Kwabena Adu-Boahene has been slapped with 11 charges for allegedly transferring GH¢49m NSB funds

The High Court in Accra has reinstated the bail conditions of embattled former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau, Kwabena Adu-Boahene, who has been slapped with 11 charges for allegedly transferring GH¢49 million (approximately $7 million) from the bureau’s account to his personal account, among other offences.

Adu-Boahene was remanded by the Accra High Court into the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for seven days.

The court stated that Kwabena Adu-Boahene’s remand is to allow the Attorney General’s office sufficient time to complete the preparation of witness statements for the case.

He was previously granted bail following his arrest by the state for the alleged crimes stated above, but was granted bail to the sum of GH¢80 million, with two sureties, one of whom must be justified.

Further reports indicate that counsel for the accused, Samuel Atta Akyea, requested the court to maintain the existing bail conditions for all the accused persons.

However, the Attorney General opposed this request specifically in relation to the first accused, Kwabena Adu-Boahene, arguing that he had interfered with potential prosecution witnesses — grounds he deemed sufficient to warrant remand.

The court, during proceedings on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, reinstated the bail conditions of the embattled former NSB director general and his wife.

The case was adjourned to May 26, 2025.

The court, however, gave the Office of the Attorney General up to May 20, 2025, to file its witness statement(s).

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, disclosed that Kwabena Adu-Boahene, the former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), had been arrested in connection with the alleged diversion of public funds meant for a cybersecurity defence system.

Addressing the press on Monday, March 24, 2025, Dr Ayine stated that Adu-Boahene was implicated in the unauthorised transfer of $7 million, originally allocated for cybersecurity infrastructure, into his private accounts.

“In his capacity as Director of the National Signals Bureau, Mr Adu-Boahene on January 30, 2020, signed a contract on behalf of the Government of Ghana and the National Security on one hand and on the other hand, an Israeli company named RLC Holdings Limited. The contract was for the purchase of a cyber defence system software at a price of $7 million,” the Attorney General said.

Providing further details, Dr Ayine disclosed that just days after signing the agreement, Adu-Boahene initiated a suspicious transaction.

“On February 6, 2020, he then transferred an initial amount of GH¢27,100,000 from the National Signals Bureau 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 defence system software. He transferred the money to his private company,” he told the media.

According to Dr Ayine, investigations further uncovered that the former NSB boss allegedly channelled the funds not only into his personal account, but also into accounts belonging to his wife.

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Isaac Boamah-Nyarko, Member of Parliament for Effia, has downplayed claims that the current administration is solely responsible for Ghana’s recent economic turnaround, arguing that the foundations for the rebound were laid by the previous government.

He maintained that the recent appreciation of the Ghanaian Cedi was made possible by the groundwork done by the former administration, and called for a more honest and inclusive narrative on the country’s economic progress.

His comments follow the recent strengthening of the Cedi against major foreign currencies—a development that has sparked widespread debate among economists and politicians alike.

Some experts have attributed the gains to strong gold reserves and a weakening US dollar, partly influenced by tariff policies under President Donald Trump.

Speaking on Breakfast Daily on Channel One TV on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, Boamah-Nyarko stressed the need to give credit where it is due.

“The [NPP] government, before leaving office, had provided the playing field that makes it easy for any continuing government to build on its successes. So, we need to give credit where credit is due. Else, as a country, we will go nowhere.

The NDC government doesn’t have a magic wand between January and now to be doing those things if there were no fundamentals,” he stated.

To support his claim, Boamah-Nyarko cited performance data from the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC), suggesting that most of the gains in gold reserves occurred before the current administration took office.

“The PMMC, as of December 31, had built up a gold reserve of 30.2 tonnes. And between January and now, since the NDC came into office, the reserve has accumulated up to 31.6 million tonnes, meaning only 1 million has been added,” he added.

Boamah-Nyarko’s remarks underscore the ongoing political debate over which administration deserves credit for Ghana’s recent economic strides.

Ghana’s Gold reserves climb to 31.37 tonnes in April 2025

Some Kumbungu residents being screened

The United States Army in collaboration with the Ghana Armed Forces and the Kumbungu District Assembly, has organised a medical outreach to provide free medical screening and treatment for over 1,000 residents in Kumbungu and its surrounding areas in the Northern Region.

Residents received general health check-ups, screenings, and treatments for various health conditions with free medication.

Major Randy Nii Ofori Tawiah, Head of Public Health at the 6th Medical Reception Station, told DAILY GUIDE that the health screening is part of the African Lion Medical Civic Action Program (MEDCAP).

Major Tawiah, is optimistic that the health screening will improve the health of residents, particularly farmers in the Kumbungu community.

“The farming season is about to start, which involves a lot of physical activity, and so screening will help them know their medical status before they begin the season,” he stated.

Major Rick Dickson, SETAF-AF PAO, noted that African Lion is the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies, adding that the exercise spans across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia.

The training for African Lion 25 (AL25) in Ghana includes joint planning process academics, practical exercises, and an intelligence curriculum that features intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) exercises, as well as medical readiness exercises (MEDREX).

He stated that the exercise aims to enhance military readiness, capabilities, and the authority of partner nations to successfully execute regional security initiatives.

Captain Peter Darko Afari of the U.S. Army Civil Affairs, commended the residents of Kumbungu and its surrounding areas for their participation in the medical outreach, assuring them of the United States Army and Ghana Armed Forces commitment to providing medical services to Ghanaian citizens.

The District Chief Executive of the Kumbungu District Assembly, Imoro Yakubu Kakpagu, thanked the United States Army and Ghana Armed Forces for initiating the medical outreach, noting that the initiative is timely due to the start of the farming season.

“This initiative has come at the right time as we prepare for the farming season. It is important for residents to check their health status before they begin,” he said.

Madam Awuni Mary, a beneficiary of the medical screening, in an interview with DAILY GUIDE said that access to medical services in her village is often difficult, and expressed her appreciation for the initiative.

“For some of us in the villages, it’s challenging to access such medical services. I am grateful to the United States Army and Ghana Armed Forces for bringing this opportunity to our community. I have been screened and received medication, so I am very happy,” she said.

FROM Eric Kombat, Kumbungu

Prof Enyonam Yao Kwawukume

President John Dramani Mahama has named Obstetrician and Academician, Professor Enyonam Yao Kwawukume as the new Board Chairman of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS).

The appointment, which was announced during the inauguration of newly constituted boards of several key health institutions, including the GCPS, Teaching Hospitals, and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), places one of Ghana’s most respected medical figures at the helm of the nation’s premier institution for postgraduate medical education.

Prof. Kwawukume, a veteran in Ghana’s health sector with a distinguished international profile, brings to the role decades of experience in clinical practice, medical education, and healthcare leadership. He is the Founder and Vice Chancellor of Family Health University and also the Founder of Family Health Hospital, and held the prestigious K.K. Bensti-Enchill Chair at the University of Ghana’s College of Health Sciences.

Speaking at the inauguration, Prof. Kwawukume acknowledged the serious challenges confronting the country’s healthcare system, stressing the need for urgent, coordinated efforts.

“There is evidence that many hospitals across the country face significant challenges,” he said. “As Board Chairman, I am committed, along with my colleagues, to tackling these issues head-on. Having worked with many of these institutions, I am confident in our ability to foster a strong, collaborative approach.”

He expressed optimism about the sector’s prospects, pointing to the wealth of experienced professionals within Ghana’s healthcare system.

“What gives me hope is the presence of familiar faces—people I have worked with over the years,” he said. “This creates a foundation for improved collaboration and open dialogue, which will ultimately ease the burden on the Ministry of Health and its leadership.”

Prof. Kwawukume emphasised the urgency of action over rhetoric: “There are times when what we need is not more talk, but action —and now is one of those times.”

By Samuel Boadi

Japanese carmaker Nissan has said it will cut another 11,000 jobs globally and shut seven factories as it shakes up the business in the face of weak sales.

