New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has launched a stinging verbal attack on former Vice-President and the party’s 2024 presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, insisting that the former Vice-President plays no role whatsoever in his personal or political life.

According to Mr Agyapong, Dr Bawumia is irrelevant to him, stressing that he deliberately avoids engaging with him in any capacity.

“I do not concern myself with Dr Bawumia,” he stated. “In my life, he does not exist. If he did, it could push me into doing something I would regret. That is how strongly I feel.”

Mr Agyapong further alleged that Dr Bawumia was behind certain controversial remarks made by the Bono Regional Chairman of the party, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC. However, he declined to provide further details on the matter.

Turning his attention to the party’s internal processes, the Assin Central Member of Parliament cautioned against any attempt to manipulate the forthcoming NPP flagbearer election. He warned that such actions could undermine the credibility of the party’s internal democratic structures.

“I may not have time for them, but that does not give anyone the right to rig the elections,” he said. “I trust the party’s systems, and I am aware of the Electoral Commission officials my opponents have engaged. There is a deliberate plan to use the party’s internal security machinery to intimidate and embarrass certain individuals.”

Mr Agyapong also revisited a previous incident at the residence of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, claiming that comments he made at the time were distorted and misrepresented on social media.

“Something happened at the former President’s residence some time ago,” he recalled. “I mentioned a particular individual’s name. When I left, there was nobody present. Yet the next day, my words were twisted and circulated on social media. I have no personal issues with anyone.”

In a recent interview on Accra-based United Television, Mr Agyapong expressed deep disappointment over what he described as the lack of appreciation for his efforts and sacrifices during the party’s recent election campaign.

“Did I not campaign for him during the elections?” he questioned. “After everything, did he even call to say thank you? Instead, his supporters were insulting me.”

He added that, in his view, former Energy Minister Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, was the only individual from Dr Bawumia’s camp who showed loyalty and gratitude.

“I personally took NAPO to my warehouse and distributed items freely,” he said. “Yet there were young men going around claiming I never campaigned. That was painful.”

Mr Agyapong concluded by lamenting what he sees as deliberate attempts to downplay his contributions to the party, insisting that his commitment to the NPP has never been in doubt.

Former Dome Kwabenya Member of Parliament, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has publicly thrown her support behind Vice-President Dr Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, describing him as the leader best positioned to shape her political future as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) approaches a decisive phase in its leadership reorganisation.

Speaking to party delegates and supporters, Ms Adwoa Safo called on members of the party to embrace unity, deep reflection, and strategic decision-making as they prepare for the transition ahead. In a firm declaration, she stated that the time had come for Dr Bawumia to lead the party forward.

She acknowledged that political ambition is both legitimate and unavoidable within a democratic party, noting that differing views among party members should not be misconstrued as personal conflict.

“I am a politician, just as Honourable Kennedy Agyapong is,” she explained. “He has his own convictions and aspirations, and I equally have mine as I continue to pursue my political journey.”

Ms Adwoa Safo emphasised that the NPP’s strength lies in its diversity, pointing out that many delegates are deeply rooted in the party’s grassroots through family and community ties. While affirming the right of every member to hold an opinion, she cautioned that leadership choices must prioritise the party’s long-term stability and electoral viability rather than emotional or personal considerations.

Addressing speculation surrounding her stance, she was quick to reject claims that her endorsement of Dr Bawumia stems from any personal animosity towards the Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong.

“I do not harbour any hatred towards Honourable Kennedy Agyapong,” she stated. “We share two wonderful children, a son and a daughter, and that alone makes such claims unfounded.” She stressed, however, that internal party leadership decisions should not be influenced by personal relationships.

Reflecting on the NPP’s recent electoral setback, the former legislator urged party members to draw critical lessons from the defeat that relegated the party to opposition. She argued that one of the key issues that undermined public confidence was the perception that personal relationships were given undue priority while the party was in government.

“That mistake has cost us dearly,” she admitted, urging the party to avoid repeating it.

Ms Adwoa Safo also highlighted her years of service to both the party and the country, questioning whether her experience and contributions should be overlooked in future leadership considerations.

