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2,771 Students Graduate from Accra Technical University (ATU)
The Accra Technical University (ATU) held its 25th graduation ceremony on Saturday, awarding 2,771 students with Master of Technology (MTech), Master of Science (MSc), Bachelor of Technology (BTech), and Diploma certificates. The event, themed “Emerging Technologies: How Prepared is the ATU Graduate,” highlighted the achievements of ATU over the past year.
Delivering an address on behalf of the Minister of Education, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, the Director of Tertiary Education, Dr. Emmanuel Newman, urged graduates to confront the future with resilience, integrity, and innovation. He emphasized that the country’s progress depended on technically skilled young people capable of driving productivity and creating jobs. “There are jobs in Ghana. If you cannot find one, create it,” he stated, encouraging graduates to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset built on creativity and adaptability.
The Senior Vice President of the MTN Group, Mr. Ebenezer Asante, praised the resilience of the graduating students and challenged them to position themselves not only as users of technology but also as creators and problem-solvers who deploy innovation to address the country’s pressing developmental needs. He cautioned that although the job market remains uncertain, graduates who apply themselves ‘morally and legally’ could break barriers and avoid the ‘undignifying weight of poverty.’
The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Amevi Acakpovi, congratulated the awardees and noted that their success reflects consistent effort and dedication. Professor Acakpovi urged them to put their skills and knowledge from ATU to practical use, emphasizing that the world now rewards competence and ability more than certificates.
Ms. Gloria Safo was adjudged the Overall Best Student, with other awardees including Zenifar Bernard as the Overall MTech/MSc Graduating Student, Baaba Owusu-Benpah as Best Female MTech/MSc Graduate, and Afegenui Meshongong Junior King-Blaise as Best Graduating International Student.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
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Minister for Government Communications, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, has dismissed claims that staff salaries at the Presidency have increased under the current administration, describing the allegation as a “flat lie”.
In a response to a post on Facebook, Ofosu Kwakye said the current staff at the Presidency inherited the same salaries and conditions approved for their predecessors.
He argued that once arrears owed to former Article 71 office holders are paid, the total wage bill for the current administration will actually be lower due to a reduction in staff numbers.
“It is in fact a mathematical certainty that the total amount paid in salaries to the current staff will be smaller compared to yours once your arrears are paid because of the reduction in numbers,” he stated.
The Minister noted that delays in paying arrears to past Article 71 office holders are not new.
“Arrears owed to past Article 71 office holders is nothing new or unheard of. Many others before you have suffered same,” he said.
Ofosu Kwakye also stressed that the salaries and conditions in question were approved by Parliament on 6th January 2025, under the previous government.
He pointed out that the Constitution bars any changes to those salaries until a new committee is set up to determine emoluments for Article 71 office holders under the new administration.
“No such committee has been set up by President Mahama and no alteration has been made,” he clarified.
“So on what basis, apart from pure lies and mischief, can a claim of ballooning be made?” he concluded.
The response follows public debate over the size and cost of the presidential staff, with critics alleging a spike in the wage bill.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, has initiated plea negotiations with the Attorney General’s office in the GH₵30 million Exim Bank fraud case.
Information available to ghanaiantimes.com.gh indicates that lawyers for Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi & 2 other accused have formally written to the Attorney General to enter into plea negotiations on the charges of defrauding by false pretenses, money laundering, and intentionally causing financial loss to a public body.
A plea bargain, under Section 162C of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) (Amendment) Act, 2022 (Act 1079), allows an accused person to plead guilty to lesser charges in exchange for a reduced sentence.
The agreement must be approved by the court after the Attorney General assesses factors such as the strength of evidence, recovery of state funds, and public interest.
Wontumi is facing four counts after his arrest by the Economic and Organised Crime Office in May 2025.
Prosecutors allege he used forged documents to secure a GH₵30 million facility from the Ghana Export-Import Bank to finance equipment for his mining company, Akonta Mining Ltd.
The state further charges him with money laundering and causing financial loss to the state.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and was granted GH₵50 million bail with two sureties. The case is currently before the Accra High Court.
The Attorney General’s office is yet to confirm whether negotiations will proceed.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
