyindam said Parliament is meant to be a place where every MP can be heard, but he feels he has been denied that right.

“The Speaker has not been fair to me. When we talk about democracy and the rule of law, Parliament is where an individual should be heard. What he has done to me means he has not given me a fair chance,” Nyindam said.

He added that as Speaker, Bagbin should have protected him, recalling that the Speaker has previously witnessed and handled similar disputes.

“Even in the Gyakie Qyayson issue, he was there as the Speaker and witnessed the matter. Everyone who becomes an MP and has an issue in Parliament, the Speaker has seen it. So to treat me like this, I don’t know the motivation behind it,” he said.

Mr. Nyindam expressed confusion over the decision to contest his seat, insisting that he should have been allowed to present his side of the story.

“Whatever they took to court, I don’t understand why I am being treated this way. I don’t even know why they want to take my seat from me. At least allow me to tell my side, but they didn’t, and subjecting me to this kind of treatment leaves me speechless,” he said.

His remarks come after a Tamale High Court ruling annulled his parliamentary election victory and ordered a rerun in the Kpandai Constituency within 30 days. Following the ruling, Parliament formally notified the Electoral Commission (EC) of the vacancy.

In a letter dated December 4, 2025, the Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, informed EC Chairperson Jean Mensa that the judgment delivered on November 24, 2025, necessitates a fresh election.

The notification, issued under Article 112(5) of the 1992 Constitution, officially triggers the electoral processes required for the rerun in Kpandai.

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Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Nyindam said he finds the situation confusing and unfair.

“I can’t say I am an MP anymore, and for whatever reason, they are contesting my election. Sometimes I am even confused because I have not committed any crime. I don’t know what interest they have to declare my seat vacant,” he said.

He described the situation as frustrating but affirmed his commitment to remaining focused and keeping a clear conscience.

“What is happening is frustrating me as a human being, but I will keep my focus, keep my conscience, and pray that the truth will come out,” Nyindam said.

The MP insisted that there is no evidence suggesting he rigged the election or engaged in any wrongdoing. He added that the issues raised have already been addressed by the Supreme Court.

“I remain confident and grounded in faith as the case proceeds to the Supreme Court. My people know what I can do,” he said.

Nyindam’s comments come after Parliament formally notified the Electoral Commission (EC) of a vacancy following the High Court’s ruling.

In a letter dated December 4, 2025, the Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, informed EC Chairperson Jean Mensa that the judgment delivered on November 24, 2025, necessitates a fresh election.

The notification, issued under Article 112(5) of the 1992 Constitution, officially triggers the electoral processes required for a rerun in the Kpandai Constituency.

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Speaking on the Joy Super Morning Show on Tuesday, Mahama Ayariga said the Minority’s attempt to block debate in the chamber ultimately worked against their own interests.

According to him, the law is clear that once a court orders a rerun of an election, the Clerk is mandated to notify the Electoral Commission (EC), unless a court order is in place to stay the judgment.

“What I know is that as the law is, the Clerk acted properly within the law. He cannot be faulted,” he said. “Once you don’t have an order of the court saying that its judgment should be stayed, the time keeps running. And as we speak, the Clerk, having communicated to the Electoral Commission, the 30 days have started running.”

He argued that the chaos that erupted in Parliament on Tuesday could have been avoided if MPs had allowed a proper discussion on the floor to enable the Speaker to give a ruling. 

Instead, he said, the Minority disrupted proceedings and blocked him from explaining the legal position.

“What the Speaker actually meant was that we should have allowed a discussion in the chamber in an atmosphere that would enable him to give a ruling. They prevented that from happening,” he said, adding that “they are the ones who have suffered the legal consequences.”

Parliament descended into confusion on Tuesday night after Minority MPs demanded an adjournment following Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to defer his ruling on the Kpandai seat matter. 

Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh insisted no government business should continue until the issue was resolved.

But Speaker Bagbin ruled after a voice vote that proceedings would continue, prompting Minority MPs to chant and attempt to disrupt the sitting.

The tension follows a letter dated December 4, 2025, in which the Clerk to Parliament formally notified EC Chairperson Jean Mensa of a vacancy in the Kpandai Constituency. 

The notification was issued after a High Court ordered a rerun of the 2024 parliamentary election in the area.

Mahama Ayariga, who represents Bawku Central on the NDC ticket, said the Majority had every right to defend their candidate, just as the Minority had previously done in similar instances.

“They must be seen fighting for their own. They have forgotten that the person Nyindam defeated is also an NDC person, so we also have a stake in fighting for our own,” he said. 

“If you feel you should fight for your own, you think we shouldn’t be fighting for ours? How unreasonable could you be—especially when the law is on our side?”

He warned that preventing open debate on legal matters in Parliament would undermine the country’s democratic foundations.

“If we start allowing that, then we’ll be destroying the democracy,” he said.

The EC is expected to issue further directives as preparations begin for the ordered rerun of the Kpandai parliamentary election.

