News
Ashanti Regional Minister denies involvement in detention of Wendell Nana Yaw Yeboah
Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, has rejected claims that he is responsible for the continued detention of Wendell Nana Yaw Yeboah.
His response follows public comments by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni and activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor, who suggested that the minister influenced the case.
In a statement, Dr. Amoakohene described the claims as “inaccurate, misleading, and unfair.”
He said it was important to correct the record so the public is not misinformed.
In a facebook post, Dr. Amoakohene explained that he has no authority to order or influence the detention of any suspect.
He stressed that the matter is being handled by the Ghana Police Service, which operates independently.
According to him, the suspect is not being held in any facility under the Regional Security Council (RECSEC), which he chairs.
He noted that RECSEC does not control police investigations or custodial matters.
The minister said the case began after a petition was filed over allegations made against three State Ministers.
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) started an investigation as required by law, especially because the claims involved possible publication of false news.
Dr. Amoakohene added that there is also a civil defamation suit, which is separate from the police investigation and will continue based on its own legal processes.
Addressing questions about why the suspect remains in custody despite being granted bail of GHS 3,000, the minister said this is a matter for the police.
He emphasised that he has no legal role in setting or enforcing bail conditions.
Dr. Amoakohene criticised attempts to link him personally to the suspect’s detention, saying such comments misrepresent how the legal system works and create unnecessary tension.
He said he has never influenced any officer involved in the case.
The minister noted that the government remains committed to civil liberties and due process.
He encouraged the public and media to seek accurate information and avoid sharing claims that are not based on fact.
He added that his office is open for clarification and dialogue to help strengthen trust in state institutions.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The family of Ambassador James Victor Gbeho, a distinguished statesman and diplomat, has paid a courtesy call on President John Dramani Mahama. They officially informed him of his passing.
The delegation, representing the Gbeho family, noted that it was culturally and diplomatically important to formally notify the President of the loss before making a public announcement of his death.
Ambassador Gbeho was a towering figure in Ghanaian and international politics. He served in many diplomatic missions, including New York. He was Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, a Member of Parliament for the Anlo constituency, and President (formerly Executive Secretary) of the ECOWAS Commission.
He was widely respected for his role in regional integration and his contributions to global diplomacy at the United Nations.
President Mahama expressed his condolences and shared reflections on Ambassador Gbeho’s contributions to the country, West Africa and the world.
Funeral details will be announced later.
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has revoked all firearm permits in Ghana with immediate effect and announced a new registration process for all gun owners.
The minister made the announcement on Tuesday, June 23, at the information service department saying all individuals who currently hold licences to own firearms or sidearms must undergo a fresh registration process.
“From this afternoon, all permits that have been granted to any individual that you are holding a sidearm or firearm is hereby revoked,” Mr Muntaka said.
He explained that the government had identified gaps in the country’s firearm registration system and needed to introduce stricter measures to improve public safety.
“We are opening the window where everyone will have to come forward again to register or re-register the gun because we’ve changed the procedure,” he stated.
According to him, the government decided not to wait until the end of the year to make the changes because lives could still be saved within the next six months.
The Interior Minister said one of the new requirements would be mandatory mental health screening for applicants seeking firearm licences.
“We’ve seen that people with mental health have already gone through and have the sidearm. Now we are introducing mental health. Before we give you the sidearm, we have to be sure that you have the mental stability to hold the firearms,” he said.
Mr Muntaka also announced that applicants would be required to undergo drug tests before being granted licences.
“We’ve also realised that people who are on drugs are also holding their arms and they are legitimate because it’s been registered. Now you have to go through drug tests to be sure that you are not on drugs before you can hold sidearms,” he added.
The minister said the new measures form part of efforts by the government to tighten firearm control and prevent legally registered weapons from falling into the wrong hands.
He urged all firearm owners to cooperate with the new registration process once details of the exercise are announced.
By: Jacob Aggrey
