News
Chairman Wontumi granted final deadline to file witness statement
Aspiring National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, has been granted a final deadline to file his witness statement.
This was after he appeared before an Accra High Court today and prayed the court to stay proceedings pending an appeal before the Court of Appeal.
Against this backdrop, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, was granted a final deadline of May 5, 2026, to file witness statements in the Samreboi illegal mining case after missing an earlier court-ordered deadline.
This was after the Deputy Attorney General, Justice Srem-Sai, prayed the court to convict Mr.Antwi Bosiako for failing to file his witness statement.
Speaking to the media after court proceedings, the lawyer for Mr.Antwi Boasiako said it was very unfortunate for the Deputy Attorney General to pray the court to convict the accused person, who has not even opened his defence.
He said coming from him (Justice Srem-Sai) left much to be desired because he is a Minister of Justice who should preside over fair decisions from the court.
According to Andy Appiah-Kubi, this is unbecoming of the AG, who is in a hurry to seek a conviction of someone in a criminal trial.
He said they did not file a witness statement because of a process filed at the Court of Appeal, whose determination may affect the matter at the High Court.
According to him, the constitution has a provision that requires an accused person to to be given adequate time, preparation and resources to be able to defend themselves when they are on trial.
He said, having filed this, they thought the High Court should will stay off proceedings until their application at the Court of Appeal is heard.
Chairman Wontumi and his company are facing six counts of allegedly permitting Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi to mine on the company’s concession without prior approval from the sector minister, as well as facilitating unlicensed mining activities.
It wil be recalled that in March this year, the High Court ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the accused persons and directed them to file their witness statements, on or before April 14, 2026.
Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has revealed that in the whole of 2024, only GHS 362 million was released to MMDAs in Common Fund.
Contrary to this, In 2025 alone GHS 5 billion was released to the MMDAs with the following breakdown as follows.
The Minister made this revelation when he took his turn at the Government Accountability Series held today.
In breakdown, the minister nonted that 1st Quarter – 790,372,058.40 was released for 2025.
He added that for the 2nd Quarter, 1,464,983,309.60 was released.
3rd Quarter saw the release of 1,188,921,640.80 and
1,592,706,391.20 for 4th Quarter.
The Minister added tha each of the MMDAs were required to undertake the following; at least 2-CHPS compounds, 3 Classroom blocks, 10 Boreholes, and Completion of legacy projects.
Additionally, 25% of the Common Fund was allocated for the Construction of 24-Hour Economy Model Markets.
Ahmed Ibrahim noted that as a result of the timely and unprecedented release of Funds, a total of 494 CHPS compounds, 761 Classroom Blocks, 4,029 Boreholes, and 2,755 Legacy projects are currently at various stages of completion.
Also, he added that 261 24-Hour Economy Model Markets have all been awarded on contracts and construction has begun on many of them.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, together with members of the Police Management Board (POMAB), on April 17, 2026, decorated nineteen (19) senior officers who have been promoted to their next ranks based on the recommendations of the Police Council and approval of the President, John Dramani Mahama.
The ceremony, held at the National Police Headquarters in Accra, forms part of efforts to recognise merit, dedication, and long-standing service within the Ghana Police Service, while strengthening leadership across key operational and administrative levels.
The officers promoted from Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) to Commissioner of Police (COP) are Dr. Luke Asue-In-Yeng Zakpaa, Mr. Frederick Agyei, Mr. Duuti Tuaruka, Mr. Arthur Osei-Akoto, Mr. Darko Offei Lomotey, Mr. Eric Ken Winful, Mr. Barnabas Nambont Nasumong, and Mr. Desmond Owusu Boampong.
The IGP and members of POMAB congratulated the officers and urged them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in the discharge of their duties.
