Category: Local News

The former Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), Osei Assibey Antwi, is the latest to be questioned by the (NIB) as it probes the ghost names scandal that reportedly occurred under the former managers.

He’s the next past official to be interrogated after a former Deputy Director in charge of Finance and administration, Gifty Oware-Mensah, was picked up for questioning upon her arrival into the country from abroad.

Before Gifty Oware-Mensah, the NIB detained and questioned Kwaku Ohene Djan, also a former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority, over the raging allegations.

According to sources, Mr. Osei Assibey appeared before the NIB on Thursday, March 20, accompanied by his lawyer after an invitation was extended to him to appear before the investigative body.

He was reportedly quizzed for several hours over the alleged fraudulent enlistment of non-existent personnel onto the NSA payroll.

It is not clear whether he was immediately released after the probe.

The NIB launched its investigations following an exposé by The Fourth Estate, which uncovered widespread irregularities within the scheme.

The NIB probed allegations that thousands of ghost names were used to defraud the state of millions of cedis in allowances.

The government says it has uncovered a significant discrepancy in the National Service payroll, revealing 81,885 suspected ghost names.

This figure represents the difference between the actual number of active personnel and the payroll data submitted by the previous management of the National Service Authority (NSA).

According to the latest findings, there are currently 98,145 active service personnel, a stark contrast to the 180,030 names presented for allowance payment in 2024.

“This figure is 81,885 less than the 180,030 names presented by the previous management of the Authority for allowance payment in 2024,” a government statement said.

The 81,885 names that have been flagged as potentially fraudulent or inflated could represent a major misuse of public funds.

The alleged payroll fraud is reported to have cost the state a staggering GH₵50 million each month. It is unclear how long the alleged scheme went on.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has declared an all-out war on illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey,” describing it as a serious threat to national security and the environment.

Speaking at the Regional Police Commanders’ Conference, the IGP emphasized the need for intensified efforts to combat galamsey, particularly highlighting the escalation of activities in the Western North region.

COP Yohuno revealed that armed criminals involved in illegal mining operations have carried out brutal attacks on innocent civilians, including forest guards, without justification.

“This lawlessness must not be allowed to continue. We are declaring war on illegal mining, and I expect every regional commander to take decisive action to bring perpetrators to justice,” he declared.

A 42-year-old farmer, Kofi Nkrumah, has been remanded into police custody by the Bibiani Magistrate Court for attempting to murder his ex-wife, Grace Akose Akowuah, at Sefwi Chirano in the Western North Region.

Presiding over the case, His Lordship Delvin Essandoh ordered that the accused remain in custody for two weeks and reappear before the court on April 3, 2025.

Reports indicate that Nkrumah and Akowuah were married for 15 years but recently separated due to unresolved conflicts.

Allegedly, the suspect lured his ex-wife into a bush, where he inflicted severe cutlass wounds on her and abandoned her beside a river, assuming she was dead.

However, she was later rescued and resuscitated.

Upon learning that his ex-wife had survived, Nkrumah attempted to flee but was apprehended by security personnel of the Ghana Bauxite Company at Awaso after family members of the victim alerted them.

He was subsequently handed over to the Awaso Police and later transferred to the Bibiani Police Command for further investigations.

Following police interrogation, Nkrumah was arraigned before the Bibiani Magistrate Court, where he was remanded pending further proceedings.

Meanwhile, the victim recounted her ordeal to Adom News as she continues to recover from the attack.

Five people have been killed in a tragic accident at Juaso-Yawkwei on the Accra-Kumasi highway.

Four of the victims died on the spot, while the fifth, who was critically injured, passed away after being rushed to the Yawkwei Steward Hospital.

The accident occurred around 1 p.m. on Friday, March 21, 2025.

It involved a Toyota saloon car with registration number GW 532-11 and a cargo truck with registration number AW 2808-22.

An eyewitness, Kofi Saviour, told Adom News that the tipper truck driver attempted a wrongful overtaking, which resulted in the collision with the saloon car.

Reports indicate that the driver of the Toyota vehicle was a policeman stationed at Asante Akyem Agogo, and all the deceased were passengers in the vehicle.

The bodies have been deposited at Yawkwei Steward Hospital, and the tipper truck driver and his mate have been arrested.

Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, Minister of Interior, has disclosed that 107 foreign nationals involved in illegal mining (galamsey) and other fraudulent activities have been repatriated.

