The Minority in Parliament has accused the government of undermining the principles of decentralisation through the implementation of its flagship 24-Hour Markets programme across various districts in Ghana.

According to the Minority, the government’s approach to the programme risks imposing a uniform development model on districts without sufficiently taking into account their specific needs, priorities and existing development plans.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, September 14, Member of Parliament for Bantama, Francis Asenso-Boakye, criticised what he described as inadequate consultation with district authorities before decisions are taken on the location, design and implementation of the 24-Hour Markets.

He argued that while the initiative may be intended to improve trading infrastructure and stimulate economic activity, its implementation must reflect the country’s decentralised governance structure.

“The 24-Hour Markets programme cannot be a one-size-fits-all solution. To impose essentially the same project across districts without adequate regard for their development plans undermines the very principles of decentralisation.

“Even more disturbing is the demolition or proposed demolition of existing public and community infrastructure to make way for some of these 24-Hour Markets. The examples emerging across the country raise serious questions about planning, consultation and value for money.”

The 24-Hour Markets project is a flagship programme by the government aimed at providing decent trading centres for various districts across Ghana.

The initiative is expected to create spaces where traders, farmers, producers and consumers can conduct business in more organised environments while supporting economic activity within local communities.

However, the Minority argues that the objectives of the programme should not override the role of local authorities in determining development priorities.

The Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has taken the lead in the latest Global InfoAnalytics poll on who should lead the National Democratic Congress (NDC) into the 2028 presidential election, recording a 10-percentage-point jump from July, 2026.

The poll puts Ato Forson at 32%, up from 22% in July, while NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia has dropped from 27% to 23%, representing a four-point decline.

The latest figures, shared on Facebook by the Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics, Mussa Dankwah, on Monday, September 14, 2026, mark a significant shift in the race, with Ato Forson now leading Asiedu Nketia by nine points.

The poll also shows that a substantial number of delegates remain undecided, with 28% refusing to commit to any of the named contenders. This is, however, a two-point reduction from the 30% recorded in July.

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, follows with 5%, down one percentage point from 6% in July.

Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang and Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, each recorded 4%, with Prof. Opoku-Agyemang declining from 7% and Julius Debrah falling from 5%.

Professor Joshua Alabi recorded 2%, improving by one percentage point, while Eric Opoku, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, remained unchanged at 1%.

The latest poll therefore shows Dr. Ato Forson as the only leading contender to record a double-digit increase between the two surveys.

According to Mussa Dankwah, the September poll sampled 3,615 NDC delegates between September 11 and 13, 2026, at a 99% confidence level and a margin of error of  ±2.17 percentage points.

The figures suggest a notable shift in delegates’ preferences compared with the July poll, particularly the sharp rise in support for Ato Forson and the corresponding decline in Asiedu Nketia’s standing.

However, with more than a quarter of delegates still undecided, the poll indicates that the race remains open and could be significantly influenced by how the contenders consolidate support among delegates in the coming months. 

Incumbent National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Salam Mustapha, has withdrawn from the contest for the position of National Organiser of the party.

In a statement issued on September 9, Salam said the decision had been difficult, citing “circumstances beyond my control” for his inability to continue with his candidature.

He expressed gratitude to party members, delegates, colleagues and well-wishers across the country for the encouragement, goodwill and support he received throughout his campaign.

“This decision has been a difficult one, particularly considering the encouragement, goodwill and overwhelming support I have received from Party members, delegates, colleagues and well-wishers across the country,” he said.

“However, due to circumstances beyond my control, I am unable to continue with my candidature,” he added.

Mr Salam stressed that his withdrawal would not affect his commitment to the NPP, saying he remained dedicated to the party’s unity, rebuilding and electoral success.

He also reaffirmed his support for former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, expressing his desire to see him become the next elected President.

“My dedication to the Party remains firm, and I will continue to serve and contribute towards its unity, rebuilding and electoral success, and also to make Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia the next president of Ghana,” he said.

Mr Salam appealed to his supporters to accept his decision in good faith and remain united in the interest of the party.

“I am deeply grateful to everyone who believed in my vision and supported this journey. To my supporters in particular, I appeal to you to accept this decision in good faith and remain united and committed to the larger interest of the Party,” he noted.

He said political positions were temporary, stressing that commitment to the NPP and its future should take precedence over individual ambitions.

