An interlocutory order has been issued by the Industrial and Labour Division of the High Court to halt the ongoing strike by members of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA).

The strike, which began on June 2, 2025, has been declared unlawful, and the affected nurses and midwives are required to return to work immediately. The High Court’s order follows earlier directions by the National Labour Commission (NLC), which also deemed the industrial action illegal.

The aggrieved health workers initiated the strike in protest against the government’s failure to implement a collective bargaining agreement signed with the previous Akufo-Addo administration. The strike, now three days old, has already begun affecting patients, including those with serious medical conditions.

In its ruling dated June 5, 2025, the court granted an interlocutory injunction to stop the industrial action. The Registrar, Mame Daniels, stated:

“UPON READING the affidavit of MARTIN DIDEMUDO of house No. 0047.6998, Suhum in the Eastern Region of the Republic of Ghana, filed on the 5th day of June, 2025 in support of a motion Ex-parte for Interlocutory Injunction, AND UPON HEARING the submissions of ALEXANDER OWUSU JNR., ESQ., Counsel for the Plaintiff/Applicant, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the application is granted, and the Respondent—its Executives, Officers, Members, Agents, Servants, Employees, and other persons affiliated with the Respondent—are hereby restrained from continuing the illegal strike with immediate effect.”

The order will remain in force for ten (10) days. Upon expiration, the application must be refiled on notice to the respondent.

The NLC, in a statement issued on June 4, 2025, explained that the strike violated Section 159 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), because GRNMA’s leadership failed to appear at a scheduled meeting with the Commission on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. This meeting was meant to address and resolve their concerns. Present at the meeting were the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (represented by its Chief Executive), the Ministry of Health, other relevant institutions, and the Ministry of Finance.

The NLC emphasized:

“The Commission declares the industrial action by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association as illegal and directs them to call it off with immediate effect.”

Furthermore, the Commission instructed the leadership of GRNMA to resume discussions with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission on implementing the collective agreement and to report the outcome to the Commission by June 25, 2025, at 2:30 p.m.

GRNMA President Perpetual Ofori Ampofo had earlier outlined the union’s industrial action schedule as follows:

June 2–3, 2025: Nurses and midwives to wear red headbands and armbands as a form of protest.

June 4–8, 2025: Suspension of all outpatient department (OPD) services.

June 9, 2025: Nationwide withdrawal of all nursing and midwifery services.

Later stages: Cessation of emergency services.

On May 28, 2025, approximately 128,000 nurses and midwives across the country signaled their readiness to strike due to the government’s continued failure to fulfill the agreed terms of service.

The NLC also directed that all planned protest actions—from the wearing of red bands to the complete withdrawal of services—must be halted to enable the Commission to mediate effectively.

KA

Sapphire Egemasi, regarded as Nigeria’s ‘tech queen’ was arrested together Samuel Kwadwo Osei

A Ghanaian man believed to be the leader of a fraud syndicate in the United States of America (USA), Samuel Kwadwo Osei, has been arrested by the FBI, together with a number of accomplices, including a computer programmer regarded as the ‘tech queen’ of Nigeria, Sapphire Egemasi.

According to several reports by Nigerian media outlets, including Peoples Gazette and the Daily Post, the suspects, who are currently in the custody of the FBI, were arrested on April 10, 2025, for defrauding several US government agencies of millions of dollars.

They are accused of engaging in internet fraud and money laundering between September 2021 and February 2023.

They allegedly targeted agencies across the US, including the city government of Kentucky, using phishing campaigns and spoofed websites to steal employee credentials and reroute public funds into fraudulent bank accounts.

The reports indicated that, aside from Egemasi, all the other accomplices were Ghanaians.

Court documents, cited in the reports, showed that the gang stole millions of dollars from the city of Kentucky, with “Egemasi’s role being the registering and designing of spoof websites of US government institutions to steal login credentials.”

She also created fake websites mimicking legitimate portals of US government agencies.

The suspected fraudsters reportedly once rerouted $965,000 in stolen funds from the city of Kentucky to a PNC Bank account in August 2022, according to retrieved text messages.

They also diverted $330,000, stolen from the city, into an account at Bank of America.

The report indicated that the suspects are awaiting trial in Lexington, Kentucky in the USA.

They face a prison term of up to 20 years each, fines, and deportation back to Ghana and Nigeria upon completion of their sentences.

The Nigerian woman is believed to have met her Ghanaian co-accused in Nigeria.

She is the tech expert for the fraud syndicate, which operates from both the US and the West African country.

BAI/VPO

Liverpool have rejected an approach from Barcelona to speak to forward Luis Diaz.

Club sources told BBC Sport that Colombia international Diaz, one of Liverpool’s key players in winning the Premier League title last season, is not for sale.

The 28-year-old joined Liverpool from Porto in January 2022 and has a contract with the club until 2027.

He scored 13 goals and made seven assists in the league as Liverpool won the title by 10 points.

Diaz attracted interest from Manchester City last summer and also has admirers in Saudi Arabia.

“I’m very happy at Liverpool – I’ve always said so,” said Diaz, who is on international duty for his country’s games against Peru and Argentina. “They’ve welcomed me very well.

“The transfer market is opening, and we’re trying to arrange what’s best for us. I’m waiting to see what happens.

“If Liverpool gives us a good extension or I have to see out my two-year contract, I’ll be happy. It all depends on them. I’m here to decide and see what’s best for us and the future.”

Speculation about Diaz’s future increased after he and his girlfriend both wrote lengthy posts on social media to Liverpool fans that could be interpreted as farewell messages.

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes and Fenway Sports Group’s chief executive of football Michael Edwards have looked to refresh Arne Slot’s squad early in the transfer window.

Last week the Premier League champions completed the £29.5 million signing of Dutch right-back Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen.

Liverpool are close to agreeing a club-record £109m fee to sign Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz from Leverkusen, and are in talks to sign Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez for between £45m and £50m.

Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili will join the squad after joining Liverpool last summer but spending the season on loan at Valencia.

In April, prolific forward Mohamed Salah ended speculation about his future by signing a new two-year contract to keep him at Anfield until 2027, while captain Virgil van Dijk signed a new deal later that month.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has joined Real Madrid one month before the end of his Liverpool contract, while goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has been sold to Brentford for an initial £12.5m fee.

Striker Darwin Nunez has been linked with moves to Saudi Arabian clubs as well as Barcelona.

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

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

Former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta has been put on INTERPOL red alert notice

Ken Ofori-Atta, the former finance minister, has been formally added to INTERPOL’s Red Notice database after the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) reiterated its request.

This step bolsters attempts to bring the former minister to justice and coincides with ongoing corruption investigations.

The Red Notice was released on June 6, 2025, stating that Ofori-Atta is a 65-year-old male Ghanaian who was born in Accra on November 7, 1959. Standing at 1.7 meters, he has dark eyes and hair and speaks Twi and English.

INTERPOL reports that he is wanted for “Using Public Office for Profit.” The OSP is looking for international cooperation to find and temporarily arrest him while awaiting extradition or voluntary surrender because they believe he is now in the United States for medical treatment.

This is the second time the OSP has listed the former minister as a wanted individual.

He was called a “fugitive from justice” in February 2025 for not showing up for an investigation after being called in connection with other high-profile corruption cases.

These include issues pertaining to a revenue assurance agreement with Strategic Mobilization Ghana Ltd (SML) and the contentious National Cathedral project.

At a press briefing in Accra on June 2, the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, revealed that his office had formally initiated procedures for the INTERPOL Red Notice just 30 minutes before the announcement.

“I triggered processes for the issuance of an INTERPOL red notice for the location and provisional arrest of Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta in whichever jurisdiction, pending extradition or his surrender,” Mr. Agyebeng stated.

Ofori-Atta is under investigation for his alleged involvement in several high-profile cases, including:

1. Petroleum and Minerals Revenue Assurance: Contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

2. Electricity Company Contract Termination: The termination of a contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC).

3. National Cathedral Project: Procurement procedures and financial transactions related to the construction of the National Cathedral.

4. Ambulance Procurement: A Ministry of Health contract with Service Ghana Auto Group Limited for the purchase and maintenance of 307 ambulances.

5. GRA Tax P-Fund Management: The handling and disbursement of funds from the GRA’s Tax P-Fund Account.

On Interpol’s website, the charge listed against Ofori-Atta is “using public office for profit.”

KA

Former Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta has appeared on Interpol’s Red Notice as a wanted man for using public office for profit.

The OSP earlier this week re-declared Mr Ofori-Atta, a wanted person and a fugitive from justice.

This was after Mr Ofori-Atta failed to appear before the OSP for an investigative interview scheduled for Monday, June 2, 2025. 

The Special Prosecutor (SP), Kissi Agyebeng, subsequently initiated processes for an Interpol red notice and extradition to compel the return of Mr Ofori-Atta to Ghana to face investigations into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences.

At a press briefing in Accra on Monday [June 2], Mr Agyebeng chronicled months of failed attempts to secure Mr Ofori-Atta’s personal attendance after the OSP first notified him, that he was under investigation. 

He said the OSP’s patience with Mr Ofori-Atta had run out, following what he described as repeated delays and non-compliance with ongoing criminal investigations against him.

“This office has always requested his attendance, and we have indicated clearly to him that we are unwilling to waive it. If we were amenable to taking any statement from Ken Ofori-Atta in absentia, we would have done so in February, and not waited till June 2, 2025”.

“We want him here physically, and we insist on it. A suspect in a criminal investigation does not pick and choose how the investigative body conducts its investigations and the methods suitable to him and his convenience. We will not countenance this conduct, not in this case,” Mr Agyebeng stated.

The OSP is investigating Mr Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, a former Minister of  Finance, over five major issues during his tenure in office under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo:

The Key Issues under investigations are:

• 
  

  Petroleum and Minerals Revenue Assurance:Contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

• 
  

  Electricity Company Contract Termination:The termination of a contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC).

• 
  

  National Cathedral Project:Procurement procedures and financial transactions related to the National Cathedral.

• 
  

  Ambulance Procurement:A Ministry of Health contract with Service Ghana Auto Group Limited for purchasing and maintaining 307 ambulances.

• 
  

  GRA Tax P-Fund Management:Handling and disbursement of funds from the Tax P-Fund Account of the GRA.

In January 2025, the OSP officially notified Mr Ofori-Atta that he was a suspect in five separate cases and asked him to appear in person on February 10, 2025.

Mr Ofori-Atta’s lawyers informed the OSP that he was abroad indefinitely for medical reasons, and offered to represent him in his absence.

The OSP rejected the claim of indefinite absence and demanded a firm return date by February 10, 2025, and warned of legal consequences for failure to comply.

It also reminded that legal representatives cannot respond to criminal charges on behalf of clients.

On February 10, 2025, Mr Ofori-Atta’s lawyers submitted a doctor’s note stating he was undergoing tests and possibly surgery, with no clear return date.

On February 12, 2025 the OSP declared Mr Ofori-Atta a fugitive from justice, acting on an arrest warrant.

On February 18, 2025, Mr Ofori-Atta appealed to the OSP to remove his name from the ‘Wanted List’ and provided a definite return date in May 2025.

The OSP accepted his assurance and subsequently took his name off the list

In March 2025, Mr Ofori-Atta filed a lawsuit against the OSP and the Special Prosecutor, seeking compensation for what he called an unlawful declaration of him as wanted, and asked for the removal of related publications from the OSP’s social media.

The High Court in Accra (Human Rights Court) heard an interim application from Mr Ofori-Atta, asking that the OSP be barred from declaring him wanted again on March 28, 2025.

Following this the OSP gave a deadline of June 2, 2025 for Mr Ofori-Atta to report in person to the OSP headquarters.

According to the OSP, if he fails to appear, his name will be added back to the list of wanted persons and he will again be declared a fugitive from justice.

In such case, the OSP will also begin the process to request an INTERPOL Red Notice against him.

