Hon Bernard Ahiafor and Hon Afenyo-Markin There were scenes of grandstanding at the Appointments Committee of Parliament during its public sitting on Monday, January 20, 2025 to vet ministerial nominees of President John Dramani Mahama. The situation resulted in the chairman, Bernard Ahiafor, reluctantly suspending the proceedings, and upon resumption, the Minority Leader accused the chairman and the majority side of being “rude” to him. “Chairman, all your colleagues, including you, have been rude to me this morning. You have been very rude. You have been extremely rude,” the minority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, lamented. His outburst took close to a two-hour period when members of the Appointments Committee engaged in what could literally be described as a show of bravado between the majority and the minority sides, over aspects of the minority leader’s opening remarks. The Honourable Members of the Appointments Committee used that period to settle the issue of...

Dr George Akuffo Dampare, IGP A Special Investigative Team (SIT) has been constituted by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, to probe the killings that occurred during the 2020 and 2024 general elections. The move follows a directive from President John Dramani Mahama, who on January 10, 2025 requested a thorough investigation into the incidents that happened four years apart. According to a deep throat at the police headquarters, the IGP has responded to the President’s directive by establishing a team of highly skilled officers at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters in Accra. The SIT, chaired by Chief Superintendent Joseph Nanegbe, has been tasked with submitting a detailed report within a specified timeline. In a letter to the President, Dr. Dampare reportedly assured that all necessary resources would be allocated to the team to ensure a comprehensive and transparent investigation. The Chronicle’s third eye within the...

President Mahama with Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II President John Dramani Mahama yesterday joined the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Asanteman to observe the first Akwasidae festival of the year. It is the first public festival the president is attending, since he was sworn in on January 7, 2025. Nananom Amanhene, Abrempong and the entire Asanteman Council welcomed the President to the grand durbar at the Manhyia Palace, presided over by the Asasntehene, Opemsuo Osei Tutu II. Addressing the durbar, President Mahama promised to complete uncompleted projects in Ashanti region, mentioning the Serwua Regional Hospital. He assured Otumfuo that the road leading to the hospital would be worked on, whilst electricity would also be extended to the place, to quickly open the hospital. He also said the Afari Military hospital would be completed. President Mahama disabused the minds of those who think that Ashanti Region is not a strong hold of...

President J. D. Mahama DCOP George Ankomah speaking to the crowd at the hospital Military personnel stationed at AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine have allegedly shot and killed 7 miners, who had illegally entered the concession of the mining conglomerate, in search of the precious mineral. The incident happened yesterday at Cot’e D’or, which is within the legal concession of the mining giants. The military have confirmed the incident through a statement released in the evening of yesterday, arguing that they were provoked by the miners, numbering about 60, who were reportedly firing at them, and that they acted in self-defence. The management of AGA is, however, yet to comment on the tragic incident that has resulted in tension in the Obuasi Township and its environs. The Chronicle has learnt that somewhere last year, the small scale miners petitioned the government to release the Cot’e D’or concession, which had allegedly been...

Sammi Awuku The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has pledged to provide a resilient and effective opposition in Parliament, despite being outnumbered by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).   In an exclusive interview with The Chronicle on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 the Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammi Awuku, stressed that the NPP would hold the government accountable for its programs and policies. “We will be very resilient, formidable and effective to put the government in check”, he vowed.   Awuku drew inspiration from the NPP’s history, citing the party’s success in the 2000 general elections, despite being outnumbered by the NDC in the 1997 Parliament. “We are resolved just as our forebears were in 1997, when there were just about 67 Members of Parliament against 133 Members of Parliament from the NDC side.   “We did rise to the occasion – we worked hard and with determination and...

Dr Louise Carol Serwaa Donkor – NAEL Coordinator The National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP) has condemned the unsubstantiated accusations circulating on social media that have accused the organization of being a politically motivated scheme that pays employees for no work. The claims, first made in a Facebook post by an individual identified as Nana Ama Osei Kufuor, have been described by NAELP as ‘baseless, defamatory, and an attempt to tarnish the reputation of the programme and its staff.’ In a statement by the organization, NAELP denied the allegations, emphasizing its significant contributions to Ghana’s sustainable development since its inception. “These unfounded accusations undermine the remarkable achievements of NAELP and tarnish the reputation of our hardworking employees and the National Coordinator, Dr. Louise Carol Serwaa Donkor,” the statement said. The Facebook post accused NAELP of being a pseudo-political entity under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources that allegedly...

Ghana Police Residents of Oyibi Estates Down, in the Kpone Katamanso Municipality of the Greater Accra Region are living in fear, following a spate of armed robbery cases being recorded in recent times. The Chronicle has gathered that three robbery incidents, all involving three men wielding locally manufactured pistols and knives, have left the community on edge. One of the robberies, The Chronicle was told, occurred at dawn on Sunday, November 17, 2024. According to the victims, the assailants, suspected to be from three ghettos that have emerged in the area, have become increasingly brazen. In the most recent incident, the face mask of one of the robbers allegedly dropped, allowing victims to identify him. The location of his ghetto has also been pinpointed. This information has reportedly been relayed to the Oyibi Police, but no arrests have been made so far, as the suspects appear to have run away....

President John Dramani Mahama President John Dramani Mahama has embarked on his first official trip abroad since his swearing-in, visiting The Gambia and Senegal. The tour comes just 10 days after his inauguration as Ghana’s President on January 7. President Mahama arrived in Banjul, The Gambia, to personally express his gratitude to President Adama Barrow and his Senegalese counterpart, President Macky Sall, for attending his swearing-in ceremony. The gesture underscores his administration’s commitment to fostering strong diplomatic ties with Ghana’s West African neighbors. The visit, described as a goodwill mission, also aims to reinforce cooperation between Ghana and the two countries, particularly in areas of mutual interest such as trade, security, and regional integration. President Mahama is expected to conclude his trip today, returning to Ghana from Dakar, Senegal. Source link

President John Dramani Mahama The formation of a lean government as promised by the then candidate John Dramani Mahama is on course, as he has so far named 25 potential ministers, out of the 60 he promised Ghanaians in the heat of the campaign. This means he has 35 more ministers and deputies to be appointed. On Thursday, January 16, 2025 Jubilee House announced the nomination of nine sector ministers and three regional ministers, bringing the total ministerial appointments to 25. It would be recalled that last week three sector ministers were announced, who have already been vetted by the Appointments Committee of Parliament. Early this week, ten out of the 16 regional ministers were announced and yesterday three were added, alongside nine sector ministers. APPOINTMENTS The statement announcing the nominations said, “The President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, has submitted the names of the underlisted to Parliament, through the...

Dr Gideon Boako addressing the media The Minority in Parliament has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the vetting process for three ministerial nominees, accusing the Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor of obstructing thorough scrutiny. Addressing a news conference in Accra yesterday, the Member of Parliament for Tano North, Dr Gideon Boako, who spoke on behalf of the minority, contended that this conduct undermined their constitutional oversight responsibility and jeopardised the integrity of the vetting process. The Appointments Committee convened three days ago to vet nominees for the roles of Finance Minister, Energy Minister and Attorney General. Per Article 78(1) of the Constitution, such nominations are subject to parliamentary scrutiny. Traditionally, the process allows up to three weeks for the committee to invite public comments. However, citing national interest, this window was waived to expedite the process. Despite their cooperation to ensure a smooth process, the Minority claimed the Chairman’s actions compromised...