Category: Daily Guide Network

The Attorney General (AG) has filed more disclosures and witness statements in the trial of former Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), Osei Assibey Antwi, who is standing trial for criminal offences, including stealing and money laundering.

Director of Public Prosecution, Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, on Monday told the court that the prosecution had filed additional disclosures, adding that they still had a few more to file ahead of the court conducting a case management conference.

She, therefore, prayed the court for an adjournment for case management, adding that the defence would be served with the remaining disclosures at least one week before the said day.

Ralph Poku-Adusei, counsel for Osei Assibey, was about to raise an issue about the turn of event, but the trial judge, Justice Kizita Quarshie, indicated that the prosecution had already informed the court about the bulky nature of the disclosures they would be making, so it was likely that they were not going to be able to file all of them before Monday’s proceeding.

That notwithstanding, the defence lawyer insisted that the prosecution is not ready to proceed with the case, adding that ‘We hope and pray that they can deliver on their promise.’

Justice Quarshie adjourned the case to June 29 for case management.

Meanwhile, counsel for Osei Assibey has filed an application seeking the court to order the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) to defreeze the accused person’s accounts.

He had previously made an oral application for the court to defreeze Osei Assibey as well as his daughter’s bank accounts.

The court directed him to file an application so that the Office of the Attorney General can respond appropriately.

On that day, Mr. Poku-Adusei prayed the court to lift the restraint placed on the accused, including the freezing of his bank account and that of his daughter in the course of investigations.

He emphasised the need to defreeze the accused person’s daughter’s bank account, which he said is not connected to the case, neither is she an accused in the case.

‘We will, therefore, submit that you graciously, and we also humble ourselves before you that you make orders to defreeze the accused person’s account or at the very least the daughter’s account while we wait whenever the prosecution is ready to file their documents for this case to proceed,’ Mr. Poku-Adusei added.

Justice Kizita Naa Quarshie turned down the request to defreeze the accounts and asked the defence lawyer to ‘come formally’ by way of an application.

Trial

Mr. Assibey Antwi has been accused of stealing from the state during his tenure at the NSA as well as causing financial loss to the state, all totalling GHS509,012,281 between August 2021 and February 2025.

He was first put before the court in October 2025, where he pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The Attorney General later amended the charges in March 2026 following the conclusion of an audit into the accounts of the NSA.

The court had since slated the case for disclosures to enable it conduct case management which will pave way for the trial to commence.

Veteran gospel musician, Mary Ghansah, has revealed that her mother was unhappy when she saw her learning to play the guitar with men at the beginning of her music career.

Speaking on UCook with Empress Gifty, Mary Ghansah said her parents did not initially support her decision to become a musician because they had different plans for her.

‘Before my music career, I worked as a receptionist. It wasn’t easy from the beginning. My parents had their expectations for me, so when I told them I wanted to start singing, they didn’t understand,’ she said.

According to her, her parents later accepted her decision and watched her progress in the music industry.

Mary Ghansah said her mother was particularly concerned whenever people told her they had seen her playing guitar with male musicians.

‘Sometimes, people would inform my mother that they saw me playing guitar with a man, and she hated it. She felt I would be associated with men since they had to teach me how to play, and she didn’t want that,’ she said.

Despite her mother’s concerns, Mary Ghansah said she remained focused because she believed God had called her into music.

She also disclosed that she learned how to play the guitar from a man who taught her after noticing her interest in the instrument.

‘I observed how he played and I was able to learn from him,’ she added.

Ghanaian media personality, Nana Aba Anamoah, has unveiled selected facilitators for her upcoming ‘First Impression’, a career readiness initiative curated to help young job seekers (under 35 years old) polish their professional presentation.

The main experience, which takes place on June 19, coinciding with Nana Aba Anamoah’s birthday, provides 50 selected participants with CV reviews, mock interviews, confidence coaching, professional headshots, grooming sessions, and direct networking with HR professionals and recruiters.

As part of the sessions, participants will receive practical tips from Gifty Bingley, a Strategic Communications Executive, on the power of communicating effectively and making every interaction count.

The programme will also train participants on how to build a LinkedIn profile that stands out and attracts the right opportunities. The session, facilitated by Jannice Tagoe, Lead Strategist at JTN Consult and Founder of AWED International, will focus on helping professionals tell their story with confidence.

