Borga Lasco Jailed 7 Years for Defiling Minor in Walewale
In a disturbing case of child abuse, a 30-year-old carpenter, Alhassan Abdulai, alias “Borga Lasco,” has been sentenced to seven years in prison with hard labor for defiling a 15-year-old girl in Walewale, North East Region. Apexnewsgh reports The Nalerigu Circuit Court, presided over by Francis Ayamwuni Asobayire, delivered the verdict on Thursday, January 9, 2025, after finding Abdulai guilty of the offense. According to court records, Abdulai, a resident of Walewale, lured the victim with GH₵10 at a local eatery joint in October 2024. He then dragged her into a corner and defiled her. The victim, unable to bear the pain, reported the incident to her parents, who subsequently lodged a complaint at the police station. Abdulai was arrested by the West Mamprusi Municipal Police Command and put before court. This case echoes similar incidents of child abuse and defilement, which have resulted in severe punishments for perpetrators. For instance, a 19-year-old carpenter was sentenced to 50 years in prison for defiling a 7-year-old girl. In another case, a mason was jailed for 15 years for defiling a 10-year-old girl. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
FSHS: Parents must pay for feeding, accommodation – Angel Carbonu of NAGRAT
Angel Carbonu, President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), has proposed a significant adjustment to Ghana’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy. Apexnewsgh reports In a radio interview with Accra-based Okay FM on January 10, 2025, Carbonu suggested that parents should be made to pay for their children’s feeding and accommodation in senior high schools. According to Carbonu, the current economic climate has made the Free SHS program unsustainable in its present form. He emphasized that while the program has undeniable benefits, the government’s financial constraints necessitate a review. This proposal aligns with a similar suggestion by the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), which urged parents to assist with feeding challenges in senior high schools. Carbonu criticized the government’s reliance on the National Food Buffer Stock Company, citing delayed food allocations to schools. He suggested sending students home temporarily while stakeholders discuss solutions and emphasized the need for a Minister of Education to lead these deliberations. Ghana’s financial challenges, described by Carbonu as “debt-ridden” and “distressed,” have left the nation with limited resources to sustain subsidies like Free SHS. He proposed targeted support, focusing on tuition and offering bursaries to financially distressed families rather than providing blanket subsidies. Ultimately, Carbonu called for open dialogue, urging the government to initiate a national economic discussion to address the current crisis and promote transparency about Ghana’s financial challenges. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Mahama Promises to Unveil Full Cabinet Within 14 Days
President John Dramani Mahama has assured Ghanaians that his full cabinet will be announced within the next two weeks. Apexnewsgh reports This announcement comes in response to concerns raised by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who criticized Mahama’s approach to ministerial appointments. Speaking at a special National Muslim prayer and thanksgiving service at the National Mosque in Kanda, Accra, Mahama urged supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could implicate the government. Mahama emphasized that his government is being formed, and ministers will be put in place to address the nation’s challenges. He encouraged citizens to consult the relevant ministers to resolve any issues, promoting an orderly and systematic approach to governance. The President also cautioned against repeating the mistakes of the previous administration, which was voted out by Ghanaians. By promising to unveil his full cabinet within 14 days, Mahama aims to demonstrate his commitment to transparency and effective governance. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Trump avoids prison or fine in hush-money case sentencing
A judge has sentenced US President-elect Donald Trump to an “unconditional discharge,” bringing to an end the first criminal trial of a former US president. The sentence in the hush-money payment case means the incoming president has been spared any penalty, including jail time or a fine, but he will still take office as the first US president with a felony conviction. “Never before has this court been presented with such a unique and remarkable set of circumstances,” Justice Juan Merchan said shortly before announcing the sentence, calling it a “truly extraordinary case”. Appearing via video call from Florida and flanked by his attorney and two prominent American flags, Trump declared he was “totally innocent”. It was the first time in this year-and-half long legal saga that Trump had uttered more than a “not guilty” or given a brief affirmative answer. Granted the chance to speak ahead of his sentencing, Trump railed against the case for several minutes. “This has been a very terrible experience,” he said. He claimed there had been a “weaponisation” of the judicial system and claimed the case was brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for political reasons. “I would like to explain that I was treated very, very unfairly, and I thank you very much,” he said, before falling silent. As Bragg watched Trump address him directly for the first time, he maintained a mostly stoic expression. He did, however, chuckle when Trump claimed Bragg had never wanted to bring the case. After Trump had his say, Justice Merchan then took several moments to reflect on the “paradox” of the trial. Justice Merchan noted that despite the media and political circus outside, “once the courtroom doors were closed, it was no more unique than all the other cases taking place at the same time”. But he added that after Trump was convicted, the case took another turn when the American people elected him in November to a second presidential term. After careful consideration, he had determined that “the only lawful sentence, without encroaching upon the highest office of the land”, was unconditional discharge – a sentence that would allow the American people a president unencumbered by pending court proceedings. One of Trump’s