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Constituency Communication Officers of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region have issued a strong caution to presidential hopeful Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, urging him and his campaign team to exercise restraint and decorum in their public utterances as he campaigns in the region. In a press statement signed by Communication Officers from 40 out of the 46 constituencies in the region, the group welcomed Mr. Agyapong to the Ashanti Region but expressed growing concern over what they described as “intemperate language, tribal insinuations, religious and ethnic undertones, and other divisive statements” attributed to him and members of his campaign team. The officers, who described themselves as front-line communicators of the party, said such comments have made it increasingly difficult for them to defend the party’s image and respond to criticisms from grassroots supporters and the wider public. “These recurring challenges undermine our work and weaken the Party’s public image, particularly at a time when unity, discipline, and message coherence are essential,” the statement said. The group contrasted Mr. Agyapong’s conduct with that of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, noting that defending Dr. Bawumia’s public engagements poses no difficulty because his communication style remains “respectful, issues-based, and appealing to the Ghanaian public.” As Mr. Agyapong begins his campaign in the party’s traditional stronghold, the Communication Officers warned that they would not tolerate hate speech, insults, or attacks against other aspirants. “The Ashanti Region remains the stronghold of the NPP, and we will not countenance comments or actions that sow division, damage party cohesion, or provide ammunition to our political opponents,” the statement emphasized. They called on all flagbearer aspirants and their supporters to uphold the party’s values of respect, unity, and responsible communication in the lead-up to the January 31 contest. The statement was signed by several Constituency Communication Officers, with Chief Anokye of Old Tafo serving as spokesperson, alongside Nicholas Ansere Boateng of Ahafo Ano South East, Agyemang Emmanuel of Offinso North, Wilfred Nana Gyasi of Nhyiaeso, Wahab Adams of Obuasi West, and Ofori Farried of Kumawu. The officers concluded by reaffirming their commitment to the unity and success of the New Patriotic Party, Asanteman, and Ghana. 3:20
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Ashanti NPP communication officers caution Kennedy Agyapong over campaign conduct

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has firmly opposed a proposal to grant queenmothers formal participation in the sittings of the National and Regional Houses of Chiefs, describing the move as a threat to Asante custom and traditional governance. Speaking at the final 2025 meeting of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs on Friday, December 19, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II rejected proposed amendments to the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759), which seek to create a “Chamber of Queenmothers” and allow their inclusion in deliberations alongside chiefs.  The proposal is being advanced by the National House of Chiefs under the leadership of Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, with proponents citing gender equity and inclusiveness. Asantehene cautioned that the proposal amounts to a dangerous overreach that could undermine long-established customs of the Asante Kingdom. While acknowledging the vital role queenmothers play particularly within the matrilineal Asante system where they hold the authority to nominate and select chiefs Otumfuo insisted that tradition clearly distinguishes their advisory role from the public leadership exercised by chiefs. “In Asante, the queenmother is the mother of the stool, but the chief is the public voice,” he said. “We must not collapse different traditional systems into a single law that ignores our customs.” Speaking in Twi, Otumfuo stressed that customs vary across Ghana and should not be subjected to uniform legislation. “We have to let Ghanaians know that traditions and customs differ from place to place. No one should create rules that bind everyone,” he said. “Our tradition is that queenmothers give advice behind closed doors. I will not allow anyone in Ghana to change my culture.” He added that all chiefs owe their positions to queenmothers, but that respect, he argued, does not require altering the structure of the Houses of Chiefs. “We respect them for selecting chiefs. All of us in this room were selected by women who are queenmothers,” he explained. The Asantehene’s position comes amid increasing advocacy for greater inclusion of queenmothers in traditional governance. The All Regions Queenmothers Association, led by Nana Otubea II, has been campaigning for representation on the Judicial Committees of the Houses of Chiefs, arguing that it is discriminatory for disputes involving queenmothers to be adjudicated by all-male panels. Their demands have gained traction following the passage of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121), which mandates a minimum 30 percent representation of women in decision-making bodies. Legal analysts say Otumfuo’s comments signal a potential constitutional confrontation, particularly between proposed changes to the Chieftaincy Act and Article 270 of the Constitution, which protects the institution of chieftaincy as defined by customary law. Should the government proceed with the amendments, observers warn it could provoke strong resistance from the Ashanti Region, widely regarded as the most influential traditional authority in the country. For now, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has drawn a clear line: the formal sittings of the Houses of Chiefs, as practiced in Asante, will remain the preserve of chiefs alone. Source: www.kumasimail.com 6:14
YouTube Video VVUyak0wWDc2cjNPbUJCdkpBUFpPODBRLk51bkhSZm5DSGlZ

