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Adwoa Safo lacing up her boots to contest Dome-Kwabenya seat again — Reports

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Reports coming in suggest the former member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, is lacing up her boots to contest the Dome Kwabenya seat again in the 2028 election.

A post by Kwadwo Safo Kantanka Jnr alleged that Adwoa Safo was coming back with the message “Reclaim, Rebrand, and Recapture.”

Sara Adwoa Safo, who was the MP for Dome-Kwabenya before the 2024 election, lost her seat after the NPP delegates voted for Mike Ocquaye Junior after she avoided her responsibility in Parliament.

Mike Ocquaye Junior, who was voted as the party’s Parliamentary candidate, however, lost the seat in the 2024 election to the NDC’s Elikplim Akurugu.

In related news,  Sarah Adwoa Safo, during the NPP presidential primaries race, boldly stated that her political future hinges on the former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia becoming president and not Kennedy Agyapong.

According to Adwoa Safo, she does not hate Kennedy Agyapong as she has two children with him, but everyone has their own mind when it comes to politics, adding that her political career and future are at stake when Mr Agyapong emerge as the party’s leader and eventually becomes President.

She noted that the Kennedy Agyapong, she knows, would never appoint her, and that is why her political career and future would be at stake if he becomes president.

She highlighted that the NPP in government were practising family and friends, which caused the party’s defeat, adding that lessons must be learnt from the defeat.

Speaking to NPP delegates, Adwoa Safo stated, “I am a Politician, and Kennedy Agyapong is a politician; there are a lot of delegates here whose husbands are polling station executives, and the wife is also a polling station executive. Don’t we all have our minds in politics?

Kennedy Agyapong has his own mind and ambition, and I am also doing my politics. I do not hate Kennedy Agyapong; I have two children with him, but we are not doing family and friends in the NPP.

The opposition that we are in, we must learn lessons from it; we sat in government doing family and friends, and we are here today, so the external politics, I am not going to do family and friends”, she added.

Adwoa Safo added, “When I stood to contest in the year 2007 till now, I have served as a member of parliament for twelve years, I have been deputy majority leader, minister for procurement, minister for Gender, have I not served you?

Looking at the work I have done and how I have served this nation and my party, for someone I have two children with to consider appointing me as a minister would seem impossible; hell will break loose in this country. And the Kennedy Agyapong I know, with whom I have two children, would never do it. Therefore, my political career and future are at stake. My future lies with Dr Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia”.

“The Kennedy Agyapong I know would never appoint me, and that is why my political career and my future would be at stake if he becomes president,” she stated.

@ghnow_ Ghanaian singer Kelvyn Boy takes the stage with an energetic performance at the ongoing National Youth Forum at the UPSA Auditorium. 🎶🔥 #GHnow #Fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Kelvyn Boy has congratulated Stonebwoy on the success of his recent show in London, celebrating the Bhim Nation boss for another major milestone on the international stage. 🇬🇭🔥🇬🇧 #GHnow #Fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

“NPP is an evil party; they caused Ghanaians pain” – Mustapha Gbande

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Mustapha Gbande, the Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency, has said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is an evil political party.

According to Mustapha Gbande, Ghanaians under the NPP  government suffered pain and torture.

Mustapha Gbande is quoted to have said, “NPP is an evil party. The NPP’s eight years have caused us so much pain. We understand you cry; there are people who need jobs, there are people who need employment, there are people who want to get some benefits. If we do not work to create the opportunities, will the opportunities come?

This is the first time the Government of Ghana is running its affairs with 60 Ministers, so you see it is not everyone who can get an appointment. Any single person who has been appointed by President Mahama, you don’t necessarily have to come from Odododiodio; Odododiodio is NDC…”

“The gold that we make from Ghana was not being benefited by the people of Ghana. Today, President Mahama, when he came, put together the GoldBod; are we not seeing the benefits of GoldBod?”

However,  Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has bluntly told Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson that Ghanaians are not interested in the books but are rather interested in the economy in their pockets.

According to Afenyo-Markin, Ghanaians are suffering, and even the NDC MPs who were praising Ato Forson are also hungry.

Speaking in contributing to the debate on the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review presented by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson in Parliament, Afenyo-Markin stated, “And finally, you claim you want a third term, third term, third term. You are not performing. You said third term… eh, I’m Ato Forson. You are here presenting a budget, and beneath it is a third-term agenda where you are going to spend money.

For people to be calling for a third term, we are watching you with eagle eyes. You won’t get the third term today or tomorrow; focus on the 24-hour economy. You promise one job, three shifts. You promise industrialisation. Ghanaian businesses have lost confidence in you. You cancel the 1D1F, which was creating opportunity for the private sector.

In its place, no policy alternatives. Electricity tariffs have gone up over almost 30%. Then you get up, you say you are promoting a 24-hour economy. You have sacked public sector workers. Many of the Ghanaian youth lost their jobs. You sacked them”.

He added, “Today you are here instead of promising to restore them into their rightful places in the job market. You are not doing so. Then you come, you say we should praise you. Who is going to praise you if you don’t pay and you are holding the money, and then you are there tightening belts and only paying your party members, then we should praise you?

We are not interested in the books. We are interested in the economy in our pockets. People are suffering, Mister Speaker. People need jobs. Your youth, even your MPs, they are praising you here. A lot of them are hungry. Your backbenchers, they can’t go back home. Your backbenchers and you here, you say we should praise you. We will not praise you. It is the same old story. As I stand here now”.

@ghnow_ NYA CEO Osman Ayariga, a Muslim, surprised the audience at the National Youth Forum by opening his speech with a Bible verse, highlighting a message of unity and religious coexistence #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ We have increased YEA numbers to over 90,000 – Malik Basintale #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

NDC cannot prioritise Agenda 111 over 24-Hour Markets – Labour Minister

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 Dr Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, has said the NDC government cannot prioritise the completion of abandoned Agenda 111 hospital projects over the construction of 24-hour markets.

According to the Labour Minister, the government must balance the completion of inherited projects with the implementation of programmes it promised Ghanaians.

He argued that Agenda 111 was abandoned due to inadequate attention, illegal practices and corruption under the previous Akufo-Addo administration.

The Labour Minister questioned why the current administration is being criticised for not completing Agenda 111 projects within 15 months when the NPP, for 8 years, failed to complete the Afari Military Hospital.

Speaking to Citi News, he stated, “They came for eight years. They didn’t finish it. Within 15 months, they are saying, ‘Why is government not finishing our hospital?’ Isn’t it funny for anybody to be saying that? It is not strange that they can be blaming the NDC for what they failed to do”.

Meanwhile, President John Mahama has announced that his government has allocated funds to complete 35 Agenda 111 hospital projects initiated by the Akufo-Addo administration.

According to John Mahama, the 35 projects are about 70% complete and will be prioritised for completion.

Speaking during his ongoing tour of the Upper East Region, President Mahama stated, “We are continuing the Agenda 111 hospitals. This year, we have selected 35 of them, 35 of them that have reached 70% completion and above. We have selected them across the country; we have allocations, and funds are available to finish the 35”.

“Next year, we are selecting another 200 that are 50% and above. But we are giving priority to districts that do not have health facilities, and so we are not abandoning the Agenda 111 Hospitals; we are going to continue and finish them,” he noted.

“In 2028, we will award another 20 for completion,” he added.

President Mahama noted that allowing the Agenda 111 hospitals to remain incomplete would amount to a waste of taxpayers’ money given the level of investment already made in the projects.

According to John Mahama, completing the hospitals would ensure that the resources committed to the Agenda 111 initiative yield their intended benefits for Ghanaians.

Mahama’s comments follow a similar commitment by Asiedu Nketia, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who has assured Ghanaians that the Akufo-Addo government administration’s Agenda 111 projects will not be left to rot.

According to Asiedu Nketia, projects started by the erstwhile Akufo-Addo Bawumia administration will not be abandoned to rot when they were paid for by taxpayers.

Asiedu Nketia is stated to have said, “Any project started by any previous administration was funded from the taxpayers’ money. And taxpayers don’t change”.

“If we say that we are not going to complete this project because it was started by someone, then we are not helping the country.”

The NDC Chairman highlighted, specifically mentioning the Agenda 111 district hospitals that were started but not completed under the NPP.

He asserted that all Agenda 111 hospitals capable of being completed would be made operational by the John Mahama-led government.

@ghnow_ Community Police with “Asabone” dance at the National Youth Forum #GHnow #Fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Ghanaian singer Kelvyn Boy takes the stage with an energetic performance at the ongoing National Youth Forum at the UPSA Auditorium. 🎶🔥 #GHnow #Fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

“I am not against ORAL but…” – Afenyo-Markin

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Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, has said he does not oppose the Mahama government’s Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL).

The Minority Leader argued that he supports efforts to ensure that politically exposed persons are held accountable for their use of state resources.

However, raised concerns about how investigations into accountability-related actions are being carried out.

He argued that investigations involving public officials must be handled with a “human face”, raising concerns about how some state investigations are being conducted.

According to Afenyo-Markin, public officials who receive state funds must be prepared to explain how the money was used, adding that individuals who misappropriate state funds or take decisions that cause financial loss to the state cannot rely on politics to avoid investigations.

Speaking on the KSM Show, Afenyo-Markin stated, “Nobody, and I want to repeat it before I leave the studio, nobody is against accountability. Nobody is against ORAL”.

“I am not in any way against accountability, but what I’m saying is that accountability should be pursued with a human face,” he said.

“If you are given state funds, no way can you say that you are being harassed. If you misappropriate state funds or take a decision that causes financial loss to the state, you can’t use politics as an excuse if you are being investigated,” he added.

In related news, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, the Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, has announced that there will be some interesting cases coming soon under the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL).

According to Justice Srem-Sai, the prosecutors have identified approximately 30 cases from the ORAL report that are prosecutable.

Speaking on TV3’s Hot Issues on July 26, 2026, Dr Srem-Sai revealed, “When we analyse the report, I think we had about 30 cases that we thought were prosecutable”.

Justice Srem-Sai also disclosed that between five and ten of those cases are currently at advanced stages of prosecution.

“I think we have like between five and 10 now,” Dr Srem-Sai stated.

According to the Deputy Attorney General, prosecutorial decisions are guided solely by the strength of evidence rather than the profile or political affiliation of the individuals.

Justice Srem-Sai added, “We don’t actually focus on which one is big or which one is that. We focus on which one is prosecutable”.

“I can tell you there will be some interesting cases coming soon”, he hinted.

Dr Srem-Sai regurgitated the government’s commitment to pursuing ORAL cases, which was established to investigate allegations of corruption, financial loss and the misappropriation of public resources.

“We are going to continue prosecuting as far as the ORAL is concerned; we are going to do it”, he added.

Meanwhile, Franklin Cudjoe, the President of IMANI Africa, has communicated his dissatisfaction over the acquittal and discharge of former CEO of MASLOC, Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu.

According to Franklin Cudjoe, the Court of Appeals decision is a setback to the Mahama government’s Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL).

He argued that ORAL just did the Witches’ dance, stating that with every two steps Ghana takes, four steps are taken backwards in the fight against corruption following Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu’s acquittal.

In a post on X,  Franklin Cudjoe wrote, “ORAL just did the Witches’ dance– two steps forward, four steps backwards.  Koklo!”.

@ghnow_ Ghanaian songstress MzVee has delivered an energetic live performance at the ongoing National Youth Forum at the UPSA Auditorium. 🎶🔥 #GHnow #Fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Community Police with “Asabone” dance at the National Youth Forum #GHnow #Fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

‘Point to any page where IMF blamed GoldBod for BoG losses’ – Sammy Gyamfi dares Afenyo-Markin

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Sammy Gyamfi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), has dared Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to provide evidence where the  International Monetary Fund (IMF) blamed GoldBod for the Bank of Ghana losses.

The GoldBod CEO, speaking at the Government Accountability Series, challenged Afenyo-Markin to identify the specific section of the IMF report supporting his claim.

Sammy Gyamfi stated, “I challenge Afenyo-Markin to point to any page, paragraph, sentence, phrase, or punctuation mark in the said reference reports of the IMF where the GoldBod was accused by the IMF as the entity responsible for losses incurred by the Bank of Ghana”.

“Their position has now conveniently changed from the old false narrative that the Gold Board made losses to the new false narrative, which is that the Gold Board is responsible for losses incurred by the Bank of Ghana under the domestic gold purchase program,” he said.

“Ladies and gentlemen, nothing could be further from the truth.”

Sammy Gyamfi asserted that the IMF report states that the Bank of Ghana incurred losses through the sale of gold under the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme, rather than identifying GoldBod as the institution responsible for those losses.

He disclosed that losses were about $400 million in 2024 and $1.7 billion in 2025, arguing that the IMF attributed the 2025 figure to the scaling up of the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

“That loss was as a result of the scaling up, the expansion of the programme,” he said.

He further addressed the portion of the IMF findings in which GoldBod features in relation to the reported losses, stressing that the IMF noted that the accounting losses partly reflected valuation effects and identified several components of the losses, including fees paid to GoldBod under the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

“This is the true context within which the name of the Gold Board featured relative to losses under the DGPP,” he said.

“Most of the time, they come in the media, and they say the IMF has said that GoldBod has made a loss of $1.7 billion, and nobody questions them to point out which part of the IMF report said that,” he said.

“They say that the IMF says that GoldBod is the reason for the loss, and nobody questions them to provide proof, and we are all talking about the IMF report.”

His comments follow the Minority Leader and Effutu MP, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who has said the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has made a GH¢22 billion loss to the state.

According to Afenyo-Markin, the GoldBod must account for the GH¢22 billion financial loss to the state.

He argued that the Minority would not be deterred by attacks or criticisms from GoldBod officials as they push for public accountability.

Speaking at a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday, August 18, Afenyo-Markin stated, “So they must account for the GH¢22 billion loss. It must account for it because it amounts to causing financial loss to the state”.

“GoldBod is responsible for causing financial loss to the state and the Minority will say this and say it firmly and boldly,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter the adjectives that they use to describe or to attack our personalities, and we know a day of reckoning will come,” he said.

The minority further argued that GoldBod cannot hide behind an agency role to escape accountability.

Afenyo-Markin rejected GoldBod’s claims that its role as an agent of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) shields it from responsibility for losses arising from the country’s gold trading operations.

He added, “Gold Board cannot hide behind accounting technicalities”.

“Gold Board is entitled to make the accounting point that it was purchasing gold on behalf of the Bank of Ghana. But agency does not extinguish operational responsibility,” he said.

“An agent entrusted with billions of cedis or public resources remains responsible for the quality of its execution,” he said.

Afenyo-Markin added, “If an institution earns transaction-based income for purchasing, assaying, and aggregating gold, while the financier bears the underlying trading losses, then increasing transaction volumes may increase the agent’s revenue, even where the overall programme destroys value for the principal”.

“Any responsible government confronted with these 22 billion losses should immediately investigate whether the incentive structure encouraged excessive volumes, inadequate pricing discipline, or insufficient attention to trading costs,” he said.

“We therefore reject any attempt to answer the public concerns merely by pointing to GoldBod’s reported surplus,” he said.

@ghnow_ We have increased YEA numbers to over 90,000 – Malik Basintale  #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Kelvyn Boy has congratulated Stonebwoy on the success of his recent show in London, celebrating the Bhim Nation boss for another major milestone on the international stage. 🇬🇭🔥🇬🇧 #GHnow #Fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

Massive queues for KFC’s GH¢15 promo expose Ghana’s deepening economic hardship – Policy Analyst

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Kosi Dedey, a policy analyst and engineer, has said the massive queues generated by a recent GH¢15 KFC promotion expose the economic conditions facing ordinary Ghanaians.

According to the Policy Analyst, the willingness of customers to spend long hours in line for a discounted meal must prompt deeper conversation about household income and living standards.

He argued that the KFC situation challenges claims of Ghana’s economic recovery.

Speaking on Channel One TV on Wednesday, August 19, Kosi Dedey stated, “The quality of life of people has largely declined, and this is reflected in what we saw during the KFC promotion.

“If people for 15 cedi can spend hours in a queue, it tells you something. Something is not right. So, these are clear indicators that, look, we are not really delivering on the promise we make to the people,” he said.

In related news, Presidential Staffer Bridget Otoo has called out KFC Ghana following its just-ended GH¢15 promotion.

KFC Ghana on August 15, 2026, delivered on their highly anticipated GH¢15 promotion to commemorate its 15th anniversary.

The promotion attracted large crowds to its branches across Accra.

Viral videos captured large crowds; a series of tensions escalating at some branches, with staff reportedly spraying water on sections of the crowd in an attempt to disperse them.

In another video, a Police man was captured whipping KFC Ghana customers at the Ashaiman branch.

Bridget Otoo, reacting to the videos, expressed her disappointment with KFC Ghana.

She argued that KFC should have anticipated the large turnout that such a promotion would attract.

According to Bridget Otoo, KFC staff spraying water on customers who had queued to purchase food was disrespectful and unacceptable.

In a post on X, Bridget Otoo wrote, “ Why would you run a promo for food @ 15 cedis and be surprised at the huge numbers that showed up!  To make matters worse, you resort to spraying water to disperse them; that’s outright disrespectful !!! @KFC_Ghana your customers deserve better!!!”.

Some netizens reacting to her comments stated, “The disrespect aspect is true, but who allowed this disrespect? Successive governments after Nkrumah are the root cause. This gov. has got to do better; what’s the essence of a paradise where people can’t afford to buy and eat? Tackle unemployment now!!”.

A netizen added, “Crowd control for an unruly crowd is what it is. If the line was orderly and calm and the workers didn’t fear for their personal safety or property they wouldn’t have had to resort to such measures. Stop playing the violin here wrong stage”.

One X user added, “Their crowd management plan was very poor. I thought they would use the drive-through windows to sell the packs and maintain orderliness instead of opening their doors to customers who had to struggle and fight their way in.

They could also have planned for online #preorders and issued numbered tags to customers who ordered online. That would have made the whole process much more organised. Well, this is a learning experience for @KFC_Ghana and other brands who are planning such promotions. Happy Anniversary to them, and we wish them more success in the future”.

Domestic Gold Purchase Programme to be audited from 2021 – Sammy Gyamfi reveals

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Sammy Gyamfi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), has announced that the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP) will be audited by an external firm starting from its inception in 2021.

The GoldBod CEO asserted that the  International Monetary Fund (IMF) report states that the programme generated losses of GH₵22 billion, equivalent to 1.5% of Ghana’s GDP, in 2025.

