Ghana’s Rape Laws Under Scrutiny: Calls for Reform to Protect Male Victims
The President of the Young Lawyers Association, Noah Ephraem Tetteh Adamtey, recently brought national attention to a significant gap in Ghana’s rape laws. Speaking in the wake of a troubling incident involving a ride-hailing driver, Mr. Adamtey recounted the chilling ordeal: the driver alleged that three women, who had booked his vehicle, overpowered him during the trip and forced him to have sex against his will. Despite his resistance, the driver was ultimately subdued, left confused and hesitant to report the crime, uncertain if, as a man, he could even be considered a victim of rape under Ghanaian law. Mr. Adamtey explained that Section 98 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), which defines rape, does not recognize a man as a possible victim. As a result, men subjected to forced sexual acts by women cannot pursue rape charges. However, he clarified that the law is not entirely silent: such conduct could be prosecuted as indecent assault when there is forcible, non-consensual sexual contact. This allows the state to pursue criminal charges against perpetrators, even if the term “rape” does not apply. The Young Lawyers Association President further noted that if a victim is prevented from leaving a vehicle after being overpowered, the law could also support charges of assault, battery, and false imprisonment. Sections 84 and 85 of Act 29 offer grounds for prosecution in cases where someone is forcibly restrained or subjected to unwanted physical contact. Nonetheless, Mr. Adamtey observed a troubling disparity: the penalties for indecent assault and false imprisonment are generally less severe than those for rape, which is treated as a serious felony. This, he argued, leaves a gap in legal protection for men who experience sexually exploitative acts by women. While criminal charges may be possible, the resulting punishments may not match those imposed in conventional rape cases. “If the manner in which the woman had sexual contact with the man rises to the level of unnatural canal knowledge, then the punishment may be equivalent to that for rape,” Mr. Adamtey said. “In such a circumstance, the man could receive a remedy similar to what a woman would get if a rape charge was brought.” Describing the issue as one requiring thoughtful policy consideration, Mr. Adamtey stressed the importance of determining whether Ghana’s laws adequately protect male victims of non-consensual sexual violence. He emphasized that while the current definition of rape excludes male victims, there are still legal remedies available, albeit with potentially lighter penalties. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Honoured as Best Health Reporter at 5th Upper East Regional GJA Awards
Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen, Editor-in-Chief of ApexnewsGh.com, has been honoured as the 2025 Best Health Reporter at the 5th Upper East Regional Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards. Mr. Ngamegbulam, who had earlier been nominated for the prestigious regional awards, was recognised for his outstanding contribution to health journalism, particularly his commitment to telling stories that highlight the challenges confronting vulnerable and marginalised communities. His award-winning entry was a documentary titled “Pains of the Forgotten: Leprosy, Stigma, and Resilience in Ghana,” an investigative and human-interest documentary that exposed the struggles, stigma and challenges faced by persons living with leprosy in the Upper East Region. The documentary explored leprosy as one of humanity’s oldest known diseases, while drawing attention to its continuing impact on communities despite advances in medical science. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 188 countries and territories reported a combined 172,717 new cases of leprosy in the year referenced by the documentary. However, the documentary highlighted that while leprosy remains a global health concern, its impact is particularly profound in vulnerable communities, including parts of Ghana’s Upper East Region. Communities in Bongo, Talensi, Nabdam and other districts continue to confront the disease and its associated social consequences. In Bongo District, where the population is slightly above 120,000, the documentary established that 57 cases were officially recorded between 2019 and September 2025. It also raised concerns that the actual number could be higher because of fear, stigma, misinformation and reluctance among some affected persons to seek medical attention. Beyond leprosy, the documentary placed the issue within the wider challenge of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Ghana. These diseases disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, often deepening poverty, social exclusion and inequality. The production, which received significant attention, was sponsored by the Development Research and Advocacy Centre (DRAC), a