NPP Upper East Communication Director Aspirant Johnson Ayine Unveils Vision for Stronger, United Party Messaging
Johnson Ayine, an aspirant for Upper East Regional Communication Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has laid out a bold vision to overhaul the party’s communication strategy, promote unity, and expand its appeal at both grassroots and regional levels. With over twenty years of experience in communication, known for his fact-based, data-driven approach, Ayine has pledged to address existing weaknesses and foster transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in the NPP’s outreach. “I know there are weaknesses we need to address to strengthen NPP communication. My aim is to do things differently and better,” he said in an interview. Ayine emphasized that effective political communication is crucial for shaping public opinion and influencing voter behavior. “If we want to win more constituencies and secure more votes for the NPP, we must equip every party executive and supporter with basic communication skills. This way, they can confidently represent the party in any setting, whether on radio, in the market, or on their farms.” He plans to introduce regular training for party members, ensuring everyone can clearly communicate NPP policies and respond to criticism. “Our communicators should be able to debate and win arguments wherever they are, helping people understand the party’s pro-poor policies and achievements.” Ayine also stressed the importance of unity, selflessness, forgiveness, and teamwork within the party, noting that unity is critical for public trust and electoral success. “When people see that party members are united, supportive, and ready to solve problems together, they are more likely to support us,” he said. To ensure transparency and accountability, Ayine will establish a welfare committee with a dedicated bank account for communication resources. “All contributions and expenditures will be recorded and acknowledged, so supporters know exactly how their resources are used. This will encourage more people to support the party financially.” He also intends to set up a research and archives committee to monitor promises made by both the NPP and their opponents, especially the NDC. “We must hold the NDC accountable for their promises and highlight the unfulfilled ones, just as they have done to us in the past by tagging our then Vice President Dr. Bawumia as “Bawuliar”. This committee will gather facts to support our arguments and strengthen our public messaging.” A monitoring and publicity committee will also be introduced to track media appearances and ensure the most suitable spokespersons address relevant issues. “We’ll monitor all media, match communicators to topics they are best suited for, and ensure we have the right people addressing the right issues to avoid missteps.” Ayine proposes an annual ‘Communicators Day’ to acknowledge and reward outstanding communicators, fostering motivation and healthy competition within the team. He also outlined plans for outreach days, where party communicators, executives, and candidates will visit communities, engage with voters, and conduct house-to-house campaigns. “Direct engagement helps us understand voters’ problems firsthand and tailor our messages to resonate with them.” He stressed the importance of localizing communication and making party messages relevant to the daily lives of constituents. “People want to hear how national policies affect their daily lives. Our communicators must be able to link party achievements to the concerns of the people.” Johnson Ayine’s vision centers on training, transparency, research-backed messaging, strategic media engagement, recognition of top communicators, and grassroots outreach. By implementing these strategies, he believes the NPP can build a more effective, united, and responsive communication network to win the hearts and minds of voters across the Upper East region. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
NPP Secures Police Approval for Mammoth Protest Following Court Ruling
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has received the green light from the Greater Accra Regional Police Command to hold a massive demonstration on Thursday, August 6. The move comes in the wake of the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit and discharge the former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, overturning her conviction and 10-year prison sentence handed down by the High Court. After securing police approval, the NPP’s National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, popularly known as Nana B, addressed the media and detailed the demonstration route. “We intend to stage this demonstration to press home our demand that democracy must be protected. On Thursday, August 6, at 5 AM, we will assemble in front of the Supreme Court before proceeding to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and then to the Jubilee House. We will also present a petition to Parliament through a designated representative,” Nana B announced. According to Nana B, the planned protest aims to draw attention to what the party sees as a subversion of justice, suppression of free speech, and the erosion of Ghana’s democracy. He explained, “On Friday, July 31, we submitted our notice to stage a mammoth demonstration over what we describe as selective justice, interference with the judiciary, and the repressive bail conditions imposed on members of the opposition.” Nana B further asserted, “Today, democracy is under attack. We are witnessing the suppression of free speech and the criminalisation of free expression. Our democracy is dying, and this is not what President Mahama promised.” The NPP’s upcoming demonstration is set to be a significant event, highlighting the party’s concerns about the current state of governance and judicial independence in Ghana. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Uncovered Illegal Mining Pits Claim 23 Lives in Ashanti Region, Prompting Crackdown and Land Reclamation Efforts
