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Joey Withinarts: The American Artist Turning Creativity, History and Storytelling Into a Global Legacy

By
Daniel Jeddman
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0

Joey Withinarts, the creative name of American visual artist Joseph Mack, has built a distinctive artistic journey around portraiture, storytelling, community service and preserving important stories through art.

Born in Virginia and later making South Carolina home, Joey Withinarts developed his artistic voice through drawing, painting, storytelling and community involvement. His work has grown from personal creativity into a broader mission of honouring people, preserving history and creating meaningful connections through visual art.

JOEY WITHINARTS: ART THAT COMES FROM WITHIN

His artistic journey has been documented by SHEEN Magazine, which identifies Joseph Mack as Joey Withinarts and traces his beginnings in Richmond, Virginia, his move to South Carolina and his early development as an artist.

Art That Comes From Within

The name Joey Withinarts reflects the philosophy behind his creative identity: the belief that artistic expression comes from within.

In an interview with Voyage ATL, Withinarts explained that he tries to understand the story behind a subject before beginning a painting. His approach combines art with personal connection, history and storytelling.

His work has therefore developed beyond conventional portraiture. A painting can become a tribute, a historical record, a source of encouragement or a way of keeping someone’s story visible.

Celebrating African American History

Withinarts has created portraits of influential figures from African American history, entertainment, sport and civil rights.

The Greenville Journal documented his community canvas project honouring the late Congressman and civil-rights icon John Lewis. Members of the public were invited to participate in the painting, turning the artwork into a collective community experience.

His work has also included portraits of figures such as Prince, Bill Withers, Isaac Hayes, Chadwick Boseman and Muhammad Ali.

Withinarts’ work fits naturally into the broader conversation around culture, entertainment and creative expression, while his connection to Ghana introduces an additional international dimension to his artistic story.

Honouring Chadwick Boseman’s Legacy

One of the most recognised chapters of Withinarts’ career involved his artistic tribute to actor Chadwick Boseman in Anderson, South Carolina.

Associated Press reporting documented the outdoor art exhibition in Boseman’s hometown, where nearly 20 artworks honoured the actor’s legacy. Withinarts was among the artists whose work formed part of the tribute.

FOX Carolina also later featured Boseman’s legacy and identified Withinarts as the artist behind a painting created in honour of the actor.

Read the FOX Carolina report on Chadwick Boseman’s legacy.

Art as Community Service

Giving back has remained an important part of Withinarts’ artistic mission.

SHEEN Magazine documented his donations of paintings to children’s hospitals, nursing homes, the Malcolm X Center and the NAACP. His work demonstrates how visual art can be used not only for exhibition but also for encouragement and community connection.

That philosophy is particularly visible in his work surrounding missing people.

In 2022, FOX Carolina reported on Withinarts’ portraits of missing people from Oconee County. He created the portraits to help families preserve memories while keeping public attention on unresolved cases.

The project reflected his belief that people should not simply disappear from public memory when their cases remain unresolved.

Art That Keeps Stories Alive

Withinarts’ philosophy is also reflected in his work honouring other influential figures.

In 2022, WSFA reported that Withinarts created a mixed-media artwork honouring Stephen “tWitch” Boss and planned to donate the work to Southern Union State Community College, where Boss had studied.

The gesture illustrated another recurring theme in his work: using art to create something tangible that allows people to remember a person’s influence and legacy.

Juneteenth and Contemporary Cultural Storytelling

Withinarts continues to use his creativity to engage with African American history and contemporary cultural conversations.

In June 2026, FOX Carolina featured Withinarts in a report on Juneteenth artwork making an impact.

The continued focus on Juneteenth, historical figures and community storytelling demonstrates how his artwork remains closely connected to cultural memory and education.

Honouring Civil Rights History

Withinarts’ work has also intersected with the stories of civil-rights pioneers.

WCNC’s feature on Dorothy Counts Scoggins provides further context around South Carolina’s civil-rights history and the importance of preserving the stories of people who helped shape American history.

For Withinarts, this wider historical environment provides fertile ground for an artistic practice built around faces, memories and stories.

A Growing Connection With Ghana

Ghana represents an important new chapter in Joey Withinarts’ international artistic journey.