Otumfuo rejects move to admit Queenmothers into House of Chiefs sittings

Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI), assuring the United Nations of ongoing efforts to modernise and strengthen legislation governing the country’s digital economy. The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Mr. Samuel Nartey George, gave the assurance while addressing the United Nations General Assembly during the high-level World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20) review. Speaking on behalf of the Government and people of Ghana, the Minister highlighted the country’s progress in digital transformation, noting that Ghana remains committed to building a people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented information society, in line with the vision established by the WSIS process two decades ago. Mr. George said Ghana has implemented a comprehensive national digitalisation agenda, guided by the WSIS action lines, with significant investments in fibre-optic infrastructure, expanded 4G coverage and the deployment of rural telephony sites to extend connectivity to previously unserved communities. According to him, these interventions underscore Ghana’s belief that universal access to digital services is fundamental to sustainable development. He further outlined advancements in digital public infrastructure, including the Ghana.gov platform, the Ghana Electronic Procurement System, the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System, the National Health Information Exchange and the Ghana Health Information Management System. He said these platforms have enhanced efficiency, transparency and equitable access to public services. On digital security, the Minister noted that Ghana has strengthened its cybersecurity and data protection frameworks and operationalised national and sector-specific computer emergency response teams to build trust within the digital ecosystem. He disclosed that the country has adopted a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy to guide the ethical and responsible deployment of AI across government, while also developing frameworks to address misinformation and disinformation without undermining freedom of expression online. Mr. George said digital inclusion remains a central pillar of Ghana’s digital agenda, citing nationwide digital literacy campaigns, community information centres, the One Million Coders programme and the Girls in ICT initiative as key interventions aimed at empowering women, youth and underserved communities. As the global community prepares for the next phase of the WSIS process, the Minister called for stronger international cooperation, stressing the need for universal connectivity, robust digital public infrastructure, equitable AI governance and increased capacity-building support for developing countries. He concluded by stating that under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, Ghana is ready to collaborate with member states, the private sector, civil society and development partners to build an inclusive, secure and sustainable digital future aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Source: www.kumasimail.com 3:10
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Ghana reaffirms commitment to ethical AI use at UN General Assembly

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Minority criticises joint Military-Police show of force as wasteful

The trial of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, over his alleged involvement in illegal mining activities at Samreboi in the Western Region is scheduled to commence on January 12, following the successful conclusion of a Case Management Conference (CMC). The court set the trial date after lawyers for both the prosecution and the defence agreed on the issues to be determined, the witnesses to be called and the documents to be relied upon during proceedings, paving the way for a full trial. Chairman Wontumi, who is the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is facing charges related to alleged illegal mining, commonly referred to as Galamsey, at Samreboi, an area that has been identified by authorities as one of the hotspots for environmentally destructive mining activities. According to prosecutors, the alleged offences involve unauthorised mining operations that are said to have caused significant environmental degradation, including the pollution of water bodies and the destruction of forest land. The state is expected to call several witnesses, including officials from regulatory and security agencies, to substantiate its case. Chairman Wontumi has denied all allegations, insisting that he has not engaged in illegal mining and that his business activities comply with Ghana’s mining and environmental laws.  His legal team has maintained that the charges are politically motivated and that the evidence will show he bears no responsibility for any unlawful mining at the site in question. The case forms part of broader national efforts to clamp down on illegal mining, which successive governments have identified as a major threat to Ghana’s environment, water resources and public health. Over the years, the state has launched multiple operations, including military-led task forces and regulatory reforms, to curb the menace. Illegal mining remains a politically sensitive issue, particularly when it involves high-profile individuals, and the outcome of the trial is expected to attract significant public and media attention. Chairman Wontumi is expected to appear in court on January 12 when the prosecution is set to open its case. Source: www.kumasimail.com 2:07
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Chairman Wontumi’s illegal mining trial to begin January 12

