By Gifty Amofa  

Accra, May 10, GNA – The Twifo-Praso District Court has remanded two suspects in police custody over the alleged murder of a woman at Kokoase, Twifo Praso, in the Central Region.    

Isaac Arhin and Richard Armah are accused of involvement in the death of Tahiru Zenabu.    

Their pleas were not taken, and they will return to court on May 21, 2025.    

Police said Zenabu was found dead in her room on April 3, 2025, with a cloth tied around her neck and bloodstains on her hands.    

The suspects were arrested on May 5, 2025, at Twifo Aboabo.    

Preliminary investigations revealed that Armah, a mobile phone repairer, was arrested after using Zenabu’s phone to call her friend, who reported the matter to the police.    

During interrogation, Armah named Arhin as an accomplice, leading to his arrest.    

Police have retrieved the mobile phone, which is now in custody. 

GNA 

KAS 

Ex-Germany international Gerald Asamoah has expressed scepticism about an African nation winning the FIFA World Cup.

The former Schalke forward, who is of Ghanaian heritage, believes countries from the continent still face challenges in competing at the highest level of global football.

Morocco remains the only African side to have reached the semi-final stage of the tournament, achieving that feat at the 2022 edition in Qatar.

Other nations, including Ghana and Senegal, have come close by making it to the quarter-finals, but have ultimately fallen short of clinching the trophy.

“I want to see this before I leave the earth but it is not going to be easy.

“It is about teamwork and this is a problem Africans have. We have always some issues in the team.”

The next World Cup will be held in 2026 across the USA, Canada and Mexico, with qualifiers still ongoing.

Ghana’s Black Stars, who sit top of Group I with 15 points, face Chad and Mali in September’s World Cup qualifiers.

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• The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, presented renowned artist Kofi Kinaata with the Youth in Entertainment Award
• Ghanaian musician Kofi Kinaata was among the celebrities who received awards at the Millennium Excellence Awards
• Ghanaian celebrity blogger Ameyaw Debrah and others have commented on Kofi Kinaata’s post on Instagram

On Friday, May 9, 2025, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, honoured Ghanaian musician Kofi Kinaata with the Youth in Entertainment Award during a special ceremony at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

Kofi Kinaata, renowned for his impactful lyrics and socially conscious music, has become a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.

Martin King Arthur, popularly known as Kofi Kinaata, has always addressed critical societal issues, establishing him as a significant voice for the people.

The Asantehene previously acknowledged Kinaata’s influential song “Susuka,” praising it as “full of wisdom” during the General Conference of the Ghana Bar Association in September 2024.

This award came just one day before the 2025 Telecel Ghana Music Awards, where Kofi Kinaata is nominated for multiple accolades, including Best Highlife Artiste of the Year, Best Highlife Song of the Year, Best Music Video of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Record of the Year, and Album/EP of the Year.

The Otumfuo Millennium Excellence Awards, an initiative of the Manhyia Palace, honoured individuals who have made significant contributions to national development across various sectors.

The awards emphasise the work of those who support underprivileged communities, including the poor, widows, and orphans.

Distinguished recipients of the Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize at the event included notable figures such as Dr. Kwame Despite, Dr. Ernest Ofori Sarpong, and Dr. Nick Danso, CEO of Ghana Link Network Services.

The ceremony was a strictly invitation-only event, attended by President John Dramani Mahama as the Special Guest of Honour.

Otumfuo honours Kofi Kinaata

Ghanaian media personality Andy Dosty and other celebrities have commented on Kofi Kinaata’s post on Instagram. YEN.com.gh has compiled some reactions below:

danielpelujones stated:

“Huge congratulations. You deserve it sir. More blessings and successes 👏👏🔥🔥🔥🙌❤️.”

andydostygh stated:

“Congrats 🔥🔥.”

amasekum stated:

“More will follow, congratulations ❤️.”

abrantiethegentleman

“Congrats TEAMMOOOVE 🙌.”

freedom____official

“This is HUGE. 🔥🙌.”

akosuawilliams

“Congrats to you, big boss..keep making us proud..teammoooove❤️🔥.”

georginarobertson16

“Congratulations, Kofi. Tomorrow is another day😍.”

kobe_boujee

“Congratulations.”

oboyfranknaro3

“Congrats Mr Arthur🎉👏👏.”

danielkobby

“@Auntie_Ama ei!!! Kofi agye award fofrɔ’a sika kan ho o😂😂. Ɔba fie a gye wo share😂.”

