Mr. Coker reportedly passed on Saturday, May 31, 2025.

Accra-based Citi News reports that the sudden demise occurred at the Bank Hospital after a short illness.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and NDC Director of Legal Affairs, Edudzi Tameklo confirmed the news in a post on Facebook with a  glowing tribute.

Chairman Coker as he was affectionately called was admired by many for his outspoken views on national and political issues and was highly regarded by the NDC grassroots.

He served as NDC Chairman for three consecutive terms after first being elected in 2009.

He lost his re-election bid in 2022 to the current regional chairman and former Adentan MP , Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore.

Scores of Ghanaians and NDC members have taken to social media to mourn him.

In its latest update, the directorate reported that 1,465 suspected cases had been recorded across the region, out of which 200 were confirmed through laboratory testing.

Of the confirmed cases, 118 were males and 82 females, with the majority of affected individuals falling within the 31 to 50-year age group.

Statistics

Providing the statistics at a regional risk communication and community engagement meeting on cholera prevention and control held yesterday, the Regional Disease Control Officer, Christy Kodom-Achempem, noted that no cases were recorded among infants under one year. Two cases were reported among children aged one to 10.

She added that four cases were recorded among individuals aged 21 to 30, and 44 cases occurred in the 31 to 40 age group, with the remaining infections spread across older age brackets.

Prevention Practices

The Health Promotion Manager at the Greater Accra Regional Health Directorate, Eunice Joan Teah Dzagli, expressed concern that the country no longer prioritised the infection prevention practices adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She explained that regular handwashing, personal hygiene, and maintaining clean environments had significantly reduced the spread of infections at the time.

“Our inability to sustain these practices has created an opportunity for bacteria like cholera to spread rapidly.

However, when we began engaging communities and people started taking hygiene seriously—through handwashing, proper sanitation and environmental cleanliness—we were able to bring the situation under control,” she said.

Causes

Mrs Dzagli further warned that the onset of the rainy season had created fertile ground for disease transmission.

“Our gutters are choked with waste, including human excreta, which is rich in microorganisms that can cause serious diseases like cholera.

During floods, contaminated water from gutters and drains often flows into homes. Once the water recedes, it leaves behind harmful bacteria in the environment, increasing the risk of infection,” she explained.

She added that market environments were also contributing to the problem, as food items were being sold directly on the ground.

Additionally, she noted that vegetables consumed by the public were often grown with water from contaminated streams—waters sometimes mixed with drainage waste and already polluted before reaching the crops.

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Speaking on Channel One TV on Friday, April 18, Mr. Barnie emphasized the need for stronger community collaboration in addressing ongoing water supply concerns, particularly in parts of the Greater Accra Region.

His remarks follow recent reports highlighting growing frustrations over inconsistent water flow in several communities.

Mr. Barnie reassured the public that GWL remains committed to resolving issues promptly but stressed the importance of official complaints to trigger support.

“We encourage our customers—if their water is not flowing—to visit our offices. There is always a nearby office where they can lodge complaints, and once we receive the report, we’ll follow up and assist them in getting water,” he explained.

He also reminded residents of the essential nature of water, stating, “Without water, life is impossible. We understand this, and we’re ready to help—but we need our customers to reach out.”

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Data from the directorate shows that in 2024, health facilities in the Greater Accra Region recorded 163 maternal deaths, a slight reduction from 170 deaths in 2023.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that countries meet the 70 deaths per 100,000 live births target by 2030, as part of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.1.

Speaking at the Greater Accra Regional Health Directorate Annual Performance Review meeting for 2024, Dr. Akosua Agyeiwaa Owusu-Sarpong, Greater Accra Regional Director of Health, attributed the high maternal mortality ratio of 167/100,000 live births to the directorate’s inability to fully capture skilled delivery data from all public health facilities and over 600 private health facilities in the region.

The meeting, held under the theme “Improving Performance and Health Outcomes through Service Delivery, Partnerships, and Excellence in Health Service Delivery,” brought together senior managers, programme managers, unit heads, metro and municipal health directors, and medical directors to assess their 2024 performance.

Dr. Owusu-Sarpong noted that ongoing safe motherhood and life-saving skills training, as well as quarterly zonal meetings supervised by obstetricians, gynaecologists, and paediatricians, must be sustained to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality.

For two days, health officials will review their progress, acknowledge successes, identify performance gaps, and develop strategies for improved service delivery.

Looking ahead to 2025, Dr. Owusu-Sarpong said the directorate would focus on strengthening partnerships, improving governance systems, and enhancing service quality and safety.

She acknowledged challenges in staff distribution but noted improvements, particularly in Ada East and Ada West, where postings had often been refused in the past.

“The Region’s aggregate score for the holistic assessment in 2024 was 4.07, compared to 3.93 in 2023, making the region a high-performing one,” she said.

Dr. Owusu-Sarpong also highlighted efforts to bring cholera under control through resilient surveillance and epidemic management systems.