He said the administration has worsened living conditions for Ghanaians and undermined key democratic institutions.

Addressing the media, Nana Boakye expressed concern over the sharp increases in electricity and water tariffs, describing them as a heavy burden on ordinary citizens.

He also faulted the government’s handling of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, alleging that some NDC officials have been linked to the illicit activities.

The NPP national organiser further condemned what he described as the politically motivated removal of the former Chief Justice and attempts to weaken the independence of the Electoral Commission by targeting its Chair.

According to him, these actions, if not checked, threaten the integrity of Ghana’s democratic institutions and the rule of law.

Nana Boakye urged the government to demonstrate accountability and focus on delivering tangible improvements in the lives of citizens, stressing that the people’s patience is not limitless.

He emphasised that transparency, good governance, and the protection of institutional independence are vital to maintaining public trust in the government.

His remarks come amid growing scrutiny of the NDC government as it marks its first year in office.

The comments come after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) suggested that President Mahama has a hidden agenda to extend his tenure beyond the constitutional two-term limit, citing social media posts by some National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters urging him to stay in office.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face programme on Tuesday, December 9, Kwakye Ofosu said, “The NPP have whipped itself into needless frenzy. President Mahama has stated emphatically that he will respect the Ghanaian Constitution.

“Because he’s a consummate democrat, there’s no third term anywhere for him or any other person as far as the constitution is concerned. Anyone can say what they want.

“The fact that some people have gone on Facebook to say he should go for a third term doesn’t mean that will happen. The man himself has said he’s not interested.”

He urged the opposition to stop what he described as “needless speculation,” adding, “So NPP should stop wasting their time and everybody’s time, and purporting to be angry.

“It’s an absurd fantasy they’re getting themselves into. The President has not expressed any intent. Any talk about it is a complete waste of everybody’s time.”

President Mahama had previously reaffirmed his commitment to Ghana’s two-term presidential limit on August 27, noting that his absence from the 2028 ballot would help enforce fiscal discipline and curb election-year overspending that has contributed to cyclical economic crises.

During a bilateral meeting with Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Mahama criticised the tendency of incumbent governments to bypass fiscal safeguards for electoral advantage.

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Baafi said the Minority is prepared to remain in Parliament overnight to ensure their concerns are addressed.

“You have clearly stated your intentions, and it is evident that you aim to take the Kpandai seat and other NPP seats. We are prepared for this. Although we are currently the minority, we cannot be intimidated. We are committed to ensuring that parliamentary business does not proceed unless the issues surrounding the Kpandai seat are resolved. If necessary, we will continue to stand our ground indefinitely,” he stated.

He accused the Majority of attempting to take over Kpandai and other NPP-held seats, stressing that the Minority will not back down.

“The letter to the Electoral Commission must be withdrawn; otherwise, we will not yield. No one will be allowed to speak until the Kpandai seat is addressed. If everything were legitimate, we would not have a case, but the MP has filed an appeal and obtained a stay of execution, meaning this action cannot yet be enforced, and the Speaker has been notified,” Mr. Baafi warned.

He further explained that the affected MP has filed an appeal and obtained a stay of execution, preventing enforcement of the High Court’s ruling for now.

Criticizing the handling of the matter, he said it undermines democracy and the rule of law.

“They may try to bully us, but we will not allow it. We will disrupt the process, as that is the only language the NDC seems to understand. No one can remove us from Parliament. I know this effort is being spearheaded by Dafeamekpor. This approach does not bode well for our democracy. Our democracy should be upheld by the rule of law,” he added.

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Darko accused Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and his team of deliberately pushing for a rerun of the Kpandai election, describing the move as politically motivated.

“The Majority Leader has lost it as the leader of the House. As a leader, you must build consensus, but because they have the numbers, they want to do what they want. So we too, with our small number, will also do what we have to do,” Darko said.

He emphasized that the Minority will not permit the Majority Leader to conduct business in Parliament until the dispute over the Kpandai seat is resolved.

“When he stood up to speak, he wanted the business of the House to continue, but we must finish the business of Kpandai first. We need finality, else we won’t let the House proceed. The Clerk must withdraw the letter to the EC,” he insisted.

The Suame MP noted that while the Minority has cooperated with Parliamentary leadership in the past for the sake of national progress, it will not remain passive while the NDC Majority “manipulates the process” regarding the Kpandai seat.

His remarks follow a protest by Minority MPs, who appeared in black on the floor of Parliament to demonstrate what they describe as an “unlawful” and politically biased decision.

Meanwhile, Clerk to Parliament Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, in a letter dated December 4, 2025, officially notified the EC of the vacancy in the Kpandai Constituency. The notification followed a November 24 High Court ruling in Tamale, which annulled the 2024 parliamentary results and ordered a rerun.

The Clerk explained that his action was in accordance with Article 112(5) of the Constitution, which mandates him to inform the EC whenever a parliamentary seat becomes vacant.

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The disruption occurred after Minority MPs demanded that the House be adjourned, following Speaker Alban Bagbin’s deferral of a ruling on the Kpandai seat vacancy.

