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June 6, 2026
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It’s not govt’s business to use ID cards to control people’s consumption of porn – Kofi Bentil
Policy
Key Points
- Kofi Bentil of IMANI Africa criticizes Ghana's proposal to require national IDs for accessing pornographic websites.
- He argues against government regulation of private consumption, comparing it to the failed US alcohol prohibition which empowered organised crime.
- Bentil emphasizes that parental responsibility, not government intervention, is crucial for guiding children's online behaviour and moral development.
- He warns that creating new regulatory bureaucracy for this purpose could lead to oppression and abuse of the national ID system.
- Bentil suggests the government should focus on more pressing cybercrimes like romance fraud and views the proposal as political "grandstanding."
Why This Matters
This discussion is significant for Ghana as it delves into fundamental questions about the scope of government power, individual privacy, and digital rights in an increasingly connected society. It also highlights the debate over the most effective approach to safeguarding children online and whether the government's proposed solution is practical, necessary, or an overreach that could lead to unintended consequences and misuse of national identification infrastructure.
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September 4, 2026
CJ’s remarks on SOEs were made in good faith, not to undermine judicial independence – Judicial Service
- The Judicial Service has responded to public debate regarding Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie's recent comments on state-owned enterprises (SOEs).
- The Chief Justice had praised the performance of SOEs like MIIF and SSNIT under the current administration, contrasting it with the previous eight years.
- These remarks drew criticism from groups like CDD-Ghana and the NPP, who raised concerns about political bias and the undermining of judicial independence.
- Critics argued that the head of the Judiciary should avoid public comments that could be perceived as political commentary on successive governments.
- The Judicial Service clarified that the comments were made in good faith, not intended to undermine judicial independence, and reaffirmed the CJ's commitment to the Judiciary's constitutional role.
September 4, 2026
‘OSP hasn’t contacted me’ – Patricia Appiagyei assures cooporation if invited
- The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has initiated preliminary investigations into an alleged GH¢70,000 payment.
- The payment is purportedly linked to Parliament’s vetting process for ministerial and Supreme Court nominees.
- Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei is central to the investigation, following a purported memorandum attributed to her questioning the funds.
- Appiagyei states she has not yet been formally contacted by the OSP but affirms she will honour any official invitation.
- The OSP aims to verify the authenticity of the document, the source and purpose of the alleged funds, and investigate potential extortion involving MPs.
September 4, 2026
This is an attempt to break the Minority caucus – Patricia Appiagyei on alleged GH¢70k payment
- Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei has denied authoring a memorandum regarding an alleged GH¢70,000 payment.
- She described the document as a fabricated attempt to create divisions and undermine the unity within the Minority caucus.
- Appiagyei stated that the caucus remains united despite the alleged attempt to break it.
- Investigations are ongoing to establish the source of the purported memorandum, though she could not identify its creator.
- The controversy is linked to alleged payments concerning the recent vetting of ministerial and Supreme Court nominees, prompting preliminary investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor.