News
Vincent Ekow Asafuah accuses government of breaching financial laws over road projects
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-09.22.54.jpeg&description=Vincent Ekow Asafuah accuses government of breaching financial laws over road projects', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-09.22.54.jpeg&description=Vincent Ekow Asafuah accuses government of breaching financial laws over road projects', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Asafuah, has accused the government of acting unlawfully in granting multi-year expenditure approval for road projects without parliamentary authorization.
In a statement titled “Government of Illegality, Thievery and Hypocrisy,” the legislator described the move as a clear violation of the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act and the 1992 Constitution.
Mr Asafuah alleged that the Ministry of Finance has given approval to the Ministry of Roads and Highways to commit over GH¢50.9 billion for the “Big Push” programme over a three-year period from 2025 to 2027 without the necessary approval from Parliament.
He explained that although Parliament approved GH¢13 billion for the Big Push Project in the 2025 budget, the Finance Ministry went ahead to approve additional spending commitments for the next two years, an act he described as “blatant illegality.”
Quoting Section 33 of the Public Financial Management Act, the MP stressed that no government entity is allowed to enter into financial commitments that bind the state for more than one fiscal year without parliamentary authorization.
“This government’s quest to perpetuate illegality has reached a crescendo. The Ministry of Finance has acted in breach of both the PFM Act and Article 181 of the Constitution” Mr Asafuah stated.
He further warned that the move could worsen Ghana’s fiscal situation, noting that the government had already struggled to raise enough revenue to fund its projects.
“Given that only GH¢7.6 billion has been approved for 2025 against a GH¢13 billion budget, this government will most definitely accumulate arrears running into billions,” he said.
Mr Asafuah questioned the cost of certain road projects under the Big Push programme, citing the 71-kilometre Enchi–Elubo road, which he said would cost taxpayers about GH¢1.5 billion.
According to him, this translates to about US$1.7 million per kilometre, which he described as “excessive and unjustifiable.”
He accused the government of hypocrisy, comparing the current cost of road construction to what the ruling party previously criticized under the former administration.
“The same people who condemned the NPP for building a kilometre of road at one million dollars are now doing it for 1.7 million dollars. What kind of integrity is this?” he questioned.
Mr Asafuah called on the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and civil society organizations to take note of what he described as “reckless financial conduct” by the government.
He urged Parliament to assert its oversight authority and prevent further breaches of the law in public financial management.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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
