News
Yaw Ampofo Ankrah defers parliament appearance over ongoing CID probe
Lawyers for suspended National Sports Authority (NSA) Director-General, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, say he will not appear before Parliament for now because matters concerning him are currently under investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.
In a statement issued on behalf of Mr Ampofo Ankrah, his legal counsel, Jerry Avenorgbor of Brookman Amissah & Associates, said the sports administrator has cooperated and will continue to cooperate with the police as they work to establish the facts.
The lawyers said Mr Ampofo Ankrah and his representatives would refrain from making detailed public comments on the allegations while the investigation is ongoing.
They urged the media and the public to exercise restraint and avoid presenting allegations, speculation or unverified information as established facts.
The lawyers stressed that the existence of an investigation does not, by itself, amount to a finding of wrongdoing against Mr Ampofo Ankrah or any other person.
On calls for Mr Ampofo Ankrah to appear before Parliament, his lawyers said it would be “imprudent” for him to do so while the CID investigation remains active and he is under suspension.
According to them, appearing before Parliament at this stage could create complications for the investigation and potentially affect the process through which the facts are being established.
Mr Ampofo Ankrah has therefore decided to defer any appearance until the investigation has been concluded and the circumstances surrounding his suspension have been determined by the appropriate authorities.
His lawyers, however, stressed that the decision should not be interpreted as a refusal to submit to lawful processes or to account to Parliament or any other constitutionally mandated institution.
They explained that the position is intended to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation and prevent any action that could potentially interfere with it.
The lawyers further indicated that if his suspension is lifted and he is restored to his position as Director-General of the NSA at the discretion of the Office of the President, he will respond appropriately to any lawful request to appear before Parliament or another competent institution.
Mr Ampofo Ankrah and his legal representatives are expected to respond to the findings of the investigation and address any issues requiring clarification once the appropriate authorities have completed their work.
They have meanwhile called for patience and respect for the ongoing investigative process.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has opened applications for members interested in contesting as its parliamentary candidates in the 2028 general elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 29, 2026, the party said interested members must declare their intention to contest between Sunday, November 1, and Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
According to the statement signed by the party’s Communications Director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, prospective candidates must complete an online form within the specified period.
The party said a non-refundable application fee of GH¢5,000 would be charged to each prospective candidate.
It added that all applicants would undergo vetting and screening to determine their eligibility to contest on the party’s ticket.
The NPP announced plans to organise capacity-building workshops for prospective candidates in December 2026. The workshops will be held across the Northern, Middle and Southern zones, with details of the venues to be announced later.
The party stressed that the guidelines would apply to all prospective candidates, including sitting NPP Members of Parliament who wish to contest again.
It further warned aspirants against starting campaign activities following the opening of the application process.
According to the statement, the existing directive prohibiting campaign activities remains in force until the party gives official clearance.
It cautioned that anyone who violates the directive would face appropriate sanctions under the party’s constitution and regulations.
The NPP said the process was designed to promote fairness, transparency and equal opportunities for all aspirants as it prepares to select candidates for all 276 constituencies ahead of the 2028 elections.
It urged prospective candidates to follow the guidelines and conduct themselves with discipline and respect for one another throughout the process.
The party said its broader objective was to strengthen unity within its ranks and rebuild public confidence ahead of the 2028 general elections.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
eputy Foreign Minister accompanies Veep to Shanghai to champion Global South reform, industrial drive
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, accompanied Vice-President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang on a successful working visit to Shanghai, China, from 15th to 19th October 2026, at the invitation of the East China Normal University (ECNU).
The highlight of the visit was the 2026 Global South Academic Forum held on 17th October, which brought together over 200 scholars, policymakers, political party leaders and media professionals from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, under the theme “Global South Political Parties: Governance and Modernisation.”
In her keynote address, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang asserted that political independence is only truly the beginning, stating that “winning political power and governing effectively are related but not the same responsibility.” She called for stronger South-South cooperation, multilateralism and reform of the global financial architecture to end debt traps, ensure fair risk assessments and promote climate policies that respect different national circumstances.
On 18th October, she addressed a business forum with Chinese investors, linking Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy policy to industrialization. Warning that training youth without factories creates unemployment, she appealed for factories to be established in Ghana to serve the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market, with priority on value addition in cocoa processing, shea butter, cashew, coconut and timber.
On October 19, Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Kojo Bonsu, hosted a dinner at the Shangri-La for the Vice-President, attended by members of the Ghanaian community and business leaders, who praised the thorough preparation by the Ghana Embassy staff for the visit.
Throughout the trip, Mr. Quayson coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to align the engagements with Ghana’s jobs and transformation agenda.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
