Sunday, 23 August 2026

Ghana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026

Sunday, 23 August 2026

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Ghanaian press · Person

Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor

Also known as: Chief Whip Dafeamekpor · Hon. Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor · Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor

Majority Chief Whip and Ghana Law Society President who has called for investigations into the Aksa power deal and defended expert-led inquiries into corruption allegations.

2026-04-302026-08-23

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

May 2026
11 MayJoy Online
… Others were the Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor; the First Deputy Majority Whip, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe, who is also the president of the Women’s Caucus in Parliament; as well as other senior management members of Parliament. …
“Young South Africans should be reminded of African countries’ contributions to their liberation”—Zanetor
April 2026
30 AprJoy Online
… Mr Assafuah further criticised key government figures, including Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor and Francis-Xavier Sosu, alleging that they had earlier encouraged students not to prepare for any entrance examinations. …
Vincent Ekow Assafuah slams gov’t over ‘u-turn’ on Ghana School of Law entrance exams

Politics

Ghana must investigate AKSA power deal, Dafeamekpor urges

The News

Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has called for renewed investigations into the AKSA power deal and sanctions where breaches are found, arguing Ghana should not rely solely on US proceedings to determine what happened in the transaction involving Ghanaian institutions and officials. His call follows a US criminal case involving former Goldman Sachs banker Asante Kwaku Berko that has raised questions about alleged payments to public officials connected to the Turkish energy company Aksa Enerji project.

15 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 15 August

Ghana must investigate AKSA power deal, Dafeamekpor urges
Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has called for renewed investigations into the AKSA power deal and sanctions where breaches are found, arguing Ghana should not rely solely on US proceedings to determine what happened in the transaction involving Ghanaian institutions and officials. His call follows a US criminal case involving former Goldman Sachs banker Asante Kwaku Berko that has raised questions about alleged payments to public officials connected to the Turkish energy company Aksa Enerji project.
15 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Dafeamekpor: lawyers' vacation hearing dispute should be negotiated
The Majority Chief Whip says the dispute between lawyers and the Chief Justice over hearings during the legal vacation could have been resolved through negotiation with judges rather than formal petitions, noting that lawyers commonly negotiate with judges when cases spill into vacation periods.
15 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Dafeamekpor defends Ayine's handling of Aksa power bribery probe
Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has defended Attorney-General Dr Dominic Ayine's handling of an alleged bribery scandal surrounding the Aksa power deal, contending that previous administrations failed to act on the matter and arguing the current investigation should proceed without partisan distractions.
15 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Dafeamekpor backs expert-led inquiry into Aksa power bribery scandal
The Majority Chief Whip has urged Parliament to distance itself from investigating the alleged Aksa power deal bribery scandal, proposing instead a committee of experts from the Office of the Special Prosecutor, Attorney-General's Office, judiciary, and civil society organisations to avoid conflicts of interest.
15 August 2026 · Joy Online →
NPP denies using nolle prosequi to shield appointees from prosecution
Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah defended the New Patriotic Party's record on corruption prosecutions, stating that no NPP government has used nolle prosequi to discontinue corruption cases against its appointees. He cited the prosecution and conviction of former Sports Minister Alhaji Mallam Issah under President Kufuor as evidence.
15 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Dafeamekpor urges swift Ghana probe into Aksa bribery allegations
The Majority Chief Whip has called for Ghana to pursue a thorough and speedy investigation into bribery allegations linked to the Aksa power plant transaction, following a US prosecution of former Goldman Sachs banker Asante Kwaku Berko that brought the decade-old matter back into focus.
15 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 13 August

Parliament recalled for minister vetting, caucus changes, LGBTQ bill
Speaker Alban Bagbin has recalled Parliament from recess for a five-day sitting beginning Monday, August 24, to consider urgent government business including the vetting of newly appointed ministers, changes in Majority caucus leadership, and reconsideration of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill. The Minority caucus has questioned the need for the recall, arguing the matters are neither urgent nor significant enough to warrant reconvening during recess.
13 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 11 August

