General News
Africa Must Build Strong Institutions to Safeguard Human Rights — Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has called on African nations to prioritize the strengthening of democratic institutions as a fundamental strategy for protecting human rights, maintaining constitutional order, and ensuring sustainable political stability across the continent.
Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Judicial Year and the 20th Anniversary celebrations of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, Tanzania, President Mahama emphasized that Africa’s historical experiences with political instability, coups, and constitutional disruptions underscore the urgent need for resilient institutions capable of safeguarding citizens’ freedoms.
According to him, the protection of human rights cannot be guaranteed through political rhetoric alone but must be anchored in strong, independent, and impartial institutions that operate above partisan influence.
“Our continent’s history teaches us that justice cannot be left to chance,” President Mahama stated. “Justice must be deliberately constructed, carefully protected, and firmly rooted in institutions that are independent, impartial, and resilient to political interference.”
The Ghanaian leader used his keynote address to draw a connection between personal history and broader continental governance challenges. He recounted how the detention of his father following Ghana’s 1966 military coup shaped his lifelong commitment to justice, due process, and democratic accountability.
“I remain the child whose father was detained for serving his country and advising its leader,” he said, describing how early exposure to political instability deepened his appreciation for the fragility of fundamental rights in environments where institutional safeguards are weak.
He further noted that violations of justice against individuals have far-reaching social consequences.
“When injustice is visited upon one person, it does not end with that individual,” Mahama said. “It reverberates through families, communities, and sometimes across generations.”
President Mahama stressed that Africa’s future development is intrinsically linked to the strength of its democratic governance architecture. He urged African governments to invest in judicial independence, strengthen constitutional courts, and empower continental institutions tasked with monitoring human rights compliance.
He particularly praised the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, describing it as a critical continental mechanism for protecting citizens from abuses of power and ensuring that states remain accountable to the principles of the Banjul Charter.
“For me, this is not an abstract legal discussion,” he said. “It is about ensuring that no African child grows up witnessing injustice without access to remedy or protection under the law.”
Civil society observers and legal scholars present at the event described the address as a strong reaffirmation of Africa’s commitment to democratic governance and human rights protection. Analysts noted that Mahama’s remarks reflected a broader continental debate about balancing sovereignty with supranational judicial accountability.
The event brought together African heads of state, senior judges, international diplomats, and human rights advocates who gathered to commemorate two decades of the African Court’s contribution to the advancement of justice on the continent.
General News
TikToker Camilla Alhassan Jailed One Year for Spreading False Claims About President Mahama
TikToker Camilla Alhassan has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Accra Circuit Court after pleading guilty to charges of offensive conduct and publishing false news.
The sentence was handed down on Thursday, July 16, after Alhassan admitted to sharing videos on social media in which she falsely claimed, without any evidence, that President John Dramani Mahama buried 32 cows as part of rituals to secure victory in the 2024 general election.
Speaking after the ruling, her lawyer, Kwadwo Gyamfi Bonsu, disclosed that the court dismissed the charge of electronic abuse, explaining that it lacked the legal jurisdiction to determine that particular offence.
Despite dropping the electronic abuse charge, the court convicted Alhassan on the count of offensive conduct and imposed a one-year custodial sentence.
According to her lawyer, the defence pleaded for a more lenient sentence, but the judge maintained that the increasing spread of false information and similar offences required a punishment that would serve as a deterrent.
Camilla Alhassan was arrested and prosecuted by the Ghana Police Service after the videos gained widespread attention on social media. Prior to sentencing, the court had also ordered a pregnancy test during an earlier hearing as part of the proceedings.
President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to equitable national development, declaring that no region of Ghana would be neglected because of its electoral choices.
Speaking during the sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of a 24-Hour Economy Model Market at Juapong in the Volta Region as part of his Resetting Ghana Tour, President Mahama said his administration was determined to ensure that every part of the country benefited from development projects.
He rejected the notion that any region should be taken for granted or left behind because of the way its people voted in elections.
“Our mandate, given to us by the good people of Ghana, is to govern the country for every Ghanaian,” he said. “Our commitment to the Volta Region is founded on fairness, equity and our constitutional responsibility to ensure balanced national development across the whole country.”
The President noted that the Volta Region had made an immeasurable contribution to Ghana’s development and deserved its fair share of national progress.
He said government was deliberately investing in infrastructure and public services across the country, including healthcare, education, roads, transport, agriculture, agro-processing and modern markets to improve livelihoods and create economic opportunities.
President Mahama made the remarks after cutting the sod for the construction of the Juapong 24-Hour Economy Model Market, one of a series of markets to be built nationwide under the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy initiative.
Prophet Dr. Power Man has predicted that Ghana may witness the loss of some prominent personalities in the coming days, including a well-known lawyer and politician who has served the nation.
Speaking on Kessben 92.9 FM’s Awurade Akasa programme hosted by Prophet Richard Afful, the man of God was asked about what lies ahead for Ghana and its citizens.
According to Prophet Dr. Power Man, the country would move from a period of “tears of joy” into a time of great sorrow, as he claimed he had seen difficult moments ahead for the nation.
“I saw a prominent person in Ghana, a politician who is a lawyer and has served the nation. He is a very prominent person,” he stated.
He added that from July 14, 2026, through December 2027, Ghanaians would hear reports of the passing of some notable personalities.
“From 14th July till 2027 December, we will hear about the death of prominent people, about four or three people in the country,” Prophet Dr. Power Man said.
When asked by the host whether the people involved would be young or old, the prophet responded that some would be elderly while others would be young.
He further explained that when it comes to such situations, sickness may not always be the cause, adding that “death is what is meant to be” and should not always be attributed to witchcraft
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