Earlier, Minority MPs blocked Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga from responding to calls for the withdrawal of a letter from the Clerk of Parliament declaring the Kpandai seat vacant. The letter, dated December 4, 2025, was sent to Electoral Commission Chairperson Jean Mensa after a High Court ruling ordered a rerun of the Kpandai election.

Dressed in black, Minority MPs chanted patriotic songs, banged tables, and hooted at the Clerk of Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, who tried to maintain order. Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh described the letter as “out of place” and “unfortunate,” arguing that it violated the rule of law and should be withdrawn.

The confrontation escalated as Minority MPs repeatedly obstructed Mahama Ayariga whenever he attempted to speak. Speaker Alban Bagbin was forced to temporarily suspend proceedings, urging MPs to respect standing orders and indicating that the matter would be resolved after consultations with the House leaders.

Speaking on the floor of the House, Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh expressed strong dissatisfaction with the ongoing dispute, noting that it has already begun to affect parliamentary proceedings.

“We want to make it clear that until the Kpandai issue is resolved, government business will suffer. Mr. Speaker, we are saying again that until Kpandai is resolved, we on this side will not cooperate,” he stated.

He further urged the Majority side to “marshal their numbers” if they intend to conduct government business, dismissing claims that the Minority is deliberately blocking parliamentary work. According to him, the Majority appears to be attempting to “twist their hands.”

The exchange eventually escalated into heated scenes in the chamber, resulting in a brief disruption between both sides of the House.

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Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Tuesday, December 9, the former lawmaker explained that Mr Nyindam’s return to Parliament hinges on two key legal interventions.

“Matthew Nyindam will be reinstated as Member of Parliament for Kpandai if they arrest the implementation or the operationalisation of the letter written by the Clerk to Parliament and also stay the judgement of the High Court in Tamale,” Alhaji Fuseini said.

He stressed that once these legal steps are taken, Mr Nyindam’s place in Parliament would remain intact until the final determination of the ongoing case.

Alhaji Fuseini’s remarks come in the wake of a controversial letter sent last week by the Parliamentary Service to the Electoral Commission (EC), confirming a vacancy in the Kpandai seat.

The communication followed a High Court directive for a fresh parliamentary election and cited Parliament’s constitutional duty under Article 112(5) to notify the EC of such developments.

The letter, addressed to EC Chairperson Jean Mensa and signed by Clerk to Parliament Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, effectively initiated the administrative steps toward a by-election to choose a new MP for the constituency.

However, the Minority Caucus has strongly objected to the move, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the letter.

They argue that the action is unlawful, procedurally defective, and inconsistent with ongoing legal processes related to the case.

Meanwhile, Mr Nyindam has filed an application at the Supreme Court seeking to annul a High Court judgement that invalidated his 2024 election victory.

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Today marks one year and two days since Ghanaians cast their votes on December 7, 2024. We gather here not in celebration, but in profound alarm, to expose a brazen and sustained assault on our democracy. I am talking about a vicious attack on the will of the people and a shocking perversion of justice.

Two weeks ago, on November 24, 2025, the Tamale High Court delivered a judgment that is nothing short of a constitutional abomination. A judgment so flawed, so fundamentally reckless, that it threatens to dismantle the very foundation of electoral justice in Ghana. A judgment that unlawfully nullified the Kpandai parliamentary election and ordered a rerun.

This judgment is not merely incorrect. It is catastrophically dangerous. It is a monument to judicial recklessness. It is a spectacular perversion. And if allowed to stand, it will unleash a chaos that will consume our democracy.

Let me be absolutely clear from the outset. The New Patriotic Party respects the judiciary. But respect does not mean cowardly silence when injustice screams from the rooftops. Respect does not demand we meekly accept a verdict that suffocates the law, contemptuously ignores the Constitution, and obscenely rewards violence with victory.

Today, we say enough. Today, we sound the alarm to wake every Ghanaian who cherishes democracy. Today, we declare our fearless resistance to this dangerous precedent.

THIS JUDGMENT IS AN UNMITIGATED LEGAL DISASTER

This judgment is not just flawed. It is jurisprudentially bankrupt. It is a wholesale massacre of established legal principles.

Section 20 of PNDCL 284 requires three cumulative elements before an election can be voided: there must be non‑compliance with the Act or regulations; that non‑compliance must mean the election was not conducted in accordance with the principles laid down by law; and the non‑compliance must have affected the result of the election.

The court quoted this law. It recited the test. And then it committed an act of judicial fraud. It completely abandoned the arithmetic.

Consider the following undeniable numbers. Our Member of Parliament won by a decisive margin of 3,734 votes. The petitioner’s own evidence conceded disputed votes amounted to just over 500.

Five hundred votes cannot conceivably overturn a margin of 3,734. This is primary school arithmetic. Yet, this judge brazenly voided the entire election. How? By simply ignoring the “affected the result” requirement. The court leaped recklessly from “there were irregularities” to “void the election.”

