The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has officially designated its leadership for the Minority in Ghana’s 9th Parliament, appointing Alexander Afenyo-Markin as the Minority Leader.

This strategic move aims to strengthen the party’s legislative effectiveness following its transition from the Majority to the Minority in Parliament, as reported by Citi Newsroom.

Alexander Afenyo-Markin, born on May 27, 1978, in Winneba, Central Region, has been serving as the MP for Effutu since 2013.

He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Buckingham and a Master’s degree in International Politics and Security Studies from the University of Bradford.

Prior to his political career, Afenyo-Markin worked as a Principal Postal Officer at Ghana Post and later as a legal practitioner.

His tenure in Parliament has been marked by active participation in various committees, including the Finance Committee and the Defence and Interior Committee.

The NPP’s National Council, led by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, finalized these appointments to ensure robust leadership in Parliament.

This decision follows the party’s recent electoral performance, which resulted in a shift from holding the Majority to becoming the Minority in the legislative assembly.

The newly appointed leadership is expected to play a crucial role in steering the party’s legislative agenda, fostering unity among party members, and effectively engaging with the Majority on national issues.

Their collective experience and expertise are anticipated to enhance the NPP’s contributions to parliamentary proceedings and national governance.

In the coming days, the NPP plans to convene a meeting with its elected MPs to outline their roles and responsibilities, ensuring a coordinated approach as the 9th Parliament commences.

This preparatory session aims to align the party’s legislative strategies with its broader political objectives, reinforcing its commitment to serving the Ghanaian populace.

The transition to Minority status presents both challenges and opportunities for the NPP.

Under Afenyo-Markin’s leadership, the party aims to constructively contribute to parliamentary debates, hold the government accountable, and advocate for policies that align with its vision for Ghana’s development.

As the 9th Parliament begins its session, all eyes will be on the NPP’s new leadership team to see how they navigate the dynamics of their Minority role, engage with the Majority, and represent the interests of their constituents on the national stage.

Accra, Dec 26, GNA – Trust Jesus Foundation (TJF) has feted patients of the Pantang Psychiatric Hospital as part of efforts to bring mental health into the national conscience.

The exercise, which coincided with the fifth anniversary celebration of the foundation, offered the patients a sense of acceptance and belonging as equal members of the Ghanaian society.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Thursday on the sidelines of the occasion, the Founder and President of the foundation, Ms. Mary Wormenor, observed the need for mental patients to be encouraged through such gestures since it had a positive impact on their health.

“In putting a smile on the faces of mental patients, we help them to understand that society loves them and sees them as part of the community irrespective of their situations.” Ms. Wormenor indicated.

She therefore called on the government to prioritise mental health care issues and implement the Mental Health Act 2012, Act 846 which sought to improve Ghana’s mental health delivery .

“We are also calling on the government to invest more in the training of psychiatric specialists in Ghana,” she said.

In a talk during the programme, the Health Coordinator of TJF, Mr. Seth Wormenor, asked Ghanaians to be observant in order to detect mental challenges which early diagnosis resulted early healing.

Mr. Wormenor, also the Mental Health Coordinator, Adanse South District in the Asante Region, suggested that persons who were developing mental challenges might not know until others detect it hence the need to lookout for changes in the lifestyle.

Receiving some of the donated items, a Principal Nursing Officer at the Pnntang Hospital, Mrs. Vivian Anim Bonnah, said such gestures as caring for mental patients was very necessary because some of them had been abandoned by family and friends.

“Some of them don’t get visitors at all and it makes make them feel rejected.

Such visits make them see new faces and reassure them of the fact that there are persons who still had them at heart which has a profound mental and psychological impact on them,” she indicated.

Mrs. Bonnah who is also an Executive Member of Mental Health Nurses Group National, appealed to the government to invest more in mental health institutions which will go a long way to take away the many challenges facing the sector and improve upon mental health care delivery in the nation.

She observed that even though mental Healthcare was supposed to be free, it had rather become more expensive with patients and their relatives, struggling with high costs of drugs and other necessities.

This, she indicated, was because the quota given to psychiatric health institutions and units in the nation was not enough.

