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NPP questions issuance of diplomatic, service passports to persons without official state positions

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The opposition party has petitioned the US Embassy to suspend diplomatic courtesies for affected passport holders and called for an independent audit of documents issued since January 2025.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has raised concerns over the alleged issuance of Ghanaian diplomatic and service passports to individuals who do not occupy the official positions used to justify their applications.

In a petition dated October 30, 2026, and signed by its General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, the party asked the United States Embassy in Accra to suspend diplomatic courtesies for holders of the passports in question until their eligibility is independently verified.

The NPP cited two approval letters issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 6 and 7, 2026, covering six individuals described as officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Fisheries Commission.

The individuals named are Twumasi Francis Kwame, Shaibu Alhassan Abu, Gyabaah Anthony, Issah Ayisha, Bennor Yussif and Adom Emmanuel Kwabena.

According to the party, the positions attributed to the six beneficiaries were either occupied by other officers or did not exist within the institutions concerned.

NPP identifies alleged discrepancies

The party said the first approval letter listed three individuals as NADMO officials, describing them as Deputy Director of Climate Change, Director of Hydro and Director of Geology.

However, the NPP claimed those positions were held by other officers, whom it identified as Ebenezer Vandyke, Dr Bertha Kusimi and Bright Atama.

Regarding the Fisheries Commission, the party alleged that the designation of Deputy Director of Aquaculture Specialist did not exist, while the positions of Deputy Director of Information Technology and Assistant Finance Manager were also inaccurately represented.

The NPP argued that the alleged discrepancies raised questions about the basis on which the passports were approved, particularly because the Ministry’s letters reportedly stated that the documents were intended strictly for official use.

Calls for verification and audit

The party has asked the US Mission to subject Ghanaian diplomatic and service passports issued from January 7, 2025, to enhanced verification, including direct confirmation of holders’ official positions with the institutions they claim to represent.

It has also urged the Ghanaian government to suspend passports issued to ineligible persons, publish a comprehensive list of diplomatic and service passports issued since January 2025, and commission an independent audit led by the Auditor-General or another independent body.

The NPP further wants passports found to have been issued irregularly revoked and recovered, with anyone found culpable referred for investigation and possible prosecution.

The allegations have not, in the reports available, been independently established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the institutions named.

The controversy comes against the background of a passport recall exercise announced by the Foreign Affairs Ministry in January 2025, which sought to retrieve official passports from persons no longer serving in qualifying state positions.

The NPP says its latest petition is intended to protect Ghana’s national interest while ensuring that legitimate state officials are not inconvenienced when travelling on official assignments.

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NPP has no trust in Mahama’s pledge not to seek third term – Richard Gyamfi

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The NPP communications team member says the party will not rely solely on the President’s public assurances, insisting that the Supreme Court must clarify the constitutional limits on presidential tenure.

A member of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Communications Team, Richard Gyamfi, says the party does not trust President John Dramani Mahama’s pledge not to seek a third term in office.

Speaking on the BigIssue segment of TV3’s NewDay programme on Monday, November 2, 2026, Mr Gyamfi said the NPP would not treat the President’s public comments as a binding decision on the matter.

He argued that political developments in other African countries showed why constitutional safeguards must be clearly defined rather than relying on assurances from political leaders.

“This particular government, H.E. John Dramani Mahama and NDC II, is notable for settings and so for us, we are not going to take this flamboyant commentaries on the side as a sacrosanct decision made by the President not to run again,” he said.

NPP cites examples from other African countries

Mr Gyamfi referred to Burkina Faso, where former President Blaise Compaoré attempted to change the Constitution in 2014 to extend his stay in office after 27 years in power.

He also cited Senegal, where former President Abdoulaye Wade’s attempt to seek another term generated political controversy.

According to the NPP communicator, the party is concerned that public confidence in a sitting president could eventually be used to justify attempts to alter constitutional provisions governing presidential tenure.

He said the NPP was therefore taking no chances in seeking a definitive interpretation of the law.

Supreme Court case over presidential term limits

The comments come after the NPP filed a suit at the Supreme Court against the Attorney-General, seeking an interpretation of Articles 58(2) and 66 of the 1992 Constitution.

The party wants the court to declare that a person can be elected President only twice, regardless of whether the two terms are consecutive or separated by a period out of office.

It is also seeking clarification on the constitutional eligibility of a person who assumes the presidency as Vice-President for more than half of a predecessor’s unexpired term.

Government maintains Mahama will not seek another term

President Mahama has publicly dismissed suggestions that he intends to seek a third term.

Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu has also rejected the allegations, describing the debate as political propaganda by the NPP. He has maintained that the President’s position on the matter has been consistent.

The Supreme Court’s eventual interpretation is expected to clarify the constitutional provisions governing presidential term limits and eligibility in Ghana.

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Alan will contest 2028 elections on UP ticket – Solomon Owusu declares

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The United Party’s Director of Communications says Alan Kyerematen remains committed to the party and is expected to lead its campaign against the NPP and NDC.

The Director of Communications of the United Party (UP), Solomon Owusu, has declared that the party’s founder, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, will contest the 2028 general elections on the UP ticket, dismissing speculation that he could return to the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, October 31, 2026, Mr Owusu said Mr Kyerematen remained committed to the political movement and would lead it into the next presidential election, provided he remained alive.

“In 2028, if God grants Alan life, he will contest on the ticket of the United Party,” he stated.

His comments were intended to reaffirm the party’s commitment to its founder following renewed public discussion about Mr Kyerematen’s political future and the possibility of his return to the NPP.

Mr Owusu said the party was working behind the scenes to establish a strong political organisation capable of challenging the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ghana’s two dominant political parties.

He explained that the UP’s limited public activity should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness, insisting that party officials were focused on building structures across the country ahead of the elections.

“We are building a very robust, a very solid political party that will stand the test of time. That is why we don’t make that much noise. We are working underground, putting all the structures in place to defeat the two political parties,” he said.

Mr Owusu also expressed confidence in the party’s long-term prospects, referring to its butterfly symbol as representing growth and transformation.

Party rules out return to NPP

Mr Owusu’s declaration follows speculation sparked by comments Mr Kyerematen made in an interview with DW Africa about a possible return to the NPP.

The former Trade and Industry Minister had suggested that he would consider returning only if the party invited him to contest the 2028 presidential election as its flagbearer.

However, UP officials have maintained that the remarks were rhetorical and should not be interpreted as an indication that he intends to abandon the party he now leads.

Mr Kyerematen left the NPP in September 2023 after withdrawing from its presidential primary. He subsequently contested the 2024 presidential election as an independent candidate under the Movement for Change, which later evolved into the United Party.

The UP is positioning itself as an alternative to the NPP and NDC as political parties begin preparing for the 2028 general elections.

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Oti NPP challenges Regional Minister over claim that roads are under construction

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The party has listed roads it says require urgent attention and is demanding evidence of progress on rural electrification and a 3,000-hectare irrigation project.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Oti Region has challenged Regional Minister John Kwadwo Gyapong to provide evidence for his reported claim that all roads in the region are under construction.

In a press release dated November 1, 2026, the party’s Oti Regional Communications Directorate said the minister’s reported remarks before Parliament’s Select Committee on Local Government did not reflect road conditions reported by its constituency-level structures.

The NPP acknowledged that infrastructure interventions were ongoing in some parts of the region but argued that describing the entire region as a construction site presented an inaccurate picture of the challenges facing residents.

The statement was issued by Seidu Musah, Esq., of the party’s regional communications directorate.

NPP lists roads requiring attention

The party identified roads across seven constituencies that it says require urgent government intervention.

Among those listed are the Okajakrom–Worawora and Nsuta–Ketsi roads in Buem; several roads in Krachi East, including Asukawkaw–Okanease and Dormabin–Adumadum; and township roads in Krachi West.

Other roads named include Dodi-Papase–Dodi Dompa and Ahamansu–Todome in Akan, Borae–Chinderi and Chinderi–Grubi in Krachi Nchumuru, Hohoe–Likpe Bala in Guan, and Nkwanta–Kue in Nkwanta South.

The NPP said poor road conditions affect farmers, traders, students, patients and other residents who depend on the routes for their daily activities.

It is asking the Regional Minister to provide a constituency-by-constituency breakdown of road projects under construction, including contractors, contract sums, commencement dates and expected completion dates.

The party also called on the Roads and Highways Minister, regional coordinating authorities, district assemblies and Parliament’s Select Committee on Local Government to investigate the concerns and provide updates on the status of the projects.

Questions over electrification and irrigation projects

The NPP also questioned the reported implementation of a major rural electrification project and an irrigation initiative involving 3,000 hectares of land.

It said it had not established verifiable evidence matching the scale of progress reportedly presented by the minister.

The party wants details of beneficiary communities, project sites, contractors and the actual area under cultivation.

It further urged Parliament to examine the claims if they were made under oath, including consideration of appropriate legal consequences if investigations establish that materially false information was knowingly provided.

