Catholic Bishops Renew Call for State of Emergency to Combat Galamsey Crisis
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has once again urged the government to declare a state of emergency over the country’s worsening illegal mining crisis, known locally as galamsey, warning that the situation is reaching dangerous new levels and demands urgent, radical action. Addressing the issue in an interview with an Accra-based station, President of the Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, called for intensified government efforts to tackle illegal mining in order to safeguard public health, the environment, and the livelihoods of ordinary Ghanaians. Most Rev. Gyamfi cautioned that the impact of galamsey extends far beyond environmental destruction, posing serious risks to water bodies, the food chain, and public health. “You cannot stop fighting galamsey. It is poisonous and very dangerous, creating other sicknesses, introducing illegal drugs into the water system, the food chain and etc,” he warned. He argued that the government must show stronger resolve in addressing the menace, insisting that the gravity of the crisis warrants extraordinary measures. “Since the president of Ghana held the sword and swore to protect and defend Ghana, we should see him do certain things radically and these are situations where we say a state of emergency should be declared on this deplorable and wicked situation so that Ghanaians will be seen to be really and clearly defended,” Most Rev. Gyamfi said. The Bishops’ Conference believes only a decisive national response can shield communities from the devastating consequences of illegal mining. Most Rev. Gyamfi emphasized that sustained commitment and firm government action are essential to overcoming the growing threat posed by galamsey to Ghana’s environment and the well-being of its people. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Chairman Wontumi Sues Exim Bank, EOCO, and Attorney General Over GH¢18m Loan Dispute
Former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, familiarly known as Chairman Wontumi, has taken legal action against the Ghana Exim Bank, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and the Attorney General. He is asking the High Court to halt criminal proceedings in a contentious loan dispute involving his company, Wontumi Farms, and the state-owned bank. Chairman Wontumi and Wontumi Farms, represented by lawyer Samuel Atta-Akyea, contend that the dispute, centering on a loan of over GH¢18 million granted for a farming project, should be treated strictly as a civil matter, not a criminal one. The plaintiffs are currently facing criminal charges that include defrauding by false pretences, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state. According to their statement of claim, the plaintiffs argue that EOCO has overstepped its mandate by acting as a debt collector in what they insist is a contractual disagreement. They stress that Wontumi Farms used a 10,000-acre parcel of land as collateral for the loan and that Chairman Wontumi himself provided a personal guarantee for repayment in case of default. They further assert that Ghana Exim Bank agreed to secure insurance to cover the facility. Chairman Wontumi and his company deny any wrongdoing or deceit in acquiring the facility. They are urging the court to declare the case a civil debt matter and to direct Ghana Exim Bank to seek recovery through the mortgage, personal guarantee, or insurance cover, rather than through criminal prosecution. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Vice President Advocates Practical Support for Teachers at 2026 Ghana Teacher Prize
At the 2026 Ghana Teacher Prize ceremony held on Monday, October 5, Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang delivered a heartfelt message on the enduring impact teachers have on their students’ lives. Addressing an audience gathered to honour exceptional educators, she emphasized that the profound responsibility entrusted to teachers must be matched by real, tangible support from the state. “A teacher’s influence on a child can last a lifetime. The responsibility we place on teachers must be matched by practical support,” Prof. Opoku-Agyemang stated, highlighting the crucial role teachers play in nurturing integrity, care, and professionalism in the next generation. She outlined the government’s ongoing investments in education, noting improvements in school infrastructure, the provision of educational resources, and initiatives aimed at enhancing teachers’ welfare. “The Teacher Dabrɛ Initiative seeks to improve accommodation, particularly for teachers serving in underserved communities. We are also working to ease the pressures of double-track schooling and resolve administrative challenges affecting teacher placement, promotions, and remuneration,” she revealed. Acknowledging the rapidly changing world facing today’s children, the Vice President called for classrooms to evolve accordingly. “Teachers must therefore have access to continuous professional development, appropriate technology and the tools required to prepare learners for the realities of the future,” she said. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also addressed concerns raised by teacher unions, assuring the teaching community that the government is engaging stakeholders to work through their issues collaboratively. “Building the education system we want requires us all to continue working together in the interest of our children,” she said. To conclude the ceremony, the Vice President extended her warmest congratulations to all award recipients and expressed deep appreciation for teachers across Ghana who continue to serve with dedication, often in demanding circumstances. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