His artwork depicting Ghana’s President creates a visual connection between his American creative experience and Ghanaian culture, history and leadership.

That connection is particularly meaningful within the wider Ghanaian diaspora, where art can provide a bridge between African heritage, African American experiences and contemporary global storytelling.

GhanaMedia.net has previously examined the role of the diaspora in preserving culture and strengthening international connections. Its coverage of the 33rd CEANA Convention and the wider Ghanaian diaspora illustrates the growing importance of cross-border cultural engagement.

More Than a Portrait Artist

Joey Withinarts’ career demonstrates how visual art can operate on several levels at once.

It can preserve history. It can honour influential people. It can comfort families. It can educate younger generations. And it can create conversations between communities separated by geography.

Watch a glimpse of Joey Withinarts doing what he loves best.

From his beginnings in Virginia and South Carolina to his growing international connection with Ghana, Withinarts continues to develop an artistic identity built around people and their stories.

His work ultimately reflects a simple philosophy:

Art comes from within.

Joey Withinarts

American Visual Artist | Author | Storyteller

“Art Comes From Within.”

GhanaMedia.net Surpasses 663,000 Facebook Followers as 7-Day Views Hit 5.4 Million

By
Daniel Jeddman
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0

GhanaMedia.net has crossed a major digital audience milestone, with its Facebook presence now exceeding 663,000 followers while its latest seven-day professional dashboard records 5.4 million views.

The figures represent another significant stage in the growth of the Ghanaian digital news platform, which has increasingly combined rapid news publishing, mobile-first content, search visibility and social distribution to reach audiences in Ghana and beyond.

663,000+ followers. 5.4 million views in seven days.

663,000-Plus Facebook Followers

Google search results reviewed alongside GhanaMedia.net’s Facebook presence show the platform being referenced as a rapidly growing digital news outlet, while the Facebook audience displayed for GhanaMedia.net has moved beyond the 663,000 mark.

The size of the audience gives the newsroom a substantial direct distribution channel whenever new stories, breaking developments, videos and visual news updates are published.

GhanaMedia.net has previously documented its broader digital strategy, including its emphasis on speed, mobile accessibility and social-media distribution.

Readers can also explore GhanaMedia.net’s digital media strategy and newsroom profile, its analysis of the platform’s performance-first approach, and its 2026 analysis of Ghana’s leading news websites.

5.4 Million Views in Seven Days

The Facebook professional dashboard shown for GhanaMedia.net records 5.4 million views over seven days, representing an increase of 181 percent.

The same dashboard records 249,971 engagements, an increase of 334 percent, while net followers increased by 2,205, representing a 12-fold rise during the measured period.

The dashboard also displays approximately $81.27 in earnings for the seven-day period.

These figures indicate that the platform’s social audience is not simply expanding in size; users are actively interacting with the content being distributed through the page.

Facebook Has Become a Major Distribution Engine

For digital newsrooms, a large social audience can provide an important distribution advantage. Instead of relying entirely on visitors typing a website address or discovering an article through traditional search, publishers can place new stories directly in front of an established audience.

Meta has explained that Facebook uses artificial-intelligence-powered recommendation systems to identify content relevant to individual users, including content from accounts and pages they do not already follow. User interactions and interests form part of the broader recommendation ecosystem.

This makes audience engagement increasingly important for digital publishers seeking to extend the reach of individual stories.

What About Google Discover?

GhanaMedia.net’s growing social audience is significant, but it is important to distinguish between social-media performance and Google Discover performance.

Google states that Discover eligibility is primarily connected to content being indexed and meeting its Discover policies. Google also says Discover uses many of the same signals and systems used in Search to determine helpful, people-first content.

Google specifically recommends timely and useful content, strong headlines and high-quality large images for publishers seeking to increase their chances of appearing in Discover.

Therefore, strong Facebook engagement can provide powerful audience distribution and brand visibility, but it should not automatically be described as a direct Google Discover ranking signal.

A Growing Digital Footprint

The latest numbers add to GhanaMedia.net’s wider digital-growth story. The platform has previously highlighted its performance-first architecture, mobile accessibility and efforts to compete in Ghana’s increasingly crowded online news market.

