
Samuel Abu Jinapor, Ranking Member on Parliament鈥檚 Foreign Affairs Committee, has accused the government of prioritizing public relations over the urgent evacuation of Ghanaians stranded in South Africa. The Damongo MP urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to focus on the nearly 1,500 Ghanaians registered for evacuation, rather than the publicity surrounding the first batch of returnees. Jinapor questioned the reported suspension of registration for stranded nationals and demanded answers from the Foreign Affairs Minister regarding logistical challenges and the timeline for resuming registrations. He also pressed the government to explain measures being taken to protect Ghanaians still in South Africa. Jinapor compared the current situation to past large-scale evacuations during the Liberian and Sierra Leonean civil wars, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, stating that Ghana has the capacity for a more robust effort. He emphasized that success should be measured by the number of citizens safely returned, not by publicity, and called for focus on the "substantive work" of bringing relief to those still stranded.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.

The Minority in Parliament has urged the Mahama administration to stop the second prosecution of TikToker Camilla Alhassan and cease using what it terms "outdated laws" that criminalize free speech. Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, speaking at a press conference on Friday, July 17, 2026, called for an immediate halt to all prosecutions under Sections 207 and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, arguing these provisions are not suitable for a modern democracy. This follows an Accra Circuit Court sentencing the 43-year-old TikToker to one year in prison with hard labor for offensive conduct after she pleaded guilty to making derogatory remarks about President John Dramani Mahama in a TikTok video. Despite her conviction, the Ghana Police Service indicated she would face a separate charge of false communication under the Electronic Communications Act. Afenyo-Markin demanded the withdrawal of all pending prosecutions under Sections 207 and 208, including the second prosecution against Camilla Alhassan. The Minority also requested the release of individuals currently serving sentences under these provisions, citing the case of Kwame Nkrumah II. Furthermore, Afenyo-Markin urged Parliament to fast-track legislation to repeal the two sections, noting the Minority has already presented a bill to the House. He also appealed to President Mahama to instruct law enforcement agencies to stop prosecuting Ghanaians under these contested provisions. The Minority believes repealing these
Must ReadPresident John Dramani Mahama has urged former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to voluntarily return to Ghana as the government pursues legal processes for his extradition. Speaking in the Volta Region on July 17, 2026, President Mahama referenced Ofori-Atta's past statement about not abandoning his 'children' Ghanaians and called on him to face the issues. He questioned why a public official who believes they acted properly would flee the country. President Mahama emphasized that any extradition must adhere to international legal standards and respect individual rights. He confirmed that the Attorney General鈥檚 Department has initiated the process by filing an application and providing additional requested documents, with a US court ultimately deciding on the extradition request.
Must ReadAlhaji Nasir Mohammed Ibrahim, the Ashanti Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation NADMO, has expressed alarm over 23 deaths from drowning in abandoned illegal mining galamsey pits between January and June 2026. The fatalities, comprising 12 adults and 11 children, occurred across 19 districts in the Ashanti Region. NADMO recovered 19 bodies, with four victims still missing. Alhaji Ibrahim noted that illegal mining continues in 23 districts, increasing accident risks, especially during the rainy season. He urged miners, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies MMDAs, and other stakeholders to collaborate with NADMO to establish, train, and equip rescue divers and emergency swimmers. The Director also highlighted the public health benefits of ongoing drainage desilting and clean-up exercises, which reduce disease spread and promote cleaner communities by improving stormwater flow and raising sanitation awareness. He mentioned that NADMO headquarters, along with NGOs and faith-based organizations like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Qatar Foundation, and Stanbic Bank Ghana, are supporting disaster victims in other parts of the country. Alhaji Ibrahim appealed for similar support for the Ashanti Region to enhance disaster preparedness, emergency response, and recovery efforts, emphasizing that sustained collaboration among various entities is crucial for reducing disaster risks and protecting lives and property.