Concerned citizens of Adoagyiri Nsawam are demanding an unqualified apology from the Acting Chief Executive of the Petroleum Commission, Emeafa Hardcastle, for what they describe as derogatory and disrespectful remarks against their Member of Parliament (MP) and Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annor-Dompreh.

The call follows Ms. Hardcastle’s public remarks in which she attempted to instruct Hon. Frank Annor-Dompreh on his parliamentary duties and went as far as labeling the senior MP as “silly.”

The citizens believe that such comments constitute a direct attack on parliamentary authority and decorum, calling for strict consequences to prevent a recurrence.

Although Ms. Hardcastle has already apologized to the House of Parliament, residents of Adoagyiri Nsawam, particularly women, remain deeply displeased and are calling for a more direct apology to their community and their MP.

Speaking to the media, the outraged citizens expressed their disappointment, with many questioning Ms. Hardcastle’s conduct. “Is she married at all? If she is married, then we cry for her husband and for her in-laws. How can you do such a thing?” one visibly angry woman stated.

Another resident, Adjoa Boatemaa, was equally furious, stating, “We have voted and elected our MP. This woman doesn’t know how to talk. Let me ask, does she have a husband? For her to speak against Annor-Dompreh in that manner is a serious thing. Her husband has a job to do. She has disgraced women; she is a villager. She must apologize on her knees to Annor-Dompreh and apologize to us so we leave matters to rest.”

The women emphasized that Ms. Hardcastle’s actions are an affront to the principles of democracy and parliamentary authority.

They insist that the appropriate parliamentary consequences should be enforced to ensure that public officials uphold respect and decorum in their engagements with elected representatives.

As the controversy continues, the citizens of Adoagyiri Nsawam are firm in their stance, insisting that Ms. Hardcastle must offer a direct and unequivocal apology to both Hon. Frank Annor-Dompreh and the people of Adoagyiri Nsawam to restore goodwill and put the matter to rest.

The former Director of Operations at the Jubilee House, Lord Oblitey Commey, has had six cars returned after they were seized during a midnight raid on January 31, 2025.

Sources within the national security confirmed that the cars taken from Mr. Commey’s Dansoman home were soon returned after high-ranking members of the government expressed displeasure on the seizure.

The reports further stated that the vehicles’ timely release was due to the government’s anger about how some men in civilian and military clothing carried out the seizure
Mr. Commey has confirmed the return of his vehicles and expressed gratitude to senior government officials for their role in securing their timely release.

Lord Commey has had a distinguished career in Ghanaian politics, serving in various roles, including National Organizer, National Youth Organizer, and Director of Operations for the Nana Akufo-Addo campaigns in 2012 and 2016.

The swift return of his vehicles suggests that the government was keen to distance itself from the incident.

By Vera Owusu Sarpong

Minister of Foreign Affairs-designate, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

The Minister of Foreign Affairs-designate, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has hit back at the New Patriotic Party (NPP), accusing them of launching baseless attacks and spreading falsehoods in an attempt to tarnish his reputation.

In a statement posted on his X page on Monday, February 3, 2025, Ablakwa criticised the NPP for missing their chance to challenge him during his vetting process.

“They had every opportunity when I appeared before them for vetting, but they chose to ran away. They had every opportunity when they were in power for 8 years to have me prosecuted but they failed because there was nothing they could find. Now they have resorted to desperate smear press conferences and infantile fabrications. If they want a second round of vetting, I am ready for them,” he indicated.

The Member of Parliament of North Tongu defended his actions as a legislator, stating that he has always acted in the interest of safeguarding public funds and state properties, which aligns with his parliamentary oversight duties.

He stressed that standing up for accountability and transparency should not be misconstrued as wrongdoing.

“It is not a crime for a Member of Parliament to patriotically and diligently seek the protection of public resources and state assets pursuant to our constitutional mandate of oversight. Those on the side of truth and justice can never be intimidated,” he added.

He reaffirmed his focus on advancing President John Dramani Mahama’s initiatives at the ministry, pointing out the reforms he is poised to implement.

