In a landmark 5-2 majority decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the delegate system is inconsistent with democratic principles and directed political parties to replace it with a more democratic electoral framework within one year.

Speaking on Almighty FM’s Morning Light programme on Thursday, Nana Egya Kwamena XI said the ruling should mark the beginning of a shift away from transactional politics towards national development.

“The Supreme Court has taken a bold decision that will strengthen our democracy. Political participation should not be about a few delegates benefiting during elections while the majority of Ghanaians are left behind,” he said.

The traditional leader called on party delegates across the country to invest in acquiring employable skills instead of depending on politicians for financial inducements and other favours during election seasons.

“Delegates must now focus on learning skills that will make them economically independent rather than waiting for politicians to distribute money and gifts whenever elections approach,” he stated.

Nana Egya Kwamena XI also urged political leaders to channel their resources into creating sustainable employment opportunities rather than spending heavily on delegates to secure political power.

“Our political leaders must be intentional about creating jobs that benefit everyone. When citizens have decent livelihoods, the politics of vote-buying and handouts will gradually disappear,” he added.

He expressed hope that the court’s ruling would encourage political parties to adopt more inclusive internal electoral processes while promoting accountability, fairness and equal participation in Ghana’s democratic governance.

Responding to the allegations, the MP maintained that the mining pits cited in the reports were excavated several years ago, long before the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration took office with H.E John Dramani Mahama as the president and Kofi Bentil as the MP for the people of Mpohor Fiase.

According to him, attempts to link him and the government to the alleged activities are politically motivated.

“Those pits were dug years ago before this government came into office. Some known NPP faithfuls are now trying to create the impression that this government and I are behind the illegal mining activities. That is simply not true,” he said.

Hon. Bentil disclosed that security agencies have stepped up efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for the illegal mining operations, assuring residents that anyone found culpable would face the full rigours of the law.

He also challenged anyone with evidence linking him to illegal mining to make it public.

“If anyone can prove that I am engaged in illegal mining, I will vacate my seat as the Member of Parliament,” he stated.

Meanwhile, checks by Almighty News have confirmed that the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) arrested 19 individuals suspected of engaging in illegal mining at Mpohor Fiase on Thursday afternoon.

The suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue. Authorities are yet to announce when they will be arraigned before court.

A three-member panel comprising Justices Emmanuel Ankamah, Emmanuel Senyo Amedahe and Samuel Obeng-Diawuo ruled on Thursday that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Delivering the unanimous decision, the appellate court criticised the approach adopted by the trial court, stating that the learned judge had departed from the constitutional principle that every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The court also raised concerns about the manner in which the prosecution handled the case, concluding that the evidence presented did not meet the legal threshold required to sustain the convictions.

The Court of Appeal said its detailed reasons, contained in a 94-page judgment, would be released before the close of business on Thursday.

Sedina Tamakloe was convicted by the High Court in April 2024 following a trial that began on January 30, 2019. She was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment after being found guilty on multiple charges linked to her tenure as MASLOC Chief Executive.

She faced 78 counts, including stealing, conspiracy to steal, wilfully causing financial loss to the state, causing loss to public property, improper payment of public funds, unauthorised commitment and money laundering.

The prosecution, led by then Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame and based largely on investigations by the Economic and Organised Crime Office, alleged that she misappropriated public funds through several MASLOC programmes.

Among the allegations were the diversion of a GH¢500,000 loan intended for Obaatanpa Microfinance after the institution reportedly rejected the facility over its interest rate, the misappropriation of funds earmarked for MASLOC sensitisation programmes, the diversion of relief funds meant for victims of the Kantamanto Market fire, and the alleged inflation of procurement costs for vehicles and mobile phones.

During the trial, the prosecution called seven witnesses and relied heavily on a forensic audit report to support its case.

However, the Court of Appeal has now set aside the judgment delivered by Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe of the High Court, acquitting and discharging Sedina Tamakloe of all charges, bringing an end to the long-running criminal proceedings unless further legal action is pursued.

