As Ghana navigates a tense political and security climate, this week’s edition of Newsfile on JoyNews, hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini, is set to confront four major national and international issues that strike at the heart of governance, justice, and state responsibility.
At the top of the agenda is the reported killing of eight Ghanaian citizens in a terrorist attack in neighbouring Burkina Faso which has raised concerns about regional insecurity, border protection, and the state’s responsibility to safeguard its citizens abroad.
On the back of this development, there has been calls for President John Mahama to appoint a substantive Defence Minister. Are the calls valid or just politics?
The programme is expected to interrogate whether the Ghanaian state did enough to protect its nationals, particularly traders and migrants who operate within high-risk zones.
Attention then moves from regional security concerns to a troubling case involving a Russian national accused of sexual exploitation, with explicit footage reportedly circulating online.
Beyond determining criminal responsibility, the central issue is whether justice will ultimately be served, especially as the government weighs the possibility of extradition.
With international elements at play, questions arise about the strength and efficiency of Ghana’s extradition processes.
Meanwhile, governance and accountability return to the forefront with developments surrounding former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta. Reports that he has been taken off an INTERPOL Red Notice have stirred debate about the strength and direction of ongoing investigations connected to his tenure in office.
A Red Notice is a global request to locate and provisionally arrest an individual pending legal action. Its removal raises pressing questions: Was the notice procedurally flawed? Does this weaken the case? Or does it reflect a legal recalibration rather than an exoneration? The matter intersects with Ghana’s anti-corruption drive, due process rights, and the perception of whether international policing tools are being used appropriately in politically sensitive cases.
Rounding out the discussion is the Chief Justice’s dismissal of petitions challenging the removal processes involving the heads of the Electoral Commission and the Office of the Special Prosecutor, on the grounds that no prima facie case had been established.
Join JoyNews’ Samson Lardy Anyenini and the experts as they delve into the national issues.
Newsfile airs live on the JoyNews channel on digital satellite channels 421 on DSTV and 144 on GoTV, and streams on JoyNews’ Facebook or YouTube channels on Saturdays from 9 am to noon.
Viewers can also follow the discussion by tuning in to Joy 99.7 FM or Luv 99.5 FM on the radio or stream the discussion live on either Google or Apple Podcasts.
Newsfile is your most authoritative news analysis programme.
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