He added that the IMF stated that the Bank of Ghana incurred losses of $400 million in 2024 and $1.7 billion in 2025 through the domestic gold purchase programme.

According to Sammy Gyamfi, the audit will cover the entire period of the programme, dating back to 2021.

“An external auditing firm is conducting a special audit of the Domestic Gold Purchase Program from its inception, and the inception is 2021, whose results should be available in 2026 Q3,” he said.

Also, Sammy Gyamfi has dared Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to provide evidence where the  International Monetary Fund (IMF) blamed GoldBod for the Bank of Ghana losses.

The GoldBod CEO, speaking at the Government Accountability Series, challenged Afenyo-Markin to identify the specific section of the IMF report supporting his claim.

Sammy Gyamfi stated, “I challenge Afenyo-Markin to point to any page, paragraph, sentence, phrase, or punctuation mark in the said reference reports of the IMF where the GoldBod was accused by the IMF as the entity responsible for losses incurred by the Bank of Ghana”.

“Their position has now conveniently changed from the old false narrative that the Gold Board made losses to the new false narrative, which is that the Gold Board is responsible for losses incurred by the Bank of Ghana under the domestic gold purchase program,” he said.

“Ladies and gentlemen, nothing could be further from the truth.”

Sammy Gyamfi asserted that the IMF report states that the Bank of Ghana incurred losses through the sale of gold under the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme, rather than identifying GoldBod as the institution responsible for those losses.

He disclosed that losses were about $400 million in 2024 and $1.7 billion in 2025, arguing that the IMF attributed the 2025 figure to the scaling up of the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

“That loss was as a result of the scaling up, the expansion of the programme,” he said.

He further addressed the portion of the IMF findings in which GoldBod features in relation to the reported losses, stressing that the IMF noted that the accounting losses partly reflected valuation effects and identified several components of the losses, including fees paid to GoldBod under the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

“This is the true context within which the name of the Gold Board featured relative to losses under the DGPP,” he said.

“Most of the time, they come in the media, and they say the IMF has said that GoldBod has made a loss of $1.7 billion, and nobody questions them to point out which part of the IMF report said that,” he said.

“They say that the IMF says that GoldBod is the reason for the loss, and nobody questions them to provide proof, and we are all talking about the IMF report.”

US court sets August 21 as deadline for FBI, DEA to release drug-trafficking files on President Tinubu

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Reports disclosed that a United States District Court has reportedly given the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) a deadline to release investigative files on Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

It may be recalled that in April 2025, the court ordered the two American agencies to release the files in its ruling in a suit filed by American activist Aaron Greenspan and journalist David Hundeyin.

Multiple reports on August 18, 2026, disclosed that the court has now given the DEA and the FBI a deadline to release the files after they refused to comply with its order.

According to African Folder, the judge who presided over the case, Judge Beryl Howell, ordered the agencies to “release non-exempt records” after sharply criticising the two agencies for missing a string of court deadlines.

The information gathered suggests the case stems from a Chicago heroin investigation and a 1993 forfeiture in which Tinubu surrendered $460,000, but was never charged with any crime.

Saharareporters.com have also reported that Judge Beryl Howell granted only a four-day extension to the agencies for the release of the files, setting August 21 as the new deadline.

According to the judge, he was not willing to delay the case, which he has been hearing for over three years, any further.

However, reports suggest President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has joined the US Department of Justice in seeking a 10-day extension to respond to a motion seeking the release of records relating to allegations of drug trafficking.

A Nigerian news portal, tribuneonlineng.com, in a publication stated, “Tinubu’s legal team filed a notice of joinder before the US District Court for the District of Columbia, asking to be placed on the same schedule as the defendants in the case.

The filing was published online by Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., a US-based policy advisory and lobbying firm retained by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

In the notice, Tinubu’s lawyers said they were joining the defendants’ request for a 10-day extension to respond to the motion for summary judgment.

“Intervenor joins Defendants’ motion for a 10-day extension of time to file response to the motion for summary judgment (DE 92), inasmuch as Intervenor requests that the responses remain on the same schedule,” the filing stated.

The notice was signed by Christopher W. Carmichael and Victor P. Henderson of Henderson Parks, LLC.

According to the filing, the plaintiff opposed the request, while the defendant did not.

However, US District Judge Beryl Howell subsequently denied the application for an extension, according to the lobbying firm.

Meanwhile, reports suggest President Tinubu has consistently and firmly denied any involvement in drug trafficking, dismissing the decades-old allegations.

See the post below:

@ghnow_

♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Hon. George Opare Addo has arrived at the UPSA Auditorium for the ongoing National Youth Forum, as young Ghanaians and key stakeholders gather to discuss youth development and Ghana’s future. #GHnow #fyp ♬ Highs and Lows – HEY_GIRL_ITS_MORGAN🇬🇭

‘Afenyo-Markin and his followers’ $1.7bn GoldBod loss claim a barefaced lie’ – Sammy Gyamfi

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Sammy Gyamfi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), has once again dismissed claims that the state-owned gold-buying institution incurred losses of $1.7 billion in 2025.

The GoldBod CEO described the allegation by Afenyo-Markin and the Minority as a “barefaced lie.”

According to Sammy Gyamfi, the alleged figure does not reflect GoldBod’s actual financial performance for the 2025 financial year.

Sammy Gyamfi accused the NPP opposition, particularly Afenyo-Markin, of repeatedly making the claim in Parliament and through the media, adding that GoldBod on several occasions disputed the allegation.

The GoldBod CEO insisted that the institution’s audited financial statements present a significantly different picture of its financial performance.

According to Sammy Gyamfi, the audited accounts must form the basis for assessing GoldBod’s financial performance rather than what he described as politically motivated allegationss.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, Sammy Gyamfi stated, “Afenyo-Markin and his followers alleged on several occasions on the floor of Parliament and the media that the Ghana Gold Board made losses in the year 2025 repeatedly. This claim is a barefaced lie which has been debunked times without number by the GoldBod.

 “I challenge Afenyo-Markin to point to any page, paragraph, sentence, phrase or punctuation mark in the said referenced report to prove the loss by GoldBod,” he said.

“The audited annual reports and financial statements of the GoldBod for the year ended December 31, 2025, prepared and published by the Auditor General of Ghana, disclose an operational surplus of GHS907 million and an overall surplus of profits of GHS5.4 billion. This is an incontrovertible fact,” he said.

His comments follow the Minority Leader and Effutu MP, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who has said the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has made a GH¢22 billion loss to the state.

According to Afenyo-Markin, the GoldBod must account for the GH¢22 billion financial loss to the state.

He argued that the Minority would not be deterred by attacks or criticisms from GoldBod officials as they push for public accountability.

Speaking at a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday, August 18, Afenyo-Markin stated, “So they must account for the GH¢22 billion loss. It must account for it because it amounts to causing financial loss to the state”.

“GoldBod is responsible for causing financial loss to the state and the Minority will say this and say it firmly and boldly,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter the adjectives that they use to describe or to attack our personalities, and we know a day of reckoning will come,” he said.

The minority further argued that GoldBod cannot hide behind an agency role to escape accountability.

Afenyo-Markin rejected GoldBod’s claims that its role as an agent of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) shields it from responsibility for losses arising from the country’s gold trading operations.

He added, “Gold Board cannot hide behind accounting technicalities”.

“Gold Board is entitled to make the accounting point that it was purchasing gold on behalf of the Bank of Ghana. But agency does not extinguish operational responsibility,” he said.

“An agent entrusted with billions of cedis or public resources remains responsible for the quality of its execution,” he said.

Afenyo-Markin added, “If an institution earns transaction-based income for purchasing, assaying, and aggregating gold, while the financier bears the underlying trading losses, then increasing transaction volumes may increase the agent’s revenue, even where the overall programme destroys value for the principal”.

“Any responsible government confronted with these 22 billion losses should immediately investigate whether the incentive structure encouraged excessive volumes, inadequate pricing discipline, or insufficient attention to trading costs,” he said.

“We therefore reject any attempt to answer the public concerns merely by pointing to GoldBod’s reported surplus,” he said.

@ghnow_ Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has addressed the press in Parliament on concerns over reported losses linked to the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), questioning the institution’s financial management and calling for greater scrutiny #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_

♬ original sound – GHnow

Chairman Wontumi’s bail application hearing adjourned to October 15

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The former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi bail application pending; his appeal has been adjourned to October 15, 2026.

Reports suggest the adjournment followed the failure of Chairman Wontumi and his lawyers who failed to appear before the court for the hearing.

However, the Deputy Attorney General, Justice Srem-Sai, was present in court for the proceedings.

He disclosed to the media that the court is expected to consider the bail application when the case resumes on October 15.

It will be recalled that Chairman Wontumi has filed an application at the High Court seeking to be released on bail pending the determination of his appeal against his conviction and prison sentence.

Wontumi’s legal team is asking the court to grant his release while the appeal challenging the judgment is heard.

The court is scheduled to hear the application on August 19, 2026. Wontumi is currently being held at Nsawam Medium Security Prison serving a 20-year jail term.

Lead counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, indicated that the application is in accordance with Section 96(1) of Act 30 and Section 33(1) of Act 459.

“Take Notice that this Honourable Court will be moved by Counsel for and on behalf of the 1st Appellant/Applicant (“Applicant”) herein praying the Court for an order that the Applicant, who is currently incarcerated at the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons, be admitted to bail pending appeal upon the grounds stated in the accompanying affidavit and for any further order(s) as this Honourable Court may deem meet,” parts of the application read.

“Court to be moved on Wednesday, 19TH day of August 2026 at 9 o’clock in the forenoon or so soon thereafter as Counsel for the 1st and 3rd Appellants may be heard.”

Also,  Samuel Atta Akyea has disclosed that his client is doing very fine and is in high spirits.

According to Lawyer Atta Akyea, his client has filed an appeal against his 20-year prison sentence, adding that the legal team will also file an application for bail pending the determination of the appeal.

Speaking to the media at the premises of the High Court on July 31, 2026, Atta Akyea stated, “He is very fine and in high spirits. He is also excited that we have lodged an appeal, and we will pursue it”.

“We will bring an application for bail pending appeal, so these are all the options we have, and we will exercise them properly,” he added.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ National Youth Forum 2026 Underway at UPSA Auditorium #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – Peacemaker Quddus
@ghnow_ Young Ghanaians have gathered at the UPSA Auditorium for the National Youth Forum 2026, as government engages the youth on their concerns, aspirations and role in Ghana’s development agenda. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – afrobase_tv

“These are grievous allegations” – Sam George dismisses lone protester assassination claims

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Sam George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, has dismissed allegations made in a viral video circulating online making serious allegations against him.

In the viral video shared by GHnow on social media, a lone protester, was spotted claiming Sam George placed him under 24/7 surveillance and hacked his communications.

According to the man, he reported the incident to the Ghana Police Service under the leadership of IGP George Akuffo Dampare.

He further shockingly claimed that Sam George ordered the assassination of his brother in November 2023 in an alleged cover-up.

However, Sam George, reacting to the video, in a Facebook post described the man allegations as grievous with no basis or facts, adding that at the time the man referenced, he was not serving as minister and therefore had no legal or official authority to conduct surveillance or cyber monitoring.

According to Sam George, he has lodged a complaint with the authorities for the man to be invited to substantiate his claims in the interest of justice.

Sam  George, in his post, wrote, “My attention has been drawn to a video circulating in which a man makes very serious allegations, specifically naming my name and office.

He claims I put him under surveillance and also hacked him 24/7. He further claims that he reported the case to the Ghana Police Service at the time under the leadership of IGP Dampare. He alleges a cover-up by the Police.

He further claims that to silence him, I ordered the assassination of his only brother. He says all of these happened in November 2023, a time when I was not a Minister for Communication as I am today and had no legal or official authority to place anyone under surveillance or cyber monitoring.

These are grievous allegations with no basis or facts, and they impugn criminal action on my part. I have therefore lodged a formal complaint with the authorities and asked that the individual be invited to substantiate his claims in the interest of justice.

For God and Country”.

Some netizens reacting to the development stated, “He doesn’t sound ok ooo… or? Cos the smile after the statement made was someway bi…”.

Another netizen stated, “We should not always hide behind the word “Mental Challenge “ to impugn the hard worn reputation of the other.

He must be arrested for questioning and processed for court and if found guilty, he must face the consequences”.

A Facebooker added, “Hon. Samuel Nartey George, please stay focused. It’s a strategy of diverting your attention. Good move. If he’s found guilty, the law should work without mercy”.

“This is definitely the handwork of the NPP. When the man is arrested, they will come out and claim that he is being persecuted for exercising his freedom of speech”, a netizen alleged.

One last Facebooker added, “While listening to this i was just laughing 😃, although is a serious issue. How can you say that this man did all these to you when he was not yet in office, no power, no influence, no authority and no capacity? Sam George was not that powerful under NPP, so how is this possible massah?

I believe the man wants to trend, but he will continue that in Pr!son, some of these people pushing 🫸 false narratives need to be treated accordingly. The man also needs to be checked mentally”.

See the post below:

@ghnow_ A lone protester has made serious allegations against Hon. Sam George #fyp #GHnow ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ A man made some serious allegations against some politicians infront of the Parliament House #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

Beneficiaries of $5bn unaccounted gold exports in pain over GoldBod’s establishment – Policy Analyst

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Dr Steve Manteaw, the Policy Analyst and co-chair of the Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GHEITI), has said beneficiaries from unaccounted exports of gold are today in pain with the establishment of GoldBod.

The Policy Analyst cited that in 2018 the then Senior Minister, Hon. Osafo Marfo, reported that Ghana had exported $7 billion worth of gold to the UAE, but only $2 billion was accounted for.

According to Dr Steve Manteaw, GoldBod has been facing opposition because it blocked loopholes.

He argued that GoldBod has blocked loopholes which existed; hence, the constant criticism of GoldBod.

In a social media post, Steve Manteaw stated, “In 2018, the then Senior Minister, Hon. Osafo Marfo, reported that Ghana had exported $7 billion worth of gold to the UAE, but the country was able to account for only $2 billion.

Those who benefitted from the $5 billion loss of revenue, arising out of the unaccounted exports, are today at pains with the establishment of the GoldBod, because it has closed the loophole that facilitated the loss of gold revenue to the state.

Let’s all support efforts to stem Illicit Financial Flows in our mining sector, and let’s be mindful of the fact that these efforts will come at a cost”.

Steve Manteaw further argued, “An analysis by Corruption Watch estimates Illicit Financial Flows from Ghana’s small-scale gold sector, arising out of gold exports that could not be accounted for, at a staggering $6.4 billion annually.

Certainly, we cannot allow this to continue. We must support GoldBod to plug the loopholes”.

In related news, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, the General Overseer of Action Chapel International, urged Ghanaians to pray for the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).

According to Duncan-Williams, the GoldBod is facing a very powerful movement who are against efforts to ensure the right thing is done in Ghana’s gold sector.

The man of God disclosed that some individuals involved in the gold trade have become concerned about the tightening of controls on illegal gold purchases in Ghana.

Duncan-Williams detailed that he received calls from individuals in countries where Ghanaian gold was previously purchased through the black market.

He disclosed that they were allegedly seeking connections to senior officials who could help them access gold through GoldBod.

Duncan-Williams further revealed how a powerful Middle East royal family called me over a gold smuggling disruption being caused in Ghana following the establishment of GoldBod.

Speaking during a church service on August 16, Archbishop Duncan-Williams stated, “We need to pray for GoldBod. With what I was told by this Sheikh, they can’t get the gold like before illegally”.

“So they want some channels to GoldBod so they can purchase the gold now from GoldBod,” he explained.

“It is clear to me that GoldBod is dealing with a very powerful movement; these are people who are very established, they know and understand the field. They do not want the right thing to be done”.

@ghnow_

♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Insulting us on social media won’t change what the IMF has said.” — Afenyo-Markin #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

“If you want to control prices, start from East Legon” – President of KNUST Hostel Owners to Rent Commissioner

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Bishop Akwasi Owusu-Bi, the President of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Hostel Owners Association, has told the Acting Rent Control Commissioner, Frederick Opoku, to go to East Legon to control rent prices.

Frederick Opoku has recently been touring some hostels and raising questions about what he describes as exorbitant charges.

According to Frederick Opoku, he recommends price regulation to protect students from what he considers excessive hostel fees.

However, Bishop Akwasi Owusu-Bi, speaking in an interview, argued that controlling prices is not the best solution to the problem.

According to him, if the government wants to control prices, it should start from East Legon where prices are quoted in dollars.

The President, KNUST Hostel Owners stated, “I remember in 1988, the government embarked on the Structural Adjustment Programme. It came out clearly that controlling prices wasn’t the best for the system. It rather made items run short because nobody wanted to go by the government prices”.

“So, then they hit all the items and you had to go through the back door to get them. So, when the programme realised that this was the effect of it, they scrapped controlling prices in Ghana,” he stated.

“So, when all of a sudden we heard that rent control was coming up, I was like, so what are we doing? When did we begin to control prices in Ghana?” he asked.

He added, “If you want to control prices in Ghana, where do we start from? If we are starting from the Ministry of Works and Housing, that’s the housing rent, why don’t you start from East Legon? Why don’t you start from Nhyiaeso and all those places?”

“They should begin from East Legon, where prices are quoted in dollars and not in cedis. That’s where they should begin from”.

“And not when a group of people have come together to put up accommodation for students whom the students cannot be accommodated on campus, and you think you want to defend such students.

“If we withdraw our services, what do you do?” he asked.

Some Ghanaians reacting to his comments stated, “If it’s not wickedness, tell me why a hostel owner uses an average of 30 million cedis to build a 10-floor storey building with over 950 rooms and still charges 2 in a room for 7k per person a semester”.

One X user added, “Ghanaians are not ready for these housing and renting issues. The government, universities and private businesses. Government should control prices from hardware products to processes involved in acquiring land. 32.5R cement should have the same price across the nation”.

A netizen added, “What he’s doing is goal post shifting. A causal diagnosis gets diverted into a “competing diagnosis”, creating an argument about which problem should be addressed first; eventually, as all Ghanaian leaders do, he’ll deflect, and we’ll move on like it never happened”.

One last netizen noted, “It’s unfortunate to hear this.

But due to the significant housing deficit, this will continue irrespective of what government does.