This is not the law. This is not justice.

Our election manual is explicit: where proven irregularities could not possibly change the result, the election must stand. The Supreme Court affirmed this in Enos versus Electoral Commission—an election is not to be invalidated where the outcome manifestly reflects the majority will.

This judge arrogantly discarded that sacred principle. This judge spat on binding precedent. This is judicial vandalism.

REGULATION 48 WAS DELIBERATELY IGNORED

The judgment pompously declares the petitioner’s absence from the relocated collation centre a fatal breach of natural justice. But here is the true outrage that exposes this judgment as a sham: the court deliberately, systematically ignored Regulation 48(2) of C.I. 127.

Let me state the law clearly. Regulation 48(2) states, unambiguously, that the non-attendance of candidates or agents does not invalidate acts lawfully done by the returning officer.

This is black-letter law. It exists for a vital reason: to prevent a candidate’s deliberate absence from becoming a weapon to void elections. The Electoral Commission’s witness affirmed this under cross-examination. Yet, this judge scandalously ignored it, allowing a general principle to brazenly trump an express statutory provision.

This is not interpretation. This is judicial legislation. This is dictatorship from the bench.

THE BURDEN OF PROOF WAS CYNICALLY MANIPULATED

Observe the court’s cynical double standard. It refused to find the petitioner led the vandalism that forced the EC to relocate the collation centre, claiming there was insufficient evidence. It declared it would not speculate.

But then, miraculously, when assessing whether irregularities affected the result, speculation became acceptable. Vague, unsubstantiated assertions were deemed sufficient.

The petitioner produced no credible alternative tally. He called no agents from the disputed polling stations. He never demonstrated how 500 votes could overturn a 3,734-vote lead.

Yet, this judge granted the most drastic relief possible—voiding the entire election, disenfranchising thousands, and rewarding the petitioner for his evidentiary failure.

In many shocking ways, this is a grotesque perversion of the burden of proof. It is a classic case of brazen judicial malpractice.

PROPORTIONALITY WAS GROSSLY ABANDONED

Let us now examine the court’s most consequential failure: its reckless abandonment of the constitutional duty to act proportionately.

Section 19 of PNDCL 284 gives the High Court only three tightly framed choices: cancel the election, seat another candidate, or dismiss the petition. This is not an arbitrary menu. It is a sacred, limited grant of power. Because these choices directly touch the Article 42 right of every citizen to vote and to be counted, the court is constitutionally bound—by Articles 23 and 296—to use that power cautiously, fairly, and in a manner that preserves the voters’ real choice wherever the law makes it possible.

Our jurisprudence is unequivocal on how this duty must operate. In Enos v Electoral Commission, the Court found the returning officer had breached the law. Yet, instead of voiding the entire poll, it used section 19(b) to declare the petitioner duly elected, emphasizing that a whole election should not be invalidated if the result still reflects the majority will. This principle was elevated to the highest level in the 2013 Presidential Election Petition. The Supreme Court, adopting the Medhurst v Lough test, held that proven non-compliance will not justify voiding a poll if the election was “really and in substance” conducted under the law and the result was not, and could not reasonably be supposed to have been, affected. This is the settled doctrine of “substantial compliance”: elections are to be upheld where breaches do not overturn the people’s choice.

Measured against this unbroken line of authority, the Kpandai judgment is starkly, dangerously out of step.

The court itself accepted that many defects were mere administrative errors—clerical lapses that could be addressed through scrutiny or re-collation under the law. The petitioner’s own case originally reflected this reality; he sought targeted relief in only 41 polling stations, not the wholesale annihilation of the constituency’s choice. The evidence was clear: every single Form 8A existed. The result was gazetted. The raw materials to ascertain the true will of the people were all present and available.

Despite this, the court leapt straight to the harshest of the three section 19 outcomes: a full constituency-wide rerun. Its justification? That some collation materials were destroyed.

But the judgment provides no convincing reason why the loss of those materials made it impossible to reconstruct the lawful majority from the existing Form 8As. It offers no justification for why narrower remedies—a scrutiny, a re-tabulation, or at most a limited rerun—were inadequate or even considered. It fails to squarely answer the central question that Section 20 and our Supreme Court demand: Did the proven irregularities actually show that the declared winner did not secure the majority of lawful votes?

This is the core, unforgivable flaw. Where our case law insists on proportionate, vote-preserving remedies, this judgment defaults to nuclear relief. Where precedent commands caution to respect the sovereign will, this court exercised caprice. It did not use section 19 in the careful, constitution-compliant manner our jurisprudence requires. It acted not as a guardian of constitutional rights, but as an agent of their destruction.

This is not a lawful judicial order. It is a fatal constitutional dereliction. Put differently, this is not justice. This is judicial brutality against the sovereign will of the people.

THE MOST DANGEROUS PRECEDENT: REWARDING VIOLENCE

Now we arrive at the most outrageous, the most terrifying part of this abomination.

