Ghana Medical Trust Fund Administrator Commends President Mahama and Officials for MahamaCares Salary Contributions
In a heartfelt address during the Government Accountability Series at the Presidency on Monday, May 11, the Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, Adwoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, lauded President John Dramani Mahama and government appointees for their remarkable show of solidarity with the MahamaCares Initiative. The gesture, involving voluntary salary contributions, was described as a testament to the government’s dedication to improving access to specialised healthcare in Ghana. Mrs. Darko-Opoku revealed that President Mahama had set the tone for national giving by donating six months of his salary to the Fund, inspiring others to follow suit. “At this juncture, I wish to express our profound gratitude to His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, who led by example by donating six months of his salary to the Fund,” she remarked. She also thanked the government appointees who joined the cause by contributing portions of their salaries, which strengthened the initiative. The Administrator also acknowledged the vital support from Corporate Ghana, philanthropic organizations, and individuals whose financial contributions have bolstered the Trust Fund’s resources. She explained that a combination of sources sustains the Ghana Medical Trust Fund: 20 percent of the National Health Insurance Levy, government allocations, grants, voluntary contributions, investments, and donations. Established to provide financial relief and specialised care for Ghanaians living with chronic non-communicable diseases, the Fund stands as a beacon of hope, powered by the generosity and commitment of leaders and citizens alike. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Police Smash Armed Robbery Gang: Two Suspects Nabbed After Weeks of Manhunt
For weeks, residents of Bolgatanga and travelers along the Bolgatanga-Walewale highway had lived in fear. Armed men, wielding AK47 rifles and pistols, struck repeatedly, snatching cash, motorbikes, and mobile phones. Some victims never made it home alive. But on the evening of 9th May 2026, the nightmare began to unravel. An elite team from the CID Headquarters Operations Unit, acting on weeks of intelligence gathering and covert surveillance in Bolgatanga and Walewale, closed in on two men in Kumasi. The suspects, Moses Akungoe, known on the streets as “Mosbee,” and Jacob Akugri, alias “Weezy”, were arrested without incident. According to police sources, the two are believed to be key members of a robbery gang that has been terrorising the Upper East and North East Regions. Armed with two AK47 rifles and pistols, the gang allegedly targeted both highways and streets, robbing victims of their belongings and, in several cases, causing deaths. Under interrogation, Mosbee and Weezy reportedly confessed to their roles in multiple robberies. They also named the alleged gang leader, a man called Issaka, and another accomplice, Araafat, both still on the run. Police say they are now pursuing strong leads to capture the remaining suspects, including individuals suspected of supplying the gang with weapons. The two arrested men remain in police custody, assisting with investigations. Authorities are also working to recover stolen items and identify other accomplices linked to the deadly robbery spree. Read full statement: POLICE ARREST TWO SUSPECTED ROBBERS WANTED FOR HIGHWAY AND STREET ROBBERIES IN BOLGATANGA 1. The Ghana Police Service has arrested two suspected robbers believed to be involved in a series of armed robberies within the Bolgatanga metropolis and along the Bolgatanga-Walewale highway. 2. The suspects, identified as Moses Akungoe, also known as “Mosbee,”, and Jacob Akugri, also known as “Weezy,”, were arrested on 9th May 2026 in Kumasi by a team from the CID Headquarters Operations Unit following weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance operations in Bolgatanga and Walewale. 3. Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects were part of a robbery gang armed with two AK47 rifles and pistols, operating within the Upper East and North East Regions. The gang is believed to have robbed several persons of cash, motorbikes, and mobile phones on streets and highways, with some of the incidents resulting in deaths. 4. During interrogation, the suspects admitted to their involvement in several robbery activities and identified the alleged gang leader as Issaka, with another accomplice named Araafat, both currently at large. 5. Police are currently pursuing leads to arrest the remaining suspects, including some persons believed to be supplying the gang with weapons for their criminal activities. 6. The two suspects are currently in Police custody assisting investigations, while efforts continue to retrieve stolen items and identify other accomplices linked to the robberies. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Journalist Calls for Routine Drug Testing in Schools to Curb Student Indiscipline
In a compelling opinion shared with the public, Mr. Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen, Editor-in-Chief of Apexnewsgh, is sounding the alarm on the growing crisis of drug and alcohol abuse among students in Ghana’s educational institutions. According to Mr. Ngamegbulam, this troubling trend is not only fueling riots and widespread property damage but is also undermining discipline in junior high, senior high, and tertiary schools across the country. Citing a 2025 study that revealed over 60% of senior high school students in certain regions have used drugs or alcohol, often starting between the ages of 16 and 18, Mr. Ngamegbulam is urging the government to take action. His proposal: mandatory drug and alcohol testing for all students seeking admission into junior high, senior high, and tertiary institutions in partnership with the Ghana Education Service (GES). He believes this testing should be a regular, periodic exercise, not just a