A number of government-funded housing projects have been left in the bushes, and it breaks my heart anytime I pass by.

How can we build this country when accommodation is taking over 50% of the average person’s monthly salary?

How?”.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ A lone protester has made serious allegations against Hon. Sam George #fyp #GHnow ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ A man made some serious allegations against some politicians infront of the Parliament House #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

“I am not under investigation” – Sammi Awuku on alleged EOCO arrest

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Sammi Awuku, the Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, has boldly declared that he is not under any Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) investigation.

It will be recalled that unverified reports on social media over the weekend claimed Sammi Awuku was detained by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

Multiple Social media posts on August 16 alleged that Sammi Awuku was detained by EOCO over alleged financial irregularities during his tenure as the National Lottery Authority (NLA) boss.

However, EOCO or Sammi Awuku has not issued a confirmation or denial.

Sammi Awuku later denied the reports of the arrest by EOCO.

In a video on TikTok, Sammi Awuku dismissed the reports showing him in Kumasi with popular Appiah Stadium.

He quizzed how he could have been arrested on Saturday, August 15, 2026, when he was in the Eastern Region participating in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) regional elections.

Sammi Awuku stated, “Claims that I was arrested on Saturday are completely false. Yesterday we had our regional elections, and today, Sunday, I am here in Kumasi”.

However, Sammi Awuku, in a recent interview on UTV, vehemently denied having been arrested or invited by EOCO and urged the public to verify information before sharing it online.

According to Sammi Awuku, he has not been invited by EOCO, nor is he under investigation.

Sammi Awuku stated, “I have not been invited, and I am not under investigation. I am a defender of free speech, and I have said on this platform that the only way to confront hate speech is with more speech.”

“My advice to the young people who share such news is that there is nothing wrong with finding out and cross-checking, but when it becomes deliberate, it becomes a problem,” he stated.

Meanwhile, a netizen some weeks ago alleged that Sammi Awuku will be the next NPP member subjected to an Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) investigation.

The netizen claimed that the grounds for inquiry centre on command responsibility, specifically under the principle that as head of the institution, he “ought to have known” about potential financial losses incurred.

He further alleged that Sammi Awuku will be under investigation because he is loud against the Mahama government.

In a post shared on X, the netizen alleged, saying, “Unconfirmed reports Whispers Media Network has gathered from political sources suggest that former National Lotteries Authority (NLA) Director-General, Hon Sammi Awuku may be the next subject of an Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) investigation.

The alleged grounds for inquiry centre on command responsibility, specifically under the principle that as head of the institution, he “ought to have known” about potential financial losses incurred by the state.

Sources emphasise that the underlying cause for this intended action by EOCO is that Awuku is too loud against the Mahama government.

Sources further claim that EOCO is withholding formal action until Parliament enters recess.

….Just look at this nonsense. We all dey here”.

@ghnow_ A man made some serious allegations against some politicians infront of the Parliament House #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ A lone protester has made serious allegations against Hon. Sam George #fyp #GHnow ♬ original sound – GHnow

Wontumi’s GH¢12m settlement offer in EXIM Bank case rejected, trial set to proceed

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 Dr Justice Srem Sai, the Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, has revealed that the Bernard Antwi Boasiako, commonly known as Chairman Wontumi, EXIM Bank trial will continue despite ongoing settlement negotiations.

According to the Deputy AG, negotiations have not been abandoned, but the government has decided not to suspend the trial.

Speaking in an interview on Morning Starr, Dr Srem Sai stated, “We, as prosecutors, have decided to proceed with the trial while we continue negotiations on the side”.

He disclosed that the decision was communicated to Wontumi’s lawyers after two meetings between the parties, adding that ongoing negotiations had not produced an agreement acceptable to the state.

The Deputy Attorney General also revealed that a GH¢12 million settlement proposal falls significantly below what the bank expects to recover.

According to Srem Sai, accepting an amount substantially below the alleged losses would not be prudent, particularly after assessing the evidence and circumstances surrounding the case.

He disclosed that the government does not believe it would be appropriate to accept less than half of the losses allegedly caused simply to allow the accused to walk free.

“The 12 million you mentioned, if indeed he said that, then 12 million is far below what even the bank expects to get,” he said.

“They know what to do if they want that situation to change. We have told them what to do if they want that situation to change,” he said.

Earlier, Dr Justice Srem-Sai told the court today, Monday, July 27, that the plea bargain negotiations between the State and Chairman Wontumi in the Exim Bank criminal case are at an advanced stage.

According to the Deputy Attorney General, the Plea bargain talks in Wontumi’s Exim Bank case were derailed by his conviction in a separate criminal case.

Samuel Atta Akyea told the court he has taken over the defence of Wontumi following the withdrawal of the previous counsel, Andy Appiah-Kubi and subsequently requested an adjournment until October to enable the parties to conclude discussions on a possible plea bargain.

Justice Srem-Sai shared the defence’s desire to continue negotiations but proposed a shorter adjournment of 30 days instead of the 90 days.

He revealed that negotiations had progressed significantly before they were interrupted by Wontumi’s conviction.

The Deputy Attorney General told the court, “We have received an offer, and we have made a counteroffer, which we were supposed to conclude last week before the accused person’s conviction in another matter derailed the negotiation”.

“Most importantly, in order not to let disclosures, which we are yet to do, prejudice the plea negotiations, which indeed are far advanced, we would pray that My Lady accepts our waiver of the right to continue with proceedings and rather take a short adjournment to attempt concluding the negotiations before being directed to file our disclosures,” he said.

Atta Akyea agreed with the prosecution’s reasoning but appealed to the court to adjourn the matter until the next legal term in October.

The Judge, however, indicated that the court was guided by the provisions governing plea bargaining and would not halt the trial process.

The judge ruled, “I want to stay within Section 152(c)(5). I will adjourn with the view that the case is proceeding to trial without prejudice to the plea bargain”.

The case was subsequently adjourned to August 27 for further directions.

@ghnow_ A lone protester has made serious allegations against Hon. Sam George #fyp #GHnow ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has addressed the press in Parliament on concerns over reported losses linked to the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), questioning the institution’s financial management and calling for greater scrutiny #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

GoldBod incurring $1.7bn loss to bring in $10bn isn’t a problem – Policy analyst

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Dr Steve Manteaw, the Policy analyst and co-chair of the Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GHEITI), has jumped to the defence of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) over the reported $1.7 billion losses incurred through its gold purchasing operations.

According to Steve Manteaw, the figure should not be viewed in isolation or interpreted as evidence that the country’s gold purchase programme has failed.

He argued that there was nothing inherently wrong with the reported $1.7 billion loss, describing it as a transaction cost associated with the gold purchase programme.

Speaking in an interview on Joy News, Dr Steve Manteaw stated, “There is a certain level of insincerity in discussing this very issue, and we make it look like this is the first time Ghana is making losses in its gold purchase programme. I have looked at the data. 2022, we made a loss. In 2023, 2024, and 2025, we incurred losses in all those years. Why didn’t that become a problem?

“Let’s say, for instance, in 2024, we made a total loss of GH¢5.7 billion, GH¢1.8 billion from gold for oil and then GH¢3.8 billion from our domestic gold for reserves, a total of GH¢5.7 billion. How much export revenue did we bring in? A mere GH¢4 billion, and so if you had to incur a loss of $1.7 billion to bring in $10 billion, that for me shouldn’t be a problem.

“It means that what we call losses are transaction costs. For me, they are transaction costs, and all the governments over the years have been incurring transaction costs, and that has not become a problem.”

He asked, “So why this time around do we treat GoldBoard as if it is the first time we are making losses?”

“We don’t even consider the quantum of forex that GoldBoard has brought in, and so you need to look at the relativity, relativity. How much did you spend to bring in what, and what has been the impact?” he said.

“The impact, the economy-wide impact for me, exceeds the cost.”

He added, “Oh yes. You have forex stability, so a business can plan properly. Your imports have gone down. I mean, in terms of cost of your imports, have gone down”.

“Now, that gives you the opportunity if you use incentives to get people to import machinery, so that your 24-hour economy can benefit from the stability,” he said.

“Now, again, you have low inflation, you have low interest rates, and all these get to establish the foundation for economic growth.”

Meanwhile, the Institute of Fiscal Policy Governance has debunked claims by the Minority in parliament that the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) recorded a loss of approximately US$1.7 billion, or GH¢22 billion, in 2025.

According to the Institute of Fiscal Policy Governance, audited financial statements show a surplus of GH¢5.44 billion.

“These are not political estimates. They are figures contained in the audited financial statements of the institution,” the Institute stated.

They further accused the Minority of conflating GoldBod’s financial position with the financial consequences of the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

They highlighted that GoldBod and the Bank of Ghana are separate public institutions with distinct statutory functions, accounting records, balance sheets and reporting obligations.

The Institute of Fiscal Policy Governance argued that any loss recorded by the central bank in connection with monetary policy interventions cannot automatically be attributed to GoldBod without evidence showing the accounting and legal basis for such attribution.

According to the Institute, GoldBod’s role as an aggregator does not automatically make every cost or valuation movement recorded on the Bank of Ghana’s books a trading loss of GoldBod.

“The facts presently available are straightforward: GoldBod’s audited accounts do not report a GH¢22 billion loss. They report a surplus of approximately GH¢5.44 billion,” the Institute said.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ A man made some serious allegations against some politicians infront of the Parliament House #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin Addresses GoldBod Losses #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

“NPP may have gone down; under my leadership, we will rise again” – Boakye Agyarko assures

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Boakye Agyarko, the former Energy Minister and aspiring National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has made a bold pledge to supporters of the party after a group of NPP constituency chairpersons picked, paid for and presented nomination forms to him to contest the party’s National Chairperson position.

According to Boakye Agyarko, under his leadership, the NPP will rise again and return to power in the 2028 general elections under his leadership.

Addressing the media after receiving the forms, Mr Agyarko stated, “I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to Constituency Chairmen who purchased and picked this form for me and those who accompanied them. I’m truly humbled by this gesture. Chairmen, I’m truly grateful”.

“To the rest of the NPP fraternity, let me assure you that this party shall rise again. This party may have gone down, but we’re not out. With dedication and commitment…we will rise again,” he added.

“My task as a chairman is to lead in the rebuilding and rebranding of the party into a solid electoral machine upon which our flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, will stand firmly and win the 2028 election with ease,” he said.

In other news, a new poll conducted ahead of the 2028 general elections has revealed that the former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, currently leads all potential National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidates.

The survey was conducted by Africa Policy Lens from July 27 to August 7, 2026, and interviewed 16,963 voters across all 276 constituencies, testing Dr Bawumia in seven assumed one-on-one contests.

The Africa Policy Lens disclosed that across all the matchups, Dr Bawumia secured between 45.7 per cent and 49.9 per cent of national voter support.

Dr Bawumia led Johnson Asiedu Nketia, 45.8 per cent to 42.4 per cent; Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, 45.7 per cent to 42.8 per cent; and Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, 45.9 per cent to 41.5 per cent.

They further disclosed that the NPP flagbearer margins were wider against Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, whom he led 47.4 per cent to 40.2 per cent, and Dr Julius Debrah, 48.4 per cent to 37.9 per cent.

Also, Dr Bawumia’s largest leads were recorded against Hon. Eric Opoku, 49.8 per cent to 33.9 per cent, and Prof. Joshua Alabi, 49.9 per cent to 34.4 per cent.

According to the Africa Policy Lens, undecided voters ranged from 7.2 per cent to 9.3 per cent across the different matchups.

They further disclosed that the survey revealed Dr Bawumia won between nine and eleven of Ghana’s sixteen regions in every matchup tested.

However, Africa Policy Lens stressed that the survey should not be viewed as a prediction of the outcome of the 2028 election.

According to them, the survey is a reflection of public opinion at the time the survey was conducted.

The report stated, “Although the findings should be interpreted as a reflection of public opinion at a particular point in time rather than as a prediction of future electoral outcomes, the consistency of Dr Bawumia’s advantage across all hypothetical contests constitutes a noteworthy pattern”.

@ghnow_ You take GH¢2000 and rent this rubbish to somebody’s child. Would you let your child sleep in a place like this?” #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Prophet Roja has alleged during a church service that a police inspector and a CID officer took GH¢900,000 to falsely accuse an innocent man of murder, resulting in a 45-year prison sentence. The claims have not been independently verified. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

Dr Bawumia leads all potential NDC presidential candidates – Poll

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A new poll conducted ahead of the 2028 general elections has revealed that the former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, currently leads all potential National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidates.

The survey was conducted by Africa Policy Lens from July 27 to August 7, 2026, and interviewed 16,963 voters across all 276 constituencies, testing Dr Bawumia in seven assumed one-on-one contests.

The Africa Policy Lens disclosed that across all the matchups, Dr Bawumia secured between 45.7 per cent and 49.9 per cent of national voter support.

Dr Bawumia led Johnson Asiedu Nketia, 45.8 per cent to 42.4 per cent; Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, 45.7 per cent to 42.8 per cent; and Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, 45.9 per cent to 41.5 per cent.

They further disclosed that the NPP flagbearer margins were wider against Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, whom he led 47.4 per cent to 40.2 per cent, and Dr Julius Debrah, 48.4 per cent to 37.9 per cent.

Also, Dr Bawumia’s largest leads were recorded against Hon. Eric Opoku, 49.8 per cent to 33.9 per cent, and Prof. Joshua Alabi, 49.9 per cent to 34.4 per cent.

According to the Africa Policy Lens, undecided voters ranged from 7.2 per cent to 9.3 per cent across the different matchups.

They further disclosed that the survey revealed Dr Bawumia won between nine and eleven of Ghana’s sixteen regions in every matchup tested.

However, Africa Policy Lens stressed that the survey should not be viewed as a prediction of the outcome of the 2028 election.

According to them, the survey is a reflection of public opinion at the time the survey was conducted.

The report stated, “Although the findings should be interpreted as a reflection of public opinion at a particular point in time rather than as a prediction of future electoral outcomes, the consistency of Dr Bawumia’s advantage across all hypothetical contests constitutes a noteworthy pattern”.

In other news, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has said the party’s primary objective is to regain political power in the 2028 elections.

On Sunday, August 16, addressing newly elected Greater Accra Regional executives of the NPP following the party’s regional executive elections, Dr Bawumia made this known.

According to Dr Bawumia, the August 15 regional elections should not be viewed as the end of the party’s internal activities but rather as part of a broader process aimed at creating a stronger and more effective political organisation capable of winning back power in the 2028 election.

He also reminded the executives that their election should be viewed as a responsibility rather than merely a political achievement.

Dr Bawumia stated, “The goal for all of us is to win the 2028 election. This is just a stepping stone towards winning 2028. As a party, we have been engaged in an exercise of reorganisation. We have had our polling station elections, our electoral area elections, we have had our constituency elections, and we have now had our regional elections.

“We will culminate that process on October 10 with the national elections and therefore, at the end of that, the party will be in a good position to have that vehicle that drives us to victory in 2028. So there is a lot of work ahead of us.”

@ghnow_ Prophet Roja has alleged during a church service that a police inspector and a CID officer took GH¢900,000 to falsely accuse an innocent man of murder, resulting in a 45-year prison sentence. The claims have not been independently verified. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin Addresses GoldBod Losses #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

Minority acting like Ghana has never lost money on Gold? – Manteaw on GoldBod losses

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Dr Emmanuel Steve Asare Manteaw, a Policy analyst and Co-Chair of the Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GHEITI), has criticised the Minority in parliament over their criticism of losses recorded under the Ghana Gold Board’s (GoldBod) domestic gold purchase programme.

According to Manteaw, the Minority is acting as if Ghana has never incurred losses from gold purchase programmes in previous years.

He argued that Ghana has incurred losses from gold purchase programmes in previous years, but those losses did not attract the same level of concern.

Speaking on Joy News on Tuesday, August 18, Dr Manteaw stated, “There is a certain level of insincerity in discussing this very issue, and we make it look like this is the first time Ghana is making losses in its gold purchase programme. I’ve looked at the data. 2022, we made a loss. In 2023, 2024, and 2025, we incurred losses each year. Why didn’t that become a problem?”

“Let’s say, for instance, in 2024, we made a total loss of GH¢5.7 billion, GH¢1.8 billion from gold for oil and then GH¢3.8 billion from our domestic gold for reserves, a total of GH¢5.7 billion. How much export revenue did we bring in? A mere GH¢4 billion, and so if you had to incur a loss of $1.7 billion to bring in $10 billion, that for me shouldn’t be a problem. It means that what we call losses are transaction costs.”

The development follows Minority Leader and Effutu MP, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who has said the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has made a GH¢22 billion loss to the state.

According to Afenyo-Markin, the GoldBod must account for the GH¢22 billion financial loss to the state.

He argued that the Minority would not be deterred by attacks or criticisms from GoldBod officials as they push for public accountability.

Speaking at a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday, August 18, Afenyo-Markin stated, “So they must account for the GH¢22 billion loss. It must account for it because it amounts to causing financial loss to the state”.

“GoldBod is responsible for causing financial loss to the state and the Minority will say this and say it firmly and boldly,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter the adjectives that they use to describe or to attack our personalities, and we know a day of reckoning will come,” he said.

The minority further argued that GoldBod cannot hide behind an agency role to escape accountability.

Afenyo-Markin rejected GoldBod’s claims that its role as an agent of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) shields it from responsibility for losses arising from the country’s gold trading operations.

He added, “Gold Board cannot hide behind accounting technicalities”.

“Gold Board is entitled to make the accounting point that it was purchasing gold on behalf of the Bank of Ghana. But agency does not extinguish operational responsibility,” he said.

“An agent entrusted with billions of cedis or public resources remains responsible for the quality of its execution,” he said.

Afenyo-Markin added, “If an institution earns transaction-based income for purchasing, assaying, and aggregating gold, while the financier bears the underlying trading losses, then increasing transaction volumes may increase the agent’s revenue, even where the overall programme destroys value for the principal”.

“Any responsible government confronted with these 22 billion losses should immediately investigate whether the incentive structure encouraged excessive volumes, inadequate pricing discipline, or insufficient attention to trading costs,” he said.

“We therefore reject any attempt to answer the public concerns merely by pointing to GoldBod’s reported surplus,” he said.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ “You have made GH¢22 billion loss just from selling gold.” — Minority Leader quizzes GoldBod #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin Addresses GoldBod Losses #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

GoldBod did not record GH¢22bn loss; audited accounts show GH¢5.4bn surplus – Minority told 

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The Institute of Fiscal Policy Governance has debunked claims by the Minority in parliament that the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) recorded a loss of approximately US$1.7 billion, or GH¢22 billion, in 2025.

