Former CEO of GIHOC Distilleries Company Limited, Maxwell Kofi Jumah

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of GIHOC Distilleries Company Limited, Magdalene Ndamley, has exposed alleged corrupt activities at the company.

Speaking in an interview on Radio XYZ on May 2, 2025, Ndamley claimed that the company had collapsed because both staff and management were looting its resources indiscriminately.

She alleged that the former CEO of GIHOC Distilleries Company Limited, Maxwell Kofi Jumah, allocated to himself a weekly allowance of GH¢40,000.

She also accused him of incurring massive debts due to excessive borrowing, which has now plunged the company into financial distress.

“You couldn’t challenge him on financial matters. We have called him about the official car, and he says he won’t return it because GIHOC owes him,” she said.

“This man has plunged GIHOC into huge debts. Every Friday, he instructed that GH¢40,000 be handed to him. He was already receiving a fuel allowance and his regular salary, yet he demanded an additional envelope of GH¢40,000 every Friday at 2:00 p.m. Even when he was not at work, the amount was sent to him via mobile money,” she added, speaking in Twi.

Ndamley’s revelations follow President John Dramani Mahama’s expression of shock at GIHOC Distilleries Company Limited’s financial woes, questioning how an alcohol-producing company could be running losses amid high local demand.

Speaking during the May Day celebrations at Independence Square on Thursday, May 1, 2025, President Mahama cited data showing GIHOC made losses in both 2022 and 2023.

“How can you sell alcohol and be in debt? When I was president, GIHOC was profitable. Ghanaians drink when they’re happy and when they’re sad. So how does an alcohol manufacturer run at a loss?” he asked.

He called for improved accountability in state-owned enterprises and used GIHOC as a case study of poor management practices.

Earlier, on March 13, 2025, Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson revealed that GIHOC Distilleries posted a loss of GH¢25.1 million in 2022 and GH¢25.5 million in 2023.

Watch the interview below:

“Former GIHOC CEO, Maxwell Kofi Jumah was making a mandatory weekly payment of GH¢40,000 to himself”

– Deputy CEO of GIHOC, Magdalene Ndamley. pic.twitter.com/wK2vmUYEnt

— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) May 2, 2025

BAI/MA

Watch the latest edition of BizTech below:

Click here to follow the GhanaWeb Business WhatsApp channel

President John Dramani Mahama has called for national statistics and data disseminated by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) to remain factual, credible, and free from manipulation.

He issued the directive during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Government Statistician, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, held at the Jubilee House on Friday, May 2.

The President highlighted the role accurate data plays in development and decision-making, stressing that the integrity of national data must be protected at all costs.

He further urged the new Statistician to resist any pressure that could compromise the objectivity of the service’s output.

Mahama urged the new statistician to speak truth to power even when the data is uncomfortable.

“Statistical integrity is not a luxury. It’s a necessity. Citizens must believe that the numbers published by the service are objective and factual and are free from political interference.

“Investors must be assured that Ghana’s macroeconomic data is credible. Development partners must know that our results framework are measurable and verifiable.

He added, “I urge the new statistician to lead with courage and impartiality, to speak truth to power even when the data is uncomfortable. Work closely with stakeholders, ministries, academia, civil society organizations, and the private sector to strengthen the culture of data use across government.

“Under this administration, we’re building a governance model anchored in transparency, performance, and accountability. From health, education, and agriculture to urban planning, we need timely and disaggregated data to guide implementation, to measure results and correct our course when necessary.”

In his remarks, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu stated that the Ghana Statistical Service would adopt technology-driven approaches to meet data needs and enhance efficiency.

“We are committed to delivering credible, timely, and relevant data to support our macroeconomic stabilization programme and our socioeconomic development agenda, including flagship initiatives we’ve introduced such as the 24-hour economic policy, the agriculture for transformation agenda, the Adwumawura programme, the national apprenticeship programme, the national coders programme, and the anti-corruption drive as we just emphasized. Beyond this, we will actively anticipate and respond to the emerging data needs of a dynamic economy and ambitious, forward-looking people,” he said.

He added that the service would fast-track the release of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data and introduce GDP estimates at the regional level to better inform localised development strategies.

“Currently, inflation ends at the regional level. This will support the decentralisation agenda of the government and will inform inflation policy at the district level. And three, on prices, we’ll produce a CPI and inflation data on rural rural-urban basis to get a better appreciation of inflation from the rural-urban perspective.

“Your Excellency, on economic activities, we will, one, fast-track the rebasing of GDP data to make our GDP statistics more accurate and relevant. We will call for institutionalisation of rebasing of our GDP every five years to make our GDP data more relevant and to meet global standards,” he stated.

