Judicial Service Clarifies Chief Justice’s Canada Visit Amid Public Debate Over Black Stars Encounter
The Judicial Service has issued a statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie’s recent visit to Canada, following widespread public commentary sparked by photographs of him at the Black Stars’ camp during the ongoing FIFA World Cup. Public interest surged after images circulated online showing the Chief Justice interacting with Ghana’s national football team. Some questioned whether the trip was an official state assignment or involved public resources. In response, the Judicial Service, in a statement released on Friday, June 19, explained that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie was in Canada on an official vacation, traveling strictly in a private capacity and at his own expense. The statement emphasized that the trip was not connected to any state business or public spending. According to the Judicial Service, the Chief Justice took the opportunity, while on holiday, to visit and encourage the Black Stars, describing his actions as a personal and patriotic gesture in support of the national team on the world stage. Addressing the ensuing public debate, the Judicial Service underscored that judicial independence does not mean that judges must isolate themselves from public or national life. Judges, as citizens, are entitled to participate in lawful social and national activities, so long as these do not compromise their constitutional responsibilities. The statement highlighted that the Chief Justice and the broader Judiciary remain guided by the principles of independence, impartiality, and fidelity to the law. The Service also cautioned against interpreting interactions among holders of constitutional office, whether formal or informal, as signs of bias or political alignment. Such engagements are common in democratic societies and do not, in themselves, undermine institutional neutrality. Reaffirming Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s dedication to his office, the Judicial Service insisted that he remains committed to administering fair and impartial justice, regardless of political or social considerations. The Service further noted that the Black Stars are a unifying symbol for all Ghanaians, and that supporting the team should not be mistaken as compromising the neutrality of any constitutional office holder. Concluding, the Judicial Service urged the public to view the Chief Justice’s visit in its proper context and to disregard unfounded interpretations. The Service reiterated its commitment to upholding public trust in the Judiciary through integrity, independence, and adherence to the rule of law. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
NPP Expresses Disappointment Over Kennedy Agyapong’s Public Criticism, Urges Restraint from Party Members
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has voiced its disappointment following recent public remarks made by former Assin Central MP and former flagbearer aspirant, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong. The party described his criticisms as “unfortunate” and called on senior members to exercise greater caution in their public statements. Kennedy Agyapong found himself at the center of controversy after a television interview on Thursday, June 18, where he openly criticized the NPP’s performance and warned that he could reveal sensitive information about the party if provoked further. His comments came on the heels of earlier accusations that the NPP had failed to complete and operationalise the Afari Military Hospital during its eight years in government. Responding to the uproar, NPP Deputy General Secretary Haruna Mohammed addressed the media, urging all party members to be mindful of how their public commentary affects the party’s image and legacy. “We are very much disappointed in this particular commentary,” Mohammed stated. “As senior members of the party, not only him, people should be guided and mindful of the public commentary that we make about the party and also about successive governments under the NPP, more especially the two presidents that have governed this country.” Mohammed emphasized that the NPP’s electoral fortunes are inextricably linked to the achievements of former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, whose administrations, he said, delivered significant progress for Ghana. “We cannot win political power without standing on the strength of President Kufuor’s performance and also on the strength of President Akufo-Addo’s performance. These are clearly the good things that have happened to the party and the opportunity to govern the country Ghana with the ideology and the direction of the NPP. They have made significant gains, and these gains cannot be overlooked,” he stressed. Describing Kennedy Agyapong’s recent remarks as regrettable, Mohammed added, “It is very unfortunate that we would have a senior party member such as Hon. Kennedy to have publicly made such a statement.” With some party supporters and members calling for disciplinary measures against Agyapong, Mohammed assured that the NPP would follow its established internal procedures. “When you check the party’s constitution, we have the grievances procedure. I believe that people are making calls and I also believe that some other people are also submitting petitions regarding some of these particular commentaries. We are also reminded that due process must always be used in all instances,” he concluded. The party’s response underscores growing concerns about internal unity and the importance of managing dissent as it looks ahead to future electoral contests. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Bryan Acheampong Urges Kennedy Agyapong to Forgive and Unite for NPP’s 2028 Comeback
The Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, has made a heartfelt appeal to former New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential contender Kennedy Agyapong, urging him to set aside personal differences and join efforts to rebuild party unity ahead of the crucial 2028 general election. Dr. Acheampong’s call comes in the wake of strong statements from Kennedy Agyapong, who recently warned that he would not be intimidated or silenced by criticism from within the NPP. Agyapong, the former Assin Central MP, cautioned that continued attempts to challenge his claims could force him to “spill the beans” and reveal sensitive information about the party. Addressing these tensions in a statement issued on Friday, June 19, 2026, Dr. Acheampong acknowledged the disappointment and emotional toll that follow a hard-fought presidential primary loss, a feeling he understands firsthand, having also contested the NPP’s January 2026 flagbearer race. “I speak to you today not as a bystander to our recent contest, but as one who stood in it,” Dr. Acheampong said. He reflected on the party’s defeat in the 2024 national election, emphasizing that the most important task now is to rebuild, reunite, and reclaim power in 2028. While recognizing Kennedy Agyapong’s long-standing loyalty and contributions to the NPP, Dr. Acheampong expressed concern over his recent threats and criticisms. “Ken is a son of this party, a man whose energy, resources, and loyalty over decades cannot be questioned,” he noted. “It is for that very reason that I urge him, respectfully but firmly, to lower the temperature and to lend his considerable influence to the work of healing rather than division.” Dr. Acheampong extended his appeal to supporters on all sides, urging them to avoid actions that could deepen internal divisions. “Let us lay down the weapons of internal warfare,” he pleaded. “Let us close ranks behind our flagbearer so that in 2028 we restore the New Patriotic Party to the service of the people of Ghana.” He concluded by stressing that personal grievances must not be allowed to sideline the party’s recovery efforts, reminding all NPP members that unity remains their best chance for electoral victory. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
CHRAJ Faces Mounting Caseload as 10,000 Complaints a Year Strain Anti-Corruption Efforts
The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) is grappling with a soaring workload, receiving approximately 10,000 complaints each year, a volume that is straining its capacity to investigate and resolve cases efficiently. This revelation came from Dr. Joseph Akanjolenur Whittal, Commissioner of CHRAJ, during a recent media engagement organized by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in partnership with CHRAJ, Transparency International Ghana, and the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE). The event, themed “Restoring Citizens’ Trust in the Fight Against Corruption in Ghana: The Role of the Media,” brought together key stakeholders to discuss the challenges facing Ghana’s anti-corruption drive. Dr. Whittal explained that the Commission’s investigative teams are stretched thin, not only because of the sheer number of complaints, but also due to the complexity and geographic spread of the cases. “The complaints that come are not small complaints,” he said. “Your staff must move all over the place to gather evidence. If I don’t have money to give to my investigators to go and carry out investigations, some complaints will certainly suffer.” He noted that financial constraints frequently delay the completion of investigations and the publication of reports. The limited resources, when paired with the volume of work, often force CHRAJ to make difficult choices about which cases to prioritize. Dr. Whittal used the forum to urge the media to play a more active role in the anti-corruption fight, encouraging journalists to follow corruption stories beyond the initial headlines and pursue them through to their conclusion. He also called on reporters to focus on the facts of each case, rather than the identities or political affiliations of those involved. “Every case must be treated with scrutiny and importance,” he stressed. Also addressing the audience, Mr. Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of the MFWA, highlighted the powerful role of public perception in the fight against corruption. “Perceptions shape behavior. When citizens lose trust in institutions, they become less likely to report corruption and support accountability efforts or believe that change is possible,” he observed. “That is a challenge we must all confront because that is perhaps our reality today.” The event also included a passing-out ceremony for graduates of the Next Generation Investigative Journalism (NGIJ) Fellowship, a three-month training programme aimed at strengthening the skills of early and mid-career journalists from across West Africa. As CHRAJ and its partners continue their work, the message from the forum was clear: restoring public trust and effectively fighting corruption will require both adequate resources and a renewed commitment from the media and the public at large. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