It was the violent, criminal acts of the petitioner’s supporters that forced the relocation of the collation. They vandalized the centre. They destroyed materials. They created terror.

And now, this judge declares that because the petitioner was not notified of the new venue—a venue made necessary by his own supporters’ violence—the entire election must be voided.

Do you comprehend the perversity? Do you see the catastrophic precedent?

There is an ancient, sacred legal principle: an evildoer must never benefit from his evil. This judgment violates that principle utterly. It rewards violence. It incentivizes chaos.

The message is chilling: if you are losing an election, create chaos. Destroy materials. Then run to court and claim your rights were violated.

If this stands, it will destroy our democracy. It will turn every election into a battleground. It will make thuggery profitable.

This is not law. This is the death of democracy.

We categorically reject this monstrous principle. We call on the appellate courts of this land to uproot this poison before it infects our entire jurisprudence.

OUR UNYIELDING LEGAL RESPONSE AND PLEDGE TO KPANDAI

Let this be heard by all: our condemnation of this judicial abomination is matched only by our decisive, unified, and lawful action. The New Patriotic Party stands as one solid rock behind our Member of Parliament for Kpandai, the Honorable Matthew Nyindam. His fight is our fight. His cause is the cause of every member and supporter of this great party.

With the full authority, resources, and total backing of the entire NPP, Hon. Nyindam has taken the following immediate and formidable legal actions:

1. First, he has filed a stay of execution against the orders of this bogus judgment, halting any illegitimate rerun in its tracks.
2. Second, he has filed a powerful notice of appeal to the Court of Appeal, respectfully praying for the total overturning of this legal travesty.
3. And third, recognizing the grave constitutional injury inflicted, he has initiated an application for certiorari at the Supreme Court, respectfully calling on the highest court of the land to quash this perverse judgment and restore constitutional order.

We are deploying the full force of our legal arsenal within the framework of the law. Our weapons are the Constitution, precedent, and an unshakeable commitment to justice.

To the resilient people of Kpandai, we send this message directly:

We see your clearly expressed will, written in the indelible ink of 3,734 votes. We hear your sovereign voice, which this judgment tried to silence. Do not lose heart. The New Patriotic Party has not abandoned you. We have not retreated. We are with you, completely and unfailingly.

We will walk every step of this legal journey with you. We will fight in every court, at every hour, with every resource at our command, to defend the mandate you freely gave. Your victory was legitimate. Your choice was just. And we will not rest until that choice is vindicated and your rightful Member of Parliament is restored.

This is our sacred pledge to you.

PART OF A SINISTER, CALCULATED AGENDA

Ladies and gentlemen, this catastrophic judgment did not happen in isolation. It is part of a deliberate pattern. It is a thread in a sinister, calculated agenda by the National Democratic Congress to use captured state institutions to silence opposition, suppress dissent, and hold Ghana’s democracy hostage.

Look at the facts. Since assuming power, the NDC has waged a relentless assault on democratic norms.

In Ablekuma North, we witnessed the criminal annexation of our seat—a daylight robbery. State-sponsored thuggery marred the partial rerun. Our stalwarts, including the distinguished Hon. Hawa Koomson, were savagely beaten. The perpetrators received a mere Court fine. We chose peace and stability, and did not escalate.

In Akwatia, votes were bought openly, shamelessly, and systematically. And let us never forget Sofo Azorka’s chilling threat to eliminate our Minority Leader—a reckless incitement still unanswered for in court.

And this assault is not confined to our courtrooms. We see it now in the very halls of Parliament, the people’s house. We see the machinations to intimidate our Members of Parliament and suppress their voices through a dishonest and autocratic misuse of the rules of procedure—a clear breach of both the spirit and the letter of the Constitution of Ghana.

We know they have made our courageous Minority Leader their prime target, seeking to silence the most powerful voice holding this government to account. But let this warning echo through the corridors of Parliament: we in the NPP will not allow their evil plots to succeed in any way.

We will have our say in that House. We will expose their fraud, their corruption, and their abuse of power with relentless clarity. We will use every legitimate tool within parliamentary practice to ensure the voice of the people, as represented by their elected Members, is never stifled by the tyranny of the majority. Attempting to mute the Minority is an attack on democracy itself, and we shall resist it utterly.

Yet even then, we chose peace. We exercised maximum restraint. We voiced our profound concerns and moved on.

But the NDC must never mistake our commitment to peace for weakness. They must never confuse our restraint for surrender.

Now, they bring this outrageous Kpandai judgment. Now they threaten a showdown. Now they have the audacity to argue our lawfully elected candidate should not sit in Parliament.

This is not democracy. This is dictatorship masquerading as law.

The NPP puts the NDC on firm notice: we will not stand idly by while you destroy our institutions. We will not be silent while you pervert justice. We will not allow you to criminally annex seats you could not win at the ballot box.

CATASTROPHIC MISGOVERNANCE

And even as the NDC schemes to entrench itself, governance collapses.

