News
Rev. Abakah donates to Bethel Methodist Society
Rev. And Mrs Lovelace Abekah of Bethel Methodist Society Church at Community 8, Tema, last week presented a wheel chair to the Society’s sick bay as an appreciation for the love and care shown their family by the church members while fellowshipping with them.
According to Rev. Abakah, the gesture was to strengthen the existing bond between his family and the church in view of his transfer to the Jaway Whart at Half Assini in the Western Region to continue with service to God and humanity.
The Superintendent Minister of the church, Very Rev. Maj. Ebo Ephraim , said the thanksgiving service for the out going Rev. Minister (rtd) was necessary as part of the process leading to Rev Abekah’s travel in Methodist practice.
According to him, Rev. Abakah was commissioned on Sunday, June 27, 2021, at Community 8 Bethel Society Church, this year after passing through series of examinations and interviews at the Diocesan and Synod levels after which he was cleared at the Connexional level to undergo a three-year training in Theological Extension at the Trinity Theological Seminary.
He continued that, to become a fully ordained Minister in the Methodist Church, “one has to begin his or her travelling or itinerant ministry for three years under two Superintendent Ministers before his or her ordination.
According to him, Rev Abakah was a committed and hard working Christian who could be trusted in the ministry.
Delivering his last sermon on the theme ‘Is not about me’, Rev Abakah admonished the church and Christians to consider the experience of Joseph in the bible when he was sold out by his brothers into slavery neither did they know that God allowed it so he could change the destiny of their family .
The out-going Rev. said Joseph could have neglected his brothers or family and enjoyed the wealth and power he commanded for himself but he came to the rescue of his family and society.
He said many a time God blessed us as individual’s or family for us to bless others especially those in need for the glorification of His name but we to looked down on others and even put the venerable to shame.
‘ When God blesses us and instead of us blessing others in need, we turn to say do you know how I suffered to get what I have or how where I am today forgetting who got you where you are” he stressed .
To him, “God blesses us in many ways for us to be a channel and provide hope, a source of encouragement, a light at the tunnel in someone’s life and we should not claim our blessings or grace to be coming from our own personal efforts”.
The church also presented a citation and other gifts to them as an appreciation for their dedicated service.
By Victor A Buxton
News
Sammy Awuku urges Fourth Estate to follow GJA Code of Ethics when holding duty bearers accountable
The Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Samuel Awuku, has called on the Fourth Estate to strictly adhere to the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Code of Ethics when reporting on public officials and state institutions.
In a statement issued on 25 September 2025, Mr Awuku said a recent publication by the Fourth Estate about the National Lottery Authority’s (NLA) Good Causes Foundation misrepresented facts about projects undertaken during his time as Director-General.
According to him, the article created the impression that funds meant for the underprivileged were diverted to “glamorous events and questionable enterprises” but ignored many life-saving projects, donations and community interventions funded by the Foundation.
He reminded journalists that Article 1 of the GJA Code of Ethics obliges them to provide factual, balanced and accurate information to the public and to cross-check their facts before publication. “For journalists of the Fourth Estate’s calibre who pride themselves in working in the public interest, it is only appropriate that their publications are factual and not misleading,” he stated.
Mr Awuku explained that the NLA Good Causes Foundation was established in October 2021 to rebrand the Authority’s corporate social responsibility arm and focus on health, education, youth and sports development, and arts and culture.
He said that during his tenure the Foundation built 20-seater toilet facilities with mechanised boreholes in several communities, funded surgery for a baby with spinal bifida, donated incubators and medical supplies to hospitals, constructed a smart laboratory for the Borstal Institute, provided scholarships to needy students, and supported football clubs and cultural festivals, among other projects.
Mr Awuku added that the Foundation was funded through the Caritas Lottery Platform, which generated about GHS11 million between October 2021 and December 2024 after its relaunch.
He dismissed claims that the Authority spent heavily on awards and luxury events, explaining that sponsorships accounted for only about five per cent of expenditure and were intended to attract corporate stakeholders and raise revenue. He also said many award nominations were turned down and that any awards received were not “bought” but recognised the work of his management and staff.
The MP expressed concern about the publication of the names of NLA staff and other beneficiaries, including patients, saying this violated their privacy.
Mr Awuku concluded that he served with integrity and helped turn the NLA’s losses into profits and urged the Fourth Estate and other media houses to present a full and balanced picture when holding duty bearers accountable.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Businessman Richard A. Jakpa has petitioned the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.
He is accusing former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame of trying to get him to give false evidence in court.
In his petition dated July 23, 2025, Mr. Jakpa said he is the third accused person in an ongoing trial involving former Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
According to Mr. Jakpa, Mr. Dame contacted him after the prosecution closed its case and allegedly urged him to cooperate and testify in a way that would implicate Dr. Forson.
He further alleged that on March 26, 2024, Mr. Dame called him and suggested how he should answer questions about Letters of Credit during cross-examination, and even advised him to seek a false medical excuse to delay proceedings.
This, Mr. Jakpa mentioned, he refused to do so.
The businessman is asking the CID to investigate what he describes as an attempt to fabricate evidence and undermine the court process.
The former Attorney-General has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
By: Jacob Aggrey