According to the Institute of Fiscal Policy Governance, audited financial statements show a surplus of GH¢5.44 billion.

“These are not political estimates. They are figures contained in the audited financial statements of the institution,” the Institute stated.

They further accused the Minority of conflating GoldBod’s financial position with the financial consequences of the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

They highlighted that GoldBod and the Bank of Ghana are separate public institutions with distinct statutory functions, accounting records, balance sheets and reporting obligations.

The Institute of Fiscal Policy Governance argued that any loss recorded by the central bank in connection with monetary policy interventions cannot automatically be attributed to GoldBod without evidence showing the accounting and legal basis for such attribution.

According to the Institute, GoldBod’s role as an aggregator does not automatically make every cost or valuation movement recorded on the Bank of Ghana’s books a trading loss of GoldBod.

“The facts presently available are straightforward: GoldBod’s audited accounts do not report a GH¢22 billion loss. They report a surplus of approximately GH¢5.44 billion,” the Institute said.

The development follows Minority Leader and Effutu MP, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who has said the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has made a GH¢22 billion loss to the state.

According to Afenyo-Markin, the GoldBod must account for the GH¢22 billion financial loss to the state.

He argued that the Minority would not be deterred by attacks or criticisms from GoldBod officials as they push for public accountability.

Speaking at a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday, August 18, Afenyo-Markin stated, “So they must account for the GH¢22 billion loss. It must account for it because it amounts to causing financial loss to the state”.

“GoldBod is responsible for causing financial loss to the state and the Minority will say this and say it firmly and boldly,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter the adjectives that they use to describe or to attack our personalities, and we know a day of reckoning will come,” he said.

The minority further argued that GoldBod cannot hide behind an agency role to escape accountability.

Afenyo-Markin rejected GoldBod’s claims that its role as an agent of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) shields it from responsibility for losses arising from the country’s gold trading operations.

He added, “Gold Board cannot hide behind accounting technicalities”.

“Gold Board is entitled to make the accounting point that it was purchasing gold on behalf of the Bank of Ghana. But agency does not extinguish operational responsibility,” he said.

“An agent entrusted with billions of cedis or public resources remains responsible for the quality of its execution,” he said.

Afenyo-Markin added, “If an institution earns transaction-based income for purchasing, assaying, and aggregating gold, while the financier bears the underlying trading losses, then increasing transaction volumes may increase the agent’s revenue, even where the overall programme destroys value for the principal”.

“Any responsible government confronted with these 22 billion losses should immediately investigate whether the incentive structure encouraged excessive volumes, inadequate pricing discipline, or insufficient attention to trading costs,” he said.

“We therefore reject any attempt to answer the public concerns merely by pointing to GoldBod’s reported surplus,” he said.

@ghnow_ Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin Addresses GoldBod Losses #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ “You have made GH¢22 billion loss just from selling gold.” — Minority Leader quizzes GoldBod #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

GH¢10.8bn DDEP Coupon paid in full and on schedule – Finance Ministry announce

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The government of Ghana, through the Finance Ministry, has paid GH¢10.82 billion to bondholders under the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).

According to the Finance Ministry, the payment, totalling GH¢10,816,840,318.26, was made in full and on schedule.

They further disclosed that the total amount paid to DDEP bondholders since 2025 is GH¢41.36 billion.

The Finance Ministry disclosed that the timely payment reflects the government’s fiscal discipline and commitment to meeting its debt obligations.

According to them, the payment will strengthen investor confidence, reduce Ghana’s sovereign default risk and reinforce the country’s financial credibility.

The latest payment follows an assurance by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson during the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament that government would honour the coupon payment due on August 18.

A press release shared by the Finance Ministry on Wednesday, 19th August 2026 read, “The Government of Ghana has paid GHc10,816,840,318.26 to bondholders under the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme.

This brings the total amount paid to bondholders since 2025 to GHe41.36 billion.

This is the third DDEP coupon payment made fully in cash. It was paid in full and on schedule.

The timely payment demonstrates Government’s fiscal discipline and firm commitment to meeting all its debt obligations. It will strengthen investor confidence, reduce sovereign default risk and reinforce Ghana’s financial credibility.

Government assures bondholders, investors and the public that all future DDEP obligations will also be paid in full and on schedule”.

Also, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Ghana’s finance minister, has announced that the Government of Ghana has since January 2025 paid $2.1 billion to Eurobond holders.

 The Finance Ministry made this known while revealing that Ghana has settled a US$700 million Eurobond obligation ahead of its scheduled maturity.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the payment was made on Thursday, July 2, 2026, and comprised US$525.2 million in principal repayments and US$174.8 million in interest.

In a statement issued on July 6, 2026, the Finance Ministry detailed that with this latest transaction, Ghana has now paid a total of US$2.1 billion to Eurobond holders since January 2025, which is in line with the country’s Eurobond Debt Exchange Programme.

The Finance Ministry disclosed that the payment was executed through planned government financing arrangements, which did not place pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Parts of the Finance Ministry press release read, “The payment was made through the Government’s planned financing arrangements without undue pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves. The settlement reduces Ghana’s outstanding Eurobond debt, strengthens investor confidence, and demonstrates the Government’s commitment to prudent debt management and macroeconomic stability.

The Ministry of Finance will continue to implement sound public financial management practices to ensure the timely servicing of Ghana’s debt obligations. The Ministry expresses its gratitude to the people of Ghana for their continued patience, support, and confidence,” the statement added.

See the press release below:

@ghnow_ Prophet Roja has alleged during a church service that a police inspector and a CID officer took GH¢900,000 to falsely accuse an innocent man of murder, resulting in a 45-year prison sentence. The claims have not been independently verified. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ You take GH¢2000 and rent this rubbish to somebody’s child. Would you let your child sleep in a place like this?” #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

Coalition of Unemployed Graduates with Disabilities to protest at Jubilee House today

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The Coalition of Unemployed Graduates with Disabilities have served notice that they are protesting at the Jubilee House today, August 19, 2026.

 According to the Coalition of Unemployed Graduates with Disabilities, the protest is due to the government’s failure to fulfil the legal requirement to recruit persons with disabilities into public institutions.

They stressed that they are protesting inadequate representation of persons with disabilities in recent public-sector recruitment exercises.

They revealed that the Coalition submitted a verified list of 200 qualified graduates with disabilities for consideration during the recent recruitment exercise conducted by the Ghana Education Service (GES), but none were employed.

The group is calling on the Ministry of Finance to provide financial clearance to facilitate the recruitment and deployment of its members to various government institutions.

According to the group, the development raises serious concerns about the implementation of the legal provisions intended to promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities.

Speaking to Citi News, convenor of the coalition, Gilbert Boateng Agyare stated, “We want the Finance Ministry to issue 400 to 500 financial clearances to help deploy our people to the various government institutions. Recently, GES did a recruitment of about 7,000 people, and we submitted about 200 names to GES and nothing happened, and so we think that is repugnant.

“So why can’t we go to the Jubilee House to let the president know the realities faced by persons with disabilities?. We think that if these financial clarifications are given, definitely our people are going to be catered for.”

Meanwhile, the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare-Addo, has said the John Mahama government is set to launch a domestic care economy programme next year which will create about 100,000 jobs for Ghanaian youths.

According to George Opare-Addo, the move forms part of government’s broader efforts to tackle youth unemployment and create decent and sustainable employment opportunities.

He disclosed that the government remains committed to reducing unemployment by the end of President John Dramani Mahama’s four-year term.

George Opare Addo admitted that youth unemployment has recorded a slight increase but attributed the challenge partly to Ghana’s growing youth population.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) event in Accra on Thursday, August 13,  Opare-Addo stated, “Next year, under the YEA, we’ll be launching the domestic care economy, and that alone is supposed to employ close to 100,000 young people. Clearly, clearly, we will reduce the unemployment rate”.

George Opare Addo expressed confidence that the planned intervention, and other programmes being implemented by the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), will contribute significantly to reducing unemployment among Ghanaian youths.

@ghnow_ “How Much Bail Will GoldBod Pay for the Losses?” — Minority Leader Quizzes GoldBod #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ A man made some serious allegations against some politicians infront of the Parliament House #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

Asante Berko and associates POCKETED $42m from AKSA deal – Solomon Owusu

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Communications Director of the Unity Party, Solomon Owusu, has said the convicted former Managing Director of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), Asante Berko and his associate made over $42 million from the AKSA power deal.

According to Solomon Owusu, the over $1 million bribe given to public officials was not the main reason for Asante Berko’s conviction.

He argued that the main argument should be how people looted taxpayers in the government’s quest to find a solution to Ghana’s dumsor challenges at that time.

Solomon Owusu disclosed that Ghana was overcharged in the AKSA deal, with Asante Berko and his associates allegedly making millions of dollars from the deal.

Speaking on a recent discussion on Angel FM/TV, Solomon Owusu stated, “The $1 million bribe is not even the issue. If you look at the court document beyond this (the bribe), Berko and a Turkish guy demanded that they would be given a share in all businesses if they were able to secure the contract (the AKSA deal).

“So, the agreement was that the money they were going to earn depended on the price per kilowatt they were selling the power to the government of Ghana. Initially, they were supposed to get $25 million a year, but the Turkish company said it would go against them. So, they went to meet in London and agreed that the deal should not be dependent on the price per kilowatt,” he said.

He added, “So, Berko and his associates charged $42 million. This is where the issue is and not the $1 million bribe – $1 million is chicken change; the court document captures $42 million. As Ghanaians are suffering, Berko and his associates were enjoying.”

He further called on the Mahama government to fight as companies involved in the deal, the US financial market, and Asante Berko benefited from the deal at the expense of Ghana.

Meanwhile, Asante Kwaku Berko, the former Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Managing Director, is facing up to 30 years in US prison after conviction in power plant bribery.

The former TOR MD was convicted by a federal jury in the United States over a bribery and money laundering scheme linked to a power plant project in Ghana.

Asante Kwaku Berko, a dual US-Ghanaian citizen, was convicted in Brooklyn on August 6, 2026, on all counts in the indictment, following a nine-day trial before US District Judge Diane Gujarati in the Eastern District of New York

According to information gathered, Asante Berko and others conspired to pay more than US$1 million in bribes to Ghanaian government officials to help secure a multimillion-dollar power plant deal for Turkish energy company Aksa Enerji Uretim A.S.

The shady deal centres on a power plant deal that was under development and financing between December 2014 and July 2015.

Asante Berko, who was then an executive director in the investment banking division of Goldman Sachs at the time, was involved in managing the transaction between the bank’s client, Aksa Enerji, and the Republic of Ghana.

In July 2024, Asante Berko was extradited to the United States after living in the United Kingdom and being arrested in November 2022 following an Interpol Red Notice.

The US prosecution also accused him of using the American financial system to facilitate the movement of illicit payments connected to the deal.

Asante Berko was convicted of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), violating the FCPA and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

He has since been remanded in custody pending sentencing, which is scheduled for November 10.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ Insulting us on social media won’t change what the IMF has said.” — Afenyo-Markin #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin Addresses GoldBod Losses #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

“Carry your own cross and leave Bawumia alone!” – Franklin Cudjoe tells Rev Kusi Boateng 

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Franklin Cudjoe, the President of IMANI Africa, has told Rev Victor Kusi Boateng, the founder and leader of Power Chapel Worldwide, to carry his own cross over his recent claims.

In a post shared on X in reaction to some claims Rev Victor Kusi Boateng made, Franklin Cudjoe stated, “This is not true.  Please carry your own cross and leave Bawumia alone!”.

Franklin Cudjoe was reacting to comments and claims made by  Rev Victor Kusi Boateng, who declared his readiness to go to jail, claiming his association with former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia could send him to jail.

The man of God argued that nothing can stop his friendship with Dr Bawumia and his wife, former Second Lady Samira Bawumia.

Rev Kusi Boateng claimed the NDC want to imprison me over my friendship with Bawumia.

According to Kusi Boateng, Prison is not for animals, adding that it would not be the first time he has been incarcerated and he returned alive.

Speaking to his congregation in a viral video clip, the founder of Power Chapel Worldwide during a visit by Samira Bawumia, wife of former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Rev Kusi Boateng stated, “I want to say on my own pulpit that I don’t care whoever thinks about it; Dr Bawumia is my friend and will continue to be my friend. I will not hide it. I’m not a hypocrite. And if for this reason anybody wants to imprison me, go ahead.

“Prison is not for animals. It’s for human beings. I’ve been there; I didn’t die, I came back. And so it is not a crime to be a friend. And I want to say that Dr Bawumia and Hajia Samira Bawumia are my friends, my sisters, my brothers, and my bosom friends, with no apology. Papa, am I right? With no apology, they are my friend,” he reiterated.

It will be recalled that Rev Kusi Boateng was the Executive Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana project, which has been under investigation over corruption allegations surrounding the project.

His comments come on the heels of Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State for Government Communications, announcing that the forensic audit report into the National Cathedral is ready.

According to Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Attorney General received the forensic audit report into the National Cathedral last Friday and is currently studying its findings to determine the appropriate next steps.

Felix Kwakye Ofosu stressed that no individual would be shielded if the forensic audit establishes wrongdoing.

He further revealed that he had not personally seen the report and would not comment on its specific findings.

Speaking on Adom TV’s Badwam, Kwakye Ofosu stated, “Deloitte and Touche audited the financial reports of the National Cathedral, which revealed financial irregularities, but it didn’t tell all the issues”.

“So we had to go further and do the forensic audit to know the people who were responsible for those irregularities and whether it was lawful or not,” he said.

“The Attorney General received the forensic audit report last Friday and is going through it to determine the next line of action,” he stated.

“I haven’t seen the report myself, and even if I have, I won’t speak to the issues because it is not time,” he said.

“But the initial report revealed that something went wrong, so the forensic will prove those responsible,” he said.

“So if anyone is indicted, I won’t be the one to say who should face the law or not. Based on the report, the Attorney General will take the necessary steps,” he stated.

See the post below:

@ghnow_ The arrival of Ga Mantse at the National Mining Dialogue #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin Addresses GoldBod Losses #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

Nana Akomea to contest for NPP’s 1st Vice Chairman position

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Nana Akomea, a former Managing Director for the State Transport Company (STC), according to reports, is set to contest for the First Vice position in the New Patriotic Party.

The news was shared by Krobea Kwabena Asante in a social media post.

“THE VICE CHAIR RACE IS ABOUT TO GET MORE INTERESTING!

Nana Akomea is set to officially announce his bid for NPP National Vice Chairman within the week,” he said.

In related news, Kofi Ofusu Nkansah, the former Chief Executive Officer for NEIP, has backed Nana Akomea’s decision to join the race for Vice Chairman in the New Patriotic Party.

According to him, the decision will improve the quality of vice chairmen the party will have for the next four years.

His social media post read, “Nana Akomeah enters NPP Vice Chairmanship race. His entry automatically improves the quality of the 3 Vice Chairs we will have because he will surely get a slot.

Good luck Director”.

Meanwhile, the NPP has opened nominations on August 17, 2026, to allow for persons interested in contesting for national positions to pick forms.

The party is expected to elect their national executives on October 3, 2026, for preparation ahead of the 2028 elections.

In other news, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has said the party’s primary objective is to regain political power in the 2028 elections.

On Sunday, August 16, addressing newly elected Greater Accra Regional executives of the NPP following the party’s regional executive elections, Dr Bawumia made this known.

According to Dr Bawumia, the August 15 regional elections should not be viewed as the end of the party’s internal activities but rather as part of a broader process aimed at creating a stronger and more effective political organisation capable of winning back power in the 2028 election.

He also reminded the executives that their election should be viewed as a responsibility rather than merely a political achievement.

Dr Bawumia stated, “The goal for all of us is to win the 2028 election. This is just a stepping stone towards winning 2028. As a party, we have been engaged in an exercise of reorganisation. We have had our polling station elections, our electoral area elections, we have had our constituency elections, and we have now had our regional elections.

“We will culminate that process on October 10 with the national elections and therefore, at the end of that, the party will be in a good position to have that vehicle that drives us to victory in 2028. So there is a lot of work ahead of us.”

Also, Dr Bernard Okoe Boye, the Greater Accra regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has vowed not to rest until Dr Mahamudu Bawumia becomes president of Ghana.

The newly elected NPP Accra regional chairman, in a post on social media, thanked delegates and party folks who voted for him.

He further called on all party folks to come on board to help deliver power to the NPP in 2028.

Dr Bernard Okoe Boye, in a post, stated, “I thank all constituency executives for their support and participation in yesterday’s election.

The 488–173 result represents a clear and emphatic endorsement; I am deeply grateful.

Thank you for the trust, encouragement and commitment throughout this journey. We shall not rest until we make Dr Mahamudu Bawumia President of the Republic of Ghana.

Thank you, Greater Accra. The Restoration Begins!”

@ghnow_

♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Insulting us on social media won’t change what the IMF has said.” — Afenyo-Markin #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

How can you sell gold and make GH¢22 billion loss – Minority slams GoldBod 

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Minority Leader and Effutu MP, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has slammed the financial management of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).

Afenyo-Markin argued that an institution trading in gold should not be recording losses.

According to Afenyo-Markin, the reported GoldBod losses could not simply be attributed to market conditions, arguing that gold trade presented opportunities for profitability.

Speaking at a Minority press conference in Parliament on August 18, Afenyo-Markin stated, “These losses are not bad luck. You don’t trade in gold and make losses. They are not a difficult market”.

“They expose the crass incompetence of GoldBod’s management and misaligned policies of the government,” he said.

“No serious institution loses this money by accident. This is what happens when an untouchable few are handed the nation’s gold with no one watching,” he said.

Also, Alexander Afenyo-Markin has said the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has made a GH¢22 billion loss to the state.

According to Afenyo-Markin, the GoldBod must account for the GH¢22 billion financial loss to the state.

He argued that the Minority would not be deterred by attacks or criticisms from GoldBod officials as they push for public accountability.

Speaking at a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday, August 18, Afenyo-Markin stated, “So they must account for the GH¢22 billion loss. It must account for it because it amounts to causing financial loss to the state”.