She recalled beginning her parliamentary journey in 2007 and serving continuously within the party over the years. During her twelve-year tenure in Parliament, she held several key positions, including Deputy Majority Leader, Minister for Public Procurement, and Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection.

“After all these years of service, the question remains whether my contribution counts,” she said.

While acknowledging that Mr Agyapong has played a notable role in the growth of the NPP, Ms Adwoa Safo expressed concern about her own political future should he eventually assume the party’s leadership and the presidency.

“I have never suggested that he will win this contest,” she clarified. “However, if he were to become President and review my record of service, the reality is that my experience would likely go unrecognised.”

She argued that appointing her to a ministerial position under such circumstances would generate intense public backlash, making it practically impossible.

“For someone with whom I share two children to appoint me as a minister would provoke widespread controversy,” she said. “And based on my knowledge of him, that decision would never be taken.”

Concluding her remarks, Ms Adwoa Safo maintained that her political future within the NPP is firmly aligned with Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, whom she believes offers the most viable path forward for both her career and the party’s renewal.

More than 200 counsellors, educators, pastors, social workers, and mental health practitioners convened at the University of Ghana on Friday, December 5, 2025, for the National Counsellors’ Networking Summit, a flagship event organized by the TUCEE Institute of Counselling and Technology to enhance professional counselling practice across the country.

Held at the university’s Central Cafeteria, the summit was guided by the theme Advancing Global Innovations and Breakthroughs in Counselling Practice. The event featured expert-led presentations on digital innovation, mental health screening, emerging counselling models, and modern approaches to career development within Ghana’s counselling ecosystem.

The Principal of the TUCEE Institute, Dr. C. Y. O. Tutu-Danquah, delivered two keynote presentations that underscored the urgency for counsellors to adopt technology-driven tools and evidence-based methods in their work.

She outlined the stages of technological integration—digitization, digitalization, and digital transformation—and provided a framework to help practitioners evaluate their current operational levels.

In her second presentation, Dr. Tutu-Danquah emphasised the critical responsibility of counsellors in supporting clients through mental health screening, mindful employability, and structured career guidance.

She stressed the need for practitioners to help young people identify their strengths, understand workplace expectations, and make informed career choices in a rapidly evolving labour market.

A historic highlight of the event was Dr. Tutu-Danquah’s announcement of the First Friday of December as National Counsellors’ Summit Day in Ghana. She explained that the annual observance will serve as a national platform to promote innovation, professional excellence, and collaboration within the counselling profession.

Distinguished speakers at the summit included Prof. Elder Stephen Lomotey, National Committee Member of the Counselling Ministry of The Church of Pentecost, and Apostle Dr. Paul Danso, the newly appointed Director of the Counselling Ministry of the Church.

Both speakers underscored the increasing demand for counselling services across churches, schools, and communities, particularly in response to the rising mental health challenges confronting young people.

The summit also featured a health screening exercise, offering participants blood pressure checks, BMI assessments, and basic wellness counselling—demonstrating the critical linkage between physical and emotional well-being.

Participants widely described the summit as timely, enriching, and impactful. Many praised TUCEE for establishing a national platform that strengthens professional networks, enhances capacity-building, and promotes mental health advocacy at a time when the country urgently needs well-trained counsellors.

The TUCEE Institute of Counselling and Technology reaffirmed its commitment to advancing counselling excellence nationwide through accredited training, robust professional networks, and sustained mental health education.

The Ranking Member of Parliament on the Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has criticized the government over what he describes as contradictory and wasteful spending priorities, particularly regarding election reruns and funding for national security agencies.

In a post on Friday, December 12, Rev. Ntim Fordjour questioned why the government failed to allocate capital expenditure to the Ghana Immigration Service in the 2026 budget, while simultaneously committing substantial funds to by-elections.

He highlighted that the state spent GH¢38.6 million in a single day on the Akwatia by-election and GH¢1 million on a rerun of a few polling stations in Ablekuma, describing these expenditures as unjustifiable.

Rev. Ntim Fordjour further criticised plans for additional reruns, including the Kpandai constituency, where he argued the situation does not warrant further spending, calling the decisions “avoidable and needless”.

