Connect with us

News

Baba Jamal sworn in as MP for Ayawaso Ekast, pledges service with dignity and integrity

Published

on

Baba Jamal has officially been sworn in as the Member of Parliament for the Ayawaso East Constituency by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.

The swearing in ceremony took place in Parliament on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, with members of the House welcoming him as he took the oath of office and oath of allegiance to officially assume his role as a legislator.

His swearing in was met with loud cheers from sections of his constituents and loyal supporters who gathered in Parliament to witness the ceremony.

Speaking to the media after the swearing in ceremony, Baba Jamal expressed gratitude to Allah for guiding him through what he described as a very difficult political journey.

Advertisement

He explained that the path to Parliament had been challenging but he was grateful to everyone who stood by him during the process, including the Speaker of Parliament and members on both sides of the House who welcomed him warmly.

The new MP thanked the leadership of the National Democratic Congress, particularly the National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, for supporting him and taking time to attend the ceremony.

Baba Jamal further expressed appreciation to traditional leaders and chiefs from Ayawaso East who came to witness the occasion, stating that he would work closely with them to deliver improved services and development to the people in the constituency.

He acknowledged the support of the media, his legal advisors and well wishers who assisted him throughout the journey, noting that their encouragement played an important role in his success.

Advertisement

The MP expressed special gratitude to his wife and family for standing by him during what he described as a very difficult and stressful period, adding that he hoped such difficult moments would not repeat themselves as he now focuses on serving his constituents.

When asked what the public should expect from him in Parliament, Baba Jamal indicated that his service would be guided by dignity and integrity.

He explained that he was determined to prove critics wrong about issues that had been raised about him, stressing that he had done nothing wrong and had been cleared by a committee that looked into the matter.

According to him, his victory in the by election showed the confidence and trust the people of Ayawaso East had in him, a mandate he said would encourage him to continue serving the constituency and the country with dedication.

Advertisement

Many of them expressed excitement over his return to Parliament and his new mandate to represent the people of Ayawaso East.

With his induction into the House, Baba Jamal adds to the numbers of the National Democratic Congress in Parliament, increasing the party’s representation to 183 MPs and strengthening the majority side in the House.

Baba Jamal secured victory during the Ayawaso East by election held on March 3, 2026, after polling 10,884 votes to win the parliamentary seat convincingly.

His closest contender, Baba Ali Yusif of the New Patriotic Party, obtained 4,009 votes.

Advertisement

Independent candidate Mohammed Umar Sanda garnered 1,885 votes, while Ibrahim Iddrisu of the Liberal Party of Ghana secured 43 votes and David Kanor, also an independent candidate, polled 104 votes.

In total, 17,048 ballots were cast in the election, out of which 16,928 were valid votes and 120 were rejected ballots. The constituency has close to 50,000 registered voters.

The by election was conducted to fill the vacancy created by the death of the sitting Member of Parliament for the area, Mahama Naser Toure, who passed away in January 2026 while receiving treatment at the hospital.

His death left the Ayawaso East parliamentary seat vacant, prompting the Electoral Commission of Ghana to organise the by election for a new representative to complete the remainder of the parliamentary term.

Advertisement

Before contesting the seat, Baba Jamal served as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria.

He previously held other political positions, including serving as the Member of Parliament for Akwatia and also worked in diplomatic service representing Ghana abroad.

His victory in the by election marks his return to Parliament and places him in charge of continuing the legislative and development work for the people of Ayawaso East.

Advertisement

News

ATU launches 5-year Strategic Plan

Published

on

Dr.Newman [middle] being assited by Prof Abotsi [second from right] and Prof Acakpovi [left] to launched the Strategic Plan document photo Okai Elizabeth

THE Accra Technical University (ATU) on Tuesday officially launched its Strategic Plan for 2026–2030 in Accra, aimed at driving innovation and strengthening institutional capacity across key operational areas.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Humphrey Awuletey Williams, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Oswal Investments Limited, explained that the strategic plan seeks to respond to emerging challenges while positioning the institution as a forward-thinking leader in development.

He urged the university’s leadership to leverage their expertise to train students to be innovative and produce competitive products for both African and international markets.

According to him, employers increasingly demand competence-based human capital beyond academic certificates to drive development.

Advertisement

Mr Williams commended the Governing Council, Academic Board, Management, and other stakeholders for developing what he described as a ‘formative tool,’ and encouraged them to ensure its full implementation.

The Vice Chancellor of ATU, Mr Amevi Acapkvovi, emphasised that the strategic plan focuses on enhancing operational efficiency and strengthening stakeholder engagement.

“The strategic plan is not just a document, but a commitment to excellence, accountability and progress,” he said, adding that inclusivity is also central to the institution’s operations.

He outlined seven key focus areas of the plan: industry-based education; digital transformation and modernised infrastructure; quality assurance and institutional excellence; industry-driven research, innovation and entrepreneurship; staff development, motivation and welfare; strategic partnerships and increased visibility; and sustainable and green technologies.

Advertisement

Prof. Ernest Abotsi, stressed that the plan must not ‘gather dust’ but should be actively implemented to achieve success.

“Currently, ATU is adopting measures to assess the cost of running the institution, and this plan will serve as a guide to promote the university at every level,” he said.

Stakeholders present lauded the initiative, noting that its clear framework and measurable targets would help track progress and ensure transparency in the institution’s operations.

The university expressed confidence that, with support from partners and staff, the plan would significantly contribute to national development and set a benchmark for excellence in the sector.

Advertisement

The ceremony brought together stakeholders from government, traditional leadership, academia, industry, and civil society.

By Linda Abrefi Wadie

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Revellers throng beaches to celebrate Easter

Published

on

One of the crowded scenes at the beach
One of the crowded scenes at the beach

It was an exciting moment as hundreds of revellers from various parts of Accra trooped to the Independence Square beach in Osu to celebrate Easter.

Dressed in all kinds of beach costumes, parents were seen with their children having fun and enjoying the moment.

Girls and boys enjoy themself at the beach

Others made the best of their outing by engaging in other fun activities.

The revellers engaged in games such as football, ampe, athletics while others just sat, relaxed to release stress amidst music provided by some revellers.

A section of revellers playing volleyball at the beach

By Lizzy Okai

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending