News
Coastal Development Authority donates PPE to NTC
The Coastal Development Authority (CoDA) has donated 200 nose masks and 100 hand sanitisers to the New Times Corporation (NTC), publishers of Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, in support of efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Additionally, the Authority is to provide vendors of the company within the coastal zone with some of the products to protect them from being infected with the disease.
Presenting the items yesterday in Accra, Chief Executive Officer of CoDA, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, commended NTC for continuously creating awareness on the preventive protocols and measures to help fight the disease.
As an agency helping to fight the spread of the virus in the country, he said, CoDA appreciates the role the media had played in sensitising the populace on the measures already announced by the government to stop the spread of coronavirus.
“The fight against this disease does not solely rely on the government and institutions in the country. We cannot do this alone as an agency. We need all of you and that is why we appreciate the work the media is doing in this fight. You have been supportive and we really appreciate it,” he stated.
Mr Shaib singled out Ghanaian Times for praise for its campaign on nose or face masks wearing as one of the protocols to prevent the spread of the disease stating that “your publication has given relevance to what we are currently doing including donation of sanitary items and nose masks to fight COVID-19.”
CoDA, he said, would continue to remain a true partner to the NTC to further the country’s development agenda.
Editor of Ghanaian Times, Dave Agbenu, who received the items, expressed gratitude to CoDA for the gesture saying that the donation would be an added boost to the company which had been at the forefront of the fight against the disease.
He said NTC, through its publications, intensified its campaign on nose mask wearing to create awareness on the effective use of the product to stop the spread of the virus.
“Our work here is a public service. We commenced this campaign to educate the public on the importance of wearing nose mask and how it could be done properly. This is our contribution to the fight against COVID-19 and we will continue until this ‘new enemy’ is defeated,” he stated.
The Ghanaian Times, he said, would not renege on its core mission to provide the platform for people to voice their opinions and ideas and help build the country.
BY CLAUDE NYARKO ADAMS
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
