This Saturday on Newsfile, host Samson Lardy Anyenini and his panelists will discuss the Attorney-General’s decision to drop all criminal charges against Dr. Kwabena Duffuor and seven others in the uniBank case, in exchange for a 60 per cent recovery of GH¢5.7 billion owed to the state.

On July 22, the Attorney-General entered a nolle prosequi in the high-profile case involving former Finance Minister and seven others, who were facing charges related to the collapse of uniBank.

The decision, announced by Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, effectively discontinues the criminal proceedings against the accused, a move the AG’s office attributes to the significant recovery of state funds.

Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, who founded uniBank and previously served as Finance Minister, was among those charged in February 2020 with various offenses, including theft and money laundering. Court documents at the time alleged that Duffuor received GHS 663.3 million (approximately $122 million at the time) “knowing it had been obtained by means of a criminal offense.”

The charges also implicated other individuals, including a former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Johnson Asiama, who faced accusations of facilitating financial impropriety.

According to the Deputy Attorney-General’s press release, the Office of the Attorney-General, in collaboration with other relevant State agencies such as the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), established a threshold of 60 per cent recovery of the alleged losses as a condition for reconsidering prosecution in specific cases.

Also this week, revelation from the 2024 Auditor General’s report on public boards and statutory institutions indicates that financial irregularities among these state institutions amounted to GH¢18.4 billion in 2024. This represents a jump from GH¢8.8 billion in 2023, reflecting a staggering 109.3 per cent increment in just a year.

These irregularities included overdue debts owed to the state, unpaid loans and advances, locked-up investments, and other forms of outstanding receivables, procurement violations, delayed contract payments, undocumented store items, and related lapses in financial governance.

The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) presented its 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review, outlining the government’s fiscal direction and economic outlook for the remainder of the year. Delivered by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson on July 24, the review highlighted improving macroeconomic indicators, including easing inflation, a stronger cedi, and a notable decline in public debt.

The minister also cited falling fuel prices and a reduction in transport fares, offering some relief to Ghanaians.

The show will explore the legal and ethical implications of the Attorney-General’s decision to discontinue the uniBank case, the state’s approach to asset recovery, the alarming rise in financial irregularities revealed in the 2024 Auditor-General’s report, and key highlights from the NDC government’s 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review.

Tune in to Newsfile this Saturday as the panel breaks down these critical national issues with insight and clarity.

Newsfile airs live on the JoyNews channel on digital satellite channels 421 on DSTV and 144 on GoTV, and streams on JoyNews’ Facebook or YouTube channels on Saturdays from 9 am to noon.

Viewers can also follow the discussion by tuning in to Joy 99.7 FM or Luv 99.5 FM on the radio or stream the discussion live on either Google or Apple Podcasts.

Newsfile is your most authoritative news analysis programme.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Ghana beat South Africa 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw to claim the bronze medal in the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Casablanca on Friday night.

It was sweet revenge for Ghana’s Black Queens, who had lost 2-0 to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in the group stage and achieved their 2nd bronze medal after finishing 3rd in the 2016 edition.

South Africa struck first through Nonhlanhla Mthandi just before the break through a right-footed strike from outside the box in the 45th minute before Ghana responded with a deserved equaliser in the 68th minute, following a defensive mix-up that saw goalkeeper Andile Dlamini credited with an own goal after deflecting a blocked header from Alice Kusi into her own net.

Hosts Morocco who are in search of their 1st title will meet 9 time champions Nigeria on Saturday night .

Enroute to the final,Nigeria defeated South Africa 2-1 while Morocco squeezed past Ghana through post match penalties  after a 1-1 draw.

The Chief Executive Officer of National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), Mr George Abradu-Otoo continue to engage development partners and other strategic stakeholders towards the revamp of the National Food Security Reserve (NSFR).

In the latest of such engagements, the Buffer Stock boss has held joint discussions with officials from the Dakar Regional Office of the World Food Programme (WFP), the Feed Ghana Secretariat and the Architectural and Engineering Services Ltd (AESL) in Accra.

The meeting discussed comprehensive plan by government to rehabilitate Warehouses and Silos, the purchase of food stocks as well as the provision of facilities such as laboratory equipment as well as digital systems for tracking and monitoring.

Government through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture earlier this year pledged the release of One Hundred Million Ghana Cedis for the purchases of selected grains to be stocked in the revived national strategic food security reserve which is currently said to be empty.

The National Food Security Reserve is a dedicated stock of food commodities kept by the National Food Buffer Stock Company to be used by the state in emergency and lean situations.

