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Dr. Zaato questions Frimpong Boateng over claim NPP is fake
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Policy analyst and senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr Joshua Zaato, has questioned former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, over his description of the New Patriotic Party NPP as fake.
Dr Zaato raised concerns about when Professor Frimpong Boateng formed the view that the party was fake and why he has remained a member if he truly believes that.
Speaking during a political discussion a TV3 , Dr Zaato drew a clear line between Professor Frimpong Boateng as a respected cardiologist and scientist, and Professor Frimpong Boateng as a politician.
He praised the former health professional for his global reputation and role in establishing the National Cardiothoracic Centre, stressing that he had no standing to question him in that capacity.
However, he argued that as a politician, Professor Frimpong Boateng is open to public scrutiny like any other political actor.
Dr Zaato questioned whether the NPP was fake in 2016 and 2017 when Professor Frimpong Boateng served as a cabinet minister and benefited from being in government.
He also asked whether the party became fake after the 2020 elections when Professor Frimpong Boateng left government, and why he remained in the party from 2020 to 2024 if he believed it had lost its authenticity.
According to Dr Zaato, staying in a party one describes as fake raises concerns about principle and consistency.
He further challenged Professor Frimpong Boateng to clearly define what he meant by describing the party as fake or different, arguing that such words are loaded and require explanation.
Dr Zaato noted that political parties naturally evolve over time, adding that the NPP of 1992 is not the same as the NPP of 2025.
He traced the leadership of the party from Professor Albert Adu Boahen, through former President J A Kufuor, to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, pointing out that changes in leadership do not automatically make a party fake.
He argued that the current difference in the party is linked to Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s leadership, noting that he is a Northerner, a Muslim, and not a traditional founding member of the party.
Dr Zaato questioned whether the party only became fake now that a different kind of leader is emerging, and challenged Professor Frimpong Boateng to state this clearly if that was his position.
He stressed that the NPP still exists as an organisation, with its constitution, offices, and symbol intact, and therefore asked what exactly Professor Frimpong Boateng considered not real.
Dr Zaato underscored that without clear definitions, claims that the party is fake remain unclear and open to interpretation.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested former professional boxer Michael Ayitey Okai, popularly known as “Ayitey Powers,” over an alleged threat of death against the Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo.
According to the Police, the 46-year-old former boxer was arrested on Monday, August 24, 2026, in connection with the alleged threat.
The Police said the arrest followed a video circulating on social media in which Ayitey Powers is alleged to have issued the threat against Mr Ampofo.
He is currently in Police custody and is assisting with investigations.
The Accra Regional Police Command said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged threat and determine the appropriate action to be taken in accordance with the law.
The Command has urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information about the matter while the investigation continues.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo Markin has sued the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, and Multimedia Group Limited over alleged defamatory comments made against him on the Newsfile programme.
In a writ filed at the High Court in Accra, Mr Afenyo Markin is seeking GH¢15 million in damages, an apology and retraction of the statements, among other reliefs.
The suit follows comments allegedly made by Mr Gyamfi during the Saturday, August 22, 2026 edition of Newsfile, hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini.
According to the statement of claim, Mr Gyamfi described Mr Afenyo Markin as an “extortionist” while responding to a question about GoldBod’s reported profits and its position on losses arising from its operations.
The plaintiff claims that Mr Gyamfi repeated the allegation when the host sought clarification on whether he stood by the description.
Mr Afenyo Markin further claims that Mr Gyamfi challenged him to sue him and insisted that the allegation was true.
The plaintiff argues that the statements created the impression that he engages in extortion, uses his political influence to put improper pressure on public institutions and officials, and conducts himself in a manner inconsistent with the standards expected of a lawyer and public office holder.
He denies the allegations and maintains that he is not an extortionist and has never engaged in the conduct alleged by Mr Gyamfi.
The Minority Leader also argues that the comments were made maliciously and were presented as facts without evidence being disclosed.
He claims the statements have damaged his reputation, professional standing and public image, particularly because of his position as a senior political figure and legal practitioner.
The suit also names Multimedia Group Limited as a defendant because, according to the plaintiff, the alleged defamatory comments were broadcast through JoyNews and subsequently circulated on social media platforms, including X, Facebook and YouTube.
Mr Afenyo Markin claims Multimedia failed to stop the comments or deactivate Mr Gyamfi’s microphone after the allegations were made.
He is therefore asking the court to award him general, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as GH¢15 million in compensation and legal costs.
He is also seeking an order compelling the defendants to issue a full, unconditional and unequivocal retraction and public apology.
The plaintiff wants the apology and retraction to be given similar prominence and reach as the original publication, including through JoyNews and the social media platforms where the comments were disseminated.
He is further seeking a permanent injunction preventing the defendants from repeating the alleged defamatory statements or words with a similar meaning.
The writ requires the defendants to enter an appearance within eight days after being served.
It warns that failure to do so could result in judgment being entered in their absence.
The case was filed by lawyer Paa Kwesi Abaidoo of Dehyena Chambers on behalf of Mr Afenyo Markin.
By: Jacob Aggrey