Uncovered illegal mining pits have claimed the lives of 23 people, including 12 adults and 11 children, across 19 districts in the Ashanti Region this year, with four additional individuals still missing. The alarming toll of drownings in abandoned pits was revealed during the Ashanti Regional First Half-Year Review meeting organized by the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC). Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene, speaking to the media, described the situation as “a key concern to NADMO and the security agencies.” He issued a stern directive to Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), stressing their responsibility to combat illegal mining within their jurisdictions. Rejecting excuses about inadequate funding, Dr. Amoakohene emphasized that MMDCEs must act promptly on notifications from the Forestry and Minerals Commissions or formally escalate issues to NAIMOS and the RCC. “If you don’t have the funding to fight it at your level, there should be evidence of you writing to NAIMOS or RCC so we can pick it up,” he charged. In response to the drownings, the RCC has launched targeted land reclamation projects to fill hazardous open pits in high-risk communities. The minister warned that regional security forces would intensify crackdowns on illegal operations near forest reserves, water bodies, and key infrastructure, urging miners to shift to the government-backed cooperative mining framework or face full law enforcement action. To further protect critical infrastructure, Dr. Amoakohene highlighted the recent establishment of a permanent Forestry Commission post, supported by the UK government, at the Oda Forest Reserve in Numeri. The facility has helped safeguard the Oda Water Treatment Plant from a potential total shutdown due to heavy upstream pollution, thereby securing the region’s water supply. The minister’s remarks underscore the urgency of addressing the hazardous legacy of illegal mining and the Ashanti Region’s commitment to land reclamation, environmental protection, and public safety. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ahafo Ano South East MP’s Comments to Schoolgirl Spark Social Media Debate
Comments made by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ahafo Ano South East, Yakubu Mohammed, during a visit by pupils to Parliament have ignited a wave of mixed reactions on social media. The Ashanti Regional MP was addressing the students, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and aspire to leadership positions. In the midst of his remarks, he paused to speak to one of the schoolgirls, asking for her name and then saying, “You’re very beautiful. When you grow up, I will marry you.” As some of the pupils responded with laughter and murmurs, the MP added, “She’s my wife,” before returning to his broader message about future ambitions, telling the students, “In future, she’ll also be an MP. And all of you as well, will be somebody in future.” The incident quickly drew attention online. While some social media users viewed the MP’s comments as a light-hearted joke, others condemned them as inappropriate and unprofessional. Solomon Peana-The Naturopath commented, “It is inappropriate. However, he doesn’t have any negative intentions, he’s just being playful. He must be cautioned and trained properly in communication.” Another user, Naadja Sackey, described the remarks as “Gross.” The episode has sparked a broader conversation about professionalism, boundaries, and appropriate conduct by public officials, especially when addressing young people. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Parliament Approves PPP Deal for Return of Road Tolls, Paving Way for Nationwide Electronic Tolling
Parliament has approved a landmark concession agreement between the Ministry of Roads and Highways and a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to be set up by Rock Africa Limited, setting the stage for the reintroduction of road and bridge tolls through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework. The agreement is designed to attract private sector investment for the financing, deployment, operation, and maintenance of a nationwide electronic toll collection system. The new system aims to improve revenue generation for road infrastructure projects and enhance the efficiency of toll collection. Parliamentary approval followed a debate on the report by the Roads and Transportation Committee, with discussions centering on the decision to reinstate tolls, which were abolished in 2021. During the debate, Bimbilla MP Dominic Nitiwul defended the previous Akufo-Addo administration’s move to suspend road tolls, explaining that it was intended to ease the financial burden on Ghanaians as the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) was introduced and to address traffic congestion caused by manual toll booths. Despite his defense of the earlier policy, Nitiwul expressed strong support for the proposed electronic tolling regime, describing it as a more efficient and convenient alternative to the old system. He highlighted that the technology-driven approach would eliminate long queues at toll plazas, offer a better experience for motorists, and provide a sustainable funding source for maintaining and developing the country’s road network. Nitiwul urged fellow MPs to support the concession agreement, expressing confidence that the electronic tolling system would significantly boost road maintenance and infrastructure development nationwide. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Government Unveils Programme to Commemorate First Anniversary of Tragic Helicopter Crash
