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Former Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Adwoa Safo has strongly criticised the General Secretary of the (NPP), stating that he has no right to silence her or anyone else.

Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse programme, she emphasised that freedom of speech is a constitutional right for all Ghanaians.

She argued that everyone should be allowed to speak freely, as it is their constitutional right. Her comment was in response to a statement issued by the NPP General Secretary, directing party supporters not to engage the media on internal party matters being addressed by the party.

“We all have the right to express ourselves, and that includes me,” she said. “The General Secretary began speaking publicly after we lost the election, going around explaining the situation. He even went as far as telling people not to blame him for the loss.”

Referring to the General Secretary’s comments on radio, where he publicly criticised former President Akufo-Addo, claiming that the president wasn’t listening to the party’s advice during cabinet meetings, she questioned his authority to make such statements.

“And now, when it’s my turn to speak, a statement is being issued. What locus does he have to do that?” she asked. “He was on the radio himself, so if he wants to write a letter to me, he should do so privately. This statement is too vague, and I don’t think it’s something I need to respond to.”

She added, “Nobody brought me into the party, and the party does not belong to any individual. We are all here to build the party, so nobody can force me out or silence me.”

Adwoa Safo also pointed out the growing dissatisfaction within the party’s base.

“He [General Secretary] should go on social media and see how party members are criticising him. He has an election coming up, and he shouldn’t allow himself to be manipulated or used for other people’s agendas. If your base is bitter and feels unheard, they will want someone to speak for them.” The former MP further addressed the character assassination she has faced within her party. She explained that she had been unfairly defamed and felt the need to clarify issues. “There has been a character assassination against me. I have been defamed by my own party,” she said. “I owe it to myself to clarify things and set the record straight. Whatever they have painted me as to bring me down is not the truth. I will make sure the truth is known.”

Adwoa Safo reiterated that every individual has the right to speak freely without fear of being silenced.

“No one should be silenced for voicing their opinion, especially when it’s a constitutional right,” she added.

The family of the late Gertrude Quashigah, a former National Coordinator for the School Feeding Programme, is demanding an apology and retraction from former Gender Minister, Sarah Adwoa Safo.

In a strongly worded statement, the family urged Adwoa Safo to desist from tarnishing Madam Quashigah’s legacy following her recent allegations of mismanagement during the deceased’s tenure.

The statement, signed by Isaac Aidoo, Esq., expressed deep disappointment over what the family described as “unfounded and unfortunate accusations.”

“Our mother carried out her responsibilities with the highest levels of integrity, dedication, and selflessness,” the statement read.

The family highlighted the expansion of the programme under Madam Quashigah’s leadership, which significantly improved the nutrition and welfare of thousands of Ghanaian schoolchildren.

They further noted that the allegations were particularly painful given that she is no longer alive to defend herself, adding that the remarks have caused distress to both the family and those who respected her contributions to national development.

Expressing further disappointment, the family referenced the historical relationship between the Quashigah and Safo families, emphasizing their shared bonds of mutual respect and public service through their respective fathers—Major Courage Quashigah (Rtd.) and Apostle Kwadwo Safo.

The family has, therefore, called on Adwoa Safo to issue an “unqualified apology” and refrain from making further statements that tarnish Madam Quashigah’s legacy.

Below is the full statement:

The former Director General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Kwabena Adu Boahene, was arrested on Thursday at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) upon his arrival from London Heathrow on a British Airways flight.

Mr. Boahene was reportedly taken into custody at 8:30 a.m. in a joint operation involving investigators from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), led by its Deputy Director Raymond Archer, and officials from the Attorney-General’s Department.

The Majority Leader and Effutu MP, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, confirmed the arrest in a Facebook post, stating that Mr. Boahene was informed that he was on EOCO’s Stop List and was wanted by authorities. “While patiently waiting at the lounge for his bags, he was told by the immigration officers stationed at the VIP section that there was an issue with his name which needed to be rectified at the main office at Terminal 3,” Afenyo-Markin stated.

“Deputy Director of EOCO, Raymond Archer, who was personally present along with his team, then handcuffed Mr. Adu Boahene at the departures area and escorted him through the Airport Departure Hall with approximately six officers,” he added.

According to Afenyo-Markin, Mr. Boahene was placed in a white Nissan Navara pickup with registration number GN 8850-22, escorted by fully armed officers. “Another Navara pickup and a white Toyota Corolla also escorted him. At about 9:47 p.m., he was whisked away to an unknown location,” he noted.

The NSB, an agency of the National Security Council, is responsible for providing integrated secure signal systems for national security and intelligence agencies.

