Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee
Former Deputy Education Minister, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has criticised the Mahama administration for deploying a Police SWAT team against unpaid teachers who were peacefully demanding their salaries at the Ghana Education Service (GES) headquarters.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, June 24, he condemned the treatment as unjustified and a violation of their dignity.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour, who now serves as the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, questioned the rationale behind such heavy-handed action against educators.
“Under President Mahama, POLICE SWAT is called on unpaid teachers to heckle them out of the Ghana Education Service HQ for simply demanding their lawful pay. What crime did they commit to face such humiliation?” he posted.
He further decried what he described as the insensitivity and intolerance of the Mahama-led government, noting that such actions undermine the morale and respect accorded to teachers in society.
“What happened to the dignity of teachers?” he asked, adding that the government’s response exposed a disturbing lack of empathy towards the teaching profession.
Johnson Asiedu Nketiah (right), National Chairman of NDC, in a conversation with Kimathi Rawlings (left), the son of former President Jerry John Rawlings, during the event. Picture: CALEB VANDERPUYE
The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has urged the members of the party to emulate the values of accountability, probity and selfless service to the country as exemplified by the party’s founder, Jerry John Rawlings.
Those principles, he stressed, must inform a structured set of national values to guide the conduct of citizens and public officials and called on the party members to lead a national effort to redefine Ghana’s moral compass based on Rawlings’ values and principles.
“Let’s take the lead to try to redefine our national values.
There is no country that has developed without national values,” Mr Asiedu Nketiah said.
Rawlings birthday
Mr Asiedu Nketiah, who made the call last Sunday to celebrate the birthday of the party’s founder, the late President Jerry John Rawlings, renewed calls to reset Ghana through his values and also uphold his legacy.
The event took place on what would have been the late President’s 78th birthday and is expected to take place every 22nd June. It also took place at the party’s national headquarters in Accra.
In attendance were the NDC party faithful, party executives, members of the council of elders, some members of the late president’s family and a cross-section of the public.
Ideals
Mr Asiedu Nketiah challenged Ghanaians to embrace and embody the ideals of the late former president.
The party Chairman also proposed legislative action to formalise this effort.
“Let’s take the debate to Parliament and define our national values so that we can judge our leadership and our citizens going forward,” he said.
He cautioned that without those benchmarks of conduct evidently displayed by Rawlings, the country would remain vulnerable to disorder and abuse of power.
“If you are deviating from the national values, there is something we can use to measure your conduct,” the party chairman added.
Mr Asiedu Nketiah then praised Rawlings’ practice of lifestyle audits and advocated the return of public asset declarations by officials.
“It doesn’t matter where you are placed as a citizen; you must always remember that you have to account for your stewardship,” he declared.
Reset campaign
For his part, the party’s General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey Fiavi, asserted that the NDC’s 2024 “Reset Ghana” campaign aligned with President Rawlings’ lifelong purpose.
He insisted that the reset must begin with individuals, particularly those within the NDC.
He proposed that the commemoration of President Rawlings’ birthday should serve as an annual moment for national reflection and regeneration.
“Let 22nd June be a day not just for Rawlings but for the very regeneration of the soul of our country,” he declared.
The event also saw the cutting of a birthday cake and singing of patriotic and party songs by the gathering.
[1/2] Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a wmeeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, as Head of the Russian General Staff’s Main Intelligence Directorate Igor Kostyukov, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov sit nearby, at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia June 23, 2025. Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Pool via REUTERS Purchase Licensing Rights
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that “unjustified” U.S. attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites, opens new tab were pushing the world towards great danger and he promised to try to help the Iranian people, although did not spell out how.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Israel have publicly speculated about killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and about regime change, steps Russia says could thrust the entire region into the abyss of a major war.
Putin received Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in the Kremlin alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov and Igor Kostyukov, the head of Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency.
“The absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran has no basis and no justification,” Putin told Araqchi, adding that he wanted to speak about ways to calm the crisis. “For our part, we are making efforts to assist the Iranian people.”
Araqchi was due to deliver a letter from Khamenei to Putin, seeking more help from Russia, a senior source told Reuters. There was no confirmation of that from Moscow, though Araqchi passed on best wishes from Iran’s supreme leader and president.