NDC Deputy General Secretary Admits Telling EOCO to Arrest Manhyia South MP
A major political stir has erupted after Mustapha Gbande, Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), openly admitted instructing the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to arrest Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah. Speaking on JoyNews, Mr. Gbande clarified that his call for arrest was not linked to the MP’s role as a lawyer for senior nursing officer Salomey Awiti-Baffoe, as some had speculated. Instead, he said his directive was prompted by concerns over the MP’s conduct and a firm belief that no one should ignore an invitation from law enforcement. “I told him to arrest him. I wouldn’t lie about it,” Mr. Gbande stated. “I met the EOCO boss; I told him to arrest the guy. Let the whole world come to an end. Arrest him.” Mr. Gbande argued that Baffour Awuah should have simply honoured EOCO’s invitation, made the necessary statement, and left, rather than hold a press conference over the issue. The controversy began on September 23, 2026, when EOCO officers attempted to arrest the MP at the Accra High Court. According to EOCO, the arrest was part of an ongoing investigation and followed two previous invitations sent to the MP in February 2026—both of which, the agency said, went unanswered. However, the operation was called off after officers assessed that proceeding could jeopardize public safety. MP Baffour Awuah, meanwhile, disputed parts of EOCO’s narrative. He claimed the officer who approached him at court failed to provide proper identification or an arrest warrant, and that he became suspicious when the officer insisted he travel in their vehicle instead of his own. The situation intensified on September 30, when the High Court granted EOCO authority to arrest Baffour Awuah and search for documents related to their investigation. The court directed that the warrant be executed through the Speaker of Parliament. EOCO’s probe focuses on alleged unauthorized financial transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans, including suspected financial loss, dissipation of public funds, and money laundering. Baffour Awuah, who explained that his former law firm represented SIC Life Savings and Loans in recovering funds from another institution, reported himself to EOCO on October 1, accompanied by his lawyers and other MPs. He was charged with three offences, pleaded not guilty, and was released on GH¢10 million bail with two sureties. The next hearing is set for October 26. Amid the ongoing case, Mr. Gbande dismissed suggestions that law enforcement agencies must announce intended arrests in advance. “There’s no law that says that when a law enforcement agency is doing its work, it should come to media houses and tell them that I’m going to arrest somebody,” he said. Mr. Gbande further insisted that no political office-holder should see themselves as above the law. “Never should I sit anywhere and say that because I am a deputy general secretary of a party, I am bigger than the laws of Ghana,” he emphasized. He concluded that if Baffour Awuah had committed an offence, it was right for law enforcement to take the necessary action. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana’s Rape Laws Under Scrutiny: Calls for Reform to Protect Male Victims
The President of the Young Lawyers Association, Noah Ephraem Tetteh Adamtey, recently brought national attention to a significant gap in Ghana’s rape laws. Speaking in the wake of a troubling incident involving a ride-hailing driver, Mr. Adamtey recounted the chilling ordeal: the driver alleged that three women, who had booked his vehicle, overpowered him during the trip and forced him to have sex against his will. Despite his resistance, the driver was ultimately subdued, left confused and hesitant to report the crime, uncertain if, as a man, he could even be considered a victim of rape under Ghanaian law. Mr. Adamtey explained that Section 98 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), which defines rape, does not recognize a man as a possible victim. As a result, men subjected to forced sexual acts by women cannot pursue rape charges. However, he clarified that the law is not entirely silent: such conduct could be prosecuted as indecent assault when there is forcible, non-consensual sexual contact. This allows the state to pursue criminal charges against perpetrators, even if the term “rape” does not apply. The Young Lawyers Association President further noted that if a victim is prevented from leaving a vehicle after being overpowered, the law could also support charges of assault, battery, and false imprisonment. Sections 84 and 85 of Act 29 offer grounds for prosecution in cases where someone is forcibly restrained or subjected to unwanted physical contact. Nonetheless, Mr. Adamtey observed a troubling disparity: the penalties for indecent assault and false imprisonment are generally less severe than those for rape, which is treated as a serious felony. This, he argued, leaves a gap in legal protection for men who experience sexually exploitative acts by women. While criminal charges may be possible, the resulting punishments may not match those imposed in conventional rape cases. “If the manner in which the woman had sexual contact with the man rises to the level of unnatural canal knowledge, then the punishment may be equivalent to that for rape,” Mr. Adamtey said. “In such a circumstance, the man could receive a remedy similar to what a woman would get if a rape charge was brought.” Describing the issue as one requiring thoughtful policy consideration, Mr. Adamtey stressed the importance of determining whether Ghana’s laws adequately protect male victims of non-consensual sexual violence. He emphasized that while the current definition of rape excludes male victims, there are still legal remedies available, albeit with potentially lighter penalties. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Honoured as Best Health Reporter at 5th Upper East Regional GJA Awards
Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen, Editor-in-Chief of ApexnewsGh.com, has been honoured as the 2025 Best Health Reporter at the 5th Upper East Regional Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards. Mr. Ngamegbulam, who had earlier been nominated for the prestigious regional awards, was recognised for his outstanding contribution to health journalism, particularly his commitment to telling stories that highlight the challenges confronting vulnerable and marginalised communities. His award-winning entry was a documentary titled “Pains of the Forgotten: Leprosy, Stigma, and Resilience in Ghana,” an investigative and human-interest documentary that exposed the struggles, stigma and challenges faced by persons living with leprosy in the Upper East Region. The documentary explored leprosy as one of humanity’s oldest known diseases, while drawing attention to its continuing impact on communities despite advances in medical science. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 188 countries and territories reported a combined 172,717 new cases of leprosy in the year referenced by the documentary. However, the documentary highlighted that while leprosy remains a global health concern, its impact is particularly profound in vulnerable communities, including parts of Ghana’s Upper East Region. Communities in Bongo, Talensi, Nabdam and other districts continue to confront the disease and its associated social consequences. In Bongo District, where the population is slightly above 120,000, the documentary established that 57 cases were officially recorded between 2019 and September 2025. It also raised concerns that the actual number could be higher because of fear, stigma, misinformation and reluctance among some affected persons to seek medical attention. Beyond leprosy, the documentary placed the issue within the wider challenge of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Ghana. These diseases disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, often deepening poverty, social exclusion and inequality. The production, which received significant attention, was sponsored by the Development Research and Advocacy Centre (DRAC), a non-profit and non-state institution committed to research, training and advocacy towards sustainable development in Ghana, particularly within the savanna ecological zone. Speaking to journalists and bloggers after the awards ceremony, Mr. Ngamegbulam expressed satisfaction with the organisation of the event and commended the Upper East Regional GJA leadership, led by Regional Chairman Albert Sore, for what he described as a well-organised awards process. He also praised the Awards Vetting Committee for what he considered a thorough vetting exercise. Mr. Ngamegbulam said the recognition was particularly significant because it reflected years of consistency and dedication to journalism and public-interest reporting. Since the establishment of ApexnewsGh.com in 2020, he said, the platform has remained committed to producing stories that draw attention to issues affecting communities and contribute to public discourse on development in the Upper East Region. The recognition also adds to his record of awards and nominations in journalism since 2019, reflecting his involvement in different areas of media practice. Mr. Ngamegbulam also expressed special appreciation to the management of WORD FM, a community radio station in the region, for supporting the documentary and providing an opportunity for the production to be aired on its network. He noted that such partnerships between journalists and media organisations were important in ensuring that public-interest stories reached wider audiences. The awards ceremony brought together prominent personalities from the Upper East Region and beyond, including Dr. Braimah Baba Abubakari, Regional Director of Health Services; Bolgatanga Central Member of Parliament, Hon. Isaac Adongo; Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Apaak; Bongo Member of Parliament, Lawyer Charles Bawa Dua; the Baare Chief; and a representative of the Upper East Regional Minister, among other dignitaries. The event provided an opportunity to recognise journalists whose work has contributed to public awareness, accountability, development and social change across the region. Sponsors and Partners The 5th Upper East Regional GJA Awards received support from a number of organisations and institutions. Headline Sponsors: Lesken Enterprise Ltd MyTurn Limited KacStone Records Main Sponsors: PAGA Youth Movement NorthLite Solar Category Sponsors: ActionAid Ghana Afrikids Ghana NABOCADO Endswell Pharmacy MTN Partners: Alafia WaterAid Ghana Widows and Orphans Movement Ghana Tourism Authority Ghana Hotels Association – Upper East Region AquaBolg Natural Water The recognition of Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen as Best Health Reporter underscores the growing importance of health journalism that goes beyond reporting statistics to document the lived experiences of vulnerable people and bring overlooked public-health challenges into the national conversation. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