Our Senior High School students have started failing at record rates. Their futures are in jeopardy, and there is no plan.

‘GoldBod’ and others sponsor the destruction of our water bodies through galamsey. Our rivers die, our forests vanish, and state institutions look away.

A million tonnes of local rice rot while farmers weep. Insecurity rises. Ghanaians no longer feel safe in their own country.

This is not governance. This is catastrophic failure on an epic scale. This is not the Ghana we handed over to the NDC.

OUR UNSHAKEABLE COMMITMENT

Let me state clearly where we stand.

The NPP is committed to constitutionalism, the rule of law, and responsible opposition. We reject violence.

But commitment does not make us doormats. Constitutionalism does not mean accepting lawlessness from those in power. The rule of law applies to all—including the government, judges, and the president.

We have been patient. We have been restrained. We have prioritized peace. But our patience has limits.

If the NDC continues on this path of institutional capture and democratic subversion, they will find a different NPP—a party ready to defend democracy with every lawful tool at its disposal.

We promise not violence, but resistance. Powerful, democratic, constitutional resistance. Resistance that will shake the foundations of their captured institutions.

URGENT CALL TO ACTION

To the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court: The Kpandai judgment is fundamentally, catastrophically flawed. It misapplies the law, ignores regulation, manipulates evidence, abandons proportionality, and rewards violence. These are not minor errors; they are defects that strike at the heart of electoral justice.

We respectfully urge you to set this dangerous judgment aside. Restore the mandate the people of Kpandai overwhelmingly gave. Uproot this vicious precedent.

To President Mahama and the NDC: We see what you are doing. Every scheme. Every plot. We will never be silent. We will never surrender. I Respect the Constitution. Focus on governing. Stop capturing institutions. Stop annexing seats. Stop rewarding violence. The people are watching. History is watching.

To the media and people of Ghana: Stay vigilant. Your democracy is under severe threat. Speak up. Stand firm. Do not let this country slip back into authoritarian rule.

To our members and supporters: Stay strong. Stay peaceful. Stay ready. The fight for Ghana’s democracy is not over. It has just begun. And we will win.

CONCLUSION

One year and one day ago, the people of Kpandai voted freely. They chose their Member of Parliament by a crushing margin of 3,734 votes.

That vote is sacred. That voice is sovereign.

A flawed judgment cannot silence it. A captured judiciary cannot overturn it. Violence cannot be rewarded. Thuggery cannot triumph.

The New Patriotic Party stands today as the fierce defender of that vote, that voice, and Ghana’s democracy.

We will pursue lawful means to abort this travesty. We will fight. We will protect this Constitution. We will never surrender. We will never give up on Ghana.

May God bless the New Patriotic Party.

May God bless our beloved Ghana.
And may God defend our democracy against all enemies.

The rerun order was issued by Justice Emmanuel Bart Plange Brew of the Tamale High Court, after which Parliament on Monday, December 8, 2025, officially declared the Kpandai seat vacant and notified the Electoral Commission (EC).

Speaking to journalists in Accra on Tuesday, December 9, Nana B accused the judge of mishandling the burden of proof, arguing that the ruling favoured speculation over evidence.

“This is not interpretation; this is dictatorship from the bench. Clearly, in this case, the burden of proof was cynically manipulated by this judge,” he stated.

He further criticised the court for failing to hold the petitioner accountable for alleged vandalism that forced the relocation of the collation centre during the election and for accepting what he described as vague and unsubstantiated claims of irregularities.

“The petitioner produced no credible tally, yet speculation became acceptable,” Nana B added.

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The Minority, led by the Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, read an urgent statement on the floor of Parliament, indicating that the act by the House amounts to selectivity of justice.

They described the action by the Clerk to Parliament and the Majority as a violation of democratic principles.

According to the Minority, the matter in question was ruled on by the Tamale High Court, presided over by Justice Bart-Plange Brew, who granted the relief sought by the plaintiff — a decision which, after the 21-day period, renders the seat vacant.

The Minority, however, insists that the decision by the court is untenable.

They noted that they had informed the House that processes had been filed in both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, and that these had been duly served on the Speaker.

Despite this, the Minority expressed disappointment that the Majority and the Speaker directed the Clerk to write to the Electoral Commission declaring the Kpandai seat vacant.

Today’s sitting, which was expected to consider key business including the passage of the 2026 Budget, came to a halt as the Minority protested.

After the speech by their acting leader registering their displeasure in the chamber, the presiding Speaker abruptly left his seat without announcement.

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After a long closed-door meeting monitored by Adom News, the Minority announced its decision to fiercely oppose Parliament, the Clerk, and the Government, describing the development as “sad and unfortunate” for Ghana’s democracy.

Members of the Caucus appeared in all black to register their displeasure.

Information gathered indicates that the Minority will formally challenge the decision on the floor of the House.

Meanwhile, as Parliament continues work on the budget appropriation, the Majority currently has 11 members present in the chamber, while the Minority has 31.

