Tag: Ghana

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Ghana’s former first lady, Nana Agyeman-Rawlings, dies at 76

Ghana’s former First Lady and prominent women’s rights advocate, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, has died at the age of 76.

She was the widow of the country’s longest-serving leader, Jerry John Rawlings, who died five years ago.

Rawlings led two military coups before twice being elected president under Ghana’s multiparty system.

The former first lady passed away on Thursday morning after a short illness, according to presidential spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu.

As reported by the BBC, her family formally notified President John Mahama of her passing on Thursday afternoon.

Mahama, who leads the National Democratic Congress party, founded by Jerry Rawlings, paused to honour the memory of the late Agyeman-Rawlings during the swearing-in of new High Court Justices on Thursday.

Born in November 1948 in Cape Coast, Agyeman-Rawlings came from a middle-class background and attended the prestigious Achimota School in Accra, where she met her future husband.

She later studied art and textiles at university, while Rawlings joined the Air Force, rising to the rank of flight lieutenant in 1978—the year after their marriage.

By the time Rawlings seized power in 1979 at age 32, Nana Konadu had become one of his most trusted advisers.

Together, they formed one of Ghana’s most dynamic and controversial political partnerships.

The couple had four children, including their eldest, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, who now serves as an NDC member of parliament.

Through her advocacy, Agyeman-Rawlings helped shape national policy on women’s rights.

She was instrumental in the 1989 law that guaranteed inheritance rights for women and children and contributed to the gender equality provisions in Ghana’s 1992 constitution, which ushered in the era of multiparty democracy.

Ghana’s parliament adjourned in her honour, while social media has since been flooded with tributes celebrating her life as a pioneering politician and tireless advocate for women’s rights.

The spokesperson of the country’s Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, Richmond Rockson, in a statement via X, extolled Nana as “an exceptional First Lady whose visionary leadership and strong organisational skills left an indelible mark on Ghana’s history.

“She stood firmly by Chairman Jerry John Rawlings during the revolution, displaying courage, loyalty and resilience at a defining moment in our nation’s journey.

“Her unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment led to the establishment of the 31st December Women’s Movement, which she led as president,” the statement read.

Agyeman-Rawlings was herself a political figure who sought the NDC’s presidential ticket in 2012 but lost the bid.

Her organisation, Women’s Movement, aimed at empowering women and promoting community development through entrepreneurship and education.

The organisation was named after the date of her husband’s second coup in 1981. (Punch)

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Salah scores twice as Egypt qualify for 2026 World Cup

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah scored twice to help Egypt beat Djibouti 3-0 in Casablanca on Wednesday and qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The 33-year-old has now netted nine times in a marathon qualifying campaign that began two years ago, and victory for Egypt gave them an unassailable five-point lead over Burkina Faso in Group A.

Twice African Footballer of the Year, Salah helped Liverpool win the Premier League a record-equalling 20th time last season, and captured the Golden Boot award with 29 goals.

But the Egypt captain has lost his spark with Liverpool this season, scoring just three goals in nine matches in all competitions.

After Ibrahim Adel put Egypt ahead on eight minutes against opponents 158 places lower in the world rankings, Salah netted six minutes later and again on 84 minutes.

While Egypt have won the Africa Cup of Nations a record seven times, they have been less successful in the World Cup, qualifying just four times in 15 attempts — in 1934, 1990, 2018 and now 2026.

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey was among the goals as Ghana trounced the Central African Republic 5-0 in Meknes, and need one point from their final Group I match at home to Comoros to qualify.

Mohammed Salisu, Alexander Djiku, captain Jordan Ayew and Kamaldeen Sulemana were the other scorers for the Black Stars, who led 1-0 at half-time.

Ghana have 22 points and a vastly superior goal difference than Madagascar, who are three points behind. Mali, seeded to win the group, are out of contention with 15 points.

Cape Verde came from two goals behind in Tripoli to draw 3-3 with Libya and edge closer to a first World Cup appearance.

The island nation of about 550,000 inhabitants off the coast of Senegal will clinch first place in Group D if they defeat Eswatini in Praia on Monday.

Known as the Blue Sharks, the Cape Verdeans are two points ahead of Cameroon, who beat Mauritius 2-0 in Saint-Pierre with Manchester United striker Bryan Mbeumo scoring.

Cape Verde have 20 points after nine rounds, two more than Cameroon, the eight World Cup appearances in an African team. (Punch)

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Ghana’s defence, environment ministers among 8 killed in helicopter crash

A helicopter crash has killed all eight people on board, including the nation’s defence and environment ministers, according to Ghana’s government.

Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed were among the victims of the crash in the southern Ashanti region of the country, said Julius Debrah, chief of staff to President John Mahama, on Wednesday.

“The president and the government extend their condolences and solidarity to the families of our comrades and soldiers who fell in their service to the nation,” said Debrah.

Also among the victims were Alhaji Mohammad Muniru Limuna, deputy national security coordinator and former minister of agriculture, and Samuel Sarpong, vice chairman of Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) party.

