News
Mathew Nyindam insists he is still MP for Kpandai despite court ruling*
New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Kpandai, Mathew Nyindam, has insisted that he remains the legitimate MP for the constituency despite a High Court ruling ordering a rerun of the parliamentary election.
This comes after the Tamale High Court annulled the 2024 parliamentary results in Kpandai, following an NDC petition that pointed to irregularities in 41 polling stations and breaches of electoral procedures.
The court ruled that the non-compliance with election regulations was serious enough to affect the credibility of the results, and therefore ordered a fresh poll within 30 days.
Speaking to the media after the ruling, Nyindam said he was not worried about a possible rerun and stressed that he won the election clearly.
He thanked his supporters and the people of Mandae, assuring them that nothing has changed.
He explained that even before the court delivered its decision, they had sensed that “things were not going to be right” because their opponents were already celebrating and predicting the outcome.
He stated that although they respect the judge’s ruling, they strongly disagree with it.
According to him, he won the election by a margin of 3,734 votes, which he described as a decisive victory.
He added that both the NPP and the NDC received copies of all 152 pink sheets, and those results clearly show that he won.
Nyindam alleged that their opponents went to court hoping to rely on “state powers” to overturn the results, but reminded them that Ghana operates under the rule of law.
He explained that this is why the legal system allows appeals when a party disagrees with a lower court’s ruling.
He confirmed that his legal team has filed a notice of appeal and a stay of execution.
He expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal will overturn the High Court’s decision.
Nyindam stressed that he is not afraid of a rerun if it becomes necessary, but said he is concerned about attempts to influence the process through intimidation or the use of state power.
He noted that the petitioners challenged results from 41 polling stations, areas where he won by large margins.
He believes that even if the court had ordered a rerun only in those stations, his opponents would still have lost.
He described the decision as unusual, saying it is the first time such a ruling has been given in Ghana’s electoral history.
According to him, the heavy presence of top government officials, including the regional minister, in the courtroom raised concerns about political interference.
Nyindam concluded by calling on Ghanaians to pay attention to the situation, warning that such developments show that “we are not safe” if political influence can affect judicial outcomes.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minister for Government Communications, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, has dismissed claims that staff salaries at the Presidency have increased under the current administration, describing the allegation as a “flat lie”.
In a response to a post on Facebook, Ofosu Kwakye said the current staff at the Presidency inherited the same salaries and conditions approved for their predecessors.
He argued that once arrears owed to former Article 71 office holders are paid, the total wage bill for the current administration will actually be lower due to a reduction in staff numbers.
“It is in fact a mathematical certainty that the total amount paid in salaries to the current staff will be smaller compared to yours once your arrears are paid because of the reduction in numbers,” he stated.
The Minister noted that delays in paying arrears to past Article 71 office holders are not new.
“Arrears owed to past Article 71 office holders is nothing new or unheard of. Many others before you have suffered same,” he said.
Ofosu Kwakye also stressed that the salaries and conditions in question were approved by Parliament on 6th January 2025, under the previous government.
He pointed out that the Constitution bars any changes to those salaries until a new committee is set up to determine emoluments for Article 71 office holders under the new administration.
“No such committee has been set up by President Mahama and no alteration has been made,” he clarified.
“So on what basis, apart from pure lies and mischief, can a claim of ballooning be made?” he concluded.
The response follows public debate over the size and cost of the presidential staff, with critics alleging a spike in the wage bill.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, has initiated plea negotiations with the Attorney General’s office in the GH₵30 million Exim Bank fraud case.
Information available to ghanaiantimes.com.gh indicates that lawyers for Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi & 2 other accused have formally written to the Attorney General to enter into plea negotiations on the charges of defrauding by false pretenses, money laundering, and intentionally causing financial loss to a public body.
A plea bargain, under Section 162C of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) (Amendment) Act, 2022 (Act 1079), allows an accused person to plead guilty to lesser charges in exchange for a reduced sentence.
The agreement must be approved by the court after the Attorney General assesses factors such as the strength of evidence, recovery of state funds, and public interest.
Wontumi is facing four counts after his arrest by the Economic and Organised Crime Office in May 2025.
Prosecutors allege he used forged documents to secure a GH₵30 million facility from the Ghana Export-Import Bank to finance equipment for his mining company, Akonta Mining Ltd.
The state further charges him with money laundering and causing financial loss to the state.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and was granted GH₵50 million bail with two sureties. The case is currently before the Accra High Court.
The Attorney General’s office is yet to confirm whether negotiations will proceed.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
