ECOWAS Special Envoy on Terrorism, Ambassador Baba Kamara, has described poverty and corruption as the “silent killers” undermining Africa’s democratic growth In a powerful address at the 2025 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) Democracy Dialogue in Accra, ECOWAS Special Envoy on Terrorism, Ambassador Baba Kamara, sounded a stark warning about the threats facing democracy in Africa. Speaking through a representative, Kamara identified poverty and corruption as the “silent killers” eating away at the continent’s democratic progress. “Democracy cannot thrive on empty stomachs,” Kamara declared. He cautioned that when citizens struggle to survive amid high unemployment and hunger, while a privileged few blatantly loot public resources, trust in government erodes and disillusionment deepens. According to Kamara, this growing socioeconomic inequality creates fertile ground for instability, with frustrated youth increasingly turning away from democratic processes in favor of military interventions or authoritarian populism. Kamara called for a shift from mere rhetoric to decisive action in the fight against corruption. He emphasized the need for resources to reach ordinary citizens rather than enriching political elites, and warned that selective justice—where powerful figures evade accountability while petty offenders are swiftly punished—only undermines faith in the fairness of the system. Challenging African leaders to embrace true accountability, Kamara argued that the survival of the continent’s democracies hinges not just on holding regular elections, but on whether citizens feel their voices are heard, their rights protected, and their living standards improved. The event, hosted by former Nigerian President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, drew policymakers, civil society representatives, and democracy advocates from across Africa to discuss the timely theme: “Why Democracies Die.” Source: Apexnewsgh.com

A legal battle is unfolding at the High Court as former Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, challenges her recent removal from the Supreme Court. On September 1, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama issued a warrant removing Justice Torkornoo from her position, a move she now contends was unconstitutional. In her judicial review application, Justice Torkornoo argues that the process leading to her removal was fundamentally flawed. She maintains that the recommendation for her exit was linked to her previous role as Chief Justice—a position governed by a separate constitutional process from that which applies to the removal of a Justice of the Supreme Court. By conflating these two roles, Justice Torkornoo asserts, the authorities have undermined the constitutional safeguards designed to protect judicial independence. Justice Torkornoo’s legal challenge seeks a broad range of reliefs. Chief among them is an order of certiorari to quash the presidential warrant that effected her removal. She further seeks a declaration affirming that the President cannot remove any Justice of the Superior Courts except in full compliance with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution. Through this legal action, Justice Torkornoo emphasizes her commitment to upholding the constitutional protections surrounding judicial tenure. The outcome of her case is expected to have significant implications for the independence of Ghana’s judiciary and the processes governing the removal of its senior judges. Source: Apexewsgh.com

President John Dramani Mahama has launched a bold new initiative aimed at transforming some of Ghana’s most neglected roads. In a major announcement during the sod-cutting ceremony for the Dawhenya-Afienya-Dodowa Road Project in Accra on Tuesday, September 16, the President revealed that 166 constituencies identified as having the worst roads across the country will each receive 40 kilometres of new roads over the next four years. Under the plan, every constituency on the list will benefit from 10 kilometres of roads, including drains and pavements, every year. “We’ve selected 166 constituencies with the worst roads in Ghana, and we are going to give them 10 kilometres of roads, drains, and pavements a year for four years. So they will get 40 kilometres of roads,” President Mahama explained to an enthusiastic audience. The President emphasized that the government’s road agenda goes beyond new construction. Maintaining Ghana’s growing road network is also a top priority. To that end, the Ghana Road Fund will dedicate about GHS5 billion each year exclusively for road maintenance. “We are also going to maintain the roads, and every year, the Ghana Road Fund is going to set aside about GHS5 billion for road maintenance alone. This will cover pothole patching, desilting, grass cutting, and everything needed to keep the roads in good shape,” he noted. The ambitious project is expected to significantly improve transportation links, create jobs, and boost economic activities in the selected constituencies, marking a pivotal step forward in Ghana’s infrastructure development. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

