The National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, popularly known as Nana B, has officially announced his intention to contest for the position of National First Vice Chairman of the party ahead of its upcoming internal elections.

In a statement addressed to party executives, elders, patrons and members of the NPP, Nana B said his decision was inspired by a deep sense of duty and gratitude after serving the party for 26 years in various leadership positions.

According to him, the experience and lessons he has gained over the years have prepared him to help strengthen the party’s structures, reconnect with the grassroots and contribute significantly to the NPP’s mission of returning to power in the 2028 general elections.

Nana B highlighted his extensive political journey within the party, beginning at the polling station level where he served as a Polling Station Agent during the 2000 General Elections in the then Manhyia Constituency. He later became Polling Station Chairman in both the Tarkwa-Nsuaem and Oforikrom constituencies. He also served as a member of the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Constituency Campaign Team and as Communications Officer for the Oforikrom Constituency.

At the regional and youth level, he served as TESCON President at both the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). He also served as a member of the Ashanti Regional Communications Team, a member of the 2016 Ashanti Regional Campaign Team, Director of Events and Programmes for the National Youth Wing, National Youth Organiser, and Vice Chairman of the International Young Democrat Union (IYDU).

At the national level, Nana B has served in several strategic roles, including Member of the NPP National Communications Team, Member of the 2020 Presidential Election Petition Legal Team, Member of the 2020 and 2024 National Campaign Teams, National Organiser, Vice Chairman of the 2025 National Delegates Conference Planning Committee, Member of the National Steering Committee, National Executive Committee and National Council.

He stated that his ambition is rooted in the belief that unity, renewed determination and effective leadership will reposition the New Patriotic Party for victory in the 2028 elections.

Nana B appealed to party faithful to support his bid with their prayers, guidance and encouragement as he embarks on what he described as an important journey for the future of the NPP.

He signed the statement as “Henry Nana Boakye (Nana B), Next National First Vice Chairman, NPP,” and adopted the campaign slogan “Bold, Fearless and Experienced.“

Dr. Charles Dwamena, the National Treasurer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and a candidate for the party’s General Secretary position, has filed a lawsuit against Hubtel Limited at the Commercial Division of the High Court in Kumasi, seeking GH¢5 million in damages over what he describes as a breach of contract, negligence, and unlawful interference with his campaign donation platform.

According to the writ of summons and statement of claim filed in July 2026, Dr. Dwamena, a former Deputy Ambassador of Ghana to China and former Director of Finance and Administration at the NPP headquarters, alleges that Hubtel unlawfully activated a separate USSD shortcode bearing his personal name and later deactivated his official campaign donation shortcode without his knowledge or consent.

The suit states that in January 2026, Dr. Dwamena engaged Hubtel to provide a USSD-based payment platform to collect donations for his campaign for the NPP General Secretary race scheduled for September 18–20, 2026. Hubtel allegedly assigned him the shortcode 7132028#, which was configured by his campaign team and integrated into his official campaign website, www.drdwamenaelections.org.

According to the claim, Dr. Dwamena invested significant time, effort, and financial resources into developing the donation platform, including creating multiple donation categories and payment options for supporters.

The lawsuit states that Hubtel later onboarded his software developer and provided technical support through a dedicated WhatsApp group involving Hubtel officials identified as Ms. Benedicta and Mr. Makafui.

Dr. Dwamena argues that Hubtel was contractually obligated to maintain and operate the campaign shortcode, refrain from activating any other shortcode bearing his name without his approval, avoid linking his campaign platform to any other shortcode, and ensure that his campaign payment infrastructure remained operational.

However, the suit alleges that on April 21, 2026, Stephen Forson, identified as the Deputy Director of Information Technology at the NPP headquarters, requested Hubtel through a WhatsApp integration platform to activate another shortcode, 7142028#.

The plaintiff claims he immediately objected in writing, warning that activating the new shortcode would create confusion because 7132028# had already been assigned exclusively to his campaign. Despite the objection, he alleges Hubtel proceeded to activate the new shortcode.

According to the statement of claim, Hubtel also linked the newly activated shortcode to Dr. Dwamena’s existing campaign platform, causing users making payments through 7142028# to see his name as the designated beneficiary.

The court documents include allegations that payment prompts displayed messages such as “Enter Amount to pay to Dr Charles Dwamena” and payment confirmation screens identifying him as the recipient of transactions.

