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Speaker Bagbin urges stronger church-parliament collaboration
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has praised the Pan African Clergy Council for its continued partnership with the legislature in promoting ethical and moral values in national development.
During a courtesy call by the Council, the Speaker called for deeper collaboration between the Church and Parliament to reinforce discipline and social cohesion, warning of rising lawlessness and the growing impact of illegal mining.
Speaker Bagbin announced that the bipartisan Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, popularly known as (Anti-LGBTQ+), which lapsed with the 8th Parliament, has been reintroduced and is expected to be passed early next year.
He also highlighted the new National Integrity Award Scheme aimed at recognising individuals who uphold integrity and exposing misconduct that undermines Parliament.
The Clergy Council urged Parliament to intensify efforts in tackling corruption, illegal mining, and other social challenges.
THREE inter-related books chronicling the political history of Ghana’s Heads of State are set to be launched this month.
The books offers readers an in-depth account of the country’s constitutional and military leadership from independence to the Fourth Republic.
Authored by former Presidential Reporter of The Ghanaian Times, F. Baffour Opoku, the books explore the ideologies, leadership styles, achievements, challenges and international engagements of Ghana’s past leaders.
The first book, Constitutional Rule in Ghana’s First, Second and Third Republics, examines the administrations of Kwame Nkrumah, Edward Akufo-Addo, Kofi Abrefa Busia and Hilla Limann, highlighting key political and socio-economic developments during the First, Second and Third Republics.
The second publication, Constitutional Rule in Ghana’s Fourth Republic, provides insight into leadership under the Fourth Republic, covering the era of Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor, John Evans Atta Mills, John Dramani Mahama, and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The third book, Military Rule in Ghana between 1966 and 1993, documents significant political events during periods of military governance.
It discusses the leadership of Joseph Arthur Ankrah, first Chairman of the National Liberation Council (NLC); Akwasi Amankwa Afrifa, second Chairman of the NLC; Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, Chairman of the National Redemption Council (NRC) and later the Supreme Military Council (SMC); Frederick William Kwasi Akufo, Chairman of the reconstituted SMC; and Jerry John Rawlings, who led both the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) and the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).
According to the author, the books provide detailed, one-stop information on the activities and governance records of each Head of State during their respective tenures.
In addition to political analysis, the books feature biographical accounts of the Heads of State, as well as colourful photo albums capturing significant national events during their tenure.
Mr Opoku notes that as Chief Executives of the nation, the leaders profiled in the books served with dedication and commitment, and their contributions to nation-building deserve recognition and documentation for present and future generations.
The launch is expected to attract political figures, academics, members of the media and the general public.
By Spectator Reporter
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AN Accra Circuit Court has sentenced a 32-year-old unemployed woman to two years imprisonment for stealing assorted items from a church at the 48 Engineer Barracks at Teshie.
The convict, Amanda Pascal, pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful entry and stealing.
The court, presided over by Mrs Basilia Adjei-Tawiah, convicted her on her own plea and sentenced her to two years imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently.
Prosecution said the items stolen included a deep fryer valued at GH¢1,500, a Bluetooth speaker worth GH¢3,423, trumpet mouthpieces numbering 21, valued at GH¢6,820, a perfume, valued at GH¢586, and six tins of sardines, valued at GH¢200, all belonging to Veronica Owusu Boateng, the complainant.
Amanda was arrested after the CCTV camera of the church captured her entering the complainant’s room during a church service and leaving with bags containing the stolen items.
However, drama erupted during proceedings, when the trial judge asked whether the convict had any previous convictions.
Although the case investigator indicated she had been jailed by the LEKMA District Court, Amanda told the court she had previously been convicted and sentenced by the same Circuit Court to nine months imprisonment.
The judge cautioned her to take advantage of rehabilitation programmes within the Ghana Prisons Service and turn her life around, particularly as she had young children.
The court heard that only the deep fryer and the Bluetooth speaker were retrieved. Amanda pleaded with the court for time, stating she was preparing for an outdooring ceremony in March.
Chief Inspector Abigail Offeibea told the court that the complainant, emergency medical personnel at the 37 Military Hospital, resided at the Teshie Barracks, while the convict, a Nigerian national, lived at Teshie Lascala.
Prosecution said on February 15, 2026, the complainant was informed after a church service that 21 trumpet mouthpieces kept for safekeeping were missing. Upon checking her room, she realised other items had also been stolen.
A review of the church’s CCTV footage showed Amanda, who had been frequenting the barracks, entering the room during the service and later exiting with the items. The matter was reported to the police, and a search was launched.
Amanda was spotted in the neighborhood on February 17, arrested, and taken to the police station together with the retrieved items. In her caution statement, she admitted the offence and said she had used some of the remaining items and discarded the trumpet mouthpieces. –GNA