non-profit and non-state institution committed to research, training and advocacy towards sustainable development in Ghana, particularly within the savanna ecological zone. Speaking to journalists and bloggers after the awards ceremony, Mr. Ngamegbulam expressed satisfaction with the organisation of the event and commended the Upper East Regional GJA leadership, led by Regional Chairman Albert Sore, for what he described as a well-organised awards process. He also praised the Awards Vetting Committee for what he considered a thorough vetting exercise. Mr. Ngamegbulam said the recognition was particularly significant because it reflected years of consistency and dedication to journalism and public-interest reporting. Since the establishment of ApexnewsGh.com in 2020, he said, the platform has remained committed to producing stories that draw attention to issues affecting communities and contribute to public discourse on development in the Upper East Region. The recognition also adds to his record of awards and nominations in journalism since 2019, reflecting his involvement in different areas of media practice. Mr. Ngamegbulam also expressed special appreciation to the management of WORD FM, a community radio station in the region, for supporting the documentary and providing an opportunity for the production to be aired on its network. He noted that such partnerships between journalists and media organisations were important in ensuring that public-interest stories reached wider audiences. The awards ceremony brought together prominent personalities from the Upper East Region and beyond, including Dr. Braimah Baba Abubakari, Regional Director of Health Services; Bolgatanga Central Member of Parliament, Hon. Isaac Adongo; Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Apaak; Bongo Member of Parliament, Lawyer Charles Bawa Dua; the Baare Chief; and a representative of the Upper East Regional Minister, among other dignitaries. The event provided an opportunity to recognise journalists whose work has contributed to public awareness, accountability, development and social change across the region. Sponsors and Partners The 5th Upper East Regional GJA Awards received support from a number of organisations and institutions. Headline Sponsors: Lesken Enterprise Ltd MyTurn Limited KacStone Records Main Sponsors: PAGA Youth Movement NorthLite Solar Category Sponsors: ActionAid Ghana Afrikids Ghana NABOCADO Endswell Pharmacy MTN Partners: Alafia WaterAid Ghana Widows and Orphans Movement Ghana Tourism Authority Ghana Hotels Association – Upper East Region AquaBolg Natural Water The recognition of Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen as Best Health Reporter underscores the growing importance of health journalism that goes beyond reporting statistics to document the lived experiences of vulnerable people and bring overlooked public-health challenges into the national conversation. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
GJA Upper East Chairman Uses Humorous Personal Experience to Spotlight Importance of WASH at 5th Regional Awards Night
The 5th Upper East Regional GJA Awards in Bolgatanga was an evening of gratitude, laughter, and reflection, highlighted by an unforgettable address from GJA Regional Chairman, Albert Sore. Sore opened the ceremony on a warm note, drawing the audience in with a personal story from a July work trip. After a long journey and an unexpected detour, he and his companions found themselves at a modest hotel in Atebubu, where only shared bathrooms were available. In urgent need, Sore accepted the elderly hotel manager’s offer to use a private toilet. He was led through a maze of rooms, only to find himself in her bedroom, using the family facility. As he described the flurry of awkward thoughts that crossed his mind, the audience burst into laughter when he joked about setting a world record for the fastest toilet visit. But Sore’s humor set the stage for a sobering reflection. He called on the audience to imagine if the discomfort he felt was a daily reality for pregnant women and mothers in healthcare facilities, where privacy, clean water, and hygienic toilets are often lacking. For these women, Sore emphasized, there is no easy escape; their health and dignity depend on the conditions they find themselves in. This reality, Sore explained, is why this year’s theme, “Beyond the Headlines: The Media’s Role in Promoting WASH for Safe Motherhood and Quality Healthcare,” was chosen. He underscored that water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are not luxuries but essentials for safe and dignified healthcare. Sore praised WaterAid Ghana for its ongoing commitment to advancing WASH in local communities. Calling on journalists to go beyond the surface in their reporting, Sore challenged the media to investigate whether healthcare facilities truly meet basic WASH needs, and to highlight not only the problems, but also the solutions, holding duty-bearers accountable along the way. As