At a meeting later with advanced military recruits, Putin noted the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East and the involvement of powers from outside the region, though he did not mention the United States by name.
“Extra-regional powers are also being drawn into the conflict,” Putin said. “All this brings the world to a very dangerous line.”
Iran has not been impressed with Russia’s support so far, Iranian sources told Reuters, and the country wants Putin to do more to back it against Israel and the United States. The sources did not elaborate on what assistance Tehran wanted.
‘STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP’ While Russia has bought weapons from Iran and signed a 20-year strategic partnership deal with Tehran earlier this year, the published accord does not contain a mutual defence clause.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, asked if Iran had requested military help, was quoted by state news agency RIA as saying: “We interact with Iran in many areas. It is clear that it would be irresponsible for me to disclose the content of the contacts that are being conducted, including today, given all the circumstances.”
Ryabkov added that “our strategic partnership with Iran is unbreakable”, and that Iran had the full right to defend itself. Putin, whose army is fighting a major war of attrition in Ukraine, has shown little appetite for a confrontation with the U.S. over Iran just as Trump seeks to repair ties with Moscow.
Asked if the U.S. attack on Iran would affect the developing dialogue between Russia and the United States, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov replied: “These are separate processes.”
Russia has also said it does not want Iran to develop an atomic bomb, a step that Moscow fears would trigger a nuclear arms race across the Middle East.
Iranian officials say they feel Russia has not done enough to support it, and that they feel betrayed by major powers such as Russia and China.
Russia intervened in the Syrian civil war in 2015 to support Iran’s ally Bashar al-Assad, but as his enemies closed in on Damascus in late 2024 it refused to send troops or more air power as it considered the situation too dangerous, though it did grant Assad asylum when he was overthrown.
Inside Russia, there were calls for Moscow to come to the aid of Iran and provide it with the same support which Washington had given to Ukraine – including air defence systems, missiles and satellite intelligence.
At the U.N. Security Council on Sunday, Russia, China and Pakistan proposed the 15-member body adopt a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Middle East after U.S. strikes.
Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia recalled former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell making the case at the U.N. Security Council in 2003 that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein constituted an imminent danger to the world because of the country’s stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons.
“Again we’re being asked to believe the U.S.’s fairytales, to once again inflict suffering on millions of people living in the Middle East,” Nebenzia said. “This cements our conviction that history has taught our U.S. colleagues nothing.”
Between November 2024 and June this year, residents of Kumasi have been experiencing a series of thievery, where cash they have withdrawn from the bank has been stolen moments after they have parked their vehicles after moving away from the bank.
The police through intelligence have made a breakthrough and arrested five suspects.
The five suspected thieves were captured on security surveillance cameras breaking into vehicles to steal cash in the Kumasi metropolis.
Said to be foreign nationals, the five, according to the Ashanti Regional Police were involved in a series of targeted thefts by breaking into vehicles in Kumasi.
Their modus operandi was to monitor victims withdrawing huge sums of money from banking halls and breaking into their vehicles to steal the money.
Two Toyota Highlander vehicles used in all the theft cases have been impounded by the police.
The police have named them as Russell Ekenze, aged 29, a taxi driver, Francis Friday, aged 49, a politician, Linus Agwazie, aged 51, a trader, Gifty Ozurumbam and Gladys Ibrahim.
Together with other accomplices they are said to have stolen a total of GH¢497,000 from their victims.
A manhunt is underway to arrest Cosmas Maduabuchukwu and the other accomplices who are said to be at large.
At a press briefing in in Kumasi today [June 23, 2025], the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mr Emmanuel Teye Cudjoe, said over the past few months, the command received numerous reports involving individuals who, after withdrawing large sums of money from financial institutions, were followed and had their vehicle broken into.
He stated that these thefts typically occurred when victims left their vehicles unattended and the perpetrators, often using Toyota Highlander vehicles, gained access to the vehicles using either master keys or forcibly breaking in.
He said investigations revealed that the syndicate operated in a coordinated manner as one of the suspects would loiter around banking halls and car parks to identify customers withdrawing substantial amounts of money, stressing “these individuals would then alert their accomplices, who would trail the victim in their vehicles and strike when an opportunity presented itself”.