“I am fully committed to supporting president Mahama’s transformative policies at the Foreign ministry,” he stated.

During his vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament, he stated that he has been residing in a rented apartment at Airport Hills in Accra for the past eight years.

His admission has since drawn criticisms from the Minority.

Read his post below:

They had every opportunity when I appeared before them for vetting but they chose to ran away.

They had every opportunity when they were in power for 8 years to have me prosecuted but they failed because there was nothing they could find.

Now they have resorted to desperate… pic.twitter.com/FnZI4w4PQs

— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) February 3, 2025

JKB/AE

Meanwhile, watch as Afenyo-Markin explains how he became rich

Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II

The Office of the Omanhene of the Kwahu Traditional Area has firmly refuted claims of the destoolment of Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II as the Kwahuhene, describing recent allegations as false and unlawful.

In a statement issued by the Esono Gyimah Ampong Agyei Palace, the office dismissed social media reports suggesting that Baffour Akoto Osei had been enstooled as Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng III, calling the claims a violation of Kwahu customs and the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759).

The controversy stems from an incident on January 25, 2025, when a group of individuals, including Nana Simpe-Owiredu III (Krontihene of Abene), Nana Asiedu Kwabeng IV (Abene Akyeamehene), and others, allegedly declared Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II destooled, and installed Baffour Akoto Osei as the new Kwahuhene.

According to the palace, no destoolment proceedings were initiated, and the actions of the group were carried out without following the proper customary and legal processes.

In a petition filed at the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, Nana Kwaku Boateng, Etena/Bretuo Ebusuapanyin of Kubease Abetifi, challenged the legality of the purported destoolment and enstoolment.

The petition argued that Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II remains the legitimate Kwahuhene, as no destoolment charges were brought before a competent judicial or chieftaincy tribunal.

The petitioner also accused the respondents of violating Section 63 of the Chieftaincy Act, which mandates proper procedures for destoolment.

“According to Kwahu and for that matter Akan custom, before a chief could be destooled, destoolment charges should be preferred against him and the chief should be given the opportunity to be heard in defence of those charges. Per the provisions of the Chieftaincy Act (2008), Act 759, a chief could not be destooled unless destoolmemt charges are preferred against him before an appropriate Chieftaincy Judicial Committee for the charges to be gone into.

“The respondents acted contrary to the time-honoured custom of Okwahuman as well as the provisions of the Chieftaincy Act, in purportedly declaring the Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II destooled. The acts and conduct of the respondents in purportedly declaring the Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II destooled is void ab initio,” the petition read.

The palace further revealed that the individuals involved forcibly entered the Omanhene’s palace, damaged properties, and installed Baffour Akoto Osei as the new chief.

This act, described as unlawful and criminal, has been reported to the police for investigation.

The palace referenced an affidavit from December 11, 2014, in which the Krontihene and Akyemhene of Abene confirmed that no destoolment proceedings had been initiated against Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II.

“So far as no competent judicial or chieftaincy tribunal has declared the Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II destooled or liable to be destooled, he remains the Kwahuhene. The respondents will not cease justifying whatever action they purported to have taken against the petitioner thereby interfering with Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II’s position as Kwahuhene unless restrained by the Honourable Committee.

“The respondents will persist in their acts of interference unless ordered by this Honourable Judicial Committee,” the petition added.

The petition seeks several reliefs, including a declaration that Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II is the rightful Kwahuhene, an order to reverse the purported destoolment and enstoolment, and a perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from interfering with the Omanhene’s duties.

The palace has urged the public to disregard the false claims and reaffirmed Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II’s position as the legitimate Kwahuhene.

ID/AE

You can also watch how the minority in Parliament demands removal of clerk from the Appointments Committee over alleged partisanship

A former parliamentary aspirant for the Oforikrom constituency Henry Osei Akoto has revealed the minority leader Afenyo Markin has been explaining his wealth since Friday, but he is still not done.

According to Henry Osei Akoto, Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) must work.

