In the lead-up to the 2024 elections, Ghana’s former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, touted the Ghana Card as a major tool in eliminating ghost names from government payrolls, including the National Service Scheme (NSS).

However, a new investigation by The Fourth Estate has revealed that despite the integration of the Ghana Card into the NSS registration system, tens of thousands of ghost names were still smuggled in.

The alleged fraudulent scheme reportedly exploited a loophole that allowed “private candidates”—graduates who missed their service in previous years—to register.

This process was manipulated by inserting fake identities and assigning them to various institutions.

“The system was supposed to prevent this kind of fraud, but those behind the scheme found a way around it,” said Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of The Fourth Estate revealed on The KeyPoints on February 15.

Documents obtained by the investigative team show that multiple ghost names were linked to the same fake student IDs and Ghana Card numbers.

“Dr Bawumia said the Ghana Card could identify Ghost Names from any digitalised system. However, the fraud was well-calculated, and we even found instances where the same name appeared over 200 times,” Braimah revealed.

The revelations have led to fresh concerns about the effectiveness of Ghana’s digital identity system in preventing payroll fraud.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), Mr Felix Gyamfi, has described Mr Sulemana’s revelation as not wholly accurate.

“What Sulemana is showing is not factual, there is ongoing investigation to establish culpability, but it is not done yet,” Mr Gyamfi told 3news in a phone discussion.

Sam George sacks NCA’s Director of Cyber Security

By Victoria Agyemang 

Cape Coast, Feb 15, GNA – The Centre for Gender Research, Advocacy, and Documentation (CEGRAD) of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), in collaboration with Perfector of Sentiments (POS), has organised a sensitization programme to educate students on sexual harassment. 

The sensitization will also empower the students on the importance of boldly reporting such incidents. 

The event that was sponsored by Amplify Change, an NGO, also featured a roundtable panel where Ms. Mercy Catherine Adjabeng, a communication specialist and gender advocate, highlighted the urgent need for students to report cases of sexual harassment without fear.  

She emphasised that society often condoned such behaviour, and the stigma associated with it made it difficult for sufferers to speak out, fearing it would bring disgrace to the victim and their families.  

However, that mind-set must change, as “everyone has control over their own body, and so no one should feel powerless against harassment,” she stated.  

Ms. Adjabeng explained that many victims hesitate to report due to concerns about exposing themselves or disappointing their families.  

She encouraged students to prioritise their well-being, as reporting sexual harassment would not only help protect their mental health, but also ensure a safer learning environment for all. 

Adding to the discussion, Professor Kojo Okyere, Head of Department of Religion and Human Values at UCC, pointed out that some individuals misused religious teachings to justify or downplay sexual harassment.  

He urged students to challenge such misinterpretations and stand firm against any form of abuse. 

Mr Vanboven Swanzy Essien, a legal practitioner, highlighted that sexual harassment manifested in both verbal and non-verbal forms.  

He was concerned that society often downplayed behaviours that could have severe consequences on victims and perpetrators alike.  

“Many of our everyday actions are actually forms of sexual harassment, whether verbal or non-verbal. 

“Wolf-whistling, sexist slurs, misogynistic and transphobic remarks are all unacceptable and can land individuals in serious trouble,” he explained. 

Mr Essien also stressed that men, too, experienced sexual harassment but were often reluctant to report due to societal discrimination, and encouraged them to come forward to report and never remain silent.  

He cautioned against retaliation, explaining that if a perpetrator attempted to intimidate or harm a victim after they reported harassment, the victim had the right to report the retaliation as well. 

Professor Eunice Fay Amissah, Director of CEGRAD, urged students to report any form of harassment to them, assuring them of full institutional support.  

She reaffirmed the university’s strict policy against inappropriate relationships between staff and students, stating that any reports of misconduct would be taken seriously. 

 “Our committee is ready to support all students, so no one should feel alone or afraid to report any form of victimization,” she reassured. 

Mr Jonathan Osei Owusu, Founder and Executive Director of POS Foundation, shared some achievements of his organisation, which had been actively involved in human rights and gender advocacy, particularly in the area of criminal justice.  

