Category: Local News

Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has clarified the funding of the Hajj Village, stating that the facility is being constructed by the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) without any taxpayer contributions.

In a statement shared on X, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu reiterated the government’s stance on the project, dispelling rumours that public funds were being used for its construction.

His clarification comes amid growing interest and debate about the purpose and financial sources of the project. President John Dramani Mahama officially cut sod for the construction of the new Hajj Village on Friday, February 28.

The facility is designed to support Ghanaian Muslims embarking on the sacred pilgrimage to Mecca.

As part of this year’s Hajj arrangements, President Mahama has also announced plans to airlift 5,000 Ghanaian pilgrims.

The construction of the Hajj Village aims to enhance efficiency and organization, providing a smoother departure experience for pilgrims.

President John Dramani Mahama on Sunday, March 2, worshipped with the clergy in the Ashanti Region. The event, held in Kumasi, was part of the President’s continued efforts to connect with religious leaders and express gratitude for the government’s electoral victories.

The clergy prayed for President Mahama and his administration, seeking divine guidance and blessings for the execution of their mandate. This gathering follows a similar event held in Accra, where the President also met with religious leaders to foster unity and spiritual support. The event was attended by several government officials and clergymen from various denominations, underscoring the significance of faith and collaboration in the nation’s development.

President John Dramani Mahama has addressed concerns over the rise of immorality and crime in Ghana, despite over 90% of the population identifying as people of faith.

He argued that without the presence of the church, the situation could be far worse, highlighting its crucial role in upholding moral standards and guiding society.

“There’s an often-heard argument that while more than 90% of Ghanaians profess to be persons of faith, immorality and crime are on the rise. And my answer to such people who make that argument is that the situation would probably have been worse if there was no church.

“Because consider that there was no church and people could do whatever they wanted. The situation would have been worse. And so the churches are doing their best,” President Mahama told the clergy in Kumasi on Sunday.

He also stressed the need for unity among Christian denominations, warning that division weakens the church’s influence.

“It is essential to emphasise the importance of fostering unity among Christian denominations. A divided church weakens its impact.

“But a united church can transform society. Let us work together to build a vibrant and influential Christian community that speaks with one voice on issues of national development,” he urged.

Mustapha Gbande, Deputy Director in charge of Operations at the Presidency, has criticised the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for its approach toward the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

His comments come in response to the NPP’s plan to deliver what they call the “True State of the Nation Address” on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. This follows President John Dramani Mahama’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on February 27, 2025, which the NPP claims failed to address critical national issues and misrepresented Ghana’s current state.

In a statement dated February 28, the NPP criticised President Mahama’s address for lacking a comprehensive and accurate assessment of the nation’s trajectory since he assumed office on January 7, 2025.

Speaking to Citi News’ Akosua Otchere, Gbande urged the NPP to reconsider its stance and apologise rather than persist with what he described as arrogance and insults.

He accused the opposition party of fostering a mindset aimed at destabilising the country and assured that the NDC would not allow the government to be unfairly attacked or distracted.

“NPP, if they were a good political party led by leaders, thinking leaders, this is the time to reflect, go back to their base and apologise. But yet they won’t do that. They want to still adopt arrogance, they want to still adopt insults, they want to still adopt the mindset to destabilise this country,” Gbande stated.

“I can assure you that the NDC won’t sit back and allow this government to be unnecessarily attacked and distracted,” he added.

The Attorney General has directed security agencies to begin questioning individuals implicated in corruption investigations, paving the way for possible prosecutions. 

The move follows a review of findings from government-led inquiries into financial irregularities, Minister for Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu has said. Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, March 1, 2025, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu stated that the Attorney General has assessed the evidence and identified cases that warrant legal action. As a result, security agencies have begun questioning suspects while legal processes continue.

“At least three cases have attracted public attention,” Mr. Kwakye Ofosu said. “The first is the National Service Scheme (NSS) scandal, where two individuals, including an accountant and a former deputy executive director, have been taken in for questioning. This has been done lawfully, and so far, I have not heard any complaints from their lawyers about rights violations.”

Another case under investigation is the SkyTrain project, in which $2 million was allegedly paid to a company without any clear evidence of work done.

Mr. Kwakye Ofosu confirmed that Professor Ameyaw Ekumfi, board chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), former Minister Joe Ghartey, and other officials have been questioned regarding their involvement.

“The Attorney General will not take a case to court unless there is strong evidence of wrongdoing,” Mr Kwakye Ofosu stated. “But when there are clear signs of financial loss to the state, investigations must be carried out, and those responsible must answer for their actions.”

He also revealed that some suspects have left the country, taking refuge in nations that do not have extradition agreements with Ghana. Efforts are underway to bring them back to face legal proceedings.

The Attorney General’s directive marks the latest step in the government’s anti-corruption efforts, with several high-profile prosecutions expected in the coming months.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu stressed that the Mahama administration remains committed to holding public officials accountable. “The wheels of justice grind slowly, but they grind efficiently,” he said.

A study has shed new light on the linguistic environment of Ghanaian infants, revealing that most babies in the country grow up surrounded by multiple languages. 

