Author: Constance Awunor

The Paramount Chief of Lower Dixcove, Nana Akwasi Agyeman IX, has warned that illegal mining activities around the Greater Cape Three Points enclave are threatening Ghana’s first Marine Protected Area (MPA) and putting the livelihoods of coastal communities at risk. Speaking to Connect News on July 20, the chief said the rapid spread of galamsey in the Cape Three Points Forest Reserve and nearby coastal areas is causing severe environmental destruction that could undermine years of conservation efforts. “If you go into that forest reserve, and see the destruction that is going on, you will cry as a Ghanaian,” he…

Deputy Director of IT and Elections of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Rashid Tanko Computer, has described the 20-year prison sentence handed to New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as lenient. His comments follow the Accra High Court’s decision to sentence Chairman Wontumi to 20 years’ imprisonment after convicting him over illegal mining activities at the Samreboi concession in the Western Region. Calls for maximum sentence Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Monday, July 20, Mr Tanko said the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining justified the maximum punishment under the law.…

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has described its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as a “political prisoner” following his conviction and 20-year prison sentence in an illegal mining case. Addressing a press conference on Monday, the party’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, said the NPP strongly disagrees with the High Court’s judgment and has begun the process of appealing the decision. Mr. Kodua said the party respects the judiciary but believes the ruling was fundamentally flawed. “While we respect the authority of our courts, respect for the judiciary does not require silence in…

Ghana has congratulated Senegal’s President, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, on his election as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), reaffirming its commitment to supporting his leadership of the regional bloc. In a Facebook post on Monday, July 20, Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa conveyed the government’s best wishes to President Faye following his election. Ablakwa expressed confidence in President Faye’s ability to lead ECOWAS through the region’s current challenges and wished him wisdom and success in his new role. “Ghana congratulates the newly elected Chairman of ECOWAS, His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, President…

The Accra High Court has sentenced the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to 20 years’ imprisonment with hard labour after convicting him of illegal mining offences. The court also convicted his company, Akonta Mining, over illegal mining activities at the Samreboi concession in the Western Region. The sentence was delivered on Monday, July 20, after the court found Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining guilty of the offences. The ruling follows a trial centred on allegations of illegal mining operations at the company’s concession in Samreboi. According to TV3’s…

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced planned and emergency maintenance works that will interrupt electricity supply in parts of the Greater Accra, Central, Ashanti, Eastern and Tema regions on July 20 and 21. According to ECG, the exercises are aimed at improving the reliability of electricity supply and enhancing service delivery. Central Region On Monday, July 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) will undertake maintenance at the Cape Coast Bulk Supply Point. Communities expected to be affected include the entire Cape Coast Metropolis, the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipality, Yamoransa, Asebu, Edumfa, Fante Nyakrom,…

The government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming the Volta Region into Ghana’s next major tourism destination through strategic investments, improved infrastructure and stronger public-private partnerships. Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, made the announcement during President John Dramani Mahama’s Citizens’ Engagement in Ho on Friday. Volta Region identified as tourism priority Madam Gomashie said the Volta Region was the first place she visited after assuming office, reflecting government’s determination to unlock its tourism potential. She said she met with the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, before engaging all Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) to…

President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that Ghana could pursue a joint bid with Côte d’Ivoire to host a future Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as the government moves to improve sports infrastructure across the country. The President made the remarks during an inspection of the Ho Stadium, where he outlined plans to upgrade at least five stadiums to meet the Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards for hosting international competitions. Five stadiums targeted President Mahama said the government is committed to developing sports infrastructure capable of hosting major continental tournaments. “We want, over the next few years, to have…

The Accra High Court has dismissed an application by lawyers for Ashanti Regional New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, seeking to postpone judgment in the Samreboi mining concession case. The court described the application as incompetent and moot, clearing the way for Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay to deliver judgment in the closely watched trial. Court rejects deferment request Chairman Wontumi appeared before the Accra High Court as proceedings resumed in the case, in which he faces charges of assigning mineral rights without approval and facilitating an unlicensed mining operation. His new lead counsel, Samuel Atta…

Kylian Mbappe has become the first player to win the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot twice after finishing as the top scorer at the 2026 tournament. The France forward scored 10 goals in eight matches to beat Argentina captain Lionel Messi in the race for the award. Mbappe also won the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after scoring eight goals, making him the first player to claim the honour at consecutive tournaments. Mbappe sets new scoring record The 27-year-old became the first player to score at least 10 goals in a single World Cup since Germany’s…