The Ashanti Regional Youth Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Martin Ameyaw, has called on Prophet Isaac Owusu Bempah to stay away from partisan politics and concentrate on his religious ministry amid a growing dispute involving Effiduase-Asokore MP, Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie.

In a zoom interview held on Kessben Maakye show in Accra, Ameyaw strongly rejected allegations attributed to Prophet Owusu Bempah that Dr Ayew Afriyie had planned to mobilize members of the NPP’s Nasara Wing to attack the prophet and his church. He described the allegations as malicious and baseless, insisting that the MP, who serves as a patron of the Ashanti Regional NPP Youth Wing, would not engage in such conduct.

According to him, the Youth Wing has consequently petitioned the National Security Secretariat, Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and Ghana Police Service, asking them to investigate the allegations and invite Prophet Owusu Bempah to provide evidence to substantiate his claims.

Ameyaw further alleged that the controversy forms part of what he sees as Prophet Owusu Bempah’s agenda against the NPP and its flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

He nevertheless acknowledged Owusu Bempah’s religious calling, urging him to concentrate on his ministry rather than become entangled in partisan politics.
“I believe the call of God is on Rev. Owusu Bempah, but he must veer from politics and concentrate on his ministry and not meddle with politics, I plead.

Ghana, according to veteran politician and founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, came dangerously close to experiencing military rule during the administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe has made a startling revelation about events under the Akufo-Addo government, claiming that Ghana’s democratic system was at one point under serious threat of being derailed.

According to him, the country narrowly avoided a situation that could have resulted in the military taking control of the affairs of the state.

His comments have reignited debate over the strength of Ghana’s democratic institutions and the political tensions that characterised portions of the Akufo-Addo administration.

‘We Were Close to Losing Democracy’

Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe, a long-standing figure within the NPP, suggested that developments during the previous administration created circumstances in which military intervention could have become a possibility.

He recounted the situation as one of the most worrying periods in Ghana’s recent political history, warning that the country should not take its democratic stability for granted.

While reflecting on the events, he stressed the importance of protecting Ghana’s constitutional order and ensuring that political disagreements do not push the country towards instability.

A Warning From Within the NPP

The revelation is particularly significant because Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe is a prominent founding member of the NPP and has, on several occasions, criticised actions and decisions taken by successive governments led by the party.

His latest comments are therefore likely to attract considerable attention, particularly amid continuing discussions about governance, accountability and the protection of democratic institutions in Ghana.

The veteran politician’s account also raises questions about what exactly transpired behind the scenes during the Akufo-Addo era and how close Ghana may have been to a constitutional crisis.

‘Ghana Must Never Return to Military Rule’

Ghana has experienced several military interventions in its political history, although the country has maintained constitutional democracy since the return to multiparty rule in 1992.

Against this historical background, any suggestion that the country came close to another military takeover is likely to trigger intense public discussion.

Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe’s account serves as a reminder of the fragility of democratic governance and the need for political leaders, institutions and citizens to protect the principles of constitutional rule.

The former NPP stalwart’s revelation is expected to fuel further debate over the Akufo-Addo administration, the political tensions of the period and the measures that were taken—or could have been taken—to prevent Ghana from slipping into another era of military rule.

Lead counsel for former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director-General Kwabena Adu-Boahene, Samuel Atta Akyea, has challenged aspects of the prosecution’s evidence in the ongoing GH¢49.1 million case, including allegations surrounding allegedly forged documents.

The development came as the prosecution brought its case to a close after calling four witnesses, with EOCO investigator Frank Marshall Cromwell serving as the final prosecution witness.

Atta Akyea puts prosecution evidence under the microscope

During his extensive cross-examination of Cromwell, Atta Akyea questioned the integrity and basis of the investigation conducted by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

Cromwell, however, maintained that the investigation was based on verified evidence and relevant documents and rejected suggestions that investigators deliberately ignored evidence favourable to the accused.

The defence lawyer’s approach has been to test the prosecution’s documentary evidence, financial calculations and investigative conclusions rather than simply accept the narrative presented by the state.

Forgery allegations come under scrutiny

The forgery issue forms part of the wider dispute over documents relied upon by the prosecution to establish its case.

The state has alleged irregularities involving documents connected to the purported procurement of cybersecurity equipment. The defence has challenged the prosecution’s interpretation and evidentiary basis on several fronts.

Cromwell told the court that EOCO’s investigation began following a tip-off alleging that GH¢49.1 million had been transferred from a National Security account to BNC Communications Bureau Limited at UMB Bank. Investigators subsequently obtained records from financial institutions as part of their inquiries.

Defence challenges the GH¢49.1m figure

Atta Akyea has also attacked the prosecution’s calculation of the amount involved.

In July, he challenged the state’s claim that the transaction amounted to GH¢49.1 million, arguing that the cedi equivalent of the US$7 million transaction should have been approximately GH¢38.15 million based on the exchange rate at the material time.

The disagreement over the figure is significant because the GH¢49.1 million amount has featured prominently in the charges and the prosecution’s presentation of the alleged financial diversion.

‘My focus was the investigations’

During cross-examination, Atta Akyea also questioned Cromwell about information and public comments surrounding the investigation.

The EOCO investigator made it clear that his role was focused on the investigation itself and not statements allegedly made outside the investigative process.

“My focus was the investigations and nothing else,” Cromwell told the court.

The exchange highlights the defence’s attempt to separate the evidence gathered by investigators from statements or narratives that may have emerged publicly during the case.

Four witnesses, prosecution closes its case

The Republic has now closed its case after calling four witnesses.

Cromwell, who spent several weeks in the witness box, faced prolonged cross-examination from Atta Akyea before the court eventually brought that phase to an end. The court had earlier given the defence additional time to conclude its questioning.

With the prosecution’s witnesses discharged, the focus has now shifted to whether the state has presented sufficient evidence to require the accused persons to mount a defence.

Atta Akyea now prepares for no-case submission

Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the High Court has given the defence until September 25, 2026, to file its submission of no case to answer.

But Atta Akyea has already raised concerns about the timeline, arguing that 14 days is too short to properly study the prosecution’s extensive evidence and prepare what he considers a credible submission.

The next big battle

The prosecution believes its four witnesses and documentary evidence have established a case concerning the alleged diversion of GH¢49.1 million.

The defence, meanwhile, has spent months attacking the state’s evidence, questioning the amount involved, the investigative process and the reliability of documents relied upon by the prosecution.