Ghana Roundup: Parliamentary standoff, Judiciary index decline, President’s statue

Parliamentary standoff

Ghana’s parliament faces a standoff between the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), following a legal dispute over the Speaker's declaration that four parliamentary seats were vacant. This action, resulting from members switching party affiliations, gave the NDC a slim majority. However, after adjourning the house indefinitely, the Speaker of Parliament assured the public on November 6 that the legislative body is operational despite the recent adjournments. “There is no constitutional crisis in this country,” he told the media, emphasising that Parliament remains functional. His remarks followed concerns raised by the country’s Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, indicating Parliament's inability to resolve disputes resulting in its inactive state, local media Joy News reported.

Judiciary Confidence Decline

A recent report by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation reveals a significant decline in Ghanaians' confidence in judicial impartiality, dropping from 95.3 points in 2014 to 68.3 in 2023. Public trust in the judiciary’s adherence to fair legal processes has also waned, with ratings falling from 66.6 to 45.7 over the same period. The report cites concerns over due process, including pre-trial detention and access to legal assistance, as major areas of decline.

President Akufo-Addo Unveils Self-Statue

During a “thank you” tour in the Western Region, President Nana Akufo-Addo unveiled a statue of himself at Sekondi’s Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital. Regional Minister Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah explained that the statue honours the president's regional initiatives, including the hospital’s rehabilitation and the Takoradi Market Circle redevelopment. Citi News reported that President Akufo-Addo touted his achievements and urged voters to support his administration’s continuity through Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the upcoming elections.

Free Life-Saving Surgeries for Ghanaian Children

The National Cardiothoracic Centre at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, in collaboration with German organisations Kinderherzen and the Gerald Asamoah Foundation, recently provided 27 children with life-saving heart surgeries. The project, funded with €250,000 in equipment and support, has enabled the centre’s staff to advance their skills in pediatric cardiac care, Ghanaweb reported. Dr Kow Entsua-Mensah, Director of the Centre, described the impact as transformative, with five open-heart and 22 minimally invasive surgeries completed.

Largest Single-Stream Gold Mine Commissioned

President Akufo-Addo inaugurated Cardinal Namdini Mining Ltd., now the largest single-stream gold mine in West Africa, located in Ghana’s Upper East region. The new mine is projected to produce 300,000 ounces of gold annually in its initial years, reinforcing Ghana’s position as Africa’s leading gold producer. At the commissioning, the president highlighted the mine as a milestone for the country’s mining sector and an opportunity for regional economic growth, Graphic Online reported.