John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has stated that if elected president in December, he will not hesitate to order any of his officials involved in mining activities to quit.

According to the former President, his appointees would be obliged to focus on their primary mission of improving the country.

Speaking at the 3rd Annual Transformational Dialogue on Small-scale Mining at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani, John Mahama stated that none of his appointees will participate in galamsey.

Mr Mahama pledged that if elected president, he would establish a sustainable mining scheme in all mining communities that differs from the current community mining scheme and will heavily involve traditional leadership in the granting of licences to help regulate mining activities.

“It will vary in every way from the current community mining plan, which has indisputably become a conduit for enriching party chairmen, DCEs, and other politically connected persons.

“Indeed, under my administration, if you are a minister, a DCE, or an official and engage in mining activities, I will request that you quit and go mining. You can either be a governmental official or a businessman running a mine.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s National Communication Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, alleges that roughly 20 pro-government operatives who interrupted the ongoing restricted voter registration process have been detained.

In a May 16, 2024 post on X (previously Twitter), he stated that the Ghana Police Service’s Anti-armed Robbery Unit arrested the Okaikwei North constituency in the Greater Accra area.

He described the detained as “armed bandits” and stated that they had “live ammunition, cutlasses, and other weapons.”

According to Gyamfi, the suspects were caught while publicly smoking marijuana behind the District Court, near the voter registration centre.

He further claimed that the same mob had earlier stormed the office of NDC MP Theresa Lardi Awuni, wounding numerous individuals.

Mr Gyamfi further alleged that the NDC had acquired intelligence indicating that senior New Patriotic Party (NPP) officials were seeking to secure the release of the accused.

He stated that the NDC will closely follow the issue.

“Sources from the Police Regional Command have hinted to us that some senior NPP officials are at the police station trying to secure bail for these hoodlums,” said Mr Gyamfi. As of now, the Police Service has not issued a comment about the event.

Earlier this morning, about twenty (20) armed bandits belonging to the ruling NPP were arrested at the registration centre in the Okaikoi North Constituency by the anti-robbery unit of the Ghana Police Service.

Some of the items retrieved from these bandits included live… pic.twitter.com/VExEJhKlNX

— Sammy Gyamfi (@SammyGyamfi_) May 16, 2024

President Akufo-Addo has filed a petition to Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo demanding the removal of the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng.

Former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu petitioned President Akufo-Addo to remove Mr. Agyebeng from his office.

The petition, dated April 30, 2024, claims procurement violations in the purchase of cars for the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and charges Mr Agyebeng with wrongdoing concerning judges and the administration of justice.

Mr Amidu’s petition alleges infringement of people’s rights through arrests and detentions, violations of the right to information, and unlawful nominations to the OSP.

The impeachment procedure appears to be tied to Mr. Agyebeng’s dramatic news appearance, in which he alleged that judges conspired against him.

Mr Amidu claims that these statements are an abuse of judges and bring the judiciary to shame.

This comes after allegations that Mr Agyebeng rebuffed requests to quit, instead holding a news conference to convey his dissatisfaction with his position.

Mr. Amidu further claims that the Special Prosecutor violated the rights of persons such as Cecilia Dapaah and Prof. Frimpong Boateng by arresting them.