The government has outlined a series of national events to mark the first anniversary of the August 6, 2025 helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight senior government officials and security personnel. In a statement issued on Thursday, July 30, Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, revealed that the commemorative activities will pay tribute to the memory, service, and sacrifice of the “Departed Eight.” The commemoration, organised in partnership with the Ministry of Defence, key stakeholders, alumni groups, and the bereaved families, will officially begin on Thursday, July 30, with the presentation of the state’s support package to the families of those lost. On Tuesday, August 4, Burma Hall at Burma Camp will host the Dr. Edward Omane Boamah Memorial Lecture, organised by the Ministry of Defence and the Pope John Senior High School Old Boys Association (POJOBA). The lecture, open to the public, will begin at 2:00 p.m. A National Inter-Faith Memorial Service is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, at the UPSA Auditorium in Madina, Accra, starting at 8:30 a.m. President John Dramani Mahama and Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang are expected to attend, alongside other dignitaries and the bereaved families. Later that day, at 4:00 p.m., the Ministry of Defence will unveil a memorial cenotaph in honour of the victims. Attendance at the unveiling will be by invitation only. The week of remembrance will conclude on Saturday, August 7, with the “Service to the Soul” Nationwide Blood Donation Drive. This humanitarian effort aims to replenish blood banks at hospitals across the country, including the 37 Military Hospital and other designated centres, in honour of those who perished in the crash. Calling the tragedy one of the nation’s most painful moments, the government urged all Ghanaians, civil society organisations, religious bodies, media, and the public to participate in the commemorative activities and support the blood donation campaign. “The loss of these eight noble individuals remains a deeply painful chapter in our nation’s history. However, their spirit of dedication to duty must continue to inspire us as a people,” the statement read. The victims, who were en route from Accra to the Ashanti Region on official assignment when their Ghana Air Force helicopter crashed in Adansi, included Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, NDC National Vice Chairman Dr Samuel Sarpong, Former Parliamentary Candidate Samuel Aboagye, and crew members. The government emphasised that the anniversary events are meant to honour the legacy of the departed while offering ongoing support to their families. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Attorney-General Seeks Stay of Execution After Court of Appeal Acquits Ex-MASLOC CEO
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has swiftly responded to the Court of Appeal’s acquittal of former MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe Attionu by filing an urgent application for a stay of execution, seeking to keep the judgment in abeyance pending an appeal at the Supreme Court. The application, filed on Thursday, July 30, came just hours after the Court of Appeal unanimously overturned Attionu’s conviction and 10-year prison sentence, ordering her acquittal and discharge on all charges. The Attorney-General is urging the Court of Appeal’s Criminal Division in Accra to suspend its judgment until the Supreme Court rules on the state’s appeal. Principal State Attorney Hilda W. Craig filed the motion, supported by an affidavit from Assistant State Attorney Andrew Owusu-Agyemang. The affidavit recounts Attionu’s legal journey: arraigned before the High Court in February 2019 on charges including stealing and causing financial loss to the state, she left Ghana during her trial, leading to her conviction in absentia in April 2024 and a 10-year sentence with hard labour. Attionu appealed her conviction in February 2026 while still abroad, but was extradited from the United States in June 2026 after a Nevada federal court approved her return. She began serving her sentence upon arrival in Ghana. However, on July 30, 2026, a three-member Court of Appeal panel set aside her convictions, finding that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and emphasising the constitutional presumption of innocence. Challenging the acquittal, the Attorney-General argues that the Court of Appeal’s decision resulted in a substantial miscarriage of justice, citing material errors of law and fact. The affidavit asserts that the Republic’s Supreme Court appeal raises substantial and arguable grounds with a real likelihood of success. The Attorney-General warns that failing to grant a stay could render the appeal ineffective if Attionu’s acquittal is allowed to stand before the Supreme Court rules. The application asks the Court of Appeal to suspend its July 30 judgment until the Supreme Court delivers a final decision. Court documents indicate that the application has been served on the Registrar of the Court of Appeal’s Criminal Division, Attionu at Nsawam Medium Security Prison, and the Director of the Ghana Prisons Service at Nsawam. Attionu originally faced 78 charges, including conspiracy to steal, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering. She was convicted in absentia in April 2024, but the appellate court’s ruling has now been challenged by the Attorney-General, who remains confident that the Supreme Court will overturn the acquittal. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Speaker Bagbin Assures Chief Imam of Reconsideration and Swift Passage of Anti-LGBTQ Bill
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has assured the National Chief Imam that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ bill, will be reconsidered and passed again before Parliament goes on recess. The assurance was given during a visit to the Chief Imam on Thursday, July 30, 2026. Bagbin revealed there is even a strong possibility that the bill could be passed as soon as Friday, July 31. He explained that his dissatisfaction with the sentencing provisions in the current form of the bill has led him to call for its reintroduction for further scrutiny and refinement of three specific clauses. “I have gone through it and I am not happy with the sentencing regime, the sanctions because I think it did not reflect what you conveyed to me as my fathers. That is why I called for it to be reintroduced at the end so that we just tweak and refine those clauses, they are only three, to make it better,” Bagbin shared. He added that President Akufo-Addo is