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Minister participates in national dialogue on affirmative action and female leadership
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The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection,Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, participated in the National Dialogue on Affirmative Action and Breakfast Forum held on March 28,2025, an Initiative by Glitz Africa Magazine.
The event, themed “Strengthening Female Leadership and Policy Influence,” brought together high-level female leaders and policy influencers from Ghana and beyond to discuss practical ways of enhancing women’s participation in leadership and governance.
Speaking at the forum, the Minister described the conversation as both timely and necessary, especially in the wake of Ghana’s recent passage of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121).
She noted that the law, passed after nearly two decades of advocacy, is not just a document but a national commitment to ensuring that women are no longer underrepresented or unheard in decision-making spaces.
She shared key highlights from her recent participation in the ECOWAS High-Level Interactive Session during the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York, where it was revealed that at the current global pace, it could take over 100 years to bridge the gender gap.
Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey expressed optimism that platforms like the National Dialogue, which bring together seasoned leaders and emerging changemakers, have the potential to accelerate progress and reduce that timeline significantly.
In outlining Ghana’s steps toward implementing the Affirmative Action Act, she disclosed that H.E. John Dramani Mahama’s Government, through the Ministry of Gender, is finalizing the Legislative Instrument to support enforcement of the law, establishing a Gender Equity Committee to oversee compliance, and working towards meeting the 30% minimum quota for women in all political appointments.
The Minister further called for a collective national effort to strengthen female leadership through institutional commitment, intergenerational mentorship, and strong accountability mechanisms to ensure that the law does not remain on paper.
She emphasized that leadership should not be defined by gender, but by competence, vision, and inclusivity.
The Minister concluded her remarks with a call to action, urging all stakeholders to push for more women in leadership, challenge societal biases, and work toward achieving full gender parity in policy-making.
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