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According to him, the pressure is justified since the party supporters did enough to secure an unprecedented thirty-three percent of votes for the party in the general election.

“This is the first time the Ashanti Region has been able to get about 34 percent in an election and seven MPs, so it is expected that people make demands,” he said.

Already, members of the Region have attained seventy-five national appointments into government, but the pressure for more continues to heighten.

To the Chairman, the party is committed to fulfilling promises made to members during the campaign period.

“They should remain calm and support the President. Not everyone can get an appointment, but we are telling those who have it to bring it down and enjoy it with everybody,” he added.

Delivering promises to Ashanti Region

The President, in the 2024 campaign, promised to complete stalled projects. The Krofrom Market is among the projects that the people of Kumasi have long awaited for its delivery.

Kumasi Mayor, Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, after taking up the role, has taken initial steps to complete the project, with the President, John Dramani Mahama, and his Vice, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, both pledging support for it.

According to the Regional Chairman, a quota of the common fund has been allocated to the project.

“The common fund allocation is not enough, but the Regional Minister and KMA Mayor are working to secure funding to complete it,” he added.

Already, plans are advanced to award the project to a new contractor. Aside from the Krofrom Market, a 24-hour economy market has been earmarked for all 43 district assemblies.

This is expected to open up the districts for business. The Chairman further indicated that six projects have already been awarded on contract in each district.

Source: Nana Yaw Gyimah

Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story on Monday, December 8, the Ministry’s Spokesperson and Director of Communication, Richmond Rockson, cautioned the Minority against politicising the adjustment, stressing that the government inherited a severely distressed power sector.

He said the previous administration left behind more than GH¢80 billion in debts owed by ECG, US$1.7 billion owed to Independent Power Producers (IPPs), systemic mismanagement, revenue under-declaration through the Cash Waterfall Mechanism, poor procurement practices, and recurring shortages of liquid fuels for thermal plants.

These were crippling challenges that undermined efficiency and stability in the power sector. The government has since implemented decisive reforms to address them,” Mr Rockson said.

He argued that the new 9% tariff increase must be viewed in context, especially when compared to the previous administration’s last major increment of 27%, which placed significant pressure on consumers.

“If you compare the current 9% increase to the last major increment of 27%, it clearly reflects the impact of the reforms championed by the government under Energy Minister Hon. John Jinapor, alongside the rebound of the economy and positive macroeconomic indicators,” he explained.

Mr Rockson noted that since January 2025, government interventions have strengthened compliance with the Cash Waterfall Mechanism, improved ECG revenue collection, ensured timely payments to IPPs and enforced transparent procurement processes.

According to him, these measures have delivered a stable power supply and reduced technical and commercial losses, marking a major turnaround in sector performance.

“The tariff adjustment announced by PURC is essential not only to safeguard utilities but also to support critical investments and maintain long-term stability in the power sector,” he added.

He urged the Minority to pursue constructive engagement rather than politicising a decision aimed at sustaining Ghana’s electricity infrastructure, insisting that the gains made so far must be protected through responsible policy and reform.

Speaking on the AM Show, Mr Nyindam maintained that he is calm because his side did not engage in any wrongdoing in the disputed 2024 race.

“I am so fine because I am not troubled. We’ve not cheated in this particular election,” he said.

He, however, accused the government of wielding overwhelming influence over national processes, suggesting that state actors act without regard to fairness. “What I’ve realised is that there is a government that is so strong and whatever they want to do, they will want to do it.

They don’t care whether you are right or you are wrong,” he said, adding that he views himself as “just an individual” in the broader political machinery.

His comments come as the Parliamentary Service has formally notified the Electoral Commission of a vacancy in the Kpandai Constituency following a court order directing a re-run of the 2024 Parliamentary Elections.

The notification, dated December 4, 2025 and signed by Clerk to Parliament, Mr Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, fulfils the constitutional requirement to trigger the administrative processes for a fresh poll.

The letter was sent to the EC Chairperson, Mrs Jean Mensa, in line with Article 112(5) of the 1992 Constitution.

The upcoming re-run is expected to determine who represents the people of Kpandai in Parliament, after months of legal challenges and political tension.

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Speaking in an interview on Citi FM on Monday, December 8, Akomea noted that Dr. Bawumia’s popularity within the party has grown significantly — this time, without the advantage of incumbency.

He explained that the former Vice President’s expanding support base places him in a strong position ahead of the January polls.

“Bawumia’s popularity has actually risen without incumbency, and that is why I keep saying he will do better than he did in 2023. It’s just a month away — you will see,” Akomea said confidently.

The NPP is set to elect its presidential candidate on January 31, 2026. Dr. Bawumia is among five aspirants vying to lead the party into the next general election.

The other contenders are former Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong, former Agriculture Minister Dr. Bryan Acheampong, former Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, and former NPP General Secretary Kwabena Agyepong.

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Speaking on Citi FM on Monday, December 8, 2025, Mr Akomea said no STC property was disposed of under his watch, insisting that those seeking to associate him with any land transactions were peddling falsehoods.

