General News
‘They Printed Their Own Ballot Papers’ – Okatakyie’s Team Makes Explosive Allegations Over NPP Election
The campaign team of New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary aspirant for Afigya Sekyere East, Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah, has accused some constituency officials of illegally proceeding with a suspended constituency executive election by allegedly printing their own ballot papers and preparing electoral materials despite a court injunction and party directives.
In a statement issued on July 12, 2026, the communications team of Afrifa Mensah said the disputed election was conducted in defiance of a directive from the NPP National Steering Committee and an interim injunction issued by the High Court in Kumasi, which had restrained the party from continuing with aspects of the electoral process.
The statement followed the arrest of Afrifa Mensah by officers of the Ashanti North Regional Police Command on Sunday morning.
According to the campaign, the NPP National Steering Committee, through Acting National Chairman Danquah Smith, had on July 6 directed the immediate suspension of the Afigya Sekyere East Constituency Executive Committee elections pending the outcome of an ongoing court case.
The team explained that the directive came after the High Court granted an interim injunction preventing the party and its officials from conducting activities related to the electoral process, including polling station elections, electoral area coordinators’ elections, and the subsequent constituency executive election.
Despite the court order and the party’s directive, the campaign alleged that some constituency officials, with the support of heavily armed police officers and Electoral Commission personnel, printed their own ballot papers, produced delegates’ albums and made arrangements to hold the suspended election.
The statement said Afrifa Mensah, who has declared his intention to contest the NPP parliamentary primaries, went to the election venue after receiving information that the suspended process was taking place.
According to his campaign, his intention was to verify the situation and formally notify electoral officials about both the court injunction and the National Steering Committee’s directive suspending the election.
However, the team claimed that upon arriving at the venue, Afrifa Mensah and some of his supporters were allegedly assaulted by police officers before being arrested.
It further alleged that Afrifa Mensah and four members of his team sustained gunshot injuries and were receiving medical treatment.
The campaign also accused the police of failing to promptly inform his family, lawyers and campaign team of his whereabouts after the arrest.
The statement stressed that Afrifa Mensah neither owns nor operates any vigilante group and maintained that he and his supporters had no intention of causing violence.
According to the campaign, Afrifa Mensah was later transferred to the Divisional Police Command at Asante Mampong, where he remained in police custody pending further legal processes.
The team called on party supporters and the general public to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding while allowing legal processes to take their course.
It also reaffirmed Afrifa Mensah’s commitment to the NPP, saying he remains dedicated to contributing to the party’s growth, unity and development through lawful, democratic and constitutional means.
The statement recalled that the NPP National Steering Committee had suspended Constituency Executive Committee elections in both the Afigya Sekyere East and Asante Akyem Central constituencies following court injunctions.
A memorandum dated July 6, 2026, directed that all activities relating to the affected constituency elections be halted until further notice or until the courts determine the pending applications.
The party noted that, as a law-abiding political organisation, it is obliged to comply fully with court orders while pursuing the appropriate legal processes to challenge the injunctions where necessary.
General News
No One Is Above the Law — Private Lawyer Slams Kofi Tonto Over Criticism of Miracle Aboagye’s Arrest
Private legal practitioner Kwame Owusu-Danso has criticized comments by NPP communicator Kofi Tonto regarding the arrest of Miracle Aboagye, describing the arguments as “very dangerous” and a threat to the rule of law.
According to the lawyer, no public official or political appointee should be shielded from investigation merely because they served in government.
Reacting to Kofi Tonto’s comments via a zoom interview on Kessben TV’s Digest show, Owusu-Danso questioned whether it was acceptable to suggest that individuals accused of wrongdoing should avoid arrest simply because they held political office.
“If someone in government is found to have engaged in illegal acts, that person should be arrested,” he argued, adding that public office does not grant immunity from accountability.
The lawyer further questioned whether the Attorney General should continue pursuing cases that allegedly lack merit at the expense of taxpayers, asking whether Kofi Tonto was suggesting that government officials should never be called to account for their stewardship.