Dr. Caroline Reindorf Amissah, Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), urged health workers to focus on strengthening service commitment amid challenges such as dwindling funds, a rising disease burden, workforce migration, and infrastructure deterioration.

Greater Accra Regional Minister, Madam Linda Ocloo, in a speech read on her behalf, encouraged health professionals to remain steadfast in improving healthcare delivery.

She emphasised the need for transparency, accountability, and excellence in health facilities, adding, “Strengthening reporting mechanisms, particularly in the private health sector, will ensure more accurate data capture and informed decision-making.”

Maternal mortality refers to deaths due to complications from pregnancy or childbirth.

The leading causes include severe bleeding (postpartum haemorrhage), infections (including sepsis), high blood pressure disorders (pre-eclampsia and eclampsia), complications from delivery, and unsafe abortions.

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This has left them unable to purchase essential supplies or feed students.

This was disclosed by the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS).

Speaking to JoyNews, CHASS President Rev. Fr. Stephen Owusu Sekyere narrated how the situation came about.

“The Greater Accra Regional Chairman informed me that several schools in the region have had their accounts swept and are in red. Upon further investigation, I reached out to the Deputy Director-General and the Financial Controller of the Ghana Education Service (GES), both of whom confirmed the situation. I also contacted the Director of Finance at the Ministry of Finance, who likewise verified that the affected schools’ accounts with the Bank of Ghana had been depleted,” he stated.

In January 2025, many senior high schools nationwide faced food shortages, prompting the government to release about GHS200 million as an emergency intervention to help schools procure food supplies. However the schools have not been able to pay food suppliers.

Rev. Father Owusu Sekyere noted that cheques issued to food suppliers have bounced due to insufficient funds in school accounts.

“I’m not sure exactly how much money has been withdrawn from the accounts, but the funds disbursed by the government to address food shortages should be available in these school accounts.

“These funds were specifically allocated for procuring food items, and schools are expected to use them to pay suppliers. However, with no money in the accounts, issued cheques are bouncing, leaving the schools unable to fulfill their financial obligations,” he explained.

He warned that the situation could severely impact the daily operations of the affected schools.

He, therefore, called on the Ghana Education Service and the Bank of Ghana to ensure the immediate restoration of the funds to prevent further disruptions in school operations.

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Initially, 13 candidates were scheduled to contest the election.

However, three of them, including Obed Nyarko, Albert Borketey Naawu, and Musah Ziyad, withdrew.

This left 10 candidates, including Afotey-Agbo Joseph Nii Laryea, Summertime Kwabillna Ampong, Sampson Seyram Kwadzo Agbemabiese, Horvey Charles Yaw, Redeemer Worwui, Joseph Tetten Sottie, Annan Helbert Nii Aryee, Samuel Duah, Nene Drolor Bosso Adamtey (I), and Edmund Siaw Akugbey.

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“Greater Accra has only rice to feed the students, which will not be sufficient in the coming days. We do not have maize, beans, or other ingredients for the schools in the region,” he lamented.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr. Amoasi said he had sent the schools’ needs and outstanding bursaries to the regional director of CHASS for prompt action.

He added that these challenges prompted the national leadership of CHASS to appeal to the government to postpone the reopening of schools to January 3, 2025, but their request was denied.

Mr. Amoasi, also the Headmaster of St. Thomas Aquinas SHS, explained, “My school, which is a day school, only serves hot meals for the students.”

He noted that other boarding schools, such as Labone SHS, Accra Girls SHS, and others, provide only rice for breakfast, lunch, and supper.

The situation, he emphasized, was dire, and he indicated that if nothing was done to address the shortage of rice by Monday, January 13, 2025, there would be no food to feed the students.

He supported the appeal by the National Leadership of CHASS for parents to assist in feeding their children in school.

A communiqué signed by Mr. Primus Baro, CHASS National Secretary, on December 18, 2024, highlighted the financial challenges faced by schools, which persist despite previous communications and verbal assurances from the government.

A statement signed by Cassandra Twum Ampofo, Head of the Public Relations Unit of the Ghana Education Service, announced that SHS students would report to school on Friday, January 3, 2025. The statement also confirmed that Primary and Junior High Schools would reopen on Wednesday, January 8, 2025.

The Ghana Education Service emphasized that its leadership is engaging with the Ministry of Education to address the concerns raised by CHASS.

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According to him, the media through its reportage embarked on campaigns against the NPP, affecting their electoral gains.

The former Tema East Member of Parliament (MP) made these remarks in an interview on Adom FM/TV as part of post election analysis.

“I acknowledge one or two things accounted for the defeat. Most of the media stations are in Accra so it becomes worrying when some outlets decide to criticise everything. Some media houses did not help us at all.

“Two days to election, Joy FM was reporting about galamsey amidst fierce criticisms. Indirectly, they were campaigning against the government,” he stated.

However, he noted the NPP respects the will of Ghanaians and will not give up on its break the 8 agenda and will bounce back stronger.

The NPP before the just-ended election held 14 out of the total 34 seats, while the National Democratic Congress (NDC) holds 20.

The NPP Regional Chairman, Divine Agorhom was confident the party would reclaim all lost seats, setting a target of 21.

However, after the end of polls, the NPP suffered a setback, losing many of the seats it had.

Even though the Electoral Commission(EC) is yet to official declare the 2024 election results, the NDC claims to have won 30 out of the 32 seats.

The National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, at a press conference on Sunday, 8 December said the assertion is based on its internal collation of results from polling stations across the region.

He explained that, NDC polling agents had meticulously collected and submitted data, which the party believes demonstrates its dominance in the region.

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As of the time of this report, Joy News reporters across the region have reported that voters arrived at the various polling stations as early as 4am.

Although the exercise was scheduled to start at exactly 7am, Electoral Commission (EC) officials are still in the process of organising the voting materials to the various voting centres.

Meanwhile, voting has officially commenced at polling stations across Kpone Katamanso, Ododiodio, and Ledzokuku.

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The Ghana Health Service (GHS) disclosed the development, assuring the public that all necessary measures are being implemented to monitor and contain the situation.

According to Dr. Dennis Laryea, Deputy Director of Public Health in charge of Disease Surveillance at GHS, the latest case was confirmed last week.

“There was one case confirmed in the Greater Accra Region. The region has conducted investigations, and so far, no new cases have been identified, even among the contacts. However, we are continuing to monitor for any symptoms. I don’t have the exact number of contacts offhand, but the case was confirmed last week,” he stated.

Contacts of the confirmed case are under surveillance to prevent further transmission of the virus.

Ghana’s first case of MPOX was reported in August in the Western Region, where 25 contacts were identified. Shortly after, the patient’s mother tested positive, bringing the country’s total to two cases as of October 31.

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After the NDC elections on Sunday, the former Adentan Member of Parliament(MP) shocked many after he snatched the seat from the incumbent, Ade Coker.

The former lawmaker polled 327 votes while Chairman Coker, who was optimistic about his re-election, polled 222 votes in the election held at the Tema Sports Stadium.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr Moore stressed elections were underpinned by either victory or defeat.

He has, therefore, urged unity for the greater good of the NDC.

“I would want to congratulate all the aspirants and I have also called them because I need all of them on board because the greater goal is to ensure NDC captures power in 2024,” he said.

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To further deepen unity, he disclosed he will on Tuesday meet all the aspirants to share ideas on how to garner victory.

“I prefer they even call me leader and not Chairman because I want to work together with everyone,” he added.

Other contenders included; Michael Tetteh Kwetey who secured 297, Kojo Obeng Berkoh secured 4 votes while Thomas Mustapha Ashong polled 147.

Ashie Moore beat the incumbent, Ade Coker to snatch the Greater Accra Regional Chairman position from him.

The former lawmaker polled 327 votes while Chairman Coker polled 222 votes in the election held at the Tema Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Ahead of the elections, Mr Coker assured of reclaiming the NDC’s lost Parliamentary seats in the region if re-elected.

This is the second time the duo contested for the position after 2018.

Chairman Coker was first elected in 2009 and has served the NDC till his defeat on Sunday.

Other executives elected included Jerry Johnson who emerged as the Communications Officer while Kennedy Hedo won the Deputy Treasurer race.

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Mohammed Norga was elected the Treasurer and Gambo Abdulai as the Deputy Organiser.

Anthony Nukpenu was retained as the Organiser with Theophilus Tetteh Chaie also re-elected as the Secretary.

According to him, the attitude and relationship of some MPs who lost towards party executives contributed to their downfall.

His comments come on the back of allegations by some failed aspirants that the Regional Chairman, Divine Agorham, was responsible for the outcome of the election.

The party’s Parliamentary candidate for Kpone Katamanso, Hopeson Adorye, for instance, alleged the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) tried every means possible to stop him from winning.

He claimed the MCE sabotaged his campaign while Mr Agorhom brainwashed his people including his (Mr Agorhom) son to work against him.

But speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem show, the former Deputy Transport Minister fought off the claims.

To him, the comments against Chairman Agorham is unfair, owing to the work he did for the party on grounds .

He explained Chairman Agorhom did a lot of work to ensure their massive victory, adding a little push and commitment from the defeated aspirants would have been a game-changer.

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“Nobody can and should blame the Regional Chairman, Divine Agorhom for the loss of seats in the region. We [Parliamentary candidates/MPs] must blame ourselves. Our own behaviours, petty quarrels, and vindictive attitudes gave out those seats to the NDC,” he fumed.

He, however, noted he has spoken to Mr Adorye to cease fire on the rants, adding he has initiated steps for him to formally meet the Chairman and talk issues over.

The NPP in the 2020 election lost seven out of the 21 seats it held in the region.

They included the Krowor, Tema-East, Okaikoi-North, Ledzokuku, Ablekuma-Central, Adentan, Madina constituencies which were flipped to the NDC, securing both parties 137 seats each in parliament.