🇬🇭GhanaWest Africa
NDC Council of Elders reaffirms President Mahama as party leader, cautions against premature campaigns
via GhanaWeb1 min read
The National Democratic Congress NDC Council of Elders has unequivocally reaffirmed President John Dramani Mahama as the party's leader. Following a meeting with President Mahama on May 29, 2026, the Council issued a statement emphasizing his constitutional role as Leader of the NDC. The Council cautioned all members with presidential ambitions to cease activities that could cause division within the party. While not directly naming the National Chairman's nationwide 'Thank You' tour, the timing of the statement has led to speculation, as the tour has been criticized by some stakeholders for potentially blurring the lines between the Chairman's organizational role and the President's leadership, and for possibly advancing the Chairman's own presidential ambitions. The Council reiterated Article 42 of the NDC Constitution, reminding members that the National Executive Committee NEC holds the sole authority to set the timetable for presidential primaries. Until the NEC announces official guidelines, the elders warned that all forms of campaigning, endorsements, and mobilization must stop immediately, stating that the time for internal contests will come, but for now, the collective responsibility is to serve the nation.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI has released a list of "Most Wanted Fraudsters" to enhance the fight against healthcare fraud, program fraud, and other fraud schemes in the United States. The program was inspired by the success of similar initiatives targeting specific crimes. The list includes two women and six men accused of various crimes, including wire fraud and money laundering, with alleged stolen amounts ranging from $1.3 million to $1.2 billion. No Ghanaian citizens were included on this particular list, despite recent indictments of individuals from Ghana by the bureau. The accused individuals and their alleged crimes and total losses are: Rodney Dean Allen Wire Fraud, $7,300,000, Christopher Burns Mail Fraud, $10,000,000, John Michael Dimitrion Failure to Appear, Wire Fraud, $1,300,000, Julieanne Baldueza Dimitrion Failure to Appear, Wire Fraud, $1,300,000, Said Abdullahi Ereg Wire Fraud, Money Laundering, $4,200,000, Elaine Angene Escoe Wire Fraud, Money Laundering, $32,000,000, Herbert Kimble $1,200,000,000, and Micha Lizaso Marasigan Operating an Illegal Gambling Business, $34,000,000.
Must ReadPrivate legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has clarified his limited involvement in the public debate surrounding Ghana's anti-LGBTQ+ bill. Kpebu, a human rights lawyer, stated that he has represented LGBTQ+ individuals in the past, emphasizing that they possess rights. However, he explained his current stance by noting that many prominent LGBTQ+ individuals, including successful lawyers he knows, choose to remain silent due to fear of stigma. Kpebu indicated that if those directly affected are unwilling to publicly advocate for themselves, he is reluctant to risk his own credibility. He suggested that if LGBTQ+ individuals were to come forward, it might evoke compassion from the Ghanaian public. The Parliament of Ghana passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, also known as the anti-gay bill, on Friday, May 29, 2026. This marks the second time the bill has been passed, and it now awaits the assent of President John Dramani Mahama to become law. The bill criminalizes same-sex sexual intercourse and marriage, and prohibits individuals from identifying as LGBTQ+ or related terms, with penalties including up to three years imprisonment.
Joshua Hamidu Akamba, a former National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress NDC, has urged the President to dismiss certain ministers due to what he terms "arrogance of power." In a video dated June 4, 2026, Akamba, without naming individuals, stated that some ministers, both men and women, have displayed conduct warranting their removal. He also called for state institutions to operate independently, free from political interference, cautioning ministers against influencing their work. Akamba further declared his intention to reject any political appointment from President John Dramani Mahama, emphasizing his lack of interest in government service. He dismissed any suggestions that his comments were motivated by fear or personal gain, highlighting his history of speaking out on national issues.
Samuel Nartey George, the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, announced that the Ghanaian government is developing a policy to mandate identity verification for access to pornographic websites. Speaking at the 4th African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family, Sovereignty and Values on June 4, 2026, he noted that many countries are increasing restrictions on adult content. The initiative aims to protect children from exposure to harmful online material. George cited the United Kingdom's requirement for a driver's license to access such sites as a precedent. He stated that Ghana's proposed policy, currently being discussed with Cabinet, would require users to provide a driver's license or national ID card to verify age before accessing X-rated content. The Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram emphasized that early exposure to sexual content can negatively impact children's development, thinking patterns, morality, and overall values, underscoring the importance of safeguarding children to preserve societal cultural foundations.