Its growing Facebook audience gives the newsroom another channel through which breaking stories can reach readers almost immediately after publication.

For a Ghanaian-owned digital publisher, crossing the 663,000-follower threshold represents a substantial social-media footprint and reinforces the importance of combining journalism, technology, search visibility and audience development.

The Bigger Picture

GhanaMedia.net’s latest Facebook figures point to a broader shift in Ghana’s media environment: audiences are increasingly discovering news through a combination of search engines, social platforms, recommendation systems, messaging applications and direct website visits.

The challenge for publishers is no longer simply producing stories. It is building an ecosystem capable of getting credible journalism in front of readers wherever they consume information.

With more than 663,000 Facebook followers and 5.4 million views recorded in a single seven-day period, GhanaMedia.net’s latest figures show that its social distribution network has become an increasingly important part of that ecosystem.

GhanaMedia.net will continue to monitor and report on the platform’s digital audience, search visibility and publishing performance as the newsroom expands.

Kodua: NPP’s 2028 Victory Will Be Determined by Ashanti Region

By
Daniel Jeddman
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0

New Patriotic Party (NPP) General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua has declared that the Ashanti Region will play a decisive role in determining whether the party returns to power in the 2028 general elections.

Kodua made the remarks on Sunday, September 6, 2026, during a thanksgiving service organised by the newly elected Ashanti Regional Executives in Kumasi.

KODUA: NPP’S 2028 VICTORY WILL BE DETERMINED BY ASHANTI REGION

According to him, the party’s performance in the region will be critical to its national electoral fortunes, particularly after the NPP’s reduced vote margin in the 2024 election.

“The victory of NPP in 2028 will be determined by the Ashanti Region.”

NPP Sets 1.5 Million Vote Target

Kodua subsequently announced a target of more than 1.5 million votes for the NPP in the Ashanti Region.

He tasked the newly elected regional executive committee, led by Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah (COKA), to intensify grassroots mobilisation and recover votes lost during the 2024 election.

The NPP General Secretary said the party needed to change its electoral fortunes by building on the support currently enjoyed by the new regional leadership.

Ashanti Region Positioned as NPP’s Electoral Stronghold

The Ashanti Region has traditionally been one of the NPP’s strongest electoral bases, making its performance particularly important to the party’s ambitions for 2028.

Kodua urged the regional executives to maximise votes for NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia while strengthening the party’s structures across the region.

For more coverage of Ghana’s 2028 political landscape, see our report on the NPP flagbearer race, our coverage of debates over the NPP’s internal direction and our latest Ghana politics coverage.

Call for Unity

Kodua also urged the newly elected executives to maintain unity and work collectively.

The appeal comes after the Ashanti Regional elections, with the new leadership being encouraged to bring different factions together and focus on rebuilding the party ahead of 2028.

Chairman COKA has similarly called for unity within the party, warning that internal divisions could undermine the NPP’s efforts to regain power.

Bawumia’s Message

Former Vice President and NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia also expressed confidence in the new Ashanti Regional leadership.

His message, delivered by Kodua at the thanksgiving service, urged the executives to unite the party’s grassroots and work towards victory in 2028.

The Ashanti Region is therefore emerging as a central battleground in the NPP’s strategy for the next presidential election, with the party setting an ambitious vote target and demanding stronger mobilisation from its regional leadership.

Sarkodie Fires Back at Stonebwoy: “What Is Your Problem?”

By
Daniel Jeddman
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0

Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie has fired back at dancehall star Stonebwoy following a public exchange on X over principles, artiste relationships and the interpretation of social media posts.

The latest development came after Stonebwoy addressed Sarkodie directly, referencing a previous phone conversation between the two artistes and questioning comments he believed suggested that artistes sometimes “play along” when doing so benefits them.

SARKODIE FIRES BACK AT STONEBWOY: “WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?”

Stonebwoy also argued that advice without principle amounts to personal opinion.

Sarkodie has now rejected that interpretation, insisting that he never told Stonebwoy that artistes should simply act according to what benefits them.

“There’s no need to say something I never said.”

The rapper then questioned why Stonebwoy had connected one of his earlier posts to himself.