Blackmail, Sextortion losses near GH¢500,000 in early 2025 – CSA

…..

Explore the world of impactful news with CitiNewsroom on WhatsApp!

Click on the link to join the Citi Newsroom channel for curated, meaningful stories tailored just for YOU:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCYzPRAYlUPudDDe53x

No spam, just the stories that truly matter! #StayInformed #CitiNewsroom #CNRDigital

Joy FM is giving mothers a magical Safari Day Out on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the breathtaking Safari Valley Eco Resort.

It’s not just a getaway—it’s a full day of love, laughter, and unforgettable joy as you watch Mama smile from the heart.

As we celebrate mother’s day, your superstation, Joy 99.7 FM, is asking you to say ‘thank you’ to Mama in a way only a queen deserves by taking part in the ‘Safari Day Out with Mama’ event.

The all-day experience (8am to 6pm) on May 10, will start with a guided wildlife tour, where you’ll see zebras, wallabies, Patagonian Maras, exotic birds, and more.

Patrons then explore a world of fun: horseback riding, segway and bicycle rides, bowling, archery, oware, Jenga, darts, and more! There is a full amusement park to keep your kids happy all day long.

To cap it all, there’s the feast! A sumptuous buffet lunch with freshly squeezed juices, followed by tributes to our mothers, photo moments, giveaways, and our grand Mother’s Day cake-cutting. And just when you think your heart is full, Kwan Pa band will lift us even higher in music and celebration.

Tickets are selling for GHS 950 (adults), GHS 650 (teenagers) and GHS 550 (children).

Make payments via MoMo to 0593038842 and reference Mama. The MoMo name is Daniel Boifio.

There will be buses to convey those who may need a ride at no extra cost. For enquiries, call 0302216540.

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.

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) headquarters

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) is investigating how a $263 million loan, meant for cocoa farm rehabilitation, was used under previous management.

The new Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, Dr Randy Abbey, expressed concern that the funds were intended to rehabilitate 156,000 hectares of cocoa farms damaged by disease. However, only 40,000 hectares were reportedly rehabilitated.

Speaking at a meeting with cocoa farmers in Nkawie, in the Ashanti Region, Dr Abbey said that if the full 156,000 hectares had been restored, it could have added around 200,000 tonnes to Ghana’s cocoa production.

“We took all this money, and all we have to show is just 40,000 hectares completed,” he said, expressing disappointment.

According to him, about 40% of cocoa farms had been affected by disease, prompting COCOBOD to launch the rehabilitation programme.

While the new management supports the initiative, it is questioning how the project was executed.

Dr Abbey revealed that an additional GH¢700 million was also spent on the same project.

He said the matter has now been referred to the appropriate authorities for investigation.

“It was a golden opportunity to improve the cocoa sector, and it’s sad to see it wasted,” he added.

To help improve cocoa production, COCOBOD is currently working to rehabilitate another 21,000 hectares of farms.

Dr. Abbey affirmed his commitment to completing this effort and returning the affected farms to Ghana’s productive cocoa stock.

He also disclosed that, upon assuming office, the new administration discovered road contracts worth GH¢21 billion had been signed, along with GH¢4.4 billion in debts.

COCOBOD says it will continue efforts to boost cocoa production and ensure the proper use of funds in future projects.

Ghanaian reggae musician, Rocky Dawuni

Renowned Ghanaian reggae musician, Rocky Dawuni has called on musicians in the country to focus on producing quality music instead of awards.

In an interview with GhanaWeb’s Isaac Dadzie during the launch of the ‘Black Star Experience’ on May 1, 2025, Rocky Dawuni emphasised that if musicians focus on producing great music they won’t struggle to win awards.

He explained that awards won based on quality outputs are well deserved.

“For have to aspire for the greatness… Everybody’s job is your vision, and as a musician, I don’t believe that your vision should be in terms of accolades or awards but excellence. Everybody should strive for excellence. If the awards come based on excellence then it is well deserved,” he said.

The musician further noted that his vision is for his music to resonate with fans globally and not only in Africa or Ghana.

“But in the long run, everybody has their path, and I don’t feel I have to define that for every musician. I want my music not to be only with my people or Africans but around the world. Everyone has the right to their vision.

“Ghana is the leader and Ghana will continue to be the leader and innovator and we don’t need awards to prove that,” he added.

JHM/EB

Meanwhile, watch as frustrated Ghanaians speak out on poor network challenges

The agreement was signed during an official visit to Algiers by Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs

Ghana and Algeria have signed a visa waiver agreement to strengthen their partnership and boost cooperation between the two countries.