He emphasized that any foreigners arrested in future operations will be deported without hesitation.

Speaking at the Police Regional Commanders’ Conference on Friday, March 21, the Minister reiterated the government’s firm stance against illegal mining and foreign involvement in such activities.

“I have written to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) that from now on, any equipment found at galamsey sites or in forests must have its tax details traced to the owners,” he stated. “If you are renting out your bulldozers or other equipment to galamsey operators while staying at home, we will track the tax records and come for you.”

On the matter of foreigners involved in illegal activities, the Minister reaffirmed the government’s strict approach.

“The foreigners we find in our forests, what do we do with them? Since I became Interior Minister, we have repatriated well over 107 foreign nationals caught in fraud and galamsey operations,” he added.

He further clarified that any foreigner found in Ghana’s forests should be immediately reported to immigration authorities for deportation.

“Our first option is always to send them back to their countries, and we will not compromise on this.”

The Minister also warned police officers who fail to comply with these directives.

“I have written to the IGP, and I insist that if any commander fails to forward arrested foreigners for repatriation, it will mean they do not want to be part of this regime,” he cautioned, adding that such officers would be reassigned to areas where they would not have to deal with galamsey or illegal activities.

The Interior Minister, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has pledged to address concerns regarding excesses in ongoing operations, assuring the public that a thorough review will be conducted to determine appropriate actions.

This follows growing public outcry and demands for accountability after a team of heavily armed National Security operatives raided Dr. Addison’s Roman Ridge home on March 19 in Accra.

The incident, which saw officers disabling CCTV cameras and ransacking the property, has raised concerns about due process and the motives behind the operation.

Meanwhile, Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai has explained that all the searches carried out so far were lawfully conducted with proper warrants.

Speaking to JoyNews‘ James Avedzi on the sidelines of the Police Regional Commanders’ Conference, Mubarak acknowledged that while much of the activity being carried out is legitimate, there are occasional excesses that need to be addressed.

“We will look at the magnitude of the excesses, and based on that, we will know what to do. I will not be able to stand here and tell you the exact level, but I have asked for a report,” he explained.

Mubarak further assured that following the review, measures would be taken to ensure that identified excesses are properly dealt with.

Meanwhile, the Minister says he’s yet to confirm the arrest of the former head of the National Signals Bureau.

“Looking at it, we will try to see how to fashion it to make sure that those excesses are taken out,” he added.

While Mubarak acknowledged the legitimacy of most of these actions, he recognised the need for oversight and corrective measures to prevent any overreach.

“Believe me, most of the things they are doing are legitimate, but sometimes it comes with some excesses, which we are taking out,” Mubarak said.

The President of the Ghana Association of Banks, Kwamina Asomaning, has expressed optimism about the country’s banking sector, stating that Ghana is on a “path to recovery” following a series of economic shocks in recent years.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition on Thursday, March 20, Asomaning acknowledged the challenges the sector has faced but emphasized the strides made towards stability.

“I have been in the banking sector for some years, and the only constant is change. Each period has come with its fair share of challenges,” he noted.

“I wouldn’t say one period has been more turbulent than others by a significant degree, but we’ve gone through a few shocks.”

Reflecting on recent economic upheavals, the Managing Director of Stanbic Bank Ghana pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic and Ghana’s sovereign debt default as key disruptions that rattled the financial landscape.

However, he stressed that despite the setbacks, the situation has improved compared to the past two years.

“I think it’s fair to say that we are on a path to recovery. We’re not completely out of the woods, but if you look back to where we were in 2022 and 2023, there has been significant improvement on the broad macros and in the sector in particular,” he explained.

The banking sector faced immense pressure following Ghana’s debt restructuring efforts, which significantly impacted financial institutions holding government bonds.

The sector also grappled with liquidity challenges and weakened investor confidence. However, Asomaning believes the worst is behind the industry, with positive trends emerging.

Industry players have been working closely with regulators to restore stability, and Asomaning commended efforts made by the Bank of Ghana in fostering resilience.

“The regulator has been very instrumental in ensuring that the right policies and measures are put in place to restore confidence in the sector,” he said.

His remarks come at a time when banks are gradually regaining momentum, with improved macroeconomic indicators signaling cautious optimism.

Inflation rates, currency stability, and economic growth projections have shown some progress, factors that Asomaning believes are critical in solidifying the recovery process.

While acknowledging that the road ahead remains uncertain, Asomaning underscored the need for continuous adaptation and collaboration to sustain the gains made.