Falling sales in China and heavy discounting in the US, its two biggest markets, have taken a heavy toll on earnings, while a proposed merger with Honda and Mitsubishi collapsed in February.

The latest cutbacks brings the total number of layoffs announced by the company in the past year to about 20,000, or 15% of its workforce.

It was not immediately clear where the job cuts will be made, or whether Nissan’s plant in Sunderland will be affected.

Nissan employs about 133,500 people globally, with about 6,000 workers in Sunderland.

Two-thirds of the latest job cuts will come from manufacturing, with the rest from sales, administration jobs, research and contract staff, said the company’s chief executive, Ivan Espinosa.

The latest layoffs come on top of 9,000 job cuts Nissan announced in November as part of a cost saving effort that it said would reduce its global production by a fifth.

In February, talks between Nissan and its larger rival Honda collapsed after the firms failed to agree on a multi-billion-dollar tie-up.

The plan had been to combine their businesses to fight back against competition from rival firms, especially in China.

The merger would have created a $60bn (£46bn) motor industry giant, the fourth largest in the world by vehicle sales after Toyota, Volkswagen and Hyundai.

After the failure of the negotiations, then-chief executive Makoto Uchida was replaced by Mr Espinosa, who was the company’s chief planning officer and head of its motorsports division.

Nissan also reported an annual loss of 670 billion yen ($4.5bn; £3.4bn), with US President Donald Trump’s tariffs putting further pressure on the struggling firm.

Mr Espinosa said that the previous financial year had been “challenging”, with rising costs and an “uncertain environment”, adding that the results were a “wake-up call”.

The car giant did not give a forecast for income in the coming year due to the “uncertain nature of US tariff measures”.

Last week, Nissan announced it had scrapped plans to build a battery and electric vehicle factory in Japan as it cuts back on investment.

The firm has been in trouble in key markets, including China where growing competition has led to falling prices.

In China, many foreign carmakers have struggled to compete with homegrown firms such as BYD.

China has become the world’s biggest producer of electric vehicles, with some established car-making nations having failed to anticipate demand for the new technology.

In the US, another major market for Nissan, inflation and higher interest rates have hit new vehicle sales.

S&P Global Ratings suggests government could seek programme flexibility

Government may be quietly exploring ways to loosen some terms of its US$3billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, even as it publicly affirms full commitment to the reforms, according to emerging signals in S&P Global Ratings’ latest assessment.

A subtle cue from S&P Global Ratings suggests government could seek programme flexibility.

S&P’s decision to raise the nation’s foreign currency credit rating to CCC+ from selective default (SD) followed what it called “recent steps” to finalise commercial debt restructuring.

However, the agency also highlighted “spending overruns, particularly during election years” and cited “constrained policy flexibility” as a key risk, prompting speculation government could seek adjustments in IMF conditionality.

While the finance ministry has denied any renegotiation talks, S&P’s nuanced language suggests that the new administration under President John Mahama might be testing the waters for more flexible programme terms.

“Despite setbacks from significant fiscal slippage in 2024, alongside initial indications in early 2025 that government may look to renegotiate with the IMF, government has renewed its commitment to the existing programme,” a portion of the report read.

The likely focus will be on easing restrictions related to social spending and adjusting reform timelines, as the country works toward concluding its programme by 2026.

Speaking at a joint press briefing in mid-April, finance minister Cassiel Ato Forson pushed back on claims of renegotiation, saying government is “fully committed to implementing this programme”.

He noted that the fourth IMF review focused on ensuring the programme remains on track, adding that the authorities will achieve its objectives and supersede them.

Still, the S&P report suggests the post-election economic reality may warrant recalibration. The agency acknowledges that the Mahama-led administration inherited “large expenditure arrears” and faces ongoing pressure to address high inflation, public discontent and limited fiscal room – all of which could motivate a search for greater leeway within the IMF’s framework.

Similarly, IMF Mission Chief Stéphane Roudet said discussions during the latest review did not touch on a potential extension or renegotiation.

“The focus has been entirely on how to make sure that the programme remains on track,” she said.

Yet with over a year remaining, government has not ruled out adjustments.

Mr. Forson stated that going forward, whatever decision government makes will be communicated early enough.

S&P’s updated outlook was cautiously optimistic. The credit upgrade reflects progress in restructuring external debt and a rebound in external liquidity, supported by a record current account surplus in 2024. Gold exports and remittance inflows surged, helping usable foreign exchange reserves climb to US$4.6billion.

However, fiscal risks remain. The country posted significant arrears in 2024 and S&P expects fiscal consolidation to be more gradual than government anticipates. Interest payments, though down from prior years, still consume a quarter of government revenue and inflation at 21.2 percent remains far above the central bank’s target range.

The administration has launched institutional reforms, including proposed amendments to the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act and the creation of an independent fiscal council. But the execution of such reforms, particularly under public pressure for relief and in the face of politically sensitive issues like the controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill, may require policy trade-offs.

According to S&P, the debt trajectory is improving – with net general government debt forecast to drop from 71.4 percent of GDP in 2024 to 47.4 percent by 2028. Nonetheless, the ratings agency warned that fiscal underperformance or tightening financing conditions could trigger a downgrade within the next 12 to 18 months.

The IMF programme, which has so far disbursed US$2.36billion, is scheduled to end in May 2026. With growth rebounding – GDP expanded 5.7 percent in 2024 – government may view the remaining window as an opportunity to strike a balance between meeting IMF targets and responding to domestic pressures.

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By James Amoh Junior, GNA

Accra, May 13, GNA – The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) has launched a training programme aimed at equipping celebrities and influencers with the knowledge and skills to serve as effective advocates for peace and leadership among African youth.

The five-day training, currently underway at the KAIPTC in Accra, is an initiative of the Centre’s Women, Youth, Peace and Security Institute (WYPSI), and reflects KAIPTC’s strategic commitment to advancing the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda across the continent.

The course offers participants in-depth sessions on conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and leadership development.

Upon completion, participants are expected to initiate peace-driven campaigns and leverage their platforms to inspire positive social change.

This initiative is being delivered with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), whose contribution underscores the KAIPTC’s status as a Centre of Excellence in peacekeeping training within the ECOWAS sub-region.

With WYPSI’s expanded mandate to include youth under the YPS agenda, the training signifies a deliberate shift toward inclusion and youth empowerment.

The programme was developed in response to critical insights gathered through stakeholder consultations held in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Senegal, and Ghana.

These engagements revealed significant gaps in how influencers and public figures are currently mobilized for peace advocacy.

Therefore, a Learning Design and Development (LDD) workshop, held earlier this year, helped shape the course to directly address those gaps.

In today’s digital landscape, celebrities and social media influencers hold considerable sway over Africa’s youth.

When equipped with the right tools and messages, they have the power to catalyze lasting societal change, making them ideal partners in peacebuilding efforts.

Air Commodore David Anetey Akrong, Commandant, KAIPTC, whose speech was read on his behalf by the Director of

Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Department and Acting Director of WYPSI, Mrs. Sylvia Abra Nutsukpui, stressed the urgency of nurturing resilient and visionary leadership in the face of rising global uncertainties.

“In a world that often seems fraught with division and conflict, the need for effective leadership, coupled with a profound understanding of peacebuilding principles, is more crucial than ever,” she said.

Mrs. Nutsukpui explained that the course had been deliberately curated to respond to the needs identified in the field.

She noted that each participant possessed the potential to influence peers, foster dialogue, and inspire action towards lasting peace.

According to her, today’s complex political, social, and environmental challenges called for innovative thinking and transformative leadership.

She encouraged participants to fully immerse themselves in the experience, absorbing the training content, sharing their unique perspectives, and learning from one another.

Quoting the late Kofi Annan, she reminded the trainees that “a peaceful world is a prosperous world,” and emphasized that their commitment to leadership in peacebuilding was critical to shaping a future where dialogue triumphs over discord and cooperation prevails over conflict.