Boamah was helming Ghana’s defence ministry at a time when armed groups across its northern border in Burkina Faso had become increasingly restive.

While Ghana has so far avoided a rebel spillover from the Sahel – unlike neighbours Togo and Benin – observers have warned of increased arms trafficking and of fighters from Burkina Faso crossing the porous border to use Ghana as a rear base.

A medical doctor by training, Boamah’s career in government included stints as communications minister during Mahama’s previous 2012-2017 tenure. Before that, he was the deputy minister for the environment.

As Ghana has pursued increased diplomacy with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger – all ruled by military governments who have broken with the ECOWAS West African regional bloc – Boamah led a delegation to Ouagadougou in May.

He had been set to release a book titled, A Peaceful Man in an African Democracy, about former President John Atta Mills, who died in 2012.

The Ghanaian Armed Forces had reported earlier Wednesday that an air force helicopter had fallen off radar after taking off from Accra just after 9:00am (09:00 GMT). It had been headed towards the town of Obuasi, northwest of the capital.

The statement had said that three crew and five passengers were on board, without specifying at the time that the ministers were among them.

All flags were to be flown at half-staff, Debrah said, while the presidency said Mahama had cancelled his official activities for the day. (AlJazeera)

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President Mahama appoints Said Sinare as Ghana’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

President John Dramani Mahama has turned to experienced hands in his latest diplomatic appointments, nominating former NDC National Vice Chairman Alhaji Said Sinare as Ghana’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia – a familiar terrain for the seasoned diplomat who previously held the same position during Mahama’s first term. 

The July 21 appointment letter from the Presidency, sighted by our newsroom, forms part of a broader reshuffle that sees eight new envoys deployed to strategic posts including South Korea, Italy and Kenya. But it’s the Saudi Arabia posting that’s generating the most buzz in diplomatic circles, given the Gulf nation’s growing importance to Ghana’s economic interests. 

“Sinare isn’t just going as an ambassador – he’s going as Ghana’s chief negotiator in one of our most critical bilateral relationships,” a Foreign Ministry insider revealed. “From oil deals to Hajj arrangements and infrastructure financing, Riyadh has become too important to leave to inexperienced hands.” 

The ever ambitious diplomat brings rare credentials to the table, having previously served as Ghana’s top envoy in both Saudi Arabia and Egypt. His deep understanding of Arab diplomacy and extensive network across the region are seen as major assets at a time when Ghana is seeking to attract Middle Eastern investment. 

Political analysts view the move as part of Mahama’s strategy to rebuild Ghana’s diplomatic corps with proven performers. “This is back-to-basics foreign policy,” remarked University of Ghana international relations professor Nana Akosua Ankomah. “Rather than political appointments, we’re seeing the return of career diplomats who know how to open doors for Ghana.” 

The appointment has been widely praised within government circles, with NDC executives describing Sinare as “the right man to reconnect Ghana with our Gulf partners.” His supporters point to his track record of facilitating Saudi investment in Ghana’s energy sector during his previous tenure. 

As Ghana positions itself to benefit from shifting global economic alliances, these ambassadorial selections suggest a clear foreign policy direction. With Sinare back in Riyadh, expectations are high for tangible results in Ghana-Saudi relations – from increased oil cooperation to better conditions for Ghanaian migrant workers. 

The Foreign Ministry is expected to complete accreditation processes within weeks, paving the way for what many hope will be a new chapter in Ghana’s economic diplomacy. For Sinare, it’s an opportunity to build on his legacy; for Ghana, a chance to solidify crucial Gulf partnerships at a time of global uncertainty. (Vanguard)

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Four lawmakers suspended after fight erupts in Ghana’s Parliament

The Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has suspended four lawmakers for two weeks following a violent altercation during a ministerial screening session on Thursday.

The suspended lawmakers, Rockson Dafeamakpor, Frank Annor-Dompreh, Alhassan Tampuuli, and Jerry Shai, were on Friday penalised for what Bagbin described as a “gross affront to the dignity of parliament and a blatant contempt of the House”.

It was gathered that the speaker also announced a two-week suspension of four lawmakers for “contemptus parlamenti in facie parlamenti”.

The clash occurred during the vetting of ministerial nominees from the ruling National Democratic Congress.

Lawmakers from the opposition New Patriotic Party accused the vetting committee of rushing the process, while NDC members alleged that the opposition was deliberately stalling proceedings with prolonged questioning.

Tensions reached a breaking point when NPP’s leader in parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, questioned Samuel George, the nominee for communications minister, for over five hours.

The prolonged interrogation led to frustration among committee members, triggering the brawl.

Furniture was overturned, microphones were destroyed, and lawmakers exchanged blows.

A special seven-member committee has been tasked with investigating the incident and is expected to submit its report within 10 days.

Additionally, the cost of repairs for damaged parliamentary property will be deducted from the allowances of those found responsible.

This marks the third time in four years that Ghana’s lawmakers have resorted to physical confrontations during legislative proceedings.

Similar incidents occurred in 2021 during the election of a new speaker and later that year during debates on the electronic transaction levy bill. (Punch)