He revealed that the Foundation was launching educational campaigns across the five public universities in Ghana; UCC, the University of Ghana, KNUST, the University of Education, Winneba, and UDS to further raise awareness on sexual harassment. 

He emphasised the need for rigorous sensitisation for many people to recognise when being harassed. 

 “Many people do not realise when they are experiencing harassment, that is why we have taken it upon ourselves to educate students. 

“Your body belongs to you, and no one has the right to violate it,” he indicated, adding that any unsolicited, unwarranted, or unwelcome act should be reported to ensure perpetrators faced the consequences of their actions. 

GNA 

Former Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr. Stephen Amoah

The former Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr. Stephen Amoah, has dismissed claims that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) mismanaged Ghana’s economy.

Speaking on GHOne TV’s Hard Talk show, he maintained that the country faced an economic crisis, not mismanagement, despite widespread speculations and assumptions that the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration was responsible for economic mismanagement.

Dr. Amoah challenged the narrative that the Akufo-Addo administration had run the economy into distress, citing economic indicators from 2016 and beyond to support his stance.

Dr. Amoah maintained that Ghana’s economic struggles were due to global economic disruptions rather than the NPP’s policies.

“Who told you we mismanaged the economy?” he asked. “We took over an economy in 2016 growing at 10.4%, with industry at 2.7% and inflation at 15.5%. The economy we inherited was growing almost twice as fast when we were leaving power. But we have a country where, when the indicators are bad, we have issues, but when they are good, it doesn’t matter.”

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The Director-General of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Abraham Amaliba, has cautioned officials of the Mahama administration to refrain from engaging in corruption.

His warning comes amid the Special Prosecutor’s pursuit of officials from the Akufo-Addo administration, including former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, over alleged corruption cases.

On February 12, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) declared Ofori-Atta a suspect in four high-profile corruption investigations, including those related to the National Cathedral project and Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML). Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng also stated that the former minister was now a wanted person and must return immediately for questioning or face legal action.

Speaking in an interview with Selorm Adonoo on Channel One TV, Amaliba urged officials of the Mahama administration to learn from ongoing developments and serve with integrity.

He also advised them against attacking the Special Prosecutor when investigations into their actions begin, emphasizing that no official will be shielded from accountability if found guilty of corruption.

“This is the time that his hands are [Special Prosecutor] free but we government appointees must also know that after he’s done with former executives [officials] he will be coming after us. I don’t know what time he’s going to come, but when the wrongs are committed in our administration and he comes after our people, we mustn’t start calling him names.

“The fact that he’s doing this because people voted for accountability, doesn’t mean that the accountability will not be extended to us who are in power today. And that is the question I want to give to our appointees.”

Sammy Gyamfi denies spending GHS173,940 on office furniture

……

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The atmosphere of Kumasi was set ablaze on Valentine’s night as Luv FM and Nhyira Fm, in collaboration with Musically Yours, put together an unforgettable evening of music and romance dubbed “Vals Nite with the Stars.”

The event, held at Ridge Condos, Nhyieso, showcased some of the finest talents in the Ghanaian music scene, with electrifying performances from Ofori Amponsah, Ypee, Efya, and Sarkodie.

As love filled the air, the audience was treated to a variety of music, each artist bringing their unique flair to the stage.

The night started with Ofori Amponsah, renowned for his legendary highlife melodies, captivating the crowd with classic “old school” hits that had everyone singing along.

Ypee energised the audience with his infectious “Asakaa” rhythm and engaging stage presence, ensuring that everyone was entertained and sang along with the fast-paced lyrics.

The night truly sparkled with the performances of Efya and Sarkodie.

Efya, known for her powerful vocals, stagecraft and energy, delivered a stunning set that left the crowd in true awe and got everyone on their feet.

Sarkodie, the rap maestro, brought his signature energy and lyrical prowess to the stage, culminating in an explosive performance that had fans cheering and dancing their hearts out throughout.

In an exclusive interview with the stars, they expressed their excitement and gratitude for being part of such a memorable event.

“I love what I do and I love the energy on stage. I feel really good about my performance. Thank you Kumasi, I love you,” said Efya, reflecting the sentiment that resonated throughout the evening.