GBA should not respond to law firms' petitions, says Dafeamekpor
The Majority Chief Whip and Ghana Law Society President Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor criticised the Ghana Bar Association for responding to concerns from law firms over lawyer availability during Chief Justice proceedings, arguing that law firms are not GBA members and the association has no basis to respond to their petitions.
11 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Sunday 9 August

Arresting people over insults hurts government, says Dafeamekpor
Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has criticised the arrest and detention of people over comments deemed insulting to the government or public officials, arguing that such actions hurt the administration rather than protect it and risk creating the impression that the government is intolerant of criticism.
9 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 7 August

James Agalga tipped for NDC Majority Leader role
Builsa North MP James Agalga is the leading contender to replace Mahama Ayariga as NDC Majority Leader following Ayariga's appointment as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, according to NDC Caucus sources.
7 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 21 July

NPP government had distanced self from Wontumi before power change
South Dayi MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has argued that the legal troubles facing NPP Ashanti Regional chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) did not originate under the current administration, noting the previous NPP government had already disowned him over alleged illegality and that investigations began while the NPP was in government.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →
NPP government distanced itself from Wontumi over illegality before election loss
South Dayi MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor stated that the NPP administration had already disowned Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako over alleged illegal activities before the current government took power, countering claims that the prosecution against him was politically motivated.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 14 July

Government tribunal bills aim at justice efficiency, not PNDC revival
Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has defended the government's proposed tribunal bills as aimed at improving the efficiency of Ghana's justice delivery system. He acknowledged concerns about tribunals from the PNDC era but argued that the tribunal system has evolved significantly through legal reforms and judicial decisions.
14 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Majority Chief Whip denies GBA excluded from tribunal bill consultations
Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has rejected claims that the Ghana Bar Association was not consulted on the proposed tribunal bill, stating that the GBA was fully engaged in the legislative process and submitted views to lawmakers. He argued that the bill, still under parliamentary consideration, offers the best solution to address the backlog of court cases and is grounded in Ghana's legal framework.
14 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 18 June

MPs divided over Thomas Partey's Canada visa refusal
Parliament debated the refusal of Canadian authorities to grant Thomas Partey entry to Canada. Some minority MPs blamed Ghanaian officials for providing false information on the visa application, while majority MPs argued Canada was enforcing its laws unfairly and discriminatorily.
18 June 2026 · The Chronicle →

Wednesday 10 June

Mahama may use constitutional grounds to block anti-LGBTQ bill
President Mahama faces a constitutional choice to assent to or return the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025 to Parliament. Legal experts note that Article 106 of the Constitution may provide grounds for the President to return the bill based on alleged procedural irregularities, though these claims remain contested.
10 June 2026 · The Chronicle →
Mahama may invoke constitutional procedures to challenge anti-LGBTQ bill
Parliament is expected to transmit the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025 to President Mahama for assent this month. The President may invoke Articles 106 and 108 of the 1992 Constitution to return the bill to Parliament, citing unresolved procedural questions and concerns about whether constitutional and parliamentary procedures were properly followed during its consideration.
10 June 2026 · The Chronicle →

Monday 8 June

President may use constitutional procedure to block anti-LGBTQ bill
Parliament passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025 on May 29 and is expected to transmit it to President Mahama this month for assent. The President's strongest constitutional grounds for returning the bill, if he chooses, may rest on procedural concerns under Articles 106 and 108 of the Constitution, though Speaker Alban Bagbin and President Mahama have raised allegations of procedural irregularities that the Majority Chief Whip contests.
8 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Finance Minister Ato Forson named Overall Best Performing Minister
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance, has been named the Overall Best Performing Minister at the 6th Ghana Minister of the Year Awards, recognized for his distinguished service and performance at the Ministry of Finance. The awards ceremony, held in Accra, celebrated excellence in public service and impactful leadership in governance during the 2025 review period.
8 June 2026 · Daily Guide →
Finance Minister Ato Forson wins Ghana Minister of the Year 2025-2026
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Finance Minister, was adjudged Overall Best Minister of the Year 2025–2026 at the 6th Ghana Minister of the Year Awards held in Accra. Other ministers honoured included Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa as Best Young Minister and John Abdulai Jinapor as Best Innovation Minister.
8 June 2026 · The Chronicle →
Attorney General, Minority Leader headline governance summit in Accra
The Attorney General Dr Dominic Ayine and Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin will speak at the second African Governance and Anti-Corruption Summit, organised by The Bright Future Alliance, on June 16 in Accra. The summit aims to bring together government officials, legislators, civil society, diplomats, corporate leaders and young people to discuss strengthening accountability and governance systems across Africa.
8 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Sunday 7 June

