Former Governor of Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison

The National Security has refuted claims of theft following a raid on the residence of former Bank of Ghana Governor, Dr. Ernest Addison, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

Contrary to reports suggesting operatives took money and jewelry from his home, officials have stated that no such items were taken.

“We did not take any money or jewelry from Dr. Addison’s home. We will, in due course, make public a full list of items retrieved during the search,” a National Security source told 3News.com.

According to officials, the operation at Dr. Addison’s Roman Ridge residence was carried out under a valid search warrant. They explained that the raid was based on intelligence indicating that the former governor was in possession of funds belonging to the central bank.

In an exclusive interview with 3News.com, National Security also confirmed that they had accessed Dr. Addison’s CCTV system, removing its hard drive as part of standard investigative procedures. This, they argued, was necessary for a thorough examination of events surrounding their investigation.

Despite widespread speculation, the security operatives insist that no valuables were taken from the premises. Officials further disclosed that empty money storage boxes were found at the residence, but they did not elaborate on their significance to the investigation.

Meanwhile, catch the first in the series of our special episodes on Forgotten Forts on People and Places on GhanaWeb TV below. This episode focuses on Fort Amsterdam at Abandze:

An Accra Circuit Court has granted a GH¢50,000.00 bail with two sureties each to two persons allegedly involved in the theft of Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) meters and dishonestly receiving the same.

The court ordered the sureties to present valid national identity cards to its registry.

Francis Addey, alias Kofi Kyei, 35, an okada rider, and Amos Duah, 39, an electrician, have denied the charges and were instructed to return to court on April 22, 2025.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector Hagar Owusu-Henabah, led by Chief Inspector Frederick Awuah-Ansah, stated that the complainant in the case was the Monitoring Officer of ECG’s Amasaman Branch.

According to the prosecution, Addey, based in Ablekuma, and an electrician named Fred, who is currently at large, conspired to steal ECG prepaid meters.

In August 2024, Fred reportedly supplied a meter with PIN number 000035737829, stolen from a customer at Fise near Amasaman, to Duah through Addey.

Duah then sold the meter to Kwaku Twum, a witness in the case, at Amasaman for GH¢2,500.00, the prosecution said.

During routine inspections, ECG officials retrieved the stolen meter, prompting a formal complaint to the police.

Investigations led to the arrest of Duah, who identified Addey and Fred as his suppliers. Duah cooperated with the police and lured Addey into supplying another prepaid meter.

On February 11, 2025, Addey delivered two used prepaid meters with PINs P181032280 and P181032277 to Duah at his home in Amasaman Abease for sale.

Addey was arrested by waiting police officers but attempted to flee.

Two prepaid meters and two meter cards were retrieved and kept as evidence.

The prosecution told the court that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Fred and trace customers whose ECG meters had been stolen, with assistance from the ECG Customer Service Department.

Addey and Duah were subsequently charged and arraigned.

The High Court (Commercial Division), Accra Thursday, 20th March 2025, threw out an Application filed by Blue Gold Bogoso Prestea Limited (1st Applicant) and FGR Bogoso Prestea Limited (2nd Applicant) for judicial review of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources’ termination of their mining rights and its subsequent transfer to Heath Goldfields Ltd.

Blue Gold Bogoso Prestea Ltd, and FGR Bogoso Prestea Ltd filed an application inviting the High Court to quash the Minister’s (3rd Respondent) decision approving the transfer of the Bogoso Prestea Mines and also for an injunction restraining the Respondents and Heath Goldfields Ltd from taking control or possession of the mines until the dispute is resolved.

The application also sought an order barring the Minister from presenting any mining lease agreements to Parliament for ratification, among other reliefs.

Counsel for the Respondents forcefully opposed the application as being incompetent and not properly invoking the jurisdiction of the court since the Minister did not commit any illegality in terminating the Applicants’ right and in transferring same to Heath Goldfields Ltd.

Her Ladyship Justice Yaa Onyameye Gyakobo upon hearing all legal arguments, dismissed the application as incompetent for failing to properly invoke the judicial review jurisdiction of the Court.

BACKGROUND

FGR acquired the Bogoso Prestea Mines from Golden Star Resources in October 2020. However, due to financial constraints, the Mine ceased operations in December 2023. As of December 2023, FGR was indebted to workers in unpaid salaries and to other persons with whom it had contractual agreements.

In January 2024, FGR submitted a proposal to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to restructure the Company and raise One Hundred and Fifty Million United States Dollars (US$150,000,000.00) to pay its creditors and revive the Mine.

However, FGR failed to fulfill the conditions given by the Minerals Commission. On the 3rd and 5th February 2024, the Minerals Commission, through its legal processes and considerations, concluded that FGR had breached the mining lease and that it ought to be revoked.

On the 6th of February 2024, the Minerals Commission recommended that the Minister terminate the mining lease.

On 13th February 2024, FGR wrote to the Minerals Commission indicating that FGR has been unable to inject any capital into the mine and further stated that “this, therefore, contradicts LI 2182 (Reg 32: which indicates that the holder of a mining lease or restricted mining lease shall make financial and other provisions and take other steps that are necessary to ensure that the mine is managed and worked in accordance with the requirements of these regulations”.

On 14th February 2024, the Minister wrote to the Minerals Commission in response to its 6th February 2024 recommendation, requesting the Minerals Commission to provide certain responses to aid him to act accordingly.

FGR further released a statement on its intended recapitalisation as part of its proposed restructuring.

On 27th February 2024, the Minister wrote to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice for advice on whether all substantive and procedural legal steps required under the law for the termination of the mining lease had been followed in light of the Minerals Commission’s recommendation for the FGR mining lease to be terminated.

On 18th March 2024, the Attorney General responded to the Minister’s letter stated above and indicated that FGR and Blue Gold have breached the mining laws.

In a letter dated 17th April 2024, the Minister granted FGR a “Conditional Approval” to execute the proposal within 120 days.

FGR was also given two weeks to commence payment of outstanding salaries and complete the same no later than 30th May 2024. The letter also stated expressly that if FGR failed to meet the conditions, the Conditional Approval would be deemed revoked and the Mining Leases terminated without further recourse to the company.

On 25th April 2024, the Minister met Mine Workers and assured them that “should the Company fail to meet any of the above conditions, the Conditional Approval given shall be deemed revoked, and the Mining Leases terminated, without further recourse to the Company”.

On 5th June 2024, the Ghana Mine Workers Union and the Bogoso Gold Enterprise Based Union wrote to FGR on the status of the Conditional Approval given by the Minister and stated that as of 3rd June 2024 “the company has not just failed to fulfil this condition but has gravely worsened the living conditions of workers”.

On 8th July 2024, the Minerals Commission wrote to recommend the termination of the lease and further stated that the Governing Board had recommended the proposal by Heath Goldfields for consideration and approval to facilitate the resumption of the operations of the Mine.

On 3rd September 2024, the Minister wrote to FGR and Blue Gold and indicated that their failure to comply with the conditions contained in the Conditional Approval, and on the advice and recommendation of the Minerals Commission, the Conditional Approval granted on 17th April 2024 had been revoked, and their Mining Leases terminated, in accordance with the terms of the Conditional Approval.

Further, the Government announced in a press release dated 18 September 2024 that the Company’s Mining leases had been terminated. Then on 20th September 2024, FGR and Blue Gold duly acknowledged receipt of the Notice of Termination.

On 20th September 2024, the Minerals Commission appointed an Interim Management Committee (IMC) made up of Labour and Staff of the Commission to manage the affairs of the mine pending the selection of a new investor according to law.

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Former NPP parliamentary candidate for Dome/Kwabenya, Mike Oquaye Jnr

The former New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Dome/Kwabenya, Mike Oquaye Jnr has refuted claims made by former Member of Parliament for the area, Sarah Adwoa Safo that he disrespected her father, Apostle Kwadwo Safo.

In a statement shared on his Facebook page on Thursday, March 20, 2025, he emphasized that such actions do not align with his upbringing and values.

