The Accra High Court has postponed the hearing of a bail application filed by former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

The matter, which was expected to be heard on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, has now been rescheduled for October 15, 2026.

Wontumi’s legal team was expected to argue for his release pending the determination of his appeal against his conviction and sentence. However, the proceedings could not go ahead because both his lead lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, and Wontumi himself were not present in court.

The NPP’s Director of Legal Affairs, Gary Nimako, attended the proceedings to represent the party.

According to the court clerk, the judge handling the matter was unavailable and would not be sitting during the week. The development therefore resulted in the bail hearing being adjourned to a later date.

Deputy Attorney-General Justice Srem-Sai was also in court on behalf of the state.

Wontumi’s 20-year prison sentence

Chairman Wontumi is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence following his conviction by the Accra High Court over illegal mining-related offences.

The charges relate to mining activities connected to a concession at Samreboi in the Western Region.

Following his conviction and sentencing, his lawyers filed an application in August seeking bail while his appeal against both the conviction and sentence is considered.

The application has, however, been strongly opposed by the Attorney-General’s Office.

The state has argued that Wontumi could be a flight risk if granted bail before the conclusion of the appeal process.

With the court unable to proceed with the application on Wednesday, the matter has been fixed for October 15, 2026, when the High Court is expected to hear arguments from both sides.

The upcoming hearing will determine whether Wontumi will be granted temporary freedom while he pursues his appeal or remain in custody throughout the process.

Six people have sustained injuries after a Toyota Corolla plunged into the Birim River at Biremso, near Anyinasin Junction on the Accra–Kumasi Highway.

The accident occurred on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

According to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), its Bunso Fire Station received a distress call about the incident at 9:04 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19, and immediately dispatched a crew to the scene.

An eyewitness told fire officers that he heard a loud crash and rushed to the area, where he found a black Toyota Corolla, with registration number GR 1425-18, submerged in the river.

Members of the public had already rescued the occupants before the arrival of the fire crew and transported them to the Hawa Saviour Memorial Hospital for medical attention.

All six occupants, who were males, sustained various injuries. However, no fatalities were recorded.

The vehicle was completely damaged in the crash, while some personal belongings were recovered from the wreckage.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Source: Citi Newsroom

Sixty-two Ghanaian nationals have died in Russia, while another 15 remain missing after travelling to the country amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has disclosed.

Mr Ablakwa made the revelation during a press conference in Moscow following bilateral discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov post on his X page.

The Minister said Ghana used the engagement to raise concerns about the alleged illegal recruitment of Ghanaian youth who are lured to Russia with promises of employment but later find themselves enlisted to take part in military operations linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

“During our press conference in Moscow with Foreign Minister Lavrov after our bilateral engagement, I disclosed that an important matter to Ghana was how to stop the illegal recruitment of Ghanaian youth who are lured and end up fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war,” Mr Ablakwa said.

He expressed concern over the growing number of Ghanaian casualties, revealing that 62 citizens have now lost their lives, while 15 others who travelled to Russia remain unaccounted for.

“Unfortunately, the number of Ghanaian deaths in Russia has gone up. 62 Ghanaians have now died, and 15 who travelled to Russia remain missing,” he stated.

According to the Minister, Ghana is particularly concerned about young people who are reportedly deceived by recruitment agents and offered jobs in Russia, only to be drawn into military activities.

He said the Ghanaian government has therefore made the protection of its citizens a key issue in its engagements with the Russian authorities.

Mr Ablakwa welcomed a commitment from the Russian government to cooperate with Ghana to prevent the illegal recruitment and enlistment of Ghanaian nationals into military operations.

“I welcome the pledge of the Russian Government to work with the Government of Ghana to stop the illegal enlistment of our youth,” he said.

He assured that the government would continue engaging Russian authorities and advocate for stronger measures to prevent Ghanaian citizens from being recruited into the conflict.

“The Government of Ghana will continue to lead advocacy on this matter and ensure that our youth are protected from harm’s way,” Mr Ablakwa stated.

The Foreign Affairs Minister stressed that Ghana has no role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and should not continue to lose its citizens as a result of the war.

“This is not our war, and it should not be claiming Ghanaian lives,” he added.

