Category: Local News

President John Mahama has announced that government appointees will not be allowed to travel first class.

According to him, his administration will be defined by modesty and respect for the Ghanaian people.

He made this statement during the swearing-in of ministers at the Jubilee House on Friday, February 7, 2025.

The President revealed that he has instructed the Chief of Staff to formally notify ministers and government appointees about an immediate ban on non-essential travel to reduce government expenditure.

“Any travel that is deemed essential and necessary must be cleared first with the Office of the Chief of Staff and such travels will have to be taken in modesty no first class,” he said.

He further stressed that there would be no room for arrogance or pomposity in his administration.

“The resources you will be working with belong to the Ghanaian people who put us in office,” he stated, warning that these resources must not be wasted on extravagance or luxury.

National Security has conducted a major operation, seizing a substantial yet unspecified amount of U.S. dollars and Ghana cedis notes, concealed in twelve 20-foot shipping containers.

The containers were traced to a warehouse in Sapeiman, Ga South Municipality, where a special operation was launched following a tip-off.

The hidden currency, primarily bundles of U.S. dollars, was discovered inside wooden boxes filled with cement.

During the sting operation, additional boxes opened in the warehouse revealed more cash concealed in compartments barricaded with plywood and sealed with charcoal.

According to National Security operatives, two containers remain unaccounted for, but state security trackers are actively pursuing them.

Meanwhile, a manhunt is underway for four suspects, including a ringleader known only as Alhaji.

The warehouse search uncovered even more alarming discoveries, including boxes of metals suspected to be gold bars, counterfeit Ghana cedi notes in ₵50 and ₵100 denominations, as well as fake Ghana Army uniforms and boots.

The Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, Michael Kofi Okyere Baafi, has spoken out regarding the chaotic events that transpired during the Appointments Committee’s sittings on 30 and 31 January.

Addressing his constituents in Koforidua, he explained that the disruption was a strategic move by the Minority to ensure thorough scrutiny of ministerial nominees.

According to Okyere Baafi, the Minority was left with no alternative but to create a scene to prevent the Majority from proceeding with the vetting without sufficient public oversight.

He argued that had the Minority walked out, the Majority, given their numerical advantage, would have continued unchallenged, effectively sidestepping the rigorous questioning process.

The confrontation quickly escalated into a disorderly brawl, resulting in significant damage to parliamentary property.

Consoles, cables, and tables were destroyed as tempers flared, leaving observers stunned and raising concerns about the deterioration of parliamentary decorum.

In response, a special committee was set up to investigate the incident, reviewing video footage and testimonies to determine accountability and recommend preventive measures.

Speaking candidly about the ordeal, Okyere Baafi defended the Minority’s actions, stressing that their presence and resistance were essential to ensuring transparency.

“There were only seven of us in the caucus present, and if we had left, they would have proceeded with the vetting of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa that night without any public scrutiny,” he explained. “The only option we had was to stay and make the place ungovernable.”

Despite his justification, Okyere Baafi extended an unreserved apology for the incident. He urged the public to understand the Minority’s perspective, insisting that their actions were necessary to uphold accountability in the vetting process.