A team of Police officers from the National Highway Police Patrol team on patrol duty at Dzrakate, a community near Akatsi on the Accra-Aflao highway have arrested two suspects for possessing a consignment suspected to be human blood without authority.

The suspects, namely Winnie Agbofoatsi Kwesi, a 34-year-old teacher, and Morgan Martins, a 38-year-old contractor have been charged with the offence of possessing of human parts/blood contrary to section 69B of the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Act, 2012 of Act 29/60.

Sources available to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) revealed that the patrol team on Sunday, February 9 at about 1200 hours intercepted a Toyota Corolla car with registration number GW 2837-19 that was moving from Accra direction towards Aflao.

After a search was conducted by the officers, the suspected human blood was found in three plastic containers with Winnie Agbofoatsi’s contact number written on the content, and after interrogation, the driver disclosed to the police that the content was given to him at Tema to be delivered to Agbofoatsi at Agbozume.

The source further indicated that Agbofoatsi was arrested with the help of the driver who admitted the offence but explained that he got supplies from Martins, stating that the move was the second supply from Tema.

Agbofoatsi further revealed that his duty was to send the human blood to a fetish priest at Lome in the Republic of Togo.

However, Martins, the second suspect who surfaced himself at the Akatsi Police Station in an attempt to solve the problem was also arrested and cautioned, where he admitted the offence.

The suspects have since been remanded by the AKatsi District Court and will reappear on Thursday, February 20.

The Police at Akatsi have since commenced investigations into the act.

Meanwhile, another suspect (name withheld) believed to be an accomplice, is still at large.

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By Ernest Nutsugah

Accra, Feb 18, GNA – Nineteen57 Events has launched the Black Star Legacy Awards, a platform dedicated to honouring individuals and organisations contributing to the growth of Ghanaian society, the African continent and the diaspora.

Since its inception in 2019 as part of “Rhythms on the Runway,” the scheme has recognised remarkable achievements in creative arts, culture, and other sectors.

The annual celebration has crowned personalities including hiplife legend, Obrafour, Ricci Osei, Lisa Hanna, Reggie Rockstone, Queen Asabea Cropper.

Others are Nene Agyemang, Agya Koo Nimo, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, Morgan Heritage, Stonebwoy, and Richard Mofe Damijo.

Organisers, in a press statement, say this year’s event would be an independent, standalone event, as the award expands in scope and ambition.

“This shift allows for an expanded focus, honouring excellence across various fields, including business, leadership, innovation, science, and humanitarian efforts.

“This bold move aligns with the award’s mission of celebrating the spirit of achievement and innovation that defines Ghana and connects it to the broader Pan-African and global community,” it said.

Other details including categories and selection criteria, according to Nineteen57 Events, were yet to be finalised.

“The Black Star Legacy Awards promises to be an unforgettable experience that highlights the very best of Ghana, Africa, and the diaspora.

“More than just an event, the Black Star Legacy Awards is a celebration of the individuals and organisations whose impact resonates far beyond borders,” it added.

GNA

Abigail Elorm Mensah, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), has committed to improving the organization’s loan recovery rate, currently at 51%.

During her official takeover ceremony in Accra, she stated that, ‘The more the money is recovered, the more other people will also benefit from it,’ emphasizing her goal to increase this rate significantly.

The CEO of MASLOC aims to implement strategies that will ensure compliance and enable borrowers to benefit from their loans effectively.

She expressed her vision for a more accessible MASLOC, stating, ‘If you want to apply for a MASLOC facility, you would not have to journey all the way to get it. You would be in the comfort of your home and be able to access the facility.’

This initiative includes leveraging digitalization to create a paperless operation.

Reflecting on her tenure, Mensah said, ‘Whoever takes over from somebody will want to do better than the predecessor… I want to move the institution further than it was.”

She acknowledged the solid foundation left by her predecessor, Hajia Abibata Shanni Mahama Zakariah, and expressed her intent to build on it.

A key focus for Mensah will be empowering women farmers by creating markets for their produce, thereby ensuring they can repay their loans on time.

Addressing concerns about corruption within MASLOC, she assured stakeholders that ‘my story will be different,’ and called for discipline and cooperation among staff to facilitate smoother operations.