The Principal Nursing Officer asked that mental health care be taken seriously “because it could be anybody tomorrow and that without mental healthcare there is no healthcare.”

As part of the exercise and anniversary, the foundation provided the patients with Jollof Rice with Chicken with assorted drinks.

Members of the group also had a procession through some principal streets of Accra with placards that educated the public about mental health.

Some deserving members of the association were honoured for their selfless service.

GNA

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The National Council of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has officially confirmed its leadership structure for the 9th Parliament, laying the foundation for the party’s approach to managing legislative affairs in the upcoming session.

The newly appointed leadership lineup includes:

• Alexander Afenyo-Markin as Minority Leader.
• Patricia Apiagyei as Deputy Minority Leader.
• Frank Annoh-Dompreh as Chief Whip.
• Habib Iddrisu as First Deputy Minority Whip.
• David Opoku as Second Deputy Minority Whip.

Following these confirmations, the NPP is set to convene a meeting with its Members of Parliament-elect to brief them on their respective roles and responsibilities ahead of the 9th Parliament’s official opening.

This leadership selection emphasizes the NPP’s commitment to maintaining unity and ensuring the effective management of parliamentary affairs as they prepare to address the legislative priorities of the 9th Parliament.

More details soon…

The Committee For Public Accountability (CPA), a public interest group has cautioned members of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) to stay clear of any attempt that would be aimed at intimidating legitimate business persons or outfits in Ghana.

Addressing the press Thursday morning, Hon Collins Owusu Amankwah, Executive Chairman of CPA said it has learnt with great concern some irresponsible comments from Raymond Archer, a member of the ORAL that seeks to threaten Mr Daniel Mckorley, Group CEO of McDan Company that he should pray NPP stays in government forever.

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Former Ghana international Asamoah Gyan says the National Democratic Congress (NDC) needs to come clear with their 24-hour economy policy as he believes it’s not a ‘new’ thing. 

According to Gyan, some sectors in the country already run a similar policy urging the newly-voted government to commit to improving it. 

The policy was one of the NDC’s campaign messages and played a strong role in their return to power for the next four years. 

Gyan, in an Instagram live session on Thursday, January 2, questioned the true intentions of the policy.  

“It already exists. Police stations, hospitals, and filling stations already operate on a 24-hour basis,” he said.

“If the government says ‘24-hour economy,’ they should focus on improving it. It’s not a new policy.”

Gyan before deciding to step away from politics was chosen to be part of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign team ahead of the 2024 general elections.

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.

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.

The Accra High Court has completed hearings on the disputes surrounding four parliamentary constituencies: Tema Central, Okaikwei Central, Techiman South, and Ablekuma North. A ruling on the cases is set for Saturday, January 4, at 12pm after lengthy legal arguments from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and the Electoral Commission (EC).

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Deputy IGP, Christian Tettey Yohunu

The Deputy Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tettey Yohunu, has filed a defamation suit at the Accra High Court against broadcaster Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly known as Captain Smart, and Media General Limited.

The suit, filed on Thursday, January 2, 2025, alleges that during a radio and TV program on December 27, 2024, Captain Smart made claims that certain elements within the Ghana Armed Forces and some officials of the Ghana Police Service were plotting to destabilise Ghana’s constitutional order through a coup d’état, according to a report by graphic.com.gh.

The court documents further highlight that Captain Smart also alleged that Christian Tettey Yohunu’s appointment as Deputy IGP was politically motivated.

Additionally, Smart claimed that Yohunu had been visiting the homes of National Democratic Congress (NDC) officials while allegedly holding membership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and providing them with money in an attempt to secure his appointment as IGP.

The Deputy IGP is seeking general damages for defamation, along with an injunction to prevent the defendants from making further defamatory statements.

He is also requesting a court order for the defendants to retract the statements and issue unqualified apologies through the media house.

JKB/MA

Watch a compilation of the latest Twi news below:

The outgoing President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is set to deliver his final State of the Nation Address (SONA).

He will address the nation from Parliament House on Friday, January 3, 2025, ahead of the dissolution of the 8th Parliament.