Reported cases
On November 15, 2024, a victim onboard a Toyota Camry withdrew an amount of GH¢107,000 at a bank at Ahodwo roundabout. The suspects onboard a Toyota Highlander broke into his vehicle and made away with the money at the bank’s parking area.
Subsequently, on March 18, 2025, one of their victims withdrew an amount of GH¢88,000 from a financial institution and parked his vehicle around Obaa Yaa chop bar. The suspects broke into the vehicle and stole the cash.
On March 19, 2025, another victim after withdrawing an amount of GH¢22,000 from a bank at the KNUST branch, kept the money in her Kia Sportage vehicle and parked at KNUST Hospital Emergency Unit. The suspects onboard same Toyota Highlander broke into the Kia Sportage and stole the said amount of money.
Again, on March 24, 2025, another victim withdrew an amount of GH¢100,000 from another bank at a KNUST branch. He drove to Ayeduase and parked at the Afrifa junction stretch. The suspects broke into the vehicle and stole the money.
Also on April 9, 2025, a customer of the another bank at the Suame branch, went to withdraw an amount of GH¢95,000 and kept the money in his Toyota Rav4 and parked at a nearby food joint at Tafo Pankrono. The suspects using the same Toyota highlander broke into the vehicle and stole the money.
Similarly, on June 11, 2025, a victim withdrew an amount of GH¢85,000 from another bank at Suame and headed to Asawase market near the central mosque and the suspects onboard the Toyota Highlander trailed the victim, tampered with the victim’s vehicle and made away with the money.
Arrest
The police commander said through a sustained intelligence-gathering and surveillance, supported by footage from the intelligence video surveillance system monitored at the Police Emergency Command Centre, at the regional headquarters, the two suspected vehicles were identified.
He added that at 10am on Thursday, June 19, 2025, operatives from the Police Intelligence Directorate successfully arrested three suspects: Russell Ekenze, Francis Friday, and Linus Agwazie.
The police retrieved a six-inch metal tool, believed to be used as a master key in the thefts from them.
A trader, Constance Gyasi Nimako, has been remanded into lawful custody by an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly stealing and laundering money mistakenly credited to her bank account.
Nimako, also known as Maa Adwoa, is alleged to have spent GH¢770,500 out of GH¢800,000 that was erroneously transferred to her Ecobank account.
She reportedly transferred GH¢300,000 to her mother’s account at Fidelity Bank and GH¢400,000 to her own account at GCB Bank, and withdrew GH¢70,500 in cash.
She has been charged with stealing and money laundering, while her mother, Cecilia Gyasi, has been charged with abetment of crime to wit money laundering. The two pleaded not guilty.
Presiding Judge, Mrs Susan Eduful, after listening to arguments from both the prosecution and defence, remanded Nimako due to the grave nature of the charge and concerns that she might not appear to stand trial.
Cecilia Gyasi was, however, granted bail in the sum of GH¢500,000 with two sureties, who must be immediate family members earning not less than GH¢2,000 monthly.
The case has been adjourned to July 7, 2025.
The complainant, prosecution said, was the chief executive officer of a company (name withheld), which holds a bank account with Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG) and a personal account with Ecobank Ghana.
On February 4, 2025, the complainant instructed the Manet Branch of CBG to transfer GH¢800,000 from the company’s CBG account to his personal Ecobank account for a business transaction.
However, in executing the transfer, the complainant mistakenly quoted Nimako’s Ecobank account number instead of his own.
The funds were erroneously transferred into Nimako’s account on February 6, 2025.
The error came to light when the complainant followed up with CBG about the delay in the expected transfer.
Upon discovering the mistake, CBG contacted Ecobank to recall the funds, only to learn that by February 11, Nimako had already moved the money, leaving only GH¢29,778.47 in the account.
Efforts by both banks to retrieve the money proved futile as she refused to return the funds.
The Head of Security and Investigations at CBG subsequently assisted the complainant to report the matter to the police.
The prosecution said when contacted by the police, Nimako refused to cooperate, rained insults and curses on the officers, and went into hiding.
She was later arrested in Kumasi, while her mother, Gyasi, was arrested in Accra.