This development follows a separate raid on the home of former Bank of Ghana (BoG) Governor Dr. Ernest Addison on Wednesday dawn, which has drawn widespread condemnation.

Reports indicate that about 15 soldiers, arriving in three vehicles and wielding rifles, forcefully entered Dr. Addison’s premises.

The operation was allegedly led by Richard Jakpa, Director of Special Operations, who reportedly disabled the CCTV system before demanding Dr. Addison’s assistance in locating supposed “vaults” within the house, which they then ransacked.

A timely intervention by firefighters from the Tamale Metro Fire Station prevented a raging fire from engulfing a four-bedroom house at Kalpohini in the Northern Region.

The swift response helped contain the flames within the garage, averting what could have been a major disaster.

According to reports, the fire started within the garage of the residence, raising concerns that it could spread to other parts of the house and nearby structures.

Upon receiving the emergency call, a team of firefighters led by STNOII Agbelley Moses rushed to the scene and worked tirelessly to bring the situation under control. Although the immediate cause of the fire remains unknown, authorities have launched an investigation to determine its origin. Meanwhile, fire officials took the opportunity to educate residents and bystanders on fire safety measures, emphasizing the importance of early detection and timely reporting of fire incidents. Residents of Kalpohini, who had gathered to witness the firefighting operation, expressed their appreciation for the professionalism and dedication of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).

Some community members commended the firefighters for their swift response, noting that without their efforts, the damage could have been far worse.

An Accra Circuit Court has granted bail of GH¢50,000 with two sureties each to two persons allegedly involved in the theft of Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) meters and dishonestly receiving the stolen items.

The court ordered that the sureties provide valid national identity cards at the court registry.

Francis Addey, alias Kofi Kyei, a 35-year-old okada rider, and Amos Duah, a 39-year-old electrician, pleaded not guilty to the charges and are expected to reappear in court on April 22, 2025.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector Hagar Owusu-Henabah, led by Chief Inspector Frederick Awuah-Ansah, told the court that the complainant in the case is the Monitoring Officer of ECG’s Amasaman Branch.

According to the prosecution, Addey, based in Ablekuma, conspired with an electrician identified as Fred, who is currently at large, to steal ECG prepaid meters.

In August 2024, Fred allegedly supplied a stolen prepaid meter with pin number 000035737829, taken from a customer at Fise near Amasaman, to Duah through Addey.

Duah later sold the stolen meter to a witness, Kwaku Twum, at Amasaman for GH¢2,500.

During routine inspections, ECG officials retrieved the meter, prompting the company to report the matter to the police.

Investigations led to Duah’s arrest, and he named Addey and Fred as his suppliers. Duah cooperated with the police and lured Addey into supplying another prepaid meter.

On February 11, 2025, Addey delivered two used prepaid meters with PINs P181032280 and P181032277 to Duah at his home in Amasaman Abease for sale.

However, Addey was arrested by waiting police officers as he attempted to flee. Two prepaid meters and two meter cards were retrieved as evidence.

The prosecution informed the court that efforts were ongoing to arrest Fred and identify customers whose ECG meters were stolen, with support from the ECG Customer Service Department.

Addey and Duah were subsequently charged and arraigned.

Two-storey buildings housing several shops have been torched in a fire outbreak in the central business district of Adum in Kumasi.

The fire at the popular Blue Light arena, close to Hello FM, started around 6am and spread rapidly as fire officers made attempts to contain the blaze. Panicking traders had to break into their shops to throw out their wares as the fire ravaged.

Most of the shops deal in mobile phones and accessories, jewellery, and clothing. According to an eyewitness account, the fire sparked from a flicking electricity pole in the area, leading to a spark on the top floor of one of the buildings.

Programmes Director at Hello FM, Nana Ama Ataffuah Quainoo, confirmed the evacuation of staff as the fire spread rapidly.

She, however, says the Fire Service personnel kept long in coming. Several fire tenders later arrived at the scene but faced difficulties fighting the fire.

Two people have been arrested in Sabonjida, located in the Nanumba North Municipality of the Northern Region, following a violent raid on Fulbe communities.

According to reports, an armed robbery occurred on the night of Tuesday, March 18, along the Bimbilla-Chamba road, resulting in the death of one person and another sustaining cutlass wounds.

In response, some community members, suspecting Fulbes of being behind the attack, launched a reprisal attack on Wednesday, March 19, killing over 200 cattle and burning more than 20 Fulbe huts. The Nanumba North Municipal Security Council swiftly deployed military, police, and immigration officers to the area to restore order. Upon arrival, some men believed to be Konkombas, fled upon seeing the security personnel, abandoning seven motorbikes, two guns, 21 live cartridges, and the carcasses of the slaughtered cattle. Two individuals were later arrested while carrying guns and cattle carcasses. Authorities confirmed that no further casualties were recorded, apart from those at the robbery scene.