the awards recognized journalistic excellence in areas such as agriculture, education, health, gender, and more, Sore congratulated all honorees and reminded them that every accolade brings added responsibility. He encouraged all journalists to keep striving for impactful, ethical, and trustworthy storytelling. In closing, Sore reminded the gathering: “Beyond the headlines, there are lives to be touched, voices to be heard, and systems to be held accountable. Let us never lose sight of that responsibility.” Sponsors and Supporters: Headline sponsors: MyTurn Limited, Lesken Enterprise Limited Main sponsors: NorthLite Solar Limited, Kacstone Records, Paga Youth Movement Supporting organisations: WaterAid Ghana, ActionAid Ghana, AfriKids Ghana, Endswell Pharmacy, MTN Ghana, Alaffia, NABOCADO, Widows and Orphans Movement, Adonai Sport Management-UK, Ghana Tourism Authority, Lapam Zorkor Hotel, Ghana Hotels Association – Upper East Region, AquaBolg Natural Mineral Water Individual supporters: Hon. Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaane, Hon. Simon Aworigo, Lawyer Anthony Namoo, Dr. Dominic Anarigide, Hajia Charity Rahinatu Asoemah, Ambassadors for Julius Debrah – Upper East Region, Friends of Prosper Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Upper East Region Records 60 Maternal Deaths in 2025 Amid Water and Sanitation Challenges–UE-GHS Director Dr. Braimah Baba Abubakari
At the 5th Upper East Regional GJA Awards in Bolgatanga, a sobering statistic cast a shadow over the celebrations. Dr. Braimah Baba Abubakari, Upper East Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), revealed that the region had recorded 60 maternal deaths in 2025, an alarming figure in a year when infections remained among the top causes of these tragedies. While the region achieved a skilled delivery rate of 75.86 percent, surpassing the national target of 65 percent, Dr. Abubakari cautioned that this progress should not overshadow persistent gaps in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) across health facilities and communities. He explained that the maternal mortality ratio had actually increased to 132.4 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2025, up from 97.1 per 100,000 the previous year. Sepsis, or infection, ranked as the fourth leading cause of maternal mortality in the region last year. Dr. Abubakari stressed that adequate WASH facilities are not a luxury but a necessity for safe motherhood and quality healthcare. “A health facility without water, sanitation and hygiene cannot deliver quality care, irrespective of how many doctors, how many pieces of equipment, how many midwives or how many drugs are stored in the facility,” he emphasized. Sharing the stage with journalists and health professionals, Dr. Abubakari called for stronger collaboration between the health sector and the media. “The health sector and the media need each other,” he said, highlighting how journalists can amplify hidden challenges and rally public support for critical health issues. He painted a vivid picture of the daily struggles faced by some health workers, who are forced to ration limited water supplies during shortages. Midwives, he explained, require clean water to wash their hands before and after deliveries, and to ensure that instruments and delivery rooms are properly sterilised. Without reliable access to water and good hygiene, the risk of infection, and maternal death, remains unacceptably high. As the Upper East Region looks ahead, Dr. Abubakari urged all stakeholders not to treat water and sanitation as peripheral concerns, but as the very foundation of quality healthcare. His message was clear: for every mother and child in the region, the simple act of turning on a tap could be a matter of life and death. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Deputy Education Minister Appeals to Striking Teachers to Return as Government Addresses Outstanding Issues
Just at the recent 5th Upper East Regional GJA Awards in Bolgatanga, Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, made a heartfelt appeal to pre-tertiary teachers across the country: return to the classroom as government works to resolve the longstanding issues surrounding their promotions, salaries, allowances, and conditions of service. Dr. Apaak acknowledged the legitimacy of the teachers’ concerns, assuring them that government was actively engaging with the teacher unions and relevant state institutions to find lasting solutions. He praised journalists for their vital role in ensuring public accountability and supporting the development of the education sector. Addressing the current impasse, Dr. Apaak explained that the challenges facing teachers—including delays in implementing promotions for those who had passed their exams—were genuine and had not been dismissed by government. He revealed that nearly 80,000 teachers were affected by a data-transmission problem between the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, a glitch