Author: SAMUEL

Former Chief Justice of Ghana, Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, retains the legal right to return to the bench as a Supreme Court judge, according to Prof. Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, a law lecturer at the University of Ghana. Speaking in an interview on Eyewitness News with Umaru Sanda Amadu, Prof. Appiagyei-Atua noted that while the President has the authority to retire a Chief Justice with a package that prevents her from resuming her duties, the former Chief Justice can still choose to return if she wishes. He said, “It can also be the case that the President can retire her on…

The removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo by President John Dramani Mahama has sparked strong reactions from political leaders, with Sammi Awuku, a prominent member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), describing the action as “unprecedented” and a serious threat to the independence of Ghana’s judiciary. In a statement shared on social media, Mr. Awuku said the decision sets a dangerous precedent, lowering the threshold for the removal of a sitting Chief Justice and undermining the autonomy of the third arm of government. He noted that Chief Justice Torkornoo served with “uncommon grace and integrity”, emphasizing that her dismissal sends…

The Akwatia Constituency will today go to the polls to elect their member of parliament. It is expected that 52,328 persons will cast their ballot in the crucial election. The election is between three candidates who are Solomon Kwame Asumadu of the NPP, Bernard Bediako of the NDC and Owusu Patrick. Marked as an important election, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has deployed 5,500 personnel. The New Patriotic Party hopes to maintain the seat in memory of the late Ernest Kumi. However, several polls have predicted a win for the NDC candidate, Bernard Baidoo with premises on the need…

The Spiritual Science Society Africa has stated that it will not pay an additional pacification fee of GH¢38,500 to the traditional leaders of Nkotompo in the Western Region, arguing that the demand is unreasonable and unjustified. The request followed a viral video showing members of the society performing rituals that residents described as such in the Nkotompo River. The footage sparked outrage among locals, with many alleging that the group was engaged in occult practices. Tensions heightened as a crowd gathered at the spot, demanding explanations from the society. The situation escalated when residents insisted that the group be taken…

Ghana has secured stable freight rates for the 2025/26 cocoa crop season, shielding exporters from the volatility affecting global shipping markets. This follows high-level negotiations in Rouen, France, where the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), Cocoa Marketing Company (CMC), and 20 international shipping lines reached a consensus to maintain predictable rates. Under the new agreement, shipping cocoa to the UK will cost £32 per tonne; northern Europe, €56.72; Brazil, US$122.05; Japan, US$111.39; and Mediterranean Europe, €63.67. These rates include bunker adjustment factors and will be paid in US dollars, based on Reuters exchange rates at the time of shipment. The annual…

The Office of the President on Monday, September 1, 2025, announced the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo by President John Dramani Mahama. The decision came just hours after the President received the report of a five-member committee he had set up, in accordance with the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, to probe three petitions seeking the Chief Justice’s removal. Even before the committee began its work, leading figures of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), including Mustapha Gbande, Deputy Director of Operations at the Office of the President, had publicly declared that Justice Torkornoo’s fate was already sealed. Gbande had…

Tariq Lamptey has ended his six-year stay at Brighton & Hove Albion, completing a permanent move to Serie A side Fiorentina. The 24-year-old right-back, who joined the Seagulls from Chelsea in 2020, has signed a four-year contract with La Viola in a deal reportedly worth £6 million. He will wear the number 48 jersey at his new club. Lamptey took to Instagram to pen a heartfelt farewell message to the Brighton family, expressing gratitude to the club, teammates, staff, and fans. “Where do I start, what a journey it’s been, Brighton. I hoped it could have ended with me being…

President John Dramani Mahama has removed Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo from office with immediate effect, following the recommendations of a committee set up under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution. A statement signed by the Spokesperson to the President, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, confirmed the decision, stressing that it was carried out in strict adherence to the law. “President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution, removed the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo, from office with immediate effect,” the statement read. The removal stemmed from a petition…

Award-winning investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni, has weighed in on the unfolding judicial shake-up, following President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to remove Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo from office. Manasseh raised questions about the political undertones in handling petitions against the judiciary. He remarked in a post on Facebook thus; “One president receives a petition of alleged misconduct against a chief justice he appointed, and the petition is dismissed. “It doesn’t go through the hearing process. Another president receives petitions against the same chief justice for alleged misconduct and allows the petition to travel its full length, as…

The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has warned the public against paying money to individuals or groups who claim they can secure cannabis licences on their behalf. In a statement, the Commission stressed that it has not authorised or accredited “any individual, group, or association to facilitate, broker, or secure the acquisition or issuance of cannabis licences.” “Licensing processes will be conducted only by the Commission, not through third parties,” NACOC cautioned. “All prospective applicants are advised not to pay money to anyone purporting to act as an agent, intermediary, or consultant for cannabis licensing.” The Commission also assured the public…