The claims and allegations in the release have not been independently verified. The statement does not include a response from the Regional Minister to the party’s demands

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‘Dumsor’ threatens government’s credibility in Ashanti Region – NDC organiser

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Abdul Rasheed, Deputy Organiser of the NDC in Nwabiagya South, says persistent power outages could erode public confidence in the Mahama administration if urgent action is not taken.

Persistent power outages, popularly known as dumsor, are threatening to undermine the credibility of President John Dramani Mahama’s government in the Ashanti Region, a Deputy Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has warned.

Abdul Rasheed, who serves as Deputy Organiser of the NDC in the Nwabiagya South Constituency, said the growing concerns over unreliable electricity supply could affect public confidence in the government if the situation was not addressed promptly.

Speaking in an interview with 3News on Thursday, October 29, 2026, he called on the government and relevant stakeholders in the energy sector to take urgent steps to restore stable electricity supply to affected communities.

Businesses and households bearing the impact

Mr Rasheed observed that reliable electricity was essential to the operations of businesses, institutions and households, warning that prolonged interruptions could impose financial and operational difficulties on residents.

He identified small-scale businesses as particularly vulnerable, noting that artisans, cold-store operators, food vendors and other business owners depend on consistent power to operate equipment, preserve goods and provide services.

According to him, unstable electricity supply can disrupt business activities, increase operating costs and threaten the livelihoods of people whose work depends heavily on power.

He stressed that the impact of the outages extended beyond inconvenience in homes, as businesses could suffer losses whenever electricity supply became unpredictable.

Calls for urgent intervention

The NDC officer urged the Ministry of Energy, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and other relevant agencies to intensify efforts to identify and resolve the causes of the interruptions.

He also called for improved communication with electricity consumers, urging authorities to provide clear information about the reasons for outages and the measures being taken to restore stable supply.

Mr Rasheed cautioned that the political implications of the situation should not be overlooked, arguing that residents would assess the government partly on its ability to deliver reliable public services.

He maintained that resolving the power supply concerns was important both to protect livelihoods and to sustain public confidence in the Mahama administration.

His warning adds to concerns about the effects of electricity disruptions on households and businesses in the Ashanti Region, with calls for the relevant authorities to address the situation and ensure a dependable supply.

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Ashanti NPP executives petition national leadership to cancel regional appointments

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The elected officers accuse Regional Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah of breaching party guidelines in appointing four officials and want a fresh process supervised by the national leadership.

A group of elected regional executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region has petitioned the party’s national leadership to cancel appointments made to four newly created regional executive positions, alleging breaches of the party’s constitution and appointment guidelines.

The petition, dated October 28, 2026, and addressed to the Chairman of the National Steering Committee, calls for the National Steering Committee, National Council and National Executive Committee (NEC) to intervene and supervise a fresh appointment process.

The disputed positions are two Deputy Regional Vice Chairpersons, a Deputy Regional Communications Officer and a Regional IT Officer.

The petitioners, led by Regional First Vice Chairman Bernard Amofa Jantuah, argue that the appointments made under Regional Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, popularly known as COKA, did not follow guidelines issued by the party’s General Secretary on October 16, 2026.

Alleged breaches of appointment guidelines

According to the petition, the guidelines require elected regional officers to consult the NEC through the General Secretary when making appointments to the newly created positions.

The process, they maintain, must be transparent, inclusive and consistent with the party’s constitution.

However, the petitioners allege that COKA involved previously appointed officers, including the Financial Secretary, Special Duties Officer, Research Officer, Electoral Officer and Legal Officer, in the selection process.

They contend that these officials were not part of the elected regional leadership mandated to undertake the consultations, and that their involvement undermined the fairness and independence of the exercise.

The document further claims that Amofa Jantuah cautioned the Regional Chairman against proceeding with what he considered an unlawful process.

The chairman allegedly rejected the caution and invoked what the petition described as a “veto power”, prompting the First Vice Chairman to walk out of the meeting in protest.

The petitioners also claim that most elected regional executives opposed the procedure, but the appointments proceeded despite their objections.

Petitioners demand fresh process

The executives are asking the national leadership to cancel all four appointments and direct the appointees not to assume office or perform duties pending the determination of the petition.

They further want the national party leadership to supervise a fresh process involving elected regional officers and proper consultation with the NEC through the General Secretary.

The petitioners argue that the disputed appointments risk deepening divisions within the Ashanti Region instead of promoting unity ahead of the 2028 general elections.

They say their action is motivated by a desire to protect party unity and have expressed readiness to provide further evidence and witnesses.

The petition does not indicate whether the National Steering Committee has formally responded to the demands. Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional leadership has separately maintained that decisions on the appointments were reached through consensus after deliberations among regional officers.

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