“I have and will never insult anyone’s father. My paternal Grandfather is a farmer, I am myself a part time farmer. I have never and will never do that. That is not how I was brought up and those who know me, know that I eschew insults”, it stated.

It also dismissed claims that he ignored the former Chief of Staff, Frema Osei-Opare and former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and other persons who reached out to him.

“I will never snub the then President, Chief of staff or any elderly person who calls me to see them. That is the trait of disrespect, and I am not like that. I have historically shown that for me it is always party first”, it indicated.

The statement clarified that he made attempts to reach out to Sarah Adwoa Safo after he won the parliamentary primaries.

“I tried on three occasions to reach out to my opponent after I won the primaries. Madam Sheela responded and we chat till today. I was rebuffed by the other person and her special assistant Nana Dubin told me after three weeks of trying that she didn’t want to speak to me. How then will I have been welcome to attend her church?

“For now, I leave the rest of the matters to God for he will fight for me.

I will never malign the party or any individual who calls me to see them. That is the trait of disrespect, and I am not like that. I have historically shown that for me it is always party first”, it added.

Sarah Adwoa Safo has alleged in a recent media interview that Mike Oquaye Jnr insulted her father, Apostle Kwadwo Safo.

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Kirsty Coventry hopes her election as the first female and African president of the International Olympic Committee – beating six male candidates including Britain’s Lord Coe – sends a “powerful signal”.

The 41-year-old former swimmer, who won two Olympic gold medals, secured a majority of 49 of the 97 available votes in the first round of Thursday’s election, while World Athletics boss Coe won just eight.

Zimbabwe’s sports minister Coventry will replace Thomas Bach – who has led the IOC since 2013 – on 23 June and be the youngest president in the organisation’s 130-year history.

Her first Olympics will be the Milan-Cortina Winter Games in February 2026.

“It’s a really powerful signal. It’s a signal that we’re truly global and that we have evolved into an organisation that is truly open to diversity and we’re going to continue walking that road in the next eight years,” Coventry said.

Runner-up Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr won 28 votes while France’s David Lappartient and Japan’s Morinari Watanabe earned four votes each. Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan and Sweden’s Johan Eliasch both took two.

Coventry, who already sits on the IOC executive board and was said to be Bach’s preferred candidate, is the 10th person to hold the highest office in sport and will be in post for at least the next eight years.

Coventry has won seven of Zimbabwe’s eight Olympic medals – including gold in the 200m backstroke at both the 2004 and 2008 Games.

“The young girl who first started swimming in Zimbabwe all those years ago could never have dreamed of this moment,” said Coventry.

“I am particularly proud to be the first female IOC president, and also the first from Africa.

“I hope that this vote will be an inspiration to many people. Glass ceilings have been shattered today, and I am fully aware of my responsibilities as a role model.”

Coventry described her election as an “extraordinary moment” during her acceptance speech, and promised to make IOC members proud of their choice.

During her election campaign, Coventry pledged to modernise, promote sustainability, embrace technology and empower athletes.

She placed particular emphasis on protecting female sports, backing a blanket ban on transgender women from competing in female Olympic sports.

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Mar – 20 – 2025 , 19:14

2 minutes read

Following his appointment as the substantive captain of the Black Stars, Jordan Ayew says it was meant to happen.

Ayew has been with the Black Stars since 2010, earning more than 100 caps for the team.

Since his debut, the forward has readily made himself available for call-ups and selection, showcasing traits of his brother, Andre Ayew, and father, Abedi Pele.

Walking in the footsteps of the aforementioned (Andre and Abedi), Jordan was named as the first team captain of the Black Stars ahead of March’s international’s, bringing to bed a growing discussion about frequent leadership changes in the team.

Jordan takes over from his brother Andre Ayew, although Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey deputised in his absence.

Speaking to Joy Sports about his new role, Jordan, who is the latest Ayew to wear the armband following his brother and father, said it was unmistakably going to happen.

“I believe in destiny. I believe [becoming Ghana captain] was probably written in the stars,” he said.

