Charles Taleog Ndabon Granted Bail Amidst Internal Party Vehicle Dispute
Charles Taleog Ndanbon, the Upper East Regional Organiser of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), recently found himself embroiled in a contentious party dispute centered on the party’s CHANGAN HUNTER pick-up vehicle. After being summoned by the Upper East Regional Police Command, Ndanbon was granted bail, but the ordeal revealed deep divisions within the party’s regional leadership. Speaking after his release, Mr. Ndanbon shared his perspective, offering insight into the circumstances that led to his brief encounter with the police. He explained that the issue began when he was called in by the police regarding the party’s regional leadership and, more specifically, the pick-up vehicle assigned to him during the 2024 general elections. “I was supposed to return the pickup on the 9th of December 2024,” Ndanbon recalled. “But by the 8th, the vehicle had broken down, so I couldn’t hand it over.” He said he promptly informed the party of the breakdown and made it clear that the vehicle was not his personal property, but a party asset assigned to him for official duties. As regional organiser, he insisted, “I have to have a pickup to run the affairs of the party.” Despite his efforts to communicate with party leadership, Ndanbon said confusion persisted over the allocation of the vehicle. “I don’t know why they didn’t give the pickup to me,” he admitted. He wrote to the party leadership, explaining his need for the vehicle to support party official duties and carry out party responsibilities, but received no response. Undeterred, Mr. Ndanbon continued using the pickup for party work, monitoring internal elections, and traveling to remote communities such as Navarongo and its environs. Tensions heightened when the regional chairman sent the vice-chairman to retrieve the vehicle while Ndanbon was on assignment. “The chairman told me to go and do party work in Navarongo, so I did,” he said. Unexpectedly, Ndanbon received a letter via WhatsApp addressed to the party’s general secretary, accusing him of refusing to return the pickup. “I was shocked,” he recalled. “This is a party matter, an internal affair.” The situation escalated when the regional police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) contacted him, alleging that he had stolen the party vehicle. “I was stunned. They said I stole a car belonging to the party,” Ndanbon said. With a lawyer by his side, he was required to give a statement at the police station and was subsequently granted bail. Eventually, the disputed vehicle was released to the police, and the regional chairman inspected it before it was handed back to the party. “That was the end. The car was handed over to the party,” Ndanbon confirmed. However, the saga did not conclude quietly. Ndanbon accused the NPP Regional Chairman of incompetence, blaming him for the party’s declining fortunes in the region. “This is a chairman who came and the party was having three seats for the region, and now he has succeeded in bringing it down to zero seats. So, he is not ashamed of himself to send this matter to the police station,” Ndanbon lamented. He criticized the decision to escalate the issue to law enforcement, insisting it was an internal matter and urging the party to focus on reorganizing for victory in the 2028 elections. He also praised former chairmen, the late Adam and Alhaji Murtala, as examples of hardworking leadership. Meanwhile, in a statement issued by the Regional Chairman, Lawyer Anthony Namoo, He said he found himself compelled to take such unprecedented step. In a letter dated May 19, 2024, he recounted the series of frustrating events that led him and the Regional Executive Committee (REC) to involve the police in a matter they would have preferred to resolve amicably. The trouble began in the run-up to the 2024 General Elections, when the party allocated a pick-up vehicle to each of the 15 constituencies in the region. The vehicles were handed over to the parliamentary candidates (PCs) in Accra, with constituency chairmen as witnesses. It was agreed that by December 9, 2024, these pick-ups would be returned to the Constituency Executive Committees. While most PCs either used the pick-ups for their campaigns or yielded them to the constituency chairmen, and subsequently returned them after the elections, there was one glaring exception: Charles Taleog Ndanbon, the Upper East Regional Organiser. Despite repeated requests and even a formal memo demanding compliance, Ndanbon refused to hand over the pick-up meant for the Nabdan constituency. Neither diplomatic appeals nor interventions by respected family members could convince him to release the vehicle. The REC took up the issue in its meetings, with the matter being discussed at length on March 14, 2026. After months of absence, Ndanbon finally showed up at the April 9, 2026, meeting, explaining evasively that the pick-up had broken down. He implied that, as a regional officer, he deserved to keep using the vehicle, even though it was allocated to a specific constituency. Efforts to resolve the matter internally reached a breaking point. The REC, unconvinced by Ndanbon’s assertions, in particular, his claim that the General Secretary had permitted him to keep the pick-up, formed a committee to retrieve the vehicle. The committee visited Ndanbon’s home, inspected the immobilized pick-up, and confirmed it was suffering from a clutch problem. By May 5, 2026, the pick-up was back on the road. Yet, when representatives again approached Ndanbon to request his handover, he defiantly insisted he would not comply, again citing supposed authorization from higher up. Frustrated by months of stonewalling and with all diplomatic channels exhausted, Anthony Namoo and the REC saw no alternative but to involve the Ghana Police Service. In his own words, Namoo described the regional organiser’s conduct as “impudent” and “insolent,” noting that Ndanbon already owned a personal pick-up and several other vehicles, yet still chose to deprive the Nabdam constituency of its designated pick-up, an act that disrupted party operations for over 20 months. In light of what he called gross misconduct and insubordination, Anthony Namoo formally notified the General Secretary