With artificial intelligence (AI) reshaping industries, Oswald Wedam Anonadaga, Founder and CEO of FloodGates International, will lead a session on positioning oneself for the future of work. In addition, Dr. Kofi Amoa-Abban, Founder and CEO of Rigworld Solutions, will share insights on what CEOs really look out for when hiring.

Ghana’s national team, the Black Stars, arrived in Toronto ahead of their opening fixture at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they will take on Panama at BMO Field today.

The team landed in the Canadian city on Monday afternoon after wrapping up an intensive training camp in the United States.

Ghana has been based in the U.S. since playing an international friendly against Wales in Cardiff earlier this month, using the period to finalize preparations for football’s biggest tournament.

Head coach Carlos Queiroz and his technical staff oversaw a series of training sessions focused on tactical adjustments and match fitness, with all 26 players participating fully throughout the camp.

The squad heads into the tournament with no injury concerns, providing a major boost ahead of the Group L clash.

The Black Stars are scheduled to hold their official pre-match training session at BMO Field on Tuesday evening as final preparations continue.

Wednesday’s encounter, set for a 11pm kickoff, marks Ghana’s fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup and the first-ever senior international meeting between the West African side and Panama.

With expectations high, Ghana will be eager to begin its campaign on a positive note before turning its attention to a tougher Group L test against England at Gillette Stadium in Boston on June 23.

A strong start against Panama could provide the momentum the Black Stars need as they chase a place in the knockout stages of the tournament.

Member of Parliament (MP) for Damongo, Samuel A. Jinapor, has challenged the government’s claim of running a lean administration, arguing that the true size of government is measured by its cost to taxpayers, not just the number of ministers.

Mr. Jinapor’s critique follows a report President John Dramani Mahama submitted to Parliament under the Presidential Office Act, 1993.

The report shows presidential staff fell from 921 in 2023 to 808 in 2025.

But Mr. Jinapor says the figures tell only part of the story.

He argues that public debate has focused too narrowly on ministerial appointments and Presidency staffing, ignoring a wider network of state-funded political appointees.

These include presidential advisors, special assistants, aides, coordinators, and appointees across ministries, departments, agencies, and diplomatic missions.

‘At the end of the day, what truly defines the size of the government is its impact on the public purse,’ Jinapor said. A cut in Presidency staff does not mean a smaller or cheaper government if appointments elsewhere keep expanding, he added.

He pointed to the country’s diplomatic service as an example. The current administration has appointed eighteen deputy ambassadors, compared to six under the previous government.

Mr. Jinapor estimates maintaining the eighteen posts could cost US$2.7 million to US$3.1 million annually, or roughly US$11 million to US$12 million over a four-year term. For him, this shows why ministerial headcount alone is a poor measure of government cost.

‘Therefore, when assessing the true size of government, we must look beyond the staff of the Presidency alone and consider the entire architecture of political appointments,’ he said.

Mr. Jinapor also flagged rising compensation allocations under the Office of Government Machinery in recent budgets, despite pledges of fiscal discipline and lean governance.

The contradiction between lower staffing and higher spending raises key questions, he said. ‘How does a government employ fewer people while spending more? And how does a government that came into office promising to cut waste and operate a lean government end up with a significantly higher compensation bill?’

He argues a government can cut ministers while raising overall costs through advisors, aides, and other officials whose pay still hits the public purse.

For him, the debate goes beyond party politics. With fiscal pressures weighing on households and businesses, Ghanaians need to know not just how government is structured, but what it costs to run.

He says the report to Parliament has opened a broader conversation on transparency and accountability. At a time when every cedi is under scrutiny, the central question is not how many people serve, but how much taxpayers pay to keep the machinery of state running.

By reframing the debate around cost instead of headcount, Mr. Jinapor has spotlighted what many see as the real test of government efficiency: responsible stewardship of public funds.

Residents of Amrahia Diary Farm and members of Heaven Investment Chapel International on Saturday staged a demonstration in the area to protest against what they describe as the unlawful demolition of their homes and church property.

The protest, led by members of the church and affected residents, was aimed at drawing public attention to the destruction of structures on land which, according to them, were legally acquired and developed over two years ago.

According to the demonstrators, a group of men entered the community and began demolishing buildings, allegedly claiming they had been sent from the Jubilee House and were acting on the instructions of higher authorities.

Many of the affected residents said they had lost properties acquired through years of hard work and sacrifice and, therefore, appealed to President John Mahama and relevant state institutions to intervene and ensure justice is served.