in total agreement with the need for the bill’s further review and swift passage. Bagbin also urged Ghanaians to ignore any attempt to politicize the bill’s passage, stating, “There is no politics in it at all. Anybody trying to do politics just disregard that. Both Muslims and Christians agree, even the non-believers agree, that this one if we don’t pass it then we are acting against the decree of God.” The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, was initially passed on May 29, 2026, after a series of amendments. The revised law exempts lawyers who provide legal advice or representation to LGBTQ persons, as well as journalists and media organizations reporting professionally on LGBTQ matters. Medical professionals offering services such as surgery, psychological care, or counseling to LGBTQ persons are also protected from sanctions under the bill. Despite opposition from the Minority Caucus, who argued the previous draft contained significant flaws, Parliament approved the bill, subject to final constitutional processes. The Speaker’s renewed commitment signals that Parliament is determined to finalize the bill’s passage before the upcoming recess. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Government Endorses Five-Year Term for President and Parliament in Major Constitutional Reform Proposal
The government has formally endorsed a recommendation to extend the tenure of both the president and parliament from four to five years, signaling a significant shift in Ghana’s political landscape. The announcement came as Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, presented the government’s White Paper on the Constitutional Review Committee’s recommendations. According to Dr. Ayine, the decision to lengthen the term of office is rooted in the practical challenges faced by successive administrations. “The government has accepted a recommendation to extend the term of office of the president from four years to five years, with the term of Parliament extended to correspond with this,” he stated. Dr. Ayine explained that the current four-year cycle leaves little room for governments to make a meaningful impact. “Under the current four-year cycle, the early months of every administration are consumed by transition matters, and the final year is largely consumed by elections. A five-year term provides a more realistic time frame for the formulation, implementation and assessment of government policy,” he noted. The Attorney General also revealed that the government had accepted in principle the proposal to lower the minimum age for presidential candidates, though with an adjustment. The Constitutional Review Committee had recommended reducing the minimum age from 40 to 30 years, but the government has settled on 35 years. “The minimum age will be 35 years, not 30 years. And of course, the details of this will be fashioned out by the Constitutional Review,” Dr. Ayine said. These proposed changes form part of a broader constitutional review process aimed at strengthening Ghana’s democratic governance and ensuring that future administrations have adequate time and opportunity to deliver on their mandates. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
NPP Slams Court of Appeal’s Acquittal of Ex-MASLOC CEO, Calls Ruling “Defiance of Law, Logic and Common Sense”
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has sharply criticized the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit former MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, describing the ruling as a blow to justice and accountability in Ghana. In a press statement issued on Thursday, July 30, 2026, the NPP said the ruling “defies law, logic and common sense.” Tamakloe-Attionu, who was extradited from the United States just weeks ago to begin a 10-year jail sentence, had been convicted in April 2024 by the High Court on multiple counts, including stealing, causing a GH¢90 million financial loss to the state, money laundering, and breaches of the Public Procurement Act. The conviction followed a five-year trial, during which Tamakloe-Attionu fled the country and was convicted in absentia. The NPP’s statement referenced the judgment delivered by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, which it said “meticulously details, count after count, the fraudulent disbursements”, including funds meant for loan beneficiaries and victims of the Kantamanto Market disaster. “That a conviction anchored on such an abundance of evidence could be overturned in this manner defies logic, law and common sense,” the party asserted. The NPP further argued that the ruling makes a “mockery” of EOCO’s investigations, the diligence of the trial court, and the considerable resources invested in Tamakloe-Attionu’s extradition on June 9, 2026. The party also accused the government of orchestrating the acquittal, calling it part of a “shameful project” to shield political allies. “The speed and convenience with which this matter has been disposed of leaves no room for any other conclusion,” the statement read. According to the NPP, the acquittal is part of a pattern since January 2025 where the Attorney-General has used nolle prosequi and discontinuations to free “virtually every person affiliated to the governing party” facing trial for offenses against the public purse. “What could not be achieved through the front door of a nolle prosequi has now been achieved through the back door,” the party charged. The NPP is now demanding that the Attorney-General publish a full account of all discontinued cases involving government-affiliated individuals since January 2025. It also called on the Judicial Council to act quickly to restore public confidence in the judiciary, which the party says has been “gravely undermined” by the Court of Appeal’s decision. “When justice is dispensed on the basis of party affiliation, the very foundation of our constitutional democracy is imperiled,” the NPP warned. The party concluded by vowing to pursue all lawful means, including a Supreme Court review, to ensure “those who plundered the public purse are held to account.” Source: Apexnewsgh.com