News
Paul Adom-Otchere drags special prosecutor to court over asset declaration order
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) says it has taken notice of a court action filed by former Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) Board Chairman, Paul Adom-Otchere, challenging its directive for him to declare his property and income.
Mr. Adom-Otchere, who is being investigated for suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in connection with a revenue assurance contract between the Ghana Airports Company and Evatex Limited, filed the application at the High Court in Accra on October 23, 2025.
He is asking the court to declare the OSP’s directive, issued on August 4, 2025, as unlawful and an abuse of power.
His lawyers, led by former Attorney-General Godfred Dame, argue that the order violates the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959) and its operational regulations.
In his suit, Mr. Adom-Otchere is also seeking a declaration that threats of “legal consequences,” “confiscation of property,” and “detention” allegedly issued by officials of the OSP constitute harassment and a violation of his rights.
He is further asking the court to prohibit the OSP from detaining him should he refuse to comply with the directive.
Meanwhile, in a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the OSP said it welcomes the legal challenge and will respond through the proper judicial process.
“The Office of the Special Prosecutor reiterates that it operates strictly within the powers granted under Act 959. All persons under investigation are required to comply with lawful directives, including the declaration of property and income,” the statement said.
It added that asset declaration is one of the legal tools used to ensure accountability and transparency in the management of public resources.
“The fight against corruption demands cooperation from all citizens, especially public officers and individuals linked to public funds. The Office will continue to discharge its mandate without fear or favour,” the OSP noted.
The case is expected to be heard by the High Court in the coming weeks.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Mrs Patience Antonio, a Child and Family Development Advocate, has called for a national campaign to reduce the growing reliance on breast milk substitutes among nursing mothers in Ghana.
According to Mrs Antonio, scientific evidence shows that breastfeeding improves a child’s emotional stability, boosts intelligence, strengthens the immune system, and provides long-term health benefits. She made these remarks in an interview with The Spectator in Accra last week, emphasizing the importance of breastfeeding for a child’s overall development.
She explained that breastfeeding is not just a biological act of feeding but a key emotional and developmental bridge between mother and child. She also highlighted the need for the recommended six-month maternity leave period to ease the pressure on mothers to return to work prematurely.
“Breastfeeding creates intimacy and trust. It assures the baby of love and security, which becomes the foundation for their emotional health,” Mrs Antonio noted, warning that abandoning exclusive breastfeeding could have long-term implications on children’s social and emotional wellbeing.
Consequently, she called for a minimum of five months of fully paid maternity leave for Ghanaian mothers to enable effective breastfeeding, bonding, and healthier child development. She also urged workplaces to implement family-friendly policies, including private spaces for breastfeeding, flexible working arrangements for nursing mothers, and stronger support systems for new parents.
Mrs Antonio further encouraged families and society to actively support mothers during breastfeeding, stressing that many women struggle due to lack of assistance at home or the pressure to return to work too soon. She emphasized, “If we want a healthier, emotionally stable generation, then we must make breastfeeding a priority and support mothers to do it without stress.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Spectator
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The Nanvili Community School in the Mion District of the Northern Region is facing severe infrastructural challenges, affecting teaching and learning for pupils in the area.
The school, which serves five surrounding communities with a total of 58 pupils, has deteriorated to the extent that many children have stopped attending classes. Poor classroom conditions and the lack of desks have made teaching and learning difficult. During a visit to the school, the gate-free classrooms were found filled with goat and sheep droppings.
During the rainy season, both teachers and pupils are often cut off from the school due to bad roads and flooding. Teaching activities are frequently suspended for weeks, negatively affecting academic performance.
The Assemblyman for the area, Mr. Dawuni Mutawakil, expressed concern, noting that the situation is worrying since these pupils are expected to compete with their counterparts in urban areas who have access to better facilities. He added that due to limited space, classes have been merged, with pupils from Primary One and Two, Three and Four, and Five and Six sharing the same classrooms.
The Chief of Nanvili, Abu Kassim, also appealed to the government and non-governmental organisations to come to the aid of the community. He emphasized that the current state of the school discourages children from nearby communities from attending.
Both the Chief and Assemblyman have called for urgent intervention to improve infrastructure and provide furniture for the pupils to ensure quality education for children in the Nanvili area.
By Geoffrey Buta, Nanvili, Northern Region
Spectator
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