Below is a copy of the entire address read by the Special Prosecutor at the press briefing last Monday

We recall that by a letter dated 24 January 2025, Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, a former Minister of Finance was informed that the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has commenced investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding cases in respect of which the OSP considered him a suspect. Further, he was directed to attend, in person, the OSP on 10 February 2025 for interviewing. Mr. Ofori-Atta was out of the jurisdiction at the time. 

By a letter dated 31 January 2025, Mr. Ofori-Atta informed the OSP, through his lawyers, that he was out of the jurisdiction indefinitely on medical grounds and that the firm would notify the OSP of his arrival in the country in aid of rescheduling his personal attendance at the OSP. Further, the lawyers offered its willingness to provide the OSP with any information we may require to aid in the investigation until his arrival in the country. 

Upon receipt of these representations from his lawyers, the OSP, by a letter dated 5 February 2025, informed Mr. Ofori-Atta that the OSP did not need or required notification from his lawyers of his future arrival in the jurisdiction. The OSP acknowledged his lawyers’ offer to provide us with information in aid of the investigation.

However, the OSP insisted that his personal attendance at the OSP was required. 

The OSP directed Mr. Ofori-Atta to indicate, by close of business on 10 February 2025, a reasonable date of his return to the jurisdiction and attendance at the OSP. The OSP warned him if that if he failed so to do, the OSP would take all necessary legal steps to secure his return to the jurisdiction and attendance at the OSP at our own choosing. 

Mr. Ofori-Atta failed to indicate a reasonable date of his return to the jurisdiction upon the expiry of the 10 February 2025 deadline, except to still persist in his expressed intent of remaining indefinitely outside the jurisdiction by the transmission of his lawyers of a purported and brusque medical letter on 10 February 2025, which only sought, in effect, to state that he may undergo a possible surgical intervention in March 2025.  

In the considered opinion of the OSP, that medical letter could not be held to be a disclosure of a reasonable date of Mr. Ofori-Atta’s return to the jurisdiction and attendance at the OSP since it merely indicated that there may be a possible surgical intervention that may or may not occur in March.

The letter, which was in no way a medical report, neither stated nor demonstrated that Mr. Ofori-Atta was a travel risk or that he was an invalid who needed around-the-clock intense medical attention to the point that travelling to the jurisdiction would endanger his life.  

Upon the expiry of the 10 February 2025 deadline, the Special Prosecutor publicly declared Mr. Ofori-Atta a wanted person and a fugitive from justice on 12 February 2025 – on the ground that his avowed posture of remaining indefinitely outside the jurisdiction without indicating a reasonable time of his return to the jurisdiction showed clearly that he had no intention of voluntarily returning to the jurisdiction.  

By a letter dated 17 February 2025, Mr. Ofori-Atta’s lawyers transmitted to the Special Prosecutor, a communication laced with vituperation and designed variously as a denigration of the OSP; a lecture on their suppositions as to the mandate of the OSP; a threat of legal action; a sort of homily as to how the OSP should conduct its affairs; an attack on the person of the Special Prosecutor; and a suggestion that the Special Prosecutor had embarked on a personal vendetta against Mr. Ofori-Atta – without disclosing the alleged series of retaliatory, vengeful, or hostile acts the Special Prosecutor had directed at him or alleged exchange of such acts between Mr. Ofori-Atta and the Special Prosecutor. 

Crucially, the 17 February 2025 letter from Mr. Ofori-Atta’s lawyers failed to indicate a reasonable date of Mr. Ofori-Atta’s return to the jurisdiction and attendance at the OSP. On this reckoning, the OSP, by a letter dated 17 February 2025, re-affirmed and restated to Mr. Ofori-Atta that he remained a wanted person and a fugitive from justice. The OSP further stated that this tag would so remain until he indicated a reasonable time of his return to the jurisdiction with the necessary 
and reasonable assurances of abiding by his indicated reasonable time, or until such time that the OSP enforced his return to the jurisdiction and attendance at the OSP, whichever came first.  

By a letter dated 18 February 2025, Mr. Ofori-Atta’s lawyers communicated to the OSP that he was scheduled for a possible surgical intervention in the United States on 20/21 March 2025 and further that taking the date of the possible surgical intervention into account, he would require a recovery period of six to eight weeks. On this basis, his lawyers stated that he should be able to return to the jurisdiction between 14 and 30 May 2025. 

By a letter dated 18 February 2025, the OSP acceded to Mr. Ofori-Atta’s request to return voluntarily to the jurisdiction between 14 and 30 May 2025, as the Office deemed the indicated recovery period reasonable in the circumstances.

Consequently, the OSP removed Mr. Ofori Atta’s name from the list of wanted persons pending his voluntary return to the jurisdiction based on his own indicated dates. 

Consequently, the OSP directed Mr. Ofori-Atta to attend the OSP, in person, on Monday 2 June 2025 at 13:30 GMT for interviewing. The OSP emphasised that if he failed to voluntarily return to the jurisdiction within his stated dates, and if he failed to attend the OSP on the rescheduled date of Monday 2 June 2025 at 13:30 GMT, his name would be re-entered on the list of wanted persons and the OSP would consider him a fugitive from justice, whereupon the Office would take all necessary legal steps to secure his return to the jurisdiction and attendance at the OSP at our own choosing.       

By a letter dated 28 May 2025, Mr. Ofori-Atta’s lawyers informed the Special Prosecutor that a medical expert has diagnosed Mr. Ofori-Atta with cancer and has earmarked 13 June 2025 for surgery for which reason he would be unable to return to the jurisdiction as scheduled.

His lawyers stated that, to the knowledge of the OSP, this has been brought to the attention of the court before which Mr. Ofori-Atta is presently pursuing a human rights claim against the OSP and the Special Prosecutor. 

His lawyers stated further that in order not to hold the Office back in the performance of its function they had Mr. Ofori-Atta’s instructions of his readiness to go through video recorded interview for the purpose of eliciting his caution statement. His lawyers offered to meet the Special Prosecutor in person or approach the bench for the purpose of viewing Mr. Ofori-Atta’s biopsy report – whichever suited the Special Prosecutor. 

