The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has strongly condemned the conviction and sentencing of Madam Camilla Alhassan, describing the decision as a threat to freedom of expression and Ghana’s democratic credentials.
In a statement issued on July 16, 2026, and signed by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, the party expressed “deep shock, outrage and profound concern” over the Accra Circuit Court’s decision to sentence Madam Alhassan to one year in prison after she was convicted of offensive conduct in connection with comments she made online about President John Dramani Mahama.
According to the NPP, the imprisonment of a citizen over expressive conduct raises serious constitutional concerns regarding the right to freedom of speech as guaranteed under Article 21 of the 1992 Constitution.
The party argued that while legal formalities may have been followed, the case represents an erosion of civil liberties and sends a worrying signal about growing intolerance in the country.
The statement further maintained that if the President believed he had been defamed, the appropriate legal avenue should have been a civil defamation suit rather than criminal prosecution and imprisonment.
The opposition party accused the government of deploying state institutions, including the Police, the Attorney General’s Department and the courts, to suppress dissent and intimidate citizens from expressing opposing political views.
The NPP also criticised the manner in which Madam Alhassan was reportedly treated during her arrest, detention and appearance in court, describing it as “heavy-handed” and “dehumanising.” It argued that such treatment undermines public confidence in law enforcement and offends the dignity of the individual.
As part of its response, the party called on civil society organisations, the Ghana Bar Association, the media, the National Peace Council and the diplomatic community to speak against what it termed the criminalisation of free expression and to defend constitutional freedoms.
The NPP also announced that it would support every lawful effort to challenge the conviction, confirming that an immediate appeal would be pursued.
The party pledged to stand by Madam Alhassan and her legal team until all available legal remedies have been exhausted.
Concluding the statement, the NPP cautioned against what it described as a return to periods in Ghana’s history when citizens allegedly faced persecution for expressing opposing views, insisting that “free speech is not a crime” and urging the government to protect democratic principles and constitutional rights.
NAFCO Warns Public Against Fraudsters Posing as Agents to Secure School Feeding Contracts
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Published: September 3, 2026
Published at: 06:12Pm
By Saibu Terry
The National Food Buffer Stock Company Limited (NAFCO) has cautioned members of the public against individuals allegedly posing as agents of the company and claiming to have influence over the award of food supply contracts to second-cycle institutions.
According to NAFCO, the individuals are going around soliciting money from unsuspecting members of the public under the pretext of helping them secure food supply contracts.
In a disclaimer issued by its Corporate Affairs Department on Thursday, September 3, 2026, NAFCO stressed that no third party is engaged in the award and allocation of contracts for food supplies to schools.
The company explained that it operates an open-door policy and encouraged interested entities to register at its offices nationwide and undergo a rigorous merit-based selection process.
NAFCO warned that the selection process is devoid of third-party influence and urged the public to disregard anyone who claims to have connections or influence over the award of food supply contracts.
The company further advised anyone approached by individuals soliciting money in exchange for assistance in securing food supply contracts to report them to the nearest police station.
For further clarification on NAFCO’s operations, the company urged the public to contact its hotlines on 0244669709, 0549004501, and 0269983462, or email info@nafco.gov.gh.
NAFCO reiterated that members of the public should exercise caution and avoid making payments to individuals who claim they can influence the contract award process.
Former Ghanaian Footballer Jafar Samed Issah Cheers on Friend Jaleen Smith as Croatia Thrash Latvia
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Published: August 29, 2026
Published at: 01:18Pm
By Saibu Terry Former Ghanaian professional footballer Abdul Jafar Samed Issah was in attendance, alongside his spouse Khadija , to support his close friend Jaleen Devon Smith as Croatia secured a convincing 115–80 victory over Latvia in the FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifying campaign on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
Issah, who enjoyed a professional football career with stints in Denmark, Latvia, Ethiopia and other European destinations, made time to cheer on Smith as Croatia bounced back strongly following their defeat to Germany. Smith was instrumental in Croatia’s impressive performance, showcasing the form and quality that have made him an important figure for the national team. The result provided Croatia with a much-needed boost in their qualifying campaign.
Beyond the sporting arena, Smith and Issah have developed a close friendship over the past year. Their relationship has extended beyond football and basketball, with the pair sharing ideas about potential humanitarian and community-development projects in northern Ghana.
Smith, an American-born professional basketball player who has represented Croatia at international level, has developed a growing admiration for Ghana and is reportedly keen to contribute to initiatives that could positively impact communities in the northern part of the country. The friendship between the two sports personalities has therefore evolved into more than a personal connection, with discussions around future projects creating excitement among Smith’s supporters and admirers in Ghana. Smith recently signed with Hapoel Jerusalem, where he is set to compete in the Israeli Premier League and EuroCup. As he continues to make an impact on the basketball court, his growing connection with Ghana through his friendship with Jafar Samad Issah could open the door to meaningful humanitarian initiatives in the future. For Issah, Thursday’s game was another opportunity to stand firmly behind his friend and celebrate Croatia’s emphatic victory over Latvia.
Anta Scholarship Education Fund provides financial Assistance to 200 Tertiary Students
The Former Finance Minister and MP for Karaga, Hon. Dr. Amin Mohammed Adam Anta, has disbursed funds worth 330,000 Ghana Cedis to support the education of over 200 beneficiary tertiary students in the Constituency under the Amin Anta Education Scholarship Scheme.
The intervention forms part of the MP’s broader commitment to supporting the education of every student in the Constituency, especially those at the tertiary level, and to removing financial barriers that sometimes serve as obstacles to the education of needy but brilliant students.
The Anta Education Scholarship scheme covers beneficiaries pursuing education across Public Tertiary Institutions in the country, including education and health training Institutions.
This year’s beneficiaries stand at 200 students, bringing the total tally to 1,519 beneficiaries who have benefited from the scholarship fund since its inception in 2019 to date, running for seven consecutive years.
The Anta Education Fund is an annual financial aid initiative established by Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam (widely known as Dr. Amin Anta), the Member of Parliament for the Karaga Constituency in the Northern Region of Ghana, to provide financial assistance, pay school fees, and support brilliant but financially needy students from basic school up to tertiary institutions (universities and colleges).
At a durbar at the Karaga Community Center on Friday, August 28th 2026, to disburse the funds to beneficiaries, the Chairman of the Scholarship Fund, Jankpihi Naa, thanked the MP for providing financial assistance to students in the area, describing his initiative as a game changer, opening educational doors and removing barriers for students.
On his part, the MP, Mohammed Amin Adam Anta, said he is committed to ensuring that every child in the Constituency gets the right education and climbs the ladder, suggesting that it is a critical means to success.
The MP also seized the occasion to admonish the students to take advantage of the scholarship opportunity and study hard to aspire to greater heights, as he did not have such an opportunity growing up.
The beneficiaries could not mince words but thanked the MP profusely for the intervention, describing his benevolence as ‘incredible and God-fearing’.