that had prevented the timely adjustment of salaries and allowances. Government, he said, had reached an understanding with teacher unions that promotions should be processed automatically, without teachers needing to resubmit documents. He assured teachers that there would be no financial disadvantage, with all payments to be backdated to January 2026. Dr. Apaak also addressed the government’s proposed 20 percent-plus salary incentive for teachers posted to rural and underserved communities—a policy aimed at attracting educators to areas in need. However, he noted that implementation had stalled due to difficulties in defining which communities qualified. To address this, a committee involving the Ministries of Education, Labour Relations and Employment, and the Ghana Statistical Service was being formed to provide the necessary data and criteria. The Deputy Minister further identified the expiration of the collective agreement between teachers and their employer as a source of tension. Negotiations for a new agreement had been delayed, but government had since tasked the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to engage with teacher union leaders. A high-level meeting involving several ministries and union representatives had also been convened to continue dialogue and seek solutions. Throughout his speech, Dr. Apaak’s message was clear: government remained committed to honouring all legitimate entitlements owed to teachers. “We continue to appeal to the teachers to go back while we work out the modalities,” he said. “We can be assured that what is due them, no matter how long it takes, will become all their arrears.” As negotiations continue, teachers are being urged to return to their classrooms, with assurances that the issues at the heart of the strike are being addressed at the highest levels. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Thousands of Police Deployed as NPP Prepares for National Delegates Conference in Kumasi
The Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi is abuzz with anticipation as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) gears up for its National Delegates Conference and elections. According to Anthony Abayifaa Karbo, the party’s Organisation Committee Chairperson, between 3,000 and 4,000 police officers have been deployed to provide security for the high-profile event. Karbo outlined that the security presence would cover not only the stadium itself, but also the hostels where delegates and guests are accommodated. Police officers are also tasked with managing traffic flow around the venue, ensuring a seamless experience for all attendees. Preparations for the conference, scheduled for Saturday, October 3, are in full swing. Delegates are arriving in Kumasi and settling into their designated hostels, while workers set up public address systems at the stadium. Security personnel have already taken up their posts in and around the venue, Karbo told Citi News. He took a moment to commend the Inspector General of Police and the Ashanti Regional Police Command for their strong cooperation and proactive efforts to ensure the safety and orderliness of the conference. Karbo expressed confidence in both the aspirants and the delegates, noting their responsible and cooperative conduct throughout the process. “We’re very much ready for tomorrow; you come around, you see the police and arrangements so far. I’m sure we’re ready; delegates are arriving at their hostels,” he said. The party, he emphasized, is committed to ensuring that the conference proceeds smoothly and successfully. Karbo called on all delegates to conduct themselves responsibly, underscoring the importance of a peaceful and well-organized event as the NPP gathers to shape its future. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Stan Dogbe Clarifies La Beach Demolition Was Not Part of Flood Mitigation Plan
On a Friday morning along Accra’s iconic La Beach, the sound of demolition echoed across the coastline. Vendors and business owners watched as bulldozers, under the watchful eye of military personnel from the 48 Engineer Regiment and the Ghana Police Service, dismantled structures including the La Pleasure Beach and the Polo Beach Club, both nestled near the renowned Labadi Beach Hotel. News of the demolition quickly spread, with many assuming it was part of the government’s ongoing flood mitigation efforts. But Stan Dogbe, Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, stepped forward to set the record straight. In a Facebook post on Friday, October 2, Mr. Dogbe explained that the operation had no connection to the government’s flood mitigation task force. “Let’s not get it twisted,” he wrote. “Friday’s action along a section of the beachfront was not a Flood Mitigation Action by the government task force.” According to Mr. Dogbe, the government’s flood mitigation activities are currently focused elsewhere – at the Kpeshie Lagoon, East Legon Boundary Road, Oyarifa, and behind Mayfair Estates. The