“Political positions may come and go, but our commitment to the NPP and the future of our Party must remain greater than any individual ambition,” he stated.

He further wished all candidates participating in the party’s internal electoral process well, expressing hope that their actions would strengthen the NPP and position it for future electoral victory.

Mr Salam ended his statement with a reference to Psalm 23, describing it as his favourite passage in the Bible: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want…”

Former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu, has secured the number one position on the ballot paper for the party’s National Chairmanship election scheduled for October 3, 2026.

Mr Boadu emerged first in the balloting process conducted ahead of the party’s national executive elections.

Former Second Vice Chairman of the party, Sammy Crabbe, picked the second position, while former National Chairman Paul Afoko secured the third slot.

Former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko will occupy the fourth position on the ballot paper.

The balloting marks another step in preparations towards the October 3 elections, which will determine the party’s new national executives.

The National Chairmanship contest has attracted considerable attention, with the four contenders expected to intensify their engagements with delegates in the weeks leading to the polls.

The candidates are seeking to convince delegates of their ability to unite the party, strengthen its internal structures and position the NPP for future electoral contests.

Issues of party unity, grassroots mobilisation, internal cohesion and organisational strengthening are expected to dominate the campaigns.

The October 3 polls will give delegates the opportunity to elect a new national leadership to steer the affairs of the NPP during its next phase of political activities and preparations for future elections.

The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has set a target of more than 1.5 million votes for the party in the Ashanti Region in the 2028 general elections.

He said the region, considered a major electoral stronghold of the NPP, would be critical to the party’s efforts to return to power and secure victory for its flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

The party’s General Secertary issued the target to the newly elected Ashanti Regional Executive Committee, led by Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah (COKA), urging the leadership to intensify its grassroots mobilisation and recover votes lost in the 2024 election.

Speaking at a thanksgiving service organised by the new regional executives in Kumasi on Sunday, September 6, 2026, he said the performance of the party in Ashanti Region would significantly influence the outcome of the 2028 presidential election.

“The victory of NPP in 2028 will be determined by the Ashanti Region. We’re therefore giving you (COKA and executives) a target of more than 1.5 million votes,” he said.

Mr Kodua said the NPP’s declining electoral performance between the 2020 and 2024 elections demonstrated the need for the party to reassess its strategy and rebuild its support base.

He tasked the new regional leadership to capitalise on the support currently enjoyed by the executives and develop strategies to increase the party’s votes across the region.

“You are all aware that NPP depreciated in the votes we obtained in the 2020 election as compared to 2024, and we need to change the narrative,” he said.

“On behalf of the national executives of the party, I’m tasking Ashanti Regional executives to work extra hard to maximise votes for Dr Bawumia,” he added.

The NPP General Secretary said Ashanti Region must take the lead in the party’s national campaign to secure victory in 2028.

The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has set a target of more than 1.5 million votes for the party in the Ashanti Region in the 2028 general elections.

He said the region, considered a major electoral stronghold of the NPP, would be critical to the party’s efforts to return to power and secure victory for its flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

The party’s General Secertary issued the target to the newly elected Ashanti Regional Executive Committee, led by Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah (COKA), urging the leadership to intensify its grassroots mobilisation and recover votes lost in the 2024 election.

Speaking at a thanksgiving service organised by the new regional executives in Kumasi on Sunday, September 6, 2026, he said the performance of the party in Ashanti Region would significantly influence the outcome of the 2028 presidential election.

“The victory of NPP in 2028 will be determined by the Ashanti Region. We’re therefore giving you (COKA and executives) a target of more than 1.5 million votes,” he said.

Mr Kodua said the NPP’s declining electoral performance between the 2020 and 2024 elections demonstrated the need for the party to reassess its strategy and rebuild its support base.

He tasked the new regional leadership to capitalise on the support currently enjoyed by the executives and develop strategies to increase the party’s votes across the region.

“You are all aware that NPP depreciated in the votes we obtained in the 2020 election as compared to 2024, and we need to change the narrative,” he said.

“On behalf of the national executives of the party, I’m tasking Ashanti Regional executives to work extra hard to maximise votes for Dr Bawumia,” he added.

The NPP General Secretary said Ashanti Region must take the lead in the party’s national campaign to secure victory in 2028.

