Breaking News: Chairman Wontumi Sentenced to 20 Years for Illegal Mining
On the morning of July 20, 2026, the Accra High Court became the stage for a landmark moment in Ghana’s fight against illegal mining. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, better known as Chairman Wontumi and the influential Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, stood before Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, awaiting his fate. In a courtroom filled with anticipation, Justice Kocuvie-Tay delivered a decisive verdict: 20 years imprisonment for Chairman Wontumi’s involvement in illegal mining activities on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region. The sentence, handed down shortly after 11:40 am, marked the end of one of the nation’s most closely watched trials. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Bank of Ghana Publishes Updated Interbank FX Rates, Offering Transparent Benchmark for Cedi Performance
In a move to promote transparency and guide economic activity, the Bank of Ghana has released its latest interbank foreign exchange rates, providing a clear view of how the Ghana cedi is performing against both global and regional currencies. These reference rates, calculated from large foreign exchange transactions of ten thousand dollars or more by licensed commercial banks, serve as a reliable benchmark for travelers, businesses, and international payments. Unlike the fluctuating rates often found at commercial bank counters or local forex bureaux, the central bank’s weighted median approach filters out market volatility, reflecting genuine wholesale trading activity nationwide. As this week’s trading window opens, the Ghana cedi shows stability against major world currencies. The official mid-rate for the US Dollar stands at GH¢11.5500, with a buying rate of GH¢11.5442 and a selling rate of GH¢11.5558. The British Pound Sterling is trading at a mid-rate of GH¢15.5284, while the Euro posts a mid-rate of GH¢13.2118. The Swiss Franc remains steady at GH¢14.3126, and the Canadian Dollar at GH¢8.2407. For cross-border merchants and regional trade, the Bank of Ghana has also updated key African indicators. The cedi is pegged at a mid-rate of GH¢119.00 against the Nigerian Naira, a crucial metric for West Africa’s busiest trading corridor. Meanwhile, the regional CFA Franc is set at a mid-rate of GH¢49.6495, providing vital guidance for businesses managing import costs and currency risks across the ECOWAS sub-region. These official rates, published at the start of each trading week, underscore the central bank’s commitment to providing accurate and actionable data for all market participants, supporting both domestic and international economic planning. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Government Unveils Bold GH₵3 Billion Plan to End Double-Track System in Senior High Schools
A major milestone is on the horizon for Ghana’s education sector as the government finalizes an ambitious capital investment strategy aimed at permanently ending the double-track academic calendar in Senior High Schools (SHSs) nationwide. Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu is set to unveil the cabinet-approved GH₵3 billion infrastructure development programme at the eagerly awaited Government Accountability Series. The initiative, described as a definitive blueprint for the future of secondary education, seeks to close the chronic accommodation and classroom deficits that first led to the adoption of the dual-track system. According to Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, the massive infrastructure build-out will be a focal point during the upcoming mid-year review of the national education sector. The plan significantly expands on previous localized funding efforts, combining an immediate GH₵1 billion allocation from the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) with additional global support facilities. Government officials confirm that the infrastructure drive is designed to resolve space shortages across affected schools, paving the way for the complete phase-out of the split-semester system by 2027. The double-track calendar was initially introduced as a stopgap to accommodate the surge in student enrollment following the launch of the Free SHS policy. However, persistent infrastructure bottlenecks have forced many top-tier schools to maintain the alternating schedule, drawing criticism from parents and administrators frustrated by unpredictable academic timetables. Minister Iddrisu’s forthcoming master plan will offer a detailed roadmap for upgrading lower-tier schools, expanding hostel facilities, and constructing new classroom blocks. The goal is clear: to ensure all SHS students can attend classes and enjoy regular vacations together, marking the end of the double-track era and heralding a new chapter in Ghana’s educational journey. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Bawumia Urges President Mahama to Reject Tribunals Bill, Citing Threats to Justice and Democracy
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP),has issued a fervent appeal to President John Dramani Mahama: refuse assent to the controversial Tribunals Bill, 2026. Bawumia’s address, delivered live to the nation, warned that the proposed legislation posed a grave risk to Ghana’s democratic foundations, threatened public trust in the judiciary, and could fundamentally alter the nation’s justice system. Bawumia called on the President to halt the bill’s approval and instead initiate extensive, inclusive stakeholder consultations before any sweeping changes were made to Ghana’s legal landscape. His call came after the bill’s legislative journey had already drawn fierce criticism from opposition lawmakers and labor unions. The bill’s passage was expedited when Parliament’s majority leaders waived the statutory 24-hour cooling-off period required between its consideration and final reading. Intense objections from the Minority and widespread protests from Organized Labor were ultimately overridden by the majority’s votes. A major point of concern among legal experts and critics was a provision that would allow regular panels, potentially including individuals with no legal training, to preside over complex criminal cases. Bawumia cautioned that such provisions, rushed through by parliamentary numbers rather than consensus, risked politicizing justice and undermining its impartial delivery. He reminded the nation of the historical abuses of regional and public tribunals in Ghana’s past and referenced the recommendations of the Kwasi Prempeh Constitutional Review Committee, which had advocated abolishing parallel tribunal systems. Instead of creating a new, potentially problematic structure to ease court congestion, Bawumia advocated for modernizing the current judiciary: expanding courtrooms, appointing more qualified judges, and digitizing court operations. Directly addressing President Mahama, Bawumia urged him to use his constitutional powers to pause the bill and invite open dialogue through the Council of State. He stressed that justice in Ghana should serve all citizens, not any one political party or administration. To achieve this, Bawumia called for a national dialogue that would bring together the Ghana Bar Association, civil society, legal experts, organized labor, and the judiciary to forge a broad consensus on the way forward. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