The ongoing political friction between Ghana’s ruling party and the opposition intensified this week as Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister for Government Communications and Member of Parliament for Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese, firmly dismissed allegations of harassment leveled by the New Patriotic Party (NPP). His remarks came in response to the NPP’s determination to proceed with its planned demonstration on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, undeterred by the recent release of its Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe (popularly known as Abronye DC). The NPP insists that the protest is not solely about Abronye’s detention, but part of a broader pattern of what it describes as political harassment by the state. Appearing on Channel One TV’s Face to Face with Umaru Sanda Amadu, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu described the NPP’s claims as baseless and without merit. “You know that these claims must be dismissed, you know that they are unfounded, they have no basis,” he stated. He questioned the opposition’s position, referencing actions taken by the NPP when it was in power: “Exactly what is the NPP complaining about, really? Between 2017 and 2024, when they were in power, did they not put people before the court to prosecute them? So why would they have a problem? Before they took people to court, did they not arrest them?” Mr. Kwakye Ofosu further explained that the recent arrests were consistent with the government’s campaign promise to ensure accountability under the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative, emphasizing, “There’s no problem taking past government officials through accountability.” As tensions mount ahead of the demonstration, the government maintains that its actions are guided by the law and its commitment to transparency. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

The government has announced an ambitious plan to raise Ghana’s annual coconut export earnings from $11.4 million to $18.1 million, a nearly 60 percent increase. The strategy, unveiled by Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives on Agriculture and Agribusiness, is aimed at consolidating Ghana’s status as Africa’s leading coconut exporter and enhancing the industry’s global competitiveness. The announcement came alongside the launch of a nationwide farmer registration exercise for the government’s Three Million Coconut Seedlings Programme. “The distribution of three million elite coconut seedlings, which we are opening registration for today, is designed to expand cultivation by 20,000 hectares,” Dr. Otokunor explained. “The outcomes will be bold and transformational, expanding cultivated area from 90,000 hectares to 110,000 hectares, and eventually to 150,000 hectares in the medium term. Most importantly, this initiative will increase export revenue by 60%, from $11.4 million to more than $18.1 million annually.” Farmers, cooperatives, and young agri-preneurs can sign up for the seedlings through the official portal www.piaa.gov.gh, with registration closing on September 30, 2025. In a move to position Africa as a global coconut industry hub, Dr. Otokunor also revealed that the Presidential Initiatives Directorate is backing the Coconut Federation of Ghana in establishing the African Coconut Board (AFRICOBOD), which will be headquartered in Ghana. AFRICOBOD will unite coconut-producing countries across the continent to spur growth and development within the sector. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has firmly dismissed claims by Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, that the Association has shown partisan bias in its advocacy work and been selective in its public positions. Speaking at the opening of the GBA’s Annual General Conference on Monday, September 15, 2025, Dr. Ayine accused the Bar of inconsistency in its responses to Article 146 petitions, which have led to the removal of prominent public officials. He cited the dismissals of former CHRAJ Commissioner Lauretta Lamptey in 2015, former Electoral Commission Chair Charlotte Osei in 2018, and former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo earlier this year, arguing that the Bar was silent on the first two cases but outspoken on the latter—suggesting political bias. In response, GBA Public Relations Officer Saviour Kudze rejected the Attorney-General’s assertions, stressing the Association’s commitment to principle rather than partisanship. “The Bar’s position is clear—we respectfully disagree with him,” Kudze said. He explained that the removal of Lauretta Lamptey and Charlotte Osei occurred under Article 146 when no formal regulations existed, and similar removals of superior court judges proceeded in the same way. Kudze emphasized that the GBA’s current push for formal regulations to guide Article 146 is about strengthening due process and constitutional governance—not political alignment. “If, as a society, we are now deciding to formalise this process and the Bar is advocating for clear regulations, what is partisan about that?” Kudze asked. “The fact that you didn’t take a certain decision yesterday doesn’t mean you can’t take it today or tomorrow. We disagree with him.” The GBA reiterated that its advocacy is focused on institutional maturity and the protection of constitutional order, not the advancement of any political agenda. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

