News
John Dumelo apologises to Lydia Alhassan
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Ayawaso West Wuogon, John Dumelo has expressed remorse for some words uttered publicly against the sitting Member of Parliament(MP).
During a heated public engagement with New Patriotic Party (NPP) opponents on TV3, Dumelo had suggested that Lydia Alhassan was responsible for the death of her late husband, who was the MP for the constituency until his passing.
In a statement, John Dumelo noted that “I apologize and unreservedly retract my previous comments.I extend my sincere and unconditional apologies to Hon. Lydia Alhassan for my remarks during the Media General public engagement (Community Manifesto) concerning the death of her husband.”
He said, “To everyone who knows me, both in my private life and political activities, it is clear that those statements do not reflect my values or what I stand for.”
John Dumelo added that “My comments were in response to personal attacks by supporters of the honorable minister, including false allegations regarding my mother’s death. However, I recognize that my reaction was inappropriate.”
“I want to assure the people of Ayawaso West Wuogon of my full commitment to the development and progress of our constituency.I sincerely apologize and retract my statements,” he concluded.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Read the full statement below
Public Apology
I apologize and unreservedly retract my previous comments.
I extend my sincere and unconditional apologies to Hon. Lydia Alhassan for my remarks during the Media General public engagement (Community Manifesto) concerning the death of her husband.
To everyone who knows me, both in my private life and political activities, it is clear that those statements do not reflect my values or what I stand for.
My comments were in response to personal attacks by supporters of the honorable minister, including false allegations regarding my mother’s death. However, I recognize that my reaction was inappropriate.
I want to assure the people of Ayawaso West Wuogon of my full commitment to the development and progress of our constituency.
I sincerely apologize and retract my statements.
John Setor Dumelo
(NDC Parliamentary Candidate, AWW)
A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Bekwai Circuit Court for his role in a 2022 robbery at a mining site at Manso Akwasiso in the Ashanti South Region.
The convict, Dominic Ofori, also known as Fanta, was arrested on 16th February 2026 after years on the run. He pleaded guilty before the Bekwai Circuit Court to robbery contrary to Section 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 Act 29, and was accordingly sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour.
On March 20, 2022, the Manso Adubia District Police received intelligence that a group of armed men from Manso Abodom were planning to attack a mining site at Manso Akwasiso to rob the owner of gold concentrate. Acting on the information, police mounted a coordinated operation and laid an ambush at the site.
At about 5:30 pm the same day, four-armed men arrived at the site, fired indiscriminately, and robbed the miners of their gold concentrate. The police team on surveillance intervened, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Three of the suspects, Abu Abubakar, Musah Latif, and Gideon Takyi, sustained gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead on arrival at St Martins Catholic Hospital at Agroyesum. Dominic Ofori escaped at the time but was later arrested and put before the court.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has assured the public of its continued commitment to combating violent crimes and bringing offenders to justice.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested 45-year-old Isaac Boafo, also known as “Duabo King,” for allegedly publishing false news intended to cause fear and panic.
Police said the arrest follows a viral TikTok video in which Boafo claimed that four officers at the Central Police Station in Kumasi engaged in inappropriate conduct with commercial sex workers during night patrols in Asafo.
Officers from the Police Intelligence Directorate (Ashanti Region) apprehended Boafo after receiving intelligence about the video.
During questioning, he admitted to creating the video to attract views and engagement online, and acknowledged that he could not prove the allegations.
Boafo also admitted making comments about the President of the Republic for content purposes and could not defend those statements.
He has been formally charged and is in detention as investigations continue.
The Ashanti Regional Police have warned the public against publishing or sharing false information on social media, noting that such acts can cause fear, panic, and damage reputations.
They said anyone found engaging in similar conduct will face legal action.
By: Jacob Aggrey