The NFSR is also a strategy to address post-harvest losses and helps to control inflation.

Since assuming office in February this year, the new NAFCO leadership has held engagements with some donors including the WFP, ECOWAS and the Korean International Co-operation Agency (KOICA) seeking to activate the national food security reserve.

The meeting with WFP follows a similar one in May this year with the Regional Head of Resilience and Food Systems at WFP, Dr. Ones Karuho,

Mr. Abradu-Otoo told the meeting a national food reserve acts as a buffer against price fluctuations, provides a safety net during crises, and supports farmers and consumers.

“By stabilizing food prices, reserves contribute to overall economic stability and reduce the risk of food-related social unrest”, he remarked.

The National Coordinator of the Feed Ghana Programme, Mr. Bright Demordzi said the NAFCO will play a critical role in government’s Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA) hence the commitment of funds to restock the national food reserve.

The Regional Procurement Officer of WFP in Dakar, Mr. Wambui Mbugna and the Regional Supply Chain Officer, Mr. Nuru Jumaine reiterated the commitment by WFP to assist NAFCO in reviving its national food reserve, saying “It is our desire to see Africans feed Africans”.

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer Of NAFCO, Mr. Osmond Amuah said a strong and fortified food reserve in Ghana will strengthen the overall food security situation in the subregion.

When Mikel Arteta spots an opportunity to get in the good books of a talented young player, he will seldom let it pass by. Even during the contract signing ceremony of Arsenal’s newest signing, Cristhian Mosquera, the Gunners boss produced a comical moment which could also help him secure a promising prospect.

Mosquera was unveiled by his new club on Thursday, with Arsenal completing a £13million deal to sign the 21-year-old defender from Valencia. It was an emotional affair when the Spanish youth international turned up with his family to sign a five-year contract, flanked by Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta.

While Mosquera’s father was overcome with emotion, his younger brother, who himself is a capable footballer, was watching on calmly from behind the table on which Arsenal’s new boy put pen to paper.

Arteta then interrupted a chat between Mosquera and Berta to pay a compliment to the defender’s fresh-faced sibling, as he grabbed the pen and said: “Let’s take [a picture] of your brother so you can see him in the photo! For the future, he is very good!”

Whether the youngster goes on to follow in the footsteps of his older brother remains to be seen. For now, Arteta has more pressing matters to attend to, such as phasing Mosquera into a brand new group of players.

The centre-back may have a tough time earning first-team minutes ahead of the established partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. But he says that getting better will be his main motivation during the bedding-in process.

“Coming here is a chance to keep learning and improving,” Mosquera told the Arsenal website. “I’ll be working with great players and a top-class coaching staff, so that will help me develop personally. I’m a player with a lot of energy. I’m young, so I still have plenty to give. I’m fully motivated and excited. Above all, I want to improve, which will create competition within the squad. I’m really happy.”

Arteta, whose players are in the midst of a pre-season tour in Asia, wants to integrate his new signings as soon as possible.

“With Noni [Madueke] it wasn’t possible because he needed some time [after the Club World Cup] and he’s going to take a short vacation. But the others, if we can do it immediately, I think it’s better, so they can start to join the team, get to know each other and get the ideas that we want to put in the mix.”

Champion TV will debut Ghana’s first dedicated children’s morning program, “Mmofra Morning Show,” in August 2025, airing Saturdays at 9:45 AM.

The English-language production aims to blend global news, education, and entertainment for young African audiences through interactive segments.

Creator Emmanuel Oteng Agbley, an ICT tutor at Prempeh College, emphasized the show’s mission: “It’s time for Ghana and African youth to have a platform for national and international discussions that nurture talents decently.”

The program will feature innovative segments including Mmofra Newspaper Review, World News, and Fastest Guru Challenge. According to Champion TV, the initiative will provide aspiring young journalists with practical broadcasting experience. Executive Producer Aprella Bridges, a U.S.-based nurse, noted the show’s role in positive child development: “We’re equipping children to learn and grow while connecting Ghana globally through youth programming.”

Champion TV CEO Dr. Kwaku Frimpong positioned the show as transformative for African media: “This emphasizes education and creativity to shape Ghana’s next generation.” The launch aligns with the station’s commitment to innovative content amid Ghana’s current political landscape under President Mahama’s administration.

Another man has been shot dead in broad daylight at Sabon Zongo in Kumasi’s Asawase constituency, marking the second fatal shooting in the area within a week by unknown motorbike-riding assailants.