Now let’s step back a bit from the 28 May 2025 letter from Mr. Ofori-Atta’s lawyers and place matters in their proper context.  
The letter from Mr. Ofori-Atta’s lawyers dated 18 February 2025 clearly indicated that the possible surgical intervention to be performed on him was to occur 20/21 March 2025, upon which reckoning the OSP carefully considered the recovery period and indulgently pushed Mr. Ofori Atta’s attendance at the OSP to 2 June 2025.  

Therefore, Mr. Ofori-Atta had a duty to promptly inform the OSP of any fundamental change in his medical circumstances on 21 March 2025, when the advertised surgical intervention was not performed – to enable the OSP reschedule a new date of his attendance at the OSP to accommodate any such material changes in his medical condition and treatment itinerary.  

Mr. Ofori-Atta has known, at least, since 21 March 2025, that no surgical procedure was to be performed on him in March.

Yet, he purposively sat by indolently and chose not to inform the OSP of such fundamental changes in his circumstances. Instead, about sixty-seven days after learning of the alleged changed circumstances around 21 March 2025, Mr. Ofori-Atta elected to spring a surprise on the OSP just six days before his scheduled attendance at the OSP by offering to undergo a video recorded interview and a viewing of his biopsy report. 

Back to the 28 May 2025 letter from the lawyers of Mr. Ofori-Atta. By a letter dated 30 May 2025, the OSP declined Mr. Ofori-Atta’s offer of video recorded interview for the purpose of eliciting his caution statement. This Office has always insisted on his personal attendance, and we have indicated clearly to him that we are unwilling to waive it. If we were amenable to taking any such statement from Mr. Ofori-Atta in absentia we would have done so in February.  

We want him here physically and we insist on it. A suspect in a criminal investigation does not pick and choose how the investigative authority should conduct its investigations and the methods suitable to him and his convenience. We will not countenance such conduct – not in this case, or in any other case. 

Further, the OSP has declined Mr. Ofori-Atta’s invitation to view his biopsy report as we consider it a pointless exercise. This is because it is common learning that a biopsy report contains nothing more than a conclusion, upon the removal and examination of tissue, cells, or fluids from a living body, that some disease or malady was indicated in the samples. A biopsy report is not an expression of a reasoned medical opinion that the subject is an invalid and unable to travel – as Mr. Ofori-Atta seeks to suggest is his condition and for which reason he cannot return to the jurisdiction.  

This much is clear – since 24 January 2025 till date, Mr. Ofori-Atta has failed to show any medical report which suggests that he is a travel risk and unable to return to the jurisdiction by reason of his medical condition. It has all been his singular say-so.  

Therefore, the OSP views Mr. Ofori-Atta’s lawyers’ letter dated 28 May 2025 as an expression of utter bad faith on the part of

Mr. Ofori-Atta, and it confirms our long-held well-considered opinion and conclusion that Mr. Ofori-Atta has no intention of voluntarily returning to the jurisdiction and to attend the OSP.  

Further, this Office is unaware of his purported information to the court, whether orally or by written statement, of the alleged change in his circumstances.  

Today is Monday 2 June 2025. It is more than three hours past the scheduled time of Mr. Ofori-Atta’s attendance at the OSP and Mr. Ofori-Atta failed to attend the OSP. Mr. Ofori-Atta’s conduct is totally unacceptable and a baleful spite at law enforcement and criminal investigations. 

It ends here. It ends today. We would no longer accommodate him.       

Consequently, the OSP re-declares that Mr. Ofori-Atta is a wanted person and a fugitive from justice. His name is hereby re-entered on the OSP’s list of wanted persons. 

The OSP would take all necessary legal steps to secure Mr. Ofori-Atta’s return to the jurisdiction and to answer to the criminal enquiries against him. 

In pursuance of this, about thirty minutes before this briefing, I triggered processes for the issuance of an INTERPOL Red Notice for the location and provisional arrest of Mr. Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta in whichever jurisdiction pending extradition or surrender.

Around the same time, I dispatched a request for extradition processes to be instituted for the provisional apprehension in any jurisdiction in which Mr. Ofori-Atta may be located or found, and his extradition to the Republic of Ghana. 

The OSP would prefer criminal charges in the courts against Mr. Ofori-Atta in due course – whether in absentia or otherwise. 
The principle upon which we proceed is that – no person, regardless of title, status, or medical condition, is beyond the reach of inquiry by the OSP.

Writer’s email: [email protected] 

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Former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta has been put on INTERPOL red alert notice

Ken Ofori-Atta, the former finance minister, has been formally added to INTERPOL’s Red Notice database after the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) reiterated its request.

This step bolsters attempts to bring the former minister to justice and coincides with ongoing corruption investigations.

The Red Notice was released on June 6, 2025, stating that Ofori-Atta is a 65-year-old male Ghanaian who was born in Accra on November 7, 1959. Standing at 1.7 meters, he has dark eyes and hair and speaks Twi and English.

INTERPOL reports that he is wanted for “Using Public Office for Profit.” The OSP is looking for international cooperation to find and temporarily arrest him while awaiting extradition or voluntary surrender because they believe he is now in the United States for medical treatment.

This is the second time the OSP has listed the former minister as a wanted individual.

He was called a “fugitive from justice” in February 2025 for not showing up for an investigation after being called in connection with other high-profile corruption cases.

These include issues pertaining to a revenue assurance agreement with Strategic Mobilization Ghana Ltd (SML) and the contentious National Cathedral project.

At a press briefing in Accra on June 2, the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, revealed that his office had formally initiated procedures for the INTERPOL Red Notice just 30 minutes before the announcement.

“I triggered processes for the issuance of an INTERPOL red notice for the location and provisional arrest of Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta in whichever jurisdiction, pending extradition or his surrender,” Mr. Agyebeng stated.

Ofori-Atta is under investigation for his alleged involvement in several high-profile cases, including:

1. Petroleum and Minerals Revenue Assurance: Contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

2. Electricity Company Contract Termination: The termination of a contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC).

3. National Cathedral Project: Procurement procedures and financial transactions related to the construction of the National Cathedral.

