News
Boakye Agyarko rallies NPP executives in Central Region ahead of Chairmanship bid
Prospective National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Boakye Agyarko, has engaged regional and constituency executives of the party in the Central Region as part of his nationwide campaign tour.
The engagements were held in Cape Coast and Winneba on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 bringing together party executives from constituencies across the region.
According to the campaign team of Mr. Agyarko, the first meeting in Cape Coast was attended by Regional Executives and representatives from Upper Denkyira West, Upper Denkyira East, Twifo Atti Morkwa, Hemang Lower Denkyira, Cape Coast North, Cape Coast South, Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem, Assin North, Assin South, Assin Central, Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese, Mfantseman, Ekumfi and Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Agyarko stressed the need for unity, discipline, improved welfare for party executives and strategic reforms to reposition the NPP for electoral success in 2028 and beyond.
The second session, held in Winneba, brought together executives from Gomoa West, Gomoa East, Gomoa Central, Agona West, Agona East, Effutu, Awutu Senya West, Awutu Senya East and Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa.
During the meeting, he reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with Mahamudu Bawumia and other party stakeholders to strengthen the NPP and improve its electoral fortunes.
Mr. Agyarko also appealed to party members to forgive one another and embrace reconciliation in the interest of party unity.
Speaking on behalf of the regional leadership, Percy Dennis Quaicoo assured Mr. Agyarko of the region’s support.
He said the chairmanship aspirant had demonstrated loyalty, dedication and commitment to the party over the years.
Mr. Agyarko was accompanied by his campaign manager, Henry Quartey, and members of his campaign team.
The engagements form part of Mr. Agyarko’s efforts to build support across the country as he seeks to become the next National Chairman of the NPP.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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
