The Cape Coast High Court has ruled in favour of the Assin South MP, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, in a defamation suit he brought against Stephen Cobbah, also known as Adepa, and Yaw Korankye, also known as Ampong.

Rev. Fordjour had sued the two defendants over defamatory statements made on the “Assinman Politics Gh.” WhatsApp platform in March 2024. In his claim, he sought a declaration that the statements were defamatory, damages of GHS 1 million, a perpetual injunction, a retraction and apology from the defendants, as well as costs.

Delivering judgment on Monday, April 28, 2025, the court declared that the words published by the defendants were indeed defamatory. It awarded damages of GHS 700,000 against the defendants jointly and severally, and imposed a cost of GHS 20,000 on each defendant.

The court further issued a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from publishing any further defamatory statements against Rev. Fordjour. It also ordered the defendants to retract their defamatory statements with the same prominence with which they were published and to render an unqualified written apology to Rev. Fordjour.

The apologies are to be published on the “Assinman Politics Gh.” WhatsApp platform and any other platforms where the defamatory statements had been circulated.

The judgment brings closure to a case that underscores the increasing scrutiny and legal consequences surrounding the use of social media platforms for political commentary.

Admit your failures and stop shifting blames – Asah-Asante to Bawumia

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Acting AIB Commissioner, John M.K. Wumborti (2nd left) with other aviation leaders at the workshop

At the ongoing RSOOs-RAIO Validation Workshop in Kampala, Uganda, aviation safety stakeholders from across Africa emphasised that stronger collaboration remains essential for the growth and sustainability of Regional Safety Oversight Organizations (RSOOs) and Regional Accident and Incident Investigation Organizations (RAIOs).

In his presentation, Farid Zizu, Representative of France Aviation Civil Services (FACS), underscored that active cooperation is the cornerstone of creating added value for member states.

Delivering a paper titled “AFI RSOO: Creating Added Value to Member States,” Zizu identified trust, a positive dynamic, and clearly defined value-added activities as key factors in enhancing the effectiveness of RSOOs.

He stressed that member states must perceive tangible benefits from their investments, backed by strong credibility, transparency, and accountability to reinforce confidence in regional oversight bodies.

Zizu urged RSOOs to develop initiatives such as joint audits, cooperative safety oversight, and joint inspections, which would substantially ease the workload of national civil aviation authorities.

Meanwhile, addressing participants, Colonel Lawrence Jarra, Commissioner of the Accident Investigation Board (AIB) Gambia, highlighted the critical role of RAIOs in strengthening aviation safety.

Jarra noted that Africa currently operates only one fully functional RAIO, the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) and emphasised the urgent need for stronger regional accident investigation frameworks across the continent.

He called for greater investment in RAIOs to deliver timely safety recommendations and effectively support the aviation industry’s growth, warning that fragmented oversight could undermine regional safety progress.

The workshop also welcomed participation from key aviation leaders, including John M.K. Wumborti, Commissioner for the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB), Ghana.

Wumborti’s involvement underscored Ghana’s ongoing commitment to advancing regional cooperation in aviation safety oversight and accident investigation efforts.

As discussions continued, Farid Zizu reiterated the importance of empowering RSOOs to indirectly bolster RAIOs, thereby minimizing incident backlogs and avoiding duplication of efforts.

Stakeholders concluded that sustainable growth for both RSOOs and RAIOs requires more than financial support, it demands building trust, ensuring transparency, and maintaining strong regional commitment.

The Kampala workshop continues to lay a strong foundation for improved collaboration among African aviation safety bodies, as participants work toward a safer and more integrated air transport system across the continent.

Legal expert Dr. David Ofosu-Dorte has issued a compelling call for a fundamental shift in Ghana’s collective thinking to drive meaningful economic transformation.

The Senior Partner at AB & David Africa, in his address titled “Transforming Ghana’s Economy – Time For A Mindset Revolution,” challenged all sectors of society to move beyond complacency.

Speaking at the JoyNews & Amalgam of Professional Bodies Speaker Series, Dr. Ofosu-Dorte explained that Ghana’s transformation requires more than just political leadership.

“The segments of society that need to have a transformation mindset extend far beyond our political leaders,” he stated.