4. Ambulance Procurement: A Ministry of Health contract with Service Ghana Auto Group Limited for the purchase and maintenance of 307 ambulances.

5. GRA Tax P-Fund Management: The handling and disbursement of funds from the GRA’s Tax P-Fund Account.

On Interpol’s website, the charge listed against Ofori-Atta is “using public office for profit.”

KA

Commissioner of the Customs Division of GRA, Brigadier General Glover Ashong Annan (Rtd)

Renowned Ghanaian development expert and political analyst, Richard Kasu, has expressed absolute confidence in the newly appointed Commissioner of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Brigadier General Glover Ashong Annan (Rtd), to excel in his new role.

On May 14, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama appointed Brigadier General Glover Ashong Annan (Rtd) as the new Commissioner of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

In an official statement released by the President’s spokesman and Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, he described the Commissioner as a well-respected, dedicated, principled, and patriotic officer.

He further stated that Brig. Gen. Annan is tasked with “resetting the Customs Division and supporting the Ghana Revenue Authority to meet its targets as we work towards fixing the economy.”

Commenting on President Mahama’s decision, Richard Kasu noted that Brig. Gen. Annan brings a wealth of expertise and a distinguished track record in national security and border control, positioning him as an ideal leader to drive forward the government’s commitment to combating illicit trade and organized crime, and strengthening the country’s economic resilience.

Richard Kasu, a renowned researcher, also expressed his heartfelt congratulations and support for the Commissioner’s appointment, stating, “Illicit trade deprives the government of significant revenue, stifles innovation, and deters investment. Brigadier General Annan’s appointment marks a bold and timely step toward a customs administration that is agile, vigilant, and uncompromising in its duty to safeguard the nation’s economic future.”

He opined that Brig. Gen. Annan’s appointment signals a renewed national focus on tackling illicit trade and organized crime, a pervasive challenge that not only undermines legitimate commerce but also deprives the country of critical revenue and poses a threat to consumer safety. His appointment comes at a crucial time as Ghana seeks to address the growing economic impact of illegal activities, including cocoa smuggling, illegal gold mining, smuggled pharmaceutical products, tax evasion, and the illicit trade in tobacco products, which continue to erode the country’s economic potential.

Brig. Gen. Annan succeeds Brig. Gen. Ziblim Ayorrogo, the immediate past Commissioner of Customs, under whose leadership the service achieved impressive strides, including a remarkable revenue performance of GH¢152.977 billion, surpassing the 2024 fiscal year target of GH¢145.998 billion.

During his predecessor’s tenure, the Customs Division recorded various enforcement actions against smuggled products, ranging from pharmaceuticals and cigarettes to basic household goods. The new Commissioner commended his predecessor’s leadership and affirmed that the Customs Division will continue to build upon the strong foundation established during his tenure.

Former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta has been put on INTERPOL red alert notice

Ken Ofori-Atta, the former finance minister, has been formally added to INTERPOL’s Red Notice database after the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) reiterated its request.

This step bolsters attempts to bring the former minister to justice and coincides with ongoing corruption investigations.

On June 6, 2025, the Red Notice was released, stating that Ofori-Atta is a 65-year-old male Ghanaian who was born in Accra on November 7, 1959. Standing at 1.7 meters, he has dark eyes and hair and speaks Twi and English.

INTERPOL reports that he is wanted for “Using Public Office for Profit.” The OSP is looking for international cooperation to find and temporarily arrest him while awaiting extradition or voluntary surrender because they believe he is now in the United States for medical treatment.

This is the second time the OSP has listed the former minister as a wanted individual.

He was called a “fugitive from justice” in February 2025 for not showing up for an investigation after being called in connection with other high-profile corruption cases.

These include issues pertaining to a revenue assurance agreement with Strategic Mobilization Ghana Ltd (SML) and the contentious National Cathedral project.

More soon…

KA

The newly inuagurated GIADEC board

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has inaugurated the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) Governing Board, marking a significant milestone in the country’s quest for industrialisation.

The Board is tasked with overseeing the development of Ghana’s vast bauxite and aluminium resources, with a focus on responsible and sustainable development.

Speaking at the event, the Minister underscored the strategic importance of Ghana’s aluminium industry in driving inclusive economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development.

He described the aluminium value chain as the key to unlocking Ghana’s long-standing industrialisation ambitions, especially in the context of the global green transition.

“The aluminium industry holds immense potential to transform our economy, but only if developed responsibly, sustainably, and strategically”.

Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah outlined a set of urgent priorities for the Board which he believes, will enhance value addition by shifting from raw bauxite exports to domestic refining and production.

The Minister further charged the Board to stop the unsustainable haulage of bauxite and work towards enhancing value addition.

The Deputy Minister, Yussif Sulemana, has also urged the Board to uphold the highest standards of integrity and work collaboratively under the Ministry’s oversight.

On his part, the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Kweku Sarfo-Buabeng, pledged the Board’s readiness to deliver results and position GIADEC as the heartbeat of Ghana’s industrial transformation.

The 11-member Board brings together a diverse team of professionals from academia, industry, and public service, poised to drive Ghana’s aluminium-led industrialisation agenda.

Ken Ofori-Atta has been put on INTERPOL Red notice database

Ken Ofori-Atta, the former finance minister, has been formally added to INTERPOL’s Red Notice database after the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) reiterated its request.

This step bolsters attempts to bring the former minister to justice and coincides with ongoing corruption investigations.

On June 6, 2025, the Red Notice was released, stating that Ofori-Atta is a 65-year-old male Ghanaian who was born in Accra on November 7, 1959. Standing at 1.7 meters, he has dark eyes and hair and speaks Twi and English.

INTERPOL reports that he is wanted for “Using Public Office for Profit.” The OSP is looking for international cooperation to find and temporarily arrest him while awaiting extradition or voluntary surrender because they believe he is now in the United States for medical treatment.

More soon…

Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Shippers Authority, Professor Ransford Gyampo

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Professor Ransford Gyampo, has publicly backed the controversial GH¢1 fuel levy, urging Ghanaians to focus on accountability rather than outright rejection of the policy.