Check out the photos below:

Kofi Kinaata rocks a suit

Ghanaian artist Kofi Kinaata looked dashing in a suit specially tailored for him for his music video shoot.

Kofi Kinaata, also known as the Fanta Rap God, looked dapper in his signature haircut and accessorised his look with an expensive necklace.

The Instagram video is below:

2025 Telecel Ghana Music Awards predictions

Earlier, YEN.com.gh wrote about the probable winners at the 26th Telecel Ghana Music Awards on May 10, 2025.

Numerous music fans and entertainment commentators have selected the winners they believe will prevail in each category.

In an interview with YEN.com.gh, Fiifi Adinkra, the founder of GhanaNdwom, gave predictions about the probable winners.

Source: YEN.com.gh

GUTA President, Dr Joseph Obeng

High utilities and taxes could jeopardise the country’s economic stabilisation, government’s 24-hour economy initiative for jobs and industrialisation agenda, the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has cautioned.

This comes on the back of a recent announcement of a 14.75 per cent increase in electricity tariff, effective May 3, 2025, and the Government’s indication of adding the COVID-19 levy to Value Added Tax (VAT) in a rationalisation exercise.

“Fortunately, the economic indicators are getting right,” Dr Joseph Obeng, the President of GUTA, said in an exclusive interview with the Ghana News Agency, cautioning against actions that could derail the gains.

“We do not have to negate it with any unwanted costs of doing business, regarding utility tariff increment and high Value Added Tax (VAT). Because if care is not taken, we will shoot ourselves in the foot,” he said.

“The 14.75 per cent increase in electricity tariff is so huge and unjustified, given the improvement in economic indicators that were cited as reasons for previous increases,” Dr. Obeng said.

GUTA, the largest trading body has been pushing for a broad restructuring of the current VAT system to ensure uniformity, simplicity, affordability, leading to greater compliance and generating more revenue for the Government.

The current VAT system comprised a standard rate of 15 per cent, with an additional 2.5 per cent National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL), 2.5 per cent Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) Levy, and a one per cent COVID-19 Levy.

In essence, businesses under the standard VAT scheme incurred a rate of 21 per cent, while small businesses with an annual turnover below GHS500,000 paid three per cent VAT under the Flat Rate Scheme (VFRS).

To alleviate hardships and ease the high cost of doing business, the Government pledged to scrap some tax handles, including Electronic Transfer Levy (E-levy), Emissions Levy and 10 per cent levy on bet winnings, and COVID-19 levy.

So far, the E-levy, Emissions Levy and the Betting Tax have all been scrapped, but President Mahama has indicated that the COVID-19 levy would be addressed in a VAT rationalisation exercise in September 2025.

Dr Obeng advocated that the Government took bold steps to halt further increases in utilities, VAT and port charges to create a safe space for enhanced local production at affordable prices.

He urged the Government to purge the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) of inefficiencies and alleged corrupt practices, citing the missing containers of cables and other essential materials of the company as example.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has identified arrears by ECG to Independent Power Producers and other power sector players as a major concern in the implementation of the country’s US$3 billion loan-supported programme.

“Arrears are continuing to accumulate, which is a very significant challenge for Ghana, given the implications it can have for power supply,” said Stéphane Roudet, the IMF Mission Chief for Ghana.

He, however, noted that the Fund had seen a promising reform that could make ECG more efficient at collecting its bills and reducing the large commercial losses of the company.

He said this during a media roundtable at the April 2025 IMF/World Bank Group Spring meetings in Washington DC, USA, expressing confidence in the country’s economic stability.

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Ghana’s debt burden will ease sharply this year as the economy expands and the government reins in spending after a debt crisis, Barclays Plc said.

The country’s debt ratio probably declined to 54% of gross domestic product in January from 61.8% of GDP at the end of December, three years earlier than an International Monetary Fund goal under the country’s $3 billion programme, Barclays analysts Michael Kafe and Andreas Kolbe wrote in a note to clients. That’s on the back of reduced government borrowing and a larger GDP, the analysts said.

The central bank will publish its next report containing the latest debt figures in two weeks.

Ghana sought IMF help after loans ballooned, and it defaulted in 2022.

The new administration under President John Dramani Mahama has vowed to cut spending to restore economic stability. Mahama, who resoundingly won the December elections, plans to cut the overall budget deficit to 3.1% of GDP this year from 7.9% in 2024.

These targets are taming public debt, which probably increased 3.9% month-on-month to 755 billion cedis ($57.4 billion) in January, after roughly 10 billion cedis domestic borrowing and 4% depreciation in the cedi against the dollar, Kafe and Kolbe said.

Nominal GDP is also estimated to be larger at 1.4 trillion cedis in 2025 compared with about 1.2 trillion cedis last year, they said.

Debt may rise during the year as the government rolls out its programmes, the Barclays analysts said.

Under the current arrangement with the IMF, Ghana must implement reforms in order to reduce its debt burden to 55% of GDP by 2028.

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Ghana must go beyond prosecuting individuals and confront the deep-seated corruption embedded in its national security architecture, says Bright Simons, Honorary Vice President of IMANI Africa.

Mr. Simons is urging full and transparent prosecution of former National Signals Bureau (NSB) boss, Kwabena Adu-Boahen, not as a symbolic gesture, but as a bold step toward exposing what he describes as “rogue networks” operating under the guise of national security.

Adu-Boahen is currently on trial for allegedly misappropriating GH¢49 million. In a startling memo addressed to the National Security Coordinator, the former intelligence chief claimed the funds were used for covert operations—including GH¢8.3 million to procure “communications equipment” for an opposition party, and nearly GH¢1 million allegedly paid to legislators to pass key security-related laws.

The former spy chief has since accused the Attorney General of launching a politically motivated prosecution against him.

But Mr. Simons insists the allegations are too serious to be brushed aside.

“We must not allow the prosecution of Mr. Adu-Boahen to be a symbolic process,” Simons said on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, May 10. “This is a pivotal opportunity to reveal how power and wealth may have been used to shield misconduct in a system that, by design, is meant to prevent it.”

Security under scrutiny

Ghana’s security institutions, including the Research Department, the NSB, and the National Communications Authority, are constitutionally placed under the National Security Council, which is chaired by the President. According to Simons, this structure was specifically created to block unilateral abuse of power.

“But oversight mechanisms are only as strong as the political will behind them,” he noted.

Simons  also challenged the prevailing perception that national security activities are beyond scrutiny.“This isn’t the Wild West,” he stated. “Even classified operations are bound by law—the National Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, the Public Financial Management Act, and procurement laws all apply. Every cedi must be traceable.”

He stressed that even regional security funds are controlled directly by the Ministry of National Security. “No agency head is a law unto themselves,” he added.

Simons also pointed out a worrying trend: auditors often lack the technical expertise to investigate complex national security expenditures, allowing loopholes for misappropriation.

‘Rogue networks operating within legal frameworks’

According to Simons, Adu-Boahen’s case represents a disturbing paradox—a senior official allegedly operating outside the very legal boundaries he was meant to uphold.

“He had reach across virtually every sector—military, police, civil service, disaster response. It would be a grave error to ignore the potential scale of rogue activity embedded within such a network.”

He warned that shielding officials behind the curtain of “national security” creates an environment ripe for abuse and elite impunity.

“National security must not become a smokescreen for corruption or political manipulation,” Simons emphasized.

The cost of complacency

Simons further cautioned that public confidence in democratic institutions is at stake. “If citizens believe national security is being used to launder funds or to suppress opposition voices, we lose the very essence of democratic oversight,” he warned.

He accused some state agencies, including the Ghana National Fire Service, of hiding behind the national security label to evade procurement regulations. “We’ve reached a point where ‘national security’ is being weaponized to shut down transparency. This must stop.”

Call to action

Simons also called on the Auditor General and Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee to step up. “The myth that national security operates in total secrecy is part of the problem. The truth is, oversight is possible—what’s missing is the resolve to enforce it, especially when politically connected networks are involved.”

By James Amoh Junior

Accra, May 10, GNA – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has inaugurated the first Governing Council of the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) in Accra.

The inauguration forms parts of Ghana’s efforts to enhance the professionalism and capacity of its diplomatic corps, ensuring the nation’s effective representation on the global stage.

The FSI, established in 2023, provies formalized training for Foreign Service Officers and other public officials, bridging the gap between academic theory and practical diplomacy.

The newly inaugurated Governing Council comprises distinguished individuals with extensive expertise in diplomacy, public service, and policy.