one-time event, to ensure sustained accountability and to act as a deterrent against substance abuse. Mr. Ngamegbulam references the recent turmoil at Bolgatanga Technical Institute (BOTECH), which faced repeated closures due to student riots and planned attacks, as a stark warning of the consequences of unchecked substance abuse in schools. “If students know they will be tested regularly, it will serve as a deterrent,” he argues. Furthermore, he suggests that any student who tests positive for drugs or alcohol three consecutive times should face suspension, a policy he believes would restore discipline. He advocates for this approach to be implemented collaboratively by the GES and the Narcotic Control Commission, ensuring a robust and effective drug and alcohol testing regime nationwide. The ultimate aim, in Mr. Ngamegbulam’s view, is to prevent students from becoming liabilities to themselves and their communities, and instead foster environments where learning and personal growth can flourish. For Mr. Ngamegbulam, the message is clear: unless bold and coordinated action is taken against drug and alcohol abuse, Ghana’s schools face further disruption and the risk of losing a generation’s potential. Regular drug and alcohol testing, along with strict disciplinary measures, could be the solution to restoring order and safeguarding the future of Ghana’s youth. This, he insists, is a conversation the nation can no longer afford to postpone. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Police Retrieve 1,400 Rounds of Ammunition at Workshop in Bolgatanga
In the quiet confines of a mechanic workshop near the Assemblies of God Church in Bolgatanga, an ordinary sweeping task took an extraordinary turn. It was the 9th of May 2026 when an apprentice, while cleaning the workshop floor, stumbled upon something deeply unsettling. The young worker quickly alerted his boss, the auto mechanic, who without hesitation reported the discovery to the Upper East Regional Police Command. Officers were dispatched immediately, arriving at the scene with cautious urgency. What they found hidden inside a humble hen coop was anything but ordinary. Tucked away in fertilizer sacks were two sealed packets, each containing 700 rounds of 7.62×39mm ammunition. In total, 1,400 live rounds were retrieved from the makeshift hiding spot. The ammunition is now secured in police custody, preserved as key evidence. As investigations press on, authorities are determined to trace the source and uncover who owned the deadly cache. Below is the full Police statement POLICE RETRIEVE 1,400 ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION AT WORKSHOP IN BOLGATANGA The Upper East Regional Police Command has retrieved a large quantity of ammunition at a mechanic workshop near the Assemblies of God Church in Bolgatanga. The retrieval followed a report made to the Police on 9th May 2026 by an auto mechanic, who stated that his apprentice discovered suspicious items while sweeping the workshop premises. A team of Police officers moved swiftly to the scene and recovered two sealed packets hidden in fertilizer sacks inside a hen coop. The packets contained a total of 1,400 rounds of 7.62×39mm ammunition, with each packet containing 700 rounds. The exhibits are in Police custody for evidential purposes, while investigations continue to establish the source and ownership of the ammunition. Source: Ghana Police Service
24hr Market: Prioritize Protection; Hajia Charity’s Call to President Mahama, Interior, and Defense Ministers
Former Upper East Regional Women’s Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Hajia Charity Chariyam, has issued a passionate call for enhanced security measures as the government rolls out its 24-hour market initiative across the country. While the initiative has been welcomed by many, Hajia Charity, known for her courage and candid opinions, has raised an alarm over a looming danger: armed robbery. In an interview with Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen of Apexnewsgh, she warned that women who work late into the night face daily threats, and without proper protection, the new policy could do more harm than good. “Imagine a woman selling pepper or salt all day, only to be attacked on her way home and lose her hard-earned money,” she said. “Many of these women rely on small loans from banks or groups such as MASLOC. If robbed, they are left with nothing but debt. Their capital is already small; losing it means they cannot sustain their families or businesses.” President John Dramani Mahama has described the 24-hour market policy as a major campaign promise aimed at creating wealth in beneficiary communities. Speaking at a sod-cutting ceremony for a model market in Bimbilla in the Northern Region, he explained that the modern multipurpose markets would depart from traditional designs, offering banking services, storage, fire and security protection, restaurants, crèches, and clinics to handle traders’ emergency health needs. He assured that all 261 districts of Ghana would eventually benefit. Hajia Charity endorses the president’s vision but insists that a well-structured, round-the-clock security system must accompany it. She proposed that security personnel work in three shifts, morning, afternoon, and night, to ensure markets remain protected at all hours. Without this, she warned, the fear of robbery would only increase, discouraging traders from participating. Beyond immediate protection, she called for long-term solutions to address the root causes of crime. “It’s not just men; even women are involved in robbery out of desperation,” she noted. She urged the government and community leaders to empower the youth with jobs and skills training in trades such as welding, tailoring, and more, so that young people can earn an honest living. Offering a message of hope, Hajia Charity shared the story of some local businessmen who started small and became billionaires through perseverance and honest work. She appealed to President Mahama, the Interior Minister, and the Defense Minister to prioritize both security and empowerment. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana Police Arrest 50 in Special Anti-Narcotics Operation at Madina Market