With her leadership experience and commitment to enhancing MASLOC’s services, Abigail Elorm Mensah is poised to lead the organization toward greater financial accessibility and support for small businesses in Ghana.

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Accra, Feb. 18, GNA – The cinema premiere of Kwadwo Nkansah Lilwin’s “A Country Called Ghana” movie has been set for Friday, February 28, 2025, across Silverbird Cinemas in Ghana and Nigeria.

The movie, since its debut last year, has won numerous international awards, including Best Indigenous Film at the 2024 Nollywood Film Festival, Best Production Design, and Best Make-Up Film at the 2024 Imo International Film Festival, among others.

Mr. Frank Fiifi Ghabin, Director of the movie, outlined plans to premier the movie in cinemas across all the 16 regions of Ghana at a media engagement in Kumasi.

Present at the media engagement were Kwadwo Nkansah Lilwin and his wife, Okyeame Akwadaa Nyame, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Wezzy Empire, as well as some players in the movie industry.

Mr. Ghabin disclosed that “A Country Called Ghana” had won 17 awards out of 33 nominations both locally and on the international stage since its premiere last year despite challenges they encountered.

He said beyond entertaining Ghanaians and Nigerians, the movie had also promoted and projected the Ghana movie industry as well as Ghana as a country on the global stage.

According to him, because of their achievements on the international stage, they were asked to submit the movie for consideration into cinema distribution which resulted in Silverbirds Distribution International selecting it for premiering. 

“In Nigeria, the movie is going to be premiered nationwide, so if you are in Lagos, Abuja, Ikeja, Onitsha, or wherever you find yourself, watch out for the movie “A Country Called Ghana” in a cinema near you,” he stated. 

He encouraged movie lovers in Nigeria and the media to help promote the movie, saying that it was not just a movie but projection of Ghana as a country to the rest of the world. 

“We are projecting “A Country Called Ghana” not just as a movie but as a means to sell Ghana to the world through authentic African story,” Mr. Ghabin emphasised. 

In Ghana, the movie would be shown at the Silverbirds Cinema at the Accra Mall and West Hills Mall in Accra as well as the Golden Eagle Cinema in Kumasi on February 28, before extending it to other regions.

Mr. Kwadwo Nkansah Lilwin spoke about the huge investment that had gone into the project and stressed the need for all stakeholders to support the local movie industry. 

He said because he wanted to meet international standards, he had to procure high-quality equipment from outside the country for the production. 

He told the media that his target was to see the movie on Netflix and that even if it doesn’t make it, he would continue to produce quality movies until he achieves that objective. 

This, he noted, required the support of all players in the industry including the media and the government as Ghana strived to make a mark on the international stage.

GNA 

By Benard Worlali Awumee

Anloga, (V/R), Feb 18, GNA – Mr Richard Kwame Sefe, Member of Parliament for the Anlo Constituency in the Volta Region, has inaugurated the second phase of his youth empowerment initiative for unemployed graduates in his constituency. 

It is aimed at creating employment opportunities and equipping the youth with relevant skills.  

The event, held at EP Church Anloga-Agorve, served as a platform for dialogue with the youth in his constituency to gather data on their expertise and qualifications. 

The programme was co-hosted by key stakeholders and some executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), including representatives from the National Youth Authority (NYA).  

It provided an avenue for participants to engage in discussions on topics essential for future opportunities. 

According to Mr. Sefe, the second phase was designed to enhance productivity among all those who completed various levels of education but were unemployed in the constituency.  

The first phase, conducted between 2021 and 2024, benefited approximately 1,000 young people who received training in various vocational skills, including dressmaking, welding, plumbing, auto mechanics, and other crafts. 

During the session, participants were educated on professional business proposal writing, the preparation of standard curriculum vitae, and effective networking strategies to access opportunities.  

Additionally, a team was established to collect accurate data on the attendees, including their bio data, and academic and professional qualifications. This effort aimed to build a comprehensive database to serve as a reference point for future employment engagements. 

Addressing attendees, Mr Sefe assured them of a renewed focus on youth empowerment in Anlo. 

 He stated that “By the end of June, the outcomes of today’s exercise will begin to materialised. The welfare of my people remains my top priority, and I am committed to pursuing this at all times.” 

