Retired GBC journalist Selma Ramatu Al-Hassan has filed a GH¢10 million defamation lawsuit against media personality Captain Smart, Onua TV, and its parent company, Media General, over comments she says have severely damaged her reputation.

According to court documents, the suit arises from statements made by Captain Smart during a broadcast on Onua TV in November 2025, in which he allegedly claimed that Al-Hassan had a child out of wedlock with former President Jerry John Rawlings. The remarks, she says, were false, malicious, and widely circulated after the broadcast went viral on social media.

Al-Hassan is seeking general and aggravated damages amounting to GH¢10 million, alongside a public retraction and unqualified apology. She is also asking the court to grant an injunction restraining the defendants from making or publishing any further defamatory statements against her.

Earlier today, the Grant Management Committee of the Adwumawura Programme was officially inaugurated by the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment.

The inauguration marked a critical stage in the implementation of the Adwumawura Programme, because it symbolizes an essential step in our collective effort to ensure transparency, accountability, and equity in the management of public resources entrusted to the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme under The Adwumawura Programme.

The membership of the committee was drawn from Industry Players, Academia, Financial Institutions, Development Partners and Government Agencies.

1. University of Ghana Business School Innovation Center

2. Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment

3. Ministry of Finance

4. ABSA Bank

5. Venture Capital Trust Fund

6. British Council

7. Private Sector (C.E.O of Akosombo Catering)

8. National Youth Authority

9. National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme

10. Ghana Youth Federation

11. MASLOC

In his remarks, the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment reaffirmed government’s commitment to youth empowerment, job creation, and sustainable entrepreneurship. He emphasized that the Adwumawura Programme is not just about funding, but about building resilient businesses that can drive inclusive national development. He charged them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, fairness, and diligence in the discharge of their duties.

The C.E.O of NEIP highlighted the need for the Grant Management Committee to be intentional about inclusiveness, equity, impactfulness, and innovation in the selection of at least 2, 000 viable businesses.

On his part, the Board Chairman assured the committee of their full support and urged them to execute their mandate dispassionately, transparently, in a non-partisan manner that will engender trust and confidence in the selection process.

Prof. George Acheampong from the University of Ghana Business School speaking on behalf of the committee thanked the Minister and NEIP for the opportunity to serve. He, on behalf of the committee members, assured the Minister and the Board of NEIP of their readiness and commitment to discharge their mandate diligently, fairly, transparently, and with utmost integrity.

President John Dramani Mahama today granted an audience to the outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Tong Defa. The president lauded Mr Tong for strengthening the existing relations between Ghana and China during his tenure.

“You haven’t just been an ambassador or diplomat, you have been a friend, and I’m sad to see you go. Of course, our relations with China are excellent,” the President remarked.

Mr Mahama also thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for his country’s involvement in negotiating Ghana’s debt restructuring and for providing significant support for Ghana’s development. He cited a $30 m grant for the Aflao Market Project and another $30m allocated for the construction of a new Science and Technology University in Damango.

“We want to see a greater cooperation with China in terms of logistics, in terms of training to move on anti-terrorism, in terms of building surveillance of our borders to make sure that we don’t have any infiltration of these areas”, he added.

President Mahama suggested a payment and settlement system between the two countries.

Ambassador Tong congratulated President Mahama on the successes chalked up in the first year of his tenure, especially in turning the fortunes of Ghana’s economy. He called for strengthening cooperation between the two countries in industry, trade, mining, and science and technology.

Ambassador Tong noted that the China zero-tariff arrangement for Ghana’s exports would soon be operationalised. He appealed to President Mahama for Ghana’s support for China’s bid to host the Secretariat of the new United Nations treaty on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction.