News
GAR Minister pays courtesy call on Ga Mantse under heavy security
There was heavy security presence at the Ga Mantse Palace yesterday when the Greater Accra Regional Minister; Mr Ishmael Ashitey led a team of state officials to pay a courtesy call on the newly installed Ga Mantse, KingDrNiiTackieTeikoTsuru.
Armed to the teeth, the security personnel mostly made up of operatives from national security and the Ghana Police Service were to ensure law and order at the palace.
They wereconspicuously positioned at the entrance and back of the palace, in readiness to combat any group that might try to destroy the beauty of the occasion.
DrNiiTackieTeikoTsuruwas formerly introduced by the Ga Traditional Council as the new Ga Mantseon May 10, 2020 after having undergone the customary purification rites at the Nungua, GborbuWulomlo’s Shrine.
Addressing Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) who were led by the Regional Minister, King DrNiiTackieTeikoTsuru appealed to the MMDCEsto rally behind him to ensure a united front.
He explained that the disunity among elders of the land was hindering the development of the Ga community who were dwelling in poverty and distress.
King DrNiiTackieTeikoTsurusaid, the Ga State was underdeveloped following the absence of the Ga Mantse, and that the only way to address the situation was when elders of the land see unity as a solution to their problems.
He called on factions within the Ga state to use laws governing the country and that of theGa Traditional Council to resolve their grievances.
Mr Ashitey who presented assorted drinks to the Palace ahead the celebrations of the Homowo, the annual Ga traditional festivity, asked commercial entities including those in the financial sector to support the Ministry to rehabilitate the Ga Palace and the Ga Traditional Council Offices.
“Because of the numerous quarrels they have had over the years, the buildings had become deteriorated, and therefore it’s up to the commercial entities in the region to assist to renovate the building for occupancy,” he said
Mr Ashitey called on the King DrNiiTackieTeikoTsuru and the Ga Traditional Council to do everything possible to ensure peace and unity between the Ga State.
Meanwhile, a faction led by the Ga Dzaasetse, NiiOto-Ga II has denounced the installation of DrTackieTeikoTsuru as the Ga Mantse.
A statement issued to the press on May 14 2020, said King TackieAdamaLatse II, remained the only Ga Mantse.
“King TackieAdamaLatse II , was nominated, elected and enstooled Ga Mantse to succeed the late BoniNiiAmugi II in accordance with customs, traditions, conventions and usages of the Ga State in 2011” the statement said.
BY BERNARD BENGHAN
A new international whitepaper on democracy in Africa has placed Ghana’s Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, at the centre of a major research study on the role of opposition parties in strengthening democratic governance across the continent.
The study is being conducted by the African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP) in partnership with the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Ghana.
It uses Ghana’s 2025/2026 parliamentary session as a case study to examine how opposition parties can contribute to peace, development and democratic stability.
President of the ACCP, Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, said the research forms part of a wider continental project aimed at identifying successful governance models in Africa.
He explained that the chamber is interested in promoting positive African stories and finding practical democratic systems that other countries can adopt.
Mr. Dwomoh-Doyen said political differences should not create division or hostility among leaders and citizens.
He stated that despite belonging to different political sides, people must work together in the interest of national development.
According to him, Ghana’s democratic journey and parliamentary system made the country an important case for the study.
The whitepaper, titled “A Strong and Responsible Opposition in Africa: A Ghanaian Case Study (2025/2026 Review)”, reviews the Minority Leader’s parliamentary activities, including his statements, motions and media engagements.
Researchers are also conducting public opinion surveys in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale as part of the study.
Head of ACCP’s Liberia branch, Dr. Murphy T. Jackson, said African countries should formally recognise and support the office of the Leader of the Opposition through legal structures and institutional resources.
He noted that such systems would help reduce the chances of unconstitutional changes of government on the continent.
Head of Research at ACCP Ghana, David Adofo, described Ghana’s opposition institution as one of the strongest in Africa.
He said although the current research focuses on Ghana, future studies would examine opposition institutions in other African countries.
Deputy Secretary General of UPF-Ghana, Tegha King, stressed the importance of a responsible opposition in national development.
Speaking on behalf of the Universal Peace Federation and the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), he said opposition parties should not be seen as enemies of progress.
According to him, respectful debate, alternative policy ideas and cross-party dialogue are necessary for strong democratic institutions and national peace.
The research comes at a time when some African countries are experiencing political instability and military takeovers.
Despite these challenges, Ghana continues to be recognised as one of Africa’s stable democracies, having recorded several peaceful transfers of power since 1992.
The completed whitepaper will later be submitted to an international peer-reviewed journal, while the abstract has already been made available upon request.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
NuGhana Expat Center to launch ‘AfroTango Platform’ to support diasporans in Ghana and Africa — Nana Kofi Opoku-Agyemang
The Executive Director of the NuGhana International Expat Center, Nana Kofi Opoku-Agyemang, has disclosed that the organisation is preparing to launch the “AfroTango Platform” to support diasporans with integration in Ghana and across Africa.
According to him, the platform is intended to help diasporans navigate African systems, which many often find difficult to understand after relocating from Western countries.
“The AfroTango Platform will provide a structured bridge, offering orientation, vetted service referrals, and a trusted community to help them integrate smoothly for business or relocation,” he said.
Mr. Opoku-Agyemang made the disclosure while speaking about a proposal submitted by the NuGhana International Expat Center to the government of President John Dramani Mahama for the establishment of a specialised multi-agency Diaspora Protection and Human Capital Task Force.
According to their statement, the proposal has been submitted to the President and shared with key institutions, including the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI), the Ministry of the Interior, the Office of National Security, the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of Diaspora Affairs, and the Black Star Experience Secretariat.
Mr. Opoku-Agyemang explained that the proposed task force would help protect diasporans and foreign nationals from organised fraud and exploitation while also helping the country benefit from their expertise, investments, and professional skills.
He noted that many diasporans relocating to Ghana often face challenges such as land disputes, business fraud, and difficulties finding trusted people to guide them through local systems.
President of the African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP), Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, who endorsed the proposal, described the initiative as timely and necessary.
According to him, the leadership of NuGhana understands the realities and expectations of diasporans because of their experience living in Western countries.
He appealed to the government to consider the proposal seriously, stating that it could help protect lives and investments while encouraging more diasporans to contribute to national development.
The statement identified key challenges facing diasporans, including organised land and business scams, the absence of a unified system to engage skilled professionals entering the country, and fears over investment security.
Some diasporans who spoke on condition of anonymity also welcomed the initiative and said a state-backed protection system would give them more confidence to relocate and invest in Ghana.
NuGhana said it has already built a human capital and risk database over the past four years to catalogue diasporans and foreign nationals according to their professions, skills, investment interests, and reported incidents.
The organisation added that it is ready to engage the President’s designated team to demonstrate its database and begin a pilot phase of the proposed framework.
By: Jacob Aggrey
