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NDC denies taking money from NSB, dares Adu-Boahene to name parties allegedly funded with GH¢8m
The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) is challenging former National Signals Bureau (NSB) boss, Kwabena Adu-Boahene, to disclose the specific opposition parties he claims to have spent over GH¢8 million on in 2024 to procure election collation logistics and equipment.
In a memo addressed to the National Security Coordinator, the former spy chief accused the Attorney General of launching a malicious prosecution against him.
He argued that the GH¢49 million he is alleged to have misappropriated was actually used for covert national security operations.
Although Adu-Boahene did not name the NDC as a beneficiary, the party has strongly denied receiving any such support.
Speaking to JoyNews,the Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the NDC, Dr Rashid Tanko-Computer dismissed the claims, saying “On authority, I’m telling you the NDC has nothing to do with what came out of that story.
“Those people they’re referring to supported them during their recent demonstration. He knows his partners—that’s who he was referring to. And I’m sure everybody has seen that. My opponent would give me resources to defeat him in an election? Does that make sense?” he quizzed.
Dr Tanko further asserted that other political parties in opposition had not shown any real interest in unseating the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and were often aligned with them.
He said, “When we were in IPAC, anytime the NDC opposed the EC and NPP, those parties sided with the EC and NPP. The NDC has nothing to do with this. We fought hard, used our own resources, and dealt a heavy blow to the NPP.”
When asked whether the NDC might have received funds unknown to him, he dismissed the suggestion.
“I can speak on authority—it’s not possible at all. These guys are just clutching at straws. It won’t help them. They should go and negotiate a plea bargain, otherwise he [Adu-Boahene] could be looking at 25 years,” he said.
Dr Tanko added that the NDC fully supports the Attorney General’s efforts to prosecute the former NSB boss.
He noted that “The party has no business with whatever rubbish is coming out—we are not part of it.”
JoyNews has since reached out to officials of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Progressive People’s Party (PPP) and the Ghana Union Movement (GUM).
While they were unwilling to speak on the record, they denied receiving any such support from National Security.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
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Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