They include Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa as Chair, Amb. Ramses J. Cleland, Chief Director, Amb. Philibert I.K.A Johnson, Director, PPMEB, Amb. Jane Gasu, Director, LETB, Amb. Muhammad Adam, Director, FSI, Amb. Agnes Aggrey Orleans.

Other members are Mr. Fred Amissah, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Kofi Safo Akyea, Mr. Clarence Amoatey, Madam Gina Apenteng, Mr. Sebastian Deh, MP for Kpando, Mr. Adams Mahama Misbahu, MP for Mion, Mr. Kwame Gakpey, MP for Keta, and Amb. Grant Ntrakwa.

Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, underscored the Institute’s role in shaping a new generation of diplomats equipped to navigate the complexities of modern international relations.

He outlined the FSI’s ambitious vision to become a continental hub for diplomatic training and research, fostering Afrocentric perspectives and solutions to Africa’s challenges.

The Minister also revealed plans to transition the Institute to an autonomous or semi-autonomous status, a move aimed at enhancing its operational flexibility and attracting sustainable funding for its expanded mandate.

Mr Ablakwa charged the Council with guiding the FSI’s strategic direction, emphasizing key areas such as curriculum development, policy-driven research, and institutional partnerships.

He highlighted the need for training programmes to reflect modern diplomatic trends, including digital diplomacy, economic statecraft, and climate diplomacy.

The Foreign Affairs Minister also underscored the importance of technological integration and diversity in the Institute’s operations to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for all participants.

The FSI has already made notable strides since its establishment, including hosting high-level policy dialogues on topics like Artificial Intelligence and Diplomacy, and securing the hosting rights for the 2027 International Forum on Diplomatic Training (IFDT).

This achievement positions Ghana as a leader in diplomatic training on the African continent, Mr Ablakwa stated.

The Institute has also conducted orientation programmes for newly recruited Foreign Service Officers and plans to introduce intensive language training in Spanish, French, and Chinese to bolster linguistic competence among diplomats.

The Minister, therefore, expressed confidence in the Council’s ability to steer the FSI toward excellence, noting that the caliber of Ghana’s diplomacy hinged on the professionalism of its representatives.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to providing the necessary resources and policy frameworks to support the Institute’s growth.

The Foreign Minister urged the Council to uphold the highest standards of leadership, innovation, and inclusivity, ensuring that Ghana’s diplomatic corps remained proud ambassadors of the nation’s values and aspirations on the world stage.

The Council pledged to collaborate in building a forward-looking and responsive Foreign Service.

GNA

CA/

Stakeholders in Ghana’s marine and coastal sectors have called on the government to include clear constitutional provisions that guarantee the protection and sustainable use of the country’s marine resources.

They argued that as Ghana explores the full potential of the blue economy, which involves the responsible use, conservation, and restoration of ocean resources, constitutional backing is critical for long-term impact.

Speaking to Citi News on the sidelines of an Ocean Governance expert meeting on constitutional review held in Accra on Friday, May 9, the Head of the Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences at the University of Ghana, Professor Francis Kofi Ewusie, called on the Constitution Review Committee, to ensure the revised constitution promotes the conservation of both marine and freshwater ecosystems, while enabling sustainable economic growth.
“We want to elevate ocean issues, which are international global issues, to the constitutional level so that it will become more mandatory and much more respected, more important. We want to have a relook at the definition of the ocean so that the ocean, with its interrelated water bodies and the aquatic bodies, can come into it.

“We are also looking at the coastal areas as well that have issues of flooding, erosion, and others that are affecting our people,” he urged.

The immediate past Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Dr Eric Nkansah, has categorically denied claims by the Minister for Education, Hon Haruna Iddrisu, that 39,000 appointment letters were issued in 2024 without the necessary financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance.

In a detailed statement issued on Saturday, Dr Nkansah described the assertion as “factually inaccurate” and urged the public to disregard it. He maintained that every teacher recruited in 2024 was backed by valid and duly documented financial clearance.

Breakdown of Financial Clearance

Providing clarity on the matter, Dr Nkansah stated that the Ministry of Finance granted GES financial clearance on three separate occasions during the year:

On 10th May 2024, clearance was given to recruit 16,500 graduate teachers from the Colleges of Education.

On 26th July 2024, an additional 2,000 slots were approved.