Unity urged

Beyond the vote target, Mr Kodua urged the new regional executives to maintain unity and avoid internal divisions that could undermine the party’s electoral prospects.

He noted that all 47 constituency executives in the region were supporting the newly elected regional administration and encouraged the leadership to sustain the momentum by ensuring that all members were brought on board.

“I’m expecting you to build on this support and bring everyone on board to ensure a resounding victory for NPP in 2028,” he said.

His call comes as the NPP begins preparations for the next general elections, with the party expected to focus on strengthening its grassroots structures and consolidating support in regions where it has traditionally performed strongly.

The remarks were made during a thanksgiving service at Gracefields Temple-Havillah City Temple at Ahodwo in Kumasi, held under the theme, “A Heart of Gratitude; A Life of Praise.”

The service brought together current and former NPP executives, former ministers, former chief executives of state institutions, as well as incumbent and former Members of Parliament.

The event featured prayers, singing and dancing as the newly elected Ashanti Regional executives expressed gratitude for what they described as a successful regional election.

Mr Kodua, who is widely tipped to retain his position as General Secretary, congratulated the new regional leadership and urged the executives to remain focused on strengthening the party and preparing for the 2028 elections.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has called on the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to conduct a thorough and expeditious investigation into an alleged memorandum purportedly written by the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, concerning the GH¢70,000 she reportedly rejected.

He also urged the OSP to seek assistance from the Cyber Security Authority and other relevant law enforcement agencies to identify the person or persons responsible for creating and circulating the alleged false document.

A statement issued in Accra last Saturday and signed by the Director of Media Relations, David Sabastian Damoah, said the Speaker remained committed to transparency, accountability and the integrity of its processes, particularly the work of the Appointments Committee.

The document reportedly claimed that Mrs Appiagyei had returned GH¢70,000 allegedly given to her as an advance in connection with the vetting exercise.

Mrs Appiagyei has denied receiving or returning the alleged payment, describing the claims as false and the memorandum as fabricated.

The OSP has since commenced preliminary investigations to establish the veracity, source and circumstances surrounding the alleged payment and the disputed document.

It said the Speaker was of the view that those found culpable should, where the evidence warranted, be brought to account in accordance with the law.

The statement said Parliament was ready to provide the OSP and any other competent investigative authority with the necessary cooperation to establish the document’s authenticity and the circumstances surrounding its creation and circulation.

It acknowledged that the document and reports arising from it had generated considerable public interest.

“Parliament was also aware of subsequent reports in which the authenticity of the memorandum and the circumstances alleged in it had been categorically denied,” it said.

The Speaker said any allegation concerning payments allegedly connected with the work of a parliamentary committee, particularly the Appointments Committee, required proper scrutiny.

“Parliament views the matter with serious concern,” he said, indicating that of equal, if not greater, concern was the possibility that the document might have been fabricated and falsely attributed to an MP in circumstances capable of undermining public confidence in Parliament and its processes.

It stressed, however, that Parliament had not independently verified the authenticity of the memorandum and would therefore not, at this stage, make any determination on the competing claims.

The statement said if the investigation established that the memorandum was fabricated or falsely attributed to the Deputy Minority Leader, the matter should not end with that finding.

“The fabrication and deliberate circulation of documents purporting to emanate from members or offices of Parliament would constitute a serious assault on the integrity and reputation of the institution.

“Such conduct, if established, should, therefore, attract the full attention of the appropriate authorities,” it said.

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has urged Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to avoid comparing the records of successive governments when commenting on the performance of public institutions.

The Conference said the Chief Justice’s reference to the “past eight years” during a recent visit to SSNIT on September 2 could be interpreted as a political comparison.

According to the Bishops, there was nothing improper about the Chief Justice visiting public institutions, assessing their operations or commending genuine improvements.

“The difficulty lies not in the visits themselves, but in the political character that some of his remarks, in particular his reference to the ‘past eight years’, can reasonably be understood to have acquired,” they stated.

The Conference in a statement issued on Sunday (September 6, 2026) said in Ghana’s political context, such a reference could easily be understood as a comparison between the current administration and its predecessor.

It said what may have started as an assessment of institutional performance therefore took on the appearance of a partisan judgment.

The Bishops noted that the concern had also been raised publicly by the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development, which warned that such remarks could create an impression of political endorsement and weaken confidence in judicial impartiality.