Amid rising tensions, some Fulbes in the community requested security escorts to leave the municipality, fearing for their safety.

Security forces have since restored calm, and the two suspects remain in police custody, assisting with investigations. Meanwhile, law enforcement officials have declined to comment publicly on the incident.

Kofi Essel, legal counsel for Daniel Owusu Koranteng, a former associate of the late investigative journalist Ahmed Suale, has strongly criticised the Madina District Court’s decision to charge his client with murder in connection with Suale’s death.

Describing the charge as “shambolic,” Essel accused authorities of pursuing a baseless case driven by hearsay and ulterior motives.

The court ruled to charge Koranteng with one count of murder after initially considering charges of abetment. Authorities claim Koranteng was near Suale’s residence in Madina at the time of the journalist’s fatal shooting in January 2019.

However, Essel has rejected these claims, insisting that the prosecution lacks concrete evidence to support the charges.

“The police hurriedly put a charge together on the offense of murder. First, they were talking about abetment, now we are talking about a surprise charge sheet of one count of murder. They prayed to the court to remand our client with no basis. I describe this as a shambolic charge sheet.

“Because they have nothing on our client. It is just a multitude of allegations on hearsay that have been put together. It is just for someone’s career to shoot up, and someone has to go down; that is a witch-hunt, and we are going to deal with that,” he stated.

Retired Supreme Court Judge and Board Chairman of CUTS International, Justice Dotse, has called on the government to pass the long-overdue Consumer Protection Bill into law within the year.

Speaking at the World Consumer Rights Day and Launch of the State of the Ghanaian Consumer Report 2025 in Accra on Wednesday, March 19, Justice Dotse emphasised the importance of consumer rights as a vital extension of justice, impacting every household, business, and community.

“As a retired judge of the supreme court, I have spent decades upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the lives of Ghanaians. Today, I see consumer rights as an extension of that mission, a fundamental pillar of justice that touches every household, every business, and every community,” he stated.

Justice Dotse highlighted the interconnected nature of society, where individuals and organizations alike rely on each other’s services.

He provided examples, such as the reliance of the Electoral Commission’s Commissioner on MTN’s data services and potable water, or the MTN CEO’s dependence on Ghana Water Company and safer roads.

“Whether you are a service provider or a regulator, the least common denominator is that we are all consumers of each other’s products or services,” he added.

He stressed that the Consumer Protection Bill would provide a unified framework to safeguard consumer rights, address regulatory gaps, and empower citizens to hold service providers accountable.

Justice Dotse described the absence of such legislation as a “glaring void” in Ghana’s legal system and urged its prompt enactment.

“Its enactment is a step we can no longer delay,” he added.

Members of Parliament have strongly condemned the ongoing military actions in Bawku, urging the military high command to halt the reported brutalities and take action against those responsible.

The calls come in response to alleged retaliatory operations by soldiers following the killing of a military officer in the area on Monday, March 17, 2025.

Majority Leader and Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga, expressed deep concern over the situation, describing the military’s actions as indiscriminate and destructive.

“Men, women, children, old men, old women who could not flee, injuring some, destroying the properties of others, smashing television sets, bridges, and everything that came their way,” Ayariga stated.

He urged the military to cease their operations immediately, emphasizing that such actions tarnish the image of the armed forces and do not bring back the deceased soldier.

Ayariga also called for collaboration between law enforcement agencies and community leaders to identify the perpetrators behind the soldier’s killing.

Madina MP, Francis Xavier Sosu, criticised the military’s approach, labeling it unconstitutional and a violation of both Ghanaian and international laws.

“It is completely wrong, completely unconstitutional, completely absurd for the military to turn their strength on ordinary citizens, particularly those that have nothing to do with the alleged violence against a military officer,” Sosu remarked. He called for accountability and urged the military high command to take decisive action against officers involved in the abuses.

Pusiga MP, Laadi Ayii Ayamba, echoed similar sentiments, condemning the invasion of homes and the physical assault of residents, including the elderly and women.

“Going into people’s houses, removing people from their bedrooms, beating them, and even the elderly and women is not fair at all,” Ayamba stated.

She emphasised the need for alternative methods to apprehend the perpetrators without harming innocent civilians.

The MPs collectively expressed condolences to the family of the deceased soldier while urging the military to uphold their duty to protect citizens and maintain peace without resorting to excessive force.