On 10th October 2024, a portion of the graduate teacher clearance was amended, allowing 2,000 of the slots to be allocated to diploma teachers instead.

These approvals brought the total number of authorised recruitments to 18,500.

Utilisation of Approved Slots

Dr Nkansah outlined a meticulous utilisation process for the approved figures:

Of the 16,500 graduate teacher clearance:

12,784 were recruited from Colleges of Education

2,629 were limited university graduates

920 were used to address a spillover from the previous year, as reconciled by the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department in consultation with GES

Total utilised: 16,333

Balance: 167

For the 2,000 diploma teacher slots:

1,387 were recruited

Balance: 613

This brings the total number of recruits in 2024 to 17,720, leaving 780 of the approved slots unused.

Call for Accuracy

In wrapping up his rejoinder, Dr Nkansah stated emphatically that “every teacher recruited in 2024 was backed by valid and documented clearance from the Ministry of Finance.”

He warned that inaccurate public commentary on such sensitive issues has the potential to mislead and erode trust in key institutions.

“The claim that 39,000 appointment letters were issued without financial clearance is both misleading and unsupported by the facts,” Dr Nkansah concluded.

Dr Nkansah attached the documents below to his statement.

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Dr Arthur Kennedy, Former NPP presidential aspirant

A former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant, Dr Arthur Kennedy, has called on the party to adopt a more humble posture when criticising the current government, led by President John Dramani Mahama.

He made the remarks on Metro TV’s Inside Pages on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

According to Dr Kennedy, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is in power today not simply because of its own strength, but because the NPP failed to meet the expectations of the Ghanaian people during its time in government.

He stressed that the party’s shortcomings created the conditions that led to its defeat and the NDC’s return to power.

“The NDC didn’t win just because they were better. They won because the NPP let Ghanaians down. So, they must be measured and humble when criticising the NDC administration,” he stated.

He pointed out that many of the challenges facing the country today had their roots in policy decisions and governance issues that arose during the NPP’s tenure.

For this reason, he believes that the party should reflect honestly on its performance rather than acting as if it holds all the answers.

He also advised that if the NPP does not take responsibility for its past mistakes and continues with what he described as ‘unconstructive criticism,’ it risks alienating voters further ahead of the next election cycle.

“You cannot rebuild public trust by simply pointing fingers. You must show you have learned and changed,” he added.

The NDC, under President Mahama, returned to power in the 2024 general elections after defeating the incumbent NPP administration.

The victory was attributed in part to widespread dissatisfaction with the economic situation and perceived internal divisions within the NPP.

MRA/AE

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Ghana’s sovereign credit rating has been upgraded by S&P Global Ratings from ‘Selective Default’ (SD) to ‘CCC+’, with a stable outlook, reflecting significant progress in the country’s debt restructuring efforts and improved macroeconomic indicators.

The upgrade follows Ghana’s successful restructuring of its Eurobond debt and ongoing negotiations with commercial creditors, as well as the formalisation of a debt restructuring agreement with official creditors in January 2025 .  

S&P highlighted that the upgrade reflects recent steps taken by authorities to restructure remaining commercial debt, following a successful Eurobond exchange in October 2024.

The government is nearing completion of its offers to restructure loans to external creditors, primarily commercial banks.

This progress follows the successful completion of local currency and Eurobond restructurings, and a memorandum of understanding with bilateral creditors signed and ratified on January 29, 2025 . 

The ratings agency also noted that Ghana’s external position has improved, supported by increased gold export receipts and a reaccumulation of foreign exchange reserves.

Economic growth remains resilient despite the protracted debt restructuring process, with inflation currently at 21.2% but falling due to cedi appreciation and lower energy prices. The shift of the country’s current account into surplus has resulted in increased external liquidity . 

While acknowledging the progress made, S&P cautioned that Ghana continues to face challenges, including a high debt service burden, weak tax administration, and spending overruns, especially during election years.

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Suzzy Adwoa Pinamang, the second-year student of Adventist Senior High School in Bantama who was accidentally shot in the eye by a classmate, has arrived in the United Kingdom to undergo emergency medical treatment.

Suzzy touched down in the UK on Saturday, May 10, 2025, accompanied by a caregiver, who is a brother to Suzzy.

She is also joined by Rafik Mahama, the special aide to Mr. Ibrahim Mahama, who is sponsoring the entire cost of her travel and medical treatment.