In a sweeping anti-narcotics operation at the Madina Market enclave in the Greater Accra Region, the Ghana Police Service has arrested 50 individuals suspected of involvement in drug distribution networks. The special exercise, led by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Operations Team, took place on Thursday, May 7. Acting on intelligence, officers moved swiftly to dismantle drug trafficking activities within the bustling market area. Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, Director-General of Police Operations, COP Emmanuel Teye Cudjoe, reported that among those arrested were 46 men and four women. Preliminary investigations revealed that 25 of the suspects are Ghanaians, while the rest include 13 Nigerians, nine Nigeriens, and one national each from Mali, Togo, and Burkina Faso. Police identified 26-year-old Abigail Oku and a Nigerian national, Mohammed Zaya, as alleged ringleaders of the narcotics network in the area. Additionally, two other Nigerian nationals, Yousef Abubakar, 25, and Ahmadu Alfani, 43, were named as shop operators allegedly involved in the sale and distribution of illegal drugs. The suspects, along with items seized during the operation, have been transferred to the National Operations Directorate Headquarters to assist with ongoing investigations. According to the Ghana Police Service, this operation forms part of a broader clampdown on the trafficking and sale of narcotic substances in markets, communities, and public spaces nationwide. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
GTEC Orders Immediate Reinstatement of Bolgatanga Technical University Vice Chancellor Amid Ongoing Investigation
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has ordered Professor Erasmus Samuel Alnaa, Vice Chancellor of Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU) in the Upper East Region, to resume his duties with immediate effect, even as an official investigation into alleged procurement breaches continues. This directive, issued in a letter dated May 4, 2026, and signed by GTEC Director-General Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, takes precedence over earlier decisions by the university’s Council, which had placed Prof. Alnaa on suspension. The letter, obtained by Apexnewsgh, makes it clear that GTEC’s order overrides all previous communications from the BTU Council regarding Prof. Alnaa’s position. Prof. Alnaa’s ordeal began on December 12, 2025, when the Council Chairman instructed him to proceed on accumulated leave. This was soon followed by an updated directive on January 22, 2026, and, ultimately, a formal suspension on February 16, 2026, pending investigations into alleged violations of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663), as amended, and the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921). As a result, BTU has operated without its substantive Vice Chancellor for nearly three months, until GTEC’s intervention. In its letter, the Commission emphasized the need for uninterrupted administration at the university, stating, “The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission directs you [Prof. Erasmus Samuel Alnaa to resume work as the Vice Chancellor of Bolgatanga Technical University with immediate effect, while the investigations into the alleged breaches of procurement continue.” GTEC further assured Prof. Alnaa that any outstanding issues at the university would be addressed in due course, encouraging his continued cooperation with the process. Copies of the letter were sent to the Minister of Education, the BTU Council Chairman, the Chairman of VCTU-G, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education, and the Registrar of BTU, signaling that all relevant stakeholders have been duly informed of the Commission’s directive. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Alagumgube Fires Back at Greater Accra Minister Over “Northern Transfer” Comment
Popular social commentator and founder of Alagumgube Mr. Gabriel Agambila has strongly criticised Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo over comments suggesting that officers who approve illegal buildings could be transferred to Northern Ghana as punishment. The minister’s remarks, made during a meeting with city authorities amid ongoing efforts to tackle unauthorized structures and poor urban planning in Accra, have sparked widespread backlash across the country. According to reports, Linda Ocloo warned that officials who continue to sanction illegal developments may be reassigned to the northern part of Ghana. Reacting sharply to the statement, Alagumgube described the comment as unfortunate and disrespectful to people living in the northern regions. He argued that portraying Northern Ghana as a place of punishment only reinforces harmful stereotypes and threatens national cohesion. “The North is not a punishment zone,” he stressed, insisting that every region in Ghana deserves equal respect and recognition regardless of geographical location or level of development. Alagumgube further called on public officials to be measured in their public comments, especially on matters capable of creating division among citizens. According to him, leadership must promote unity and inclusion rather than deepen regional sentiments through careless remarks. The controversy has since generated heated public debate, with political figures, civil society groups, and social media users condemning the minister’s statement. The Minority Caucus in Parliament also joined calls criticising the remarks and demanding greater sensitivity from government appointees. Following the growing backlash, Linda Ocloo has apologised for the comment, explaining that it was a slip of the tongue and was never intended to demean people from Northern Ghana. Despite the apology, the incident has reignited conversations about regional discrimination, national unity, and the need for public officials to exercise caution in their public communication. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