Dr. Dwamena further claims Hubtel subsequently deactivated his original campaign shortcode, 7132028#, without his authorization, effectively shutting down his official donation platform during a critical stage of his campaign.

He argues that Hubtel’s actions breached both contractual obligations and its duty of care as a licensed payment service provider under Ghana’s Payment Systems and Services Act, 2019 (Act 987).

The plaintiff also accuses Hubtel of failing to implement proper authorization procedures before activating a shortcode bearing his name and of giving priority to instructions from third parties over those of its own client.

Dr. Dwamena says the actions severely damaged his reputation after publications circulated on official NPP WhatsApp platforms and social media allegedly portrayed him as someone involved in diverting party membership dues into his personal account.

He further claims the alleged actions resulted in the loss of campaign donations, damaged his political standing ahead of the NPP National Executive elections, and negatively affected his professional reputation.

As part of the suit, Dr. Dwamena is seeking declarations that Hubtel breached its contract by activating the unauthorized shortcode and deactivating his official campaign shortcode.

He is also asking the court to order Hubtel to immediately restore shortcode 7132028# and permanently deactivate shortcode 7142028#.

Additionally, the plaintiff wants the court to compel Hubtel to provide a full account of all transactions processed through the disputed shortcode and pay over any sums found to be due.

Dr. Dwamena is seeking GH¢5 million in general damages for breach of contract and negligence, exemplary damages for what he describes as Hubtel’s reckless and high-handed conduct, special damages for lost campaign donations and other consequential losses, interest on all monetary awards at the prevailing Bank of Ghana rate, and legal costs.

The case is yet to be heard, and Hubtel is expected to respond to the allegations before the court determines the merits of the claims.

Dr. Charles Dwamena

The Accra High Court has sentenced the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to 20 years’ imprisonment after finding him guilty of illegal mining-related offences committed on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.

The judgment was delivered by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay of the Criminal Division of the High Court shortly after 11:40 a.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, bringing to a close one of Ghana’s most closely followed illegal mining prosecutions.

In addition to the custodial sentence, the court imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢120,000. Should the fine remain unpaid, Wontumi will serve an additional three-year prison sentence. However, the court ruled that the prison sentence and the default sentence attached to the fine will run concurrently.

Justice Kocuvie-Tay had earlier convicted Chairman Wontumi on all six charges brought against him. The offences included assigning mineral rights without the approval of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and purposely facilitating an unlicensed mining operation, contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended.

The court noted that the offences attract a statutory prison term ranging between 15 and 25 years, and after considering the circumstances of the case, imposed a 20-year sentence.

The court also delivered its ruling against Akonta Mining Company Limited, the company linked to Chairman Wontumi. Unlike its controlling director, the company escaped a custodial sentence after the court considered mitigating factors. Instead, it was ordered to pay a financial penalty through the prescribed penalty units.

Before sentencing, defence lawyers led by Samuel Atta Akyea appealed to the court to exercise mercy and impose the minimum sentence of 15 years. The defence argued that Chairman Wontumi had shown remorse throughout the proceedings, cooperated with investigators, honoured every court appearance, and had no previous criminal record.

The lawyers further described him as a devoted family man who had made meaningful contributions to both his community and the country, urging the court to consider these factors in mitigation.

Despite the plea, the court concluded that the gravity of the offences warranted a 20-year custodial sentence after weighing submissions from both the prosecution and the defence.

Background

The case stems from a major anti-illegal mining operation conducted by the Ghana Police Service at the Samreboi concession on April 16 and 17, 2025.

During the operation, police arrested Michael Ayisi Gyedu and 28 other suspects. Authorities also seized 25 operational excavators, firearms, vehicles, and GH¢157,000 in cash from the mining site.

According to the prosecution, Chairman Wontumi, as the owner and controlling director of Akonta Mining Company Limited, permitted mining activities to take place on the concession without obtaining the mandatory approval from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.

The prosecution maintained that the mining operations violated Ghana’s mining laws and that Wontumi played a direct role in facilitating the unlawful activities.

However, the defence rejected the allegations, insisting that Chairman Wontumi never authorised illegal mining on the concession. They argued that individuals found at the site had been engaged solely for land reclamation and coconut plantation activities, not for mining.

Meanwhile, the Republic has also applied for a forfeiture order covering all items seized during the operation, including the excavators, firearms, vehicles and the GH¢157,000 in cash.

The High Court is expected to deliver a separate ruling on that forfeiture application at a later date.

Source:myjoyonline