He particularly called out business leaders for often celebrating minor achievements while engaging in exclusionary practices through political connections, rather than fostering broader industry growth.

The legal luminary identified several critical areas needing urgent attention, beginning with business leaders who must transition from self-interest to collaborative nation-building.

Think-tanks, he argued, should evolve from theoretical analysis to developing practical, actionable solutions.

“Business leaders in this country tend to like to glorify themselves over small achievements. Much worse, when they are even leading associations, very often, they are in a hurry to exclude the others by liaising with political leaders to get something for themselves and forget the others.”

State-Owned Enterprises were urged to replace bureaucratic inertia with national development priorities, while media practitioners were challenged to shift from sensationalism to developmental journalism. Most importantly, Dr. Ofosu-Dorte stressed the need for citizens to embrace entrepreneurial thinking over dependency.

“Think-tanks need to also have a transformation mindset. SOEs need to have a transformation mindset.”

Drawing inspiration from Asia’s economic success stories, the speaker highlighted how China and Singapore deliberately cultivated entrepreneurial cultures through coordinated national policies.

“In Ghana, our entrepreneurship initiatives remain fragmented, led by NGOs rather than being a systematic, government-driven national crusade,” he observed, calling for a more structured approach to fostering business innovation.

Dr. Ofosu-Dorte proposed a comprehensive transformation framework with a challenge to all Ghanaians that “True transformation begins when we stop waiting for government solutions and start demanding excellence from ourselves and our institutions.”

“The Singapore miracle wasn’t accidental – it resulted from deliberate national decisions we must learn from.”

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MTN Group has disclosed a cybersecurity incident but says all platforms remain fully operational.

Why it matters

The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of MTN’s systems are key to its operations. While the full extent is still under investigation, early findings suggest about 5,700 MTN Ghana customers may have had their data affected.

The latest:

• MTN is working with leading cybersecurity experts to conduct a forensic investigation.
• Affected customers will be contacted directly.
• MTN assures that it is dedicating significant resources to resolve the matter.

What customers should do:

• Place a fraud alert on your credit report with major bureaus.
• Keep MTN, MoMo, and banking apps updated.
• Use strong, unique passwords and change them regularly.
• Be cautious of suspicious links and unexpected messages.
• Never disclose passwords, PINs, or OTPs via phone, text, or email.
• Activate multi-factor authentication where possible.

Between the lines

MTN emphasized that protecting customer information remains a top priority and pledged to keep stakeholders updated as the investigation continues.

Go deeper

Customers seeking support can contact MTN’s toll-free customer care line at 100.

By Francis Ntow 

Washington, DC (USA), April 28, GNA – Ghana can payback its debts when they fall due, once it keeps to the implementation of objectives of the US$3 billion loan-supported programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). 

Those were the words of Mr. Stéphane Roudet, IMF Mission Chief for Ghana, in a roundtable discussion with some Ghanaian journalists at the just ended spring meetings of the IMF and the World Bank Group, in Washington, DC, USA. 

“Once we go to the Board, we publish the staff report, [and] you will see that the macroeconomic framework that we have in there assumes that those payables are going to be repaid at some point,” Mr. Roudet said. 

He was quick to add: “the pace at which the government will be able to pay down those payables will very much depend on their ability to raise the necessary financing.” 

He stated for example that the government in the 2025 budget had made provisions for repayment of arrears below the line of GHS13 billion as part of efforts to meet the country’s debt obligations. 

Mr. Roudet was responding to a question posed by the Ghana News Agency on the capability of the government to meet its payables on the back of a large accumulation in 2024. 

“The magnitude of the problem is quite large. Our assessment is that the primary balance last year on a commitment basis was a deficit of about three and a quarter per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” he said. 

That compared to a surplus of half a per cent of GDP under the ongoing IMF programme target, he said, noting that the staff mission discussed with the Ghanaian authorities, short-term interventions to put the country’s fiscals back on track. 

“What we have seen from that standpoint is a strong budget that continues to stick to the programme objectives and in particular for this year it’s a primary surplus of one and a half percent of GDP. It’s underpinned by strong efforts on the spending side but also on the revenue side,” he stated. 

He said the Fund had observed the implementation of some fiscal reforms already, including an amendment to the Procurement Act. 