GJA Upper East Chairman Uses Humorous Personal Experience to Spotlight Importance of WASH at 5th Regional Awards Night
The 5th Upper East Regional GJA Awards in Bolgatanga was an evening of gratitude, laughter, and reflection, highlighted by an unforgettable address from GJA Regional Chairman, Albert Sore. Sore opened the ceremony on a warm note, drawing the audience in with a personal story from a July work trip. After a long journey and an unexpected detour, he and his companions found themselves at a modest hotel in Atebubu, where only shared bathrooms were available. In urgent need, Sore accepted the elderly hotel manager’s offer to use a private toilet. He was led through a maze of rooms, only to find himself in her bedroom, using the family facility. As he described the flurry of awkward thoughts that crossed his mind, the audience burst into laughter when he joked about setting a world record for the fastest toilet visit. But Sore’s humor set the stage for a sobering reflection. He called on the audience to imagine if the discomfort he felt was a daily reality for pregnant women and mothers in healthcare facilities, where privacy, clean water, and hygienic toilets are often lacking. For these women, Sore emphasized, there is no easy escape; their health and dignity depend on the conditions they find themselves in. This reality, Sore explained, is why this year’s theme, “Beyond the Headlines: The Media’s Role in Promoting WASH for Safe Motherhood and Quality Healthcare,” was chosen. He underscored that water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are not luxuries but essentials for safe and dignified healthcare. Sore praised WaterAid Ghana for its ongoing commitment to advancing WASH in local communities. Calling on journalists to go beyond the surface in their reporting, Sore challenged the media to investigate whether healthcare facilities truly meet basic WASH needs, and to highlight not only the problems, but also the solutions, holding duty-bearers accountable along the way. As the awards recognized journalistic excellence in areas such as agriculture, education, health, gender, and more, Sore congratulated all honorees and reminded them that every accolade brings added responsibility. He encouraged all journalists to keep striving for impactful, ethical, and trustworthy storytelling. In closing, Sore reminded the gathering: “Beyond the headlines, there are lives to be touched, voices to be heard, and systems to be held accountable. Let us never lose sight of that responsibility.” Sponsors and Supporters: Headline sponsors: MyTurn Limited, Lesken Enterprise Limited Main sponsors: NorthLite Solar Limited, Kacstone Records, Paga Youth Movement Supporting organisations: WaterAid Ghana, ActionAid Ghana, AfriKids Ghana, Endswell Pharmacy, MTN Ghana, Alaffia, NABOCADO, Widows and Orphans Movement, Adonai Sport Management-UK, Ghana Tourism Authority, Lapam Zorkor Hotel, Ghana Hotels Association – Upper East Region, AquaBolg Natural Mineral Water Individual supporters: Hon. Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaane, Hon. Simon Aworigo, Lawyer Anthony Namoo, Dr. Dominic Anarigide, Hajia Charity Rahinatu Asoemah, Ambassadors for Julius Debrah – Upper East Region, Friends of Prosper Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Upper East Region Records 60 Maternal Deaths in 2025 Amid Water and Sanitation Challenges–UE-GHS Director Dr. Braimah Baba Abubakari
At the 5th Upper East Regional GJA Awards in Bolgatanga, a sobering statistic cast a shadow over the celebrations. Dr. Braimah Baba Abubakari, Upper East Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), revealed that the region had recorded 60 maternal deaths in 2025, an alarming figure in a year when infections remained among the top causes of these tragedies. While the region achieved a skilled delivery rate of 75.86 percent, surpassing the national target of 65 percent, Dr. Abubakari cautioned that this progress should not overshadow persistent gaps in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) across health facilities and communities. He explained that the maternal mortality ratio had actually increased to 132.4 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2025, up from 97.1 per 100,000 the previous year. Sepsis, or infection, ranked as the fourth leading cause of maternal mortality in the region last year. Dr. Abubakari stressed that adequate WASH facilities are not a luxury but a necessity for safe motherhood and quality healthcare. “A health facility without water, sanitation and hygiene cannot deliver quality care, irrespective of how many doctors, how many pieces of equipment, how many midwives or how many drugs are stored in the facility,” he emphasized. Sharing the stage with journalists and health professionals, Dr. Abubakari called for stronger collaboration between the health sector and the media. “The health sector and the media need each other,” he said, highlighting how journalists can amplify hidden challenges and rally public support for critical health issues. He painted a vivid picture of the daily struggles faced by some health workers, who are forced to ration limited water supplies during shortages. Midwives, he explained, require clean water to wash their hands before and after deliveries, and to ensure that instruments and delivery rooms are properly sterilised. Without reliable access to water and good hygiene, the risk of infection, and maternal death, remains unacceptably high. As the Upper East Region looks ahead, Dr. Abubakari urged all stakeholders not to treat water and sanitation as peripheral concerns, but as the very foundation of quality healthcare. His message was clear: for every mother and child in the region, the simple act of turning on a tap could be a matter of life and death. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Deputy Education Minister Appeals to Striking Teachers to Return as Government Addresses Outstanding Issues