Investigations revealed that Nimako informed her mother about the money and instructed her to withdraw the GH¢300,000 transferred into her account, which she did.
During interrogation, Nimako claimed the money was sent to her by a foreign company with whom she had no prior dealings.
She further claimed she had ordered goods with the funds and was awaiting their delivery.
Prosecution indicated that investigations are ongoing to trace and recover the remaining amount.
Chinese Ambassador to Ghana says Ghana can’t eliminate galamsey, blames locals for the crisis, not Chinese nationals
The Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Tong Defa, has made waves with his candid comments on the country’s galamsey crisis. Speaking at a media interaction in Accra, Ambassador Defa expressed his views on the complexity of the issue, stating that completely eliminating galamsey might be a challenging task.
According to the ambassador, the solution lies in finding ways to manage the environmental impact of galamsey, rather than solely focusing on eradication. He emphasized the need for the Ghanaian government to develop effective policies to mitigate the environmental damage caused by illegal mining.
Ambassador Defa also shed light on the role of local facilitators in the galamsey crisis, attributing the illegal activities to Ghanaians who facilitate and profit from the trade. He suggested that many Chinese nationals arrested for galamsey are often migrant workers brought into the country by locals seeking to exploit the mining sector.
The ambassador’s comments come amid renewed scrutiny of foreign involvement in Ghana’s mining sector. While some have accused Chinese nationals of being key players in the galamsey crisis, Ambassador Defa argued that this perception is unfair and inaccurate.
In fact, Ambassador Defa highlighted the significant contributions of Chinese companies to Ghana’s infrastructure development, including the construction of roads, ports, and other critical infrastructure projects. He questioned why these contributions often go unnoticed, while the issue of galamsey dominates the narrative around China-Ghana relations.
The ambassador’s remarks are likely to fuel the ongoing national debate on galamsey, foreign involvement, and the government’s enforcement efforts. As Ghana grapples with the environmental and economic impacts of illegal mining, Ambassador Defa’s comments offer a nuanced perspective on the issue and the need for a comprehensive approach to address it.”
Tyler Perry is sued for $260 million by actor Derek Dixon, who alleges sexual harassment and coercion during their work on ‘The Oval’ and ‘Ruthless’.
Source: BBC NEWS
Image courtesy: Getty Image
Hollywood producer and filmmaker Tyler Perry is facing a $260 million lawsuit filed by actor Derek Dixon, who accuses the mogul of sexual assault and exploitation during their work together on Perry’s TV series.
Dixon’s lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles, alleges that Perry used his influence within the entertainment industry to create a coercive and sexually exploitative environment while Dixon was acting on *The Oval* and *Ruthless*. According to the complaint, Perry promised Dixon a successful acting career but then subjected him to escalating sexual harassment, assault, and professional retaliation when Dixon did not reciprocate Perry’s unwanted advances.
Perry’s legal team has dismissed the allegations, describing the lawsuit as a “scam” aimed at financial gain. “This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than a setup,” Perry’s attorney Matthew Boyd told the BBC. “Tyler will not be shaken down, and we are confident these fabricated claims will not hold up in court.”
The lawsuit states that Dixon first met Perry in 2019 at a Tyler Perry Studios event in Atlanta, and over several months, they discussed Dixon’s aspiring acting career. The complaint alleges that Perry made numerous sexual comments and advances, which Dixon repeatedly rejected.
The suit claims Perry offered Dixon roles in ‘Ruthless’ and ‘The Oval’, but allegedly warned Dixon that if he ignored Perry or refused his sexual innuendos, his character would “die” in the next season. It further alleges that Perry kept this threat over Dixon’s head, implying his character “Dale” would survive only if Dixon kept Perry “happy.”
Dixon alleges that Perry sexually assaulted him in a set trailer on ‘The Oval’, pinning him against a wall and groping him after interrogating him about his sexual interests. Dixon claims he refused the advances and left the trailer.
Faced with ongoing harassment, Dixon said he decided to leave his role on ‘The Oval’ and declined a writing opportunity from Perry to escape the alleged misconduct.
The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, has officially launched Ghana’s participation in the Osaka Expo 2025, set to take place from April 13 to October 13, 2025, in Kansai, Japan.