“GoldBod is responsible for causing financial loss to the state and the Minority will say this and say it firmly and boldly,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter the adjectives that they use to describe or to attack our personalities, and we know a day of reckoning will come,” he said.

The minority further argued that GoldBod cannot hide behind an agency role to escape accountability.

Afenyo-Markin rejected GoldBod’s claims that its role as an agent of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) shields it from responsibility for losses arising from the country’s gold trading operations.

He added, “Gold Board cannot hide behind accounting technicalities”.

“Gold Board is entitled to make the accounting point that it was purchasing gold on behalf of the Bank of Ghana. But agency does not extinguish operational responsibility,” he said.

“An agent entrusted with billions of cedis or public resources remains responsible for the quality of its execution,” he said.

Afenyo-Markin added, “If an institution earns transaction-based income for purchasing, assaying, and aggregating gold, while the financier bears the underlying trading losses, then increasing transaction volumes may increase the agent’s revenue, even where the overall programme destroys value for the principal”.

“Any responsible government confronted with these 22 billion losses should immediately investigate whether the incentive structure encouraged excessive volumes, inadequate pricing discipline, or insufficient attention to trading costs,” he said.

“We therefore reject any attempt to answer the public concerns merely by pointing to GoldBod’s reported surplus,” he said.

@ghnow_ “You have made GH¢22 billion loss just from selling gold.” — Minority Leader quizzes GoldBod #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ “How Much Bail Will GoldBod Pay for the Losses?” — Minority Leader Quizzes GoldBod #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

62 Ghanaians have died; 15 missing in Russia-Ukraine war – Ablakwa announce

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Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced that sixty-two (62) Ghanaian citizens have been killed while another 15 remain missing after travelling to Russia in the Russia-Ukraine war.

In a post shared on X, following a press conference in Moscow after bilateral talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Ablakwa stated, “During our press conference in Moscow with Foreign Minister Lavrov after our bilateral engagement, I disclosed that an important matter to Ghana was how to stop the illegal recruitment of Ghanaian youth who are lured and end up fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Unfortunately, the number of Ghanaian deaths in Russia has gone up. 62 Ghanaians have now died and 15 who travelled to Russia remain missing.

I welcome the pledge of the Russian Government to work with the Government of Ghana to stop the illegal enlistment of our youth.

The Government of Ghana will continue to lead advocacy on this matter and ensure that our youth are protected from harm’s way. This is not our war, and it should not be claiming Ghanaian lives”.

It will be recalled that some weeks ago, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa revealed that the government has launched investigations into alleged criminal recruitment networks luring Ghanaians into the Russia-Ukraine conflict through fraudulent overseas employment schemes.

According to Ablakwa, 272 Ghanaian nationals were reported to have been drafted into the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with 55 reported dead.

 Ablakwa disclosed that his recent visit to Kyiv revealed to him that the recruitment of Ghanaians formed part of a broader pattern involving nationals of several African countries.

He disclosed, “It is estimated that about 1,780 African nationals from 36 countries have joined Russian forces.

The Mahama Administration is committed to tracking and dismantling all dark web illegal recruitment schemes operating within our jurisdiction. This is not our war, and we cannot allow our youth to become human shields for others”, Mr Ablakwa stated.

“Criminal networks continue to exploit vulnerable Ghanaians through false promises of employment, education and business opportunities abroad, exposing many to trafficking, forced labour, cyber-enabled criminal activities and other forms of exploitation”, he said.

Meanwhile, a Ghanaian man has shared a harrowing experience of how he was tricked into joining the Russian military to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.

According to a report, the Ghanaian man revealed that he was promised a job when he was recruited by an agent in Dubai.

He explained, “In his search for better opportunities, he accepted the offer, completed the required steps, and eventually travelled to Moscow, the capital of Russia.”

The Ghanaian man detailed that, upon arriving at a military camp, he discovered that he was actually expected to join the military and participate in the ongoing war.

He further revealed that “he was not alone” in this ordeal, as he was among hundreds of Africans who had been similarly deceived.

See the post below:

@ghnow_ Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin Addresses GoldBod Losses #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_

♬ original sound – GHnow

Ghana targets 70% 5G population coverage by end of 2028

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Deputy Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Mohammed Adams Sukparu, has said the Government has set an ambitious target to achieve 70% population coverage of 5G by the end of 2028.

He disclosed that the government is also reviewing spectrum policies to promote investment, deployment and wider public value from the country’s limited spectrum resources.

According to him, the move forms part of government plans to accelerate Ghana’s digital transformation and expand access to high-speed connectivity.

Speaking at the opening of the 2026 National ICT Week, Mohammed Adams Sukparu stated, “We have announced an ambitious target of achieving 70 percent population coverage of 5G by the end of 2028, while reviewing spectrum policies to ensure that this scarce national resource supports investment, deployment, and wider public value”.

He further cited the One Million Coders Programme as a key investment in digital skills.

“The programme seeks to equip one million Ghanaians with practical digital and coding skills relevant to employment, entrepreneurship, and participation in the digital economy,” he said.

“Our digital transformation agenda must be underpinned by trust, security, and responsible innovation,” he stated.

“The ministry is also advancing reforms to ensure that Ghana’s communication and digital regulatory framework remains responsive to technological development. This includes the review and development of legislation, carbon communications, digital services, data governance, and emerging technologies. Our regulatory approach seeks to provide the certainty required for innovation and investment while safeguarding the public interest and strengthening confidence in Ghana’s digital environment,” the deputy minister emphasised.

Earlier, Sam George, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, had announced a vision to achieve 70% 5G population density coverage.

According to Sam George, the government has directed the National Communications Authority (NCA) to accelerate the rollout of fifth-generation (5G) mobile networks to achieve a 70 per cent population coverage before Ghana’s 70th independence anniversary in 2027.

Sam George explained that the cabinet has taken a bold policy decision to democratise the deployment of 5G technology in the country.

He explained that in the coming days, the Communication Ministry will issue clear directions to the NCA to commence preparations for a spectrum auction.

Speaking at the launch of the 30th anniversary of the Communications Authority of Ghana in Accra on Wednesday, February 25, Sam George stated, “Our vision is to achieve 70% of 5G population density coverage by the 70th independence celebration of our nation, next year. So, the work is cut out for the regulator”.

“You have barely a year to roll out 5G using both the wholesale model and the network-led operations and achieve 70% population density coverage.”

“It is a steep aspiration, but I am more than confident in the resilience and abilities of the people who run the NCA,” Minister George said.

In related news, Sam George jabbed the former Akufo-Addo government over the hyped of 5G services launched by Next-Gen.

According to Sam George, the Akufo-Addo government’s claim of 5G was just a smoke screen and gaslighting.

He boldly asserted that Ghana has no 5G service in the country.

@ghnow_ Happening Now: National Mining Dialogue at Kempiski Hotel  #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – JUDITH 💞
@ghnow_ The arrival of Ga Mantse at the National Mining Dialogue #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

Sammy Gyamfi will face ‘scary’ bail conditions in the future – Afenyo-Markin threatens 

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Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader in Parliament, has threatened the CEO of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod)Sammy Gyamfi and its leadership with possible ‘scary’ bail conditions in the future.

According to Afenyo-Markin, the GoldBod leadership in the future could face “scary” bail conditions if the standards being applied to some former government officials are maintained.

Afenyo-Markin, who was speaking at a press conference today, August 18, drew a comparison between what he described as stringent bail conditions imposed on some former government officials facing investigations and similar treatment of the current administration should the NPP Return to power.

The minority leader argued that the NDC government is setting a precedent through the conditions attached to bail for some accused persons, which could eventually have consequences for officials currently in government.

He warned that those currently holding public positions should consider how the standards being applied today.

Also, Alexander Afenyo-Markin has said the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has made a GH¢22 billion loss to the state.

According to Afenyo-Markin, the GoldBod must account for the GH¢22 billion financial loss to the state.

He argued that the Minority would not be deterred by attacks or criticisms from GoldBod officials as they push for public accountability.

Speaking at a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday, August 18, Afenyo-Markin stated, “So they must account for the GH¢22 billion loss. It must account for it because it amounts to causing financial loss to the state”.

“GoldBod is responsible for causing financial loss to the state and the Minority will say this and say it firmly and boldly,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter the adjectives that they use to describe or to attack our personalities, and we know a day of reckoning will come,” he said.

The minority further argued that GoldBod cannot hide behind an agency role to escape accountability.

Afenyo-Markin rejected GoldBod’s claims that its role as an agent of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) shields it from responsibility for losses arising from the country’s gold trading operations.

He added, “Gold Board cannot hide behind accounting technicalities”.

“Gold Board is entitled to make the accounting point that it was purchasing gold on behalf of the Bank of Ghana. But agency does not extinguish operational responsibility,” he said.

“An agent entrusted with billions of cedis or public resources remains responsible for the quality of its execution,” he said.

Afenyo-Markin added, “If an institution earns transaction-based income for purchasing, assaying, and aggregating gold, while the financier bears the underlying trading losses, then increasing transaction volumes may increase the agent’s revenue, even where the overall programme destroys value for the principal”.

“Any responsible government confronted with these 22 billion losses should immediately investigate whether the incentive structure encouraged excessive volumes, inadequate pricing discipline, or insufficient attention to trading costs,” he said.

“We therefore reject any attempt to answer the public concerns merely by pointing to GoldBod’s reported surplus,” he said.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin Addresses GoldBod Losses #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Happening Now: National Mining Dialogue at Kempiski Hotel  #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – JUDITH 💞

“Free SHS has not been cancelled” – GES says; warns Parents against GH¢1,500 ‘chop box’ payment

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The Ghana Education Service (GES) has debunked reports circulating on social media claiming that the Director-General has cancelled the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy.

The alleged claims also claim the Director-General has directed parents to pay GH¢1,500 for chop boxes and trunks.

According to the GES, the Free SHS policy remains in effect, adding that the Director-General has not issued any directive asking parents or guardians to pay for chop boxes, trunks or any other items.

The GES further stressed that the Director-General does not have the authority to cancel the Free SHS policy, calling on parents, guardians and students not to make any payments to individuals.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, the GES stated, “The attention of the Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has been drawn to a publication circulating on social media alleging that the Director-General has cancelled the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy and directed parents to pay a compulsory GH61,500 for chop boxes and trunks.

Management wishes to state categorically that the publication is FALSE and should be disregarded.

Management has not cancelled the Free SHS policy, nor has the Director-General issued any directive requiring parents or guardians to pay any money for chop boxes, trunks or any other item.

The Director-General of GES does not have the power to cancel a policy

 Parents, guardians, students and the general public are therefore urged not to make any payments to anyone

The GES advises the public to rely only on official communications issued through the Service’s authorised channels and to treat unverified publications on social media with caution.

The Service further urges members of the public and media organisations to desist from creating, publishing or circulating false information capable of causing unnecessary anxiety and confusion among parents, students and the general public”.

See the statement below:

@ghnow_ “You have made GH¢22 billion loss just from selling gold.” — Minority Leader quizzes GoldBod #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has addressed the press in Parliament on concerns over reported losses linked to the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), questioning the institution’s financial management and calling for greater scrutiny #fyp #GHnow ♬ original sound – GHnow

Death threats against me have increased after Wontumi’s conviction – Deputy AG  

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Dr Justice Srem-Sai, the Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, has said he has received more death threats following the conviction of businessman and former NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Chairman Wontumi.

 According to Dr Justice Srem-Sai, the two key witnesses were placed under protection following the death threats they received.

The Deputy AG disclosed that he and members of his legal team have also received threats, with the threats increasing following Wontumi’s conviction.

He revealed that the threats have intensified following Wontumi’s conviction, disclosing that two star witnesses and police investigators have all been subjected to threats.

Speaking on Joy News PM Express, Dr Justice Srem-Sai stated, “I have received threats, and it has actually gone up [since Wontumi’s conviction]. The two witnesses are being threatened every day, and even the police investigators who testified and all were threatened”.

“People threaten you with all manner of things, and we receive such threats every day. The mere fact that you are doing your work can cause someone to just hate you, and some threaten violence, death, and all manner of things,” he said.

“Some even try to carry them out, you know, but it is not everything that we talk about. Every day, someone somewhere is unhappy,” he disclosed.

Our witnesses are every day threatened with death. The two-star witnesses and even the police investigators… they threaten everybody. But I think it comes with the job.”

“But I don’t think it’s important for us to because if you follow that, then it means people will use such threats to secure freedom to continue to do that which the law prevents.”

“My attorneys receive such threats every day, and not only in this case, but also in other cases, murder cases, armed robbery cases. Judges receive their share of the threats. It comes with the territory.”

He further added, “The point I’m making is that there is a limit to how much physical protection you can get, and even that is never enough because human beings can do so many things.”

“So I would, for my own peace of mind and everything, I discount the physical one, even though yes, it’s good, and just so I can sleep, I commit myself to the hands of the lord.”

Meanwhile,  Chairman Wontumi has filed an application at the High Court seeking to be released on bail pending the determination of his appeal against his conviction and prison sentence.

Wontumi’s legal team is asking the court to grant his release while the appeal challenging the judgment is heard.

The court is scheduled to hear the application on August 19, 2026. Wontumi is currently being held at Nsawam Medium Security Prison serving a 20-year jail term.

Lead counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, indicated that the application is in accordance with Section 96(1) of Act 30 and Section 33(1) of Act 459.

“Take Notice that this Honourable Court will be moved by Counsel for and on behalf of the 1st Appellant/Applicant (“Applicant”) herein praying the Court for an order that the Applicant, who is currently incarcerated at the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons, be admitted to bail pending appeal upon the grounds stated in the accompanying affidavit and for any further order(s) as this Honourable Court may deem meet,” parts of the application read.

“Court to be moved on Wednesday, 19TH day of August 2026 at 9 o’clock in the forenoon or so soon thereafter as Counsel for the 1st and 3rd Appellants may be heard.”

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ “You have made GH¢22 billion loss just from selling gold.” — Minority Leader quizzes GoldBod #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

Firefighters recover GH¢50,000, over US$5000 at Accra-Kumasi highway crash scene

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Firefighters of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) have announced that they have recovered GH¢50,000, US$5,231.81 and other valuables after a road crash at Suhum Niifio on the Accra-Kumasi Highway.

In addition to the cash, firefighters recovered mobile phones, power banks, National ID cards and other personal belongings from the vehicles.

According to reports, the accident occurred on Sunday, August 16, 2026, and involved a Ford F-150 and a Kia Rio.

One male occupant of the Kia was trapped inside the vehicle.

The GNFS detailed that a six-member crew from the Suhum Municipal Fire Station, led by STNO II Darkwah Prince, arrived at the scene at about 8:03 p.m. and used extrication equipment to rescue the trapped casualty.

They further disclosed that a victim has been subsequently transported to the Suhum Government Hospital for medical attention.

According to the GNFS Preliminary information, the Ford F-150 was overtaking when it collided with the rear of the Kia Rio, causing extensive damage to the Ford F-150 and partial damage to the Kia Rio, with no deaths recorded.

The GNFS attributed the crash to wrongful overtaking and called on motorists to exercise caution and strictly observe road safety regulations.

In other news, one person has died, and 14 others have sustained injuries in a road accident on the Accra–Kumasi Highway.

Reports suggest the tragic incident occurred on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, and involved a MAN Diesel truck and a Toyota Hiace.

According to reports, the crash occurred on the Accra–Kumasi Highway near Paradise Restaurant at Bunso.

Preliminary reports indicate that the truck veered into the opposite lane while attempting to give way to a Toyota Vitz, leading to the collision.

Firefighters at the Bunso Fire Station disclosed that they received a distress call at about 7:30 p.m. and immediately deployed a six-member team, with the team reaching the location around 7:46 p.m.

According to an eyewitness, the MAN truck, with registration number AS 4765-11, was attempting to make way for a Toyota Vitz, which was allegedly overtaking improperly.

The eyewitness disclosed that the manoeuvre reportedly caused the truck to veer across the road, where it collided with the side of the Toyota Hiace ER 655-25.

The crash left the front portion of the truck partially damaged, with the Hiace sustaining damage along its side.

Reports disclosed that one female passenger was pronounced dead at the scene, while 14 other occupants sustained injuries.

@ghnow_ “You have made GH¢22 billion loss just from selling gold.” — Minority Leader quizzes GoldBod #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ “How Much Bail Will GoldBod Pay for the Losses?” — Minority Leader Quizzes GoldBod #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

GoldBod has caused GH¢22 billion financial loss to the state – Minority

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Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader and Effutu MP, has said the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has made a GH¢22 billion loss to the state.

According to Afenyo-Markin, the GoldBod must account for the GH¢22 billion financial loss to the state.

He argued that the Minority would not be deterred by attacks or criticisms from GoldBod officials as they push for public accountability.

Speaking at a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday, August 18, Afenyo-Markin stated, “So they must account for the GH¢22 billion loss. It must account for it because it amounts to causing financial loss to the state”.

“GoldBod is responsible for causing financial loss to the state and the Minority will say this and say it firmly and boldly,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter the adjectives that they use to describe or to attack our personalities, and we know a day of reckoning will come,” he said.

The minority further argued that GoldBod cannot hide behind an agency role to escape accountability.

Afenyo-Markin rejected GoldBod’s claims that its role as an agent of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) shields it from responsibility for losses arising from the country’s gold trading operations.

He added, “Gold Board cannot hide behind accounting technicalities”.

“Gold Board is entitled to make the accounting point that it was purchasing gold on behalf of the Bank of Ghana. But agency does not extinguish operational responsibility,” he said.

“An agent entrusted with billions of cedis or public resources remains responsible for the quality of its execution,” he said.

Afenyo-Markin added, “If an institution earns transaction-based income for purchasing, assaying, and aggregating gold, while the financier bears the underlying trading losses, then increasing transaction volumes may increase the agent’s revenue, even where the overall programme destroys value for the principal”.

“Any responsible government confronted with these 22 billion losses should immediately investigate whether the incentive structure encouraged excessive volumes, inadequate pricing discipline, or insufficient attention to trading costs,” he said.

“We therefore reject any attempt to answer the public concerns merely by pointing to GoldBod’s reported surplus,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sammy Gyamfi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), had earlier bitten back at Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin over his recent claims.

According to Sammy Gyamfi, Afenyo-Markin is a joke of a Minority Leader.

Sammy Gyamfi fired shots at Afenyo-Markin for his blatant lie that the GoldBod has made losses, stressing that it is a figment of the Minority Leader’s hallucinatory imagination.