The unknown assailants, said to be on a motorbike, shot the man yet to be identified, when he was about to enter his vehicle on the spot near the OTEC FM radio station, in Sabon Zongo.

This is the second shooting incident in less than a week in the Asawase area by unknown assailants carrying AK 47 assault rifles on motorbikes.

The first fatal shooting incident, which occurred at Asawase F-Line, near the Community Centre on July 22, 2025, claimed the life of Abdul-Malik Azenba, the Kusasi chief of the Ashanti region.

The assailants, who were on a motorbike, killed the chief in his house using an AK 47 assault rifle.

The police are yet to arrest any suspects. The Friday incident had created fear and panic among residents in Kumasi, especially those in the Asawase and its environs.

There is a heavy police deployment in the area as they begin a manhunt for the perpetrators of these crimes in the area. Empty shells retrieved by the police from the crime scene suggest the use of AK 47 assault rifle by the attackers.

As at the time of filing this report, the police were yet to identify the victim and convey the body to the morgue.

Source: GNA

Featured

GNA

Jul – 26 – 2025 , 08:16

1 minute read

Ten Chinese nationals arrested for allegedly conspiring to smuggle gold out of Ghana have been granted bail by an Accra Circuit Court.

Each of the accused—Wu Cheng Tei, Tang Da Tien, Wang Chun Ling, Wei Dong, Li Fu Shou, Wei Sheng Xin, He Shi Long, Li Ren Neng, Fang Zhun Sheng and Zheng Xi Chuang—was admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 with three sureties.

Presiding Judge Mr. Samuel Bright Acquah ordered that the sureties must include a civil servant earning no less than GH¢10,000 monthly, a Chinese national resident in Ghana for over five years, and a Ghanaian citizen.

The accused were further directed to deposit their travel documents at the court registry and ensure they are available at the country’s entry points to prevent possible flight risk.

They are also required to report to the National Intelligence Bureau twice a week.

The ten were arrested on July 1, 2025, at Asankragua in the Western Region and are facing charges including unlawful trading in gold, hoarding, tax evasion, money laundering, and illegal possession of firearms.

According to prosecution, the complainants are members of the National Security Gold Board Task Force.

Intelligence gathered on June 30, 2025, indicated that the accused had flouted Ghana Gold Board directives and were actively engaged in hoarding, trading, and smuggling of gold.

The Task Force moved to Asankragua and arrested the accused, while others fled the scene.

Searches at their residences uncovered 1,286kg of gold bars, nuggets and dust, alongside ledgers detailing gold transactions and receipts.

Additional items retrieved included mercury, twelve pump action guns, 36 BB cartridges, two gold scales, and two safes containing casino cash chips.

During interrogation, the accused admitted involvement in gold sales and casino operations but failed to disclose their registered business names and vault locations.

The prosecution said investigations had confirmed their engagement in gold trade and smuggling without registration under Ghana’s tax laws.

Authorities are currently probing further to determine the scale of financial concealment stemming from the alleged offences.

Source: GNA

Popular Ghanaian broadcaster and host of GTV’s Breakfast Show, Kafui Dey

Popular Ghanaian broadcaster and host of GTV’s Breakfast Show, Kafui Dey, has officially announced his departure from the morning program after four impactful years on air.

In a heartfelt statement shared on July 24, 2025, the media personality reflected on his journey, which began on August 2, 2021.

He described the experience as “incredible,” expressing gratitude to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), the Director-General, his co-presenters, producers, directors, crew, social media team, and every guest who contributed to the success of the show.

“After 4 incredible years, IT IS TIME,” Kafui wrote. “Today, I step away from #GTVBreakfast.”

He also extended a warm message to his audience, thanking them for riding with him through the highs and lows. “To all who supported me—thank you. For the highs, the lows, and the memories, I’m truly thankful. If I ever offended anyone, please forgive me,” he added.

Though he is stepping away from the show, Kafui Dey emphasized that this is not the end.

“This isn’t goodbye. Just the end of a chapter. I believe our paths will cross again—and when they do, we will create even more beautiful memories.”

Black Queens forward, Alice Kusi

Black Queens forward Alice Kusi says she is relieved Ghana did not leave the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations empty-handed after helping her side secure a third-place finish with a 4-3 penalty shootout win over South Africa.

It was Ghana’s first WAFCON medal since 2016 and marked a significant achievement for Kim Lars Bjorkegren’s team, who recovered from a goal down to force penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

“I’m happy we didn’t go home empty-handed. We couldn’t reach the final but we’re going home with something,” said Kusi, who was named Player of the Match. “I’m really excited to be woman of the match.”

