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Ghanaian citizens petition President Mahama over alleged sexist remarks by Ashanti Regional Minister
via GhanaWeb1 min read
Two Ghanaian citizens, Barbara Twum and Jennifer Owusu, have petitioned President John Dramani Mahama regarding alleged sexually suggestive remarks attributed to Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Frank Amoakohene. The petition, dated June 10, 2026, claims a Facebook post by the minister, directed at former National Youth Authority Deputy CEO Akosua Manu, contained sexually explicit and degrading language. The petitioners argue that these remarks constitute sexual harassment, violate professional standards, and breach the Presidential Code of Conduct and Ethics 2025, specifically rules on civility, respect, and the duty of public officers to treat citizens with dignity. They contend that such language creates a hostile environment for women in public life and undermines constitutional principles of equality. The petition requests the presidency to investigate the matter, issue a formal written reprimand to the minister, and consider terminating his appointment. The Office of the President has not yet publicly responded to the petition.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Ghana's Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has defended the government's decision to maintain tight public spending, attributing it to commitments under the International Monetary Fund IMF program. His remarks address criticism from the Minority, which claims the government is not spending despite improved economic indicators. Dr. Forson explained that the current administration inherited obligations from the previous New Patriotic Party NPP government's US$3 billion IMF bailout, which included a commitment to achieve a primary fiscal surplus of 1.5 percent of Gross Domestic Product GDP. He emphasized that IMF agreements are with the government, not political parties, and his administration is responsible for honoring these commitments to ensure Ghana successfully completes the program. The Minister also stated that government spending alone cannot resolve all economic challenges, particularly inflation driven by food prices and global fuel shocks. He noted that fiscal policy must work with monetary policy, highlighting an amendment to the Bank of Ghana Act to make inflation targeting a shared responsibility between the Ministry of Finance and the central bank. Dr. Forson expressed confidence that the government's disciplined fiscal approach would keep inflation within the target range, hoping to end the year with inflation at 5 percent.
Sammy Gyamfi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board GoldBod, has defended the GH垄4.5 billion allocation to the institution in 2025, refuting claims of public fund siphoning. Speaking on Joy FM's Super Morning Show, Gyamfi stated that Parliament lawfully approved the funds as revolving seed capital for GoldBod's operations, explicitly captured in the 2025 Budget Statement. He explained that the Ministry of Finance released the funds at the end of December 2025 after receiving necessary resources. Gyamfi questioned suggestions that the release constituted siphoning, arguing it followed due process and Ghana's public financial management framework. He criticized Abena Osei-Asare, Chairperson of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee PAC, for her comments, given her role. Gyamfi noted that GoldBod's 2025 financial statements were audited by the Auditor-General with no adverse findings and reported an operational surplus of GH垄909 million in 2025 from internally generated funds, as the government's seed capital was received at the financial year's end. He challenged the PAC Chairperson to find evidence of misappropriation in GoldBod's audited financials. Gyamfi also clarified that losses incurred by the Bank of Ghana under its Domestic Gold Purchase Programme should not be conflated with GoldBod's operations, as they are distinct entities with separate mandates.
A Ghanaian mother has gained widespread attention for her passionate coaching of her daughter, Gakye Nicky, during a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu BJJ championship. In a video that has circulated widely, the mother is heard shouting instructions in a Ghanaian language from the sidelines as her daughter competed. Her energetic encouragement included urging her daughter not to give up and to "break her hand" and "make sure she cries." The video was shared with a caption stating that the mother's coaching helped her daughter secure a gold medal in the martial art.