The research, conducted by a team led by Potsdam University psycholinguists Prof. Dr. Natalie Boll-Avetisyan and Paul O. Omane, underscores that the roots of Africa’s renowned multilingualism can be traced back to infancy. The study, recently published in the journal Cognitive Development, examined 121 babies aged three to twelve months in Ghana’s capital, Accra. It found that these infants are regularly exposed to between two and six languages, reflecting the multilingual nature of Ghanaian society. The number of caregivers each child interacts with also ranges from two to six, reinforcing the diversity of linguistic input.

“The idea that a child learns only one particular language from a single caregiver, as is often assumed in Western cultures, does not apply to these communities. Rather, children are surrounded by a rich spectrum of linguistic inputs from the very beginning,” said Paul O. Omane, the study’s first author. Role of community and indirect language input

Ghanaian families often reside in “compound buildings,” where extended family members, neighbours, and relatives contribute significantly to child-rearing. These communal settings foster a natural multilingual environment, with infants hearing different languages from various sources.

A key discovery of the study is the distinction between direct and indirect language input. Local languages such as Akan, Ga, and Ewe are primarily acquired through direct interactions with caregivers. In contrast, English is predominantly absorbed through indirect means, such as television, radio, and official communication.

“It is often emphasized how important direct language contact is for language acquisition,” said Prof. Dr. Natalie Boll-Avetisyan. “However, our results suggest that indirect input – especially through media and official communication – also plays an essential role in the children’s daily lives, particularly in urban contexts.”

Call for a broader perspective in language research

The study challenges existing linguistic research paradigms, which have historically focused on monolingual or bilingual environments in Western industrialized nations. The researchers argue that these narrow perspectives fail to capture the complex and dynamic multilingual realities in countries like Ghana. “Our research shows that for many children, a multilingual environment is a dynamic, vibrant reality from the very beginning. Multilingualism is not just a bonus, but a fundamental part of children’s identity and social structure,” the researchers concluded.

The findings provide valuable insights for linguists, educators, and policymakers, highlighting the need to embrace diverse linguistic environments and rethink traditional approaches to language acquisition.

Hundreds of members from Charismatic Believers Church International (CBCI), representing branches from across Ghana and other African countries, gathered for a thanksgiving service last Sunday to commemorate the ministry’s 25th anniversary at Ogbojo in Accra.

The spirit-filled event also saw the participation of CBCI branches from the US and UK, along with reverend ministers, politicians and traditional leaders from the community. With all church departments – Clergy, Men’s Ministry, Women’s Ministry, Youth, Children’s Ministry, Choir and Protocol Team – fully present, the ceremony kicked off with a dynamic worship session led by renowned evangelist and worship leader, Uncle Ato.

The atmosphere was thick with an undeniable sense of divine presence as worshipers were immersed in a powerful outpouring of praise and adoration. The energy was palpable, with the congregation experiencing a deep sense of unity, faith and the moving of the Holy Spirit. Some of the dignitaries in attendance were General overseer of CBCI, Rt. Rev. Kwabena Owusu-Amoah, National Women’s Director, Rev, Mrs Florence Owusu-Amoah, Country Director, Global Leadership Network, Rev. Philip Tutu, General Secretary, Rev. Sampson Onwona Asare, CEO of Oil Corp Energia, Frederick Appertey, who chaired the occasion and Head, CBCI Afienya Area, Rev. Mrs Lydia Adzisam.

A delegation representing the Chief of Ogbojo, Nii Torgbor Obodai II, also joined in the celebration, adding to the significance of the occasion.

Theme

The General Overseer of CBCI, Rt. Rev. Kwabena Owusu-Amoah, in a heartfelt message, urged the body of Christ in Ghana and around the world to remain vigilant and ensure that the fire and revival of the church never fades.

He emphasized that the church’s focus should remain on the message of salvation, which can only be realized when God’s fire continues to burn within the church. Reflecting on the anniversary theme, “Keeping The Fire Burning in the Power of His Might,” he advised the global church, particularly in Ghana, to stay watchful and maintain the fire and revival of the Spirit. “We must ensure that the fire keeps burning. The church must not let it go out,” he said.

He also highlighted the alarming trend of churches veering away from the core message of the gospel. “Today, many churches are engaging in activities that contradict the true gospel. We’re selling all kinds of things in the church. This is not to say that one church is better than another, but I implore the churches in Ghana to keep fueling the fire through evangelism,” he stated.

Challenges

Rt. Rev. Owusu-Amoah shared that the journey of ministry over the past 25 years has been filled with both joyful and challenging moments. He revealed that nearly half of that time was spent battling legal issues over land and dealing with pastoral breakaways. However, by God’s mercy and guidance, the church has persevered and reached this milestone.

He expressed his hopes for the future, stating, “It is my prayer that the next 25 years, should Jesus tarry, will see even greater growth—both qualitatively and quantitatively—in every area of our ministry. We are committed to mobilizing efforts for the evangelization of our communities, planting more churches, winning more souls, and supporting various socio-economic activities for the benefit of our members and those around us.” Anniversary Project

Rt. Rev. Owusu-Amoah shared that as part of the 25th anniversary celebrations, CBCI plans to construct a children’s block that will include a library, classrooms, and offices, all aimed at training the children in the fear of the Lord.