They also acknowledged the Judicial Service’s clarification that the Chief Justice’s comments were made in good faith and without any intention to compromise judicial independence.

The Conference said it received that clarification in good faith.

However, it stressed that the episode raised broader concerns about the standards expected of the head of the Judiciary.

New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Treasurer aspirant Collins Nuntwiri Nuamah has temporarily suspended his campaign after his campaign vehicle was involved in an accident on the Kwahu road in the Eastern region.

The accident occurred at about 8:30 pm on Saturday, September 5, 2026, while Mr Nuamah and his campaign team were returning from campaign activities in the Afram Plains North and South areas.

The vehicle was travelling towards Anyinam, where the aspirant was scheduled to continue his campaign activities on Sunday, September 6, covering Atiwa East and West before moving to the Kwahu bloc.

Following the accident, the campaign has been temporarily suspended to allow Mr Nuamah to seek medical attention.

The campaign team said further updates on his condition and the resumption of campaign activities would be communicated in due course.

Mr Nuamah is among the aspirants cleared to contest the NPP’s 2026 National Treasurer position.

Member of Parliament for Ajumako Enyan Essiam, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has expressed gratitude to his constituents for their trust and support over the past 18 years of his service in Parliament.

Speaking at the Enyan Abaasa Akwambo Festival durbar, the MP who doubles as finance minister expressed gratitude to the people for standing by him and for their understanding as he balances his parliamentary duties with his responsibilities as Finance Minister. “Every time I come home, my heart is full of love,” he said.

“I came, first and foremost, to thank the people of Enyan Abaasa for your understanding and for trusting me to serve you all these years.”

Dr. Forson acknowledged that the responsibility President Mahama had entrusted to him had made it more difficult to visit the constituency as often as he previously did.

He said he had drawn comfort from the counsel of the Paramount Chief of the Enyan Abaasa Traditional Area, Osagyefo Kwamena Akonu, who encouraged him to focus on his work, represent the constituency well, and stay away from wrongdoing.
The chief, he recalled, had assured him that the people at home would be well cared for.

“Nana, you advised me to concentrate on the job, knowing that our people were in your care. Since my return, I have seen for myself that all is indeed well,” Dr. Forson said.

The National Officers Election Vetting Committee (NOEVC) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has cleared all 47 aspirants who were vetted to contest the party’s 2026 National Officers Elections.

The National Officers Elections Committee (NOEC) said the vetting exercise, conducted from August 31 to September 3, 2026, was successfully completed in accordance with the timetable for the elections.

According to the committee, 47 aspirants appeared before the National Officers Election Vetting Committee (NOEVC) across nine categories of national officer positions.

The Vetting Committee reviewed the documentation submitted by the aspirants, engaged them on their eligibility and considered the applicable requirements before submitting its report to the NOEC.

In a statement issued on September 5, the NOEC said the Vetting Committee had recommended that all 47 aspirants were suitable and eligible to contest the respective positions for which they filed their nominations.

“Accordingly, all 47 aspirants have been CLEARED TO CONTEST, subject to the processes provided under the applicable rules governing the elections,” the statement said.

The clearance paves the way for the aspirants to proceed to the next stages of the party’s internal election process.

BALLOTING

Balloting for positions on the ballot paper will take place on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 , at the NPP Headquarters, Asylum Down, Accra.

Specific times for the balloting for the respective positions will be communicated directly to the aspirants.

Aspirants will be expected to participate in the balloting process either in person or through their duly authorised representatives.

NOEC urged all aspirants and their representatives to cooperate fully with the Committee to ensure an orderly and transparent balloting process.

NOEC expressed its profound appreciation to the Chairperson and members of the National Officers Election Vetting Committee for the diligence, professionalism and commitment with which they discharged this important responsibility.

The Committee commended all 47 aspirants for their cooperation and conduct throughout the vetting exercise.

“We also thank Party members, officials, supporters, the media and the general public for their continued cooperation and interest in the electoral process.

“NOEC remains committed to conducting the remaining stages of the election process in a manner that is fair, transparent, orderly and credible, and calls on all aspirants, their supporters and Party members to continue to conduct themselves in a manner that promotes the unity and integrity of the New Patriotic Party.

“Further information on subsequent stages of the electoral process will be communicated in due course,” the statement concluded.