GHC 300 Debt Turns Deadly: Man Killed in Fatal Fight in New Nkusukum
A seemingly trivial debt of 300 Ghana cedis (GHC 300) has ended in tragedy, claiming the life of a man in the New Nkusukum area of the Mfantseman Municipality in the Central Region. The victim, identified as Agyeiku, reportedly died following a violent altercation with his friend and fellow labourer, Kwame Pluto. According to eyewitnesses and local accounts, the incident unfolded after the two men, who worked together as informal “hustlers,” returned home from a day’s work. As they prepared to share their earnings, Agyeiku asked Kwame Pluto for his portion. An argument broke out when Kwame Pluto allegedly refused to hand over the money. The disagreement quickly escalated: Agyeiku tried to restrain Kwame Pluto to secure his payment, prompting Kwame Pluto to allegedly draw a sharp object, described as a “size,” and stab Agyeiku multiple times. The brutal attack left Agyeiku severely wounded. He later fainted and was rushed to the Roman Catholic Hospital in Mankessim around 8 PM. Despite efforts by medical personnel, Agyeiku succumbed to his injuries. Alhaji Ali Abubakar Soring, Assembly Member for New Nkusukum, confirmed the incident and expressed profound sorrow over the needless loss of life. He revealed that the suspect, Kwame Pluto, has been remanded in police custody at Cape Coast Ankafu for two weeks pending further investigation. Family members and eyewitnesses recounted that the confrontation began after the pair returned from a funeral in Kumasi, a disagreement that tragically spiraled out of control. The local community has been left shocked by the deadly violence over such a minor debt, with many stressing the urgent need for peaceful conflict resolution in such matters. Police investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances and ensure justice is served for Agyeiku. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Walewale MP Condemns Alleged Military Assault on Journalist and Civilians
The Member of Parliament for Walewale has issued a strong condemnation following what he described as an unprovoked assault by military personnel on a journalist and several civilians in Walewale township. In a statement dated Tuesday, January 27, 2026, the MP detailed that soldiers traveling in an armoured vehicle and a truck from Bolgatanga to Tamale stopped in Walewale around 1:00 p.m. on Monday, January 26. According to the MP, the soldiers allegedly attacked the North East Regional Correspondent of Media General along with other residents—without any provocation. The MP further stated that the soldiers went on to destroy property belonging to residents, including motorbikes and commercial vehicles, leaving the town gripped by fear and uncertainty. “In the case of the reporter for Media General, he was detained for more than four hours after being assaulted, and evidence of harm caused to his body, which he had taken with his phone, was destroyed,” the statement revealed. Checks with the Walewale District Police Command and local military personnel indicated that the soldiers involved were neither known nor officially deployed in the township. The MP recalled that this was not the first such incident, referencing a similar episode in February 2025 involving the same journalist and other civilians. Describing the alleged acts as deeply troubling and unacceptable, the MP warned that unchecked military brutality could fuel civil-military tensions. “This culture of military brutality, which has become the order of the day, is a dangerous degenerative development when left unchecked by the Military Command,” he cautioned. The MP pushed back against any suggestions that the assault was linked to recent security issues, emphasizing that residents had maintained calm and order despite dissatisfaction over the handling of the Bawku conflict. “I therefore roundly condemn this barbaric, unprofessional, and infantile show of brute force by these men in uniform on innocent civilians without any provocation whatsoever,” he declared. Calling for urgent action, the Walewale MP urged the Acting Minister of Defence to swiftly investigate the incident and ensure those responsible are brought to justice. “The wholesale abuse of the people and the general application of force to all civilians is unacceptable and must be checked,” he added Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Supreme Court Rejects OSP’s Bid to Join Landmark Constitutional Case