Kumasi Mail is learning that there was brief spontaneous Jubilation in the streets of Bawku and the entire Kusaug Traditional Area in the Upper East Region following the Otumfuo's presentation of a report on the mediation between the Kusasi and Mamprusi people. But for a dusk to dawn curfew currently in place,  sources in Bawku told the Kumasi Mail there would have been nonstop drumming and dancing throughout the night till tomorrow and perhaps throughout the remainder of the week. "There was Jubilation. People poured out into the streets to celebrate even though the number of security personnel in the Bawku town and around the Bawku Naba's Palace has been increased. There's curfew in the town. It starts at 8pm till tomorrow morning 6am. But for the curfew everywhere would have been in celebratory mood", a resident who wants to remain anonymous told this reporter. There has been decades of protracted Chieftaincy and land disputes between the two major ethnic groups. In the last ten years, things reach a crescendo amidst violent attacks leading to lost of lives in both sides of the conflict. This resulted in the imposition of long hours and weeks of curfew in an attempt to calm the situation. The government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo saw the need to involve the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to broker peace through mediation involving the Paramount Chief of Bawku and Overlord of the Kusaug Traditional Area Naba Abugrago Azorka II and the Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area Nayir Naa Bohagu Mahami Sheriga. After months of mediation efforts between the two traditional leaders and their Chiefs, the Otumfuo on Tuesday December 16, 2025 presented his report on the outcome of the mediation to President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House in Accra. 3:30
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Brief Jubilation in Bawku, Security Beefed up around Bawku Naba's Palace

Minority members on Parliament’s Trade and Industry Committee have raised concerns over an acute shortage of raw rubber for local manufacturing companies, warning that the situation is leading to job losses and reduced industrial output. The caucus says several rubber processing companies have been forced to lay off hundreds of workers, scale down production or shut down operations entirely due to the unavailability of raw rubber. Speaking to journalists, the Ranking Member on the committee, Michael Okyere Baafi, accused the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA) of prioritising exporters of raw rubber at the expense of domestic processors. He said Ghana has only about five or six major rubber processing companies, including Ghana Rubber Estates and Narubiz, which are struggling to secure raw materials despite having the capacity and machinery to produce. According to him, some local processors have lost international contracts due to inconsistent supply. He cited Ghana Rubber Estates, which he said now supplies only Michelin after contracts with other companies, including a major Thai manufacturer, were reduced or cancelled. Okyere Baafi alleged that the TCDA is allowing individuals to buy raw rubber directly from farm gates for export, depriving local factories of the raw materials they need to operate. “As it stands now, most processors have reduced the number of staff they employ. Ghana Rubber Estates alone used to employ over 4,600 workers, but that number has dropped to about 3,000,” he said. He noted that although the factories have the capacity to employ close to 20,000 workers nationwide, current employment figures are below 6,000 because of raw material shortages. The ranking member warned that the situation will negatively affect government revenue, as reduced production will lead to lower tax payments. He called on the Ministers of Finance, Agriculture and Trade and Industry to intervene and direct the leadership of the Tree Crop Development Authority to prioritise support for local industries. Okyere Baafi argued that encouraging untraceable raw rubber exports undermines domestic investment and job creation, stressing that policies should favour companies that have established factories in Ghana and are committed to employing Ghanaians. The Minority is urging the Tree Crop Development Authority to take immediate steps to ensure local processors have access to raw rubber to protect jobs and sustain the country’s rubber industry. Source: www.kumasimail.com 2:42
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Raw rubber shortage threatening Jobs and local manufacturing- Minority