The patrons also shared their thoughts on the show, highlighting the celebration that filled the venue.

“I am so happy. I can’t even contain my joy. I am glad I didn’t miss this and I feel sorry for people who did,” remarked one enthusiastic fan.

“I want to say thank you to the organisers. We want to see more of this in Kumasi,” another fan said.

With a blend of romantic ambience and exceptional performances, “Vals Nite with the Stars” proved to be a resounding success, leaving attendees with lasting memories and a deep appreciation for the artists who graced the stage.

As the night came to a close, there was a palpable sense of joy and connection. The passionate energy and exceptional talent on display at Ridge Condos set a high bar for future events by Luv Fm and Nhyira Fm, ensuring that this Valentine’s celebration will be remembered for years to come.

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.

(L) 2Baba and his new found love, Natasha Osawaru (R)

Amidst recent developments of 2Baba publicly declaring his love and proposing to his new girlfriend shortly after announcing his divorce from Annie, reports have stated that the musician has been absent from his home in Lagos, Nigeria for some time.

Reports from his family have established that 2Baba has been missing from his Lagos residence and is currently staying with his new girlfriend at an undisclosed location in another state.

The sudden and consistent display of 2Baba’s new relationship with Natasha Osawaru, the Deputy Majority Leader of Nigeria’s Edo State House of Assembly, including his proposal to marry her, has since left many puzzled.

Reports have also stated that Natasha pressured 2Baba into announcing his divorce from Annie publicly, allegedly threatening to abort their child if he did not comply.

Currently, 2Baba is said to be under the strong influence of his new girlfriend, who appears unwilling to let go.

This has left many speculating about whether he is truly in the right state of mind.

In the midst of these developments, 2Baba’s mother, Madam Rose Idibia, has taken to social media to appeal to Natasha.

She has bluntly stated that Natasha has placed ‘juju’ (black charm) on her son.

According to her, Natasha has placed some charms on 2Baba’s neck and wrist causing him to make some irresponsible decisions.

“My son is going through the divorce process, and he is clearly not in his right senses. I know my son very well. This is not him. Please, Natasha, remove the beads you placed on his hand and neck and free him,” she said in a video that has been circulating on social media.

Madam Idibia has called on all mothers to help plead with Natasha to release her son.

“I am calling on all mothers to help me beg her to free my son,” she added.

2Baba’s announcement of the end of marriage to Annie

On January 26, 2025, 2Baba took to his Instagram stories to state that he and Annie have been separated for some time and have now officially filed for divorce.

He wrote, “Hello to my beautiful people of all federations. Well, this thing I have to say is short but also long… Annie Macaulay and I have been separated for a while now, and we’ve currently filed for divorce.”

2Baba further explained that he will release a formal statement soon, not because it is anyone’s business but because he wants to clear the air about his actions.

“I will grant a press release soon to share my story. Not because it is anyone’s right to know about my personal life but because I love my people and I need them to know my innocence or offense. Stay blessed, my people. I love you all,” he added.

The couple’s 12-year marriage has been in the public eye, particularly with claims of infidelity involving 2Baba.

2Baba’s extra-marital relationships

It will be recalled that Annie recently disclosed that she met 2Baba when she was a teenager, adding that he has been the only man she has ever been with.

However, she said even after their marriage, 2Baba fathered children with two other women.

Annie, in an emotional moment during the second season of the Young, Famous and African Netflix series, disclosed that after their marriage, her first child with 2Baba was his fifth.

2Baba has three children with Pero Adeniyi, his baby mama in the United States, and two children with another woman, Sumbo Ajaba.

Annie disclosed how she discovered 2Baba was still visiting his other baby mamas, especially Pero, and still having affairs with them.

The couple’s issues escalated when 2Baba openly stated that men, including himself, are “wired” to sleep with multiple women, even if they are married.

Annie in rehab

In the midst of all these, Annie’s mental health reportedly deteriorated.

Things escalated when she became a target of mockery on social media, with some netizens criticising her for staying in a marriage where 2Baba had destroyed her with toxicity.

Reports by popular Nigerian investigative journalist, Stella Dimoko Korkus, on Monday, January 27, 2025, disclosed that Annie has been admitted to rehab.