“What is your problem?” Sarkodie asked, explaining that if Stonebwoy interpreted the post as being directed at him, that interpretation raised questions about how he viewed their relationship and previous conversations.

Sarkodie Denies Throwing Indirect Shots

Sarkodie also strongly denied claims that he had used social media to shade Stonebwoy.

He said he generally does not respond when fans attempt to connect his posts to particular artistes because he is more concerned about the opinions of the people directly involved.

The rapper said he was responding this time because the comments came directly from Stonebwoy rather than from fan speculation.

RAH Invitation Becomes Part of the Argument

Sarkodie also pointed to his previous relationship with Stonebwoy as evidence that he has no personal grudge against the dancehall star.

He noted that he was the one who called Stonebwoy and invited him to his Rapperholic (RAH) show.

He argued that if he genuinely had an issue with Stonebwoy, he would not have taken such steps to maintain their professional relationship.

Sarkodie further said that Stonebwoy’s associations with people who have previously had disagreements with him did not automatically mean that Stonebwoy supported those people’s actions.

For more Ghanaian entertainment coverage, see our reports on Sarkodie’s Royal Albert Hall milestone, Stonebwoy’s Spotify milestone and Ghana’s growing hip-hop presence on the international stage.

A Recurring Disagreement

According to Sarkodie, the latest exchange is not the first time Stonebwoy has raised similar concerns with him.

He said that on previous occasions, he had chosen to address such matters privately rather than publicly.

Sarkodie maintained that the two artistes simply have different approaches to disagreements and that Stonebwoy has the right to handle relationships in whatever way he chooses.

However, he stressed that the same freedom applies to him.

The rapper concluded by dismissing the suggestion that Stonebwoy needed to maintain a relationship with him, saying he believed he added little enough value to Stonebwoy’s life for the issue to warrant such concern.

Public Exchange Attracts Attention

The disagreement has quickly become one of the major entertainment conversations in Ghana, with both artistes presenting different interpretations of their private conversation and subsequent social-media activity.

The exchange also highlights the increasingly public nature of disagreements among Ghana’s leading artistes, where posts intended for broader audiences can quickly become subjects of personal interpretation.

For now, Sarkodie has made his position clear: he denies deliberately shading Stonebwoy and rejects the claim that he advised artistes to compromise their principles whenever it benefits them.

Four Ghanaians Killed in South Africa Xenophobic Violence — Ablakwa

By
Daniel Jeddman
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0

Four Ghanaians were killed in South Africa between April and July 2026 amid renewed xenophobic attacks against African nationals, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has disclosed.

The Minister made the disclosure on Monday, September 7, 2026, during a media briefing in Accra on the government’s response to the violence and the conclusion of Ghana’s evacuation exercise.

FOUR GHANAIANS KILLED IN SOUTH AFRICA XENOPHOBIC VIOLENCE

According to Mr Ablakwa, the deaths occurred in different parts of South Africa as anti-foreigner sentiments intensified from April 2026.

Four Ghanaians Lost Their Lives

The Minister said the four Ghanaian nationals were killed or died in circumstances linked to the wider crisis affecting African migrants in South Africa.

Among those identified was Bashiru Issahaq, who was killed in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on June 30, 2026, during anti-immigrant violence.

Kwadwo Antwi was reportedly killed on July 18, 2026, in Prieska in the Northern Cape, while Amoonu Jailor Nash was killed on April 3, 2026, in East London.

Ebenezer Ayi Tawiah, who was reportedly unable to access medical care amid the harassment and insecurity, died on August 17, 2026, upon arrival at Kotoka International Airport.

Ghana Pursues Justice

Mr Ablakwa said the Ghanaian government is pursuing diplomatic and legal avenues to ensure accountability for the deaths.

Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria lodged diplomatic protests with South African authorities and filed complaints with the South African Police Service over the incidents.

The government has also called for transparent investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths and appropriate action against those found responsible.

Nearly 2,000 Ghanaians Evacuated

The disclosure came as Ghana concluded an evacuation exercise that brought vulnerable citizens home from South Africa following the renewed wave of xenophobic attacks and intimidation.

The exercise, which began on May 27 and ended on September 4, 2026, brought home 1,964 Ghanaians, according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s account of the operation.

