Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

Fifteen (15) Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Eastern Region on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have strongly dismissed claims made by Dr. Bryan Acheampong suggesting that they privately apologised to him after endorsing former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the most capable candidate for the party’s flagbearership.

In a statement issued and signed by the MPs on Tuesday, September 30, they described the claims as false, divisive, and damaging to party unity.

‘There is absolutely no truth in Hon. Bryan Acheampong’s assertion that some of us privately called him after our press conference to downplay our declaration,’ the MPs said.

‘We challenge him, in the spirit of truth and accountability, to publicly name the MPs he alleges contacted him. Until he does so, his claim remains nothing but a fabrication intended to discredit our genuine and resolute support for Dr. Bawumia,’ the statement noted.

The MPs listed include Nana Ampaw Kwame Addo Frempong, Kingsley Agyemang, Kofi Ahenkorah Marfo, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, Sammi Awuku, Ida Adjoa Asiedu, Kwame Appiah Kodua, Laurette Korkor Asante, and Duke Ofori-Atta.

The others are Alexander Agyare, Michael Okyere Baafi, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Frank Asiedu Bekoe, and Charles Asuako Owiredu.

They accused Dr. Acheampong and his campaign team of deliberately spreading falsehoods to create disaffection within the constituencies.

According to them, threats had earlier been issued by his team that MPs who failed to support his candidature would face sabotage in their constituencies.

The statement further dismissed claims that campaign funds for the 2024 elections in the Eastern Region came from Dr. Acheampong’s personal resources.

The MPs explained that the funds were contributions from party financiers and businessmen supporting Dr. Bawumia’s campaign, which Dr. Acheampong only facilitated as Regional Campaign Coordinator.

‘This is a calculated attempt to sow division among the rank and file of the party. For the avoidance of doubt: campaign funds disbursed in the Eastern Region during the 2024 elections did not come from the personal resources of Hon. Bryan Acheampong,’ the statement added.

The MPs explained that the funds had specific instructions attached and were not intended for direct payments to polling station executives.

They noted that, in many cases, they had to supplement campaign expenses with their own resources due to discrepancies between what was promised and what was received.

‘It is therefore misleading and self-serving for Hon. Bryan Acheampong to now portray himself as the personal benefactor of the Eastern Region campaign effort,’ they stated, calling for transparency from the central campaign leadership on the actual disbursement.

The group reaffirmed their commitment to Dr. Bawumia’s candidacy and urged Dr. Acheampong to immediately retract what they described as ‘baseless and divisive’ allegations.

‘We, the undersigned Eastern Regional MPs, remain firm, united, and unwavering in our support for Dr. Bawumia,’ the statement concluded.

A NUMBER of TikTokers have applauded members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament for their thorough investigation of some public servants in government agencies in recent times.

A video excerpt of the PAC sitting to scrutinise the audited accounts of some government institutions have sparked conversations on social media.

In its recent sitting, PAC raised serious concerns about financial irregularities at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), after the latest Auditor-General’s report revealed the payment of unearned salaries amounting to GHS1,449,000 to a deceased staff member for 26 months.

This made TikTok sensation, Prisy1, to question the nature of corruption embed in state institutions, hence commending PAC for their investigations into the audited accounts of government agencies and public servants.

‘Tamale Teaching Hospital what a shame, what a disgrace, 26 good months of paying a dead person, and there are newly posted teachers who for 13 good months are not been paid, I saw it on Twitter (X) that they are demonstrating to be paid for 13 good months.

‘Public Accounts Committee, I commend you for the good work. You have done so well, I’m urging the committee to take a second look at other institutions, because there are other places you are to also look at where corruption is ongoing. Scrutinise them and bring them to book,’ she stated.

Similarly, another TikToker, Quecy Official, commented on the directive by the PAC to recover over GHS17,000 in physically challenged allowance wrongly paid to an able-bodied teacher.

He said, ‘The Public Accounts Committee audit is a step in the right direction; you need to continue with it. If we are able to name and shame, Ghana will be a better place for us all. How can you wrongfully pay GHS17,000 to someone who is not disabled? So you can imagine how many people are receiving salaries who are not working.’

The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has approved a budget of $1,120,000 to support the Black Stars in their final two matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Ghana will face the Central African Republic (CAR) and Comoros next month as they aim to secure a spot at the global showpiece.

The team opens against CAR on October 8 in Casablanca, Morocco, before returning home to host Comoros at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Addressing the press on Monday, September 29, Sports Ministry spokesperson Kofi Adams confirmed that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) submitted its budget on September 18, which was subsequently forwarded to the Office of the President for approval the next day.

‘The FA submitted a budget within an acceptable range, and the Ministry did not need to add any comments,’ Adams explained. ‘The two-match engagement carries a total estimated cost of $1.12 million-$733,000 for the away game in Casablanca and $387,000 for the home fixture in Accra.’

The approved funding is expected to cover all expenses for the qualifiers as the Black Stars bid to confirm their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Kwahuhene, Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng III, has called on mining companies operating in the Kwahu area to adopt responsible mining practices in line with Ghana’s mining regulations.