She also disclosed that insider information states that media personality Toke Makinwa and singer Tiwa Savage are reportedly taking care of Annie during this difficult time.

In a post that has since gone viral, Stella disclosed that Annie is in an extremely bad state.

Also watch Miki Osei Berko’s interview on Talkertainment below:

EB

Former Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr. Stephen Amoah

Former Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr. Stephen Amoah, has defended the introduction of the electronic transfer levy (E-Levy).

According to him, he has no regrets about its implementation, despite significant public opposition.

Speaking on GHOne TV Hard Talk with Serwaa Amihere, he emphasized that the country depends on structured taxation for revenue; pointing out that Ghana’s economy operates on a deficit, making tax adjustments necessary.

The E-Levy, introduced in 2022, was met with strong opposition from sections of the public, who argued that it added to the financial burden of Ghanaians.

However, the government defended the tax measure as crucial for generating revenue to support national development.

While some analysts believe the E-Levy has not generated the expected revenue, the former Deputy finance minister maintains that tax adjustments are necessary to address the country’s fiscal challenges.

“Personally, I don’t regret about E-Levy. We are running what I describe as a negative effective tax rate economy. Ghana has generally been run on deficit. So, tax is calibrated in nature based on our fiscal space. The money we receive is not enough, hence the adjustment of taxes,” he said.

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The Evangelical Presbyterian Church Ghana, owners of Presbyterian schools in the country, has extended relief support to fire victims at Saboba EP Senior High School in the Northern Region.

On January 22, a devastating fire engulfed the girls’ dormitory, destroying valuable property and tragically claiming the life of a first-year student. The affected students lost all their belongings, except for the uniforms they were wearing at the time of the incident.

The disaster left students and school management in distress, prompting urgent appeals for assistance. The girls, now vulnerable, were left without essential items such as underwear, cover cloths, mattresses, mosquito nets, and exercise books.

Despite efforts by teachers, school management, and benevolent individuals to support the victims, challenges persist. The students are currently being housed in overcrowded classrooms, which are inadequate for their needs. The lack of space to hang mosquito nets has also raised health concerns.

On Wednesday, February 12, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Ghana, led by the Moderator of the General Assembly, stepped in with much-needed relief items. The delegation donated mattresses, sanitary pads, underwear, exercise books, sachet water, and hand sanitizers to support the affected students.

Speaking at the donation ceremony, the General Moderator expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and assured the school of the church’s continued commitment to its rehabilitation and recovery.

“The school was founded by the church and we are grateful and concerned about the life and development of the school. With the fire disaster that resulted in the loss of life of one of the students, we are grateful and touched and we send our condolences.

“With our Mission, we were touched by the tragedy and we still want to assure you that we will be with you in the process of the reconstruction of the dormitory, whatever it is, we are concerned.”

The headmaster of the school, Mr Prosper Kofi Tedoku could not hide his joy expressing profound gratitude, noting that the assistance had come at a critical time.

“On behalf of the board of governance of the school, management, teachers and students of this institution, we express our sincere appreciation to EP church Ghana for coming to our aid with these wonderful items. It is indeed a surprise to us and I must say it has come at the right time.

“We are grateful. We still want to appeal to the general public for more support, we still have the dormitory block to reconstruct and we are appealing to you to come to our aid”

Also present was the Saboba District Director of Education, Mr. Hayford Awuah, who commended the church for its generosity and reiterated the need for additional support to aid the school’s recovery.

“On behalf of the management of Saboba district directorate, I’m overwhelmed and short of saliva because we didn’t expect this. This is a surprise and what we want to tell the EP church is that they should continue whatever good plans they have for the school, we are behind them. We also want to appeal for more support to enable us to construct the dormitory block for our girls.”

The students expressed deep gratitude for the church’s support, appreciating the much-needed relief during this challenging time.

One of the students said, “We say a very big thank you to the Moderator and the EP church Ghana for this kind donation, we are grateful and forever remember them.”

“We express our sincere thanks to the EP church Ghana and the Moderator for this wonderful support to us. This will go a long way to at least help us get mattresses to sleep on. We lost everything and this donation has come at the right time,” another student also stated.

