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Ghana loses $3 billion annually to corruption, says GACC president

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This alarming revelation was made by the President of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), Beauty Nartey, during the launch of the Strengthening the Rule of Law and Fight Against Corruption in Ghana project.

Speaking at the event, Mrs Nartey stated, “What comes into our country as support is only about half of what we lose to corruption. So one may ask why we are not putting more effort into preventing the loss of such a staggering amount.”

She emphasised that the country should focus less on aid and more on preventing corruption to free up resources for development, especially in light of recent aid cuts from the United States.

Mrs Nartey warned that corruption remains a significant obstacle to Ghana’s socio-economic progress and efforts to eradicate poverty. She called for harsher penalties and more effective enforcement mechanisms to deter corrupt practices.

“We cannot continue paying lip service to the fight against corruption,” she said. “Stronger collaboration is needed between key institutions such as the Auditor-General’s Department, EOCO, the Attorney-General’s Department, and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).”

She also urged the government to adopt the proposed Illicit Enrichment Law, which the GACC sees as a crucial legislative tool in addressing unexplained wealth.

The anti-corruption project launched in Accra forms part of the Participation, Accountability and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) programme, commissioned by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-funded by the European Union.

The €12.7 million initiative is being implemented by GIZ Ghana in partnership with Ghana’s Ministry of Finance and aims to:

Build the capacity of public bodies such as OSP, EOCO and CHRAJ, empower Civil Society provide training and funding for advocacy and watchdog efforts, Promote Digitalisation and improve data-sharing, transparency, and service delivery

Astrid Kohl, Programme Director for PAIReD, said the goal is to make public finance more transparent, citizen-focused, and gender and climate-responsive across both national and local levels.

Ghana’s scores on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) have consistently remained below the global average of 50, signalling widespread dissatisfaction with government accountability.

Mrs Nartey noted that key state institutions—including the police, parliament, tax authorities, and even the presidency—are frequently cited by the public as being among the most corrupt. This erodes trust and hampers reform efforts.

To combat corruption effectively, Mrs Nartey outlined a three-fold strategy for the general public:

  1. Resist corrupt practices
  2. Reject inducements that compromise integrity
  3. Report corruption to the appropriate authorities

“Every citizen has a role to play. Building a culture of accountability starts with each of us,” she concluded.

The event was attended by representatives from government, civil society, donor agencies, EU member states, and the media—reaffirming the shared commitment to combat corruption and strengthen Ghana’s democratic institutions.

How celebrities are gearing up for the Black Stars vs Chad game

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Abeiku Santana,Serwaa Amihere and KOD Abeiku Santana,Serwaa Amihere and KOD

Various celebrities have taken to social media to express their support and share their expectations as the Ghana Black Stars prepare for their upcoming game with the ‘Les Sao’ of Chad.

These individuals have called for support, love, and patriotism for the Black Stars as they pray for their victory.

Prior to this, the Deputy CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Abeiku Santana, was spotted at the Black Stars’ final training session.

He was there with other tourism industry stakeholders as part of a partnership with the National Sports Authority to offer immense support and boost the team’s morale.

The Black Stars will face Chad today, March 21, 2025, at the Accra Sports Stadium in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

They will then travel to Madagascar for an away match on March 24, 2025.

A victory in both matches will put Ghana in a strong position to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States.

Here’s how some celebrities are gearing up for the game:

Roselyn Feli

Serwaa Amihere:

KOD

Abeiku Santana:

ID/EB

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No one can remove me from the party

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Former Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo Former Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo

Former Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has firmly declared that no individual within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has the authority to remove her from the party, stating that her father, Apostle Dr. Kwadwo Safo, personally entrusted her to former President John Agyekum Kufuor for guidance and mentorship.

In an interview on Accra-based Okay FM, she alleged that the NPP, during its time in government, harboured animosity towards her due to her refusal to engage in corrupt practices.

She explained that she never intended to get involved in acts that upset Ghanaians. Instead, she made decisions she believed were in the nation’s best interest.

She added that she refused to tolerate certain behaviours, which led to some individuals attempting to tarnish her reputation both within the party and across the country.

“I want the party to understand that I was not deliberately sabotaging it. Rather, I refused to partake in their corrupt practices because my father raised me to uphold integrity and avoid actions that would bring disgrace to him and the church. Since I chose not to conform to their corrupt ways, they sought to tarnish my reputation and remove me from the party. However, no one brought me into the NPP.

“…It was my father who personally took me to President Kufuor’s office and said, this is my daughter. She has studied procurement law, so I have brought her to you. Therefore, no one has the authority to remove me from the party,” she stated.

Speaking exclusively about the school feeding program she once supervised, she disclosed that former President Kufuor had genuine intentions for the initiative. However, some party members used it as an opportunity to enrich themselves.

“President Kufuor initially had noble intentions for the school feeding program, but over time, it turned into an opportunity that many sought to exploit. Have you considered the plight of these pupils? Many lack proper school uniforms, and some don’t even have decent shoes.

“The meals they receive at school are already inadequate, and now you expect me to take away the little they have, leaving them even more deprived and malnourished,” Adwoa Safo added.

