This Saturday edition of Newsfile promises to be more exciting as the show sheds light on the arguably week’s most controversial issues.

Host Samson Lardi Anyenini and his empaneled erudite will discuss: How free are Ato and Jakpa?

On July 30, the Court of Appeal acquitted and discharged the Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, and Richard Jakpa, the 3rd accused in the ambulance case.

This 2:1 decision overturned the previous order from the trial court, which required Dr Ato Forson and Jakpa to open their defence.

• Read also: Ambulance case: Court of Appeal acquits and discharges Ato Forson, Jakpa (Updated)

They had been charged with allegedly causing a financial loss of €2.37 million to the State in a deal to procure ambulances for the Government of Ghana.

The Court of Appeal's ruling sets aside the trial court's directive, delivered by Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe, which had dismissed Dr Ato Forson's submission of no case and ordered him to open his defence.

Dr Ato Forson had argued that there was no case for him to answer, but this submission was initially rejected by the trial judge.

Jakpa had similarly failed a submission of no case and has since called several witnesses in his defence. The Court of Appeal's decision now upholds Dr Ato Forson's submission.

However, following the court's verdict, the Attorney-General, Godfred Dame, is not pleased and has indicated that he will appeal to the Supreme Court on the matter.

This leads to the question of how free Ato Forson and Jakpa are until the Supreme Court begins to hear their case.

This will certainly be answered on your most authoritative news analysis programme on August 3.

Also up for discussion is the recently passed Affirmative Action Bill. Parliament finally passed the Affirmative Action Bill into law on July 30.

The Affirmative Action Gender Equity Bill 2024, which has been in and out of Parliament for several years, was finally passed unanimously by the House.

• Read also: Affirmative Action bill passed into law

The bill is expected to ensure that a critical number of women hold key positions in governance, public life, and decision-making spaces, thereby improving the lives of women in the country.

Although the news of the passage was welcomed by many, critics, including former Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, argue that although the news was long-awaited, she was disappointed that there is no provision that reserves parliamentary seats for women.

According to her, reserving certain seats for women should be considered. This raises concerns as to what the Gender law will change.

Trust host Samson and his guests to give perspective on these issues. Newsfile will be aired live on the JoyNews channel on digital satellite channels 421 on DSTV and 144 on GoTV.

It can also be streamed on JoyNews’ Facebook or YouTube channels from 9 am to noon. Viewers can also follow this 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, your most authoritative news analysis programme.