The agreement was signed during an official visit to Algiers by Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. It means that citizens of both countries can now travel between Ghana and Algeria without needing a visa.

The announcement followed important meetings with Algeria’s President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and Foreign Minister, Ahmed Attaf.

As part of the visit, both countries also agreed to increase collaboration in several areas. These include offering more scholarships for Ghanaian students in fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and engineering.

Other key plans from the visit include launching a direct flight between Accra and Algiers, establishing a partnership in oil and gas, and enhancing cooperation in security and intelligence sharing. Ghana and Algeria also agreed to restart their Joint Economic Cooperation program.

Officials say the visit has helped to renew the strong friendship between Ghana and Algeria, which dates back to the early years following both nations’ independence.

The Minister for the Interior on the advice of the Upper East Regional Security Council and by Executive Instrument renewed the Curfew hours imposed on Binduri Township and its environs in the Upper East Region from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am  effective Sunday, May 4, 2025.

Government urges Chiefs, Elders, Opinion Leaders, Youth, and people of the area to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them as well as to use non-violent means to channel their energies into ensuring peace in the area.

Meanwhile, there is a total ban on all persons in the Binduri Township and its environs from carrying arms, ammunition, or any offensive weapons, men wearing smocks, and any persons found with any arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted.

Additionally, the movement of motorbikes, tricycles, ‘aboboyaa’, and the like are banned for both men and women. Any person found riding motorbikes, tricycles,and ‘aboboyaa’ will be arrested and prosecuted.

Signed:

MUNTAKA MOHAMMED-MUBARAK (MP)

MINISTER FOR THE INTERIOR

Issued this day, Friday, May 2, 2025

Kwabene Adu Boahene, Angela Adjei-Boateng and two others are already facing 11 charges

Details from a press conference and court documents filed by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, have revealed an alleged multi-million cedi theft scheme involving a former Director General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Kwabena Adu Boahene, and his wife, Angela Adjei-Boateng.

According to the Attorney General, the couple is accused of orchestrating a complex criminal enterprise that siphoned approximately GH¢111 million of state funds through two separate scandals.

They have been charged alongside a third person, Mildred Donkor, and their company, Advantage Solutions Limited.

$7 million cybersecurity scandal

In the first case, the Attorney General alleges that Mr Adu Boahene, while serving as Director of the NSB, signed a $7 million contract on January 30, 2020, with RLC Holdings Limited, an Israeli company, for the purchase of cyber defense system software.

“Instead of paying the full amount to the intended vendor, only $1.75 million was transferred. The remaining GH¢39.5 million (approx. $5.25 million) was diverted to BNC Communications Bureau Limited, a private company owned by the couple.

“On February 6, 2020, he then transferred an initial amount of GH¢27.1 million from the NSB account at Fidelity Bank to a private BNC account at UMB. Official documentation on the transfer reveals that the amount was for the payment of cyber defense system software. He transferred the money to his private company,” Dr Ayine stated at the press briefing.

Mildred Donkor’s alleged involvement

Mildred Donkor, the third accused, is a former UMB Bank relationship officer for the couple and their company, BNC.

Court filings show she also served as a director for Advantage Solutions Limited, which was allegedly used as a holding company to launder the stolen funds.

“The monies which A1 and A2 moved from the National BNC bank account into the Private BNC’s bank account were paid through a complex web of companies, ultimately owned by A4 (Advantage Solutions),” the AG’s court filing states.

Investigations further revealed that the stolen funds were used to acquire properties in Accra, Kumasi, and London, luxury vehicles, and to fund the couple’s lavish lifestyle.

Despite her denials, Donkor was found to be a director in all companies used in the scheme and actively participated in the day-to-day operations.

Charges filed

The accused face a total of 11 counts in the cybersecurity case.

• Kwabena Adu Boahene: Stealing, defrauding by false pretences, wilfully causing financial loss to the state, using public office for profit, and money laundering.

• Angela Adjei-Boateng: Conspiracy to steal, conspiracy to commit a crime using public office for profit, and money laundering.

• Mildred Donkor: Conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering.

• Advantage Solutions Limited: Conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering.

Second Scandal: GH¢1.5 million monthly loot from Ghana Water Company

In a separate scheme uncovered by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the AG revealed that Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) made monthly payments of up to GH¢1.5 million to Mr. Adu Boahene’s private company, BNC Communications Bureau Limited, for services that were supposed to be delivered by the NSB, a government agency.

“The contract documents stipulated that Ghana Water pay GH¢650,000 every two weeks to the Bureau of National Communications. However, Mr. Adu Boahene provided the account details of his private company,” Dr Ayine explained.