Ghana came close to scoring early, with Doris Boaduwaa and Kusi narrowly missing opportunities to break the deadlock. Grace Asantewaa also tested South African goalkeeper Andile Dlamini with a powerful effort.

However, Banyana Banyana took the lead late in the first half after a mistake by goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan allowed Nonhlanhla Mthandi to score.

The Black Queens responded with intensity in the second half and were rewarded in the 68th minute when Kusi finished off a Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah cross to level the score.

Despite several late chances, the game went to penalties, where Ghana held their nerve to secure bronze after two South African misses.

Minister-Designate for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Mohammed Adams Sukparu, has expressed confidence that he will not be sidelined in his role as Deputy Minister under Sam George.

Speaking before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Friday, July 25, the Sissala West MP  stressed that their working relationship is rooted in mutual respect and long-standing collaboration.

“I knew my minister [Sam George] before coming to this House [Parliament] in 2021. He and I have worked closely; he knows me, we know ourselves, and he knows my capabilities. I can tell you that this appointment is a prophecy come true.

He said, “I’m not surprised that I’m deputising Sam George. We will work together, and we trust ourselves. Mr. President consulted him and he accepted to work with me. because he knows what I can do to support him to succeed. So, there will be no cause for alarm.”

A/R: REGSEC bans motorbikes after 7pm over rising tensions

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Ghana on Friday signed a €87.7 million debt relief agreement with France under the Official Creditor Committee (OCC) arrangement, making it the first bilateral creditor to do so after two years of negotiations.

Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, Finance Minister, signed for Ghana, while Mr. William Ross, Co-Chair, OCC, signed for the Creditor (France), in an agreement which provides a 100 per cent debt service, a reduction on the interest and an extension on maturity on the country’s debt.

Dr. Forson expressed the country’s appreciation to France, the Paris Club, and the Official Creditors Committee, as well as legal and financial advisors, for the collaborative work, which had culminated in the signing of the first bilateral agreement.

“It is often said that it is only in difficult times that you see your true friends, and we can say without mincing words that the French Republic came through for Ghana and Ghana is extremely grateful,” Dr. Ato Forson said.

He noted the improvements in the Ghanaian economy, indicating the government’s resolve to sustain the progress made while drawing investments into key priority areas – healthcare, education, agriculture and infrastructure.

“Today is a milestone – in the sense that it has taken us some years to get here, but it’s the most significant one that will pave the way for others to this side,” he said, noting the country’s turbulent times and the current promising point for more investment.

“Inflation that was once at 54.1 per cent has now come down to 13.7 per cent. We are seeing growth bound to about a five-year high. We are seeing particularly reserves, the external position improving to about four months of import cover, and the primary surplus is at 1.1 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” the Minister recounted.

“We are determined to hold the line and sustain the progress we have made year to date, and we believe that in the coming days, Ghana will be able to see investment after the stability,” Dr. Ato Forson said, pledging the government’s commitment to a deepened mutually beneficial cooperation with France.

Thomas Nyarko Ampem, Deputy Finance Minister, stated that the agreement with France and the once ahead would provide clarity and certainty on the country’s debt sustainability, “telling a good story that Ghana is on track.”

Describing Ghana’s debt composition and treatment as complex, Mr. Ross said the professional and efficient engagement with multiple stakeholders built trust among the official bilateral and international creditors, leading to France signing the agreement.

“We have decided to reduce by 100 per cent as debt service, reduce interest and increase the maturity to give you space for investment, to also negotiate with other creditors and create a real partnership for other stakeholders to contribute to.

“If you look at what we have done for Ghana, it is shorter than what we did for Zambia, but we have continued to improve in the case of Ethiopia… you have been very impressive because you have many people and institutions to engage with,” Mr Ross said.

The French Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Jules Armand Aniambossou, described the moment as emotional, reflecting on the long, difficult journey the two countries embarked on before reaching an agreement.

“When I came to this country more than two years ago, the country was facing some difficulties. But when your friend is your family is facing difficulties, you have to show that you will not just say, I am sorry, but to take some key actions.

“That is why the French government at the very high level, decided to do. Because we are here today due to the political volunteers from both sides. France decided not to let down Ghana because of our historical relationship and the key role Ghana is playing in our region [Africa],” he stated.

This development forms part of a broader debt restructuring effort under the ongoing implementation of Ghana’s three-year US$3 billion loan-supported programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with US$2.3bn disbursements so far.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.