“Ebenezer! Look at how far the Lord has brought us,” he said. 

“In the past 25 years, we have accomplished so much, and we pray that God continues to give us the strength to do even more. Our children’s ministry has grown, and their current space can no longer accommodate them. We want to build a new children’s block with a library, classrooms, and offices to provide them with better training in the Lord.”

Sermon

Country Director of the Global Leadership Network, Rev. Philip Tutu preached a powerful sermon based on Leviticus 6:12-13, sharing five key truths for experiencing the fire of God. 

He emphasized the importance of keeping the fire on the altar burning, ensuring it never goes out, and the priest’s responsibility to add fresh wood to the fire each morning.

“The time has come when, if the church of God is to remain strong, we must fuel the fire daily. When the fire of God fades, human thinking takes over. If we want God’s fire to continue reigning in the church, we must keep praying,” he said.

“We are all priests in the house of God,” he continued. “It is our duty, as priests of God, to add fresh wood to the fire every morning. You are not just a member attending church—you are a priest of God,” he added.

Muslims in Ghana will soon have two public holidays for the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, as the government moves to amend the Public Holidays Act.

President John Dramani Mahama made the announcement on Friday, February 28, 2025, during the sod-cutting ceremony for a permanent Hajj Village in Accra.

Mr Mahama said he has directed the legal counsel at the Presidency, Madam Marietta Brew, to initiate the amendment, allowing Muslims more time to observe the religious occasion.

“Eid is a time of deep spiritual reflection, community gatherings, and acts of charity. The additional holiday will give Muslims ample time to fulfil their religious duties,” he said. Mr Mahama also reiterated the government’s support for the welfare of Muslims in Ghana, citing the construction of the National Mosque and the newly planned Hajj Village as part of broader efforts to improve infrastructure for religious activities.

The amendment to the Public Holidays Act is expected to be finalised with the two-day Eid holiday taking effect from this year’s Ramadan celebration.

“Therefore, beginning this year there will be two days of holiday at the end of the holy month of Ramadan,” he added.

A Bronx-based former immigration attorney, Kofi Amankwaa, has been sentenced to 70 months in prison for his role in a multi-year immigration fraud scheme involving fraudulent filings under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced the sentencing on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, following Amankwaa’s guilty plea in September 2024. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla.

According to court documents, Amankwaa and his associates filed thousands of fraudulent immigration applications falsely alleging that his clients were victims of abuse by their U.S. citizen children or family members. He did this without informing his clients, charging them between $3,000 and $6,000, plus administrative fees.

Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky described Amankwaa’s actions as an abuse of the immigration system.

“Kofi Amankwaa, a former immigration attorney, made a mockery of the U.S. immigration system and VAWA — a law that provides noncitizen victims of domestic abuse a path to lawful permanent residence status — by filing thousands of immigration documents falsely alleging that his clients were victims of abuse by their children or other family members.”

Amankwaa used these fraudulent VAWA applications to obtain advance parole travel documents for his clients, allowing them to travel abroad and re-enter the United States. He then used these documents to apply for permanent residency, despite knowing that his clients had not actually been victims of abuse.

Disbarment and Financial Penalties

Due to numerous complaints from victims, Amankwaa’s law license was suspended in November 2023, and he was disbarred in August 2024.

In addition to his prison sentence, Amankwaa has been ordered to:

– Serve three years of supervised release
– Forfeit $13,389,000

– Pay $16,503,425 in restitution to his victims

Authorities have urged victims of Amankwaa’s fraud to contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at [email protected] for potential restitution. Ongoing investigation

The Newark Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation, with support from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Office of Fraud Detection and National Security.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Z. Margulies, with the General Crimes Unit, prosecuted the case, assisted by Paralegal Specialist Samantha Roberts.

Amankwaa’s conviction highlights ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to crack down on immigration fraud and protect the integrity of the legal system.

Mustapha Gbande, Deputy Director in charge of Operations at the Presidency, has reaffirmed the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) commitment to prosecuting officials from the previous administration who are alleged to have misappropriated state resources.

Speaking to Citi News, Gbande stated: “I know that President Mahama is committed, and the party is solidly behind him to do that which Ghanaians have brought us to do, including prosecuting those who have stolen from the nation.”

He cautioned the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that no one would be above the law, warning that even former President Akufo-Addo could face house arrest if necessary.

Gbande further stressed that the NDC would abide by the legal framework set by the NPP and advised them not to protest when the process unfolds.

He revealed that in the coming days, corruption and dubious deals hidden within ministries, departments, and agencies would be exposed.

“In the next few days, you will see ministries, departments, agencies unearthing the rots, the crook deals that have been buried from the public and the media.”

Accusing the former government of large-scale corruption, Gbande asserted that legal action would be taken against those involved, including former President Akufo-Addo.

“I can say on authority that they have stolen from the nation. President Akufo-Addo has supervised his appointees to steal from the nation. You are going to see this, and those people will be taken on by the laws of the land. Nana Akufo-Addo himself will not be spared,” he declared.