The changes to the Act made it necessary for the Ministry of Finance to issue commencement authorisation before a public procurement agency could grant a permit for procurement, irrespective of the mode. 

“That puts the Ministry of Finance and the institution that holds the purse of the country very much at the centre of the project implementation process,” the IMF Mission Chief for Ghana said. 

He said the mission staff and the Ghanaian authorities also discussed some important measures to tackle the structural challenges of the country, such as the Fiscal Framework and Fiscal Council. 

Those reforms, when implemented effectively, he said would bolster the country’s fiscals, positioning it better to meet its debt obligations. 

Ghana has been implementing a three-year -US$3bn Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme with the IMF since 2023 – the country’s 17th loan-supported package with the Bretton Woods institution. 

The programme was aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability for economic resilience and lay the foundation for stronger and more inclusive growth. 

It started with the erstwhile President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufu-Addo administration and had since been taken over by the new government led by President John Dramani Mahama, and expected to end in 2026. 

GNA 

CA/ 

The MTN Group has announced that approximately 5,700 MTN Ghana customers may have been affected by a recent security breach.

The Data Protection Commission (DPC) has launched an investigation into a potential cybersecurity incident involving the unauthorised access of personal information belonging to some MTN Ghana customers.

MTN Group assured the public that it is working closely with leading cybersecurity experts and conducting a forensic investigation in line with established security protocols to assess the impact.

In a statement issued on Monday, April 28, MTN Group pledged to contact all affected customers directly.

The company added that the investigation is still ongoing and emphasised that it is devoting the necessary resources to resolve the matter swiftly.

“MTN assures its customers that the privacy of information is our top priority, and we remain committed to safeguarding the integrity of our systems and the trust placed in us by our customers and other stakeholders. We will continue to contain and manage this matter carefully,” it pledged.

MTN Group also encouraged its customers to remain vigilant and to follow standard security measures, stating:

“▪ To mitigate any fraudulent consequences, a fraud alert can be placed on an individual’s credit report at any of the major credit bureaus.
▪ Keep MTN, MoMo and banking apps and devices updated.
▪ Use strong, unique passwords for accounts and change them regularly.
▪ Be cautious of unexpected messages and do not click on suspicious links.
▪ Do not disclose information such as passwords, PINs and OTP when asked to do so by phone, text message or email.”

Click here to read the statement by MTN

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The New Patriotic Party (NPP), along with four other political parties, has officially notified the Ghana Police Service of their plans to stage a demonstration on May 5 against President John Mahama’s decision to suspend Chief Justice Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkonoo.

The suspension followed the establishment of a prima facie case after three separate petitions were filed calling for her removal. However, the political parties involved have strongly condemned the decision, calling it a direct attack on the independence of the judiciary.

Speaking to JoyNews, NPP Director of Communications Richard Ahiagba expressed the party’s concerns, stating that the suspension undermines judicial independence and is a politically motivated move aimed at weakening the judiciary.

“All of us are united, the five political parties are united in leading this demonstration. The indications we are getting are that other political parties are warming up to join. In the coming days, you will see that the number of parties supporting this will increase.

“This is a call for all Ghanaians to come out and demonstrate against the President’s move to remove the Chief Justice, which we find to be against the constitution, egregious, and a political attempt to subjugate the judiciary,” he said.

Mr Ahiagba confirmed that the demonstration would begin at 7 am on May 5, starting from a park opposite the Supreme Court, before proceeding through Parliament House and ending at the Jubilee House, where the petition will be submitted to President Mahama or a representative.

He added, “We went to the registry, we submitted our notice for the demonstration on the 5th. Our request is for the police to provide security, and we have every intention to make it a peaceful demonstration. Their role is to support us and ensure that the demonstration goes on peacefully, without any disruption to public order.”

He also emphasised that this demonstration is about defending Ghana’s democracy. “Ultimately, we see this as an effort aimed at destroying our democracy, and we will not stand for it.”

Mr Ahiagba addressed the withdrawal of the Ghana Union Movement (GUM) from the protest. He accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of plotting to disrupt the upcoming demonstration by influencing participants to withdraw.