In a recent Facebook post, Prof Gyampo emphasised that the new levy — approved on June 3 and imposed on every litre of fuel — is justifiable if it ensures transparency and directly addresses Ghana’s energy sector challenges.

“Ghanaians would prefer to pay 1 cedi fuel levy to be used to solve a problem than to pay 1 pesewa E-Levy or COVID Levy to be stolen by greedy people who also stole pensions of the aged,” he stated.

He also expressed confidence in the leadership of the Ministry of Finance, Energy, singling out its minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, for praise.

“Ato won’t chop the 1 cedi; he would use it,” he added.

In a follow up post, Gyampo delivered a pointed response to critics of the new policy, accusing some of them of hypocrisy and historical amnesia.

“You left an energy sector debt of almost 4 billion USD behind. Someone is putting in place measures to pay your debt to keep Ghana switched on. You are criticising without having a clue about how the problem you created must be solved,” he wrote.

The new levy is aimed at addressing debts in the energy sector and improving electricity stability, a goal the government argues is critical to long-term national development.

DR/AE

Watch as Muntaka Mubarak criticises Afenyo-Markin in Parliament

Environmental stakeholders in Ghana have renewed calls to turn waste into economic opportunity, championing innovation, research, and circular economy solutions as drivers of climate action.

The call was made during the 2025 World Environment Day celebration, under the theme “From Waste to Wealth: Driving Climate Action through Innovation, Research and Circular Solutions.”

The event, organised by the Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Studies at the University of Ghana in partnership with the Climate Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), brought together environmental experts, students, and policymakers to explore how waste can become a launchpad for youth-led entrepreneurship.

The Project Lead for CDKN Ghana, Valerie Nutakor, highlighted ongoing support for young innovators in waste transformation.

She noted that pilot projects are already underway, equipping youth with both technical and financial resources to build sustainable businesses.

“We are supporting green entrepreneurs—young people we’ve trained over time—to ensure they understand the technical and scientific aspects of waste innovation. With our backing, they’re turning ideas into viable sustainability initiatives,” Nutakor explained.

The government also reaffirmed its commitment to expanding youth-led waste innovations, especially across urban centers like Accra.

The Technical Lead at the Ministry of Climate Change and Sustainability, Cedric Dzelu, emphasised the need for systemic support to help young innovators scale.

“We’re excited to see green entrepreneurship gaining traction. These young people need the right tools and support to make waste-to-wealth a national reality and with that, the doors of the ministry are open to youth focused climate adaptations to make our country environmentally sustainable,” Dzelu stated.

At the academic level, the Director of the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies, Professor Chris Gordon, outlined the UG’s initiatives aimed at closing the gap between climate research and entrepreneurship.

“We’re introducing catalyst and seed grants for student-led startups. These come with mentorship, proof-of-concept support, and training to help them move from ideas to real-world impact,” he said.

The message from Ghana’s environmental technocrats is clear, waste holds untapped potential. With the right blend of innovation, collaboration, and policy support, Ghana can lead the charge toward a circular economy that benefits both people and the planet.

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

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

Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been officially listed on INTERPOL’s Red Notice database following a renewed request by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). The move comes amidst ongoing corruption investigations and intensifies efforts to bring the former minister to justice.

The Red Notice, made public on June 6, 2025, describes Ofori-Atta as a 65-year-old Ghanaian male, born on November 7, 1959, in Accra. He is 1.7 metres tall with black hair and black eyes and speaks both English and Twi.

According to INTERPOL, he is wanted on the charge of “Using Public Office for Profit.” The OSP believes he is currently in the United States receiving medical treatment and is seeking international assistance to locate and provisionally arrest him, pending extradition or voluntary surrender.

This marks the second time the former minister has been declared a wanted person by the OSP. In February 2025, he was labelled a “fugitive from justice” for failing to appear before investigators after being summoned in relation to several high-profile corruption cases. These include matters linked to the controversial National Cathedral project and a revenue assurance deal with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML).

At a press briefing in Accra on June 2, the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, disclosed that his office had formally initiated procedures for the INTERPOL Red Notice just 30 minutes before the announcement.

“I triggered processes for the issuance of an INTERPOL red notice for the location and provisional arrest of Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta in whichever jurisdiction, pending extradition or his surrender,” Mr. Agyebeng stated.

Timeline of Events

• January 2025: The OSP formally notified Ofori-Atta that he was a suspect in five separate cases and requested his presence on February 10.
• January 31: His lawyers responded that he was abroad indefinitely for medical treatment and offered to represent him in his absence.
• February 5: The OSP rejected the claim of indefinite absence, demanded a firm return date, and reminded the former minister that legal counsel cannot respond to criminal charges on behalf of a client.
• February 10: A doctor’s note was submitted on Ofori-Atta’s behalf, indicating he was undergoing tests and potentially surgery, but without a definite timeline for return.
• February 12: The OSP officially declared him a fugitive from justice and activated an arrest warrant.
• February 18: Ofori-Atta appealed to the OSP, offering a return date in May. The OSP accepted and removed his name from the wanted list.
• March 2025: Ofori-Atta filed a lawsuit against the OSP and the Special Prosecutor, claiming unlawful treatment and requesting removal of related content from the OSP’s platforms.
• March 28: The Human Rights Court heard an interim application from Ofori-Atta, seeking to restrain the OSP from issuing future wanted declarations.

Despite these legal challenges, the OSP’s renewed action – culminating in the INTERPOL listing – signals a serious escalation. The public Red Notice encourages law enforcement agencies across INTERPOL’s 196 member countries, including Ghana and the U.S., to locate and provisionally detain the former minister.

What a Red Notice Means

While not an international arrest warrant, a Red Notice is a critical tool for international police cooperation. It allows a member state to request the location and provisional arrest of a fugitive for prosecution or to serve a sentence. INTERPOL reviews all requests to ensure compliance with its rules, verifying that they are not politically, religiously, or racially motivated and do not target refugees.

Once approved, the notice is distributed to all member states and includes identifying information such as name, age, physical characteristics, language proficiency, and the charges against the individual.