He also emphasised the need for a robust database, explaining, that “Although the new John Mahama administration has several youth employment programmes to be implemented, it is also our responsibility as representatives to create the necessary avenues.  

“Having a reliable database allows us to promptly connect beneficiaries with national opportunities as they arise,” Mr Sefe said. 

The programme saw the participation of over 1,000 youth, made up of graduates who completed teaching and nursing training colleges, other tertiary institutions and Senior High Schools but were yet to be employed. 

Their information was collated and would subsequently be synchronised into the newly established database for subsequent initiatives. 

Mr Francis Susuawu, Director of the NYA, commended the MP’s initiative, noting, “Youth employment constitutes about 60 per cent of all employment in Ghana. This initiative by the MP will significantly contribute to preparing the youth for available opportunities.” 

Mr Rolex Agbey Miheso, Anlo NDC Party Chairman, also encouraged the youth to remain disciplined and avoid social vices that could hinder their chances of securing employment. 

He reiterated the party’s commitment to fostering a culture of youth empowerment within the constituency. 

Some participants engaged by the GNA said the initiative was a sign of hope for them, adding that, “Some of us have been waiting at home for years since we completed school. This programme should not be a nine-day wonder but serve as a preparatory stage for our employment.”  

GNA  

Vice President of IMANI Africa, Bright Simons, has expressed concern over the previous government’s decision to prosecute the former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr. Johnson Asiama, who is currently nominated for the position of Governor.

Simons described the move as “bizarre,” noting that the previous government turned policy issues into criminal indictments against Dr. Asiama.

Speaking on NewsFile on Joy FM on Saturday, February 15, 2025, Bright Simons explained that the decision to prosecute should not solely be based on legal grounds, as public policy considerations also play a significant role.

“The decision to prosecute or not is not entirely legal because there are many public policy considerations involved. This matter, specifically Dr. Asiama’s trial, is particularly interesting because, in the banking and finance sector, it’s not just legal issues that matter. There are also significant concerns related to macro-fiscal stability. The current Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) was executing a policy that his colleagues at the BoG agreed with: using the Emergency Liquidity Programme, a fund set up to support banks facing liquidity challenges, to prevent banks from failing.

“There are two types of liquidity provisions in this context: emergency liquidity, which can last up to three months, and intraday liquidity, which is crucial. Intraday liquidity means that if a bank is failing to settle transactions, the central bank can step in to ensure the overall banking system continues to function smoothly. When, for example, a payment is made from an account at Bank A to someone at Bank C, a settlement process is needed because the accounts are held at different banks. Typically, the central bank manages this settlement process by debiting the relevant accounts,” he explained.

Simons continued, “If the bank being debited doesn’t have sufficient funds in its settlement account, it could lead to payment failures, which could create significant distress across the entire financial system. So, given these factors, if a decision is made to prevent contagion in the banking sector by giving liquidity support to Unibank through UMB, since Unibank didn’t qualify for direct support at the time—this was a policy decision. With all of this in mind, how do you prosecute a deputy governor for making such a decision? I found that very difficult to understand.”

He also pointed out that in the banking and finance sector, factors such as macro-fiscal stability are equally important as legal issues.

Simons elaborated on the policy decisions made during Dr. Asiama’s tenure at the BoG, including the Emergency Liquidity Programme designed to support banks facing liquidity challenges.

He explained the two types of liquidity provisions used by the central bank: emergency liquidity, which can last up to three months, and intraday liquidity, which is critical to preventing payment failures within the banking system.

Simons noted that, at the time, the BoG decided to provide liquidity support to Unibank through UMB, as Unibank did not qualify for direct assistance. This decision was made to prevent contagion in the banking sector, a policy he believes was valid.

However, Simons questioned how such policy decisions could lead to the prosecution of a deputy governor like Dr. Johnson Asiama.

He further criticized the previous administration’s stance on the UT Bank matter, where the former Attorney-General argued that the central bank’s liquidity support violated the single obligor limit.

“Regarding the UT Bank matter, where the former Attorney-General suggested that the central bank’s payment of GH¢460 million violated the single obligor limit, I struggled to understand this argument. The single obligor rule applies to banks to prevent them from lending too much to one borrower, thereby concentrating risk. However, the central bank is not obligated to follow this rule when providing liquidity assistance to a bank. So, I didn’t understand why the central bank’s GH¢460 million payment to UT Bank would be considered a violation,” he lamented.