The disclosure comes amid growing concerns over reports that some Ghanaian nationals are being recruited to travel to Russia under the guise of securing employment, only to allegedly be enlisted and deployed to participate in military operations against Ukraine.

The Ghanaian government is expected to continue discussions with Russian authorities as it seeks to prevent further recruitment of Ghanaian citizens and secure the safety of those who may already have been caught up in the conflict.

https://x.com/S_OkudzetoAblak/status/2089715695193883081?s=20

The Presidency Communications is set to host the next edition of the Government Accountability Series, featuring Sammy Gyamfi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board.

The engagement is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

The Government Accountability Series is part of the Presidency’s communications efforts to provide updates and information on government policies, programmes and activities.

The session is expected to provide an opportunity for the public to hear directly from the Ghana Gold Board’s Chief Executive Officer on issues relating to the institution and its operations.

https://x.com/FelixKwakyeOfo1/status/2089678983029731684?s=20

The Coalition of Unemployed Graduates with Disabilities has announced plans to embark on a peaceful picketing exercise at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, to demand urgent action from government over what it describes as unfulfilled promises on the recruitment of persons with disabilities into the public sector.

The Coalition, in a media invitation issued on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, called on media houses, journalists, human rights advocates and members of the general public to join and cover the demonstration.

According to the group, the planned action follows several unsuccessful attempts to draw the attention of government and relevant duty bearers to the unemployment challenges facing qualified graduates with disabilities across Ghana.

The Coalition said it has issued numerous press statements, petitioned authorities and participated in previous demonstrations in an effort to have its concerns addressed.

However, it claims that despite repeated promises and assurances, there has been little progress towards addressing the situation.

A major concern raised by the Coalition is the failure to implement what it describes as an official commitment to reserve a 5% quota in public sector recruitment for persons with disabilities.

The group said the promised quota has yet to translate into meaningful employment opportunities for qualified graduates with disabilities.

It described the commitment as a “complete mirage,” arguing that graduates who have acquired the necessary academic qualifications and skills continue to struggle to secure jobs.

The Coalition said the situation has resulted in increasing financial hardship for many of its members, with their academic certificates and degrees remaining unused despite their willingness and ability to work.

The graduates said they are no longer prepared to rely on what they consider to be empty promises and token gestures.

According to them, their demand is not for special treatment but for dignity, inclusion and a fair opportunity to contribute to national development.

The group said qualified persons with disabilities should be given meaningful opportunities to participate in Ghana’s workforce and should not be excluded from employment because of their disabilities.

“We are tired of empty pledges and tokenism,” the Coalition stated, stressing that the time has come for government to move from promises to concrete action.

The group said the decision to picket at the Jubilee House is intended to take their concerns directly to the seat of government and demand accountability over commitments made to persons with disabilities.

The peaceful picketing exercise is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

Participants are expected to gather at 9:00 a.m. sharp at the Accra Rehabilitation Centre, also known as the Ghana Blind Union or the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations, around the Adabraka Polyclinic.

From the gathering point, the participants will proceed with their planned activities, including peaceful picketing at the Jubilee House.

The key activities for the exercise will include:

Peaceful picketing;

Display of placards highlighting the concerns and demands of the graduates; and

An official address to the media.

The Coalition emphasised that the exercise will be peaceful and is aimed at drawing national attention to the plight of unemployed graduates with disabilities.

Call to the Media

The group has specifically appealed to photojournalists, camera crews, reporters and other media professionals to cover the exercise and help amplify the voices of the affected graduates.

It said media coverage would help bring greater attention to the concerns of hundreds of qualified Ghanaian graduates with disabilities who are seeking opportunities to work and contribute to the country’s development.

The Coalition believes that increased public awareness and media attention could help push the relevant authorities to take concrete steps towards addressing the recruitment concerns.

The statement was signed by Gilbert Boateng Agyare, Convener of the Coalition of Unemployed Graduates with Disabilities.

The Coalition is therefore urging government and relevant authorities to listen to its concerns and take concrete steps to ensure that the proposed 5% public sector recruitment quota for persons with disabilities becomes a reality rather than remaining an unfulfilled promise.