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Wild jubilations for Nana Akufo-Addo …as he grabs second term in office
Many Ghanaians who were on tenterhooks following the delay in the declaration of the winner of the presidential elections suddenly heaved a sigh of relief when the Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Jean Mensa finally declared NanaAddo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as winner of the keenly contested poll.
This created a peaceful atmosphere for members, supporters and sympathisers of the winning New Patriotic Party (NPP) to inundate the streets and corners of Accra and other parts of the country in party colours with spontaneous jubilation to the glory of God and the success of the party.
President Akufo-Addo was declared winner of the Presidential Election with 6,730,413 votes, representing 51.59 per cent of the total 13,434,574 votes cast.
The declaration suddenly deflated the tensed atmosphere which had engulfed the nation for 48 hours after the close of polls on Monday December 7, with the two major political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) claiming victory ahead of the Electoral Commission’s (EC) final declaration.
Many people celebrated late into the night drinking and dancing on the streets and in the bars. Young men and women in groups rode motorbikes like swarm of bees on the streets of Accra amidst loud noise from the engines of their motorbikes in celebration of the victory.
Massive traffic was recorded in some parts of the city but drivers and passengers appeared unperturbed. While some drivers cheered in the traffic, others tooted horns from their vehicles and waved NPP flags
At the Nima residence of President Akufo-Addo was a large crowd of supporters chanting victory songs and throwing fireworks. Security personnel at the residence had a hard time controlling the jubilant supporters.
President Akufo-Addo, in his victory speech, stressed the need for all Ghanaians, irrespective of their political affiliation, to join the struggle of building a progressive and prosperous country for all.
“The period of campaigning is over. The outcome of the election has been established. The Ghanaian people have made it loud and clear that the two parties, the NPP and the NDC must work together in Parliament for the good of the country.
“Now is the time for each and every one of us, irrespective of our political affiliation to unite, join hands, stand shoulder to shoulder and work hard to put Ghana where it deserves to be,” the President said.
He pledged to dedicate his second term of office as President to work harder and build a prosperous and progressive country to justify the confidence reposed in him by Ghanaians.
Present at the victory speech delivered at his private residence at Nima in Accra were, Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Speaker of Parliament, Prof Mike Oquaye, First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, Second Lady, Mrs Samira Bawumia, among other members and supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
President Akufo-Addo said he was humbled by the show of confidence by Ghanaians and indicated that his victory was a clear indication of the support of Ghanaians for his policies and programmes of social and economic development.
He commended the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Mensa, and all officials at the EC for the sterling performance and urged them to continue that path in future elections.
“The orderly, commendable and peaceful conduct of Ghanaians on election day is to be widely applauded,” he said, and praised the citizenry for strictly adhering to the COVID-19 protocols during the exercise.
He applauded personnel of the security agencies for ensuring peace, law and order during and after the election, and condemned the isolated violent incidents that led to few deaths.
By Yaw Kyei
Firefighters from the Upper West Regional Command have responded to a vehicular incident involving a long vehicle carrying 35 Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC totes) reportedly containing hydrogen peroxide at Goriyiri in the Nadowli-Kaleo District.
The five-member crew, led by ASTNO Balagee, reported to the scene where a fire and an explosion had reportedly occurred.
The firefighters assessed the scene, identified the chemical hazards and implemented appropriate response measures, bringing the situation under control.
The driver reportedly sustained severe chemical burns and was transported to the hospital for treatment.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, spokesperson to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has called on the government and Parliament to undertake major reforms in Ghana’s prison system, including the construction of a dedicated prison hospital and the introduction of regulated conjugal visits.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Dr Boakye-Danquah shared Chairman Wontumi’s observations and recommendations following his remand on July 20, 2026.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi’s experience in prison has given him the opportunity to interact with prison officers and inmates and observe the challenges facing the Ghana Prisons Service.
The statement noted that the NPP chairman believes the correctional system must move beyond punishment to focus on rehabilitation, welfare and productivity.
One of his major concerns is the lack of dedicated, well-equipped prison hospitals, ambulances and standby generators in several prison facilities.
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had raised concerns about the difficulties in providing medical care to seriously ill inmates, including those suffering from tuberculosis.
He is therefore calling for the construction of a modern prison hospital to serve facilities across the country. In the interim, he has proposed emergency arrangements with the 37 Military Hospital and the Police Hospital.
On the welfare of prison officers, Chairman Wontumi has urged the government to review their salaries, accommodation and conditions of service.
He has also called for proper classification of inmates, arguing that minor offenders should not be housed alongside armed robbery convicts and that persons facing trial for serious offences, including treason and terrorism, should be appropriately separated from other inmates.
The statement further highlighted concerns about the need for counselling and behavioural support for young inmates, particularly those serving sentences for defilement-related offences.
Chairman Wontumi has also called for a clear policy on the classification and management of LGBTQI+ inmates within the prison system.
On family relationships, he has proposed the creation of designated private areas where prisoners can receive visits from their spouses and children.
He believes regulated conjugal visits could help preserve marriages, reduce tension among inmates and support rehabilitation.
“The prisoner is the one in prison, not the children or spouse,” the statement noted, explaining his position on the need to protect family relationships during incarceration.
Chairman Wontumi has appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support prison farms with the necessary equipment to improve food production.
According to the statement, the Ghana Prisons Service has access to vast lands and skilled labour but faces a shortage of agricultural equipment, with only one tractor reportedly available for farming and garbage-related activities.
He has further proposed greater collaboration between prison authorities and the justice sector, suggesting that regional prison commanders should be included in relevant discussions because of their knowledge of prison conditions and inmate rehabilitation.
On infrastructure, Chairman Wontumi has called on the government and private sector to invest in modern prison facilities and factories, arguing that the system has seen limited structural improvements over the years.
Appeal to Parliament
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had made a special appeal to Parliament to lead efforts towards comprehensive prison reform.
He is urging the Speaker of Parliament to initiate discussions on prison conditions as a human rights and national development issue.
He has also called on the Majority and Minority caucuses to work together to pass a new Prison Reform Act and approve funding for a dedicated prison hospital, ambulance services, standby generators and agricultural equipment.
Additionally, he wants the Parliamentary Select Committees on Defence and Interior, Health, and Food and Agriculture to undertake working visits to prisons across the country to assess conditions firsthand.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi believes bipartisan cooperation between the Majority and Minority caucuses is necessary to secure the legal and financial reforms required to improve the prison system.
He has called for broader prison reforms across Africa, expressing hope that Ghana could lead the continent in improving correctional facilities.
Reflecting on his experience since July 20, Chairman Wontumi stated: “At this experience since July 20th till date, prison doesn’t reform as it should be. I pray that the entire Africa will learn from Ghana.”
The statement added that Chairman Wontumi remained in high spirits.
By: Jacob Aggrey