The government spent GH¢49.72 million on the evacuation, covering chartered flights, commercial tickets, ground transportation, accommodation, feeding, medical care and reintegration support.

The government itself spent GH¢33.72 million, while Engineers and Planners, owned by businessman Ibrahim Mahama, contributed GH¢16 million towards the exercise.

South Africa’s Xenophobic Crisis

Mr Ablakwa attributed the renewed attacks to activities of vigilante groups including “March and March” and “Operation Dudula,” whose campaigns against foreigners have intensified tensions involving African nationals.

The Foreign Affairs Minister said the government remained concerned about the safety of Ghanaians and other African nationals living in South Africa.

The evacuation exercise also provided returning Ghanaians with reintegration financial support, transportation allowances, medical and psychosocial support, free health insurance registration and assistance towards employment.

Ghana has maintained that the safety and dignity of its citizens remain a priority as it engages South African authorities over the attacks and seeks justice for those who lost their lives.

Wacam Empowers Women in 7 Lithium Communities to Take Active Role in Mining Decisions

By
Daniel Jeddman
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0

Wacam has intensified efforts to ensure women in communities affected by Ghana’s emerging lithium industry have a stronger voice in decisions surrounding mineral exploitation.

Under its Feminist Mining Initiative (FMI), Wacam, in collaboration with Friends of the Nation (FoN) and the Centre for Public Interest Law (CEPIL), has organised two grassroots forums in the Ewoyaa Lithium Project area of the Central Region.

The engagements were specifically designed to empower women to participate actively in decision-making processes affecting their communities and strengthen their understanding of mining, community and human rights.

Women From Seven Lithium Communities Engage

The forums were held at Krofu and Ewoyaa in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District on Thursday, September 3, and Friday, September 4, 2026, respectively.

About 100 community members, mainly women, participated in the engagements. They came from seven communities in the Ewoyaa Lithium Project area: Ewoyaa, Abonko, Anokyi, Afrangua, Krofu, Ansaadze and Krampakrom.

The engagements built on earlier focus group discussions that identified information gaps among women concerning land acquisition, compensation, environmental impacts, health concerns, livelihoods and participation in decision-making.

Wacam Highlights Women’s Role in Mining Decisions

Wacam Associate Executive Director, Mrs. Hannah Owusu-Koranteng, who led the discussions, educated participants on “Mining and Development,” including the potential effects and benefits of mining and the importance of land.

She stressed that women must be actively involved in decisions concerning mineral exploitation because they can be disproportionately affected by changes to land, livelihoods and community resources resulting from mining.

Wacam Technical Director, Lawyer Kwaku Afari, also took participants through their rights and how to assert them in the context of mineral exploitation, with particular emphasis on legal awareness and access to justice.

Compensation and Community Benefits Among Key Concerns

Participants raised concerns including delays in compensation payments, the moratorium on properties and the benefits communities can expect from lithium exploitation.

The forums provided an opportunity for residents to discuss these concerns while gaining practical knowledge about their rights and possible avenues for engagement.

Mining Communities Share Experiences

The programme also incorporated peer learning, with community members from Ayanfuri and Breman-Brofoyedur in the Upper Denkyira West District and Kenyasi in the Ahafo Region sharing experiences from mining operations involving Perseus Mining Ghana Limited and Newmont Ghana Gold Company Limited.

The participants shared both successes and challenges, as well as demands for more responsible mining practices in their respective communities.

For residents of the seven Ewoyaa-area communities, the exchange provided an opportunity to learn from communities that have already experienced the social and economic realities associated with large-scale mining.

Feminist Mining Initiative Seeks Stronger Community Participation

The forums form part of Wacam’s broader Feminist Mining Initiative, which seeks to strengthen community participation, improve accountability in Ghana’s critical minerals sector and ensure meaningful inclusion of women, youth and vulnerable groups in decisions concerning lithium extraction.

Wacam’s earlier work under the initiative identified gaps in women’s knowledge of land, compensation, environmental and health issues, grievance mechanisms and participation in decision-making. The organisation said those findings would guide subsequent rights training and advocacy support in the Ewoyaa area.

