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Ofosu Ampofo, Kwaku Boahen case: A-G asked to file statement of prosecution witness
An Accra High Court on Friday directed the Attorney-General (A-G) to file the statement of the second prosecution witness in the trial of National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, and Mr Anthony Kwaku Boahen, Deputy Communications Director of the party, by June 19, 2020.
This followed an application to the court by Mr Ashong Okai, a Senior State Attorney, for the prosecution to be given time to file the statements.
Meanwhile, the accused were challenging the constitutionality of the tendering in of some documents in the trial, which included an audio tape at the Supreme Court.
Mr Tony Lithur, counsel for Mr -Ampofo told the Court that he would seek an earlier date at the Supreme Court (SC) for the hearing of that application on the tendered evidence.
The Court presided over by Justice Samuel K. Asiedu has scheduled the trial dates to July 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17, 2020.
Earlier, Counsel for Mr Ampofo, who is also the NDC, applied for a stay of proceedings, but the court refused.
However, counsel went ahead to appeal against the refusal at the Court of Appeal, but later withdrew that appeal before proceeding to the SC.
The lawyer had earlier cited Rule 27, of which Justice Asiedu in his ruling, said that it had become a common practice for lawyers to cite Rule 27 as their authority when applying for stay of proceedings.
He said, however, that the inherent power to stay proceedings applied to civil cases not criminal proceedings, adding that Rule 27 did not apply in criminal cases but fell under part two of the rules to civil cases brought before the Court of Appeal.
Mr Lithur told the Court that the trial could only proceed if the automatic seven days pending the appeal to quash the admission of the witness statement by the court had elapsed.
The A-G said the first prosecution witness in his evidence-in-chief identified his signature on the witness statement and did not object to his witness statement during the Case Management Conference stage.
Mr Ampofo and Mr Boahen are facing charges, including, conspiracy to cause harm and assault on Professor Emmanuel Asante, Chairman of the National Peace Council, and Madam Jean Mensa, the Electoral Commission (EC) chairperson.
They are on a GH¢100,000.00 bail each with a surety each.
It would be recalled that on January 31, 2019, a by-election was conducted at the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency as a result of the demise of its Member of Parliament.
Prosecution said there were disturbances in the course of the elections and on February 3, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo, met the party’s communications directors at its headquarters, at Adabraka, a suburb of Accra.
The court heard that the meeting was recorded of which on that audio tape, that was circulated later in a cross-section of the media, contained a set-up of a road-map of criminal activities targeted at the Chairperson of the EC and the chairman of the National Peace Council.
Prosecution said the tape was intercepted by the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service.
The prosecution said Mr Ofosu Ampofo on the audio also incited NDC communicators to molest both the EC and Peace Council Chairpersons.
The court heard that that the orchestrated electoral violence plot was going to be attributed to the New Patriotic Party. – GNA
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Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
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NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency
The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.