Speaking in an interview with the media, Founder and Head Pastor of Heaven Investment Chapel International, Bishop Prosper Joemens Rohrmiller, said residents and members of the church are frustrated after repeated petitions to the Ghana Police Service, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Intelligence and Professional Standards Bureau (PIPS), and the Office of the President.

He explained that the church purchased six plots of land at Amrahia, fenced the property and commenced the construction of three-storey building intended to serve as an auditorium, office complex and residential apartments.

The demonstration follows what church leaders describe as nearly two months of unsuccessful attempts to get the needed response through petitions submitted to the Presidency and various security institutions.

The petition accused certain individuals who claim to be the owners of a company trespassing and causing extensive damage to the church’s property.

In a petition addressed to the Director-General of the CID, the pastor alleged that management of the company unlawfully destroyed the church’s property, and called for immediate intervention.

‘Individuals trespassed and caused unlawful damage to my property without court order or provocation and also claimed ownership of the land without any proper document. I am therefore petitioning your good office for assistance and intervention into this matter in respect of justice,’ the petition stated.

A separate petition submitted to the Office of the President described the demolition as a violation of the rights of an entire religious community.

Recounting the events leading to the demolition, the pastor said notices had earlier been posted by a company he claimed was acting under a power of attorney on behalf of another individual asserting ownership of the land.

According to him, although occupants were allegedly given 21 days to regularise their tenancy, excavators moved onto the land less than a week later.

He said the operators initially demolished sections of the perimeter walls before returning the following day to completely destroy the church’s structures.

‘They didn’t touch any other property. They went straight to the church property and demolished every building and wall we had put up. Our concern is that a whole property was demolished without a court order, no court authorised that demolition, yet up till now no one has been arrested, we are all Ghanaians and deserve protection under the law,’ he stated.

The residents and church members are therefore calling on the Office of the President, the Ghana Police Service and other relevant authorities to investigate the demolition exercise carried out by the unknown individuals and ensure justice for all affected persons.

Companies that go public must see a stock exchange listing as a long-term partnership with investors, not just a way to raise money, the CEO of the National Pensions Regulatory Authority, (NPRA) Chris Boadi-Mensah, has said.

Speaking at the listing ceremony of Kasapreko PLC on the Ghana Stock Exchange on Monday, June 15, 2026, Mr. Boadi-Mensah urged Ghanaian businesses to adopt investor-friendly ownership and governance structures to attract institutional capital.

He told stakeholders that pension funds and other institutional investors prefer companies that show transparency, accountability, and a genuine willingness to share ownership with the public.

‘Success in public listings globally often depends on founders and shareholders creating broad ownership opportunities for investors,’ he said. Companies with narrow ownership and limited free float often struggle with liquidity and investor participation.

Broad free float arrangements improve liquidity and price discovery, making firms more attractive to institutions. ‘A sufficiently broad free float not only enhances liquidity and price discovery but also provides institutional investors with the confidence that they can participate meaningfully in the growth journey of the company,’ Mr. Boadi-Mensah noted.

He added that firms embracing broad-based ownership and strong governance are better positioned to secure long-term capital and lasting investor relationships.

‘Ghana’s expanding pension sector offers a key financing window for local businesses, he said. Pension assets under management reached GHS120 billion by the end of Q1 2026, creating a substantial pool of domestic capital for productive investments,’ he said. ‘The NPRA remains committed to promoting diversification within the pension industry and deeper participation in Ghana’s capital market.’

He encouraged more local firms to list, saying the current environment favors businesses ready for public ownership and accountability.

Mr. Boadi-Mensah commended Kasapreko PLC for opening itself to public investment and praised the Ghana Stock Exchange for new listing rules designed to boost market integrity and attract issuers.

Stronger collaboration between regulators, institutional investors, and listed companies is essential to building a deeper, more vibrant capital market that can drive Ghana’s long-term economic transformation, he concluded.

Traders and farmers in the Fumsua Electoral Area of the Sekyere Afram Plains District in the Ashanti Region have been cut off from accessing the Sempoa Market following heavy rains that submerged major roads and bridges in the area.

The flooding brought vehicular movement to a complete standstill, leaving many traders stranded and unable to transport their goods to the market.

Some traders, however, managed to reach the market with the assistance of strong young men in the community who carried their goods on their backs across the flooded sections.

Residents say the situation has become a recurring challenge whenever heavy rains occur, severely affecting economic activities and the livelihoods of farmers and traders who depend on the Sempoa Market, the main trading centre for several surrounding communities.

