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General Afrifa's parliamentary bid aimed to protect 1966 coup participants
via GhanaWeb9 min read
General Akwasi Amankwa Afrifa, a key figure in Ghana's 1966 coup d'茅tat, sought a parliamentary seat in 1979 to shield himself and his comrades from potential political retribution. In a 1977 letter to then Head of State Lieutenant General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, Afrifa expressed fears of vengeance from the Convention People's Party CPP once civilian rule was restored. He believed that serving in Parliament would offer protection against trials for soldiers involved in coups. Afrifa won the Mampong North parliamentary seat on the Popular Front Party PFP ticket in 1979, securing a place in Ghana's Third Republic. However, his political journey was cut short when he was executed by firing squad on June 26, 1979, by the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council AFRC led by Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings, just eight days after his election victory. He was among eight senior military officers executed on allegations of corruption and abuse of office. Afrifa never had the opportunity to be sworn into office, and Ebenezer Augustus Kwasi Akuoko succeeded him in Parliament.
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The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, paid a formal visit to the palace of the newly enstooled Asantehemaa, Her Majesty Nana Yaa Akyiaa II, on July 10, 2026. This visit officially welcomed her following her ascension to the stool. Videos show the Asantehene arriving with traditional leaders and his entourage, greeted by a large crowd. The visit featured a warm exchange between the two monarchs, with Otumfuo embracing the Asantehemaa and sharing a brief conversation. The Asantehene also greeted and shook hands with the maidens serving the Asantehemaa. Admirers praised the visit as a reflection of the close bond between the Asantehene and Asantehemaa, reinforcing the unity and strength of the Asante Kingdom's traditional leadership under the Golden Stool.
Must ReadLegal practitioner Amanda Akuokor Clinton has expressed serious concerns regarding the extradition of Ghanaian socialite Abu Trica to the United States, warning that Ghana risks becoming a 'rubber stamp' for foreign prosecutions if constitutional discipline is not maintained. In a Facebook post following Abu Trica's extradition on July 9, 2026, Clinton clarified that her concerns were not to defend fraud, but to question the fairness and lawfulness of the process. She highlighted the speed of the extradition, noting that if the process began around July 2 and the law allowed a 12-day window for legal action, the swift surrender requires explanation. Clinton also cited reports that Abu Trica's lawyer was informed by Bureau of National Investigations officials to return the next morning on July 8, only to discover his client had been flown out by dawn on July 9. She emphasized the importance of habeas corpus protections, stating that once a person is extradited, Ghanaian courts can no longer offer meaningful protection. Clinton posed questions to the State regarding whether any pending stay application was heard, if his lawyer had proper access, and if the ministerial surrender warrant was properly issued. She also raised a sovereignty argument, cautioning against extradition becoming a tool for political bargaining, and called for Ghana to develop a modern extradition framework suitable for contemporary cybercrime, rather than relying on an outdated Ghana-US framework.
Recurring floods in Accra, often attributed to poor drainage and waste management, are symptoms of a deeper economic issue, according to policy advisory firm EM Advisory Limited. In their presentation, "Decongest the Economy, Decongest Accra: A Tri-Pole Economy Model for Ghana," EM Advisory argues that the concentration of economic opportunities in Accra drives internal migration, leading to overstretched infrastructure, housing shortages, and traffic congestion. The firm states that while engineering solutions are necessary, they are insufficient without addressing the underlying economic imbalance. Development in Accra has often occurred without considering natural waterways, increasing the city's vulnerability to flooding. The report highlights that Greater Accra, with 18 percent of Ghana's population, has a population density twelve times the national average, straining public services and infrastructure. EM Advisory proposes a Tri-Pole Economy Model to create multiple economic growth centers outside the capital, aiming to reduce Accra's burden and foster a more balanced national development.