PSWU Threatens Strike Over Delayed Migration Implementation for NIA Staff
The Public Services Workers’ Union (PSWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Ghana has announced plans to embark on industrial action over delays in the approval and implementation of migration reports for staff of the National Identification Authority (NIA). In a letter dated May 6, 2026, and addressed to the Executive Secretaries of the NIA and the National Labour Commission (NLC), the union stated that the strike action will commence on May 13, 2026, if the necessary approvals are not granted. According to the PSWU, the migration exercise began in December 2024 following the approval of the Scheme of Service in July 2024. However, the union said delays in the process have denied staff proper placement, corresponding salaries, and outstanding promotions. The union explained that despite the completion of the migration process and the submission of the relevant reports, the Ministry of Finance is yet to approve the implementation of payments for affected staff. PSWU noted that 22 months after the approval of the Scheme of Service, workers are still waiting for the full implementation of the migration arrangements. The union further indicated that it has consistently engaged management and other relevant stakeholders in efforts to resolve the matter, but those engagements have failed to produce the desired results. While acknowledging assurances from management that steps are being taken to address the issue, the union said workers, through their decision-making structures, have resolved to proceed with industrial action should the delays persist. According to the union, the planned strike will take effect if approval for the implementation of the migration reports is not secured by May 13, 2026. The letter announcing the planned industrial action was signed by the General Secretary of PSWU of TUC Ghana, Bernard Adjei. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
NDC Revives “Setting the Records Straight” Platform to Counter NPP Propaganda Claims
The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially re-launched its “Setting the Records Straight” platform, describing the initiative as a renewed communication strategy aimed at countering what it says is a deliberate misinformation campaign by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP). Addressing a press conference on behalf of the party, Deputy Communications Officer Godwin Ako Gunn said the platform was more than just a media engagement exercise, insisting it was a political responsibility to defend truth, safeguard democratic gains, and prevent propaganda from distorting public understanding of national issues. According to Mr. Gunn, the NPP had revived what he described as a “machinery of misinformation, half-baked truths, and calculated propaganda” in an attempt to reshape public perception following what the NDC called the opposition party’s poor record in government. He argued that the NPP was seeking to rewrite recent political and economic history, particularly on matters concerning Ghana’s economy and the financial performance of the Bank of Ghana (BoG). The NDC traced the origins of the “Setting the Records Straight” platform to the early 2000s when, according to the party, the then-incoming NPP administration under former President John Agyekum Kufuor attempted to downplay and distort the achievements of former President Jerry John Rawlings’ administration through sustained propaganda. The party said the current political climate bears similar characteristics, making it necessary to revive the platform as a corrective communication tool. As part of its defence of previous NDC administrations, the party highlighted several projects it described as significant national achievements. These included the construction of more than 200 Community Day Senior High Schools, popularly known as E-blocks, Terminal 3 of the Accra International Airport, and the expansion of the Kumasi Airport. The NDC maintained that these accomplishments were overshadowed during the 2016 election campaign by what it termed fabricated stories and politically motivated narratives surrounding issues such as “dumsor,” the “Amina Mohammed Yutong bus saga,” and “Nkomfem flights.” Mr. Gunn claimed that similar propaganda tactics were now being used against the current NDC administration, particularly in relation to its economic policies and state institutions. A major focus of the press conference was the ongoing debate over the Bank of Ghana’s 2025 financial results. The NDC dismissed claims by the NPP that the central bank had recorded a GHS44 billion loss, describing the allegation as “unsubstantiated and pure propaganda.” Instead, the party argued that the reported GHS15.6 billion loss reflected deliberate intervention measures implemented by the central bank to stabilise the economy. According to the NDC, the Bank of Ghana’s policy actions had contributed to improving macroeconomic indicators, including declining inflation, a stronger cedi, reduced cost-of-living pressures, and better debt sustainability. The party further accused the opposition of attempting to undermine public confidence in state institutions by portraying the central bank’s interventions as reckless financial losses. The occasion was also used to rally party executives and government appointees to remain united and disciplined as the NDC intensifies its communication efforts. Mr. Gunn urged regional, constituency, and branch executives to ensure that ongoing reorganisation efforts strengthen rather than divide the party. He announced that the “Setting the Record Straight” platform would now operate as a continuous and institutionalised communication mechanism for the NDC. “We will speak. We will correct. We will defend the truth, every single day,” Mr. Gunn declared. Source: Apexnewsgh.com