Martin Kpebu cautions President Mahama against intervening in Special Prosecutor's legal battle
via GhanaWeb2 min read
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has advised President John Dramani Mahama not to interfere in the ongoing legal dispute concerning the powers of Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng. Kpebu stated in an interview on TV3’s The KeyPoints that some Civil Society Organisations are reportedly urging President Mahama to protect Kissi Agyebeng. He emphasized that any action taken by the president in this matter would be remembered and urged him to allow legal processes to unfold. Kpebu highlighted that the Office of the Special Prosecutor currently faces numerous issues hindering its effectiveness, suggesting that the focus should be on addressing these systemic problems rather than protecting an individual. This caution follows a High Court ruling in Accra that stripped the OSP of its prosecutorial powers. On April 15, 2026, the court directed the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, to assume responsibility for all cases previously handled by the OSP until prosecutorial authorization is granted. This development stems from a challenge by Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Justice Srem Sai, who filed arguments on April 8, 2026, asking the Supreme Court to declare Section 42 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 unconstitutional. This section requires the Attorney General to authorize the Special Prosecutor to initiate and conduct prosecutions for corruption and related offenses. The Deputy Attorney General noted that
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The Western Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service GHS held an engagement in Takoradi to equip key stakeholders with knowledge and skills for cholera prevention. Supported by the West Africa Health Organisation, this initiative is part of GHS's post-flooding cholera preparedness and response activities, aiming to strengthen community awareness and promote preventive measures. Representatives from the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, food vendors association, Protoa Transport Union, media practitioners, and officials from the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan and Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Assemblies attended. The goal was to empower participants to educate the public on cholera prevention, early detection, prompt reporting, and appropriate response measures. Dr. Serwah Amoah, Chief Nursing Officer at the Ministry of Health, stated that the engagement is an intervention to train influential individuals on cholera preventive mechanisms for community sensitization. She emphasized the importance of adhering to GHS cholera preventive protocols, such as regular hand washing with soap under running water and maintaining clean surroundings, and urged individuals experiencing symptoms like vomiting and severe diarrhea to visit a health facility. Dr. Amoah also called on media practitioners to use their platforms to sensitize the public on prevention guidelines. Participants committed to sharing their acquired knowledge within their communities to help prevent cholera outbre
Must ReadThe Accra High Court has granted bail to Larry Alans-Dogbey, editor of the Herald newspaper, pending the determination of his appeal against a contempt of court conviction. Justice Isaac Addo, sitting at the General Jurisdiction 4 Division of the High Court, delivered the ruling on Friday, July 17, 2026. Alans-Dogbey is to remain on the same bail conditions imposed on June 26, 2026, which include a GH¢100,000 bail with two sureties, until the Court of Appeal decides on his appeal against both the conviction and sentence. His lawyer, Peter Okudzeto, filed the application for bail pending appeal on July 6, and the respondent did not file any opposition. Alans-Dogbey was convicted of contempt on June 25, 2026, for allegedly breaching a court injunction that barred him from publishing statements deemed harmful to businessman Kevin Okyere's reputation. He has appealed the conviction and seven-day jail sentence, arguing the injunction violated constitutional protections for press freedom, was unclear, and that his publications were based on official documents and made in the public interest. He seeks to have the conviction overturned or the custodial sentence replaced with a non-custodial penalty.
President John Dramani Mahama announced that the government will recruit 16,000 trained teachers this year to strengthen Ghana’s education sector. This announcement was made during his "Resetting Ghana Tour" in the Volta Region, specifically during an inspection of the new 1,500-seat multipurpose assembly hall at the Peki College of Education. The recruitment process will begin after financial clearance is secured, with remaining trained teachers to be hired as resources become available. President Mahama emphasized the government's commitment to reducing graduate unemployment and ensuring schools have qualified teachers. He also highlighted the importance of investing in teacher education for national development. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister for Education, added that the government plans to construct approximately 50,000 teachers’ bungalows nationwide to address accommodation challenges, particularly in rural areas. This initiative aims to improve teacher welfare, motivation, and retention, and is part of a broader strategy to enhance educational outcomes and ensure equitable access to quality education.