Tension in Upper East NPP as Chairman Reports Organiser to Police Over Pickup
In the Upper East Region, a storm has been brewing within the ranks of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The Regional Chairman, Lawyer Anthony Namoo, found himself compelled to take an unprecedented step. In a letter dated May 19, 2024, he recounted the series of frustrating events that led him and the Regional Executive Committee (REC) to involve the police in a matter they would have preferred to resolve amicably. The trouble began in the run-up to the 2024 General Elections, when the party allocated a pick-up vehicle to each of the 15 constituencies in the region. The vehicles were handed over to the parliamentary candidates (PCs) in Accra, with constituency chairmen as witnesses. It was agreed that by December 9, 2024, these pick-ups would be returned to the Constituency Executive Committees. While most PCs either used the pick-ups for their campaigns or yielded them to the constituency chairmen, and subsequently returned them after the elections, there was one glaring exception: Charles Taleog Ndanbon, the Upper East Regional Organiser. Despite repeated requests and even a formal memo demanding compliance, Ndanbon refused to hand over the pick-up meant for the Nabdan constituency. Neither diplomatic appeals nor interventions by respected family members could convince him to release the vehicle. The REC took up the issue in its meetings, with the matter being discussed at length on March 14, 2026. After months of absence, Ndanbon finally showed up at the April 9, 2026, meeting, explaining evasively that the pick-up had broken down. He implied that, as a regional officer, he deserved to keep using the vehicle, even though it was allocated to a specific constituency. Efforts to resolve the matter internally reached a breaking point. The REC, unconvinced by Ndanbon’s assertions, in particular, his claim that the General Secretary had permitted him to keep the pick-up, formed a committee to retrieve the vehicle. The committee visited Ndanbon’s home, inspected the immobilized pick-up, and confirmed it was suffering from a clutch problem. By May 5, 2026, the pick-up was back on the road. Yet, when representatives again approached Ndanbon to request his handover, he defiantly insisted he would not comply, again citing supposed authorization from higher up. Frustrated by months of stonewalling and with all diplomatic channels exhausted, Anthony Namoo and the REC saw no alternative but to involve the Ghana Police Service. In his own words, Namoo described the regional organiser’s conduct as “impudent” and “insolent,” noting that Ndanbon already owned a personal pick-up and several other vehicles, yet still chose to deprive the Nabdam constituency of its designated pick-up, an act that disrupted party operations for over 20 months. In light of what he called gross misconduct and insubordination, Anthony Namoo formally notified the General Secretary and announced that a police report had been filed to ensure the pick-up was retrieved for the Nabdam Constituency Executive Committee by all reasonable means. Thus, a matter that began with friendly appeals and patient negotiation has now become a police affair, as the NPP battles to enforce party discipline and safeguard its resources in the Upper East Region. Meanwhile, following the report by the Regional NPP Chairman, Mr. Ndanbon was arrested and later granted bail after the pickup was made available at the Upper East Regional Police Command. The CHANGAN HUNTER pick-up Vehicle has since been handed over to the party. Find the full statement below: Source: Apexnewsgh.com
The eCedi Project: Still on Track, Says Bank of Ghana Governor
The Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr Johnson Asiama, has reassured the public that the central bank’s much-anticipated eCedi project has not been abandoned. Addressing journalists after a recent Monetary Policy Committee meeting, Dr Asiama emphasized the Bank’s ongoing commitment to the digital currency initiative. According to Dr Asiama, the BoG is actively exploring how the eCedi could pave the way for more efficient cross-border payments and boost regional trade across West Africa. He explained that, while significant progress has been made, the central bank intends to conduct several more pilot programmes before considering a nationwide rollout. “Our focus is on how the eCedi can facilitate faster cross-border settlements for businesses in the sub-region,” Dr Asiama stated. He stressed the importance of rigorous testing and broad stakeholder engagement to ensure the security and effectiveness of the digital currency system. The Governor also noted that the Bank of Ghana is closely monitoring global trends in central bank digital currencies. At the same time, the BoG is collaborating with international partners to refine the eCedi project and ensure it meets world-class standards. In summary, Dr Asiama made it clear that the eCedi remains very much on the Bank of Ghana’s agenda, with careful planning and further trials ahead before its full-scale introduction. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Four Arrested for Armed Illegal Mining at Ankobra