British Actress Among Three Charged After $296 Million Meth Seizure Linked to Ghanaian Shipment in Australia
Australian authorities have charged three people, including a British actress, after intercepting about 320 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in a shipment from Ghana, an operation that prevented drugs worth an estimated A$296 million from flooding Australian streets. Emaa Hussen, 34, known for roles in an EastEnders spin-off and a Jason Statham film, was arrested and appeared in a Sydney court on Thursday. She faces charges of attempting to import a commercial quantity of methamphetamine into Australia and was previously denied bail after being charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, an offence that can result in life imprisonment. The case began in April 2026, when Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at Sydney’s Port Botany detected irregularities in two shipping containers arriving from Ghana. Declared as bags of charcoal, the containers were subjected to x-ray scans, revealing a white crystalline substance. Initial tests confirmed it was methamphetamine, and further forensic examination verified that the consignment contained approximately 320 kilograms of the illicit drug. In a controlled operation, authorities removed the drugs but allowed the shipment to proceed to a storage facility in Girraween on April 20, 2026. There, investigators allege Hussen supervised a group of men as they unpacked the container. Some of the bags were then loaded into a vehicle and taken to a house in Blacktown. Shortly afterward, Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers executed a search warrant at the Blacktown property, arresting Hussen and seizing 32 bags allegedly used to conceal the meth, along with electronic devices and a notebook now undergoing forensic analysis. The investigation quickly expanded. In South Australia, AFP officers executed a search warrant at an Oakden residence on April 30, 2026. There they arrested a 30-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man, accusing them of trying to rent storage units in Sydney with false identities to facilitate the illegal operation. Both appeared before the Adelaide Magistrates Court on May 1, 2026, charged with dealing in identification information to aid drug possession and failing to comply with a court order under the Crimes Act. They were remanded in custody and are scheduled to reappear in court on September 2, 2026. AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Trevor Robinson said authorities were still working to identify the full network behind the attempted importation. “This operation highlights the agility of the AFP and our partners to investigate complex matters across jurisdictions and stop organised crime syndicates in their tracks,” Robinson stated. He emphasized that the seizure, which equates to an estimated 3.2 million street deals, demonstrates the AFP’s ability to operate seamlessly across borders. ABF Superintendent Jared Leighton commended the vigilance of border officers in detecting increasingly sophisticated smuggling tactics. “Criminal syndicates will go to great lengths to disguise illicit drugs, including embedding them in everyday goods like charcoal, but our highly skilled officers are trained to see beyond these attempts,” he said. Leighton stressed the importance of close collaboration with law enforcement partners to hold traffickers accountable and protect Australian communities. Investigations into the broader network and the origins of the shipment remain ongoing. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Education Minister Warns of Strain on GETFund as Nearly Half of 2026 Budget Allocated to Free SHS and Student Feeding
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has sounded a note of caution regarding the sustainability of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), revealing that almost half of its 2026 budget has been committed to supporting the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme, with a significant share going toward student feeding. Speaking before Parliament on Thursday, June 18, Minister Iddrisu disclosed that 42 percent of GETFund’s locally generated revenue is now earmarked for Free SHS, a trend he believes could jeopardize the Fund’s ability to fulfill its wider educational responsibilities. He explained that the increasing reliance on GETFund resources, particularly for school feeding, risks crowding out investments in crucial areas such as educational infrastructure, basic education, and other strategic initiatives. Minister Iddrisu urged lawmakers to reconsider the current financing framework. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that GETFund remains focused on its core mandate: strengthening foundational learning, especially in literacy and numeracy. According to him, these foundational skills are essential for improving long-term educational outcomes across Ghana. He advocated for a review of the existing funding arrangement, arguing that this would help preserve resources for infrastructure expansion and key educational programmes, while still supporting efforts to improve learning at the basic education level. The minister’s remarks came during a wider parliamentary debate on education financing and the sustainability of major government interventions. During the discussion, Abena Osei-Asare, the Member of Parliament for Atiwa East, echoed these concerns. She questioned the decision to channel such a large share of GETFund resources into student feeding, arguing that this expenditure falls outside the Fund’s primary mandate. Osei-Asare warned that dedicating so much of the Fund’s revenue to feeding programmes could reduce the amount available for core investments like school infrastructure. The debate highlighted growing concerns among policymakers about how to best balance the competing funding needs of the Free SHS programme, infrastructure development, and foundational education initiatives. Established to drive educational progress across Ghana, the GETFund has traditionally financed projects such as school buildings, scholarships, and programmes aimed at expanding access to quality education. The current debate signals a renewed focus on ensuring that the Fund can continue to meet these crucial objectives in the years ahead. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Kennedy Agyapong Defends Outspokenness Amid NPP Criticism, Vows to Keep Fighting for Accountability
Former Assin Central MP, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has firmly pushed back against mounting criticism from within his own New Patriotic Party (NPP), declaring that he will not be silenced in his quest to promote good governance and accountability. Agyapong’s latest controversy stems from his outspoken comments on the stalled Afari Military Hospital project. On Net 2 TV, he openly criticized the previous NPP administration for failing to complete and operationalize the hospital during its eight years in power, a move that sparked backlash from some party supporters. Addressing his critics, Agyapong rejected claims that his remarks were fueled by personal grudges or disappointment over past political events. He insisted his motivation is a deep commitment to national development and transparency. “Attempts to portray me as bitter will not stop me from raising issues that are in the public interest,” he asserted. Agyapong went further, questioning the progress of other flagship government initiatives such as the Agenda 111 hospital programme, and alleging irregularities in the award and execution of public contracts. He warned party members not to dismiss his concerns lightly, cautioning that continued attacks on his character could lead him to reveal even more about internal activities within the political establishment. The former lawmaker maintained that questionable practices in public contracting are not unique to any one party, asserting that such challenges have persisted across the political spectrum. For Agyapong, corruption remains a stubborn obstacle to Ghana’s progress, and he emphasized the need for political leaders to be held accountable, regardless of which party they belong to. Kennedy Agyapong concluded by reaffirming his unwavering resolve to speak out on issues affecting the country’s development. He made it clear that criticism, whether from political opponents or his own party, will not intimidate him into silence. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Controller and Accountant-General Unveils Plan to Recover Student Loan Debts from 4,000 Public Sector Workers
At the launch of the 20th anniversary celebrations for the Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), Controller and Accountant-General Kwesi Agyei made a significant revelation: nearly 4,000 public sector employees currently on the government payroll have outstanding student loan debts. Addressing the assembled audience, Mr. Agyei explained that his department is now partnering with the SLTF to develop a more robust system for recovering these loans. The plan, he revealed, is to implement payroll deductions, ensuring that repayments are made directly from the salaries of beneficiaries who work in the public sector. Mr. Agyei emphasized the importance of strengthening loan repayment mechanisms to safeguard the sustainability of the student loan scheme. “Ensuring that loans are repaid is the only way the Fund can continue to support future generations of students,” he noted, highlighting the revolving nature of the Fund. According to Mr. Agyei, the partnership between the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) and the SLTF will make it easier to identify public sector workers who are beneficiaries of the student loan scheme, and to recover outstanding debts efficiently through the government payroll platform. He further explained that, once all necessary legal and regulatory frameworks are in place, the loan repayments could become statutory deductions, just like PAYE taxes and SSNIT contributions. This, he said, will improve compliance and streamline the recovery process for the SLTF. Discussions on the details of the arrangement, he disclosed, will soon begin between the CAGD and the Student Loan Trust Fund. Mr. Agyei expressed confidence that the initiative will not only strengthen loan recovery efforts, but also protect the integrity of the Fund and ensure that more students can continue to benefit from financial support for higher education. Source: Apexnewsgh.com