The President is expected to provide an update on the current state of the country, touching on various sectors of the economy, before handing over office to the newly elected President, John Mahama.

Meanwhile, the 8th Parliament will be dissolved on the night of Monday, January 6, to make way for the inauguration of the 9th Parliament on the same day.

The event will also include the election of the new Speaker of Parliament and its two deputies, who are expected to be sworn into office at midnight.

This is to ensure that the new government, led by John Mahama, can commence work immediately.

Read Also: We’ll transition to the 9th Parliament smoothly – Planning Committee assures

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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.

What’s the context?

Ghana’s incoming president faces dilemma over signing the country’s strict anti-LGBTQ+ bill into force

Ghana’s incoming president, John Mahama, must weigh whether to approve a strict anti-LGBTQ+ bill passed by parliament, but left unsigned by his predecessor, that could jeopardise billions of dollars of financing from international creditors.

Here’s what you need to know.

What does the bill do?

The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill is one of the strictest such measures in Africa.

If it becomes law, LGBTQ+ people in the West African country, already facing discrimination and marginalisation, could also be denied access to jobs, healthcare and housing.

Same-sex relations in Ghana are already punishable by up to three years in jail, but the bill would extend maximum sentences and add a slew of new offences, including identifying as LGBTQ+, or showing support for gay and transgender rights.

What is the status of the bill?

Ghana’s parliament unanimously passed the bill on Feb. 28, but President Nana Akufo-Addo never signed it into law.

Akufo-Addo said he was waiting for the outcome of legal challenges to the bill, but the courts have dismissed three of those and the final case is due to be decided in March.

That means the decision will now be left to Mahama who will be sworn in as president on Jan. 7.

What are the financial implications of the bill?

Ghana’s Finance Ministry said in March that presidential approval of the legislation could lead to the loss of $3.8 billion in World Bank financing over the next five to six years, and derail a $3-billion loan package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Without World Bank and IMF backing for Ghana, other international investors could also withdraw financing.

That would lead to huge financial problems for a country that only managed to restructure its debt last year after nearly two years of not being able to pay its creditors following an earlier financial crisis.

What has the president-elect said about the bill?

In January last year, Mahama said he was against same-sex marriage.

“The faith I have will not allow me to accept a man marrying a man, and a woman marrying a woman,” he said.

In November, he told members of the clergy that being LGBTQ+ was a taboo that Western countries were pressurising African nations to accept in return for financial aid.

During the campaign for December’s general election, Mahama said same-sex relations went against his faith and culture and that he would strengthen laws against LGBTQ+ activities.

But days before the polls, when pressed by the BBC, Mahama would not say outright whether we sign the bill into force.

After his victory, Mahama told a delegation of clergy that “it is our hope that this president will sign the bill. If he doesn’t, it will expire, and the next parliament will have to address it again.”

What is Mahama’s record on LGBTQ+ rights?

As vice-president in 2011, Mahama said it was hard for authorities to address the higher rates of HIV/AIDS amongst men who have sex with men due to the stigma attached to them being open about their sexuality.

There is a very strong cultural hostility towards homosexuality in our society so often people are not willing to own up to their sexual orientation,” he said in an interview at Yale University. “We are trying to educate people to understand that we need to remove the stigma.”

But as president from 2012 to 2016, Mahama maintained Ghana’s prevailing conservative stance.

For instance, when there was uproar after he nominated Nana Oye Lithur, a human rights lawyer who had defended LGBTQ+ rights, as a minister, Mahama reiterated that he does not support gay rights, and that homosexuality is criminal in Ghana.

This story is part of a series supported by Hivos’s Free To Be Me programme.

(Reporting by Pelumi Salako; Editing by Jon Hemming and Sadiya Ansari.)

With the clock ticking toward John Dramani Mahama’s assumption of office on January 7, prominent financial analyst and CEO of Dalex Finance and Leasing Company Limited, Joe Jackson, has sparked a conversation with his advice to the incoming administration.

Jackson’s message, shared on social media, called for a pragmatic approach to governance by refining, rather than discarding, key policies initiated by the outgoing New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

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The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has clarified its response to the devastating fire that engulfed the Kantamanto market, destroying over 100 shops.