The Supreme Court has ruled against an application by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to be joined as a party in a high-profile constitutional suit challenging the legality of powers granted to the anti-corruption body under the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959). In a decision that could shape the future of the OSP, the apex court determined that the office was not a necessary party to the suit brought by private citizen and lawyer Noah Adamtey against the Attorney-General. As a result, the court refused the OSP’s application for joinder. During proceedings, Dr. Isidore Tufuor, counsel for the OSP, argued passionately that the outcome of the case would directly impact the office’s core mandate, especially Sections 4 and 33 of Act 959, which set out the OSP’s prosecutorial powers. He insisted that, though the suit was directed at the State, it fundamentally questioned the very constitutionality of the OSP’s authority. However, Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai opposed the application, asserting that the OSP holds no independent interest in the matter. He contended that Parliament, the body that created the OSP, should answer for the constitutionality of the law. Noah Adamtey, the plaintiff, also resisted the OSP’s inclusion, maintaining that the office’s role had been misunderstood and that it lacked any personal or proprietary interest warranting its participation in the case. After listening to arguments from all parties, the Supreme Court concluded that the key constitutional questions could be resolved without the involvement of the OSP. The justices held that the office was not essential for the fair and effective determination of the suit, and thus dismissed the application for joinder. The ruling clears the way for the substantive case to proceed, with the spotlight now on Parliament and the Attorney-General to defend the legal foundation of the OSP. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Government Launches Probe into Sale of Public Lands: Minister Vows Transparency and Accountability
In a determined effort to safeguard the nation’s resources, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has announced a sweeping review and audit of all recently sold public lands. This initiative, he explained, is designed to ensure that every transaction follows due process and that the state receives full value for its assets. The Minister made this declaration during a visit by Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang to the Ministry. Addressing the gathering, he emphasized that the audit is not just a bureaucratic exercise, but a crucial step towards protecting public property and restoring public trust. According to Minister Buah, the government’s action stems from mounting concerns that certain public lands, originally acquired for vital purposes like agriculture and national development, had been unlawfully sold or mismanaged by those entrusted with their care. “We began the processes of reviewing,” the Minister recounted. “One of the things that we all heard is that public lands that the government had taken for specific purposes, some for agriculture, somehow, the people who had been given the charge to protect these lands were abusing them.” To tackle the problem head-on, the Ministry formed a dedicated team, led by the Deputy Minister, and secured cabinet approval for the audit. Their mission: scrutinize all land sales to confirm that proper valuations were conducted and that every step of the legal process was strictly followed. The Minister did not mince words about the consequences for those found culpable. He warned that any official who breached procedures or failed to complete required processes would be publicly named and sanctioned, sending a clear message that abuses of public trust will not be tolerated. “By the time we finish, it will not cross the mind of any government official to take public lands because we will publish your name in every newspaper,” he asserted. He further pledged that any transaction discovered to have flouted the rules would be nullified. “All public lands that had been sold are going under review to make sure there is value for money, and a process audit was done. Those that didn’t finish the processes are automatically canceled. We are going on to ensure we implement it to the letter to give confidence to the people of Ghana that we are going to protect public lands,” the Minister assured. As the review gets underway, the government’s stance is clear: transparency, accountability, and the protection of public assets will remain non-negotiable priorities. Source: Apexenewsgh.com
Fire Strikes Kumasi Again: Anwona Market Blaze Raises Alarm
Barely a day after the Sofoline Magazine fire disaster, the Kumasi Metropolis was shaken by another major blaze, igniting fresh concerns about fire safety in the city’s bustling commercial centers. On Monday night, around 10:00 pm, flames erupted at Anwona Market near Afful Nkwanta. The fire swept rapidly through the market, destroying several shops and all their contents. The scene was chaotic, with traders and residents looking on in despair as their livelihoods vanished before their eyes. Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service responded swiftly. Their determined efforts managed to contain the inferno, preventing it from spreading to adjoining structures and nearby properties, a move that likely spared the community from even greater devastation. While the cause of the fire is yet to be officially confirmed, eyewitnesses suggest it may have begun in a section of the market that housed a footwear factory. Thankfully, no casualties have been reported. However, the economic toll is heavy, as traders have suffered significant losses, with valuable goods and equipment reduced to ashes. In the aftermath, investigators from the Fire Service have launched a probe to determine the exact cause of the incident. Meanwhile, city authorities are renewing urgent calls for improved fire safety measures in Kumasi’s markets and commercial hubs, hoping to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
