News
Defence Minister Reassures Nation’s Safety; Warns Against Bribery in Recruitment
As part of its constitutional oversight duties, the Committee on Defence and Interior paid a working visit to the Ministry of Defence to engage with its leadership, understand its operations, and assess current challenges.
The visit aimed to identify areas where Parliament can support the Ministry in fulfilling its mandate of safeguarding national peace and security.
Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah assured the Committee that Ghana remains a safe and stable country, emphasising that it is not in any “red zone” of insecurity.
He stated that the Ministry is proactive in monitoring early warning signs to maintain peace.
He also highlighted challenges such as chieftaincy disputes and illegal mining (galamsey), which the Ghana Armed Forces help to manage.
On recruitment, Dr. Boamah cautioned against the payment of bribes, stressing that enlistment into the Armed Forces is strictly based on merit and not for sale.
Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. William Agyapong added that while the general security situation is calm, the Bawku area in the north-east remains volatile and requires increased military presence.
He called for enhanced platforms for both the Army and Air Force across regions to effectively respond to emerging threats.
Committee Chairman, James Agalga and his team assured the Ministry of Parliament’s commitment to ensuring the Armed Forces receive the necessary resources to maintain national security and uphold their international reputation.
A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Bekwai Circuit Court for his role in a 2022 robbery at a mining site at Manso Akwasiso in the Ashanti South Region.
The convict, Dominic Ofori, also known as Fanta, was arrested on 16th February 2026 after years on the run. He pleaded guilty before the Bekwai Circuit Court to robbery contrary to Section 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 Act 29, and was accordingly sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour.
On March 20, 2022, the Manso Adubia District Police received intelligence that a group of armed men from Manso Abodom were planning to attack a mining site at Manso Akwasiso to rob the owner of gold concentrate. Acting on the information, police mounted a coordinated operation and laid an ambush at the site.
At about 5:30 pm the same day, four-armed men arrived at the site, fired indiscriminately, and robbed the miners of their gold concentrate. The police team on surveillance intervened, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Three of the suspects, Abu Abubakar, Musah Latif, and Gideon Takyi, sustained gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead on arrival at St Martins Catholic Hospital at Agroyesum. Dominic Ofori escaped at the time but was later arrested and put before the court.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has assured the public of its continued commitment to combating violent crimes and bringing offenders to justice.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested 45-year-old Isaac Boafo, also known as “Duabo King,” for allegedly publishing false news intended to cause fear and panic.
Police said the arrest follows a viral TikTok video in which Boafo claimed that four officers at the Central Police Station in Kumasi engaged in inappropriate conduct with commercial sex workers during night patrols in Asafo.
Officers from the Police Intelligence Directorate (Ashanti Region) apprehended Boafo after receiving intelligence about the video.
During questioning, he admitted to creating the video to attract views and engagement online, and acknowledged that he could not prove the allegations.
Boafo also admitted making comments about the President of the Republic for content purposes and could not defend those statements.
He has been formally charged and is in detention as investigations continue.
The Ashanti Regional Police have warned the public against publishing or sharing false information on social media, noting that such acts can cause fear, panic, and damage reputations.
They said anyone found engaging in similar conduct will face legal action.
By: Jacob Aggrey
