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Ambassador Alima Mahama visits Ghana C’nity Catholic Church in Alexandria, Virginia
Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Hajia Alima Mahama, on Sunday, October 24, 2021, worshiped with the Ghana Community Catholic Church in Alexandria, Virginia, in the United States of America.
As part of her commitment to community engagement, she used that as an opportunity to introduce herself to the Ghanaian community as the new representative of the Government of Ghana.
to the glory of God
Nana Kofi Boateng (left), Chief of Bogyawe near Ashanti
Bekwai and Nana Obuor Gyau, Adumhene of Bechem
as Rev. Father Anthony Appiah
(inset) leads them in prayer
a photograph with her staff and
some church members
Otafrebuo Nana Kofi Boateng; Nana Obuor Gyau and Kwaku Manu, Mmranteehene of Washington DC Metro
president, welcoming Ambassador
Alima Mahama on her arrival
attentively to the sermon
Ambassador Hajia Alima Mahama expressed her appreciation to the various organised groups who had paid courtesy calls on her to welcome her to office.
She implored the congregation, during her address, to be law abiding citizens of the United States and encouraged Ghanaians to register with the embassy in order to be documented as people from Ghana.
The Ambassador spoke about the efforts being made to continuously improve consular services at the embassy, and proudly mentioned that the turnaround time for visa and passport acquisition, which had been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, had been tremendously improved.
She, however, stated that consular services were currently online and assured the congregation that a clear line of communication had been opened between the embassy and the Ghanaian Community, as such they should make it a point to patronise events at the Ghana Embassy when invited.
Her Excellency Hajia Mahama further spoke about investment opportunities available in Ghana and called on all Ghanaians in the United States as well as business partners to explore such opportunities by bringing investors to Ghana.
She was accompanied on the visit by Mrs. Ninnette Danquah-Ivo, the Minister- Counsellor for Diaspora Affairs and Mrs. Cynthia Djokoto, the Minister- Counsellor in charge of Trade.
Rev. Father Anthony Appiah, the Resident Minister, offered prayers for the Ambassador and her staff and asked the congregation to support her endeavours to enable her make an impact on her duty tour.
Mr. Julius Caesar, the Church President, also introduced the leadership of the Church to the Ambassador and expressed his appreciation to her for her visit.
Ambassador Hajia Alima Mahama, the first female Ambassador of Ghana to the United States, has made a firm commitment to engage all Ghanaians regardless of political and religious affiliation or social class.
She has pledged to be a mother to all.
From George Kwasi Bright, Alexandra, Virginia, USA
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