President Mahama Supports Jamaica’s Recovery
On a bright Sunday morning, January 25th, 2026, the spirit of unity and resilience was on full display as a Ghanaian delegation arrived in Kingston, Jamaica. Led by Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the team carried a special mission from President John Dramani Mahama: to present engineering equipment and vital supplies to the Jamaican Defence Force. This gift was a symbol of Ghana’s steadfast support for Jamaica’s ongoing recovery and reconstruction in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. The official handover took place in the presence of Jamaica’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith, who warmly received the items on behalf of her country. The visit was more than a ceremonial gesture; it provided an opportunity for the Ghanaian delegation to assess the reconstruction efforts firsthand, learn about the progress being made, and check on the welfare of Ghanaian troops serving in the multinational humanitarian mission. Accompanied by Deputy Minister for Defence Ernest Brogya Genfi, Chief of the Army Staff Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu, and Ghana’s Special Envoy to the Caribbean Region, Kwasi Kyei Darkwah, the delegation toured project sites where Ghanaian engineers were hard at work. Amidst the sounds of hammers and the bustle of construction, homes were being rebuilt, and hope was being restored for families who had lost so much to the disaster. Colonel Emmanuel Asia, Commander of the Ghana Engineering Reconstruction Team, provided a detailed briefing on the progress made, the hurdles faced, and the plans for the phases ahead. Both Ghanaian and Jamaican Foreign Ministers praised the teams for their dedication and professionalism. They noted how the collaboration between Ghana, Jamaica, and Guyana reflected not only strong regional solidarity but also a shared commitment to humanitarian assistance. The story of this partnership is one of compassion and shared resolve, a testament to how nations, united by friendship and a sense of duty, can help rebuild lives and strengthen communities in times of need. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Majority Leader Fires Back: Ayariga Accuses Minority of Double Standards Over Urgent Bills
In Parliament, a heated exchange erupted between the Majority and Minority, culminating in sharp accusations from the Majority Leader, Mr. Mahama Ayariga. The dispute centered on claims by the Minority New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus, led by Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, that the Majority National Democratic Congress (NDC) was abusing its numerical advantage by rushing bills through Parliament under a Certificate of Urgency. At a press conference on Monday, the Minority alleged that the NDC was strong-arming legislation, prompting Mr. Ayariga to set the record straight. He reminded the house and the nation that the NPP, during its time as the Majority, had made liberal use of the same parliamentary procedure. “Between 2017 and 2021, the NPP-led Parliament passed 30 bills under a Certificate of Urgency,” Mr. Ayariga revealed. “From 2021 to 2024, an additional 26 bills were expedited using the same process.” Ayariga did not mince words, criticizing Mr. Afenyo-Markin’s leadership and the Minority’s stance. “Sadly, Afenyo-Markin has brought leadership of a caucus to such low levels,” he lamented, describing the Minority’s position as inconsistent with its own legislative track record. The Majority Leader explained that bills passed under a Certificate of Urgency are typically non-controversial or are later revised and reintroduced to address urgent national priorities. Some, he noted, are fast-tracked to fulfill obligations arising from Ghana’s international agreements and programme timelines. Importantly, Ayariga emphasized that the Minority always has the right to propose amendments to urgent bills, arguing that the use of this procedure is not inherently abusive or unlawful. “The process does not in itself amount to wrongdoing or legislative abuse,” he asserted. As tensions simmered, Mr. Ayariga called on the Minority to be honest and consistent. He maintained that the Certificate of Urgency is a legitimate parliamentary tool, urging his counterparts to uphold integrity in their critique of parliamentary processes. Source: Apexnewsgh.com