On Wednesday afternoon, the usually tranquil banks of the Ankobra River at Dominase in the Nzema East Municipality became the scene of a dramatic confrontation. The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) task force, on a routine patrol at around 3:25 p.m., stumbled upon what appeared to be an illegal mining site nestled within the dense Western Region forest. As the officers approached the site, they were met by four men brandishing machetes and pump-action guns. These armed suspects, later identified as Alpha Musa, 28; Rahaman Rojer, 29; Laji Bengali, 25; and Mohammed Agana, 25, were allegedly acting as both security personnel and active participants in the illicit operation. Undeterred by the show of force, the NAIMOS task force moved in to make arrests. The confrontation quickly escalated as the suspects resisted, refusing to surrender peacefully. Instead, they attempted to obstruct the officers and disrupt the operation. Despite the resistance, the task force managed to disarm and subdue the four men, successfully apprehending them on the spot. Upon detaining the suspects, officers conducted a thorough search of the site. The haul included two pump-action guns, 82 AA cartridges, three machetes, a water pumping machine, and two SDLG control boards believed to belong to excavators used in the illegal mining process. Two excavators were also found, but were immobilized by removing their control boards due to a lack of immediate transport. Interrogation revealed a startling claim: the suspects alleged they were operating under the orders of individuals known only as Ras, Mambo, and Nana Teku, said to be affiliated with National Security and hailing from Prestea. NAIMOS handed these names over to the police, where ongoing investigations are now underway. The environmental toll caused by the suspects was evident, with large swathes of land and forest destroyed and pollution seeping into the Ankobra River. After initial interrogation, the suspects and their belongings, including mobile phones and a talisman, were handed over to the Esiama District Police, where Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Asiedu received them for further investigation and possible prosecution. Despite increasing threats from armed criminal groups, NAIMOS reaffirmed its determination to persist with anti-illegal mining operations nationwide. The Secretariat cautioned illegal miners and armed groups against resistance, warning that reckless defiance would not deter the task force. NAIMOS also extended gratitude to the public, acknowledging the crucial role of community intelligence in the ongoing fight against illegal mining. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
CHRAJ Petitioned Over Alleged Misconduct by Free Zones Authority CEO
A formal petition has been filed with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) seeking a thorough investigation into the conduct of Dr. Mary Awusi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority. The petitioners allege that Dr. Awusi has misused official working time by making frequent media appearances unrelated to her official duties. The complaint, co-signed by Prince Owusu Bonnah, Christiana Acheampong, and Sebastian Ampah, points to Dr. Awusi’s participation in a radio discussion on Accra 100.5 FM on April 23, 2026. During the broadcast, she reportedly commented on national issues, including illegal mining, and made remarks concerning the leadership of the Church of Pentecost. The petitioners argue that such engagements fall outside her statutory responsibilities and may constitute a breach of public service ethics. According to the petition, Dr. Awusi’s comments during the interview questioned the moral authority and spiritual standing of the Church’s leadership, remarks the complainants describe as inappropriate for a public office holder. They further contend that her conduct may reflect a misuse of official time and public resources, potentially exposing the Free Zones Authority to reputational risk. The petitioners are calling on CHRAJ to determine whether Dr. Awusi’s actions amount to administrative impropriety, abuse of office, or a violation of the Code of Conduct for public officers as outlined in Ghana’s 1992 Constitution. They are also requesting a full investigation, the imposition of appropriate sanctions where warranted, and the establishment of stricter guidelines to ensure ethical conduct among public servants. To support their claims, the petitioners have attached media recordings and supporting materials said to document Dr. Awusi’s public engagements during official working hours. Copies of the petition have also been forwarded to the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, signaling the seriousness of their concerns. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Sports Minister Refutes Claims of Substandard Vaulting Poles at African Athletics Championships
