The President of Ghana's Catholic Bishops' Conference stated that Ghana must be prepared to reject foreign aid if it comes with conditions conflicting with the country's values, following Parliament's passage of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill on May 29. Western governments and multilateral donors have hinted at freezing budgetary support if the bill is signed into law, though the passed version includes exemptions for lawyers, journalists, and healthcare professionals providing services to LGBTQ+ individuals.
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An investigation into alleged police corruption in South Africa, led by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, has completed its second phase with an interim report submitted to President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday. The 64-day hearing phase included testimony from 32 witnesses and revealed allegations including infiltration of police and government by organised crime groups and details of an alleged drug cartel.
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Legal practitioner Amanda Clinton said Parliament's passage of the anti-LGBTQI+ bill signals that Ghana's cultural, religious and family values take precedence over concerns about potential economic repercussions from international partners.
14 hours ago · Joy Online →
Ghana's Minority Caucus is calling for a permanent and unconditional halt to the 0.75 per cent fee on MTN mobile money transactions, arguing that the fee violates the constitution and can only be introduced through parliamentary legislation. The Bank of Ghana had previously issued an emergency directive suspending the planned implementation pending stakeholder consultations.
17 hours ago · Joy Online →
The ranking member on Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee has commended the government for its ongoing evacuation efforts to bring home Ghanaian citizens caught up in unrest in South Africa, though he noted early concerns about the pace of the operation. He referenced Ghana's historical record of successful evacuations during conflicts in Sierra Leone and Liberia and from Ukraine during COVID-19.
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Ranking Member Samuel Abdulai Jinapor has urged Ghana to disregard remarks by EFF leader Julius Malema, who questioned the timing and approach of Ghana's evacuation of citizens caught up in xenophobic attacks in South Africa, saying Ghanaian national interests should supersede external commentary.
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The Acting Director-General of the National Information Technology Agency (NITA) says the broad stakeholder consultation approach taken in developing the proposed NITA Bill, while intended to strengthen the policy framework, has contributed to public misunderstanding about the draft legislation's status and content.
7 hours ago · Joy Online →
Effia MP Isaac Boamah-Nyarko has commended government engagement on the proposed National Information Technology Agency Bill while urging ministries to make public consultation a standard feature of Ghana's legislative process. He expressed concern about legislation being passed under certificates of urgency, which he said leaves little time for Parliament and stakeholders to scrutinise proposed laws.
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Member of Parliament Samuel Nartey George rejected claims that the government's digital legislation process lacks transparency, stating that extensive stakeholder consultations have been conducted since draft bills were first published and updated versions have been shared with those who submitted concerns. George said four law firms have been engaged to support the drafting and review process alongside technical experts, and cited engagements with technology industry leaders, civil society groups, and the National Media Commission as evidence of the ministry's openness.
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Isaac Boamah-Nyarko, Effia MP and Finance Committee member, has accused the NDC government of weakening the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill through amendments introduced after its reintroduction in Parliament. He argues that if the previous version was fit for purpose, it should have been reintroduced unchanged, and contends the amendments address criticisms that were raised during Eighth Parliament debates.
8 hours ago · Joy Online →
Derek Laryea has raised concerns that the proposed NITA Bill's expansion of the National Information Technology Agency's powers, including a proposed 1% levy on ICT businesses' topline gross revenue, could stifle innovation and entrepreneurship among young tech professionals in Ghana's digital sector.
8 hours ago · Joy Online →
Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George has rejected accusations by the NPP-led Minority that the newly passed Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill was weakened, dismissing their criticism as politically motivated and an attempt to deflect from President Akufo-Addo's refusal to sign the legislation.
8 hours ago · Joy Online →
Communications Minister Samuel George defended the proposed National Information Technology Agency (NITA) bill against industry criticism, arguing that concerns about missing investment and funding details stem from misunderstanding Ghana's legislative process. He explained that such implementation details would be addressed through a Legislative Instrument after Parliament passes the bill, not within the substantive bill itself.
8 hours ago · Joy Online →
Isaac Boamah-Nyarko, MP for Effia, has called on political actors to stop exploiting the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill for partisan gain, urging focus on national interest and societal values instead of political advantage following the bill's passage through Parliament.
8 hours ago · Joy Online →
Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George has expressed confidence that President Mahama will sign the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill once Parliament transmits it to him. George stated he expects the bill to reach the President by the following week and emphasized that he expects Mahama to honour his commitment.
9 hours ago · Joy Online →
MP Samuel Nartey George expressed relief after Parliament passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, which criminalises LGBTQ+ activities and advocacy. He credited Parliament's Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin with playing a decisive role in advancing the legislation through the House.
9 hours ago · Joy Online →
Ernesto Yeboah, leader of the Economic Fighters League, has cautioned Ghanaians against retaliatory action targeting South African businesses or citizens in Ghana following afrophobic attacks against Ghanaians in South Africa. He warned that such retaliation would damage Ghana's international reputation and called on police to prevent harassment of South African-owned businesses.
9 hours ago · Joy Online →
Legal practitioner Osagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor has challenged the procedural validity of Parliament's passage of the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, claiming only 34 MPs were present when it was approved and suggesting this falls short of constitutional quorum requirements. The bill, which seeks to criminalise LGBTQ+ activities and advocacy, included amendments exempting lawyers, journalists, and medical professionals from sanctions.
2 hours ago · Joy Online →
The Acting Director-General of the National Information Technology Agency has called for accountability over findings in an African Games audit report, citing issues including 55 single-source contracts awarded without justification and outstanding liabilities of about GH¢280 million, and urging implicated officials to respond before Parliament.
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An analysis argues that bail conditions imposed on suspects in Ghana have become increasingly severe in recent years, involving large cash sums and restrictive conditions that amount to de facto pre-trial punishment and undermine the constitutional guarantees of personal liberty and presumption of innocence.
5 hours ago · Joy Online →