
Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader in Parliament, has called on judges to exercise sound judgment, maintain independence, and strictly adhere to their constitutional oath when performing their duties. In a post on his X page on Friday, April 17, 2026, he advised judges against succumbing to external pressure or "unseen instructions." He emphasized that their decisions become public record and will be judged by posterity, urging them to apply their legal knowledge and common sense, guided by Article 296. Afenyo-Markin also encouraged judges to remain apolitical, stating, "The tables will turn in 2028. For your own peace, stay away from politics. Let politicians do their politics and simply observe." These comments follow public discussion regarding the proceedings involving Abubakar Yakubu, also known as Baba Amando, the Sunyani East Constituency Communication Officer of the NPP. Baba Amando was remanded by an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly sharing derogatory images of President John Dramani Mahama and government members on social media, but has since been granted bail of GH¢30,000 with two sureties, and is required to report to the police every two weeks.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Must ReadPaul Twum-Barimah, a lawyer and former Member of Parliament for Dormaa East, has defended a High Court ruling that restricts the Office of the Special Prosecutor OSP from independent prosecution. He asserts this decision is based on constitutional law, not judicial error. In a Facebook post on Friday, April 17, 2026, Twum-Barimah highlighted Article 88 of the 1992 Constitution, which vests prosecutorial authority in the Attorney-General, meaning the OSP requires proper authorization to initiate prosecutions. He also referenced Article 130, which gives the Supreme Court final interpretative authority on constitutional matters, and Article 12, the supremacy clause, stating that the Constitution is the supreme law and any inconsistent laws are void. He argued that while the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 Act 959 aims to combat corruption, it cannot override constitutional provisions. Twum-Barimah cautioned that misinterpreting the law could undermine constitutional order and urged the Supreme Court to provide a conclusive determination to resolve inconsistencies in judicial interpretations, warning that continued uncertainty could impact corruption cases. He implied the High Court simply applied existing law and that the Supreme Court must bring final clarity to prevent institutional conflict and ensure legal certainty.

Kumawood actor Alexander Kofi Adu, known as Agya Koo, has arrived in Accra to officially register his new political party, the Ghana First Party. Videos circulating on social media show the actor, accompanied by security and an entourage in party-branded attire, campaigning through the capital. Agya Koo announced the Ghana First Party as a direct challenge to the long-standing dominance of the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress. He stated in a media interview that his party aims to be a credible third force in Ghanaian politics, seeking to improve the lives of Ghanaians. This move has surprised many, as the actor was previously a strong supporter of the NPP.

Dr Frank Amoakohene, Ashanti Regional Minister, has ordered an immediate stop to all unauthorized land clearing activities around Lake Bosomtwe. He has also directed the Environmental Protection Authority EPA to investigate these illegal activities and take steps to restore affected areas. This directive comes after reports of vegetation destruction by private developers and encroachers, which poses an environmental threat to West Africa’s only natural lake. Lake Bosomtwe, located in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region, is experiencing increased ecological pressure as encroachers reportedly clear vegetation along its shoreline. This situation has raised concerns among authorities, traditional leaders, and residents regarding the lake’s ecological sustainability. Large sections of protective vegetation have been cleared, leading to erosion, habitat loss, and environmental degradation. Eyewitnesses have reported ongoing excavation activities with heavy machinery. The EPA has launched a probe into the destruction of this critical bio-conservation zone. Traditional leaders, including Nana Kwaku Bio, Dikro of Abaase, have pledged to enforce EPA directives and stop the use of excavators. Residents are concerned that continued degradation could impact fishing, tourism, and the environmental balance of the area. Lake Bosomtwe, a national heritage site formed by a meteorite impact, is globally recognized for its ecological and cultural significance. Environmental advocates are
Must ReadProfessor Benedict Calys-Tagoe, Head of the Department of Community Health at the University of Ghana Medical Centre, has revealed that Ghana records approximately 28,000 new cancer cases each year, resulting in nearly 18,000 deaths. He expressed concern over the increasing number of cases, particularly among young people, noting that cancers previously associated with the elderly are now being diagnosed in individuals as young as 21. Professor Calys-Tagoe highlighted the severity of the situation by comparing the annual cancer deaths to about 300 fully loaded VIP buses crashing with all passengers dying. He also mentioned that global health trends indicate a decline in infectious diseases but a significant rise in non-communicable diseases like cancer, driven by urbanization, globalization, and lifestyle changes, a trend Ghana is also experiencing. The World Health Organization defines cancer as a group of diseases where abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and spread, identifying it as the second leading cause of death worldwide.