High Court Rejects Bid to Halt Samreboi Mining Judgment, Clears Way for Verdict
In a pivotal development at the Criminal Court 4 Division of the High Court in Accra, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay dismissed an application from lawyers representing Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The legal team had sought to halt the court’s judgment in the high-profile Samreboi mining case and refer constitutional issues to the Supreme Court. The courtroom was tense as defence lawyer Charles Boakye, appearing on behalf of lead counsel Samuel Atta Akyea, announced that the defence had filed their application on July 16, asking for a postponement of the judgment. The defence argued that the Supreme Court needed to interpret certain constitutional issues before a verdict could be delivered. Boakye also informed the court that Atta Akyea was out of the country and would return on July 22, requesting that the matter be adjourned until then. Justice Kocuvie-Tay, however, was unmoved. She ruled that the application lacked sufficient grounds for a delay and noted that any scheduling conflicts should have been communicated well in advance. The judge further explained that oral submissions were not necessary for the court to rule on the pending application, as the motion had been properly filed and could be determined on its merits. With the application dismissed, the court proceeded to deliver its long-awaited judgment. Chairman Wontumi, Akonta Mining Company Limited, and a third accused, Kwame Antwi, all stood trial over allegations of illegal mining activities on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region, a charge they have consistently denied. The judge’s decision not only cleared the way for the verdict, but also signaled a commitment to timely justice in a case with national ramifications. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Chairman Wontumi Appears in Court as Samreboi Mining Case Nears Critical Ruling
Tension filled the corridors of the Accra High Court as Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, made his arrival. Today, July 20, the court is poised to deliver its much-anticipated ruling in the high-profile Samreboi mining concession case, a legal battle that has gripped the nation for months. At the heart of the case are allegations of unlawful mining activities involving Chairman Wontumi and his company, Akonta Mining Limited, on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region. With both prosecution and defence having concluded their arguments, all eyes turned to the court for a final decision. However, a late twist emerged as the defence team, led by Samuel Atta Akyea, filed an application seeking to suspend the delivery of the judgment. The defence contends that the High Court should wait for the Supreme Court’s determination of constitutional questions raised in the application before proceeding. Complicating matters further, Mr. Atta Akyea has informed the court of his absence from the country, he is expected back on July 22. As a result, the High Court now faces a pivotal decision: whether to go ahead with the scheduled ruling or pause the proceedings until the Supreme Court provides clarity on the constitutional matters at stake. Both Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining Limited have staunchly denied any wrongdoing, contesting the charges of illegal mining operations at Samreboi. With the courtroom packed and anticipation running high, the fate of the case, and potentially the future of mining regulations in the region—hangs in the balance as the judge prepares to rule. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
24-Hour Economy Secretariat Defends Flagship Policy, Highlights Billions in Investments and Job Creation
The debate over Ghana’s ambitious 24-Hour Economy programme intensified this week as the Secretariat firmly rejected claims that the government’s flagship policy has failed to yield tangible results. In the face of criticism from Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee, the Secretariat released a detailed statement, asserting that the programme is not only underway but already producing significant outcomes. According to the Secretariat, implementation has moved well beyond the planning stage, attracting billions of dollars in investment and fostering increased industrial activity. By May 2026, Joint Development Agreements worth $5.5 billion had been secured with key co-development partners. The Secretariat revealed that 268 fuel stations and 33 manufacturing companies are currently operating under the programme’s multi-shift, 24-hour model, demonstrating the initiative’s growing reach. Responding to Mr. Oppong Nkrumah’s suggestion that substantial public resources had been committed with little to show, the Secretariat argued that success should be measured by investments mobilised, production capacity, export potential, and jobs created. The programme aims to generate 1.7 million decent jobs by the end of 2028, with four recent investment agreements expected to deliver more than 160,000 direct jobs. The Secretariat also dismissed claims that the 24-Hour Economy has drawn from the GH¢650 billion approved by Parliament, clarifying that the sum represents the nation’s overall budget, not programme spending. Instead, most projects are financed by private investment, with the government focusing on coordination, project preparation, and targeted support. Among the flagship ventures are the $1.45 billion Buipe solar and battery project, set to generate 1,500 megawatts of electricity and create 13,000 jobs, and the $250 million Kambonwule oil palm project, projected to support 120,000 jobs. The 24-Hour Economy has also spurred several state institutions, including the DVLA, Ghana Publishing Company, and GPHA, to extend their operations for round-the-clock service delivery. The Secretariat explained that the phased rollout is deliberate, designed to secure investors, ready viable projects, and address infrastructure, land, and energy challenges. As more investments materialise, factories ramp up production, and new jobs are created, the Secretariat expressed optimism that the programme’s benefits will soon become unmistakably clear. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Prosecution Nears Conclusion in High-Profile GH¢49.1 Million Theft Trial
The courtroom was tense as the trial of former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau, Kwabena Adu-Boahene, and two others approached a critical juncture This week, the prosecution is expected to close its case in the matter of the alleged theft of GH¢49.1 million, funds said to belong to the Government of Ghana. Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, the Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, took to Facebook to update the public. He revealed that state prosecutors, in collaboration with investigators from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), have assembled what he called a strong body of evidence. Their goal: to prove that the GH¢49.1 million was public money, held securely in a government bank account, before it was allegedly misappropriated. Inside the courtroom, the accused, Kwabena Adu-Boahene and his two co-defendants, listened as charges of theft and causing financial loss to the state were laid out against them. As the prosecution prepares to rest its case, all eyes are on the court, awaiting the next chapter in a trial that has captured national attention. Source: Apexnewsgh.com