Ghana’s Ewoyaa Lithium Project has also reached a significant regulatory milestone. Parliament ratified the project’s Mining Lease in March 2026, making it the first lithium Mining Lease in Ghana to be both awarded and ratified.

The development makes community participation particularly significant as Ghana moves toward establishing its first lithium-producing operation.

Women Seek Greater Voice in Ghana’s Critical Minerals Future

The latest engagements reinforce calls for communities to be meaningfully involved in decisions surrounding Ghana’s critical mineral resources.

For women in the affected communities, the objective is not simply to receive information about mining, but to understand their rights, participate in negotiations and decision-making, and help shape how mineral development affects their land, livelihoods and future.

As Ghana advances the Ewoyaa project, continued community engagement will remain important to building accountability and a sustainable relationship between mining companies and host communities.

Zoomlion Intensifies Public Health Protection Activities in Sefwi Wiawso

By
Daniel Jeddman
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0

Zoomlion Ghana Limited has intensified efforts to protect public health in the Western North Region with a two-day disinfection and disinfestation exercise at selected public facilities in the Sefwi Wiawso Municipality.

The exercise, which began on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at about 3:30 p.m., continued until 8:00 p.m. It resumed at 3:30 a.m. the following day and ended at about 7:30 a.m. The timing enabled the technical team to operate at busy public facilities while minimising disruption to traders, commuters and other users.

The exercise covered the premises of the Sefwi Wiawso Municipal Assembly, markets, lorry parks, public toilets, refuse container sites and other frequently used public spaces.

The intervention was aimed at controlling mosquitoes, flies and other disease vectors while reducing the risk of sanitation-related diseases, including malaria, cholera and typhoid.

The Western North Regional Manager of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Mr Richison Nii Ayi Reindorf, said the intervention was undertaken in response to environmental health concerns associated with the rainy season and recent flooding in parts of the country.

He explained that flooding and poor environmental conditions could create breeding grounds for mosquitoes and increase communities’ exposure to waterborne and vector-borne diseases.

Mr Reindorf said Zoomlion bore the full cost of the exercise under its Corporate Social Responsibility programme, making the intervention free of charge to the Sefwi Wiawso Municipal Assembly and beneficiary communities.

The Western North Regional Environmental Health Officer, Mr Paul Kwesi Nutsugah, commended Zoomlion for the intervention and stressed the importance of collaboration among the company, local authorities and environmental health officers in reducing sanitation-related public health risks.

Residents, traders and facility managers were also encouraged to complement the exercise by maintaining clean surroundings, avoiding indiscriminate dumping, disposing of waste at approved locations and eliminating stagnant water that could serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

The exercise demonstrates the importance of collaboration among private-sector organisations, local authorities, environmental health officials and communities in promoting cleaner environments and protecting public health.

Viral Claim About Kumasi Woman Allegedly Infecting 300 Men With HIV Lacks Independent Verification

By
Daniel Jeddman
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0

A widely circulated social-media claim alleging that a Kumasi-based woman deliberately infected more than 300 men with HIV has not been independently substantiated by credible health authorities or established news organisations.

The claim has attracted significant attention online, with posts circulating an allegation that the woman had allegedly been diagnosed with HIV and had deliberately transmitted the virus to hundreds of men.

However, GhanaMedia.net has found no credible independent evidence establishing the allegation as fact.

HIV Claims Require Responsible Verification

Health-related allegations involving an individual’s HIV status require particular caution because HIV information is highly sensitive and public disclosure can expose people to stigma and discrimination.

The Ghana AIDS Commission has previously stressed that HIV testing and diagnosis must follow approved testing procedures. An initial reactive screening result does not, by itself, constitute a confirmed HIV diagnosis.

Health authorities have also warned that irresponsible public communication about HIV can fuel stigma and discourage people from testing and accessing treatment.

No Independent Confirmation of the “300 Men” Claim

Despite the widespread circulation of the allegation, GhanaMedia.net has not identified an official statement from the Ghana AIDS Commission, Ghana Health Service, police or another competent authority confirming that a particular woman infected more than 300 people.

There is therefore insufficient evidence to present the allegation as an established fact.

Why Verification Matters

HIV is a serious public-health issue, but responsible reporting must distinguish between confirmed medical information and unverified claims circulating online.

