National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Salam Mustapha, has slammed state authorities for allegedly using excessive bail conditions to detain former Buffer Stock CEO, Abdul-Wahab Hannan, despite a court having granted him bail.

Speaking to Channel One News outside the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) premises on Thursday, July 4, Mustapha expressed outrage at what he described as a “backdoor strategy” being used by the state to detain political figures under the guise of legal procedure.

“In Martin Kpebu vrs the Republic of Ghana, every offence is bailable, even murder is bailable.

“So you cannot explain to any reasonable mind why you will keep him excessive of the stipulated law time and even go beyond,” Mustapha stated.

Read Also: 15,000 Students Receive Support Under Mahama’s No Fees Stress Policy

Mr. Hannan and his wife were arrested on June 25 over alleged financial impropriety. His wife has since been granted bail to the tune of GH¢30 million and released, while Mr. Hannan, despite meeting a GH¢60 million bail condition, remains in custody.

Mustapha was particularly critical of the state’s approach, describing it as calculated and unfair.

“Then you impose draconian bail conditions when you know that it is difficult to meet. When you do that, you are using the backdoor strategy to detain the person.

“It is as if you have given the head, and you are holding the tail. That is the new strategy of this government,” he added.

The comments come amid rising tension among NPP supporters and sympathizers, who have been gathering at EOCO’s premises in protest, demanding Mr. Hannan’s immediate release.

In my view, this unfolding situation raises a troubling red flag for Ghana’s democratic integrity.

If such practices—where bail conditions are tactically manipulated to prolong detention—are not nipped in the bud, they risk becoming tools for political vendetta.

This would not only undermine the principle of fair justice but also pose a direct threat to the rule of law and compromise our democracy.

Source: Liberalprint.com

Ahead of the official launch of the No Fees Stress policy by President John Dramani Mahama in Koforidua, government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu has announced that disbursements have already reached around 15,000 students across the country.

The update was shared via a post on social media platform X on Thursday, July 3, 2025.

“About 15,000 students have received disbursements under the policy. Remaining students will receive payments shortly after verification,” Kwakye Ofosu confirmed.

The government says the rest of the qualified applicants will be catered for once their documents are validated.

The policy, a major campaign promise of President Mahama during the 2024 elections, is being administered by the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) and is designed to ease the financial burden on first-year students enrolled in public tertiary institutions.

It waives academic user fees for students admitted into accredited degree and diploma programmes at universities, technical universities, and polytechnics.

The SLTF earlier confirmed that more than 22,000 applications have already been validated, with payment processing ongoing.

Students are being encouraged to submit their applications via the official No Fees Stress portal, where records are cross-checked against admission lists from participating schools.

The Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, had announced at KNUST’s 58th Special Congregation that the full rollout of the policy would begin from Thursday, July 4, 2025.

She stressed that the initiative is not just a welfare intervention but a strategic tool to widen access to tertiary education without financial bottlenecks.

If this initiative isn’t just politically motivated and proves to be sustainable in the long term, then it’s truly a huge relief.

The financial burden parents and students endure—especially at the start of tertiary education—is often overwhelming.

Removing academic user fees at this critical stage could ease that stress significantly and help level the playing field for many deserving students who might otherwise struggle to afford higher education.

Source: Liberalprint.com

President John Dramani Mahama, on Thursday, July 3, administered the oath of office to seven new justices of the Supreme Court at the Jubilee House.

The ceremony marks a significant expansion of Ghana’s apex court, as the judiciary prepares to handle an increasingly heavy caseload, particularly involving constitutional and electoral matters ahead of the 2024 general elections.

The appointments—made in line with Article 144 of the 1992 Constitution—followed the necessary constitutional processes, including advice from the Judicial Council, consultation with the Council of State, and parliamentary approval through the Appointments Committee.

The new justices are Justice Senyo Dzamefe, Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei, Justice Gbiel Simon Suurbaareh, Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo, Justice Philip Bright Mensah, Justice Janapare Bartels-Kodwo, and Justice Hafisata Amaleboba.

All seven bring years of experience from the Court of Appeal.

While President Mahama used the occasion to emphasise the importance of integrity, fairness, and impartiality in the judicial process, not everyone has welcomed the move without reservation.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has raised concerns, suggesting the appointments may be politically motivated.

However, such criticisms must be weighed against the growing reality of judicial workload pressures.

From a practical perspective, and based on multiple media reports in recent months, the Supreme Court has faced a mounting caseload—stretching timelines and affecting delivery.

In my opinion, expanding the bench is not only lawful but necessary.

Regardless of political interpretations, the judicial system must be adequately resourced to function effectively.

For a court tasked with interpreting the Constitution, resolving electoral disputes, and handling complex civil and criminal appeals, having more hands ensures timely justice and reduces the risk of bottlenecks.

The focus now must shift from political rhetoric to performance—ensuring these new justices serve with distinction, as President Mahama charged them to do.

Source: Liberalprint.com