The MP also took issue with the government seeking international logistical assistance, pointing out that while requesting GH¢1.77 million worth of equipment from Germany, millions are simultaneously spent on electoral activities.

“It is shameful this same government goes begging for GH¢1.77 million worth of equipment from Germany while wasting millions on by-elections and reruns,” he wrote, questioning the prudence of such fiscal decisions.

Rev. Ntim Fordjour concluded by urging the administration to rethink its spending priorities, insisting that investment in national security institutions such as the Ghana Immigration Service must take precedence over electoral expenditures.

The Chinese Embassy in Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the country’s intensified efforts to combat illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa, gave the assurance during a training workshop on “Green Mining: Best Practices for Responsible Reporting”, organised by the Ghana News Agency at Peduase on Thursday, December 11.

Ambassador Tong emphasised that both the government and the public must adopt a resolute stance against illegal mining, warning that the problem will persist unless Ghana demonstrates unified seriousness in addressing it.

“Sustained national commitment is essential if meaningful progress is to be made in eliminating the environmental and social harm caused by galamsey,” he said.

The Ambassador also appealed to the media to provide fair and accurate coverage of Ghana–China relations, cautioning against generalising the actions of a small number of offenders to the broader Chinese community. He stressed the importance of responsible reporting that reflects the longstanding cooperation between the two nations.

Reaffirming China’s readiness to partner with Ghana in promoting sustainable mining practices, Ambassador Tong highlighted the importance of all foreign nationals adhering strictly to local laws.

“For us, we support the Ghanaian government to tackle this problem. As I have reiterated many times, Ghanaians must take the galamsey issue seriously. If you do not, there is no simple way out. We want to reiterate that the Chinese should operate legally,” he said.

The Chinese Embassy reiterated its dedication to responsible environmental stewardship and collaboration with Ghana to safeguard natural resources from further degradation.

Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), Duncan Amoah, is cautioning government to reconsider its aggressive clampdown on black-market forex dealers, warning that the move is already creating distortions in the cedi’s value and threatening fuel price stability.

Speaking on PM Express Business Edition on Thursday, Mr Amoah said the sudden swoops by security agencies have triggered unexpected shocks within the forex market, compounding the difficulties of import-dependent sectors such as petroleum.

According to him, the cedi has been experiencing inconsistent behaviour in recent weeks, oscillating between brief periods of stability and sudden depreciation. He explained that the irregular movements of the currency remain one of the strongest determinants of fuel price adjustments.

“You would find a certain window where, for two weeks, the cedi is relatively stable,” he said. “Then, at another time, the currency gains. The next moment, you hear that the cedi has suddenly lost value.”

Mr Amoah revealed that COPEC witnessed the volatility firsthand on Thursday, December 11, while attempting to source dollars from the open market. Within a single hour, he said, the quoted rates changed sharply several times — a development he described as alarming.

He linked part of the instability to the recent swoops on street forex dealers.

“Whatever the task force did yesterday by arresting black-market dealers is also having a negative impact,” he said, noting that the crackdown has disrupted informal trading channels that ordinarily supplement the formal banking sector’s limited supply.

Mr Amoah urged authorities to reassess their strategy, emphasising that heavy-handed enforcement could worsen liquidity challenges rather than resolve them.

“The government should review that carefully — whether to keep swooping in on these guys who provide the market with the forex, or find a more friendly and structured way of engaging them,” he advised.

He stressed that any attempt to stabilise fuel prices must begin with ensuring a predictable and functional forex market, as petroleum pricing models remain highly sensitive to cedi–dollar fluctuations.

Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa, has appealed to the Ghanaian media to adopt a more balanced and evidence-based approach in their coverage of the mining sector, particularly when reporting on the activities of Chinese companies.

He said objective journalism is essential for strengthening diplomatic relations and promoting sustainable mining practices across the country.

The Ambassador made the call at Aburi during the opening session of a three-day training workshop on Sustainable Mining for Journalists. The programme, organised by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in partnership with the Association of China–Ghana Mining (ACGM), brought together reporters, industry experts and regulatory officials to discuss ethical mining practices, environmental protection and industry compliance.