Ghana’s latest HIV estimates show that hundreds of thousands of people are living with HIV nationwide, making accurate public education, testing, treatment and stigma reduction especially important.

GhanaMedia.net will continue to monitor the claim and update this report if a competent authority provides independently verifiable evidence.

Mahama: Ghana Is Too Fast to Sell Its Best Young Players

By
Daniel Jeddman
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0

President John Dramani Mahama has raised concerns about the rapid transfer of promising Ghanaian footballers abroad, warning that the trend is weakening the quality and competitiveness of Ghana’s domestic league.

Speaking on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, during a courtesy visit by Medeama Sporting Club, Nations Football Club and Ampem Darkoa Ladies at the Jubilee House, President Mahama said Ghana must find ways to keep talented young players in the domestic league for longer.

“We are too fast to sell our players. As soon as a player starts to show some promise, the scouts pick him and take him away. It depletes the local league. We must see how we can keep them a bit longer,” the President said.

President Mahama argued that promising players should first receive opportunities to develop through the domestic league and national teams before making the move to foreign clubs.

He said Ghana should allow young talents to gain international experience and mature before transferring them abroad.

“We must find a way to keep our talented players a little longer, give them opportunities in the national team, allow them to gain international experience, and then let them move abroad after they have matured,” he said.

Mahama Calls for Revival of Colts Football

The President also called for the revival of Ghana’s Colts League, which he described as an important pathway for identifying and nurturing young football talent.

Mahama said the decline of the traditional Colts system had created a gap in grassroots talent development and urged the Ghana Football Association to restore the competition to prominence.

“We used to have a very good Colts League. I do not know what happened to it,” he said.

Although the system has been renamed grassroots football, the President argued that the traditional Colts identity should be retained.

“I hear it has been renamed grassroots football, but we all knew it as Colts. So, call it the Colts League, and let us all help to sponsor it,” he added.

Concerns Over Domestic League Quality

Mahama’s comments come amid broader concerns about the competitiveness and attractiveness of Ghana’s domestic football competitions.

The President also criticised the standard of refereeing, saying perceptions of predetermined results were discouraging spectators from attending league matches and affecting clubs’ gate revenues.

He urged the Ghana Referees Association and the Ghana Football Association to work together to improve officiating and restore confidence in the league.

“Every match must be fairly officiated so that whoever wins does so on merit,” Mahama said.

The President’s remarks underline the need for Ghana to develop a stronger domestic football ecosystem capable of producing players, retaining them for meaningful periods and preparing them for international careers.

Financial Support for Ghanaian Clubs

The meeting also resulted in financial support for Ghanaian clubs preparing for continental competition.

Medeama Sporting Club received GH¢342,000, Nations Football Club received GH¢228,000, while Ampem Darkoa Ladies received GH¢114,000 from the Sports Development Fund.

The combined GH¢684,000 support is intended to assist the clubs with their respective continental and regional campaigns.

President Mahama urged the clubs to perform strongly and help restore Ghana’s reputation in African club football.

His comments on player transfers, grassroots development, refereeing and club financing point to a broader push to strengthen Ghana’s football structure from the grassroots through to the senior national teams.

GhanaMedia.net will continue to follow developments involving the domestic league, the Ghana Football Association and the government’s sports-development initiatives.

Adu-Boahene Trial: Attorney-General Challenges ISC Letter as Court Admits Document Into Evidence

By
Daniel Jeddman
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0

ACCRA, Ghana — A fresh dispute over the alleged procurement of a cybersecurity system has emerged in the trial of former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director-General Kwabena Adu-Boahene, after a letter attributed to ISC Holding Group became a major point of contention before the Accra High Court.

The development came as the prosecution closed its case on Tuesday, September 8, after calling four witnesses in the trial involving allegations surrounding GH¢49.1 million in state funds.

ADU-BOAHENE TRIAL: DISPUTED ISC LETTER ADMITTED IN COURT

At the centre of the latest courtroom exchange was a document presented by the defence as evidence connected to the purchase and payment for the cyber defence system.

The defence has relied on the document to challenge the prosecution’s assertion that the cybersecurity system was never purchased or delivered.

