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Becoming MP for La Dade-Kotopon was a childhood dream – Rita Naa Odoley Sowah
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The Member of Parliament for La Dade-Kotopon, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, has described her election as MP for the constituency as the fulfilment of a childhood dream rooted in her upbringing in the area.
Speaking in an interview, she said her journey to Parliament began many years ago, long before she entered active politics.
According to her, La Dade-Kotopon is a large and well-developed constituency that stretches from the Ako Adjei Interchange through Spintex Road to areas such as Palace Mall, Airport Hills and around Accra Mall.
Reflecting on her time in office, Ms Sowah said her second term as MP has been positive so far.
“So far, so good,” she said.
She traced her political journey to her early involvement in local governance under the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, where she served as a councillor when La Dade-Kotopon was still a sub-metro.
She explained that her connection to the community runs deep, as she grew up selling sugarcane and shea butter during school vacations to support her mother.
“I used to move around the community a lot from a young age, and I kept praying that God would make me a leader for the area so I could help develop it,” she said.
Ms Sowah said she later worked as an administrator for the then Member of Parliament for the area, which gave her further exposure to community work and leadership.
She was eventually appointed as the first Municipal Chief Executive for La Dade-Kotopon after it was carved out of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, serving for three and a half years under former President John Dramani Mahama.
She credited that opportunity for shaping her leadership skills and bringing her closer to the people.
According to her, one of her proudest achievements as Municipal Chief Executive was initiating the construction of the La Market, a project she said was inspired by her childhood experiences at the old market.
“When I was growing up, I used to go to the market to buy sugarcane. I always wished that one day I could help change that market,” she said.
Ms Sowah noted that the trust she built with the people through skills training programmes, student support, care for the aged and community advocacy helped her secure the mandate to represent the constituency in Parliament.
She said that trust was renewed when constituents gave her the opportunity to serve a second term.
The MP stressed that leadership requires working with all groups in the community, regardless of political affiliation.
She said she works closely with traditional leaders, Christian and Muslim groups, and other stakeholders to ensure unity and development.
“My doors are always open. Once you are elected, you must serve everyone, not just those who voted for you,” she added.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested former professional boxer Michael Ayitey Okai, popularly known as “Ayitey Powers,” over an alleged threat of death against the Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo.
According to the Police, the 46-year-old former boxer was arrested on Monday, August 24, 2026, in connection with the alleged threat.
The Police said the arrest followed a video circulating on social media in which Ayitey Powers is alleged to have issued the threat against Mr Ampofo.
He is currently in Police custody and is assisting with investigations.
The Accra Regional Police Command said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged threat and determine the appropriate action to be taken in accordance with the law.
The Command has urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information about the matter while the investigation continues.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo Markin has sued the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, and Multimedia Group Limited over alleged defamatory comments made against him on the Newsfile programme.
In a writ filed at the High Court in Accra, Mr Afenyo Markin is seeking GH¢15 million in damages, an apology and retraction of the statements, among other reliefs.
The suit follows comments allegedly made by Mr Gyamfi during the Saturday, August 22, 2026 edition of Newsfile, hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini.
According to the statement of claim, Mr Gyamfi described Mr Afenyo Markin as an “extortionist” while responding to a question about GoldBod’s reported profits and its position on losses arising from its operations.
The plaintiff claims that Mr Gyamfi repeated the allegation when the host sought clarification on whether he stood by the description.
Mr Afenyo Markin further claims that Mr Gyamfi challenged him to sue him and insisted that the allegation was true.
The plaintiff argues that the statements created the impression that he engages in extortion, uses his political influence to put improper pressure on public institutions and officials, and conducts himself in a manner inconsistent with the standards expected of a lawyer and public office holder.
He denies the allegations and maintains that he is not an extortionist and has never engaged in the conduct alleged by Mr Gyamfi.
The Minority Leader also argues that the comments were made maliciously and were presented as facts without evidence being disclosed.
He claims the statements have damaged his reputation, professional standing and public image, particularly because of his position as a senior political figure and legal practitioner.
The suit also names Multimedia Group Limited as a defendant because, according to the plaintiff, the alleged defamatory comments were broadcast through JoyNews and subsequently circulated on social media platforms, including X, Facebook and YouTube.
Mr Afenyo Markin claims Multimedia failed to stop the comments or deactivate Mr Gyamfi’s microphone after the allegations were made.
He is therefore asking the court to award him general, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as GH¢15 million in compensation and legal costs.
He is also seeking an order compelling the defendants to issue a full, unconditional and unequivocal retraction and public apology.
The plaintiff wants the apology and retraction to be given similar prominence and reach as the original publication, including through JoyNews and the social media platforms where the comments were disseminated.
He is further seeking a permanent injunction preventing the defendants from repeating the alleged defamatory statements or words with a similar meaning.
The writ requires the defendants to enter an appearance within eight days after being served.
It warns that failure to do so could result in judgment being entered in their absence.
The case was filed by lawyer Paa Kwesi Abaidoo of Dehyena Chambers on behalf of Mr Afenyo Markin.
By: Jacob Aggrey