The GoldBod CEO also cited page 16 of the audited Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, detailing that GoldBod recorded an operational surplus of GH¢907 million and an overall surplus of GH¢5.4 billion.

In a post on X, Sammy Gyamfi wrote, “The blatant lie being persistently peddled by Afenyo Markin that the GoldBod has made losses is only a figment of his hallucinatory imagination. What a joke of a Minority Leader he is.

Find attached page 16 of the audited Annual Report and Financial Statements of the @GhanaGOLDBOD for the year ended 31st December, 2025, disclosing an operational surplus/profit of GHS907 million and overall surplus/profit of GHS5.4 billion.

For the avoidance of doubt, this audit report was prepared and published by the Auditor-General of the Republic of Ghana. Facts are sacrosanct”.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has addressed the press in Parliament on concerns over reported losses linked to the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), questioning the institution’s financial management and calling for greater scrutiny #fyp #GHnow ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ “You have made GH¢22 billion loss just from selling gold.” — Minority Leader quizzes GoldBod #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ “How Much Bail Will GoldBod Pay for the Losses?” — Minority Leader Quizzes GoldBod #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ “Where is the money?” Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin questions GoldBod over the reported losses linked to its gold trading operations, demanding answers on how the funds were used and who benefited from the transactions. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

There is no ban on AirPods, earphones while driving – Police clarify

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The Ghana Police Service has clarified that a flyer circulating on social media claiming that the use of AirPods, earphones and other audio devices while driving or riding is prohibited by law.

The Police Service urged the public to disregard a flyer circulating on social media.

In a post on X on Tuesday, August 18, the Police said the flyer was not issued or authorised by the Service.

According to the Police, they are working to identify those behind the publication.

However, they caution motorists and other road users against activities or devices that could distract them or affect their attention, hearing, vehicle control or awareness of surrounding traffic.

The Police statement issued on X read, “POLICE URGE PUBLIC TO DISREGARD FALSE FLYER ON USE OF AIRPODS AND EARPHONES WHILE DRIVING

The Ghana Police Service would like to urge the public to disregard a flyer circulating on social media, purporting to be a public safety announcement from the Service, and claiming, among other things, that the use of AirPods, earphones, or other audio devices while riding or driving is prohibited under the law.

The Service wishes to clarify that the flyer is not a communication of the Ghana Police Service. The Service has neither issued nor authorised the said publication; and our Cybercrime Unit is working on tracing those behind the false publication.

The Service, however, wishes to remind motorists and other road users that any activity or device that distracts them or compromises their attention, hearing, control of the vehicle or awareness of surrounding traffic can pose a serious risk to road safety.

Motorists and riders should therefore endeavour to avoid distractions and exercise maximum care while on the road.

The Service further urges all motorists, motorcyclists and other road users to familiarise themselves with and comply fully with the Road Traffic Regulations,

2026 (L.I. 2519) and all other applicable road traffic laws. Compliance with these regulations is essential to reducing road crashes and protecting lives. (A copy of the relevant provision is attached for ease of reference).

The Ghana Police Service entreats the public to rely on official Police communication channels for information on road traffic regulations and other public safety matters.

The Service remains committed to enforcing road traffic laws fairly and professionally while working with all stakeholders to promote safety on our roads”.

Some Ghanaians reacting to the development stated, “Inasmuch as that is a fake flyer as purported, I think it is a good call despite coming from a fake source. Most of these drivers are wasting human lives through this act”.

See the post below:

@ghnow_ “How Much Bail Will GoldBod Pay for the Losses?” — Minority Leader Quizzes GoldBod #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ “You have made GH¢22 billion loss just from selling gold.” — Minority Leader quizzes GoldBod #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

2 witnesses in Wontumi’s conviction under police protection amid death threats – Deputy AG

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Deputy Attorney General Dr Justice Srem-Sai has disclosed that two key prosecution witnesses in the case involving former Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, commonly known as Chairman Wontumi, have been placed under police protection.

According to Dr Justice Srem-Sai, the two key witnesses were placed under protection following the death threats they received.

He revealed that the threats were intensified following Wontumi’s conviction, disclosing that two star witnesses and police investigators have all been subjected to threats.

Speaking on Joy News PM Express, Dr Justice Srem-Sai stated, “Our witnesses are every day threatened with death. The two-star witnesses and even the police investigators… they threaten everybody. But I think it comes with the job.”

The Deputy AG disclosed that he and members of his legal team have also received threats, with the threat increasing following Wontumi’s conviction.

“It’s actually gone up. Our witnesses are every day threatened with death”, he added.

“But I don’t think it’s important for us to because if you follow that, then it means people will use such threats to secure freedom to continue to do that which the law prevents.”

“My attorneys receive such threats every day, and not only in this case, but also in other cases, murder cases, armed robbery cases. Judges receive their share of the threats. It comes with the territory.”

He further added, “The point I’m making is that there is a limit to how much physical protection you can get, and even that is never enough because human beings can do so many things.”

“So I would, for my own peace of mind and everything, I discount the physical one, even though yes, it’s good, and just so I can sleep, I commit myself to the hands of the lord.”

The Deputy AG disclosed that the two witnesses have been given police protection when Justice Srem-Sai was asked directly about their safety.

“Yeah, we’ve given them police protection.”

Meanwhile,  Chairman Wontumi has filed an application at the High Court seeking to be released on bail pending the determination of his appeal against his conviction and prison sentence.

Wontumi’s legal team is asking the court to grant his release while the appeal challenging the judgment is heard.

The court is scheduled to hear the application on August 19, 2026. Wontumi is currently being held at Nsawam Medium Security Prison serving a 20-year jail term.

Lead counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, indicated that the application is in accordance with Section 96(1) of Act 30 and Section 33(1) of Act 459.

“Take Notice that this Honourable Court will be moved by Counsel for and on behalf of the 1st Appellant/Applicant (“Applicant”) herein praying the Court for an order that the Applicant, who is currently incarcerated at the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons, be admitted to bail pending appeal upon the grounds stated in the accompanying affidavit and for any further order(s) as this Honourable Court may deem meet,” parts of the application read.

“Court to be moved on Wednesday, 19TH day of August 2026 at 9 o’clock in the forenoon or so soon thereafter as Counsel for the 1st and 3rd Appellants may be heard.”

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ “You have made GH¢22 billion loss just from selling gold.” — Minority Leader quizzes GoldBod #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ “How Much Bail Will GoldBod Pay for the Losses?” — Minority Leader Quizzes GoldBod #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

Justice Pwamang lobbying to become next Chief Justice – Afenyo-Markin alleges

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Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, has alleged that Justice Pwamang, who chaired the committee that investigated petitions for the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, is lobbying to become the next Chief Justice.

The Minority leader fired shots at Justice Gabriel Pwamang, accusing him of lobbying to replace Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie after he exits.

Afenyo-Markin argued that the committee’s work was flawed and incomplete, alleging that Justice Pwamang may have had personal ambitions of becoming Chief Justice.

Speaking in an interview on Atinka TV, Afenyo-Markin alleged, saying, “The report that recommended her dismissal was not even complete. There were three petitioners, yet they concluded their work after dealing with only one petition and still submitted a report.

“My Lord Pwamang, if the same thing were done to you, how would you feel? There were three petitions. You completed the hearing of only one while the other two were still pending, yet you finalised your report and recommended the dismissal of Justice Torkornoo.

As my Lord Baffoe-Bonnie is exiting, I am aware you are also lobbying to become the next Chief Justice.How would you feel if someone did that to you? In this country, we are so unfair to one another,” he added.

Alexander Afenyo-Markin, in that same interview, also accused the Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie and other Supreme Court judges of being part of the grand conspiracy in the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

According to Afenyo-Markin, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie was the “grand conspirator” behind the removal of the former Chief Justice.

Afenyo-Markin, as always, insisted that Gertrude Torkornoo’s removal was unjustified, claiming that some members of the Supreme Court were interested in occupying her position.

He further claimed, “My Lord was part of the grand conspiracy against his predecessor, Gertrude Torkornoo. It was a grand conspiracy. Why should I deny what I know? I know even the Supreme Court judges who conspired against their colleague.

“One day, the full story will be told. I said during our demonstration that I do not see why that woman should not be reinstated when the NPP comes back to power. She has to be reinstated,” he said.

Meanwhile, Alexander Afenyo-Markin has confidently told the former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo that she will be reinstated should the New Patriotic Party (NPP) return to power in 2028.

According to Afenyo-Markin, Torkornoo should not be “saddened” by her removal from office, as she will be reinstated when the NPP comes back to power with Dr Bawumia.

Speaking at the NPP’s ‘Democracy Under Attack’ demonstration in Accra on August 6, 2026, the Minority Leader boldly stated, “Let me tell the former Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, that she should not be sad. When the NPP returns to power under Bawumia, she will be reinstated as Chief Justice”.

He further boldly stated that the NPP will return to power in 2028 whether the NDC likes it or not.

“Whether the NDC likes it or not, the NPP will assume power in 2028. If you are an NPP member, work hard so that power returns to the party,” he stated.

In related news, some weeks ago, the Supreme Court of Ghana dismissed the former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo challenging her removal from office.

According to the Deputy Attorney General, the Supreme Court of Ghana has dismissed all four cases filed by former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Sackey Esaaba, upholding her removal.

The Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, in a post on X wrote, “Following the ECOWAS Court’s judgement last week, the Supreme Court, too, has dismissed each of the 4 cases challenging Her Ladyship’s removal from the office of the Chief Justice. The Supreme Court decided the cases earlier this morning.

Gratitude to our team of State Attorneys and members of staff”.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ Two young men were reportedly ordered by military officers to clear muddy water from the Manso Afedie–Kumasi road after it allegedly flowed onto the road from galamsey activities. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Young Doctor Pleads With Youth to Take HIV Prevention Seriously #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

“I have intel that the NPP is trying to sack Ken Agyapong” – Emmanuel Kotin

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Emmanuel Kotin, Executive Director, Africa Centre for Security and Counterterrorism, has alleged that the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) are planning to sack the former Assin Central MP, Ken Agyapong, from the party.

According to Emmanuel Kotin, he has received intel that the NPP is trying to sack Kennedy Agyapong from the party.

Emmanuel Kotin argued that the NPP have re-elected Abronye, who sits on TV and insults party leadership for similar sins Ken Agyapong is being accused of.

He further alleged that persons around Dr Mahamudu Bawumia are his real enemies.

Speaking on TV3 New Day, Emmanuel Kotin stated, “Let’s look at the election of Abronye. Abronye will sit on TV and insult party leadership, the same sins Ken Agyapong has been accused of.  I have intel that the NPP is trying to sack Kennedy Agyapong from the party.

Yet they go ahead and elect Abronye because he is a loyalist. What are we really building? Do you take a losing team or do you retain a winning team?”

He further added, “We need a strong opposition party. Let the unity processes be in deeds and not in words. After presidential primaries, look at the fall: where is the unity everybody is glamourising around Dr Bawumia to catch his face and favour, but they are the real enemies of Dr Bawumia.

Those around Dr Bawumia are his real enemies. You know the demonstration you reference; I have a course to say that they don’t want Bawumia to be president because there was no need to embark on that demonstration. What was really the need for that demonstration? The things they were accusing this government of didn’t happen in the last eight years, even worse.  

People wanted to go on demonstration; you went to court to place injunctions, the precinct of the Jubilee House was a security zone, but you were able to walk freely and do an incident free deomonstration yet you say this democracy is under attack”.

Meanwhile, the National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Council, at a meeting held yesterday, Thursday, June 25, have tasked the NPP Disciplinary Committee to sit on a petition to remove Ken Agyapong from the party.

According to the National Organiser of the NPP, Henry Nana Boakye, the party has received petitions from some members and Members of Parliament calling for the dismissal of Hon. Ken Agyapong from the party.

Nana Boakye revealed that the petitions have been referred to the party’s disciplinary committee for review, and the party expects to receive a report on the matter within the next two weeks.

He disclosed that the decision was taken by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Council at a meeting held yesterday, Thursday, June 25.

He added that the NPP’s highest decision-making organs had unanimously agreed to refer all petitions against Ken Agyapong to the disciplinary committee for consideration.

Should the petitions hold weight, Kennedy Agyapong will be invited to appear before it, ensuring he is given a fair hearing before the final report is compiled and submitted to leadership.

The members of the NPP Disciplinary Committee are as follows:

Kwasi Amoako-Atta – Chairman

Elizabeth Utuka – Secretary

Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah-Member

Diana Asonaba Dapaah – Member

Salam Ama Appianimaa Damata – Member

Kwame Osei-Prempeh – Member

Makafui Kofi Woanya – Member

Ing Kwesi Abeasi – Member

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ Young Doctor Pleads With Youth to Take HIV Prevention Seriously #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Two young men were reportedly ordered by military officers to clear muddy water from the Manso Afedie–Kumasi road after it allegedly flowed onto the road from galamsey activities. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

Ghanaian man in US arrested 20 times, charged with multiple sexual offences

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A 26-year-old Ghanaian man living in the US, Jeff Kufi Asare, has been arrested and charged with multiple sexual offences.

According to reports, Jeff Kuti Asare was arrested over separate incidents dating back to 1st August, 2026.

Reports suggest that over the past two weeks, the Oklahoma resident was arrested on three occasions in relation to sexual battery. 

August 1: Arrested on probable-cause allegations of felony sexual battery.

August 6: Arrested again on allegations of felony sexual battery and attempted kidnapping.

August 12: Arrested and booked on a first-degree rape charge.

One of the women is reported to have told the police that Asare allegedly pushed her against a bus stop window and put his hands down her pants.

Additionally, another woman who also filed her complaint said Asare approached her from behind while she was walking on Classen Boulevard, pulled down her pants, and fled after she pushed him away.

Asare was arrested on allegations of sexual battery and indecent exposure, but he was later released.

Five days later, he assaulted another woman near Scissortail Park.

Police detailed that Asare allegedly approached the woman from behind, grabbed her buttocks several times, and began digging in his pants. The woman asked him to leave, and he walked away.

The Police later spotted him and arrested him on another sexual battery allegation but he was again released.

Six days after the second arrest, police said Asare allegedly approached another woman from behind while she was on the Lake Hefner Trail.

He was subsequently arrested and is now being held in the Oklahoma County Jail on a first-degree rape charge.

Meanwhile, authorities said Asare’s bond has been set at $75,000, but the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office is seeking a higher amount due to the series of incidents.

Authorities report that the Ghanaian man has been arrested at least twenty(20) times for different offences since 2022.

His lengthy record of alleged offences includes breaking and entering, resisting an officer, shoplifting, trespassing, marijuana possession, sexual battery, indecent exposure, attempted kidnapping and first-degree rape.

Some Ghanaians reacting to the development stated, “How do you get arrested TWENTY times and still end up walking the streets? The justice system is failing all of his victims. The man is even smiling in one of his mugshots. Jeff Asare might be criminally insane. Behind every violent criminal is an undiagnosed mental illness”.

A netizen added, “Why he dey smile for ein mugshots? proper madman”.

One X user added, “They will keep releasing this idiot and before we realise he has murdered someone.

Just finish him off”.

“Ah. He be kwasiaaa paaa ooo. Go Abrokyire go work bring money see the nonsense he dey do for dere. Very foolish”, a netizen added.

Additionally, a netizen added, “Are they waiting for him to kill somebody b4 they jail him? Even in Ghana here, one mediocre judge would have jailed him at least 20 years by now”.

One last X user claimed, “He is an American citizen. No sane Ghanaian will travel and be engaging in repeated criminal activities . Take away his US citizenship and see how responsible he will become”.

See the post below:

@ghnow_ Two young men were reportedly ordered by military officers to clear muddy water from the Manso Afedie–Kumasi road after it allegedly flowed onto the road from galamsey activities. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Young Doctor Pleads With Youth to Take HIV Prevention Seriously #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

About 99% of us have been fully paid – PRO for Coalition of unpaid Nurses & Midwives

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Jeffrey Opata, the PRO of the Coalition of Unpaid Nurses & Midwives, has announced that about 99 per cent of them have been paid fully.

According to Jeffrey Opata, there will no longer be a Coalition of Unpaid Nurses and Midwives following the payments which have been made by the government.

In a news card shared by GHOne TV, Jeffrey Opata was quoted as saying, “About 99% of us have been fully paid, so there will no longer be a Coalition of Unpaid Nurses and Midwives”.

The development follows that the government, through the Ministry of Health, has cleared the 10 to 11 months of salary arrears of the Coalition of Unpaid Nurses and Midwives.

According to reports, the 13,500 coalition of Unpaid Nurses and Midwives were initially employed without financial clearance under the previous administration.

The Health ministry have subsequenltu place them on the government payroll while clearing their outstanding arrears.

The coalition of Unpaid Nurses and Midwives expressed their appreciation to the Minister of Health for his efforts in resolving the issue and presented him with a Fugu as a gesture of gratitude.

It will be recalled that the Coalition of Unpaid Nurses and Midwives, last year, Thursday, October 2, 2025, staged a protest to demand their salary arrears owed by the government.

According to the nurses and midwives, about 7,000 of them have been working without salaries for the past nine to 10 months.

Stephen Kwadwo Takyiah, the convenor of the coalition, stated, “We are not comfortable hitting the streets, but it has become necessary. We are citizens, trained as professional nurses and midwives from nursing training colleges and universities.

“We graduated in 2020, completed our rotations, and waited at home for three years. In July 2024, the Ministry of Health announced it had secured financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance for our employment.

“The portals were opened, we registered, and by October 2024, we received postings and reported to work in December. Out of the 15,000 announced, about 13,000 took up postings.

“But in April 2025, only some of our colleagues started receiving salaries. As we speak, just over 6,500 have been paid, while nearly 7,000 of us have worked for close to 10 months without pay,” he lamented.

The protest started from the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park; the demonstrators will then march to the Ministry of Finance and later the Ministry of Health to submit a petition to demand immediate resolution.

Also, Thomas Ampem Nyarko, the deputy finance minister, has told the Nurses and midwives that their salary arrears will be captured in the next budget.

He expressed gratitude to the nurses and midwives for their service and apologised for the delay.