According to him, it was rather the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration that engaged in the sale of STC lands more than a decade ago when the company was struggling financially.

He recalled that around 2010, approximately four acres of STC land in Takoradi were sold to Melcom, and that even the Managing Director’s official residence at Ridge was disposed of, forcing him to secure private accommodation when he later assumed office.

“They are accusing the wrong person. The only government that sold STC land was the NDC. They offloaded about four acres in Takoradi to Melcom. They even sold the MD’s bungalow at Ridge, so when I became MD, I had to find my own place,” Akomea explained. “I haven’t sold even a single foot of STC land.”

He added that another portion of land near the STC headquarters was sold to a company called BCL long before he took over leadership.

Mr Akomea maintained that the accusations against him were misleading and urged the public not to be swayed by politically charged narratives.

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She says the Cecilia Dapaah case and the ongoing matter involving the former Finance Minister have entrenched long-standing distrust among citizens who once hoped the OSP would transform accountability in the country.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on December 8, she said the failures of the office cannot be blamed on only one factor.

“So it is both. It is both,” she said, responding to a question on whether the problem lies with the occupier of the office or with the structure itself.

She drew a comparison with how the RTI Commission was set up to explain the depth of the structural gaps.

“Let me use the RTI example, for instance, to give you what we are talking about in the passage of the RTI law and the setting up of the commission. When the law was passed, we realised that there was a one-year cooling-off period to ensure that the office was set up and set up very well.”

She said the approach with the Special Prosecutor’s Office was the opposite.

“In the case of the SP, when the law was passed, by February, the SP was appointed. He didn’t have space to even operate, and so the first SP had his issues of setting up office, which office he wanted and who he was going to work with.

“He didn’t have staff. And for about three years, we went up and down. So structurally, we had a flaw, a serious flaw there.”

Mary Addah said independence was also compromised.

“The issues around independence, either being substantive or otherwise, also remain a key problem, because we saw that in the execution of the mandate, we continue to see interference, and it led to the first SP leaving office and the second one taking office.”

She said public confidence had already been weak, and the OSP’s early struggles made things worse.

“Remember that the appetite of citizens, as well, and at the time, in the fight against corruption, was very low.

“Because the trust levels were very low, we thought that the politician would do what they would do to get away with what they would do anyway. And so, citizens’ trust had dwindled citizens believe.”

She said specific cases deepened that distrust.

“And this has been entrenched by some of the cases that have come through the office. For instance, in the issue of Cecilia Dapaah, we saw that this case didn’t go anywhere.

“And then now we also have the issue of the former Minister of Finance, who is also treading almost the same path and the trust of citizens, that’s why the voices are that loud.”

Despite the concerns, she said new institutions need room to find their footing.

“But it remains also true that in setting up an office, we should give them time to be able to settle in, to put in place structures.”

When host Evans Mensah asked whether eight years was not enough time, she responded that the answer depends on the tools the office has been given.

“Yes, it depends on what we have given them and how they are doing it.”

Parliament notifies EC of vacancy for Kpandai parliamentary rerun

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In a letter dated December 4, 2025, and addressed to EC Chairperson Mrs. Jean Mensa, the Clerk explained that the vacancy arose after the High Court in Tamale, on November 24, 2025, annulled the constituency’s parliamentary results and directed that a fresh election be conducted.

He noted that the notification was in line with Article 112(5) of the 1992 Constitution, which requires the Clerk of Parliament to inform the EC whenever a parliamentary seat becomes vacant.

The court order was served on the Clerk of Parliament, who was the fourth respondent in suit number NR/TL/HC/E13/22/25, prompting the formal declaration of the vacancy.

The EC is now expected to commence processes toward organising the rerun election for the Kpandai seat.

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The defence team had maintained that the documents requested were essential to their case preparation.

The matter was originally adjourned on 25th November 2025 after lead counsel Andy Appiah-Kubi informed the court of plans to formally seek the disclosures.

During the sitting on Monday, December 8, both parties advanced their arguments, with Deputy Attorney-General Justice Srem Sai urging the court to dismiss the request.

After reviewing the submissions, presiding judge Audrey Kocuvie-Tay ruled against the defence, effectively striking out the application.

Speaking to journalists after proceedings, Mr Appiah-Kubi said the court’s decision reinforced their conviction that the prosecution did not have the documents in question.

He added that the team was fully satisfied with the outcome, describing the ruling as consistent with their expectations.

Chairman Wontumi is facing criminal charges for allegedly violating the country’s mining laws.

In October, the Office of the Attorney-General filed a six-count criminal charge sheet at the High Court (Criminal Division) in Accra against Chairman Wontumi, over alleged breaches of the country’s mining laws.

He was charged alongside Kwame Antwi and Akonta Mining Company Limited (Wontumi’s firm).

The charges, which arise from alleged unauthorised mining activities at Samreboi in the Western Region, invoke key provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995).

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