The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has officially launched Ghana’s participation in the Osaka Expo 2025, set to take place from April 13 to October 13, 2025, in Kansai, Japan. The event, themed “Designing the Future Societies of Our Lives,” aims to foster collaboration between Ghana and Japan.
Mr. George highlighted the potential for Ghana’s ICT sector to shine on a global platform, showcasing innovative products and services from fintech and e-governance to digital health and smart solutions. These advancements are driving Ghana’s digital transformation. The Minister emphasized the importance of collaborating with local ICT firms to attract investment and create job opportunities.
A robust participation strategy is planned, including an exhibition of cutting-edge projects and services, an ICT Business Forum for industry leaders, and B2B sessions to connect Ghanaian institutions with their Japanese counterparts. The initiative will culminate in the Ghana Day celebration on September 11, 2025, showcasing the nation’s digital progress. Mr. George will lead a delegation from Ghana, including Ministry and private sector partners.
Beyond the Expo, plans are underway to deepen ties with Japan, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and technology transfer. Deputy Chargé d’Affaires Mr. Naoki Mitori, speaking on behalf of the Japanese Ambassador, emphasized the historical ties between Japan and Ghana and highlighted the importance of strengthening these bonds further.
Mr. Mitori noted growing interest in Ghana within Japan, attributed to historical figures and the popularity of Ghanaian cocoa and chocolate. He mentioned two major upcoming events: the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in August, where Ghana is expected to send a high-level delegation, and the ongoing Osaka-Kansai World Expo. As of the end of May, a total of 5 million people had already visited the World Expo in Kansai. The Expo’s mascot, “Myaku Myaku,” symbolizing the event’s theme and the continuity of knowledge and culture, was also introduced.
The Minister for Health has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing blood safety and availability as part of its healthcare reforms under the Mahama Cares initiative.
The Minister for Health, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing blood safety and availability as part of its healthcare reforms under the Mahama Cares initiative. Speaking at the commemoration of World Blood Donor Day 2025, which had the global theme “Give Blood, Give Hope: Together We Save Lives,” Mr. Akandoh emphasized the importance of ensuring that no life is lost due to blood shortages.
The Minister revealed that measures are being explored to reduce the financial burden on patients, including the potential removal of blood processing fees. He urged all Ghanaians aged 17 to 60 to donate blood regularly and encouraged public and private institutions to organize at least two blood drives annually.
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Blood Service, Dr. Shirley Owusu-Ofori, noted that Ghana collected 187,280 units of blood in 2024, representing 99% of its national target. Over 45,000 units were processed into blood components to meet the growing demand for safe and timely transfusions. However, Dr. Owusu-Ofori highlighted persistent challenges, including limited donation infrastructure, inadequate mobile collection vans, and funding gaps for a digital Blood Information Management System.
Dr. Owusu-Ofori advocated for the establishment of Regional Blood Centres across the country and the implementation of a sustainable, fully funded National Blood Donor Programme. As part of the celebrations, nationwide blood drives, public education campaigns, and media outreach activities will be held to encourage regular donations and raise awareness. The Minister and Dr. Owusu-Ofori called for increased public participation, particularly among the youth, to celebrate the life-saving contributions of voluntary, unpaid blood donors across the country.
The Minister for the Interior has urged newly graduated recruits of the Ghana Immigration Service to maintain the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and discipline as they begin their careers.
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has urged newly graduated recruits of the Ghana Immigration Service to maintain the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and discipline as they begin their careers. Speaking at the Passing-Out Ceremony in Assin Fosu on Friday, Mr. Muntaka emphasized the critical role the Ghana Immigration Service plays in ensuring border security and national stability.
The Minister highlighted the significance of the recruits’ work in maintaining national security, noting that their efforts will have a direct impact on the country’s stability. He commended the recruits for their conduct and discipline during the six months of rigorous paramilitary training.
Mr. Muntaka also drew attention to the recent arrest of over 2,000 undocumented migrants, stressing the need for vigilance in addressing irregular migration. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to providing logistical support and specialized training to address evolving border security threats.
The Minister further congratulated the recruits on completing the training programme and wished them well as they embark on their new journey in life and service to the nation.