Watch her remarks below:

VKB/EK

Business tycoons expected to grace Nii Armah Quaye’s 40th birthday

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Some African businessmen are expected to grace Richard Nii Armah Quaye's birthday Some African businessmen are expected to grace Richard Nii Armah Quaye’s birthday

Some Ghanaian, African leaders and business tycoons are expected to grace the 40th birthday celebration of Ghanaian entrepreneur and philanthropist Richard Nii Armah Quaye.

According to a leaked copy of the guest list making rounds on social media, the event intends to bring in an impressive roster of industry giants including:

– Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest individual and founder of the Dangote Group.

– King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the Ga Mantse and traditional ruler of the Ga State.

– John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana.

– Kwame Despite and Dr Ernest Ofori Sarpong, renowned Ghanaian business magnates and media moguls.

Stonebwoy, Davido, King Promise, Efya, Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz, and many other African celebrities are expected to attend.

The grand celebration, set to take place on March 22, 2025, at Independence Square in Accra, is poised to be one of the most high-profile gatherings of the year.

It will unite the continent’s most influential leaders, business tycoons, and entertainment icons under one roof.

Entertainment industry guests include:

– Davido, Nigerian Afrobeats superstar.

– Diamond Platnumz, Tanzania’s music sensation.

– Sarkodie, Ghana’s award-winning rap icon.

– Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) is a veteran Nollywood actor.

– KiDi, Afrobeats star.

– Rita Dominic, acclaimed Nollywood actress.

– Stonebwoy, Ghana’s dancehall and reggae heavyweight.

– Ramsey Nouah, legendary Nollywood actor.

– King Promise and songstress Efya.

See the post below

ID/KA

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Watch as ‘pastors’ hold midnight prayer at Accra Sports Stadium ahead of Ghana-Chad match

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Some individuals were spotted praying at the Accra Sports Stadium Some individuals were spotted praying at the Accra Sports Stadium

A group of individuals, believed to be men of God, were spotted at the Accra Sports Stadium at midnight engaging in an intense prayer session ahead of the Black Stars’ match against Chad.

In a video that has gone viral on social media, the individuals said to be pastors, surrounded the center of the pitch and moved around while praying.

These actions are perceived as an attempt to cleanse the pitch of any spiritual sabotage that may hinder the team’s chances of winning against Chad.

The video received mixed reactions from Ghanaians, with some believing that prayers alone will not guarantee the team’s victory, but rather depend on the technical team’s strategy and the players’ performance.

The Black Stars will face Chad on March 21, 2025, at the Accra Sports Stadium before facing Madagascar in an away fixture on March 24, 2025.

A win in both games will put Ghana in a better position to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup to be hosted in Mexico, Canada and the United States of America.

Watch video of the prayer session at the Accra Sports Stadium below:

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

SB/EK

“Who Gave the Order?” – Adwoa Safo Questions NPP Over Father’s Bus Terminal Demolition

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Former Dome/Kwabenya MP Adwoa Safo has pointed to the demolition of her father’s transport company terminal as a key factor in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) loss in the 2024 elections.as reported by Ghana Web.

The terminal, operated by Imperial Express, was located in Agbogbloshie and served as a hub for transportation across Ghana and neighboring countries.

Safo believes the demolition negatively impacted her father’s business and alienated a large group of voters who had previously supported the NPP.

She expressed disappointment that her own party, while in government, authorized the destruction of the terminal without prior notice.

Recounting the incident, she stated that she woke up one morning to find bulldozers tearing down the facility.

When she sought answers from then-Regional Minister Henry Quartey, she was told it was an “order from above.” She questioned the decision, especially since her family had been making payments for the government-owned land.

The former minister emphasized that the terminal had played a crucial role in past elections, as it was used to transport NPP voters to polling stations across the country.

She also lamented that, years after the demolition, the land remains unused.

Safo’s remarks highlight lingering frustrations within party ranks, with some believing that decisions made while in power contributed to voter dissatisfaction and ultimately, the NPP’s electoral defeat.

Mzbel Denies Baby With Castro

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Mzbel

 

Musician Mzbel has firmly denied rumours that the late musician Castro is the father of her son, Aaron Adepa Amoah.

The controversy began earlier this year when claims surfaced suggesting that Castro—who mysteriously disappeared in 2014—had fathered her child.

In an interview with Max TV, she clarified that the last time she saw Castro was in 2013 during a collaborative tribute for the late Ronnie Coaches of the group Buk Bak. She explained that she gave birth to Adepa six years after her friendship with Castro and other colleagues had ended.

Mzbel stated, “The last time I saw Castro was when Ronnie Coaches died, and we got together to record a tribute song. I never saw him again. I gave birth to Adepa six years after my friendship with Castro and other colleagues ended. Castro was alive when Adepa was born.”

She expressed confusion over why social media and others are so interested in her personal life, adding, “Why is it by force that they want to know the father of my child, all the people I know who put their relationships out on social media, it never went well for them.”

The veteran musician emphasized that her relationship with her son’s biological father is a private matter. She revealed that her son, also known as Komfo Black, knows his father and maintains a good relationship with him, but she has no plans to publicly disclose his identity.