Ghana’s Sports Minister, Kofi Adams, has firmly denied media reports suggesting that foreign athletes were forced to use substandard vaulting poles provided by Ghana during the African Senior Athletics Championships at the University of Ghana Stadium in Accra. Addressing the press, Mr. Adams clarified that while Ghana’s Local Organising Committee supplied vaulting poles for the competition, none of the athletes actually used them. “It’s a standard thing. Yours is to provide the landing surface, the cross bar, and then the stand poles,” he explained. He emphasized that the vaulting poles themselves are personal equipment, with athletes preferring to compete with their own poles for comfort and familiarity. “The only thing is that the ITOs will certify it for them,” he added, referring to the International Technical Officials who inspect and approve the athletes’ equipment. The minister recounted an incident involving a Beninese athlete whose vaulting pole broke during the event, stressing that the damaged pole belonged to the athlete and had not been supplied by Ghana. Similarly, South African competitors used their own vaulting poles, Mr. Adams noted. He further disclosed that the South African team had paid a deposit at Aviance at Accra International Airport for the equipment they brought into the country. This deposit, he assured, would be refunded once the athletes left Ghana with their equipment. Reflecting on the championship as a whole, Mr. Adams concluded that the event “generally went well,” with the exception of some early power issues that were promptly addressed. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Minority Caucus Charts Path to 2028: NPP Urged to Prepare for Power
The Minority Caucus in Parliament recently gathered in Accra for a strategic workshop designed to sharpen their parliamentary approach and enhance coordination as they gear up for the next legislative session. Addressing the assembled MPs, Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh delivered a candid assessment of the political landscape, asserting that the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) had lost public confidence far more rapidly than many anticipated. He stressed that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) must seize this moment to position itself assertively for victory in the 2028 elections. Annoh-Dompreh reminded his colleagues that their primary responsibility remains holding the government accountable through rigorous scrutiny and by challenging questionable decisions. He encouraged MPs to expose what he described as hidden wrongdoings within the current administration and to intensify pressure on the government whenever shortcomings emerge. “We cannot sit back while the cocoa farmer is wailing, teachers are crying, nurses are wailing, public servants are crying, market women are crying, this is the reflection of the scam of the NDC government,” he declared, urging MPs to fully utilize parliamentary procedures to bring national issues to the forefront. The workshop’s purpose, Annoh-Dompreh explained, was to refine the caucus’s communication strategy, align its parliamentary activities, and bolster its responsiveness to the pressing needs of Ghanaians. He pointed out that many citizens were increasingly turning to the NPP as a credible alternative, and that the party needed to present a united and disciplined front to meet those expectations. He also cautioned against complacency and internal divisions, warning that these could undermine the NPP’s chances in the crucial 2028 elections. “The NPP is a party of development, and its culture and tradition have proven to be effective and capable in turning around the fortunes of our country. Victory is in our hands!” he proclaimed, rallying his colleagues for the challenges ahead. The workshop brought together Minority MPs to deliberate on legislative priorities, constituency engagement, and strategies to strengthen parliamentary oversight of the executive. Participants left with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to apply lessons learned both in Parliament and in their constituencies as the opposition intensifies preparations for the next general elections. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah Tells Story of Arrests and Intimidation
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi and former Information Minister, recently spoke out against what he describes as a worrying trend of political intimidation in Ghana. According to him, the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration is using arrests and detentions to silence critics, particularly those who express dissent on social media. In a candid conversation with the media in 2026, Oppong Nkrumah painted a troubling picture of life for opposition supporters under the present government. “Over sixteen NPP persons have been arrested for simply making comments on social media or posting things on social media that the government finds unpalatable,” he revealed. The MP claimed these arrests began shortly after the NDC assumed office and have continued, targeting more than sixteen members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP). His comments were made against the backdrop of the ongoing detention of Kwame Baffoe, widely known as Abronye DC, who serves as the NPP’s Bono Regional Chairman. According to Oppong Nkrumah, Abronye’s situation is especially grave. He recounted how Abronye was arrested, denied bail, and has now been detained for several days, with his