The Western Regional Manager of the NPRA, Mr. Ken Herbert Han, said workers should not leave their pension matters entirely in the hands of their employers but should periodically verify that contributions deducted from their salaries are paid into their pension accounts.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Kojo Ennimil Arthur on Almighty FM’s Morning Show, Mr. Han noted that many workers only become concerned about their pensions when they are nearing retirement, a situation he described as unfortunate.

According to him, pension contributions are a legal obligation and a critical investment in every worker’s future, stressing that employees must make it a habit to monitor their contribution records to avoid unpleasant surprises after retirement.

“Workers must be intentional about their pensions. Don’t assume your employer is paying your contributions simply because deductions are made from your salary. Make it a point to verify your records regularly,” he said.

Meanwhile, the NPRA has served notice that employers who fail to remit their workers’ pension contributions will face sanctions in accordance with the National Pensions Act.

The Authority’s Standards and Compliance Manager, Mr. Seth Sackey, warned that the NPRA would not hesitate to enforce the law against defaulting employers, insisting that pension contributions are statutory obligations and not optional payments.

He explained that employers who delay or fail to remit contributions not only violate the law but also jeopardise the retirement security of their employees.

“Employers who fail to pay their workers’ pension contributions are breaching the law and will be dealt with accordingly. We will continue to enforce compliance to protect the pensions of Ghanaian workers,” Mr. Sackey warned.

The NPRA continues to encourage both employers and employees to comply with the country’s pension regulations to ensure a secure and sustainable retirement system for all Ghanaian workers.

The directive forms part of a broader strategy by the Assembly to improve road safety, enhance transport services, and strengthen collaboration with transport stakeholders to promote orderly and safe transportation across the municipality.

The announcement was made during a stakeholder engagement held on Thursday at Agona Nkwanta between the Assembly and members of the Pragia Owners and Drivers Association as well as the Aboboyaa Riders Association in Ahanta West.

Addressing the gathering, the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Ing. Ebenezer Kofi Adu, stressed that only riders with a valid Class “A” driver’s licence will be permitted to operate Pragia and Aboboyaa tricycles within the municipality.

He further emphasized that persons below the age of 18 are prohibited from riding either Pragia or Aboboyaa anywhere in the municipality, in line with existing road traffic regulations.

The MCE also announced that all qualified operators must obtain and display the Assembly’s official sticker on their tricycles as proof that they are legally registered and operating under the municipality’s regulatory framework which is their bye-law.

Hon. Ing. Adu reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to working closely with transport operators to address challenges confronting the sector while ensuring the safety of commuters and other road users.

He urged all riders and transport operators to comply fully with the new measures, stressing that the Assembly will strictly enforce the regulations in the interest of public safety and orderly transport operations in the municipality.

The Municipal Chief Executive for EKMA, Hon. Abdul Majeed Dokorugu, disclosed this in an interview with the media on the sidelines of the maiden meeting of the Western Regional Coordinating Council in Sekondi.

Nkoko Nkitinkiti is a flagship poultry revitalisation programme launched by the government to boost local poultry production, reduce reliance on imported frozen chicken, and create jobs. The initiative distributes birds, feed, and supplies to households and selected commercial farmers across the country.

According to him, the assembly’s initial allocation under the programme consisted of 10,000 birds, with another 10,000 expected to be delivered in the coming weeks.

“Out of the first 10,000 birds allocated to the municipality, about 4,000 were dead on arrival. That represents a 40% loss from the initial consignment,” Hon. Dokorugu revealed.

Despite the setback, the MCE said the remaining birds are healthy and continue to thrive, stressing that no additional deaths have been recorded since they were received.

“The birds that survived are doing well, and we have not recorded any further mortality. We are also expecting another batch of 10,000 birds to continue with the implementation of the programme,” he said.

Hon. Dokorugu further disclosed that investigations had been conducted to establish the cause of the unusually high mortality recorded in the first consignment.

He, however, did not disclose the outcome of the investigations during the interview.