Jordan captained Ghana against Angola in the Black Stars’ penultimate game in their underwhelming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Jordan faces his first test as captain when Ghana take on Chad in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Friday.

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Politics

Mar – 20 – 2025 , 19:57

2 minutes read

By Gifty Amofa

Accra, March 20, GNA – The Ghana Police Service is reviving all the regional public relations offices to help counter false narratives and ensure accurate information reaches the public, Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), said on Thursday. 

To respond to the demands of the citizenry and public expectations, it was critical the Police Service’s communication outfit remained robust, transparent and effective, he noted. 

“It is upon this premise that the current police administration under my leadership will reactivate and revive all regional police public Affairs offices to interact to meet the ever-evolving demands of our society and media partners,” he said. 

The IGP was speaking at the opening of a three-day training for Regional and Unit Public Affairs Officers from across the country at the Police Training School in Accra. 

He said it was the collective administrative efforts of the Service to revamp and strengthen the public affairs arm of the Service in an era marked by widespread misinformation and disinformation, especially through social media. 

“The evolution of policing, the Service, like any law enforcement institution worldwide, has undergone significant transformations to adapt to the political, social and cultural dynamics of society,” Mr Yohuno said. 

Policing, he said, was integral to maintaining order in any civilised societies, ensuring crime prevention, investigation, apprehension of offenders and administration of justice. 

He said crime combat was a shared responsibility and required community partnership, thus the need to foster positive interactions for effective policing.  

“It also involves the development of robust interpersonal skills, requiring constant reassessment of police-public relations frameworks to adapt to changing circumstances,” he added. 

The IGP said in times when the public demanded greater involvement and accountability in service delivery, a well-tested approach ensured police legitimacy and built public confidence. 

That was where their significant role as public affairs officers in fostering positive interactions with the public becomes essential and directly impacts police effectiveness. 

He urged them to be guided by the core and ethical values of the Ghana Police Service as they interacted with the media. 

Mr Yohuno said they should protect confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information, balancing it with openness and transparency, ensure credibility, integrity, impartiality and ensure constituency. 

Meanwhile the training will equip them with the new administration’s vision and refine their strategies, among others. 

Assistant Commissioner of Police Mrs Grace Ansah-Akrofi, Director of Public Affairs, said the units across the country were ready to work together to harmonise their public communication to ensure consistent messaging.   

Some past directors of the Public Affairs Directorate-PAD, including Mr David Sena Eklu and Mr Kwesi Ofori will serve as resource persons for the training. 

GNA 

ABD 

Member of Parliament for Suame and Counsel for the Minority Caucus, John Darko, has strongly criticized the arrest of media personality Okatakyie Afrifa, questioning the rationale behind the move and the treatment he received while in detention.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Citi FM on Thursday, Mr. Darko expressed his disapproval of the actions taken by national security, particularly their justification for arresting Afrifa under the pretext of seeking his assistance in combating illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

“What was the basis for arresting Okatakyie Afrifa?” Mr. Darko asked. “After threatening him with handcuffs, after arresting him, keeping him in national security custody for over three hours or four hours, we are told that he was supposed to help the national security to fight galamsey.

“What are you talking about? Are you asking a private citizen right now to come and help you fight galamsey when you are the national security institution that has all the available information, all the available tools to conduct your investigation? You come to a private citizen to help.”

He further criticized the justification provided, arguing that it exposed a lack of planning and accountability within the national security apparatus.

“You know why they are saying this—because they realized that they had guffed so much. There was no reason to arrest the gentleman,” he stated.

Mr. Darko urged the public to resist such actions, stressing the need to uphold fairness and protect societal values.

“We should resist that… We need to do that to save our society,” he said.

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Mahama condemns Bawku violence, calls for restraint

The Paramount Chief of the Wasipe Traditional Area in Daboya in the North Gonja District of the Savannah Region, Wasipewura Mumuni Anyame Kabasagya II, has reacted to the exodus of some settler farmers from his jurisdiction.

He stated that his attention had been drawn to a circulating video on social media suggesting that some settler farmers were fleeing the area for fear of attacks by indigenes.

