More Ghana imponderables: my July 2026 jottings

TikToker, 43-year-old single parent Camilla Alhassan made headlines, when on July 16, 2026, an Accra Circuit Court sentenced her to one year imprisonment with hard labour for, as a reference source summed up, “amplifying claims made by a pastor that President John Dramani Mahama used 32 cows for spiritual rituals to win the (2024) elections.

“The allegations stemmed from Emperor Bishop Bediako, who claimed he supplied 32 cows to the National Democratic Congress for the campaign, later alleging spiritual rituals after his church was demolished.

“Following an investigation by the Ghana Police Service, she pleaded guilty to publishing false news and offensive conduct.”

The harsh sentence handed down by Her Honour Susana Eduful, who added that it was to serve as a deterrent, has generated much consternation in some quarters, praise in others; and international focus.

Unfortunately, this country has been nurturing a culture of insults for years. Yet, Ghana is a country where previously one could practically not address anybody older by even one hour without adding an honorific, say, ‘Sister X’, or ‘Brother X’, let alone disrespect them.

How and why has a culture of insults been allowed to take root in recent times? And, undoubtedly, it is being fuelled by our tit-for-tat partisan politics. For example, the vilification of then President Nana Akufo-Addo and his Vice, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia (and continuing), comes to mind. One recalls even public prayers for President Akufo-Addo’s death though, significantly, nobody was arrested for that.

As I wrote in a 2023 article challenging the assertion and concern that there is a ‘new culture of silence’:

“Looking at the media scene, notably on the social media platforms, I don’t see anybody too scared to speak their mind about anything!

“Daily the public space, media, is filled with the most caustic comments - and direct insults, including, shamefully, even four-letter words. Furthermore, many are gratuitous insults, not different views meant to educate or enlighten. Expletives for the fun of it; and because they can get away with it!

“The danger for the country too is that, conceivably, this culture of unashamed rudeness can affect the attitude of our youth” (‘Culture of insults is Ghana’s problem, not culture of silence’, published online on October 12, 2023).

There are a couple of related, puzzling, issues: if the origin of the astonishing allegations about cows was a Pastor Bediako, in a video, why has he too not, at the very least, been questioned by the Police? No news about that!

Secondly, it’s curious that this sentencing has come at a time when Ghana’s long quest to introduce non-custodial sentencing, which some of us have been writing about for ages, has now succeeded and been passed by Parliament (Community Service Bill, 2026; July 8), and is awaiting Presidential assent.

In Ms Alhassan’s case, couldn’t the non-custodial sentence spirit have been considered, especially as she is a first offender?

Ofori-Atta return calls : who accepts invitation to walk into pitch-darkness?

Former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu evidently caused a shock with his recent blunt indirect advice to former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta:

“Ken Ofori-Atta must be an idiot if after advice from his lawyers, both national and international, he voluntarily returned to Ghana to subject himself to investigation and possible prosecution after the government machinery was used at taxpayers’ expense to mount a consistent trial in the court of public opinion (instead of in a court of law) of alleged suspected corruption and corruption-related offences against him.”

A summary of the background, from a reference source:

“The Office of the Special Prosecutor has filed 78 criminal charges against former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and seven others. The charges … relate to an alleged GH¢1.4 billion fraud scheme involving the Ghana Revenue Authority and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited.

Mr. Amidu’s caution, published online on June 25, 2026, reminded me forcefully of the Akan adage, ‘nobody is foolhardy enough to walk into pitch darkness or obvious danger’.

I have long wondered about the handling of Mr. Ofori-Atta’s case. Given the clear prejudgment as outlined by Mr. Amidu, and with the constant denigration, is it convincing that should he return to Ghana he will indeed get JUSTICE?

Understandably, the country needs him to return to answer the charges being proffered against him by Special Prosecutor Mr. Kissi Agyebeng. Indeed I, too, would dearly like to hear Mr. Ofori-Atta’s responses.

But can one blame him for possible apprehension that on arrival, instead of getting a court date, he could be arrested as soon as he gets off the plane and whisked off into custody somewhere?

So why can’t the relevant authorities demonstrate that due process is guaranteed; that the following maxim applies to Mr. Ofori-Atta, too?

“In Ghana, the presumption of innocence is a fundamental constitutional right. Under Article 19(2)(c) of the 1992 Constitution, any person charged with a criminal offense is presumed innocent until proven guilty or they plead guilty.”

One recalls the many headlines, citing calls urging Mr. Ofori-Atta to return home “to face justice”. But, considering the almost palpable venom, what assurance is there to him that he will get fair treatment?

Furthermore, I also wonder about the sincerity of those making the glib ‘come back home’ calls. Against the backdrop of the open hostility, if they were in Mr. Ofori-Atta’s situation, would they return home?

Can a malignment be the way to persuade anybody to return from a safe place to voluntarily ‘step into pitch-darkness’?

Accra’s perennial floods: where are the ‘Stop Work!’ teams?

One matter that keeps cropping up in discussions about the floods that Accra especially has been experiencing, is the problem of structures built on waterways and other unauthorised places.

If construction on waterways is part of the problem, or the main one, then why not sanction the local Assemblies which are responsible for issuing construction permits?

Assemblies are known to even go round communities, their ‘Stop Work!’ teams very active. Memorably, when they notice any new construction without a permit, their dreaded ‘Stop Work!’ warning, usually in bold, intimidating red letters, is swiftly written in a conspicuous part of the structure.

Are the assemblies no more sending out ‘Stop Work!’ teams?

The evidence that some Assemblies have been shirking that critical duty, lies in the many places whose destructive flooding is attributed to blocked waterways.

So, why are the Assembly staff who allowed the infraction not being identified and punished, like the owners whose buildings are demolished?

Black Stars’ head coach: was his confusing message only a gentle hint?

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz, a Portuguese national, may be known as a football specialist and strategist but, I can’t help wondering, is he also a chess player?

“Chess teaches vital cognitive and life skills, including strategic planning, foresight (calculating future consequences… and improves) decision-making under pressure...”

How is it that he managed to create the impression to Ghanaians, and the football world, that his online message after the squad’s exit from the 2026 World Cup on July 4, was his farewell, yet later it emerged that it was actually not a farewell , but rather a ‘THANK YOU’ message?

Excerpts from Coach Queiroz’s enigmatic, emotional message, posted on July 5:

“To Ghana,
“I leave this journey with pride in what we achieved, but also with the healthy dissatisfaction of those who always wanted more. Reaching a higher level should never be the destination—it should be the beginning of even greater ambitions.

“Thank you, Ghana. The journey starts now.”

However, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) was quoted as saying the coach had not resigned. Sports Minister Mr. Kofi Adams, too, denied having received a resignation letter.

Then the coach himself came out to clarify on July 10 that his message had been meant as a thank you to Ghana for the opportunity; not a resignation announcement!

Talk about confusion!
Nevertheless, to me, Mr. Queiroz came across as quite proficient in the English language.

Regardless, if how his message was understood was NOT what he intended, I have a suggestion for him: when next he wants to write a similar message, he should consider writing it in his native language, Portuguese, for the GFA to commission a translation by an expert.

That way no risk of a misunderstanding!
Still, on reflection, was the coach ‘testing the waters’, was it a gentle hint to GFA President Mr. Kurt Okraku and his management to take a decision on whether his contract will be extended?

Anyway, why is the GFA keeping coach Queiroz, and Ghanaians, in suspense over his fate?

*(‘Ghana Imponderables’ is an occasional look at the sometimes puzzling happenings in the country.)