Over time, GWCL paid over GH¢62 million to the private company, under the guise of internet service provisions by a state agency.

According to the AG, these payments were made without any verifiable evidence of services rendered.

Dr Ayine confirmed that separate charges will be filed in the coming weeks regarding this second scheme.

GA/MA

Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, has dismissed allegations by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin that President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are pursuing a “third term agenda.”

Afenyo-Markin, on Thursday, May 1, alleged that the recent nomination of seven justices to the Supreme Court by President Mahama is part of a broader strategy to pave the way for his return to power beyond the constitutional limit.

“It is obvious that the bold attempts by the president to nominate, out of the blue, seven judges to the Supreme Court are the first major attempt at all that they have rehearsed — a third term agenda,” he claimed.

Responding to the claim on Citi Prime News on May 2, Mahama Ayariga rejected the assertion as baseless and politically motivated.

“I think he is the one who is putting the idea in the minds of Ghanaians. I am not sure I have heard Ghanaians having that discussion or even the strategists of the NDC having that conversation.

“He is the one putting this in the minds of Ghanaians,” he stated.

The Bawku Central MP explained that the notion of Mahama seeking a third term had surfaced even before he filed to contest the NDC flagbearer race ahead of the 2024 general elections.

“The conversation of him running for a third term even came up before he filed to contest as flagbearer of the NDC in the 2024 general election. Indeed, some people threatened to go to the Supreme Court to stop him from contesting because they thought he would contest for a third term,” he noted

Judiciary must resist attempts to remove CJ – Afenyo-Markin

Investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni, has formally petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to terminate the long-standing contract between the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and waste management company, Zoomlion Ghana Limited.

In a statement issued on Friday, May 2, Mr Awuni called for an end to what he describes as a 19-year-old arrangement fraught with inefficiencies, poor accountability, and exploitation of sweepers.

Mr Awuni stated that under the most recent contract, which expired in September 2024, an amount of GH₵850 was allocated per sweeper.

However, he said Zoomlion retained GH₵600 of that sum, leaving the sweepers with just GH₵250 monthly.

According to the journalist, the contract also allowed Zoomlion to charge interest on delayed payments from the YEA, resulting in a reported GHS90 million interest claim in 2024 alone.

He noted that Zoomlion has since submitted a new proposal, currently under review at the YEA, seeking an increase in the allocation per sweeper to GHS1,308, saying that if approved, the company would keep GHS888 and pay sweepers GHS420 per month.

Manasseh questioned the lack of transparency surrounding the number of sweepers Zoomlion presents for payment.

“The YEA has no data to verify the 45,000 sweepers Zoomlion presents for payment every month, even after raising an alarm in 2018. The YEA said its headcount showed that 38,884 sweepers were on the ground, contrary to Zoomlion’s claim of 45,000. The YEA CEO, Justin Kodua Frimpong (the current NPP General Secretary), said Zoomlion failed to submit its payroll for verification when the YEA requested.

“In 2022, the YEA could not provide any data when the Accra Metropolitan Assembly complained in a letter that most sweepers had stopped working. Meanwhile, Zoomlion continued to bill the state for 45,000 people every month,” he said.

He also referenced the position of the immediate past YEA CEO, Kofi Baah Agyepong, who told the agency’s board that the contract should be scrapped, stating that the YEA could independently manage the sweeping module just as it does other employment schemes.

This, Mr Awuni stated, that in all the modules, YEA pays all its beneficiaries more than the sweepers, whose payment is routed through Zoomlion.

“I have proposed to the President that the contract be discontinued so that the assemblies and the YEA can supervise the sweepers. In this way, the assemblies can have direct control of the sweepers, who are paid with the assemblies’ share of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF),” Mr Awuni said.

“If Zoomlion is eliminated as the middleman, the sweepers will enjoy better wages and be motivated to show up and work to keep the nation clean.”

While calling for the termination of the sweeping module contract, Manasseh acknowledged the importance of maintaining Zoomlion’s separate Sanitation Improvement Package (SIP), which involves refuse transportation.

He noted that ending the SIP abruptly could result in sanitation problems, as some assemblies lack the waste trucks necessary for waste disposal due to large deductions from their budgets to fund the Zoomlion contracts.

Mr Awuni also reminded the President of the decisive steps he took in 2013 following investigations into the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA), which led to the cancellation of contracts, prosecutions, and passage of the YEA Act.

“With the documentary evidence I submitted with the petition, I am confident that the President will terminate the Zoomlion contract,” he said, noting it was the only GYEEDA-era agreement left untouched despite adverse findings in a report commissioned by the President himself.

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.