The king made the appeal when the management of Akoroma Mining Company, a gold mining firm operating at Obo, paid a courtesy call on him to officially introduce themselves.

Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng III also called on Akoroma Mining Company and other mining firms in the region to prioritise the welfare of host communities, urging them to fulfil their corporate social responsibility (CSR) of reclaiming mined lands in order to contribute to sustainable development.

He further urged mining companies to create job opportunities for the youth in affected communities, highlighting that this would help address unemployment and reduce social vices.

In support of the Kwahuhene’s message, Odeefour Effah Opinamang III, Kwahu Obomenghene and Acting Nifahene of the Kwahu Traditional Area, commended Akoroma Mining Company for sustaining a positive relationship with the community over the past 20 years.

The company’s delegation was led by Odeefour Effah Opinamang III and included Tom Wan, Administrative Manager, and Enock Kwasi Abglor, Community Relations Officer.

An anti-illegal mining operation carried out by the Western North Regional Police Command has led to the arrest of six suspects.

The six individuals were arrested at Sefwi Mrewa in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality of the Western North Region while engaging in illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey.

The six suspects, aged between 20 and 42, were subsequently arraigned before the Sekondi High Court and remanded into prison custody.

They are to reappear before the court on October 22, 2025.

Their names were given as Emmanuel Addae, 20; Boating Enoch, 26; Kwa Yurimpue, 26; Elvis Dery, 37; Nana Kwabena, 42 and Quansah Albert, 40.

According to a police press statement, the operation was conducted on September 25, 2025, in response to a request from Koantwi Mining Company Limited, to apprehend individuals mining on their concession.

A team of 20 police officers, led by the Regional Operations Commander, stormed the mining site and encountered about 20 individuals.

According to the police statement, although most of the illegal miners escaped, six of the suspects were apprehended.

It indicated that when the police were transporting the arrested suspects from the mining site, a group of thugs blocked the road and attacked two police officers on a motorbike.

In the process, one of the attackers, Dickson Nkrumah, 24, sustained a gunshot wound, and he is receiving treatment at a hospital.

The Regional Police Command has indicated its commitment to combating illegal mining, and warned that attacks on security personnel during their operations will be met with a swift response.

Elon Musk has become the first ever person in the world to reach a net worth of more than $500 billion.

The Tesla boss and X owner saw the value of his businesses rise to £370.9 billion yesterday afternoon, October 1, the Forbes’ billionaires index reported.

This further cements his status as the world’s richest person, with most of his wealth tied closely to his 12% stake in Tesla.

The value of the car company shares has risen by more than 20% over the last year.

Musk is also in sight of becoming the world’s first trillionaire, as he will receive a huge payout if Tesla reached its list of ambitious targets.

These include selling a million AI robots, another 12 million Tesla cars and boosting the company’s value eight-fold.

Investors have welcomed Musk focusing more time on his businesses, which also includes artificial intelligence startup xAI and rocket company spaceX, rather than politics.

He came under fire this year after working with Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which was tasked with cutting jobs and spending.

But he is back ‘front and centre’ of Tesla according to the company chair Robyn Denholm.

The Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Haruna Mohammed, has criticised President John Dramani Mahama over what he described as a flawed and inconsistent approach to tackling illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

His comments come after the government announced plans to engage civil society organisations (CSOs) in a renewed dialogue on addressing the menace.

According to Mr. Mohammed, this latest move contradicts President Mahama’s earlier position on the matter.

‘This clearly shows that the President is not committed to the fight against galamsey. When he was in office, he had enough time to consult civil society, who were already raising concerns and pushing for solutions. But he failed to act on their proposals,’ he said.

He recalled that civil society groups had previously recommended measures such as declaring a state of emergency and amending sections of the Legislative Instrument (L.I.) governing small-scale mining-proposals that then-President Mahama acknowledged but never implemented.

‘So, if today the President says he is inviting CSOs to the table, it only proves he has not been clear or sincere with Ghanaians about how he intends to deal with galamsey.

‘This is a clear departure from his own earlier position, and instead of being praised, he should apologise to the people of Ghana,’ he added.

The stage is set for a thrilling finale at the 2025 WAFU B U17 Boys Championship as Ghana’s Black Starlets take on hosts Ivory Coast in Yamoussoukro on Saturday.

Ghana booked their place in the final with an emphatic 2-0 victory over arch-rivals Nigeria in the semi-finals.

First-half goals from Michael Awuli and Robinho Yao Gavi sealed the win, sparking jubilant celebrations in the Starlets’ camp and heightening hopes of continental qualification.

Ivory Coast, meanwhile, edged Burkina Faso 2-1 to secure their spot in the decider. The hosts carry a psychological advantage, having defeated Ghana in the group stage. But the Starlets’ resurgence has been remarkable-recovering from that early setback to dismantle Niger 3-1 before dispatching Nigeria with authority.

Saturday’s clash promises more than just silverware. For Ghana, it is a chance at redemption and pride, while Ivory Coast will aim to repeat their group-stage heroics on home soil.

The Charles Konan Banny Stadium is expected to be a cauldron of passion as two of West Africa’s finest youth teams battle for regional supremacy and a place in history.