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LEG trains volunteers on environmental laws
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Participants
Aware of the need to promote environmental justice and community rights in mining communities in the country, the Livelihood and Environment Ghana (LEG) has organised a two-day training programme for its Voluntary Community Facilitators (VCFs).
The VCFs, who were selected from the major mining-affected communities in the country (seven mining regions), were taken through ethical reporting and Ghana’s minerals and mining laws to enable them to be abreast of issues on community rights, including the right to safe and clean water, sanitation, compensation, and resettlement issues, as well as afforestation and restoration projects, which are core focus areas of LEG.
The VCFs would serve as intermediaries between their communities and the LEG to ensure an environment free from all forms of pollution to enhance sustainable development, community livelihoods, transparent mineral governance, and environmental sustainability.
The training, which was organised by LEG in collaboration with the Third World Network Africa (TWN-Africa), was sponsored by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the Power of Voices Project (PVP) and Fair4ALL Programme.
The Executive Director (ED) of LEG, Mr. Richard Adjei-Poku, pointed out in a presentation that “our main goal is to promote environmental sustainability, community rights, sustainable livelihoods, and mineral governance.”
He noted that the NGO had trained many people in the mining communities in Ghana on transparency and accountability to enable them to hold their leaders and the companies operating in their respective communities accountable and responsible.
Mr. Adjei-Poku told the participants to take the training seriously to be in a better position to gather accurate information on issues pertaining to environmental threats and human rights violations in the mining communities.
Mr. Kingsley E. Hope, Chairperson of the Ghana Journalists Association in the Ashanti Region also explained the importance of ethical reporting to the participants, saying it was a process of transparency.
“Fundamental to proper, professional, and ethical conduct is the intent to be honest, accurate, and complete when providing required information,” he said.
Some of the participants said the training had given them more insights into how to gather and disseminate accurate information on mining laws.
LEG, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) was established in 2004 in Ahafo Kenyasi Number 2 to respond to the growing social, environmental, and human rights threats from the Newmont Ahafo Mine, which now operates in seven regions, namely, the Bono, Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Western, Ashanti, and Western North regions.
It promotes environmental justice, community rights, sustainable livelihoods, and mineral governance, particularly in the extractive and forest sectors
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested former professional boxer Michael Ayitey Okai, popularly known as “Ayitey Powers,” over an alleged threat of death against the Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo.
According to the Police, the 46-year-old former boxer was arrested on Monday, August 24, 2026, in connection with the alleged threat.
The Police said the arrest followed a video circulating on social media in which Ayitey Powers is alleged to have issued the threat against Mr Ampofo.
He is currently in Police custody and is assisting with investigations.
The Accra Regional Police Command said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged threat and determine the appropriate action to be taken in accordance with the law.
The Command has urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information about the matter while the investigation continues.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo Markin has sued the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, and Multimedia Group Limited over alleged defamatory comments made against him on the Newsfile programme.
In a writ filed at the High Court in Accra, Mr Afenyo Markin is seeking GH¢15 million in damages, an apology and retraction of the statements, among other reliefs.
The suit follows comments allegedly made by Mr Gyamfi during the Saturday, August 22, 2026 edition of Newsfile, hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini.
According to the statement of claim, Mr Gyamfi described Mr Afenyo Markin as an “extortionist” while responding to a question about GoldBod’s reported profits and its position on losses arising from its operations.
The plaintiff claims that Mr Gyamfi repeated the allegation when the host sought clarification on whether he stood by the description.
Mr Afenyo Markin further claims that Mr Gyamfi challenged him to sue him and insisted that the allegation was true.
The plaintiff argues that the statements created the impression that he engages in extortion, uses his political influence to put improper pressure on public institutions and officials, and conducts himself in a manner inconsistent with the standards expected of a lawyer and public office holder.
He denies the allegations and maintains that he is not an extortionist and has never engaged in the conduct alleged by Mr Gyamfi.
The Minority Leader also argues that the comments were made maliciously and were presented as facts without evidence being disclosed.
He claims the statements have damaged his reputation, professional standing and public image, particularly because of his position as a senior political figure and legal practitioner.
The suit also names Multimedia Group Limited as a defendant because, according to the plaintiff, the alleged defamatory comments were broadcast through JoyNews and subsequently circulated on social media platforms, including X, Facebook and YouTube.
Mr Afenyo Markin claims Multimedia failed to stop the comments or deactivate Mr Gyamfi’s microphone after the allegations were made.
He is therefore asking the court to award him general, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as GH¢15 million in compensation and legal costs.
He is also seeking an order compelling the defendants to issue a full, unconditional and unequivocal retraction and public apology.
The plaintiff wants the apology and retraction to be given similar prominence and reach as the original publication, including through JoyNews and the social media platforms where the comments were disseminated.
He is further seeking a permanent injunction preventing the defendants from repeating the alleged defamatory statements or words with a similar meaning.
The writ requires the defendants to enter an appearance within eight days after being served.
It warns that failure to do so could result in judgment being entered in their absence.
The case was filed by lawyer Paa Kwesi Abaidoo of Dehyena Chambers on behalf of Mr Afenyo Markin.
By: Jacob Aggrey