attorneys, Emil Bove, attends his sentencing hearing in person. The end of a historic trial Trump was found guilty by a New York jury of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in May 2024. His sentencing was delayed multiple times due to Supreme Court rulings and the November presidential election. The charges stemmed from a plot to cover up a hush-money payment to an adult film star in the waning days of the 2016 election. Prosecutors argued the payment was a form of election interference aimed at keeping vital information from voters, and therefore broke the law. In October 2016, Trump’s then-attorney, Michael Cohen, paid a woman named Stormy Daniels $130,000 (£106,000) to remain silent about a years-old alleged sexual encounter with the soon-to-be president. After he was elected, Trump reimbursed Cohen in installments – and then falsely recorded them as legal expenses. Each of Trump’s guilty verdicts correlates to a false document related to the cover-up. Trump pleaded not guilty to the charges and denied the sexual encounter with Ms Daniels. He repeatedly claimed the case was politically motivated persecution. The six-week trial became a legal, political and media firestorm. Larger-than-life characters like Cohen and Daniels took the stand to face questioning from Trump’s attorneys. Trump brought a string of family members and Republican allies to court with him each day to fill the benches behind his defence table. Each day, he turned a small media pen in the hallway outside the courtroom into his personal pulpit, using the opportunities to rail against the justice system, the press, and other adversaries. Trump also used the furore of the trial to raise millions from supporters for his legal battles, and his campaign to retake the White House. In the four years between his terms in office, Trump was indicted in four separate criminal cases, including his New York case. In the end, this was the only one to go to trial. On the campaign trail and social media, Trump used his legal quagmires to portray himself – and his supporters – as victims of a rigged justice system. Despite the multiple indictments, including two that centred on his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, Trump decisively defeated Vice-President Kamala Harris in November. His victory quashed the two federal prosecutions against him, including his federal election interference case and one involving alleged mishandling of classified documents. The third, an election interference case in Fulton County, Georgia, has been stuck in a series of delays and side dramas for months. Only Trump’s hush-money trial ever reached its conclusion, after Justice Merchan dug his heels in early January and demanded Trump appear virtually or in person for his sentencing. The battles did not stop there, however. Trump’s lawyers frantically filed appeals and even petitioned the US Supreme Court to halt the Friday hearing. The Supreme Court rejected him in a brief order issued Thursday night. They also fought to have the case dismissed by arguing that presidents-elect have immunity from criminal prosecution, an argument Justice Merchan rejected but they have continued to argue to higher courts. When Trump’s New York trial adjourned with a final bang of the gavel on Friday, it also brought to a close this particularly fraught chapter in his personal and political history. When he is sworn in 10 days from now, he will do so as the first US president to have ever been convicted of a felony. As he concluded his sentencing on Friday, Justice Merchan had one final message for Trump. “I wish you Godspeed as you assume your second term in office,” he said. Source: BBC
Parliament’s Appointments Committee Set to Vett Ministerial Nominees
The Appointments Committee of Parliament is gearing up to vet nominees for ministerial appointments, starting Monday, January 13, 2025, at 9:00 am. This comes after President John Dramani Mahama recently nominated three prominent figures to lead critical ministries. Apexnewsgh reports The Committee will assess the qualifications and suitability of Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, John Abdulai Jinapor, and Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, who have been tapped to head the Ministries of Finance, Energy, and Justice and Attorney General, respectively. Dr. Ato Forson, a renowned economist, is expected to tackle Ghana’s financial challenges, while John Jinapor, with his extensive expertise in the energy sector, will lead efforts to stabilize and expand the country’s energy supply. Meanwhile, Dr. Ayine, a legal luminary, is poised to oversee reforms in justice administration and legal governance. The Appointments Committee, composed of the First Deputy Speaker as Chairman and up to 25 other Members, plays a crucial role in recommending nominees for approval or rejection by Parliament. With the vetting process set to begin, all eyes will be on the Committee as they scrutinize the nominees’ qualifications and suitability for their respective roles. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Peasant Farmers Association Urges President Mahama to Prioritize Agriculture
The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has congratulated President John Dramani Mahama on his recent victory, and in the same breath, urged him to prioritize the nomination of a competent Minister of Agriculture. Apexnewsgh.com The Association emphasized the need for a minister with a strong agricultural background, practical expertise, and the ability to connect with stakeholders across the value chain. In a statement signed by National President Wepia Awal Adugwala, PFAG noted that the nomination is critical to ensuring effective engagement with smallholder farmers and addressing the challenges impeding agricultural development. The Association also highlighted the importance of auditing the Pwalugu Multi-Purpose Dam, which has been plagued by extortion and lack of accountability. PFAG made several key requests, including: a. Recovery of Illegal Funds: Ensure that any illegal funds related to the Pwalugu Multi-Purpose Dam are recovered and returned to the state. b. Budgetary Allocation: Allocate funds to commence construction of the dam within the first 120 days of President Mahama’s administration. c. Prohibition on Mining: Prohibit all forms of mining in forests, farmlands, and river bodies. d. Land Reclamation Plan: Develop a land reclamation plan for all damaged farmlands as an urgent priority. The Association expressed hope that under President Mahama’s leadership, the full potential of smallholder farmers and the agricultural sector will be realized, and that his governance style will be effective, truthful, inclusive, and efficient. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Dr. Bawumia Embarks on Spiritual Journey to Mecca