Implications for Ghana’s Anti-Corruption Drive

The listing significantly raises the stakes for Ken Ofori-Atta, who served as Ghana’s Finance Minister from 2017 until early 2024. His tenure was marked by both praise and criticism – including allegations of financial mismanagement and controversial policy decisions.

With this international move, the OSP is demonstrating its resolve to pursue accountability beyond Ghana’s borders. It remains unclear how soon Ofori-Atta will respond or whether extradition proceedings will follow.

Meanwhile, the Special Prosecutor is urging members of the public with relevant information to contact national or local police. The OSP has also reinstated Ofori-Atta’s name on its official list of wanted persons.

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

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

Plan International Ghana has officially launched the She Leads Social Movement, a bold new platform to sustain advocacy for girls’ rights and leadership following the successful completion of its three-year She Leads Project.

The launch at the Monarch Hotel in East Legon brought together development partners, civil society actors, traditional leaders, and girls from across Ghana’s regions to mark a transition from project to movement.

Speaking at the launch, Project Manager for the She Leads Project, Joyce Obenewaa Darko, said the decision to launch the She Leads Social Movement stems from the overwhelming impact and momentum the project generated since 2021.

“It has been very transformative. We have touched lives and built the capacities of girls across senior high schools and communities,” she said.

She credited the movement’s success to the collaborative work with religious and traditional authorities, whom she described as “champions of change” for using their platforms to promote girls’ leadership and speak out against harmful gender norms.

Darko emphasised that the movement is not only a legacy of the project but a sustainability strategy to ensure that girls’ voices remain strong and unified even beyond donor funding.

“In all our engagements, we were able to mobilize groups from school clubs, community clubs, and regional platforms into a national movement. We believe it is time they come together as one She Leads Social Movement to champion the cause of girls’ rights and women’s leadership,” she explained.

 “We see the She Leads Social Movement as a sustainability plan beyond the She Leads Project. The needs of girls will not disappear because a project ends. This movement gives them one big voice to continue advocating for education, equality, and leadership,” she further added.

Madam Joyce also praised the recent passage of Ghana’s Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, which the She Leads Project had actively advocated for. She revealed that the movement would play a role in educating girls and young women about the new law to ensure they are prepared to benefit from the spaces it opens up.

“We contributed to the bill’s passage through petitions, consultations, and by creating spaces for girls to input into the legislative process. We are now working to ensure its implementation by sensitizing women and girls to prepare themselves for the leadership roles it supports,” she said.

Also speaking at the event, Deputy Chief of Staff Nana Oye Bampoe Addo reaffirmed the government’s support for the movement, noting “We are committed not only to listening, but to acting.”

She announced several key government initiatives, including the GH¢51.3 million Women’s Development Bank and the GH¢292.4 million Free Sanitary Pad Initiative, aimed at breaking systemic barriers to girls’ empowerment and inclusion.

Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Wendy Van Mel, applauded the She Leads partners for their coalition-building efforts and celebrated Ghana’s milestone in passing the Affirmative Action law.

She encouraged the next generation to use technology to amplify their advocacy.

“The Dutch government remains your reliable partner in advancing gender equality now and in the future.”

The She Leads Social Movement now serves as a unified national platform for over a thousand girls and young women across Ghana to push forward the unfinished agenda of gender equality, inclusive leadership, and protection of girls’ rights.

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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.

Zambia’s former President Edgar Lungu has died at the age of 68, his party has said in a statement.

He had “been receiving specialized treatment in South Africa” for an undisclosed illness, the Patriotic Front (PF) added.

Lungu led Zambia for six years from 2015, losing the 2021 election to the current President Hakainde Hichilema by a large margin.

After that defeat he stepped back from politics but later returned to the fray. He had ambitions to vie for the presidency again but at the end of last year the Constitutional Court barred him from running, ruling that he had already served the maximum two terms allowed by law.

In a short video, Lungu’s daughter Tasila said that the former head of state, who had been “under medical supervision in recent weeks”, died at a clinic in South Africa’s capital, Pretoria, at 06:00 (04:00 GMT) on Thursday.

“In this moment of grief, we invoke the spirit of ‘One Zambia, One Nation’ – the timeless creed that guided President Lungu’s service to our country,” she added in an emotional statement.

Transport operators threaten strike on June 10 if government fails to reverse the GH¢1 energy levy

The Commercial Transport Operators, including the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), are calling on the government to immediately reverse the GH¢1 Energy Sector Levy recently imposed on petroleum products.

Parliament, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, approved the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which introduces a GH¢1 levy on petroleum products.

But speaking at a press conference on Thursday, June 5, 2025, the Public Relations Officer of GPRTU, Abass Ibrahim Moro, described the levy as a burden that threatens the survival of the transport sector.

According to him, the new charge comes just weeks after a nationwide reduction in transport fares, creating a financial strain on operators already grappling with high operational costs.

“This levy will significantly increase our operational expenses, leading to a loss of income, which directly affects our livelihoods and that of the commuting public,” he stated.

The GPRTU and its allied transport unions are urging the government to reconsider the decision and engage transport stakeholders in dialogue over a sustainable solution to challenges in the energy sector.

“We are, therefore, calling on the government to reverse this levy immediately and engage us as major stakeholders on the way forward,” Abass added.

The union further warned that should the government fail to respond positively, drivers will, on June 10, 2025, embark on industrial action until their concerns are addressed.

“In the event that our call is not heeded, we will be compelled to take an industrial action and park our vehicles on June 10, 2025. We urge the government to consider reversing the levy on the transport sector or be ready for the consequences of our actions,” he said.

SP/AE

Legendary Ghanaian broadcaster, Mike Eghan, famed for his 1970s television show, The Mike Eghan Show, has passed away, aged 89..

He passed away in Accra on June 5, a source close to the family has confirmed to the Graphic Online.

Born in Sekondi-Takoradi, Eghan, also referred to as the “The Magnificent Emperor,” was among the pioneering hosts of electronic media and show business,  in a career that spanned for 60 years, starting off as a disc jockey, then a radio presenter and also a television host.

He hosted programmes for the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) as well as the BBC World Service in London. 