The school continues to seek additional support to rebuild the dormitory and restore a sense of normalcy for the students.

Vitus Azeem slams Ayine over case withdrawals, calls justification unfair

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Many economies of the world rely on taxes; however, the imposition of taxes on businesses can either make or break a country, depending on whether they are favorable for businesses or become scarecrows that drive them away.

In Ghana, several businesses have long complained that the compounding taxes introduced by the government are having dire consequences on their operations.

Despite these complaints, nothing has been done about it, and businesses have to deal with the burden.

Both foreign and local investors who cannot bear the high taxation have moved their businesses out of Ghana to neighboring countries, such as Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, and Togo, among others.

Out of the 16 taxes paid, the most talked-about one is the COVID Levy. Ghanaians and businesses started paying the COVID Levy after the country was hit by the pandemic in 2020.

Post-COVID, five years down the line, Ghanaians are still paying this tax, and many say it has outlived its purpose.

Another tax that the business community has labeled a nuisance is the Container Fumigation Tax.

The reason is that all costs and checks have been done at the point of loading; therefore, it is unnecessary for them to pay such a tax at the port.

The Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour, Abraham Koomson, while speaking on GhanaWeb’s Ernestina Serwaa Asante, listed the 16 taxes paid by businesses in the country.

Below are the 16 taxes businesses are dealing with in Ghana:

Import taxes

Import VAT

ECOWAS Levy

Network Charge, Network Charge VAT, Network Charge COVID-19 Health

Ghana Shippers Authority SNF Fee

Import NHIL, Network Charge NHIL

GHS Disinfection Fee

MoTI – 1D1F Fee

Special Import Levy

Ghana Export – Import Bank Levy

Ghana Education Trust Fund Import

Network Charge GETFund Levy

Inspection Fee

African Union Import Levy

COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy

Container Fumigation Fees at the port

SA/AE

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By Laudia Sawer 

Tema, Feb. 15, GNA – Mr. Camillus Maalneriba-Tia Sakzeesi, a National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Cadre, has condemned recent violent activities involving party supporters around the country, indicating that they must desist from such illegal practices. 

Mr. Sakzeeki, speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said it was worrying to watch on television and hear in the news the illegal activities some NDC supporters were engaging in after the party won the 2024 elections. 

He said the supporters must recognise that the election was not won with only their votes, but rather it was the anger of Ghanaians that gave the NDC the victory, christening the win as “rebellious ballots.” 

He encouraged supporters who have evidence of wrongdoing to report to the relevant state security agencies instead of taking the law into their hands, as doing so meant using an illegal way to correct an illegality. 

“We need to be grateful to the entire Ghanaians rather than the support base of the NDC. I think from the way we have started, we are pushing people to regret ever voting for the party. The NDC is not safe. What is happening now? If we don’t take care, we could be losing the 2028 elections ahead of time.” 

Touching on appointments, he commended President John Dramani Mahama for the excellent appointments he has made so far, stating, however, that supporters must understand that it was impossible for all the about eight million supporters of the party to get appointments or a share of the national kitty. 

Mr. Sakzeeki urged the supporters to follow the steps of the cadres who selflessly worked for the party without looking for personal gains, indicating that they pride themselves in the fact that they gave birth to the fourth republic, which has lasted for many years. 

“Yes, we disrupted the democratic system in 1981, but with people who managed to calm the whole situation and reintroduced the most successful constitutional governance that has survived for over 30 years. Forget about those who want to gather wealth for themselves,” he added. 

He called for change in the way some supporters want to grab wealth for themselves, stressing that “there must be a change and the party must not encourage it, the party must stamp its feet. What about the other Ghanaians who are not NDC members but they voted for the party?” 

He called on the NDC party faithful to work for the government’s success, noting that if the economy was well run, all Ghanaians could benefit from the good policies that would turn it around. 

“Not all of us can get to the national kitty, but we can help the government to succeed through good governance and policies that can improve the economy so that the benefit can trickle down to those who go to the market to buy things to make food for the family instead of personal benefits,” Mr. Sakzeeki emphasised. 

GNA