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President Mahama begins state visit to Belarus to strengthen diplomatic ties and explore cooperation
via GhanaWeb1 min read
President John Dramani Mahama has commenced a state visit to the Republic of Belarus at the invitation of President Aleksandr Grigorievi Lukashenko. The visit, which began on Friday, June 5, 2026, aims to strengthen diplomatic ties and explore new areas of cooperation in economic, agricultural, and technical sectors. Upon arrival in Minsk, President Mahama will lay a wreath at the Victory Monument. A central highlight will be high-level talks between President Mahama and President Lukashenko, focusing on strategic partnerships in agriculture, education, and commerce. President Mahama will also travel to Brest to tour a large processor of milk, cheese, and baby products, and pay respects at the Brest Hero Fortress Memorial Complex. The visit includes a stop at Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park. The state visit will culminate in the signing of at least four bilateral agreements. President Mahama is expected to return to Accra on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
A Ghanaian national, recently evacuated from South Africa, shared his experience of being robbed at knifepoint by two men while returning home from work. The incident occurred about a month ago, around 7:30 pm, near a hospital. He recounted that two men approached him, and when he sensed an attack, they both brandished knives. Choosing not to resist, he raised his hands, and the attackers took his belongings without physically harming him. He noted that some foreign nationals in South Africa resist such attacks, which can lead to fatal consequences. This account comes as Ghana repatriates its citizens from South Africa due to rising xenophobic violence. The first group of evacuees arrived in Accra on May 27, 2026. The High Commission of Ghana in South Africa announced that over 1,500 Ghanaians have registered for repatriation, with the second batch scheduled to depart on June 6, 2026.
Must ReadKwesi Pratt Jnr, Managing Editor of The Insight newspaper, lauded President John Dramani Mahama's decision not to seek a third presidential term, calling it a 'masterstroke.' Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana, Pratt stated that this decision safeguarded Mahama's legacy and Ghana's democratic stability. He emphasized that the Constitution is clear on term limits, and any attempt by Mahama to pursue another term would have necessitated constitutional changes and political maneuvering, potentially harming his reputation. Pratt noted that he never expected Mahama to seek a third term, citing the president's political character and respect for constitutional boundaries. He believes the third-term debate is settled, as the constitution prohibits Mahama from another mandate. Pratt also commended the National Democratic Congress for publicly disassociating itself from any third-term campaign for the president, warning that such ambitions could destabilize the country's political environment and create party divisions. He cautioned that similar political aspirations in other nations have led to instability and weakened democratic systems, asserting that Mahama's decision demonstrates political foresight and an understanding of the implications for his legacy and Ghana's democratic image.
Must ReadMoses Foh-Amoaning, Executive Secretary of the National Coalition for Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, asserted that LGBTQ+ rights were never formally integrated into international legal frameworks. Speaking at the 4th Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family, Sovereignty and Values on Thursday, June 4, 2026, he contended that any references to LGBTQ+ rights under international law are misleading, claiming they were "implied and they were forced into our laws." Foh-Amoaning advised African lawmakers against feeling pressured to support LGBTQ+ rights due to concerns about international legal obligations. He dismissed arguments connecting LGBTQ+ issues to constitutional, sexual, and human rights protections as false. Furthermore, he accused LGBTQ advocacy groups of pursuing a deliberate agenda and employing deceptive narratives to achieve their goals. The conference gathered parliamentarians, policymakers, and advocates from various countries to discuss family values, sovereignty, and social policy.
Must ReadSam George, co-sponsor of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, stated that homosexual people need medical and psychiatric attention. Speaking at the 4th Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family, Sovereignty and Values, Samuel Nartey George claimed that homosexuality was previously classified as a mental disorder in US medical and scientific references until its removal due to social campaigns, not scientific re-evaluation. He described homosexuality as a "mental aberration." George also urged Parliament to transmit the bill to President John Dramani Mahama for constitutional processes, arguing that Parliament's Standing Orders do not allow for reconsideration of a passed bill, and that Parliament's role concludes once a bill is passed, with the next step resting with the President.