In a press statement signed by the Secretary to the Wasipe Traditional Council on Wednesday, March 19, the chief asserted that the video, which he had obtained, was deliberately orchestrated to damage the long-standing relationship between his office and the settler farming community.

“This palace has taken cognisance of the entire content of the video and wishes to state that it is a deliberate attempt to destroy the longstanding relationship we have enjoyed with the settler farmers in the area.”

He further emphasised that the Wasipe Traditional Area has coexisted peacefully with settler farmers for centuries, without any major conflicts.

However, investigations revealed that some of the departing farmers were those who had deliberately refused to pay royalties to the Yiram, Wasipewura, and instead chose to pay them to chiefs outside the Wasipe Traditional Area.

“We have lived in harmony with our settler brothers and sisters in this area for centuries without any major issues.

“Our enquiries have proven that any settler farmer choosing to leave is among those who deliberately refused to pay royalties to Yiram, Wasipewura, but opted to pay to chiefs outside the Wasipe Traditional Area,” the chief stated.

Wasipewura Kabasagya II also expressed concern that some of these farmers no longer recognise his authority as the rightful custodian of the land.

“More severely, some of these settler farmers have withdrawn their recognition of the Wasipewura as the allodial titleholder of the land on which they are farming,” he lamented.

Despite these developments, the chief assured the general public that his palace remains at peace with all other tribes in the area.

He reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining the peaceful coexistence that has been enjoyed over the years.

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Bui Power Authority made profits in the last five years

In recent times, the Minister of Finance and other stakeholders have lamented the rate of losses being recorded by State Owned Enterprises in Ghana.

Sharing his thoughts on this development, the Acting Director-General of the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), Professor Michael Kpessa-Whyte, has disclosed that there are some others who have been making profits and paying dividends to the state in the past five years.

According to him, despite the challenges that SOEs are facing in Ghana, Bui Power Authority, ESLA PLC, Ghana Gas, Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund, TDC Company, and State Housing Company have consistently posted profits while paying dividends to the state from 2019 to 2023.

“It’s not all bad news. The best-performing SOEs include Bui Power Authority, ESLA PLC, Ghana Gas, Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund, TDC Company, and State Housing Company. From 2019 to 2023, they have consistently made profits and contributed dividends to the state,” he was quoted by citinewsroom.com to have said.

On the flip side, he said Ghana’s 10 largest State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) by asset base recorded a net loss of GH¢11 billion in 2023.

He said this figure exceeds the combined losses of all 53 SOEs while adding that this compounds their financial limitations.

Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) accounted for GH¢10 billion of the losses, while Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) recorded a GH¢3 billion shortfall.

“10 SOEs with the most assets recorded an aggregate net loss of GH¢11 billion in the financial year 2023, which surpasses the total loss of all 53 SOEs. ECG alone accounted for GH¢10 billion,” he stated.

Meanwhile, President John Mahama has warned the CEOs of SOEs against mismanagement of financial resources.

He said he would not hesitate to relieve non-performing CEOs of their positions.

SSD/EB

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Aboubakar Ouattara is the head coach of Hearts of Oak

Under-fire Hearts of Oak coach, Aboubakar Ouattara has slammed a journalist in response to remarks about the club’s ambitions.

Hearts of Oak suffered their second defeat in just four days, falling to Bechem United on Wednesday, March 19, 2025—a significant setback in their pursuit of the Ghana Premier League title.

When questioned about his side’s target for the season following the loss, the seasoned tactician lashed out at the reporter, emphasizing that there are still many games left to decide the league winner.

“Have I told you that our ambition is to win the league? This is not Makola Market. There are 12 matches left, which means 36 points are still up for grabs. We’re playing the game, this is a league. Don’t judge now; let us finish the season first. On June 8th, we will talk about the league,” he said.

The defeat drops Hearts of Oak to fifth in the league standings, four points behind leaders Bibiani Gold Stars—the very team they face this weekend, March 23, 2025, at Bibiani.

Meanwhile, watch the latest edition of Sports Debate as some Ghanaians predict a win for Black Stars against Chad

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