beachfront operation, he revealed, was instead done at the request of the Labadi Beach Hotel, with National Security overseeing the exercise. “These are structures, some permanently built, like the Polo Beach Club and others, on the beach in front of the hotel,” Mr. Dogbe clarified. “According to the business, these structures are adversely affecting the safety, tranquillity, and reputation of the hotel, diminishing the visitor experience and undermining the orderly management of one of Ghana’s most important tourism destinations.” While the hotel is expected to provide further details about its decision, Mr. Dogbe raised broader concerns about sanitation and security along the beach. He argued that unauthorised and unregulated commercial activities posed serious sanitation issues and security risks. Having reviewed drone footage and videos of the beachfront, Mr. Dogbe posed a question to the public: “Is the Labadi Beach Hotel not right in reclaiming its beachfront (I am not talking about the La Pleasure Beach, please)?” As the dust settled on the La Beach demolition, Stan Dogbe’s clarification sought to refocus the narrative, reminding the public that this was not about flood prevention, but rather, about restoring order and protecting one of Ghana’s cherished tourism destinations. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Historic Gathering Awaits as 7,163 Delegates Prepare for NPP National Congress in Kumasi
On Saturday, October 3, 2026, the vibrant city of Kumasi will become the epicenter of Ghanaian politics as 7,163 delegates from every corner of the nation converge on the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. These delegates, representing the heart and soul of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), will participate in a much-anticipated National Delegates Congress and Officers’ elections, a gathering that promises to shape the party’s future. The congress, meticulously planned to unfold in two distinct parts, is not just about electing new national officers. Delegates will also turn their attention to a slate of proposed amendments to the party’s constitution. According to sources from Apexnewsgh, fewer than 20 amendments are expected to be considered. Some proposals are remnants from the last constitutional amendment session held in Accra in January 2026, while others are new, arising from ongoing reflections on the party’s direction. One of the most pivotal proposals centers on the role of the party’s leader. In January, the NPP introduced a clause making the National Chairman the party leader at all times. But after further debate, a new amendment is on the table: to designate the party’s flagbearer as the true leader. This shift reflects an evolving understanding of leadership within the party. Another significant amendment concerns how Vice Chairpersons are elected. Currently, all candidates vie for the National First Vice Chairman slot, with the top three finishers becoming the First, Second, and Third Vice Chairpersons in order of the votes they receive. The new proposal would see candidates apply for, and contest, specific Vice Chairperson positions, making the process more targeted. Additionally, three Vice Chairpersons would be appointed rather than elected, a move aimed at diversifying party leadership. Other notable amendments include proposals to formalize the appointment of Deputy Communications Officers and to elevate the IT Officer role to full executive status. Drawing on lessons from the Legon conference, the Chairperson of the Constitutional Amendment Committee is expected to present each motion, with delegates casting their votes by voice. But the heart of the congress will be the election of national executives. With 7,163 delegates casting their ballots, the stakes are high. The Ashanti Region will send the largest contingent, 1,122 delegates, followed by Greater Accra and Eastern with 773 and 732 delegates, respectively. At the other end of the spectrum, the Savannah Region will be represented by just 184 delegates, while Western North will have 223. Delegates will also choose key party organisers: 2,745 will vote in the Youth Organiser race, 1,275 in the Women’s Organiser race, and 858 in the NASARA Organiser race. Each vote, each amendment, and each decision will help chart the course for the NPP as it prepares for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Upper East Teacher Unions Vow to Sustain Strike Until Demands Are Met