Mr. Tong emphasised that while China fully supports Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, the actions of a small minority of offenders often overshadow the far-reaching contributions of legitimate Chinese companies operating within Ghana’s mining sector. He described this trend as unfair and urged journalists to ensure that their work reflects the complete picture rather than isolated incidents.

“There are thousands of Chinese companies doing well in this country—investing, creating jobs and supporting communities. Yet, the bad actions of a tiny minority dominate the headlines,” he said. “I appeal to our media friends to report comprehensively and objectively about China, so the Ghanaian public can appreciate the full reality of our cooperation.”

The Ambassador highlighted the work of several Chinese firms—Shandong Gold, Zijin Mining, Chifeng Gold, Xiaocheng Technology and Tianyuan Manganese—whose operations he said align with Ghana’s legal, environmental and social standards. He noted that at the Cardinal Namdini Mine, operated by Shandong Gold, 94 percent of the mine’s 1,600 contractor workforce are Ghanaians, with the company investing more than $2 million into community development projects, including education, sanitation, healthcare, and a 25-kilometre access road linking multiple communities.

Chifeng Gold’s Wassa Mine, he added, has committed over US$4.5 million to a Community Development Fund that supports schools, water systems, health facilities and road projects, while also partnering with local farmers to develop a medium-scale palm oil processing plant.

“These examples are only the tip of the iceberg,” he said, encouraging journalists to visit mining sites to witness firsthand how responsible Chinese companies are contributing to local development.

Mr. Tong reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s mining reforms, environmental protection efforts and broader industrialisation agenda. He said recent high-level discussions between President Xi Jinping and President John Dramani Mahama demonstrate China’s readiness to deepen cooperation across mining, energy, agriculture and infrastructure.

“China is prepared to work with Ghana throughout the entire mining value chain—from exploration and geological surveys to resource development and environmental protection. We continue to urge Chinese companies to strictly follow Ghanaian laws and decisively combat illegal mining,” he stated.

General Manager of the Ghana News Agency, Mr. Albert Kofi Owusu, said the workshop aims to enhance journalists’ understanding of natural resource governance and equip them to provide accurate, balanced and impactful reports. He noted that while mining contributes significantly to Ghana’s economy, irresponsible practices—particularly illegal mining—pose severe threats to the environment and community livelihoods, making responsible reporting even more critical.

Chairman of the Association of China–Ghana Mining, Tang Zhenjiang, also highlighted ongoing investments by Chinese firms in education, health, renewable energy and community infrastructure. He emphasised that responsible mining must be matched by responsible journalism to ensure that public narratives reflect factual developments and promote meaningful cooperation.

The Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has praised President John Dramani Mahama for taking a decisive stance against ongoing attempts to repeal the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) Act, describing his intervention as a clear commitment to strengthening Ghana’s anti-corruption architecture.

Dr Kojo Pumpuni Asante, Director of Advocacy and Policy Engagement at CDD-Ghana, said in a media interview on Citi FM on Thursday, December 11, that the President’s directive to Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Majority Chief Whip Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor to withdraw their Private Member’s Bill demonstrates firm support for protecting key accountability institutions.

According to Dr Asante, claims that the OSP has underperformed are not supported by available evidence. He argued that while concerns about the legal basis of the office may exist, such issues should be addressed through the constitutional review process rather than used as justification to abolish the law.

“We welcome the President’s intervention. I disagree with the narrative that the OSP’s performance has been poor because the evidence does not support that claim. If there are concerns about the constitutionality of the office, they should be resolved through the appropriate constitutional review mechanisms,” he said.

Dr Asante further noted that the President’s consistent support for the OSP signals a genuine commitment to building a stronger, more effective anti-corruption framework for the country.

“The President has shown consistency in supporting the office and reinforced the need to build an accountability system that delivers meaningful results for Ghanaians,” he added.

President Mahama’s intervention followed widespread public backlash against the proposed repeal. Addressing the National Peace Council earlier, he emphasised that eliminating the OSP at this stage would undermine national anti-corruption efforts. Instead, he encouraged the Special Prosecutor to strengthen operational efficiency and expedite ongoing investigations to restore and deepen public confidence in the institution.