Court Admits Disputed Letter

The disputed document was admitted into evidence, but the circumstances surrounding its authenticity immediately became a major issue.

The prosecution has maintained that the document presented as confirmation of the cybersecurity purchase is not genuine.

According to EOCO investigator Frank Marshall Cromwell, forensic examination of the document raised several concerns, including differences in the company name and logo, the absence of contact details and the lack of an identifiable signatory.

Cromwell told the court that investigations concluded that the letter was “not genuine and not authentic.”

The development is particularly significant because the alleged cyber defence system sits at the heart of Adu-Boahene’s defence.

What the Defence Says

Adu-Boahene has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has maintained that the money at the centre of the case was not diverted for personal benefit but was used in connection with the procurement of a cyber defence system for the state.

The defence, led by Samuel Atta Akyea, has repeatedly challenged aspects of the prosecution’s evidence, including the characterisation of the accounts through which the funds moved and the investigation into whether the cybersecurity system was actually procured.

The defence has also questioned why investigators did not independently engage ISC to establish whether the system was purchased and delivered.

EOCO Admits It Did Not Contact ISC

During proceedings, the prosecution’s fourth witness acknowledged that EOCO did not engage ISC or the National Security Council to independently confirm whether the system had actually been purchased and delivered.

That admission has given the defence another basis for challenging the prosecution’s conclusion about the alleged non-delivery of the system.

The prosecution, however, maintains that its investigations found no evidence in the National Signals Bureau’s records that the cyber defence system was received.

Earlier evidence from the prosecution claimed that only approximately GH¢9.54 million, equivalent to about US$1.75 million, was transferred to ISC Holdings, while the remainder of the GH¢49.1 million was allegedly withdrawn or transferred through other accounts.

The GH¢49.1 Million Allegation

The wider case centres on allegations that GH¢49.1 million was moved from an account associated with National Security operations into an account belonging to BNC Communications Bureau Limited.

The prosecution alleges that the account was privately connected to Adu-Boahene and his wife, Angela Adjei-Boateng, and that the funds were subsequently used for personal purposes.

The accused persons have denied the allegations.

Ghana News Agency previously reported that the accused persons are facing 11 criminal charges, including stealing, conspiracy to steal, defrauding by false pretences, wilfully causing financial loss to the state, using public office for profit and money laundering.

Prosecution Closes Its Case

The latest development came as the Republic formally closed its case after calling four witnesses.

The final prosecution witness, EOCO investigator Frank Marshall Cromwell, completed his evidence after extensive cross-examination by the defence.

The prosecution says its evidence demonstrates how the GH¢49.1 million allegedly moved from the state-related account and was subsequently spent.

The State also presented bank records, incorporation documents, purchase receipts and property-related documents as part of its case.

The defence, meanwhile, has indicated that it will file a submission of no case to answer.

The High Court has given the defence until September 25, 2026, to file its submission. The prosecution will then have 14 days to respond, after which the defence will have seven days to reply.

The court has scheduled November 5, 2026, to rule on whether the prosecution has established sufficient evidence requiring the accused persons to open their defence.

Why the ISC Letter Matters

The disputed letter could become important to the next stage of the case because it goes directly to one of the central questions before the court: Was the cyber defence system actually purchased and delivered?

If the document is ultimately found to be authentic and capable of proving the defence’s claim, it could strengthen the argument that the funds were used for their stated purpose.

However, the admission of a document into evidence does not by itself establish that every assertion contained in it is true.

The prosecution’s position remains that the document is not authentic, while the defence has relied on it as part of its challenge to the State’s case.

That factual and evidentiary dispute will therefore be for the court to assess as the proceedings move into the no-case stage.

A Major Turning Point in the Trial

With the prosecution’s case now closed, the trial has entered a critical phase.

The court will first determine whether the evidence presented by the Republic is sufficient to require Adu-Boahene and the other accused persons to mount a defence.

The prosecution says the GH¢49.1 million was unlawfully diverted and that the alleged cyber defence system was never properly procured or delivered. The defence disputes that narrative and has pointed to evidence it says supports the purchase and delivery of the system.

The court’s November ruling will determine whether the case proceeds to the defence stage.

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