Just at the recent 5th Upper East Regional GJA Awards in Bolgatanga, Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, made a heartfelt appeal to pre-tertiary teachers across the country: return to the classroom as government works to resolve the longstanding issues surrounding their promotions, salaries, allowances, and conditions of service. Dr. Apaak acknowledged the legitimacy of the teachers’ concerns, assuring them that government was actively engaging with the teacher unions and relevant state institutions to find lasting solutions. He praised journalists for their vital role in ensuring public accountability and supporting the development of the education sector. Addressing the current impasse, Dr. Apaak explained that the challenges facing teachers—including delays in implementing promotions for those who had passed their exams—were genuine and had not been dismissed by government. He revealed that nearly 80,000 teachers were affected by a data-transmission problem between the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, a glitch that had prevented the timely adjustment of salaries and allowances. Government, he said, had reached an understanding with teacher unions that promotions should be processed automatically, without teachers needing to resubmit documents. He assured teachers that there would be no financial disadvantage, with all payments to be backdated to January 2026. Dr. Apaak also addressed the government’s proposed 20 percent-plus salary incentive for teachers posted to rural and underserved communities—a policy aimed at attracting educators to areas in need. However, he noted that implementation had stalled due to difficulties in defining which communities qualified. To address this, a committee involving the Ministries of Education, Labour Relations and Employment, and the Ghana Statistical Service was being formed to provide the necessary data and criteria. The Deputy Minister further identified the expiration of the collective agreement between teachers and their employer as a source of tension. Negotiations for a new agreement had been delayed, but government had since tasked the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to engage with teacher union leaders. A high-level meeting involving several ministries and union representatives had also been convened to continue dialogue and seek solutions. Throughout his speech, Dr. Apaak’s message was clear: government remained committed to honouring all legitimate entitlements owed to teachers. “We continue to appeal to the teachers to go back while we work out the modalities,” he said. “We can be assured that what is due them, no matter how long it takes, will become all their arrears.” As negotiations continue, teachers are being urged to return to their classrooms, with assurances that the issues at the heart of the strike are being addressed at the highest levels. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Thousands of Police Deployed as NPP Prepares for National Delegates Conference in Kumasi
The Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi is abuzz with anticipation as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) gears up for its National Delegates Conference and elections. According to Anthony Abayifaa Karbo, the party’s Organisation Committee Chairperson, between 3,000 and 4,000 police officers have been deployed to provide security for the high-profile event. Karbo outlined that the security presence would cover not only the stadium itself, but also the hostels where delegates and guests are accommodated. Police officers are also tasked with managing traffic flow around the venue, ensuring a seamless experience for all attendees. Preparations for the conference, scheduled for Saturday, October 3, are in full swing. Delegates are arriving in Kumasi and settling into their designated hostels, while workers set up public address systems at the stadium. Security personnel have already taken up their posts in and around the venue, Karbo told Citi News. He took a moment to commend the Inspector General of Police and the Ashanti Regional Police Command for their strong cooperation and proactive efforts to ensure the safety and orderliness of the conference. Karbo expressed confidence in both the aspirants and the delegates, noting their responsible and cooperative conduct throughout the process. “We’re very much ready for tomorrow; you come around, you see the police and arrangements so far. I’m sure we’re ready; delegates are arriving at their hostels,” he said. The party, he emphasized, is committed to ensuring that the conference proceeds smoothly and successfully. Karbo called on all delegates to conduct themselves responsibly, underscoring the importance of a peaceful and well-organized event as the NPP gathers to shape its future. Source: Apexnewsgh.com