President Mahama advocates for enhanced ECOWAS cooperation and implementation of regional decisions
via GhanaWeb2 min read
President John Dramani Mahama urged ECOWAS member states to deepen cooperation, maintain dialogue, and move beyond policy commitments to effectively implement regional decisions that improve citizens' lives. Speaking at the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Sierra Leone, President Mahama highlighted peace, economic transformation, technology, youth empowerment, and democratic governance as central to building a stronger West African community. He commended Sierra Leone for hosting the summit and for its solidarity with Ghana after recent floods. President Mahama also praised ECOWAS for initiating the construction of an Ultra-Portable Logistics Depot in Lungi to strengthen emergency response and support the ECOWAS Standby Force. He emphasized that the ECOWAS Compact, with its pillars including peace and security, sustainable economic transformation, and democracy, provides a roadmap for the region's future, stressing that stability is essential for economic progress and combating threats like terrorism. He called for continued engagement among ECOWAS member states and other partners, and for increased investment in science, technology, and innovation. President Mahama noted that citizens demand tangible benefits beyond elections, such as accountability and employment. He concluded by stating that while ECOWAS has achieved significant milestones, the priority is now the effective implementation of decisions to deliver results for
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Must ReadBernard Antwi-Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison with hard labor. An Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, delivered the judgment on July 20, 2026. The court ruled that Antwi-Boasiako, as the first accused, would serve 20 years for count 1 and another 20 years for count 4, with both sentences running concurrently. Additionally, he was fined 10,000 penalty units for each count, with a default of three years' imprisonment with hard labor if the fines are not paid. The court noted that Antwi-Boasiako was a first-time offender. A 59-page court ruling details the trial and the reasons for the decision.
Must ReadBernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party NPP, has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with hard labor. This follows his conviction on all six counts related to alleged illegal mining activities. Chairman Wontumi, along with Akonta Mining Company Limited and Kwame Antwi, faced trial over their involvement in mining operations on the company's concession at Samreboi in the Western Region. The Criminal Court 4 Division of the High Court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, delivered the judgment on July 20, 2026. The prosecution accused the defendants of unlawfully assigning mineral rights and facilitating mining activities without the necessary approvals, violating the Minerals and Mining Act. A video shows Chairman Wontumi being escorted into a prison vehicle after his sentencing.
The New Patriotic Party NPP has accused the Mahama administration of attempting to use the conviction of its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, as a political "trophy." In a statement dated July 20, 2026, the NPP argued that Wontumi's conviction should not be celebrated as proof of the government's commitment to fighting illegal mining, claiming that similar allegations involving individuals linked to the governing National Democratic Congress NDC have not received the same attention. The party alleged selective application of justice, questioning why investigations into illegal mining activities involving some NDC officials have not progressed with similar urgency. The NPP stated that the prosecution failed to provide evidence that Wontumi unlawfully assigned or transferred his mineral concession, asserting that the conviction was based on assumptions rather than proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Describing the judgment as a "travesty of justice," the NPP announced that its legal team had begun the process of appealing the High Court鈥檚 decision and reaffirmed its support for Chairman Wontumi, maintaining he was wrongfully convicted and calling him a "political prisoner."