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Govts urged to reform political systems to accommodate women
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Governments have been advised to systemically reform political systems to elevate women’s participation in politics.
Dubbed the 2025 Conflict Prevention and Sustainable Peace Forum, the event brought together political leaders, diplomats, civil society actors, and regional experts from Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Australia.
It was under the theme “Amplifying Women’s Voices in Democratic and Political Transitions,”
Also in attendance was Ghana’s Minister of The Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka who represented the President, John Dramani Mahama.
Addressing the delegates, the Liberia Ambassador to Ghana, Mrs Musu Ruhle, said true empowerment of women demands structural changes in political parties, electoral financing, customary law, and transitional justice.
Referencing Liberia’s post-war experience, she highlighted how grassroot women’s peace initiatives ended 14 years of conflict, yet many of those women remained excluded from decision-making.
“Democracy cannot survive unless women have an equal say; security will not be complete until every woman wherever she lives feels safe, heard, and respected,” she stated.
Adding her voice to the call, the Australia High Commissioner to Ghana, Mrs Berenice Owen-Jones, affirmed her country’s deepening engagement with Africa and its global leadership on peace building.
Ms Owen-Jones announced Australia’s increased voluntary contribution of $15 million annually to the UN Peace building Fund and its leadership in developing a Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, with support from Sierra Leone and other humanitarian actors.
Underscoring gender equality as “a primary predictor of peace, even more so than a state’s wealth or political system,” she reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
Adding his voice, the Minister for The Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, noted that, the government was commitment to peace, inclusive governance, and regional security to promote stability in the country.
“Peace is not merely the absence of war, it is the presence of justice, inclusive governance and respect for human dignity,” he said.
The Sierra Leone High Commissioner, Mohamed Hassan Kaisamba, urged governments to reform political systems to make room not just for women’s presence but for their power.
The forum held in Accra on Friday was organised by the Australian High Commission in partnership with the Embassy of Liberia in Ghana, the High Commission of Sierra Leone in Ghana, the West Africa Network for Peace building (WANEP) and the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS).
By Cecilia Yada Lagba
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