This follows a recommendation from doctors at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi and Agarwal Eye Hospital in Accra, who confirmed that she had sustained severe injuries to her eye and required urgent specialist care abroad.

Her journey and treatment have been made possible through the swift intervention of Mr Ibrahim Mahama, whose sponsorship ensures that all travel and treatment-related expenses will be borne without placing financial pressure on Suzzy’s family, Minister for Foreign Affairs and MP for North Tongu Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and British High Commissioner to Ghana Her Excellency Harriet Thompson.

Mr Ablakwa facilitated the visa documentation process.

He also directed the Ghana High Commission in the UK to provide Suzzy with special consular assistance and privileges during her stay to ease her transition and ensure she receives the highest standard of support.

Mr Ablakwa confirmed the successful visa acquisition and travel arrangements via an official statement on his Facebook page on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

Suzzy’s surgery in the UK is expected to take place in the coming days.

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Ghana’s 4x100m men’s relay team narrowly missed out on an automatic qualification slot at the World Championships, after finishing 3rd in Heat 1 of the ongoing World Relays in China.

The quartet of Barnabas Aggerh, Sean Safo Antwi, Joseph Paul Amoah and Ibrahim Fuseni were just 5 hundredths of a second slower than 2nd placed Poland. 

The race was won by Great Britain & NI, with Poland and Ghana completing the top three respectively.

Ghana finish 3rd in Heat 1 of the 4x100m at World Relays in China, just missing out on an automatic qualification spot.
Team Ghana will race again tomorrow for a chance to seal a spot at the World Championships.
Barnabas AggerhJoe PaulSafo-AntwiIbrahim Fuseni pic.twitter.com/DKnsM8RYVl

— #JoySports (@JoySportsGH) May 10, 2025

It was a disappointing race for France, who finished 5th, with Korea in 4th and Colombia in 6th. 

Ghana will have another chance to book a spot at the World Championships, when they take part in the men’s 4×100 metres Relay World Ch. Qualifying Round 2 on Sunday. 

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Taylor Swift’s representatives have told the BBC she is being brought into a legal row between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively to create “tabloid clickbait”.

The 35-year-old singer was summoned to a US court after it was alleged she encouraged Baldoni to accept script re-writes by Lively for It Ends With Us, a film that both starred in and is the centre of a sexual harassment case.

Baldoni says he was invited to Lively’s New York home in 2023 to discuss script changes, where Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, and Swift were there to serve as her “dragons”.

Representatives for Swift said “she was not involved in any casting or creative decision” and “never saw an edit or made any notes on the film”.

Lively, 37, sued Baldoni, 41, in December 2024, accusing him of sexual harassment and a smear campaign. Baldoni is counter-suing Lively and her husband, the actor Ryan Reynolds, on claims of civil extortion, defamation and invasion of privacy.

Lively and Baldoni have been locked in a dispute since the film, which is an adaption of a Colleen Hoover novel, was released last summer.

According to Baldoni, there were tensions over the 2023 re-write of the scene, at which he was surprised to find Reynolds and Swift present.

He alleges Lively wrote in a text to him: “If you ever get around to watching Game of Thrones, you’ll appreciate that I’m Khaleesi, and like her, I happen to have a few dragons. For better or worse, but usually better. Because my dragons also protect those I fight for.”

Baldoni says he responded supportively, writing: “I really love what you did. It really does help a lot. Makes it so much more fun and interesting. (And I would have felt that way without Ryan and Taylor).

“You really are a talent across the board. Really excited and grateful to do this together.”

It is also alleged that Swift was involved in the casting of Isabela Ferrer in the film, who played a younger version of Lively’s character, Lily Bloom.

Speaking at the New York premiere of It Ends With Us, Ferrer said: “She [Taylor Swift] was a helpful part of the audition, which I found out later when I got it, and that rocked my world.”

But Swift’s representatives said the only involvement she had in the film was permitting the use of her song, My Tears Ricochet, noting that she was among 20 artists featured in the film.

Swift “never set foot on the set of this movie, she was not involved in any casting or creative decisions, she did not score the film, [and] she never saw an edit or made any notes on the film”, they said.

They added that Swift did not see It Ends With Us until “weeks after its release” as she was “travelling around the globe” on tour at the time.

The popstar’s spokespeople argued that the subpoena “designed to use Taylor Swift’s name to draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case”.