News
Chief of Staff eulogises late President John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills at 13th commemorative lecture
Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has paid glowing tribute to the late President, His Excellency John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills, describing him as a gift to Ghana and a leader who represented both the past and the future of the nation.
He delivered the praise during the 13th John Evans Atta Mills Commemorative Lecture held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
The event drew participants from academia, politics, and civil society organizations (CSO’s) to honour the legacy of the late president
The lecture was organised by the John Evans Atta Mills Memorial Heritage under the theme “Atta Mills: A Case Study for the Fourth Republic.”
Mr.Debrah said President Mills was not only a man of strong personal values, but also someone shaped by the realities of Ghana’s political and social environment.
He said Mills served under Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings as Vice President, and by doing so, he bridged the gap between the country’s past and its democratic present.
He added that the late president understood what it meant for a nation to struggle with development, public mistrust, and corruption. Yet, through it all, he stood firm as a man of integrity who believed in courageous and principled leadership.
The Chief of Staff praised Professor Mills as a teacher of law and a jurist who had deep respect for the wishes and concerns of ordinary people.
According to him, the people silently longed for a leader who valued patriotism over partisanship, and Mills answered that call with humility and strength.
He noted that the professor’s leadership was not only the result of his personal beliefs and character but also the influence of family, environment, and social expectations.
He intimated that the unique blend of experience and empathy made Mills a true example for others to follow.
He described the late president as a father figure and an exceptional leader whose values must be passed on and called for the nurturing of future leaders in the spirit of Atta Mills.
“let’s raise leaders who will serve with honesty, wisdom, and love for the country” he urged.
The programme was attended by prominent people like the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin; Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary of the NDC, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey and former Electoral Commission Chairperson, Mrs. Charlotte Osei.
By Jacob Aggrey
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has opened applications for members interested in contesting as its parliamentary candidates in the 2028 general elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 29, 2026, the party said interested members must declare their intention to contest between Sunday, November 1, and Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
According to the statement signed by the party’s Communications Director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, prospective candidates must complete an online form within the specified period.
The party said a non-refundable application fee of GH¢5,000 would be charged to each prospective candidate.
It added that all applicants would undergo vetting and screening to determine their eligibility to contest on the party’s ticket.
The NPP announced plans to organise capacity-building workshops for prospective candidates in December 2026. The workshops will be held across the Northern, Middle and Southern zones, with details of the venues to be announced later.
The party stressed that the guidelines would apply to all prospective candidates, including sitting NPP Members of Parliament who wish to contest again.
It further warned aspirants against starting campaign activities following the opening of the application process.
According to the statement, the existing directive prohibiting campaign activities remains in force until the party gives official clearance.
It cautioned that anyone who violates the directive would face appropriate sanctions under the party’s constitution and regulations.
The NPP said the process was designed to promote fairness, transparency and equal opportunities for all aspirants as it prepares to select candidates for all 276 constituencies ahead of the 2028 elections.
It urged prospective candidates to follow the guidelines and conduct themselves with discipline and respect for one another throughout the process.
The party said its broader objective was to strengthen unity within its ranks and rebuild public confidence ahead of the 2028 general elections.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
eputy Foreign Minister accompanies Veep to Shanghai to champion Global South reform, industrial drive
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, accompanied Vice-President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang on a successful working visit to Shanghai, China, from 15th to 19th October 2026, at the invitation of the East China Normal University (ECNU).
The highlight of the visit was the 2026 Global South Academic Forum held on 17th October, which brought together over 200 scholars, policymakers, political party leaders and media professionals from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, under the theme “Global South Political Parties: Governance and Modernisation.”
In her keynote address, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang asserted that political independence is only truly the beginning, stating that “winning political power and governing effectively are related but not the same responsibility.” She called for stronger South-South cooperation, multilateralism and reform of the global financial architecture to end debt traps, ensure fair risk assessments and promote climate policies that respect different national circumstances.
On 18th October, she addressed a business forum with Chinese investors, linking Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy policy to industrialization. Warning that training youth without factories creates unemployment, she appealed for factories to be established in Ghana to serve the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market, with priority on value addition in cocoa processing, shea butter, cashew, coconut and timber.
On October 19, Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Kojo Bonsu, hosted a dinner at the Shangri-La for the Vice-President, attended by members of the Ghanaian community and business leaders, who praised the thorough preparation by the Ghana Embassy staff for the visit.
Throughout the trip, Mr. Quayson coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to align the engagements with Ghana’s jobs and transformation agenda.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