“I’m not sure any political party worth its salt would want to withdraw from a legitimate demonstration. If you go back in our history, in May 1992, when the ban on political party activities was lifted, this country came alive. Now, when we have the chance to preserve our democracy, it’s strange for any political party to say they won’t be part of it,” he said.

He suggested that the NDC might be behind efforts to weaken the resolve of participating parties.

“We know about efforts to water down our resolve. We know about efforts by the government to weaken our front. But we urge the leadership of GUM to stand strong and stand for democracy. If you don’t have democracy, you don’t have a political party. So, they should reconsider their position,” he said.

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Ghanaian businesses urged to take advantage of AfCFTA

The Associate Director and Head of Transfer Pricing at LIMA Partners, Ernest Amosah, has outlined some key sectors in Ghana that are ripe for cross-border investment under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

According to him, the AfCFTA has created opportunities for new businesses by reducing tariffs on items imported under the GTI framework of AfCFTA, provided the imported items meet product-specific rules of origin.

He added that the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), an AU infrastructure developed in collaboration with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), complements trading under the AfCFTA and has greatly benefited businesses engaged in AfCFTA transactions.

Speaking during a webinar organised by LIMA Partners on the theme “Unlocking Opportunities Across Africa: Harnessing AfCFTA for Business Growth,” held on April 25, 2025, Amosah listed the key sectors as follows:

– Processed Cocoa

– Pharmaceuticals

– Cashew (Processed $ In-shel)

-Aluminium Products

– Horticultural Products

– Iron and Steel Products

– Oil Seeds (Processed)

– Automobiles and Vehicles

– Fish & Fishery Products,

– Garments and Textiles

– Apparel

– Industrial Salt

– Natural Rubber Sheets

– Petro-Chemicals

– Articles of Plastic

– Industrial Starch

– Services

– Oil Palm

As part of his presentation, Amosah noted that Ghana was the first country, together with Kenya, to deposit its instrument of ratification with the AU Commission.

Additionally, Ghana was selected in 2020 to host the permanent Secretariat of the AfCFTA.

Ghana has developed the National AfCFTA Policy, Action Plan, and National Export Development Strategy to operationalise the implementation of AfCFTA protocols.

“Ghana’s implementation of AfCFTA involves key institutions including the Inter- Ministerial Coordination Committee, Ministry of Trade and Industry, and Ghana Investment Promotion Center, all of which play specific roles,” he said.

SSD/MA

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Two assembly members in Jomoro Municipality confirmed dead

Two assembly members in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region have been confirmed dead after being knocked down by a 4×4 vehicle.

The incident occurred at Nyamenle Kwame on the deplorable Nuba-Tikobo Number One road on Saturday, April 26, 2025, around 5 p.m.

The deceased assembly members are Ransford Nana Otu Darko of the Elubo West Electoral Area and Francis Armoh of the Alaboale Electoral Area.

According to some assembly members who spoke to GhanaWeb’s Western Regional Correspondent, Daniel Kaku, on condition of anonymity, the two were returning to Elubo on a private motorbike after attending a meeting at Nawule in Jomoro when they were struck by a 4×4 vehicle traveling from the Samenye barrier toward Tikobo Number One.

They claimed that the driver of the vehicle veered off his path after swerving to avoid a pothole and crashed into the assembly members, killing them instantly.

Following the incident, the driver reportedly turned himself in to the police.

The bodies have since been deposited at a private morgue in Nyamenle Kwame for preservation and autopsy.

Some residents of Jomoro have described the incident as tragic and unprecedented, and they have called on the police to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that the driver is held accountable.

Matilda Asante-Asiedu is new Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana

President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Matilda Asante-Asiedu as the Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana.

The appointment, made in accordance with Section 17 of the Bank of Ghana Act, 2002 (Act 612) as amended, was announced in a statement issued by the Presidency on Monday, April 28, 2025 and signed Spokesperson to the President for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu.

Matilda Asante-Asiedu is a Chartered Banker and an accomplished corporate leader. Before her appointment, she served as the Group Head of Retail Banking at Access Bank Ghana PLC.

She brings a rich academic and professional background to her new role. Asante-Asiedu holds an MBA in Marketing from GIMPA Business School (2021) and an MA in Journalism Studies from Cardiff University (2005).