lawyers, family, and political associates unable to see him since his arrest the previous week. Oppong Nkrumah did not mince words in his criticism of the government’s actions. “The government is using arrest, detention, remand as a tool to suppress voices that they do not feel comfortable with,” he alleged. He argued that these tactics are designed not only to punish critics but also to send a message to others who might consider speaking out. “The whole idea is to intimidate people and ensure that everybody keeps quiet when they are failing on delivering on the promises they made to the Ghanaian people.” Despite these challenges, Oppong Nkrumah made it clear that the opposition will not be cowed. He assured that the NPP would continue to protest the arrests both in public and in the courts, vowing, “We will use the platforms of public advocacy to call that out as well while we do what is necessary through the judicial system.” The story he tells is one of a political climate where fear and silence are tools of governance, but also one where the fight for freedom of expression and justice continues. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
PAC Grills Peki College of Education Over Soaring Losses
It was a tense morning in Parliament on Tuesday, May 19, as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) turned its attention to the troubling financial records of the Peki College of Education. The air in the chamber was thick with concern as members pored over the audit findings, trying to make sense of the institution’s deteriorating financial health. The numbers told a worrying story. Losses at the college had ballooned from GH¢916,000 in 2023 to more than GH¢1 million in 2024, a rise that set off alarm bells among committee members. The PAC wanted answers. How could the gap have grown so much in just a year? Was it the fault of Ghana’s high inflation rate, as the college’s Director of Finance, Hornesmus Quarshie, insisted? Or was there more to the story? Chairperson of the PAC, Abena Osei-Asare, wasn’t convinced by the inflation argument. Leaning forward, she challenged Quarshie directly. “Your loss of GH¢1 million from GH¢916,000 is purely due to inflation? You spent over GH¢800,000 on transportation costs alone. Looking at the strength of your income, you could have postponed some of these items to avoid incurring the losses.” Her words hung in the air, underscoring the committee’s frustration. “You make a loss of GH¢916,000, and you come here and you think you can come and sit here and explain it away? You are not doing your school any good thing,” she added sternly. As the session wore on, it was clear that the PAC expected better financial stewardship from the management of the Peki College of Education. The story unfolding in Parliament was not just about numbers, but about accountability, and the hope that lessons would be learned for the future. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
The Ashanti NPP Chairman Faces Court: The Dramatic Case of Chairman Wontumi
In a courtroom drama that has captured national attention, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, stood before the High Court in Accra to answer to four serious criminal charges. The charges, defrauding by false pretence, forgery, money laundering, and intentionally causing a financial loss of over GH¢30 million to the Ghana Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank), were read out in a session presided over by Justice Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit. Chairman Wontumi, represented by his lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi, entered a plea of not guilty. After an application by his lawyer, which was not opposed by Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, Wontumi was granted bail. Meanwhile, his alleged accomplice and Director of Wontumi Farms Limited, Thomas Antwi-Boasiako, remains at large, with authorities still seeking his whereabouts. The prosecution’s case paints an elaborate picture of deception. According to the charge sheet, Chairman Wontumi and Thomas Antwi-Boasiako are accused of using false pretences to obtain GH¢14.3 million from Exim Bank. They allegedly presented falsified documents, including a “Board Resolution Letter” with suspicious dates, and claimed to have secured 100,000 acres of land and employment for 38,000 people. Based on these representations, Exim Bank approved a mixed loan and grant facility of nearly GH¢19 million, ultimately disbursing over GH¢14 million to Wontumi Farms Limited by March 2018. The prosecution further alleges that in March 2018, Chairman Wontumi submitted a document labeled as a “Receipt” to secure an additional GH¢4 million from the bank, claiming it was for the purchase of agricultural machinery. However, state investigations revealed that the so-called receipt was in fact a doctored pro-forma invoice from KAS-SAMA Enterprise, originally issued only for a price inquiry. “No agricultural plant or machinery was bought. No person was employed to work on any farm. The accused persons did not own or secure the parcel of land they represented to the Bank as secured for the project,” prosecutors stated. Instead, large sums withdrawn from the company’s accounts were allegedly used for Wontumi’s personal investments and other business enterprises. As the case unfolds, the nation watches closely, awaiting the court’s verdict on one of the most high-profile financial crime cases in recent years. Source: Apexnewsgh.com