“As banks, we must remain agile and innovative. The challenges we have faced only reinforce the importance of resilience and adaptability,” he stated.

The Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has assured the banking sector that the government has built sufficient financial buffers to meet all obligations under the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) for the year.

He emphasized the government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and restoring confidence in the financial sector.

In a statement on social media on Friday, March 21, Dr. Forson disclosed that he had engaged with over 22 Managing Directors of banks at a high-level meeting to reaffirm the government’s commitment to honoring all DDEP obligations.

“We do not intend to default,” he declared. “All outstanding holdouts have been paid, and we have put in place the necessary buffers to ensure that every single DDEP obligation for this year will be met.”

Beyond ensuring timely payments, Dr. Forson noted that the government was also working to reduce its dependence on the Treasury bill market. He highlighted efforts to improve coordination between fiscal and monetary policies to stabilize interest rates and ease liquidity pressures on the banking sector.

“These actions are part of a broader strategy to ensure economic resilience and prevent a repeat of the financial instability of 2022,” he explained.

The Finance Minister further reassured banking executives that the government had learned from past financial challenges and would act prudently moving forward.

“We have learned from the past. We are not going to be reckless,” he stated. “We have built the necessary buffers to meet our obligations, and we will work with you to ensure a stable and prosperous economy.”

GBfoods Ghana, a leading food manufacturing company and market leader in tomato cooking bases and taste enhancers, has successfully hosted its inaugural Key Distributor Conference.

The event, held in Accra and Kumasi, brought together key trade partners from across the country to discuss business strategies, enhance collaboration, and recognize top-performing distributors.

The two conferences enabled GBfoods Ghana’s management to share key business plans and discuss critical trade topics of mutual interest with its valued partners.

Key distributors also took the opportunity to share their progress and reaffirm their support and commitment to the GBfoods portfolio.

The conference facilitated open discussions, allowing trade partners to engage with company leadership, share insights, and outline their expectations, strengthening relationships and driving business growth.

As part of the events, GBfoods Ghana honored top-performing distributors for their exceptional contributions over the past year. A total of 39 awards were presented across various categories, with Rapaa Limited emerging as the overall winner for the Southern sector and Michael Adjei Enterprise taking the top spot in the Northern belt.

Speaking at the event, Mr. David Afflu, General Manager of GBfoods Ghana, expressed appreciation for the distributors’ dedication and impact on the company’s success.

“We value our key partners and recognize the critical role they play in our continued success. We acknowledge your tireless efforts and dedication in driving business growth. This engagement demonstrates our commitment to collaboration, transparency, and mutual transformational growth.”

The Sales Director, Mr. Samuel Dery, also reiterated GBfoods’ commitment to growth, consumer satisfaction, and loyalty, urging distributors to sustain the growth trajectory for higher gains this year.

As GBfoods Ghana continues to celebrate local flavours, the company remains steadfast in its mission to deliver high-quality products that enrich culinary experiences and bring joy to millions of households across Ghana.

These products include the recently launched Gino Jollof Tomato Mix, a convenient, ready-to-use solution that delivers the rich, authentic flavours of Ghanaian Jollof, crafted with a blend of ingredients, including pepper, onion, ginger, garlic, and herbs & spices. Other flagship brands include Gino Peppe & Onio, Gino Curry, Pomo, and Brisk Farm.

GBfoods Ghana remains committed to delivering products that exceed consumer expectations while strengthening and deepening its relationships with key distributor partners.

President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Attorney General to recover all misappropriated funds linked to the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam project, which was initiated under the Akufo-Addo administration.

The President expressed outrage over the payment of $12 million to a contractor despite no significant progress on the project, which commenced in November 2019.

As part of his broader anti-corruption agenda, Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), President Mahama is determined to reclaim lost state funds and ensure accountability.

Describing the abandoned project site as a “crime scene,” he vowed that those responsible would face justice.

Addressing chiefs and residents of the Upper East Region, the President reaffirmed his commitment to completing stalled projects in the area, stressing that the Pwalugu Dam was meant to enhance agriculture and economic development, not serve as an avenue for embezzlement.

In 2024, the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA) defended the payment of $11.9 million to the contractor, explaining it was for mobilization rather than completed work. However, President Mahama appears unconvinced, insisting that the looted funds be retrieved. Additionally, he has tasked the finance minister with making the necessary arrangements to restart the project.