Dr. Fiifi Adu-Afful, a consultant on the Youth in Leadership course, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, emphasized the need to shift the narrative around youth in conflict situations, pointing out that young people were often seen merely as perpetrators or instruments of violence.

Drawing on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250, he highlighted the importance of youth participation in decision-making and that “oftentimes, we think young people are spoilers, used for all kinds of nefarious activities.”

“Resolution 2250 paved the way for us to understand the important role youth play in peacebuilding and fashion out ways to engage them.”

The influencer training forms part of KAIPTC’s wider efforts to foster inclusive peacebuilding frameworks across Africa.

GNA

CA

Ghana failed in their attempt to qualify for the next U-20 World Cup after losing to Egypt on Monday, May 12.

The Black Satellites lost 5-4 on penalties following a 2-2 result in 120 minutes of action, ending their hopes of progressing further at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.

Egypt enjoyed a great start to the game, scoring two goals in eight minutes.

Momen Sherif, twice, pounced on a defensive mix-up in the Ghanaian defence involving Ofori McCarthy and goalkeeper Gidious Aseako.

After going two goals down, Ghana calmed their nerves and grew their way into the game.

Their efforts were rewarded in additional time of the first half when Egypt’s goalkeeper made a mess of Abdul Aziz Isaiah’s long-range effort to make it 2-1.

Desmond Ofei’s boys went into the break on the back foot and with a lot to play for in the second half.

The Black Satellites should have scored just before the hour mark, but Denis Marfo’s header from a cross went just over the crossbar.

It was all Ghana in the second half, but the Satellites were unable to draw level from the opportunities presented to them.

When all hope seemed lost and gone, Hakim Sulemana kept Ghana in the game after they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Joseph Opoku.

The Randers forward scored from the penalty spot to take the game to extra time.

The Satellites were reduced to 10 players after Aaron Essel was sent off for a last-man tackle.

Ghana pushed the game into penalties, where they eventually lost after Dacosta Antwi missed the second attempt while Egypt scored all of their kicks.

The result means the Satellites exit the competition with the host advancing to the semifinals while also grabbing a World Cup slot.

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THREE financial institutions have paid GH¢ 8.5 million to 227 Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) owners affected by the Kantamanto fire outbreak.

They are Advans Ghana, Turaco Inclusive Ghana (T/A Turaco) and Enterprise Insurance Ltd.

The timely gesture has helped traders to clear their outstanding loans, while providing capital to rebuild their businesses during this challenging period.

The January 2 fire at the Kantamanto Market claimed one life, injured 14 people and left over 30,000 traders affected, with more than 7,000 shops reduced to ashes.

Speaking to the media after a short presentation in Accra, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Advans Ghana, Guillaume Valence, said the payments were critical in giving their customers the peace of mind and the needed financial relief in such a difficult time.

He said, “At the core of our mission is the understanding that when we support traders and small businesses, we are supporting the entire economy of Ghana.”

“At Advans, we are intentional about embedding insurance into our services so our customers are protected in moments like these.

Our partnership with Turaco and Enterprise Insurance is part of that proactive approach to safeguarding livelihoods and this payout demonstrates the power of building financial resilience in advance,” he said. 

Promoting insurance

The Deputy Commissioner for the National Insurance Commission (NIC), Bernard Ohemeng-Baah, said the commission was focused on promoting insurance for underserved communities.

He said the support provided to victims of the January fire outbreak in Kantamanto demonstrates that insurance works and plays a key role in helping affected individuals recover and rebuild their businesses.

He urged the partners to expand their coverage beyond the 227 individuals supported so far to enable a greater number of people to have access to the benefits of insurance in future occurrences.

For her part, the General Manager for Turaco Ghana, Leona Lilian Abban, explained that micro insurance was a customer-centric service that made it possible for the most vulnerable people to access financial protection when they needed it most.

This is evident in our partnership with Advans Ghana and Enterprise Insurance, where insurance is embedded directly into financial services.

Together, we have insured over 200,000 customers across Ghana, helping them bounce back from life’s unexpected shocks. The Kantamanto response shows that strategic partnerships and seamless delivery can turn risk into resilience,” she said.