According to the GNFS, the close proximity of the shops made it easier for the fire to spread rapidly, resulting in extensive damage.

This explanation comes in response to accusations from some vendors, who claimed that firefighters prioritized dousing the flames in surrounding structures that had not yet been affected, instead of focusing on the burning market.

Addressing these concerns, ADO1 Alex King Nartey of the GNFS explained that the decision was strategic, aimed at preventing the fire from spreading to nearby buildings, as much of the market had already been consumed by the flames.

“Per our evaluation, the fire has destroyed over a hundred stores because many of them were closely situated by each other. So, once the fire catches one, the spread becomes easier. But the good thing is that the salvage is much more than the damage. Because, looking at the other buildings, we have been able to salvage them from the fire.

“It has been a daunting task, especially considering the fact that there isn’t any working fire hydrant here, it was a big problem for us. We had to travel to Frisco or GRA to go and replenish. In the early hours, it was so much of a problem, but when it was morning and the whole place became congested; it became a bigger problem,” he stared.

Traders count their losses after fire ravaged Kantamanto market

The Minister of Finance, , is expected to present a mini-budget for the 2025 Fiscal Year, which would cover three months: January, February, and March 2025 on the Floor of Parliament on Thursday, January 2, 2024 This is after President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in a formal communication to the House, submitted budget estimates for the first quarter of 2025 for the Judiciary and Judicial Service, Audit Service, and Parliament and Parliamentary Service.

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The Deputy Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Christian Tettey Yohunu has filed a defamation suit at the Accra High Court against broadcaster Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly known as Captain Smart, and Media General Limited.

In the suit filed on Thursday, January 2, 2025, the Deputy IGP stated that Captain Smart during a radio and TV programme on December 27, 2024 had alleged that “some elements within the Ghana Armed Forces and some officials of the Ghana Police Service had intended to destabilize Ghana’s constitutional order by causing a coup d’état.”

According to the court document, Smart had alleged that Mr Christian Tettey Yohunu’s appointment as Deputy IGP was politically motivated and that he participated in meetings aimed at securing the position.

The broadcaster also claimed Yohunu had been visiting the homes of National Democratic Congress (NDC) officials while allegedly holding membership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and paying them monies as a lobby to be appointed as IGP.
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It is based on these statements by Captain Smart that the Deputy IGP is seeking general damages for defamation and an injunction to restrain the defendants from making further defamatory statements.

He is also requesting a court order directing the defendants to retract the statements and render unqualified apologies through three publications on both Onua TV and three radio announcements on Onua FM.

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.

Rodri, midfielder for Manchester City

Manchester City midfielder and 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has responded to Cristiano Ronaldo’s controversial remarks about the Ballon d’Or.

Ronaldo, who was named the Best Middle East Player of the Year at the 2024 Globe Soccer Awards on Friday, December 27, 2024, sparked debate among football fans with his comments.

The Portuguese captain claimed that Vinícius Júnior, who won both the Best Player and Best Striker awards on the same night, deserved the Ballon d’Or.

He also described the prestigious award as deceptive.

In response, Rodri expressed his surprise and disappointment over Ronaldo’s remarks.

The midfielder reminded the five-time Ballon d’Or winner that he, too, had benefited from the same voting process.

“Ronaldo saying Vinícius deserved the Ballon d’Or? Well, it was a surprise because he knows better than anyone how this award works and how the winner is chosen,” Rodri said.

“This year, the journalists who vote decided that I should win it. Probably, these same journalists were the ones who, at some point, voted for him to win it. I imagine that back then, he would have agreed,” he added.

This isn’t the first time Rodri has spoken out on the ongoing debate months after receiving the Ballon d’Or.

He had previously addressed Real Madrid’s decision not to attend the award ceremony in November 2024.

Rodri claimed his first Ballon d’Or in December 2024, beating competition from Real Madrid trio Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, and Dani Carvajal.

However, he has been sidelined since suffering a knee injury during Manchester City’s game against Arsenal in September 2024.

FKA/MA