News
Former NPP MP Gifty Klenam defects to NDC
Gifty Klenam, a two-time New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for the people of Lower West Akim in the Eastern Region, has defected to the National Democratic Congress.
The former Member of Parliament made her switch public on Thursday, January 30, 2025 after receiving her NDC membership card in the Anlo Constituency of the Volta Region.
According to her, the decision followed a thorough review of the party’s policies, adding that she believes that President John Dramani Mahama’s leadership will lead the country toward progress and prosperity.
In a statement, she explained her decision, citing ideological alignment and confidence in the NDC’s policy direction as primary factors.
“Upon consultation with my family, I decided to join the NDC because it aligns with my values and vision for mother Ghana,” she stated.
Klenam also expressed strong confidence in the NDC’s 2024 manifesto, describing it as the most promising blueprint for Ghana’s future development.
She expressed her commitment to working closely with the NDC’s grassroots, empowering local communities, and creating opportunities to prevent the mass migration of Ghanaian youth seeking better prospects abroad.
Gifty Klenam, served as a Member of Parliament during the Fourth and Fifth Parliaments of the Fourth Republic, later held the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Export Promotion Centre (GEPC) under the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration.
News
Declare a state of emergency in parts of the country affected by illegal mining – Coalition Against Galamsey to Mahama
The Coalition Against Galamsey is asking President John Mahama to declare a state of emergency in areas badly affected by illegal mining.
According to the Convenor of the Coalition, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, the situation has gone beyond control and requires urgent action to save lives and protect the environment.
He explained that the Constitution allows a state of emergency to be declared when the actions of criminals threaten essential resources such as water, safety, and the survival of communities.
He said illegal miners were destroying water bodies and depriving large communities of clean drinking water, which is an “essential of life.”
Dr. Ashigbey stressed that the call was not for the entire country, but only for parts of Ghana where the destruction is severe.
He added that declaring a state of emergency in these areas will give government the legal power to act quickly and decisively.
He also called on the President to provide clear timelines and targets to guide the fight against galamsey.
This, he said, would help demonstrate government’s seriousness and commitment to ending the menace.
The Coalition insisted that declaring a state of emergency was no longer a last resort but an immediate step needed to save Ghanaians and protect the future of the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
The Ghana Bar Association must be non-partisan in the discharge of their duties – Dominic Ayine urges
The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has called on the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) to remain non-partisan in the discharge of its duties.
He said the credibility of the legal profession would be at risk if the bar allowed itself to be influenced by political interests.
Speaking at the GBA 2025/ 2026 annual general conference, Dr. Ayine reminded members that their first allegiance was to the Constitution and the Republic, not to any government or opposition party.
He stressed that for over three decades, the GBA had played an important role in helping the Supreme Court interpret and enforce the law, but outside the courtroom, its advocacy had often lacked consistency.
Dr. Ayine pointed to past cases such as the 2015 petition against the former CHRAJ Chairperson, Loretta Lamptey, and the 2017 petition for the removal of Electoral Commission Chairperson, Charlotte Osei, where the bar remained silent.
He noted that the association only found its voice during the petition against former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, a stance he said coincided with the position of the opposition.
He questioned why the bar acted differently in those situations, especially since all three cases involved women of repute who held positions in key constitutional bodies.
Dr. Ayine urged the GBA to be the conscience of the republic, saying lawyers must defend the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and the rights of citizens regardless of which political party was in power.
He warned against inviting foreign interference in Ghana’s constitutional matters, saying international collaboration should be limited to professional exchanges and not politics.
He further encouraged the GBA to promote integrity among its members, strengthen pro bono services to support the poor, and embrace digital reforms such as e-filing and electronic court records to modernize the justice system.
According to him, the destiny of Ghana is tied to the integrity of the legal profession.
He added that if lawyers stand firm, the country will also stand firm, but if they falter, the republic will stumble.
By: Jacob Aggrey