He also warned against what he described as “hooliganism” by political supporters whenever arrests are made, insisting that such conduct undermines the country’s justice system.
Drawing comparisons with previous high-profile prosecutions, Owusu-Danso stated that Miracle Aboagye is “not more human” than other former public officials who were investigated and prosecuted in the past.
He maintained that if the state believes an individual failed in their stewardship while in office, investigations should be allowed to proceed. If the suspect is eventually cleared of wrongdoing, he said, the person has every right to seek legal redress for unlawful detention.
Owusu-Danso also revealed that Miracle Aboagye had previously honoured invitations by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), suggesting there may have been reasons for the airport arrest that are not yet known to the public.
He concluded that Ghanaians should allow due process to take its course rather than politicizing criminal investigations, stressing that the rule of law must apply equally to everyone
General News
Government Mourns Passing of Dagbon Overlord Yaa Naa Abukari Mahama II
The Government of Ghana has expressed profound sorrow over the passing of the Overlord of Dagbon, His Majesty Yaa Naa Abukari Mahama II, describing his death as a great loss to the people of Dagbon and the nation as a whole.
In a statement issued on Monday, July 13, by the Presidency Communications Office, President John Dramani Mahama, on behalf of the Government of Ghana, extended his deepest condolences to the Royal Family, the people of Dagbon, and all Ghanaians during what he described as a period of immense grief.
The government paid tribute to the late traditional ruler for his remarkable leadership, noting that his reign was marked by healing, reconciliation, and lasting peace in Dagbon following years of conflict. The statement highlighted his unwavering commitment to unity, stability, and the welfare of his people, emphasizing that his leadership created an enabling environment for development and strengthened collaboration between traditional authorities and the government.
According to the Presidency, Yaa Naa Abukari Mahama II will be remembered for his invaluable service to Ghana and his enduring legacy of wisdom, peace, and dedication to national progress.
“The Government pays tribute to the life and legacy of Yaa Naa Abukari Mahama II and honours his invaluable service to the nation. May his wisdom, leadership, and dedication to peace continue to inspire future generations,” the statement said.
The government concluded by praying for the peaceful repose of the late monarch’s soul.
The statement was signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications.

General News
EOCO Arrests Dennis Aboagye, Gerald Appiah Over GH¢55m IMCCoD Probe
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has confirmed the arrest of former Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD) Executive Secretary, Dennis Aboagye, popularly known as “Miracles”, and Gerald Appiah, in connection with investigations into alleged financial and procurement-related irregularities involving about GH¢55 million.
In a statement issued on Monday, July 13, 2026, EOCO said the investigation follows a forensic audit conducted into the activities of IMCCoD, which uncovered suspected financial misappropriation, procurement breaches, diversion and theft of public funds.
According to EOCO, the probe began last year after an initial forensic audit raised concerns about the management of funds by the committee during the period from August 2022 to February 2025.
The office said Dennis Aboagye, who served as the former Executive Secretary of IMCCoD, and Gerald Appiah are being investigated for suspected offences including conspiracy to steal, stealing, using public office for profit, causing financial loss to the state, dissipation of public funds, defrauding by false pretences and money laundering.
EOCO further stated that Gerald Appiah has voluntarily started refunding funds allegedly connected to the investigation, but noted that the recovery of money does not by itself conclude the investigative process or clear him of any wrongdoing.
The anti-graft agency disclosed that following new findings from its investigations, it initiated steps to arrest Dennis Aboagye after he allegedly failed to honour an invitation. The office said a stop order was placed on him at the airport to prevent him from leaving the country.
EOCO added that after his arrival at Kotoka International Airport, officers from the Ghana Immigration Service executed the stop order and handed him over to EOCO officials for further investigation.
The office assured the public that the investigations are being conducted professionally and in accordance with the law, while promising further updates when necessary.
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