According to them, the poor state of the roads and bridges continues to hamper the transportation of farm produce and other goods, resulting in financial losses and hardship for residents.

They have therefore appealed to the government and the District Assembly to urgently rehabilitate the affected roads and bridges to ensure easy access to the market and other essential services.

The Assembly Member for the Fumsua Electoral Area, Dramani Mustakilu, who witnessed the situation, expressed concern over the worsening condition of the access routes and called on the relevant authorities to intervene without delay.

He warned that if immediate action is not taken, the recurring flooding could further disrupt economic activities and negatively impact the lives of residents in the area.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has reiterated the need for greater youth participation in governance and decision-making processes, stressing that no society can be truly democratic if the voices of young people and other underrepresented groups are excluded.

Speaking through the First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, at the launch of the ‘Parliament and You’ Educational Series at Parliament House in Accra, Mr. Bagbin said Parliament was committed to creating meaningful opportunities for children and young people to engage in democratic processes and contribute to national development.

The initiative is aimed at promoting civic education among children and helping them better understand the workings of Parliament and governance.

According to the Speaker, the call for greater youth participation aligns with the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which recognises the right of children to express their views on matters affecting them.

‘No society can be truly democratic and participatory without creating meaningful opportunities for the underrepresented to be heard and involved,’ Mr. Ahiafor said on behalf of the Speaker.

‘That is why Parliament is committed to using every available platform to amplify the voices of the underrepresented, especially young people,’ he added.

Mr. Bagbin emphasised that Parliament had a responsibility not only to make laws but also to contribute to the development of informed, engaged and responsible citizens through civic education.

He noted that children should not be viewed merely as future leaders but as active partners in building a better society, capable of contributing ideas and perspectives that can enrich democratic governance.

The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, commended Parliament and the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) for introducing an innovative platform to educate children on governance and leadership issues.

He urged students to develop a keen interest in national affairs and actively prepare themselves to become responsible leaders in the future.

Describing the initiative as a valuable investment in the nation’s democratic future, Mr. Ayariga announced a donation of GHS200,000 to support its implementation.

The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, also praised the programme, describing it as an important step towards making Parliament more accessible to citizens and deepening democratic participation.

He said Parliament’s efforts to engage the public through initiatives such as breakfast forums and open Parliament programmes demonstrated its commitment to ensuring that democracy remains relevant and inclusive.

To support the project, Mr. Afenyo-Markin pledged GHS100,000 towards its successful implementation.

The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, also contributed to the initiative by donating 25 laptop computers to be awarded as prizes to winners of competitions that will be organised under the programme during its first two years.

The Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, highlighted the impact of Parliament’s public engagement efforts, revealing that more than 44,000 students across the country had directly benefitted from the Educational Visitors’ Programme since its establishment.

He expressed confidence that the ‘Parliament and You’ initiative, together with programmes such as the ‘Mini Parliament,’ would help bring Parliament closer to children and strengthen civic consciousness among the younger generation.

Five suspected armed robbers who allegedly disguised themselves as military personnel to terrorise miners at Kotokuom in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region have been arrested by the Nkawie District Police Command.

The suspects, Abdulai Basit Zulkalali, Seidu Sulemaina, Abubakar Sadick, Arafat Fuseini and Sharif Massawudu, were picked up during an intelligence-led operation after police received information about a group allegedly attacking miners in the area while dressed in military-style uniforms.

Police sources said the suspects were armed with guns, knives and other offensive weapons when they allegedly embarked on robbery operations targeting miners around Kotokuom.

Their arrest, according to the police, followed sustained intelligence gathering by officers of the Nkawie Divisional Police Command, who moved swiftly to foil further attacks and restore calm in the mining community.

During preliminary interrogation, the suspects claimed they were members of a Muslim Community Taskforce working on behalf of Ghana Muslims. Police, however, say they are investigating the authenticity of that claim as part of ongoing investigations.

The incident has heightened fears among residents and miners over the increasing activities of criminal gangs impersonating security personnel to carry out robberies and other unlawful acts.

Investigators are also working to establish how the suspects obtained the military-style uniforms and the weapons allegedly found in their possession, and whether they are linked to similar robbery incidents in the Ashanti Region.

The five suspects are currently being held in police custody at Toase, where they are assisting with investigations. The suspects are expected to be arraigned before court after police conclude their investigations.