On March 25, 2025, renowned British actor and filmmaker Idris Elba was honored as a son of Ga Land in a grand ceremony at the Ga Mantse Palace in Accra. The event, under the reign of King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, celebrated Elba’s contributions to the African diaspora and his dedication to developing Ghana’s creative industry.
Elba’s visit included an exciting announcement: he plans to build a world-class film studio and school on 22 acres of land near Osu Castle. This project aims to provide training, employment, and a creative hub for young Ghanaian talent, with a focus on African cinema.
King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II expressed strong support for the initiative, emphasizing the need to guide the youth and advance the creative arts. The announcement was met with applause and marked a significant moment for Ghana’s growing role in the global film industry.
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62-Year-Old Businesswoman Remanded Over $13K Fraud
Nana Ama Nwurueze, a 62-year-old self-styled businesswoman, has been remanded by the Adabraka District Court in Accra for allegedly defrauding another businesswoman, Dorothy Asare, of $13,000. Nwurueze reportedly posed as a wealthy businesswoman with substantial properties, including Ohemaa Plaza in East Legon, fishing vessels in Takoradi, and a house at Airport, to deceive the complainant.The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Apewa Achana, has charged Nwurueze with defrauding by false pretenses. She was arrested after a bench warrant was issued against her in December last year. Despite pleading not guilty, her bail application was denied, as the court determined she was a flight risk. The case was initially reported to the Airport Police Station in 2021, but attempts to arrest her were unsuccessful until her eventual arrest in March 2024. Following her arrest, she was granted police inquiry bail but went […]
President Mahama Nominates 71 New DCEs Pending Approval
President John Mahama has nominated 71 new District Chief Executives (DCEs) across various districts in Ghana, pending approval by local Assembly members. This move is aimed at strengthening local governance as these executives are expected to play a crucial role in the management of their respective districts.An official statement detailing the nominations was signed by Dr. Callistus Mahama, the Secretary to the President, and addressed to the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs.While most districts have their nominees, the nomination for the Kpando district is still pending. The new DCEs will need to be confirmed by the Assembly members in their respective districts before they officially take up their roles.
FIC Freezes Accounts of Bills Micro-Credit Founder, Richard Nii Armah Quaye
The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) has frozen all accounts associated with Richard Nii Armah Quaye, the founder of Bills Micro-Credit. This includes accounts linked to Bills Micro-Credit, Quick Credit and Investment Micro-Credit, as well as an account of Romeo-Richlove Kweku Seshie, the Chief Executive Officer of Bills Micro-Credit.The action follows a letter from the FIC, in line with Section 56(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044), and applies to all accounts connected to the named individuals, pending further instructions. The FIC’s role involves analyzing suspicious transactions related to money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes.The move comes after a statement from the Ghana Revenue Authority revealing that Nii Armah Quaye is undergoing a personal income tax assessment for over GHS 30 million in unpaid taxes. This freeze is part of regular regulatory oversight to ensure compliance with […]
Over 1,350 ECG Containers Missing from Tema Harbour Amid Procurement Breaches – Energy
The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has raised significant concerns over the disappearance of more than 1,350 containers belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) from the Tema Harbour. A committee tasked with investigating the matter has uncovered serious procurement breaches that have been ongoing for several years.Jinapor shared a 103-page report on the matter, describing the findings as alarming, with a clear indication of irregularities that have affected the country’s energy sector. The Minister emphasized that law enforcement agencies would be involved to ensure that those responsible for the missing containers and procurement violations are held accountable.The disappearance of the containers and the associated procurement irregularities have sparked concerns about transparency and accountability within Ghana's energy sector, urging the government to take swift action.
Ex-FIFA Chief Blatter and Platini Cleared in Corruption Case
Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter and French soccer legend Michel Platini have been cleared of corruption charges by a Swiss court. The pair were accused of authorizing a 2 million Swiss franc payment to Platini in 2011. The court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prove the payment was fraudulent, acknowledging their consistent account of an oral agreement for the payment.The decision marks the end of a long-running legal battle, which began in 2015 and resulted in their suspension from football by FIFA. Both Blatter and Platini expressed relief following the verdict. Platini declared that his honor had been restored, while Blatter described the case as a burden that had hung over him for years.Swiss federal prosecutors are reviewing the decision and may appeal to the Swiss Federal Court.