Afenyo Markin has come under scrutiny from the public after he revealed he bought his Winneba land some 25 years ago, and at the age of 46 meaning he was 21 when he acquired the property.

See More ❯

Member of Parliament for Old-Tafo Vincent Ekow Assafuah

The Member of Parliament for Old-Tafo Vincent Ekow Assafuah Esq. has stated it will be hypocritical on the part of Ghanaians to not apologize to Cecilia Dapaah if we accept Ablakwa’s Airport Hill rent claim.

At the vetting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs-designate, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, he revealed that he has been renting at the Airport Hills residential area in Accra for the past eight years.

Reacting to this on Kumasi-based Pure FM in an interview with Kwame Adinkrah, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, a member of the Appointments and Vetting Committee, revealed that Ablakwa lied to the committee.

He disclosed that Airport Hills residential area is owner-occupied and it will take a shrewd person to hide his ownership interest in the name of a relative.

“Airport Hills is owner occupied. Regardless, the least rent payable is US$15,000. If Okudzeto Ablakwa can afford that for 8 years, then we have to say sorry to Madam Cecilia Dapaah for having US$1 million. Otherwise, we are a nation of hypocrites,” he said.

He added: “He, Okudzeto goes around pontificating, yet he is the most unprincipled in his crusade to save the nation money. Immediately after his vetting, he flew on Business class to London. I have the manifest here.

“It will cost about GH¢120,000 to fly in business class as against economy that will be GH¢27,000 there about. If you have a person that preaches piousness in fund management and in practice does the contrary, such a person does not deserve our commendation and overall approval.”

“Senior Kwame, I can assure you that as far as Sam George and Okudzeto Ablakwa are concerned, most especially Okudzeto Ablakwa, their approval will never be a consensus. It will never happen,” Vincent Ekow Assafuah claimed.

Meanwhile, watch as Afenyo-Markin explains how he became rich

Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga

The Upper East Regional Communication Bureau of the National Democratic Congress has denied media reports that the newly sworn-in Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, doled out cash to his supporters.

In a statement issued on Monday, February 3, 2025, and signed by the Communication Officer of the Regional Communications Bureau, Jonathan Salifu, it clarified that the regional minister was showing his appreciation to some traditional performers during a welcome durbar held in his honour.

“The durbar was a culturally significant and unifying event that brought together people from diverse political backgrounds, ethnic groups, and communities to welcome Akamugri in a grand procession from Pwalugu to Bolgatanga township. The celebration was marked by traditional drumming, singing, and dancing, reflecting the rich local customs and heritage.

“However, certain media reports have inaccurately portrayed a cultural practice as an act of extravagance by the Minister. To set the record straight, here are the facts; in the Upper East Region, it is customary for attendees to offer money to traditional performers as a token of appreciation. These performers are not prepaid but rely on such contributions,” it noted.

He further clarified that the money was not from the minister, but rather from the party’s Vice Chairman, Issaka Haruna.

“The money given to the performers was not Hon. Akamugri’s personal funds; it was handed to him by the NDC Regional Vice Chairman, Issaka Haruna. The amount consisted of GH₵5 notes, totaling GH₵100.

“Due to the harmattan winds, the notes were briefly scattered, creating an unintended visual impression that has been misrepresented as deliberate ‘cash spraying’,” it added.

The Bureau emphasised that this cultural practice was misinterpreted and reaffirmed the minister’s commitment to responsible leadership.

“Akamugri is widely recognised for his humility and modesty. Any suggestion of opulence or extravagant display is inconsistent with his character and values,” it added.

Read the full statement below:

JKB/AE

Meanwhile, watch as Afenyo-Markin explains how he became rich

Chairman of Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, has alleged that Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin instigated Weija-Gbawe MP, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, by insulting him during the heated vetting session on January 30, 2025.

In an exclusive interview with TV3’s Alfred Ocansey on Monday, February 3, Ahiafor disclosed that Afenyo-Markin verbally attacked Shaib, triggering tensions during the proceedings.

See More ❯