The Ministry of Finance has released a comprehensive list of road infrastructure projects approved for implementation under the government’s ambitious Big Push Programme, as detailed in the 2025 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review. Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, addressing Parliament on Thursday, July 24, 2025, confirmed that commitment authorisations have been granted to advance construction, upgrading, and rehabilitation works on several critical roads across the country. Key projects include the construction of a new bridge over the Oti River at Dambai, the dualization of the Winneba–Mankessim and Cape Coast–Takoradi roads, and the development of the Kumasi Outer Ring Road (Eastern Quadrant). Other major works will see the rehabilitation of the Wa–Han, Techiman–Nkonsia–Wenchi, Wenchi–Sawla, and Dodowa–Afienya–Dawhenya roads; upgrading of the Tumu–Hamile, Tumu–Han–Lawra, and Navrongo–Tumu roads; and reconstruction of the Atimpoku–Asikuma Junction, Anujrawasi–Ho Tritrinu, and Tema–Aflao (Section 1) roads. Additional projects include the rehabilitation of Ho–Kpetoe, Kpetoe–Afadengigba, Afadengigba–Pengi, and Pengi–Aflao roads, as well as upgrading the Akosombo–Gyakitikudikope, Asikuma–Anum Boso–Kpalime, and Adomi Bridge–Akwamufie roads. Construction works are also planned for the Enchi–Elubo, Dadieso–Akontombra, and Enchi–Kudjouru–Pekgi roads. Dr. Forson emphasized that these initiatives are strategically designed to improve national connectivity, ease traffic congestion, and stimulate economic activity throughout the country. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to realizing its infrastructure vision under the Big Push Programme, underscoring that enhanced road networks are vital to Ghana’s sustained growth and development. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called on President John Mahama and his government to demonstrate true courage in combating the galamsey menace by prosecuting not only vulnerable small-scale miners but also the politically connected individuals who enable and profit from illegal mining. In a strongly worded statement, the Bishops highlighted that some politicians, Members of Parliament, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), chiefs, religious leaders, and security officials are complicit in the destruction of the environment. They noted that these influential figures often shield galamsey operators or facilitate illicit concessions for personal gain, a betrayal the Bishops described as one that “cuts to the very marrow of the nation’s identity.” The statement criticized President Mahama’s response so far as unsatisfactory, pointing out his dismissal of calls for a state of emergency and a perceived focus on economic gains at the expense of broader concerns. Warning that policies and laws will fail without a holistic and brave approach that holds all offenders accountable, the Bishops recommended establishing special courts to fast-track galamsey cases and creating a permanent, corruption-proof task force comprising security agencies, environmental experts, and local authorities. They emphasized that no real progress can be made if those in positions of power remain untouched while only the powerless are punished. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

Oliver Barker-Vormawor, Convenor of the FixTheCountry movement, has announced plans to hold a vigil at Revolution Square in Accra on Sunday, September 21, to protest the continuing environmental devastation caused by illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. Barker-Vormawor revealed the initiative in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, September 15, 2025, emphasizing the urgent need for collective action to protect Ghana’s environment. He described the fight against galamsey as both a moral and spiritual duty, writing, “The responsibility to protect and preserve the environment is by divine assignment, ours as a people.” He stressed that the campaign to end galamsey transcends electoral politics, stating, “Our responsibility to end galamsey does not end at elections. Nor does it begin after our party loses one. This is bigger than petty politics.” Following the vigil, Barker-Vormawor announced that a public march would take place on Monday, September 22, a national holiday, to further highlight what he called an “environmental crisis of urgent proportions.” He called on Ghanaians from all walks of life to join the events and demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding the nation’s natural resources. Source: Apexnewsgh.com    

Abdul Wahab, the Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Abuakwa North, has been arrested in connection with issuing death threats during the recent Akwatia by-election. Police sources reveal that the threats were directed at Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, NPP National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye, and one other individual. Wahab’s actions have sparked concern and drawn the attention of law enforcement, who are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged threats. Authorities have yet to provide further details on the ongoing investigation.