The Akoko Nkitikiti initiative forms part of the government’s efforts to boost local poultry production, strengthen food security, create employment opportunities, and reduce the country’s dependence on imported poultry products.

The EKMA MCE expressed optimism that lessons from the first delivery would help ensure a smoother rollout of subsequent consignments and improve the programme’s impact within the municipality.

At a press conference, the group alleged that the directives issued by the General Secretary ahead of the constituency elections contributed to widespread confusion, violence and dissatisfaction among party delegates.

According to the group, a directive from the Office of the General Secretary indicating that the party would not provide transportation, food, drinks or water for delegates attending the elections reflected what it described as a disregard for the party’s grassroots supporters.

“This is an insult to the very people who are the foundation of the NPP. These delegates sacrifice their time, money and energy to build the party at the polling station level. To ask them to ‘arrive, vote and leave’ without even water under this sun is wicked, inhumane and anti-grassroots,” the group stated.

The group argued that delegates form the backbone of the NPP and should not bear the burden of the party’s financial challenges.

It further blamed the General Secretary for what it described as poor planning and inadequate logistical arrangements that allegedly resulted in violence and disturbances during some of the constituency executive elections.

“The constituency elections were marred by violence, confusion and avoidable confrontations in several constituencies across the country. Reports of thuggery, invasion of polling centres and arrests are a direct result of poor planning and lack of adequate security and logistical support,” the statement said.

The group maintained that, as the party’s chief administrator, Mr. Frimpong bears ultimate responsibility for ensuring peaceful, transparent and well-organized internal elections.

Another issue raised by the pressure group relates to the party’s financial management. It questioned what it described as inconsistencies between claims that the NPP is facing severe financial constraints and previous instances in which the General Secretary reportedly supported aspirants with nomination fees.

“Where did that money come from if the Party is broke? Why can one man find money for aspirants, but the Party he leads cannot find money for delegates? This contradiction raises serious questions about priorities, transparency and who the Party truly serves,” the group asserted.

The Grassroots Alliance for Victory 2028 said the developments have eroded the confidence of many grassroots supporters and insisted that new leadership is needed to restore trust within the party.

The group also called on the NPP’s National Council to intervene by providing logistical support for delegates in the remaining constituency elections, conducting an independent audit into the party’s finances and election logistics, and implementing measures to prevent similar challenges in future internal elections.

“The NPP belongs to the polling station executive, the electoral area coordinator and the delegate in the village. We will not sit and watch the Party be run aground. The grassroots are angry, the grassroots are watching, and the grassroots demand better,” the statement concluded.

The leadership of the NPP has yet to publicly respond to the allegations and the demand for the General Secretary’s resignation.

The beneficiaries received a range of items, including deep freezers, fufu pounding machines, industrial sewing machines, laptops, as well as cash support to enable them to establish or expand income-generating ventures.

Presenting the items, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Effia-Kwesimintsim, Abdul Majeed Dorkurugu Nassam, said the intervention forms part of the Assembly’s commitment to implementing the government’s social protection agenda for Persons with Disabilities.

According to him, the distribution represents the second tranche of support for 2025, aimed at equipping beneficiaries with the resources needed to become economically self-reliant.

“This support is intended to empower Persons with Disabilities to create sustainable sources of income and improve their standard of living. It is part of government’s commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in the national development process,” Hon. Dorkurugu Nassam said.

He reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to promoting inclusive development and ensuring that Persons with Disabilities receive the necessary support to contribute meaningfully to the local economy.

The Presiding Member of the Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly who is also the Assembly Member for Sofon Zongo Electoral Area, Musah Adamu, urged beneficiaries to make good use of the equipment and safeguard the items to achieve the intended impact.

“These items have been provided to help you become financially independent. We encourage you to use them responsibly because the Assembly will monitor their utilization to ensure they serve the purpose for which they were distributed,” he stated.

Musa Adamu stressed that EKMA remains committed to inclusion, empowerment and equal opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, adding that the Assembly will continue to invest in programs that improve their socio-economic well-being.