Long after his retirement, he autographed a book, “The Emperor’s Story – From the Centre of the World,” in 2019, cataloguing his life, work and impact in the media terrain.

Besides the media work, he also worked as a Entertainment Manager with the Volta River Authority, returned to London to work with the BBC, before returning home to revive the Mike Eghan Show.

In his latter years, he ventured into hotel business.

Media work

In the early 1960s, Mike Eghan was a regular co-host of Radio Dance Time with David Larbi on Radio Ghana, the only radio station in Ghana at the time.

He underwent a period of nurturing and polishing up during his five-year stint with the British Broadcasting Corporation between 1965 and 1970, after which he returned home to join the commercial service of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, GBC 2, where he made a seismic impact with his innovative style of presenting musical programmes on radio known as disc jockeying.

Among the likes of Joe Lartey and Eddie Faakye, Eghan was a popular household name, not just because there was only one television, Ghana Television, during their time, but because of their command of the English language, dexterity and professionalism which endeared them to both young and old.

Welcome to the show

His popular 1970s talk show, The Mike Eghan Show, ran for more than a decade and featured some of the continent’s legends as guests, including Miriam Makeba, Dr Ephraim Amu among others.

Aired on Saturday nights,  the show blended education with entertaining, hosted with the GBC Dance Band providing background music and performances for guests who would perform on the show.

It was a show for legends and iconic personalities and one which also strongly brought to the fore, Eghan’s superb interviewing skills, a clear indication of the depth of research that drew the kind of responses his guests shared on the show.

The Mike Eghan Show was famed for its one-line catch phrase which became the signature tune, “Welcome, welcome, welcome to the show”, and became the most popular in almost every Ghanaian home. 

In 1971, he again showed his class, when as the master of ceremonies (MC), he hosted the historic concert in Ghana Soul to Soul, held at the Black Star Square in 1971 and which featured many prominent African-American artists alongside Ghanaian musicians.

The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah, has called on the Mahama administration to focus on eliminating waste and corruption in the energy sector instead of imposing new taxes on Ghanaians.

His remarks come in response to the recently passed Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which introduces a GHS1 levy on fuel. The government said the tax is necessary to raise funds to clear debts in the power sector and stabilise the electricity supply.

In a post on X, Braimah criticised the move, arguing that increased taxation only benefits a corrupt elite at the expense of ordinary citizens.

“Resetting Ghana shouldn’t be about new taxes to continue to enrich elite looters. It should be about curbing the waste and looting in all sectors. If you know very well about the looting and waste at the National Petroleum Authority, why such a new levy? The scandal at NPA is far bigger than the National Service Scandal.”

His comments echo broader public criticism, including from the Minority in Parliament and the New Patriotic Party’s 2024 presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who have also condemned the new fuel levy.

IPGG backs GH¢1 fuel levy as lifeline for power sector

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Bank of Ghana’s new headquarters

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has recorded a loss of GH¢9.49 billion resulting from a fall in total operating income in the 2024 financial year.

This is the third consecutive fiscal pressure for the central bank, having posted GH¢60.9 billion and GH¢10.5 billion in losses for the 2022 and 2023 financial years, respectively.

For 2024, the total operating income of GH¢9.40 billion was outpaced by total operating expenses of GH¢18.89 billion, leading to the deficit.

Factors accounting for the loss this time around include GH¢8.60 billion spent to manage excess liquidity and support monetary tightening in the form of open market operations.

FX revaluation and exchange losses amounting to GH¢3.49 billion, which include GH¢1.82 billion linked to the government’s Gold-for-Oil Programme.

During the period under review, currency issuance costs rose to GH¢1.01 billion, up from GH¢690 million in 2023, which means an increased cost of maintaining currency circulation.

In addition to these are accounting adjustments arising from the treatment of foreign exchange gains and losses from revalued assets, including gold holdings, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), and foreign securities.

Despite the loss, the central bank reported a GH¢4.02 billion improvement in its equity position, which closed the year at a negative GH¢61.32 billion.

This is an improvement from 2023, though still deep in negative territory.

SP/EB

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There’s a new motorsport arms race unfolding on the continent, one with global attention and local pride at stake.

South Africa’s iconic Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit is edging closer to an F1 comeback. Recently granted the green light for FIA Grade 1 upgrades, Kyalami isn’t just reengineering its tarmac—it’s reigniting decades of history.

The last time Formula 1 raced on African soil, it was right here in 1993. For many, a return to Kyalami feels not just overdue… but necessary.

But while South Africa plays the legacy card, Morocco is betting big on ambition.

A $1.2 billion motorsport megaproject is underway near Tangiers, aiming to build a state-of-the-art racetrack, luxury real estate, and an entire economic zone around it.

Backed by aggressive planning and strategic infrastructure development, Morocco is making a loud and clear pitch: Africa’s future F1 hub belongs in the north.

Then there’s Rwanda—quietly positioning itself with political will, strategic diplomacy, and continental branding clout. They may not have a track… yet. But the country has shown time and again that it knows how to build globally relevant experiences from the ground up. The long game is in motion.

So the question isn’t if F1 will return to Africa. That ship has sailed.

The real question is: Who will win this race off the track?
South Africa with its motorsport heritage?
Morocco with its financial muscle?
Or Rwanda with its diplomatic agility?

Each has a different strategy:

South Africa: Proven history, existing circuit, strong fanbase.
Morocco: Infrastructure investment, economic ecosystem, bold vision.
Rwanda: Government coordination, soft power diplomacy, long-term play.

As someone who works in marketing, events strategy, and is also a motorsport advocate, I see a huge opportunity here: Africa doesn’t need just one Grand Prix.

The continent is big enough, passionate enough, and growing fast enough to host multiple motorsport events—each showcasing a unique cultural identity, landscape, and economic potential.

But let’s be real… legacy alone won’t cut it. Neither will flashy promises. This is a test of logistics, lobbying, investment confidence, and vision.

F1 is coming back to Africa.
Whether it lands in Gauteng, Tangiers, or Kigali will depend on who treats this not just as a race—but as a continental statement.

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

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