News
Deputy Minority Leader declines ECOWAS Parliament nomination, cites lack of consultation
The Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament, madam Patricia Appiagyei, has turned down her nomination to represent Ghana at the ECOWAS Parliament.
In a memorandum directed to the Speaker Alban Bagbin, she said the decision to include her was made without her knowledge or consent, and described it as a calculated attempt to replace the Minority Leader while creating division within the caucus.
This follows concerns raised by the Majority Leader in Parliament on Tuesday , July 22, 2025.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga argued that the ECOWAS Parliament was pushing for 30 percent female representation hence it was customary for deputy minority leaders to be part of the delegation.
He therefore suggested that madam Appiagyei replaces Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin in the newly reconstituted list.
This notwithstanding, madam Appiagyei, in a memo to the speaker, said she was not consulted and had never agreed to replace her leader.
The deputy minority leader revealed that she was surprised that such a proposal was made in her absence and that of the minority leader.
According to her, there had been a clear understanding that Afenyo-Markin would continue serving on the ECOWAS Parliament, and this had been communicated to the committee of selection.
She described the move as procedurally wrong and legally flawed.
Madam Appiagyei explained that Afenyo-Markin had been sworn in as a Member of the ECOWAS Parliament and later elected Deputy Speaker.
She said under ECOWAS law, a member’s term lasts four years unless they resign, leave Parliament, or become ineligible.
Since none of those conditions apply, she believes there is no justification for his removal.
She added that replacing him without proper cause would breach ECOWAS statutes and Ghana’s parliamentary procedures.
While supporting the call for more women in regional bodies, she called for due process to be followed.
“Using gender parity as a reason for irregular decisions undermines both the goal and the integrity of Parliament,” she noted.
She officially declined the nomination and urged that her name be removed from the list sent to ECOWAS.
She also asked the Clerk of Parliament not to communicate any resolution that includes her name.
She called for the original list of nominees to be maintained to preserve unity in the house and avoid public embarrassment.
The original nominees include Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Kwame Anyimadu Antwi, and Bryan Acheampong.
Jacob Aggrey
President John Dramani Mahama has clarified that the proposed free primary healthcare policy is designed to support the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), not to take its place.
He explained that the initiative will work alongside the NHIS to improve access to basic healthcare services across the country.
He made the remarks at the official launch of the free primary healthcare programme held on Wednesday April, 15th 2026 at the Shai Osudoku District Hospital in Dodowa.
According to him, the introduction of free primary healthcare does not mean Ghanaians should stop registering for the NHIS.
He urged citizens to continue obtaining their NHIS cards, stressing that the scheme remains important for healthcare delivery beyond the primary level.
He further explained that under the new arrangement, patients seeking care at polyclinics, health centres, CHPS compounds, and health kiosks will not be required to present an NHIS card at the point of examination and treatment.
Instead, individuals will only need to show a Ghana Card or any valid form of identification to prove they are Ghanaians and residents within the community to access services.
He noted that the policy aims to remove barriers to basic healthcare and ensure that more people can receive treatment at the primary level without difficulty.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ghana Police Service has arrested three (3) suspects in connection with a case of possession of narcotic drugs and engaging in prohibited drug-related activities within the Accra metropolis.
On April 10, 2026, the Special Operations Assistant to the Inspector General of Police received intelligence that a group of individuals were planning to engage in the sale of suspected narcotic drugs at Dzorwulu in Accra.
A surveillance operation was mounted and on 11th April 2026, a Police team proceeded to the area and arrested two suspects, Bright Ayivor and Ifeanyi Ijeoba.
The suspects were found in possession of twenty-two (22) compressed substances suspected to be cocaine, which were being prepared for sale to a prospective buyer.
Further interrogation of the suspects led to the identification of a third suspect, Kwabena Botwe as a key figure in the drug trade.
A follow-up operation at Caprice resulted in his arrest after Police mounted surveillance during a planned transaction involving proceeds from the sale of the suspected drugs.
The suspect later led Police to his residence at Greda Estates, where a search resulted in the retrieval of an amount of GHc400,000 and a counting machine.
According to the police, during the operation, he attempted to bribe the arresting officers with an additional GHc420,000, which has been retained as evidence.
All the suspects are currently in Police custody assisting investigations and will be put before the court.
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