Some of the beneficiaries, who spoke after receiving the support, expressed appreciation to the Assembly and the government, describing the intervention as timely.

They said the equipment and financial assistance would enable them to start or expand their businesses, generate sustainable incomes and better cater for themselves and their families.

The initiative forms part of EKMA’s broader strategy to promote social inclusion, reduce poverty and empower Persons with Disabilities through sustainable livelihood interventions.

According to the DCE, the new law will provide Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) with a practical legal framework to address sanitation challenges more effectively by requiring offenders to undertake community service rather than evade accountability.

Hon. Dentu expressed confidence in President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to improving sanitation nationwide, stating that the implementation of the bill would complement the government’s broader agenda of ensuring cleaner and healthier communities across the country.

He made the remarks at Inchaban in the Shama District during activities to mark the National Sanitation Day programme.

The DCE noted that indiscriminate littering and other environmentally harmful practices have long undermined sanitation efforts, adding that the Community Service Bill offers Assemblies a stronger enforcement mechanism to encourage compliance with sanitation regulations.

Also addressing participants, the Shama District Environmental Health Officer, Mr. Kudo, welcomed the passage of the bill, describing it as a timely intervention that will strengthen efforts to combat poor sanitation and instill greater environmental responsibility among residents.

He expressed optimism that the legislation would support Environmental Health Officers and other stakeholders in promoting proper waste management and improving public hygiene within communities.

Both officials believe the successful implementation of the Community Service Bill will significantly enhance sanitation standards in the Shama District and across Ghana, while fostering a stronger culture of environmental stewardship among citizens.

The exercise, held on Sunday, July 12, followed an official request by the Atlantic View Ghana Conference of the SDA Church to the Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly (EKMA) for exemption from Saturday’s National General Cleaning Exercise to enable members to observe the Sabbath.

With the Assembly granting the request, members of the Anaji West District, led by District Pastor Dominic Bonney, mobilised to clean the St. Peter’s School enclave in the Anaji East Electoral Area.

Armed with cutlasses, brooms, shovels and other cleaning tools, the volunteers weeded overgrown bushes, swept the surroundings and desilted choked drains to improve sanitation and reduce the risk of flooding and disease outbreaks in the area.

Speaking to Almighty News, Pastor Bonney said the initiative marks the beginning of a sustained sanitation campaign by the church.

“This is not going to be a one-off exercise. In line with a directive from the South West Ghana Union Conference, we will undertake this clean-up every month to support our communities,” he said.

He disclosed that the church would continue to engage the Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly to identify communities that require urgent sanitation interventions.

Pastor Bonney stressed that while the Constitution guarantees every citizen the freedom to worship, Christians also have a responsibility to contribute meaningfully to national development through voluntary community service.

“As citizens, we have the right to worship according to our faith, but we also have a responsibility to support national development. Community service is one of the practical ways we can demonstrate our faith,” he noted.

Assembly Member for the Anaji East Electoral Area, Mrs. Linda York, commended the church for the initiative, describing it as an exemplary act of civic responsibility.

She urged other churches, faith-based organisations and community groups to emulate the SDA Church’s commitment to keeping communities clean.

The Member of Parliament for Kwesimintsim, Lawyer Philip Fiifi Buckman, who visited the exercise on his way to church, also praised the volunteers for their dedication.

Describing the clean-up as “true Christianity and patriotism,” he assured residents that all refuse and debris collected along the road shoulders would be evacuated by Monday evening.

“This is true Christianity and patriotism. I commend every member who sacrificed their time to serve the community. We will ensure that all the debris collected is cleared by Monday evening,” the MP said.

He further prayed for God’s blessings upon all those who participated in the exercise, expressing hope that their contribution would inspire others to support efforts aimed at creating cleaner, healthier communities.

The clean-up forms part of broader efforts by the Seventh-day Adventist Church to complement national sanitation initiatives while remaining faithful to its observance of the Sabbath.