See the post below:

@ghnow_ Young Doctor Pleads With Youth to Take HIV Prevention Seriously #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Two young men were reportedly ordered by military officers to clear muddy water from the Manso Afedie–Kumasi road after it allegedly flowed onto the road from galamsey activities. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

‘Station officers selling ammunition to armed robbers to kill officers and attack civilians’ – Police officer alleges 

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General Lance Corporal Nicholas Ohene Ampong Kissi, a Police Officer with the Ghana Police Service, has made a wild allegation against his fellow officers.

The Police Officer alleged that station Officers at Mataheko and Odorkor police barracks are allegedly selling ammunition to armed robbers to kill fellow officers and attack civilians.

According to him, some hardened criminals have allegedly taken over the Mataheko and Odorkor police barracks, raising alarm over the alleged criminal activities in the areas.

In a video shared on Crime Check TV, the Police Officer stated, “At Mataheko Police Barracks and Odorkor Police Barracks, the current station officer is selling ammunition to armed robbers to go and kill their own police officers and attack civilians.

At Odorkor Police Barracks, hardened criminals have taken over the place and two of them came and assaulted me. One slapped me twice.

“I had intelligence that they were operating around the area and as a result, I was attacked. So, if the IGP gets this video, investigate this matter,” he said.

General Lance Corporal Nicholas Ohene Ampong Kissi was later seen at a police hospital, where he displayed a medical report bearing the police logo to authenticate his claim of having been assaulted.

Meanwhile, reports suggest the Police Officer has since called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the allegations and take the necessary action.

In other news, Christian Tetteh Yohunu, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), has told religious leaders to use their influence in sermons to promote peace.

According to the IGP, religious leaders must use their influence to prevent religious tensions and violence.

The IGP noted that an attack on Ghana’s peace ultimately threatens the future of the country’s children.

Christian Tetteh Yohunu added that citizens must not take the law into their own hands.

Speaking at an engagement with religious leaders at the National Police Headquarters on Friday, August 14, the IGP stated, No civilised society can survive when individuals take the law into their own hands. When a citizen believes a crime or an offence has been committed, the only righteous path is to report it to statutory authorities and trust the legal process”.

“Every individual has a right to practice their faith without fear of violence,” he said.

“While speech that incites religious hatred is restricted under Article 20 of the ICCPR, due process and prohibition of extrajudicial harm, no suspect under state custody or in the public space may be subjected to torture, cruel treatment, or assault,” he said.

He added, “Our revered clergy and the imams, our beloved chief imam, they listen to your sermons, read your social media posts, and follow your gestures”.

“At this fragile moment, your words can either act as water upon an emerging fire or as petrol upon dying embers. I ask three key commitments from you today. Dedicate your Friday sermons in Islam and Sunday sermons strictly to messages of interfaith harmony, self-control, and the danger of religious conflict,” he urged.

“Remind your congregations that an attack on the peace of Ghana is an attack on the future of their own children,” Mr Yohunu said.

“ Let the public see Christians and Islamic leaders standing together, sharing meals, issuing joint statements, and walking through our communities hand-in-hand,” he said.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ The moment Humble Soul’s baby mama brought tag to take Najat #GHnow #fyp ♬ Sad Music – Max-Music
@ghnow_ The moment Humble Soul’s baby mama brought tag to take Najat #GHnow #fyp ♬ Sad Music – Max-Music

Ghana ranked 6th among world’s largest gold-producing countries

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The Ghana Chamber of Mines has disclosed that Ghana has been ranked sixth among the world’s largest gold-producing countries in 2025 after producing 185 tonnes of gold.

According to the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ghana improve it traditional seventh position, with the country overtaking the United States following an increase in domestic production and a decline in US output.

Christopher Nyarko, the Director of Analysis, Research and Finance at the Chamber, made this known during an interview on Channel One TV’s The Point of View on Monday, August 17.

Christopher Nyarko stated, “We are number six. We’re number six now, right after Peru. So globally, China, Russia, Australia, Canada, Peru, then Ghana comes in, and then the United States follow”.

“Last year [2025], Ghana overtook the US, but traditionally, we’ve always been number seven,” Mr Nyarko said.

“Last year [2025], they ran into a number of technical issues. So production for the country as a whole dropped. And of course, given the dynamics in Ghana, we saw Ghana displace the United States,” he added.

He, however, noted that rankings among some of the leading producers can vary depending on the source of data.

“Even depending on the kind of source of your data, there’s always some tension between Russia, China, and Australia, in terms of who is the largest producer,” he said.

Ghana’s sixth-place ranking comes after a record year for domestic gold production, with small-scale mining accounting for 52.38 per cent of total output, overtaking the large-scale sector for the first time in more than 100-years.

Meanwhile, the Chamber has projected further growth in Ghana’s gold production in 2026, predicting national output between 6.1 million and 6.7 million ounces.

The news comes at a time when Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, the founder and General Overseer of Action Chapel International, has narrated how Ghana lost huge sums of gold through the black market.

Archbishop Duncan-Williams, during his church sermon, revealed that a Middle Eastern buyer recorded receiving three times more Ghanaian gold via black market channels than Ghana’s government officially logged as sold.

Speaking at a church service on Sunday, August 16, Archbishop Duncan-Williams narrated, saying, “Many years ago, Rosa and I went somewhere in a very powerful country, and we were privileged to have dinner with some of the ruling families, right at the top of that country in the Middle East.

And whilst we were eating with some of the people in authority, they mentioned Ghana gold, the gold in Ghana, and did say that the amount of illegal gold that they have received and recorded from Ghana was more than the one that was recorded by the country, the nation itself.

And the amount of illegal gold they recorded that they received or bought from Ghana was three times more than what the government recorded and sold to that country.

It disturbed me. It really broke my heart. And he did mention that the people doing this are very, very powerful people and have some very serious money.  I just thought about it, and I left it”.

Duncan-Williams further revealed how a powerful Middle East royal family called me over a gold smuggling disruption being caused in Ghana following the establishment of the Goldbod.

According to Duncan-Williams, the GoldBod is facing a very powerful movement who are against efforts to ensure the right thing is done in Ghana’s gold sector, calling on Ghanaians to pray for them.

The man of God disclosed that some individuals involved in the gold trade have become concerned about the tightening of controls on illegal gold purchases in Ghana.

Duncan-Williams detailed that he received calls from individuals in countries where Ghanaian gold was previously purchased through the black market.

He disclosed that they were allegedly seeking connections to senior officials who could help them access gold through GoldBod.

See the graphic below:

@ghnow_ Shantel showed up with thugs to kidnap Najat from Humble Soul #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ The moment Humble Soul’s baby mama brought tag to take Najat #GHnow #fyp ♬ Sad Music – Max-Music

“I was not among those who travelled to Turkey” – KT Hammond ran from AKSA Energy scandal

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KT Hammond, the former Ranking Member of Parliament’s Mines and Energy Committee, has distanced himself from a delegation that travelled to Turkey in connection with the AKSA Energy transaction.

According to KT Hammond, he was not part of the delegation that travelled to Turkey in connection with the transaction.

He revealed that he only travelled to Turkey in May 2024 when he visited the country in his capacity as the Minister of Trade and Industry.

On August 17, 2026, KT Hammond, in a press statement, demanded an apology from the media organisations that published reports linking him to the alleged delegation.

KT Hammond stated that since the issue became public, he has maintained that, although he was the Ranking Member of the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament at the time, he was not among the technical or other officials who visited Turkey.

Parts of his statement stated, “Ever since this story became public, I have consistently stated that I, as a Ranking Member of the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament at the time, was not among those people, technical or otherwise, who visited Turkey as alleged.

“I put it on record that the only and the one occasion I visited Turkey was in May 2024, in my capacity as the Minister of Trade and Industry of the Republic of Ghana,” part of the statement said.

KT Hammond’s press statement comes after he was named by the Herald among Members of Parliament (MPS) who served on Parliament’s Select Committee on Mines and Energy when the controversial emergency power agreement between the Government of Ghana and Turkish energy company AKSA Enerji Üretim AŞ was considered and approved in 2015.

Following the conviction of Asante Berko, a Ghanaian-American businessman in Brooklyn, New York, some members of parliament (MPs) have been caught up in the scandal.

The former TOR MD was convicted by a federal jury in the United States over a bribery and money laundering scheme linked to a power plant project in Ghana.

According to information gathered, Asante Berko and others conspired to pay more than US$1 million in bribes to Ghanaian government officials to help secure a multimillion-dollar power plant deal for Turkish energy company Aksa Enerji Uretim A.S.

The shady deal centres on a power plant deal that was under development and financing between December 2014 and July 2015.

Asante Berko, who was then an executive director in the investment banking division of Goldman Sachs at the time, was involved in managing the transaction between the bank’s client, Aksa Enerji, and the Republic of Ghana.

According to US court text, bribes were also paid to five Ghanaian officials during an all-expenses-paid trip to Turkey to view equipment for the power plant.

The three former Members of Parliament who served on Parliament’s Select Committee on Mines and Energy have been caught up for their alleged role. Dr Kwabena Donkor, Alhaji Sorogho and KT Hammond are among those alleged to have travelled to Turkey to inspect equipment for the AKSA project.

Reports by The Herald detailed that “the parliamentary committee was led by then Madina MP Alhaji Amadu Bukari Sorogho as chairman, with Adam Mutawakilu as vice-chairman and former Adansi Asokwa MP Kwabena Tahir Hammond as the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) ranking member.

The committee’s membership included the late Mahama Toure Naser; Gershon KB Gbediaeme; Salifu Ameen; Kwadwo Emmanuel Agyekum; Michael Coffie Boampong; Cletus Apul Avoka; Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka; Mathias Kwame Ntow; Edward M. Ennin; Dr Arthur Stephen Nana Ato; Isaac Kwame Asiamah; William Owuraku Aidoo; Ussif Mustapha; Benjamin Kofi Ayeh; and Joseph Cudjoe.

The administrative staff listed alongside the committee were Peace Fiawoyife, Clerk to the Committee; Benjamin Tachie Antiedu, Assistant Clerk; and Cephas Egbefome, Research Officer”.

Part of a news article by the Herald details, “a technical inspection trip to Turkey was organised during the consideration of the AKSA project, with Alhaji Sorogho and Hammond among those who travelled to inspect equipment intended for the emergency power plant in Ghana to address the power crisis nicknamed “Dumsor”.

The information available to this paper is that the trip was planned and arranged through the then Ministry of Power, headed by Dr Kwabena Donkor. The minister, who was also the MP for Pru East at the time, was part of the trip with Sorogho and Hammond.

Other MPs, The Herald learnt, did not embark on the trip, but most of them were said to have collected part of the money. Members of the parliamentary staff were also not included in the trip, and it’s unclear whether they received any of the cash.

A member of the committee’s leadership was said to have been in charge of the cash received from the project’s promoters.

He allegedly kept the money from the other members or substantially reduced their shares without informing them. This often resulted in confusion at committee meetings, with some members reportedly storming his office to demand their share.

One particular MP, from the Ashanti Region, who refused to be short-changed, was repeatedly drawn into near-fistfights with members of the committee’s leadership, particularly the one who hoarded the money”.

See the statement below:

@ghnow_ The moment Humble Soul’s baby mama brought tag to take Najat #GHnow #fyp ♬ Sad Music – Max-Music
@ghnow_ Shantel showed up with thugs to kidnap Najat from Humble Soul #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

Ahmed Ibrahim was reshuffled because of his National Cathedral comments – Kwesi Pratt details

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Kwesi Pratt, the Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, has detailed the alleged reason behind the former Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, being reshuffled to the Works, Housing and Water Resources Ministry.

According to Kwesi Pratt, Ahmed Ibrahim’s removal from the Local Government Ministry is linked to the comments he made about the National Cathedral.

He cited the comment made by Ahmed Ibrahim that the NDC government would build the National Cathedral and that those who opposed it would face his resistance.

Kwesi Pratt disclosed that Ahmed Ibrahim’s comment regarding the controversial National Cathedral project angered some members of the NDC, which contributed to the calls for his removal.

Speaking during a panel discussion on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo on August 14, 2026, Kwesi Pratt stated, “The Local Government Minister who has been sent to the Works, Housing and Water Resources Ministry recently said that the NDC government would build the National Cathedral and that those who opposed it would face his resistance.

Because of that comment, a lot of people did not want him. The Cathedral was a key issue during the heat of the 2024 elections. For a long time, people wanted him out of government, but he was not sacked. Instead, he was moved to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, where he has no business with the Cathedral”.

It will be recalled that some months ago, Ahmed Ibrahim had previously stated that he would support the construction of a National Cathedral if he had the financial means.

Ahmed Ibrahim expressed regret over the intense criticism of the National Cathedral project under the previous Akufo-Addo administration.

He argued that the controversy overshadowed the potential benefits of the National Cathedral project.

Speaking in an interview on Adom TV on April 2, 2025, Ahmed Ibrahim stated, “You see, the National Cathedral, we demonised it to the point that even if something good was to come out of it, you couldn’t say it”.

“The start was also problematic. You see, certain things outrun others. So, let us wait for the auditing report,” he said.

Ahmed Ibrahim added: “If I had my own money, I could build a National Cathedral for the state.”

“I am an elder, and if you go to my constituency, I use my own money to support churches, almost all churches in my constituency,” he stated.

The development follows President John Dramani Mahama has made a ministerial reshuffle, while appointing Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation-designate.

Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, the former Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, has been reassigned as the Minister for Defence as part of a ministerial reshuffle.

Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings and Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, if confirmed, will replace the late Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Murtala Mohammed and former Defence Minister Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah.

Ahmed Ibrahim has also been reassigned from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources.

Mahama Ayariga has been appointed Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs-designate.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ Lady Falls Into Water After Slipping Off Jet Ski at Akosombo Bridge #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – vibragh
@ghnow_ The moment Humble Soul’s baby mama brought tag to take Najat #GHnow #fyp ♬ Sad Music – Max-Music

‘Afenyo-Markin is a joke of a Minority Leader!’ – Sammy Gyamfi bites back

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Sammy Gyamfi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), has bitten back at Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin over his recent claims.

According to Sammy Gyamfi, Afenyo-Markin is a joke of a Minority Leader.

Sammy Gyamfi fired shots at Afenyo-Markin for his blatant lie that the GoldBod has made losses, stressing that it is a figment of the Minority Leader’s hallucinatory imagination.

The GoldBod CEO also cited page 16 of the audited Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, detailing that GoldBod recorded an operational surplus of GH¢907 million and an overall surplus of GH¢5.4 billion.

In a post on X, Sammy Gyamfi wrote, “The blatant lie being persistently peddled by Afenyo Markin that the GoldBod has made losses is only a figment of his hallucinatory imagination. What a joke of a Minority Leader he is.

Find attached page 16 of the audited Annual Report and Financial Statements of the @GhanaGOLDBOD for the year ended 31st December, 2025, disclosing an operational surplus/profit of GHS907 million and overall surplus/profit of GHS5.4 billion.

For the avoidance of doubt, this audit report was prepared and published by the Auditor-General of the Republic of Ghana. Facts are sacrosanct”.

His comment follows, Afenyo-Markin who jabbed Sammy Gyamfi, over reported losses associated with Ghana’s gold purchasing operations.

The minority leader argued that Goldbod, which engaged in gold trading, should not be making losses due to the nature of the commodity and its value on the international market.

According to Afenyo-Markin, Sammy Gyamfi is not a good trader following the loses incured by Goldbod.

Speaking on Accra-based Peace FM, Afenyo-Markin stated, “If you sell gold and make a loss, then you are not a good trader”.

His comments follow the financial losses of the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme, which is implemented through GoldBod.

The IMF reported a US$214 million loss linked to the programme, although GoldBod has disputed characterising the figure as a loss incurred by the Board itself.

Also, the Minority Leader has said there is a big scandal awaiting Ghanaians at the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).

According to Afenyo-Markin, there are aspects of GoldBod’s operations that are not publicly known and cautioned its management against taking its current position for granted.

Afenyo-Markin stated, “GoldBod is a very big scandal awaiting us. There are things we know that they don’t know. They should be careful”.

Similarly, Afenyo-Markin has said he will praise the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD) if the institution is performing well.

According to Afenyo-Markin, his constant criticism of GOLDBOD should not be seen as envy or bitterness because he is willing to acknowledge them if they are doing well.

The minority leader argued that the IMF are the one saying Goldbod made losses, not him.

Afenyo-Markin stated, “I don’t envy success because I have seen success. I celebrate success, so I don’t envy success. If GOLDBOD is doing well, I will be one of the few or one of the many who would come and praise GOLDBOD, but GOLDBOD is failing. GOLDBOD is failing”.

“It’s not me who is saying it. It is the IMF that is saying it. The IMF is saying that the gold purchase program has led to a total of 22 billion in losses,” he indicated.

He further disclosed that when the GOLDBOD aggregators were initially paid a 15% fee, which was later reduced after the Minority raised concerns.

“When they engage these aggregators who provide them with the gold, they started by paying them 15%. When the minority raised this concern, immediately GOLDBOD and the Bank of Ghana held an emergency board meeting and reviewed the fees to 9%. That is the first point that the minority was vindicated,” he stated.

“When we raised the issue on the floor, they did a further review from 9% to 5% then, eventually, the governor announced an exit by saying that the Bank of Ghana will not finance that transaction again,” he noted.

Afenyo-Markin added, “So, it would be wrong for you to describe me as ignorant, petty, or bitter. Because if what I am saying is not true, why did you review the fees from 15% to 9%?”

“What they are doing now is that they are even budgeting, putting in the 2027 budget, the costs of financing this gold purchase program. We are yet to see the figures,” he said.

“We do not want anybody to attempt to trivialise it. Then, people will be hired on social media to go and insult Afenyo-Markin,” he warned.

See the post below:

@ghnow_ Opanin Garibah, a rubber tapper, has appealed to government to increase compensation for his 6.4-acre land affected by the Accra–Kumasi Expressway project. #GHnow #fyp ♬ suara asli – milenia – 🅄🅻🄸🅽🄽🆄🄷🅰
@ghnow_ Lady Falls Into Water After Slipping Off Jet Ski at Akosombo Bridge #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – vibragh

“We will not give up” – Mahama assures Ghanaians on galamsey fight

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President John Dramani Mahama has said his government will not give up in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Mahama argued that Ghana is making progress in the fight against illegal mining.

According to John Mahama, the government will intensify efforts to reclaim forest reserves and other environmentally sensitive areas affected by illegal mining activities.

He highlighted that the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has played a key role in the ongoing efforts.