Nurses and midwives under the Coalition of Unpaid Nurses and Midwives Ghana have appealed to government to immediately pay their outstanding salary arrears, describing their situation as inhumane and a threat to the country’s health system. Addressing a press conference at Ejisu, the President of the coalition, Stephen Kwadwo Takye, said many of their members have worked for an entire year without pay, receiving only one month’s salary despite months of continuous service. According to him, nurses and midwives across the country work daily, attended to emergencies and helped sustain healthcare delivery, yet government has failed to honour its financial obligations to them. He revealed that about 300 members have not received any salary at all, while the financial clearance covering their employment is expected to expire on December 31, 2025, leaving their future uncertain. Mr Takye further stated that although more than 7,000 nurses and midwives who began receiving salaries in April 2025 have had their arrears fully paid, a total of 6,261 others have been left out. He said some members were validated to receive full arrears in November but were paid only one month’s salary instead. He accused the Ministry of Health of misleading the public with a press release claiming that outstanding payments had been made, insisting that the reality on the ground contradicts those claims. The coalition said the prolonged non-payment has caused severe hardship among members, including unpaid rent, looming evictions, inability to afford food and transportation, rising debt levels and growing mental health challenges. “This is not just unfair, it is inhuman. This is not a delay; it is a betrayal,” Mr Takye said, warning that the situation poses a serious risk to Ghana’s healthcare system. The group is demanding immediate communication from both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance, as well as full payment of all accumulated arrears before the end of December 2025. Mr Takye said nurses and midwives make up more than 70 per cent of Ghana’s healthcare workforce and cautioned that any disruption in their services could lead to the collapse of the health system. The coalition called on the general public and civil society groups to speak on their behalf and urged the Ministry of Finance to urgently address the situation to prevent a national health crisis. Source: www.kumasimail.com 3:42
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Unpaid Nurses and Midwives demand immediate payment of salary arrears

The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested five suspects in connection with the robbery and murder of a 28-year-old woman, Sova Ngozi, as well as a series of street robberies across several communities in Kumasi and its environs. ddressing a press conference, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Arthur Osei Akoto, said the murder occurred on December 6, 2025, at about 5:00 p.m. at Asokore Mampong, where the victim was attacked and robbed. According to DCOP Osei Akoto, intelligence-led operations conducted on December 12, 2025, at about 9:00 p.m., led to the arrest of two suspects at their hideout at Aboabo in Kumasi. The suspects were identified as Farouk Idris, 20, a motorbike mechanic and rider, and Salim Mohammed, 19, also a motorbike mechanic and rickshaw rider. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects robbed the deceased during which one of them allegedly stabbed her, leading to her death. A search conducted in the room of Farouk Idris resulted in the retrieval of a machete, knives and other offensive weapons. DCOP Osei Akoto disclosed that during interrogation, both suspects admitted to the crime. He said Salim Mohammed, who was the pillion rider on the day of the incident, identified a zigzag-edged knife as the weapon he used to stab the deceased. Police also retrieved an iPhone 11 Pro, believed to belong to the deceased, which was stolen during the robbery. The knife and phone have been retained for evidential purposes. The suspects are currently in police custody, assisting with investigations, and will be arraigned before court. In a related development, the police commander announced the arrest of three additional suspects linked to a series of street robberies within Asokore Mampong, KNUST, Kenyase, Bosore, Boadi, Diaso, Antoa, Mayanka, Ayeduase, and surrounding areas. The suspects were identified as Abdul Fatawu, also known as UN, aged 22; Philip Nyarko, alias Kawawa, aged 24; and Samad Had , alias Toronto, aged 21. Items retrieved from their hideouts at Aboabo included 59 iPhones, six Android phones, four tablets and five laptops. Police said all three suspects have confessed to the offences in their caution statements and are currently assisting with investigations. DCOP Osei Akoto appealed to members of the public who may have been victims of robberies within the affected areas to report to the Ashanti Regional Police Command to support ongoing investigations. He assured the public of the Ghana Police Service’s continued commitment to maintaining peace, law and order in the region and urged residents to provide timely and credible information to help combat crime. All suspects are expected to be put before court in due course to face the full rigours of the law. Source: www.kumasimail.com 5:10
YouTube Video VVUyak0wWDc2cjNPbUJCdkpBUFpPODBRLmR2SlZ4ME5KTmdj

Ashanti Police arrest five suspects over robbery, murder and series of street crimes

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