Parliament suspended standing order before anti-LGBTQI bill passage, records show
Parliament's Speaker claimed the House did not suspend Order 172(1) of the Standing Orders before passing the anti-LGBTQI+ bill on Friday, 29 May 2026, but the record of proceedings shows the Majority Chief Whip moved a motion to suspend that very order before proceeding with third reading.
7 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 3 June

Speaker Bagbin's appeal to reconsider anti-LGBTQI bill explained
Joy Online explains that Speaker Alban Bagbin can only appeal—not order—MPs to revisit the anti-LGBTQI bill, since he is not a voting member. His request rests on claims of procedural breach (violations of Orders 170, 171, 172) and lack of demonstrable consensus on the floor.
3 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 2 June

MP questions anti-LGBTQ bill passage with absent sponsors
Bosome Freho MP Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh raised concerns that key sponsors of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill were absent when Parliament concluded deliberations, particularly regarding amendments to Clause 9 that exempt lawyers, journalists, media organisations and healthcare professionals from sanctions in LGBTQ-related professional matters, which he claims were not part of the original bill's intentions.
2 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Anti-LGBT bill scrutiny is procedure, not delay: Dafeamekpor
Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor defended President Mahama's comments on the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, explaining that the President's reference to further scrutiny after the bill reaches his desk reflects standard constitutional and parliamentary procedures, not a delay tactic. According to Dafeamekpor, post-passage scrutiny and drafting—required under Parliament's Standing Orders—ensures approved amendments are properly incorporated into the final document.
2 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 1 June

Minority demands explanation for 31 amendments to family values bill
The Minority caucus in Parliament has called on the government to explain why the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, passed in February 2024, was returned to Parliament with 31 amendments instead of being presented to President John Mahama in its original form. The Minority's sponsor, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, expressed concern that the Bill appears to have lost force and that Ghanaians were given the impression the former president had refused to sign it in its entirety.
1 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 21 May

Parliament reconvenes for Second Meeting of Ninth Parliament
Parliament resumes sitting on 21 May, marking the start of the Second Meeting of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament of the Fourth Republic. Lawmakers are expected to deliberate on major bills and policy reforms across transport, energy, justice, security, and governance.
21 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 20 May

Parliament resumes with bills on transport, energy, governance reforms
Parliament reconvened on Thursday, May 21, with a legislative agenda covering transport (Maritime and Related Offences Bill, Road Traffic Regulations), energy (National Petroleum Authority review, private sector electricity distribution participation, Nuclear Power Corporation Bill 2026, Renewable Energy Authority establishment), security, justice, and governance reforms, according to the Majority Chief Whip.
20 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Cabinet approves National Defence University Bill for Parliament
Cabinet has approved the National Defence University Bill, 2026, a joint initiative by the Ministries of Defence and Education that seeks to establish a single authority to award degrees, diplomas and certificates across all military training institutions in Ghana. If passed, the Bill would bring military institutions including the Ghana Military Academy, the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre under one academic structure.
20 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 19 May

South Dayi MP's birthday post sparks marriage speculation
South Dayi MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor's heartfelt birthday message to Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive Ebi Bright, posted on social media with intimate language and family photographs, prompted public speculation about a potential romantic or marital relationship between the two NDC politicians.
19 May 2026 · Joy Online →