Speaking during his Resetting Ghana Tour of the Upper East Region, Mahama stated, “NAIMOS is working very hard. We have seized excavators, we have seized Changfang machines, and we have driven illegal miners out of this area, and we are making progress. Out of the almost 49 forest reserves that were invaded [by illegal miners], we have been able to clear as many of them as possible of illegal miners.

“What we initially did was that we handed the places to the Forestry Commission after clearing them, but the illegal miners don’t fear the forest guards, and so we now put a military detachment after we clear a forest reserve.

“That means we will have to spend more money to feed the soldiers and provide logistics for them to continue to stay in the forest, but we will not give up the fight.”

The president, however, admitted that additional resources are required to sustain security deployments in reclaimed forest reserves, adding that the government would remain committed to preventing illegal miners from returning to areas already cleared.

Meanwhile, Tano North chiefs have told President John Mahama that state institutions mandated to combat illegal mining (galamsey) have failed to halt it.

According to the Chiefs, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and the Blue Water Guards have all failed to halt the continued destruction of the municipality’s forests and water bodies.

The Chiefs noted that the River Tano has turned completely chocolate-brown and is ruined beyond recognition.

Speaking during a courtesy call by the Member of Parliament for Tano North, Dr Gideon Boako, on Tuesday, the Adontehene of the Tanoso Traditional Council, Nana Kwapem Peni, stated, “It brings us immense sadness to see what has become of our beloved Tano River. Today, the water has turned completely chocolate-brown and is ruined beyond recognition”.

“All the state institutions mandated to protect us and fight illegal mining, including NAIMOS and the Blue Water Guards, have completely failed to stop the destruction of our forests and rivers. We are left with no choice but to make an urgent appeal directly to President John Mahama to intervene immediately and save our water bodies before everything is lost.”

They further expressed their frustration after suspects who were arrested along the Tano River by residents supported by traditional authorities were released by the police.

Nana Oboni Nkrawiri IV stated, “The frustration we are facing in this community is unbelievable”.

“Our people, led by the traditional authorities, risked their lives to catch these illegal miners red-handed as they were polluting the Tano River. We arrested them and handed them over to the police, expecting justice.

“But to our total dismay, the municipal police authorities simply discharged them and set them all free. This national fight against galamsey is completely useless if the very people we arrest are routinely let off the hook.”

The Member of Parliament for Tano North, Dr Gideon Boako, responding to the concerns stated, “I want to commend our traditional leaders for their relentless efforts in fighting illegal mining to ensure the Tano River becomes clean again, and I urge you not to relent”.

“You have my full support in this fight. But I must also call on the residents of Tano North to direct their anger at these illegal miners and the powerful paymasters behind them.

“If the community does not stand up together against them, the severe health crisis caused by these polluted rivers will never stop.”

@ghnow_ Opanin Garibah, a rubber tapper, has appealed to government to increase compensation for his 6.4-acre land affected by the Accra–Kumasi Expressway project. #GHnow #fyp ♬ suara asli – milenia – 🅄🅻🄸🅽🄽🆄🄷🅰
@ghnow_ The first batch of police recruits take part in a lively Jama session. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – NII DZANIE(God Of War 🇩🇪🦍🤴

‘I was offered a ‘Ghana Must Go’ full of money to stop speaking for NDC’ – Captain Smart alleges 

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Outspoken Ghanaian media personality Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly known as Captain Smart, has said he was offered a ‘Ghana Must Go’ full of money to stop speaking for the NDC.

According to Captain Smart, he was arrested 39 times within two years by the NPP government over his unwavering support for the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

He stressed that leaders of the former Akufo-Addo government were unhappy with his persistent criticism of their administration, which led to his series of arrests.

Addressing some constituents in Gomoa West, Captain Smart stated, “I have always said that politics should not be an antagonistic game. You need people who can help. Which presenter in Ghana can say he or she supported the NDC more than I did? I was arrested 39 times because of the NDC”.

He further alleged that during one of the arrests, he was offered a Ghana Must Go bag filled with money.

Captain Smart detailed that the offer was intended to persuade him to stop criticising the NPP government.

According to Captain Smart, he rejected the money because of his commitment to the NDC and President John Dramani Mahama.

He further alleged, “The day I was taken to the NIB, they offered me a bag full of money. They took me to a place called EFCC and when I got there, they showed me a Ghana Must Go bag filled with cash.

“They told me that if I stopped speaking against them, the money would be mine. Sammy Awuku can bear witness to this. One thing about me is that I am fair. If my party is wrong, I will tell them. In the same way, I will also speak against the NPP when they are wrong,” he added.

In related news, a viral video of Captain Smart and the Member of Parliament for Gomoa West, Richard Gyan-Mensah, exchanging an awkward handshake has surfaced.

In a viral video, Captain Smart was seen exchanging pleasantries with several individuals at an event.

In the video, Captain Smart, after shaking hands with everyone, tapped their shoulders; however, when he attempted the same gesture when he shook hands with MP Richard Gyan-Mensah.

The NPP MP harshly prevented Captain Smart from tapping his shoulder after shaking hands with him.

The development stems from Captain Smart declaring that he will contest the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primaries.

Meanwhile, Captain Smart has announced his decision to end his stay with Onua TV.

Speaking on the Onua Maakye show aired on August 7, 2026, Captain Smart officially announced his resignation from the station.

“I want to withdraw. I have officially resigned. This isn’t going to be the case where I will come back again. The bosses here may not agree, but I have done my part. I want the man who mic’d me to come and take off my microphone on air,” he said.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ Shantel showed up with thugs to kidnap Najat from Humble Soul #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ The first batch of police recruits take part in a lively Jama session. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – NII DZANIE(God Of War 🇩🇪🦍🤴

Chief Justice a “grand conspirator” behind the removal of Torkornoo – Afenyo-Markin alleges 

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Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, has accused the Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie and other Supreme Court judges of being part of the grand conspiracy in the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

According to Afenyo-Markin, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie was the “grand conspirator” behind the removal of the former Chief Justice.

Afenyo-Markin, as always, insisted that Gertrude Torkornoo’s removal was unjustified, claiming that some members of the Supreme Court were interested in occupying her position.

Speaking in an interview on Atinka TV, Afenyo-Markin alleged, saying, “My Lord was part of the grand conspiracy against his predecessor, Gertrude Torkornoo. It was a grand conspiracy. Why should I deny what I know? I know even the Supreme Court judges who conspired against their colleague.

“One day, the full story will be told. I said during our demonstration that I do not see why that woman should not be reinstated when the NPP comes back to power. She has to be reinstated,” he said.

He further fired shots at Justice Gabriel Pwamang, who chaired the committee that investigated the petitions against the former Chief Justice.

The minority leader argued that the committee’s work was flawed and incomplete, alleging that Justice Pwamang may have had personal ambitions of becoming Chief Justice.

He further alleged, “The report that recommended her dismissal was not even complete. There were three petitioners, yet they concluded their work after dealing with only one petition and still submitted a report.

“My Lord Pwamang, if the same thing were done to you, how would you feel? There were three petitions. You completed the hearing of only one while the other two were still pending, yet you finalised your report and recommended the dismissal of Justice Torkornoo. How would you feel if someone did that to you?” he added.

Meanwhile, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has confidently told the former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo that she will be reinstated should the New Patriotic Party (NPP) return to power in 2028.

According to Afenyo-Markin, Torkornoo should not be “saddened” by her removal from office, as she will be reinstated when the NPP comes back to power with Dr Bawumia.

Speaking at the NPP’s ‘Democracy Under Attack’ demonstration in Accra on August 6, 2026, the Minority Leader boldly stated, “Let me tell the former Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, that she should not be sad. When the NPP returns to power under Bawumia, she will be reinstated as Chief Justice”.

He further boldly stated that the NPP will return to power in 2028 whether the NDC likes it or not.

“Whether the NDC likes it or not, the NPP will assume power in 2028. If you are an NPP member, work hard so that power returns to the party,” he stated.

In related news, some weeks ago, the Supreme Court of Ghana dismissed the former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo challenging her removal from office.

According to the Deputy Attorney General, the Supreme Court of Ghana has dismissed all four cases filed by former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Sackey Esaaba, upholding her removal.

The Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, in a post on X wrote, “Following the ECOWAS Court’s judgement last week, the Supreme Court, too, has dismissed each of the 4 cases challenging Her Ladyship’s removal from the office of the Chief Justice. The Supreme Court decided the cases earlier this morning.

Gratitude to our team of State Attorneys and members of staff”.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ Shantel showed up with thugs to kidnap Najat from Humble Soul #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has concluded his programmes in Kumasi and departed the city, expressing appreciation to chiefs, party faithful and residents for their warm reception and support. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

“I was arrested 39 times because of the NDC” – Captain Smart

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Outspoken Ghanaian media personality Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly known as Captain Smart, has said he was arrested 39 times under the NPP because of the NDC.

According to Captain Smart, the 39 times arrest was within two years by the NPP government over his unwavering support for the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

He stressed that leaders of the former Akufo-Addo government were unhappy with his persistent criticism of their administration, which led to his series of arrests.

Addressing some constituents in Gomoa West, Captain Smart stated, “I have always said that politics should not be an antagonistic game. You need people who can help. Which presenter in Ghana can say he or she supported the NDC more than I did? I was arrested 39 times because of the NDC”.

He further alleged that during one of the arrests, he was offered a Ghana Must Go bag filled with money.

Captain Smart detailed that the offer was intended to persuade him to stop criticising the NPP government.

According to Captain Smart, he rejected the money because of his commitment to the NDC and President John Dramani Mahama.

He further alleged, “The day I was taken to the NIB, they offered me a bag full of money. They took me to a place called EFCC and when I got there, they showed me a Ghana Must Go bag filled with cash.

“They told me that if I stopped speaking against them, the money would be mine. Sammy Awuku can bear witness to this. One thing about me is that I am fair. If my party is wrong, I will tell them. In the same way, I will also speak against the NPP when they are wrong,” he added.

In related news, a viral video of Captain Smart and the Member of Parliament for Gomoa West, Richard Gyan-Mensah, exchanging an awkward handshake has surfaced.

In a viral video, Captain Smart was seen exchanging pleasantries with several individuals at an event.

In the video, Captain Smart, after shaking hands with everyone, tapped their shoulders; however, when he attempted the same gesture when he shook hands with MP Richard Gyan-Mensah.

The NPP MP harshly prevented Captain Smart from tapping his shoulder after shaking hands with him.

The development stems from Captain Smart declaring that he will contest the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primaries.

Meanwhile, Captain Smart has announced his decision to end his stay with Onua TV.

Speaking on the Onua Maakye show aired on August 7, 2026, Captain Smart officially announced his resignation from the station.

“I want to withdraw. I have officially resigned. This isn’t going to be the case where I will come back again. The bosses here may not agree, but I have done my part. I want the man who mic’d me to come and take off my microphone on air,” he said.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ Caption it “Capt Smart power hu settings nkoa nu nu? ” #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Shantel showed up with thugs to kidnap Najat from Humble Soul #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow

You’re not a good trader, how can you sell gold at a loss – Afenyo-Markin jabs Sammy Gyamfi

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Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, has jabbed the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, over reported losses associated with Ghana’s gold purchasing operations.

The minority leader argued that Goldbod, which engaged in gold trading, should not be making losses due to the nature of the commodity and its value on the international market.

According to Afenyo-Markin, Sammy Gyamfi is not a good trader following the loses incured by Goldbod.

Speaking on Accra-based Peace FM, Afenyo-Markin stated, “If you sell gold and make a loss, then you are not a good trader”.

His comments follow the financial losses of the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme, which is implemented through GoldBod.

The IMF reported a US$214 million loss linked to the programme, although GoldBod has disputed characterising the figure as a loss incurred by the Board itself.

Meanwhile, Sammy Gyamfi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), has debunked claims suggesting the institution is making losses.

The GoldBod CEO argued that the institution is financially sound since it began operations under its current mandate.

According to Sammy Gyamfi, GoldBod’s financial performance is supported by audited accounts, adding that claims suggesting that GoldBod is financially distressed do not reflect the organisation’s actual financial position.

He revealed that their audited financial statements have been made available to the public through the institution’s official website.

Speaking on Twitter Spaces on Sunday, August 9, Sammy Gyamfi stated, “GoldBod has never made a loss, and our audited financial statement is on our site.”

“GoldBod is very financially sound”, he boldly added.

Also, Sammy Gyamfi has challenged the Economic Committee, Finance Committee, and Lands and Mines Committee to invite him to parliament, stating he is ready to face them in parliament if invited.

The Goldbod CEO dared Oppong Nkrumah, Afenyo-Markin and Abena Asare to invite him to parliament and see if their reputation will be intact afterwards.

Speaking during a Space conversation on X on Sunday, August 9, Sammy Gyamfi stated, “As for Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, I can take some of the things he says seriously because they are not personal. Afenyo Markin is just being personal. He’s a bitter friend, so I can understand. You can see the hatred and the bitterness in his voice. He has no issues. A lot of bad things are happening at the GoldBod, but he does not say anything.

He is just looking for my attention, but he won’t get it. I am a very busy person”.

“If he wants me in Parliament, I’m saying they should invite me tomorrow. I am ready. Economic Committee, Finance Committee, Lands and Mines Committee, and they should bring GTV and media people and publishers, because if I call them for a debate they won’t come. They will say they want me on oath, so they should invite me,” he stated.

Public Account Committee, Abena Asare, chairwoman, you said we are siphoning money; call us there; you were not put there to just talk. Let us come and sit down, and then you can now cite the cases and instances of siphoning of public funds by Sammy Gyamfi and the GoldBod and let’s see what will become your reputation after that”.

He further added, “None of my bodyguards is involved in gold trading, and none of my bodyguards has stolen or taken Gold Board money”.

“The said Dominic Bonsu, I understand, is even a constituency executive of the NPP somewhere in the Manso area in the Ashanti Region,” Mr Gyamfi said.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ Augustine Okechuku Maazi, the Nigerian suspect in the Labone bank robbery and shooting incident, has been taken back to his cells after appearing before the Circuit Court. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – BLACKO _ VIBEZ(4GEDA4EVER)🇬🇭
@ghnow_ Lady Falls Into Water After Slipping Off Jet Ski at Akosombo Bridge #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – vibragh

“GoldBod a scandal awaiting us; they should be careful” – Afenyo-Markin warns 

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Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, has said there is a big scandal awaiting Ghanaians at the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).

According to Afenyo-Markin, there are aspects of GoldBod’s operations that are not publicly known and cautioned its management against taking its current position for granted.

Speaking on PeaceFM, Alexander Afenyo-Markin stated, “GoldBod is a very big scandal awaiting us. There are things we know that they don’t know. They should be careful”.

Also, Afenyo-Markin has said he will praise the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD) if the institution is performing well.

According to Afenyo-Markin, his constant criticism of GOLDBOD should not be seen as envy or bitterness because he is willing to acknowledge them if they are doing well.

The minority leader argued that the IMF are the one saying Goldbod made losses, not him.

Afenyo-Markin stated, “I don’t envy success because I have seen success. I celebrate success, so I don’t envy success. If GOLDBOD is doing well, I will be one of the few or one of the many who would come and praise GOLDBOD, but GOLDBOD is failing. GOLDBOD is failing”.

“It’s not me who is saying it. It is the IMF that is saying it. The IMF is saying that the gold purchase program has led to a total of 22 billion in losses,” he indicated.

He further disclosed that when the GOLDBOD aggregators were initially paid a 15% fee, which was later reduced after the Minority raised concerns.

“When they engage these aggregators who provide them with the gold, they started by paying them 15%. When the minority raised this concern, immediately GOLDBOD and the Bank of Ghana held an emergency board meeting and reviewed the fees to 9%. That is the first point that the minority was vindicated,” he stated.

“When we raised the issue on the floor, they did a further review from 9% to 5% then, eventually, the governor announced an exit by saying that the Bank of Ghana will not finance that transaction again,” he noted.

Afenyo-Markin added, “So, it would be wrong for you to describe me as ignorant, petty, or bitter. Because if what I am saying is not true, why did you review the fees from 15% to 9%?”

“What they are doing now is that they are even budgeting, putting in the 2027 budget, the costs of financing this gold purchase program. We are yet to see the figures,” he said.

“We do not want anybody to attempt to trivialise it. Then, people will be hired on social media to go and insult Afenyo-Markin,” he warned.

Meanwhile, Sammy Gyamfi, the CEO of GOLDBOD, has said the Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s allegation against the gold purchasing outfit is just driven by “bitterness”.

According to Sammy Gyamfi, Afenyo-Markin and other New Patriotic Party (NPP) figures have raised concerns about GoldBod without providing specific evidence.

Sammy Gyamfi further challenged the Economic Committee, Finance Committee, and Lands and Mines Committee to invite him to parliament, stating he is ready to face them in parliament if invited.

Speaking during a Space conversation on X on Sunday, August 9, Sammy Gyamfi stated, “As for Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, I can take some of the things he says seriously because they are not personal. Afenyo Markin is just being personal. He’s a bitter friend, so I can understand. You can see the hatred and the bitterness in his voice. He has no issues. A lot of bad things are happening at the GoldBod, but he does not say anything.

He is just looking for my attention, but he won’t get it. I am a very busy person”.

“If he wants me in Parliament, I’m saying they should invite me tomorrow. I am ready. Economic Committee, Finance Committee, Lands and Mines Committee, and they should bring GTV and media people and publishers, because if I call them for a debate they won’t come. They will say they want me on oath, so they should invite me,” he stated.

Public Account Committee, Abena Asare, chairwoman, you said we are siphoning money; call us there; you were not put there to just talk. Let us come and sit down, and then you can now cite the cases and instances of siphoning of public funds by Sammy Gyamfi and the GoldBod and let’s see what will become your reputation after that”.

He further added, “None of my bodyguards is involved in gold trading, and none of my bodyguards has stolen or taken Gold Board money”.

“The said Dominic Bonsu, I understand, is even a constituency executive of the NPP somewhere in the Manso area in the Ashanti Region,” Mr Gyamfi said.

Watch the video below:

@ghnow_ Lady Falls Into Water After Slipping Off Jet Ski at Akosombo Bridge #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – vibragh
@ghnow_ Augustine Okechuku Maazi, the Nigerian suspect in the Labone bank robbery and shooting incident, has been taken back to his cells after appearing before the Circuit Court. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – BLACKO _ VIBEZ(4GEDA4EVER)🇬🇭