Idris Elba Honored as a Son of Ga Land, Announces Film Studio Project in Accra
On March 25, 2025, renowned British actor and filmmaker Idris Elba was honored as a son of Ga Land in a grand ceremony at the Ga Mantse Palace in Accra. The event, under the reign of King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, celebrated Elba’s contributions to the African diaspora and his dedication to developing Ghana’s creative industry.Elba’s visit included an exciting announcement: he plans to build a world-class film studio and school on 22 acres of land near Osu Castle. This project aims to provide training, employment, and a creative hub for young Ghanaian talent, with a focus on African cinema.King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II expressed strong support for the initiative, emphasizing the need to guide the youth and advance the creative arts. The announcement was met with applause and marked a significant moment for Ghana’s growing role in the global […]
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GFA ExCo Member Gifty Oware‑Mensah Implicated in GH¢548 Million NSA Payroll Fraud
Gifty Oware‑Mensah—a current member of the Ghana Football Association’s Executive Council and former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS)—has been named by Attorney‑General Dominic Ayine as a central suspect in the GH¢548 million ghost‑names payroll fraud, involving payroll manipulation and a fraudulent loan scheme. 1. PYRAMID OF FRAUD Ayine revealed that 9,934 ghost names were used by Oware‑Mensah to siphon funds, funnelled into a fake company she registered—Blocks of Life Consult, using the identities of others. She is alleged to have secured a GH¢30.7 million loan from the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), using NSS allowances as collateral—then redirected the money into personal and company accounts. 2. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AHEAD Oware‑Mensah is among 12 former NSS officials—including former Executive Director Mustapha Ussif and Osei Assibey Antwi—set to face charges of fraud, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state […]
Former NSA Officials and Vendors Face Prosecution Over GH¢548 Million Ghost‑Names Fraud
Attorney-General Dominic Ayine has confirmed that 12 former National Service Scheme (NSS/NSA) officials, alongside a network of vendors, will face formal charges for siphoning a staggering GH¢548.3 million through a “ghost-names” payroll scam spanning six years. 1. Who’s Being Charged The 12 suspects, comprising high-ranking NSS officials and senior staff, include: Mustapha Ussif – former Executive Director Gifty Oware-Mensah – former Deputy Executive Director (alleged ringleader) Osei Assibey Antwi – ex-Director General Kwaku Ohene Gyan, Abraham Bismarck Gaise, Kwaku Adjei, Iddrisu Abubakar, Stephen Kwabena Gyamfi, Prince Awuku, Jacob Yawson, plus two unnamed accomplices. Mr. Ayine stated that vendor networks also conspired in the scheme—billing for undelivered services and muddying financial trails . 2. Mechanism of the Fraud The scam involved adding 81,885 ghost names to the NSS payroll and using falsified ID details—including index numbers—to siphon funds. At one point, GH¢50+ […]
36 Prison Inmates Write BECE, 2 Candidates Die, and 16 More Invigilators Arrested
This year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in Ghana saw 36 male prison inmates sit for exams nationwide. However, the exam period was also marred by tragedy—two candidates died during the process—and 16 additional invigilators were arrested for malpractice, bringing the total to 25 officers detained. 1. Prison Inmates Take the Exam The inmates came from four facilities: 18 juveniles at the Senior Correctional Centre (SCC), seven from Nsawam Medium Security, six from Ho Central Prison, and five from Kumasi Central Prison . Educators from the Ghana Prisons Service and Ghana Education Service prepared and accompanied them to registered exam centres under guard . 2. Two Tragic Deaths A 14-year-old girl, identified as Jennifer Osei Nyamah, collapsed and died at Kwahu Praso in the Eastern Region. She had shown symptoms during exams and passed away after hospitalization . Another candidate […]
OSP Conducts Search on SML Amid Corruption Investigation
Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has conducted a court-authorized search at the offices of Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML) in both Osu and Tema, seizing data in connection with a controversial contract linked to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). 1. Locations & Warrants The simultaneous raids—in Tema’s Industrial Area and Osu, Accra—were executed under court orders, supported by the National Security Secretariat. The objective: collect electronic records from SML’s servers related to its lucrative contract with GRA. 2. Arrests of SML Directors Preceding the search, the OSP arrested three senior directors from SML as part of its intensifying probe into alleged corruption tied to this contract. 3. OSP's Official Position OSP officials emphasized that no property was damaged during the raids. They confirmed the search was purely investigatory, and insisted it followed proper legal procedures to ensure integrity […]
Nurses and Midwives Call Off Strike Following Parliament Talks
The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has officially suspended its nationwide strike following what it described as a “very fruitful” meeting with Parliament’s Select Committee on Health on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Nurses and midwives are set to return to work on Saturday, June 14. 1. Strike Overview & Cause The strike began June 2 with symbolic red bands, escalating to a full withdrawal of services by June 9. GRNMA demanded full implementation of the 2024 Collective Agreement, which includes allowances and welfare improvements. 2. Parliamentary Intervention Parliament’s Health Committee convened with GRNMA leaders on June 12, outlining a clear framework for resolving outstanding issues. The Association termed the engagement “very fruitful,” setting the stage for structured implementation of their demands. 3. Return to Duty & Follow-Up GRNMA leadership directed all members to resume work on June 14 […]
GH¢548 Million ‘Ghost Names’ Scandal Rocks National Service Scheme – AG Speaks
Ghana’s Attorney‑General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has exposed a staggering GH¢548.3 million siphoned from the National Service Scheme (NSS) through a fraudulent “ghost names” payroll scheme spanning six years. 1. How the Fraud Worked Investigators identified 81,885 ghost names added to the NSS payroll, facilitating monthly fraudulent payments of over GH¢50 million. Ghost workers were supported with fabricated IDs and index numbers, bypassing system checks. 2. Scope of Financial Loss The total fraud occurred between 2018 and 2024, with over GH¢350 million lost just during the 2022/23 service year . 3. Who’s Involved 12 suspects, including former NSS Executive Director Mustafa Yusif, ex-Director-General Osei Assibey Antwi, and former Deputy Executive Director Gifty Oware-Mensah, are facing prosecution . A network of vendors also colluded by billing for undelivered goods and services, receiving millions with no verifiable evidence . 4. Broader Corruption Ties […]