Simons further pointed out that the central bank is not bound by the single obligor rule when providing liquidity assistance to banks in distress.

“If UT Bank had been giving out that amount of money and breached the single obligor limit, I would understand, but that would not involve the central bank. The current argument suggests that the previous administration was lax because the asset quality review conducted in 2015 and 2016 did not hold some banks accountable. While we all have policy disagreements, it’s important to remember that the law granting the BoG its powers was passed in September 2016, long after the issues at hand. This means the central bank didn’t have the necessary tools at the time to address the situation as the following administration did. Turning these policy decisions into criminal charges is simply bizarre,” he explained.

Bright Simons also referenced the ongoing debate surrounding the prosecution of officials involved in the banking sector crisis.

Former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame had recently criticized the discontinuation of several high-profile criminal cases by Dr. Dominic Ayine, his successor.

Dame described the decision as alarming, stating that it prioritized the interests of defense lawyers over those of the republic.

Godfred Dame emphasized that these cases involved significant losses of taxpayer money and were linked to the banking crisis that had a serious impact on Ghana’s economy.

He expressed concern that such decisions could be detrimental to the public interest.

In response, Bright Simons called out the decision to turn policy matters into criminal cases, describing it as “bizarre” and suggesting that it lacked a proper understanding of the broader economic context.

He also pointed out that the laws used during the resolution of these issues were passed after the events in question, meaning the central bank did not have the necessary tools at the time to address the situation in the way that the subsequent administration was able to.

MA

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Rwanda has announced the suspension of its bilateral development cooperation with Belgium, citing what it describes as Belgium’s politicization of aid and interference in the ongoing crisis in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The move, revealed in a statement by Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underscores deepening diplomatic tensions as regional and international actors navigate the complex conflict in the region.

Belgium Accused of Undermining Mediation Efforts

At the heart of Rwanda’s decision is what it sees as an “aggressive campaign” led by Belgium, allegedly working alongside Kinshasa to block Rwanda’s access to development financing from multilateral institutions. According to Kigali, this pressure undermines the African Union (AU)-mandated mediation process, which is backed by both the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

“Belgium has made a political decision to choose a side in this conflict, which is its right, but politicizing development is plainly wrong,” Rwanda’s foreign ministry stated.

Rwanda argues that using development aid as a tool of leverage against a country in the region sets a dangerous precedent, one that risks derailing African-led peace efforts and prolonging instability.

Security and Sovereignty at the Forefront

Beyond concerns about aid conditionality, Rwanda’s move signals its broader frustration with what it sees as international reluctance to address the root causes of instability in Eastern DRC. Kigali has long insisted that the conflict stems from Kinshasa’s failure to disarm the FDLR, a UN-sanctioned rebel group with links to the perpetrators of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

“Rwanda will not be bullied or blackmailed into compromising national security,” the statement read. “Our only aim is a secure border, and an irreversible end to the politics of violent ethnic extremism in our region.”

A Diplomatic Shift?

The suspension of the 2024-2029 bilateral aid program with Belgium marks a significant shift in Rwanda’s diplomatic posture. Traditionally, Rwanda has maintained strong development partnerships, ensuring accountability in the use of foreign aid. The decision suggests that Kigali is willing to forgo financial assistance if it believes its national security is being compromised.

“Development partnerships must be based on mutual respect,” the statement emphasized, warning that selective pressure on Rwanda while ignoring the deeper issues fueling the conflict would not lead to a lasting solution.

Regional and Global Implications

Rwanda’s move comes amid escalating tensions in the region, with M23 rebels—who claim to represent the interests of Congolese Tutsis—gaining ground in Eastern DRC. While Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of backing the group, Kigali has consistently denied involvement, arguing that the focus should be on addressing long-standing ethnic tensions and disarming groups like the FDLR.

The suspension of cooperation with Belgium could set a precedent for how Rwanda engages with other international actors moving forward. It also raises questions about the broader effectiveness of external interventions in the region’s protracted conflicts.

With diplomatic fault lines hardening and the crisis in Eastern DRC showing no signs of abating, the next steps by regional and international stakeholders will be closely watched. For Rwanda, the message is clear: security and sovereignty come first, even at the cost of longstanding partnerships.