Ghana’s immediate past Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has arrived in Mecca with his wife, Hajia Samira Bawumia, and an entourage to perform Umrah, the Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city. Apexnewsgh reports This sacred journey is a testament to Dr. Bawumia’s deep faith and commitment to seeking divine favour for Ghana. Dr. Bawumia shared that the pilgrimage is an expression of gratitude to Almighty Allah for His grace and blessings. Alongside his wife and close friends, he sought guidance and protection for themselves and the nation of Ghana. This spiritual exercise reflects Dr. Bawumia’s strong connection to his faith and his desire to navigate Ghana’s path forward with divine guidance. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Updated 2024 Presidential Election Results Confirm Mahama’s Victory
The Electoral Commission (EC) has refined the 2024 presidential election results, incorporating eight additional constituencies, with only one still outstanding. Apexnewsgh reports This update builds upon the December 9, 2024, announcement, which was based on results from 267 out of 276 constituencies. According to the updated tally, President John Dramani Mahama secured a decisive victory, defeating his closest rival, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who garnered 4,877,611 votes. Notably, Nana Kwame Bediako, popularly known as Cheddar, made a significant impact representing The New Force movement. He secured 88,944 votes, amounting to 0.76% of the total votes cast. The official results now include the total valid votes, rejected ballots, and total votes cast, providing a comprehensive overview of the election outcome. The EC’s update underscores its commitment to transparency and accuracy in the electoral process. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
MTN Ghana Foundation Delights Mothers And Babies In 30 Hospitals Across Ghana
Mothers who gave birth during the festive season expressed surprise and gratitude as the MTN Ghana Foundation distributed 600 hampers to mothers in 30 hospitals across the 16 regions of Ghana. The hampers, containing essential items such as newborn clothing, detergents, toys, blankets, and personal care products, were presented to mothers at the various hospitals, including Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in the Greater Accra Region, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in the Ashanti Region, the Tamale Teaching Hospital in the Northern Region, Wiawso Government Hospital in the Western North Region, and the Dambai Hospital in the Oti Region. The recipients expressed their gratitude to the MTN Ghana Foundation for the kind gesture. One of them, Madam Sylvia Essuman said the hamper will help ease the financial burden of the mothers. Another beneficiary, Madam Gifty Amoah described the donation as a pleasant surprise. “We were not expecting this, but we are very happy, thank you MTN”, she said. Madam Victoria Jamoo, Senior Midwife at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, observed that the donation would go a long way in supporting new mothers who often struggle to afford essential baby items. Speaking during the presentation in Accra, Mr. Samuel Bartels, representing the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer for MTN Ghana said, “This initiative is our way of sharing in the joy of new mothers and congratulating them on the arrival of their babies. We believe that these little ones will grow up to achieve greatness, and we are excited to be a part of their journey.” MTN staff volunteers in Western, Western-North, Central, Eastern, Oti and Volta regions were led by Prince Owusu-Nyarko, Senior Manager, Regional Sales while Kwami Aseye Akude, Manager – Retail Experience led the volunteers in Northern, Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, Ashanti, Northeast, Savanna, Upper East, and Upper West Regions. Since the inception of the Baby Hamper Project in 2011, the MTN Ghana Foundation has distributed over 3,500 hampers to new mothers across Ghana. The initiative is a testament to the foundation’s commitment to supporting the vulnerable and making a positive impact in the lives of Ghanaians. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Mahama Unveils Plans for National Conferences to Address Governance and Education Challenges
President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to organize two major national conferences aimed at tackling key challenges in Ghana’s governance and education sectors. Apexnewsgh reports Speaking at the 92nd Jalsa Salana of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission Ghana in Winneba, Mr. Mahama outlined initiatives to strengthen the justice system and improve the education landscape. The first conference, dubbed the National Constitutional Review Validation Conference, will focus on reigniting discussions on the stalled constitutional review process. The conference aims to build consensus on proposed amendments, promote judicial independence, and ensure inclusivity in the decision-making process. According to Mr. Mahama, “To this end, the new NDC administration is resolutely committed to strengthening our justice system. Justice and peace are the bedrock of our national aspirations.” He emphasized that the conference would align proposed amendments with the collective aspirations of Ghanaians. On the education front, Mr. Mahama announced a National Education Review Conference to examine Ghana’s education system from kindergarten to tertiary, including technical and vocational education. The initiative aims to identify barriers to quality education and propose actionable reforms. The President expressed optimism that the conference would generate fresh ideas to align education outcomes with national developmental needs. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fostering justice and fairness while addressing systemic inequalities and transforming the education sector for a brighter future. Source: Apexnewsgh.com