News
Emulate biblical character of Hannah to have peaceful marriages …Bishop advises women
The Founder of Reigning Power Worldwide Chapel, Bishop Dr Samuel Sarpong Kwakwa has advised women to emulate the biblical character of Hannah in marriages to ensure peace.
According to him, Hannah endured years of sorrow, including ridicule and provocation from her rival, as well as judgmental attitudes from people around her. However, she refused to allow her situation to drive her away from God.
Bishop Dr. Samuel Sarpong Kwakwa made the statement at the climax of the church’s Women’s Fellowship Week celebration held in Koforidua on Sunday.
“I wish all women in Ghana were like Hannah in the Bible,” he stated.
Preaching on the topic, “Lord remember me” from the first two chapters of the book of 1st Samuel, Bishop Kwakwa explained that Hannah faced a personal challenge of infertility which caused her great emotional pain.
He noted that in Hannah’s time and culture, childbearing was regarded as a sign of God’s favour. Consequently, couples without children were often wrongly judged by society as having displeased God.
According to the Bishop, motherhood also provided women with a strong sense of purpose, and Hannah longed for this fulfilment. Despite repeated disappointment and emotional distress, she remained steadfast in her faith.
Quoting from scripture, he said: “Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. This went on year after year… till she wept and would not eat.”
Despite her pain, Hannah remained committed to worship and continued attending the annual religious gatherings. She chose not to become bitter or lose faith but instead trusted in God’s mercy, love and power.
Bishop Kwakwa emphasized that Hannah took her burdens to God through heartfelt prayer, pouring out her soul before Him. She demonstrated deep faith in God’s promises and made a vow, asking Him to remember her affliction.
He added that Hannah honoured her vow after God answered her prayer, dedicating her son to God and responding with praise and thanksgiving.
The Bishop noted that Hannah’s praise highlighted God’s ability to lift the humble, provide for those in need and grant children to the barren.
He further stated that God eventually blessed Hannah with five more children made up of three sons and two daughters because of her faith and faithfulness.
Bishop Kwakwa encouraged individuals facing difficult or seemingly impossible situations to draw inspiration from Hannah’s story.
“Take encouragement from Hannah’s life. God knows your struggles and may be using them to reveal His power, glory and love in your life,” he said.
By Samuel Opare Lartey
An Accra High Court has set November 4, 2026, to rule on the bail application filed by the former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
The bail application is pending his appeal against a 20-year jail sentence.
The court fixed the date after hearing arguments from both counsel for the applicant and the prosecution.
Chairman Wontumi is seeking bail pending the determination of his appeal challenging the conviction and sentence.
The court will deliver its ruling on whether to grant the bail application on November 4.
The Conviction
On July 20, 2026, an Accra High Court presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay convicted Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, on 6 illegal mining-related charges.
He was found guilty of assigning mineral rights without ministerial approval and intentionally facilitating an unlicensed mining operation, contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) as amended, in connection with Akonta Mining Company Limited’s operations on the Samreboi concession in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Western Region.
The law provides a custodial sentence of 15 to 25 years for those offences. The court sentenced him to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of 10,000 penalty units [GH¢120,000]. The court said failure to pay the fine will attract an additional 3-year term, to run concurrently.
His company, Akonta Mining Company Limited, was also fined after the court considered mitigating circumstances.
Current Bail Application
His legal team filed a bail application pending appeal in August 2026. The application was first scheduled for August 19 but was adjourned. Today, October 15, 2026, the court heard arguments from both sides and fixed November 4, 2026 to rule on whether to grant bail.
The defence argues he is not a flight risk, respected all bail terms before conviction, and that his appeal has 19 grounds with strong prospects of success. The State, represented by Deputy Attorney General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, opposed bail, arguing he poses a flight risk and that his grounds do not meet the exceptional circumstances threshold for bail after conviction.
Other Cases Pending
Despite the 20-year sentence, he still faces two other major cases:
A Ghana Exim Bank case where he, together with Wontumi Farms Limited and another accused, allegedly obtained over GH¢14.3 million between 2018 and 2022 under false pretences for a farming project, using forged documents, leading to losses exceeding GH¢30 million.
Charges include defrauding by false pretences, uttering forged documents, money laundering and causing financial loss to the state.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has urged the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to intensify efforts to recover unpaid taxes from public institutions and businesses cited in the Auditor-General’s reports.
The committee asked the Authority to verify the amounts owed and collect outstanding payments from organisations including the Ghana Airports Company Limited, Ghana Water Company Limited and the Electricity Company of Ghana.
The call was made when the GRA appeared before the Committee yesterday.
This comes as the GRA reported that it had exceeded its revenue target by the end of September.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Abena Osei Asare, commended the Authority and the Auditor-General for their work, but called for greater transparency in tax collection, stressing that taxpayers should pay only what is required by law.
Representatives of the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) also appeared before the Committee, with the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition and its agencies expected to appear next.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