She also holds diplomas in Journalism from the Ghana Institute of Journalism (1997) and in Politics and Public Affairs Reporting from the International Institute of Journalism in Berlin (2000).

Additionally, she is a Chartered Executive Banker, having attained her certification from the Chartered Institute of Bankers Ghana (CIB-Ghana) in 2024.

Matilda Asante-Asiedu has further enhanced her expertise by undertaking executive programmes at prestigious institutions, including Said Business School at Oxford University (2023), the Wharton School (2015), and Marquette University’s Les Aspin Center (2003), among others.

MA

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Kofi Adams is the Minister of Sports and Recreation

Ghana’s Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has expressed support for the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, suggesting that, despite the chaos often surrounding the country’s football scene, Okraku has been doing a commendable job.

Speaking on Asempa FM, Adams acknowledged that Ghana’s football system has faced numerous challenges but insisted that, under Okraku’s leadership, significant wrongs have been corrected.

“As challenging as the [Ghana] football system has been, Kurt Okraku has not done badly. In these circumstances, he has managed to right many wrongs,” Adams said.

The Minister’s comments come at a time when the GFA is facing heavy criticism from fans, particularly due to the poor performances of the Black Stars and the struggles of the once-popular Ghana Premier League.

Adams’ endorsement of Okraku is likely to raise eyebrows among those who believe the state of football in the country continues to deteriorate.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, April 26, 2025, Okraku achieved a significant milestone within African football’s leadership structure by becoming the 2nd Vice-President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

His appointment was confirmed during CAF’s Executive Committee meeting held in Accra. In his new role, Okraku will play a key part in developing major strategies and driving reforms aimed at advancing the future of African football.

FKA/MA

Watch highlights of Ghana U15 boys’ 3-0 victory over Algeria

President John Mahama has stated that many young Ghanaians have aspirations that must be supported, a commitment reflected in the government’s Adwumawura programme, which aims to help realise those ambitions.

According to him, “Across Ghana, from our bustling cities to our quiet rural communities, young men and women nurture big dreams. They have powerful ideas, and they possess an unstoppable drive to build better lives for themselves. However, these dreams deserve more than just applause; they deserve action, they deserve opportunity, and they deserve committed support.”

The President added, “It is with this conviction that I made a bold promise ahead of the 2024 election: to prioritise the welfare, economic empowerment, and development of our youth through carefully crafted interventions, including the Adwumawura programme.”

He made these remarks in Kumasi on Monday, 28th April, where he officially launched the initiative.

Mr Mahama described the programme as being just another policy initiative, but as “a declaration of faith in the extraordinary potential of our Ghanaian youth.”

He emphasised that the programme represents the government’s “commitment to nurturing their ideas into thriving enterprises that will drive our nation’s progress.”

The Adwumawura programme is an initiative under the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP).

It is designed to provide start-up capital to young entrepreneurs, offer financial support to existing but struggling ventures, and deliver coaching services to business owners.

The government aims to create 10,000 youth-led businesses each year over a four-year period.

The President expressed optimism that the initiative would help close the unemployment gap and stimulate economic growth through the development of indigenous businesses.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Mrs. Matilda Asante-Asiedu as the Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, according to a statement released on Monday, April 28, 2025.

The appointment is in accordance with Section 17 of the Bank of Ghana Act, 2002 (Act 612) as amended.

Mrs. Asante-Asiedu is a Chartered Banker with a strong background in corporate leadership. She previously served as Group Head, Retail Banking at Access Bank Ghana PLC.

Her educational qualifications include an MBA in Marketing from GIMPA Business School (2021), an MA in Journalism Studies from Cardiff University (2005), and diplomas in Journalism (Ghana Institute of Journalism, 1997) and Politics and Public Affairs Reporting (International Institute of Journalism, Berlin, 2000). She also holds the designation of Chartered Executive Banker (CIB-Ghana, 2024).

Read Also: Bank of Ghana does not expect to declare a loss this year – Dr Asiama

Additionally, Mrs. Asante-Asiedu has participated in executive programs at several institutions, including Said Business School at Oxford University (2023), Wharton School (2015), and Marquette University’s Les Aspin Centre (2003).

The announcement was made by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, MP, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications.

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