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President Mahama’s DSTV Ban: A Wake-Up Call for Ghana’s Creative Industry – Kojo Preko Dankwa

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President John Dramani Mahama’s directive to curb unnecessary public expenditure by banning all offices within the Jubilee House, Ghana’s presidential seat, from subscribing to DStv or any other satellite television service has been received positively within political circles.

According to Mr. Felix Ofosu Kwakye, “You would say that is a trivial matter, but he has done that. Because when you computed the cost, it was significant money.”

While the move may seem minor from a purely political or fiscal standpoint, my perspective shifts quickly beyond politics. I see a golden opportunity for local content creators to step up and push more homegrown content onto our television screens.

As Mr. Ofosu Kwakye emphasised, “The ban confines television at the Jubilee House to local channels only.” This means local stations must now rise to the challenge—offering engaging, relevant, and high-quality programming. It’s a direct call to the creative minds in Ghana’s orange economy.

This development, though easily dismissed as trivial, is far from insignificant. Think about it: if previously, hours of television consumed within government agencies were dominated by foreign content, and now those same hours must be filled with local programming, that’s a considerable shift in media consumption.

If local channels produce compelling content that captures attention, they will not only win over civil servants during office hours but also potentially retain those viewers at home, too. It’s a ripple effect.

Imagine the number of government workers, civil servants, and public officials who will now have no choice but to tune in to local content. It’s a massive boost for local media, and one that should energise all stakeholders to be innovative and strategic.

Moreover, this move should encourage ministries and relevant government agencies to support and invest in content that reflects our own stories, values, and identity, dethroning the foreign-dominated programming that currently fills too much of our airtime.

Our creative sector must seize this opportunity with boldness and urgency. It is time to push for policies, funding, and platforms that promote Ghanaian content. We must stop playing second fiddle in our own media space.

Unfortunately, many local stations continue to prioritise foreign content over Ghanaian productions. But this ban offers a moment of reset, a moment that creatives must exploit.

Let us rise. Let us be daring. Let us use this policy shift as a catalyst to grow our content, strengthen our industry, and reclaim our space on Ghana’s screens.

Kojo Preko Dankwa
FOCAP President
Host, Kessben Maakye
Kessben FM 92.9, Accra
Kessben TV

Politics

LOUIS APPIAH APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF EVENTS AND PROGRAMMES FOR NPP NATIONAL YOUTH WING

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Louis Appiah, popularly known as Commander OD4, has been appointed Director of Events and Programmes for the National Youth Wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), bringing his years of experience in student leadership, grassroots mobilisation and party organisation to the national level.

The appointment, reported on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, is expected to see him play a key role in coordinating activities, organising programmes and supporting the mobilisation efforts of the party’s youth wing.

Appiah has built his political career through various leadership positions, beginning with student politics at Koforidua Technical University (KTU), where he served as Finance Officer of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC). He later became Eastern Regional SRC President and National Director of Finance for the University of Cape Coast’s Distance Education Students’ Association of Ghana (DESAG-UCC).

Within the NPP, he served as President of the Tertiary Students Confederacy Network (TESCON) at KTU during the 2011/2012 academic year before taking up roles at the polling station and constituency levels.

From 2018 to 2022, Appiah served as New Juaben South Constituency Youth Organiser, where he was involved in grassroots organisation and mobilisation. He also served as Director of Operations for the NPP during the 2020 general elections and reportedly held a deputy campaign coordination role in the constituency ahead of the 2024 elections.

His experience in party communication also forms part of his background, having been active in the NPP Communication Wing since 2011.

The new appointment comes as the NPP’s national leadership prepares to strengthen party structures and organise its activities ahead of the 2028 general elections.

As Director of Events and Programmes, Appiah is expected to contribute to the planning and coordination of youth-wing activities, although the full details of his official mandate have not been publicly outlined in the reports reviewed.

His appointment adds another responsibility to a political journey spanning student leadership, constituency organisation and national campaign activities.

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ADEHYE FM MORNING SHOW HOST FILES FOR NDC ASHANTI REGIONAL DEPUTY SECRETARY POSITION

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Popular broadcaster Prince Ofori Atta, host of Adehye FM’s morning show, has officially filed his nomination to contest for the position of Deputy Ashanti Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), outlining his ambition to strengthen the party’s structures ahead of the 2028 general elections.

Mr Ofori Atta filed his nomination forms at the NDC’s regional party headquarters on Thursday, October 15, 2026, formally advancing his bid for the influential regional executive position.

Campaigning under the banner “POA2026,” the journalist says his ambition is driven by the need to improve party administration, strengthen communication and reconnect the regional leadership with grassroots members.

Speaking after filing his forms, Mr Ofori Atta urged party delegates to prioritise competence, experience and leadership ability when choosing their next Deputy Regional Secretary.

He also cautioned against allowing financial inducements to dominate the internal electoral process, arguing that the party’s organisational strength and readiness for future elections should take precedence over monetary considerations.

His campaign is built around the themes “Service Above All” and “Changing the Narratives,” with proposed priorities including improved political education, greater youth participation and more effective communication between regional executives and constituency officers.

If elected, he says he intends to help establish a more proactive regional secretariat capable of supporting constituency and branch executives, coordinating party activities and improving the flow of information throughout the region.

The Deputy Regional Secretary position is an important administrative role within the party’s regional structure, supporting the Regional Secretary in coordinating activities and implementing decisions.

