Author: Daniel Sasu

The Minority Leader in Parliament has issued a powerful call for the legislature to take a leading role in protecting press freedom, insisting that Parliament must become the ultimate guarantor of the media’s independence and ability to hold power accountable.

In a strong defence of democratic values, the Minority Leader warned that the freedom of the press remains a cornerstone of any functioning democracy and must be protected from threats, intimidation, and attempts to weaken the media’s watchdog role.

The call comes amid growing concerns over the safety and independence of journalists, with the Minority Leader stressing that Parliament cannot remain silent when the rights of media practitioners are at stake.

According to the Minority Leader, a free press is not only essential for informing citizens but also plays a critical role in exposing wrongdoing, promoting transparency, and ensuring leaders remain accountable to the people.

“Parliament must stand firm as the protector of press freedom,” the Minority Leader argued, emphasizing that lawmakers have a responsibility to defend democratic institutions and guarantee an environment where journalists can work without fear.

The Minority Leader further urged Parliament to strengthen laws and policies that safeguard journalists and ensure that media freedom is not compromised by political pressure or other forms of interference.

The statement has reignited discussions about the future of press freedom and the role of Parliament in preserving one of democracy’s most important pillars.

As calls grow for stronger protections for journalists, the Minority Leader’s message is clear: the fight to protect press freedom must begin at the heart of the nation’s lawmaking institution — Parliament.

The fight against child labour in the Adansi North District has received a major boost as the District Chief Executive (DCE) has rallied key stakeholders to join forces and protect children from exploitation and harmful activities.

The DCE has sounded a strong warning against practices that deprive children of their right to education, safety, and a better future, urging parents, traditional leaders, community members, institutions, and other partners to unite in tackling the menace.

Speaking on the need for collective action, the DCE emphasized that child labour remains a serious threat to the development of children and the progress of society, stressing that no child should be forced into dangerous work or activities that affect their growth and wellbeing.

The call comes as authorities intensify efforts to identify vulnerable children, support affected families, and promote awareness about the dangers of child labour across communities in the district.

Stakeholders have been encouraged to play active roles by reporting cases of child exploitation, supporting school attendance, and creating safer environments where children can thrive.

The Adansi North District leadership says the campaign against child labour will require a united front, as government agencies, community leaders, and residents work together to secure a brighter future for every child.

“Protecting our children today means building a stronger generation tomorrow,” the DCE stressed, as the district renews its commitment to ending child labour.

Opposition MPs demand answers as electricity and water prices go up amid claims of economic recovery

A fresh political storm has erupted over the latest utility tariff adjustments, with the Minority in Parliament challenging the justification behind the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission’s (PURC) decision to increase electricity and water charges.

The Minority has described the move as difficult to understand, arguing that the tariff hike does not reflect the economic improvements being highlighted by the government.

Under the new adjustment, electricity tariffs are set to rise by 3.49 per cent, while water tariffs will increase by 0.85 per cent effective July 1, 2026.

But Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Energy Committee, Collins Adomako-Mensah, questioned the logic behind the increase, insisting that recent economic indicators should have brought relief to consumers rather than higher bills.

He argued that with the cedi strengthening, inflation declining, and other economic indicators improving, Ghanaians expected utility costs to reduce.

“It doesn’t add up,” the Minority argued, questioning how exchange rate movements and other factors could justify another upward adjustment.

The Minority further demanded greater transparency from PURC, insisting that consumers deserve a clearer explanation of the calculations and factors used to arrive at the new tariffs.

However, PURC has defended the adjustment, explaining that tariff reviews consider factors such as exchange rates, inflation, fuel costs, and the electricity generation mix. The Commission said exchange rate pressures played a major role in the latest review.

The controversy continues as households and businesses brace for higher utility costs, with critics warning that the increase could deepen financial pressure on consumers.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been urged to urgently broaden participation among its grassroots members as part of efforts to rebuild its electoral fortunes and restore confidence ahead of future political battles.

Political analyst and party figure Boakye Antwi has cautioned that the party’s path back to strong electoral performance depends on creating a more inclusive structure where ordinary members feel valued, heard, and actively involved in decision-making.

According to him, the NPP must move beyond limited internal engagement and embrace wider consultation if it wants to reconnect with its base and strengthen its organisational foundation.

Boakye Antwi argued that a political party’s strength is built from the commitment of its members, and excluding sections of the grassroots from meaningful participation risks weakening the party’s ability to mobilise effectively during elections.

“The future strength of the party depends on how well it involves its people,” he noted, stressing that internal reforms are needed to rebuild unity, loyalty, and enthusiasm among supporters.

His comments come amid growing discussions within the NPP over lessons from recent electoral setbacks and the need for strategic restructuring to improve its competitiveness.

The call for greater member participation reflects concerns that stronger grassroots engagement, transparent internal processes, and broader ownership of party decisions could help revive the party’s connection with voters.

Boakye Antwi maintained that rebuilding electoral strength will require more than campaign strategies — it will demand a renewed commitment to inclusiveness, organisation, and empowering members at all levels.

As the NPP looks toward the future, the debate over internal reforms and grassroots involvement is expected to remain a major issue in shaping the party’s next political direction.

The leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is set for a crucial National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting as top party officials gather to review sweeping internal reforms and strengthen preparations ahead of the next general election.

The high-level meeting is expected to focus on the party’s internal structure, rebuilding strategies, grassroots mobilisation, and measures aimed at positioning the NPP for a strong electoral comeback.

Party insiders say the NEC discussions will provide a major platform for assessing the effectiveness of current party arrangements and identifying areas requiring urgent attention as the party begins a new phase of political reorganisation.

The meeting comes at a critical moment for the NPP, with the leadership under pressure to unite the party base, restore confidence among supporters, and develop a winning strategy for the upcoming electoral contest.

Key issues likely to dominate the agenda include strengthening communication structures, improving coordination between national executives and constituency branches, and ensuring greater participation of party members at all levels.

Political observers say the outcome of the NEC meeting could shape the direction of the party’s future campaign strategy, especially as the NPP seeks to rebuild momentum and present a stronger front ahead of the elections.

With the party’s political future hanging in the balance, all eyes are now on the NEC as leaders prepare to make decisions that could define the next chapter of the NPP’s journey.

Tensions erupted into a dramatic confrontation during the New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting as security personnel clashed with a group of protesters demanding the removal of a party figure in a heated “Ken Must Go” demonstration.

The atmosphere reportedly turned chaotic as protesters intensified their calls, chanting slogans and expressing their dissatisfaction, forcing security officials to intervene to control the situation.

Eyewitnesses described a tense scene as arguments escalated into a face-off between security officers and the demonstrators, with emotions running high around the venue of the crucial party gathering.

The protest, which drew attention from party supporters and observers, highlighted growing tensions within sections of the NPP over leadership concerns and internal disagreements.

Security teams moved quickly to manage the situation as the clash unfolded, while videos circulating from the scene captured the heated moments and the confusion that followed.

The incident has sparked fresh debate among political watchers, with many questioning the state of unity within the party ahead of future political battles.

More details are expected to emerge as party officials and witnesses provide further accounts of what triggered the confrontation.