The Upper East Regional leadership of three teacher unions has reaffirmed its support for the ongoing nationwide strike, insisting that teachers will not return to the classroom until outstanding concerns affecting their welfare are addressed. The position was made known at a joint press conference in Bolgatanga addressed by the Upper East Regional Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Lare Kitonname; the Regional Chairman of the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Union of Ghana (PRETAG), Richard Sunday Yinbil; and the Regional Chairman of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), John Akunzebe. The union leaders said the industrial action was triggered by several unresolved issues that have created frustration and growing anger among teachers across the country. According to the unions, one of the major concerns is the failure of the authorities to automatically place newly promoted teachers on their appropriate salary scales.They said an agreement reached between the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, and the leadership of the teacher unions has not been fully implemented. The unions further complained about the failure to automatically place two cohorts of teachers who successfully passed the aptitude tests conducted in December 2025 and February 2026 on their respective salary scales, with Responsibility, Experience and Service (RES) effective from January 2026. They said the situation had heightened tension among their members. The teacher unions also raised concerns over the failure to implement the deprived area allowance for teachers working in underserved and hard-to-reach communities. They referenced Section 17.2 of the 2024 Collective Agreement, which provides for a review of the deprived area report by the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service, followed by negotiations between the unions and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission on the applicable allowance. The unions said the required process had not been completed. They described the situation as a disregard for a 2024 ruling by the National Labour Commission and said it also conflicted with a directive attributed to President John Dramani Mahama for teachers working in deprived and hard-to-reach communities to receive a 20 percent allowance on their basic salaries as an incentive to remain in such areas. Another major concern, the unions said, is the delay in negotiating a new collective agreement for teachers. They explained that the existing collective agreement has expired, while negotiations for a new agreement, which they expected to have been concluded by June 2026, remain outstanding. According to them, several engagements with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission have failed to resolve the matter. The union leaders said the continued delay had become a major source of concern for teachers. The Upper East regional branches of GNAT, PRETAG and NAGRAT therefore declared their full support for the continuation of the industrial action. They maintained that teachers in the region would continue to stand with the national leadership of the unions until their concerns were addressed. The regional leadership stressed that the strike would only be called off when the outstanding demands of teachers were satisfactorily resolved, paving the way for members to return to the classroom. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana’s Bold Vision: Ablakwa Charts a New Path to Resource Sovereignty by 2030
At a high-profile panel discussion at Ruptures and Ramparts, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa painted a bold new vision for Ghana’s future. With passion and conviction, he declared that by 2030, Ghana would cease entirely the export of raw materials, a transformative step toward adding value to its rich natural resources and achieving true resource sovereignty. Mr. Ablakwa’s message was clear: it is time for Ghana, and indeed Africa, to look within. “With all your gold, your diamond, your bauxite, your cocoa. Waiting for what? Friends? What kind of friendship is that? Look within. Be resilient. Come up with homegrown solutions. Negotiate better, add value,” he urged. For decades, he lamented, Ghana’s wealth had been siphoned abroad through agreements that left the country with only a small share of the returns. In the gold sector, he noted, Ghana retains just 10% of the value, while the rest flows elsewhere. Oil and gas, discovered nearly two decades ago, brings only a modest 15% return. But change is on the horizon. The government, Ablakwa announced, is now renegotiating all upcoming leases under a new, tougher framework. “We have said that all leases coming up for renegotiation will not follow the same old template,” he emphasized, signaling a break from the past. Technology, too, plays a pivotal role in Ghana’s new approach. With advances like artificial intelligence and generative tools, he said, countries can now build their own internal capacity, ensuring that natural resources finally benefit the people. While acknowledging nostalgia for an older order of trust and international camaraderie, Ablakwa insisted that the new era offers Africans an unprecedented opportunity. “Smart leaders must take advantage and create new wealth for Africans. That’s how we see it.” With 2030 on the horizon, Ghana’s story is shifting, from exporter of raw materials to a nation determined to control its destiny and build prosperity from within. Source: Apexnewsgh.com