Ofori Atta’s entry adds a media personality to the contest as the NDC prepares to select regional executives who will help manage its organisation and mobilisation in the Ashanti Region.

With the 2028 general elections on the horizon, the race is expected to focus on candidates’ ability to strengthen grassroots engagement, promote unity and improve internal party coordination.

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NPP REJECTS EMELIA AGBENYO’S EC APPOINTMENT, DEMANDS MAHAMA WITHDRAW NOMINATION

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The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has mounted a strong objection to President John Dramani Mahama’s appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), demanding that the President withdraw the appointment over concerns about her political neutrality.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, and signed by its National Communications Director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the NPP argued that Ms Agbenyo’s previous involvement in the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) raises questions about her ability to discharge her duties impartially at the electoral management body.

The party cited her reported role as the NDC’s governance sector spokesperson during the preparation of its 2024 manifesto, as well as her alleged participation in campaign rallies and activities ahead of the 2024 general elections.

According to the NPP, appointing someone with such a political background to the leadership of an institution responsible for organising elections could undermine public confidence in the electoral process, particularly as the country approaches the 2028 general elections.

The party also accused President Mahama of contradicting his earlier position on political appointments to the Electoral Commission. It recalled that in March 2023, he reportedly criticised the appointment of individuals he described as party activists to the Commission and advocated an amendment to Article 43(2) of the 1992 Constitution to require parliamentary approval for such appointments.

The NPP has consequently called on the President to withdraw Ms Agbenyo’s appointment and urged the Council of State to explain the advice it provided regarding the decision.

The party further wants the ongoing constitutional review process to address the appointment of Electoral Commission members, arguing that reforms are necessary to strengthen confidence in the institution’s independence.

However, the concerns raised by the NPP represent the party’s position and do not, by themselves, establish that Ms Agbenyo would perform her duties with political bias.

Ms Agbenyo was sworn into office on October 12 alongside Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah. President Mahama urged both appointees to perform their constitutional responsibilities independently and impartially, without favouring any political party or candidate.

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NPP HALTS CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES: Parliamentary Aspirants Face Disciplinary Action Over Early Campaigning

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The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has directed all prospective parliamentary aspirants to immediately cease campaign activities, warning that violators could face disciplinary sanctions, including consequences for their eligibility to contest.

In a statement dated October 11, 2026, and signed by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, the party said it had received numerous complaints about members seeking parliamentary positions who had begun campaigning in various constituencies ahead of the official timetable.

According to the statement, the activities contravene the party’s regulations and Code of Conduct, creating an uneven playing field and threatening the unity and discipline required for the party’s success.

The directive takes immediate effect and covers all prospective parliamentary aspirants, their agents and supporters. They have been ordered to suspend every form of campaign activity until further notice.

Among the prohibited activities are mounting posters, billboards, banners and other branded materials; organising rallies, polling station executives’ meetings or constituency tours to solicit support; distributing items or inducements to delegates and party members; and running paid media or social media advertisements promoting a candidature.

The party has also warned its officers at polling station, electoral area, constituency, regional and national levels, as well as the Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON), against promoting prospective aspirants on social media or facilitating premature campaign activities.

The statement cautioned that anyone who fails to comply would be dealt with under the party’s disciplinary procedures, with possible implications for their eligibility to contest in the party’s parliamentary primaries.

Meanwhile, the NPP leadership said the timetable and guidelines for its parliamentary processes would be announced in due course. Constituency and regional executives have been tasked with ensuring strict compliance within their respective jurisdictions.

The directive signals the party leadership’s intention to maintain order in its internal electoral processes and prevent aspirants from gaining an early advantage before the official campaign period begins.

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MAHAMA EMBARKS ON TWO-DAY AHAFO TOUR: PRESIDENT SETS SIGHTS ON REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT UNDER ‘RESETTING GHANA’ AGENDA

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President John Dramani Mahama has begun a two-day working visit to the Ahafo Region as part of his nationwide ‘Resetting Ghana’ tour, with attention expected to focus on development priorities and engagement with local communities.

President John Dramani Mahama has commenced a two-day working visit to the Ahafo Region as part of his broader Resetting Ghana agenda, an initiative associated with his administration’s vision for national development and improved governance.

The visit is expected to provide an opportunity for the President to engage with regional stakeholders, assess local development needs and discuss issues affecting residents and communities across the region.

The Ahafo tour also places the region’s development priorities in focus, particularly concerns relating to infrastructure, employment, healthcare, education and economic opportunities. However, the specific projects and policy issues scheduled for discussion during the visit have not been confirmed in the information provided.

As part of the working tour, attention will be on the President’s engagements with local authorities and other stakeholders, as well as any announcements or commitments that may emerge from the visit.

The Resetting Ghana agenda has been presented as a broader framework for addressing national challenges and improving the country’s development trajectory. The Ahafo visit offers another opportunity for the administration to engage with people at the regional level and hear concerns about local conditions and priorities.

Residents and other stakeholders will be watching closely for concrete outcomes from the engagements, including any commitments on development projects, public services and economic growth.

The central question is what tangible benefits the two-day visit will deliver for the people of Ahafo and how any commitments made will translate into action.

Further details on the President’s itinerary, scheduled meetings and specific announcements are needed to establish the full scope of the visit.

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