Category: Daily Guide Network

Former Chief Executive Officer of National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, is seeking a premature end to his trial, by filing an application before a High Court in Accra, asking it to strike out the charges levelled against him by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

Dr. Abdul-Hamid and nine (9) others are before the court accused of extorting a total of GHS291.574 million and $332,407.47 from bulk oil transporters and oil distributors.

While the OSP is yet to file disclosures and witness statements for its witnesses, the accused has caused his lawyers to challenge the charges levelled against him and is subsequently asking the court to strike them out.

The trial judge, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, yesterday confirmed the filing of the said application, and the OSP has since filed an affidavit in opposition, asking the court to throw it out.

The court could, however, not hear the application because counsel for Dr. Abdul-Hamid told the court that he had not been served with the affidavit in opposition.

The judge therefore, urged the OSP to ensure the defence lawyer is served, while ordering the registrar of the court to produce true copies of the application and serve same on the other accused persons.

The court has also ordered the OSP to ensure its affidavit in opposition is served to all the other accused persons as well.

The court adjourned the case to December 22, 2025, to hear the application. The court added that all the accused persons are expected to be in court that day irrespective of the fact that the application was filed on behalf of only one accused person.

The OSP has charged Dr. Abdul-Hamid and seven (7) individuals and three companies with 54 counts of charges including extortion by a public officer, conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering.

The individuals are Jacob Kwamina Amuah, Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF) at NPA; Wendy Newman, a staff of NPA; Albert Ankrah, Isaac Mensah, all Directors of Kel Logistics Limited; Bright Bediako-Mensah, a Director of Kel Logistics Limited and Kings Energy Limited as well as Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah, Director of Kings Energy Limited.

The three companies charged by the OSP are Propnest Limited, Kel Logistics Limited and Kings Energy Limited, while a suspect identified as Osei Tutu Adjei, a Director of Kel Logistics Limited is currently at large.

The accused persons and the three companies all pleaded not guilty to the 54 charges after the court had to retake their pleas following the reassignment of the case to a different court.

The OSP says the charges stem from investigations initiated by it in late 2024 into alleged unlawful conduct involving the diversion of public funds and collusion with oil marketing and bulk distribution companies.

The summary of facts indicate that investigations by the OSP show that between 2022 and December 2024, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, Jacob Kwamina Amuah and Wendy Newman under the colour of their office as officers of NPA, set up an extortionate scheme by which they unlawfully obtained GHS291,574,087.19 and $332,407.47 from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies, which they knew they were not lawfully authorised to obtain.

It says the scheme was contrived by Abdul-Hamid, who sold the idea of the alleged criminal adventure to Amuah, who also recruited Newman as the primary conduit for receiving the proceeds of the crime.

The facts claim a total GHS24 million was handed directly by Amuah to Abdul-Hamid between January 2024 and December 2024 – ‘being proceeds of the criminal extortion scheme.’

The Minority in Parliament has raised concerns over the Bank of Ghana (Amendment) Bill, 2025, warning that a new provision requiring the Central Bank to jointly determine the medium-term inflation target with the government poses a direct threat to the Bank’s independence.

At the heart of the Minority’s objection is the express introduction of Section 3 of the amendment bill, which states that ‘the Bank of Ghana shall determine the medium-term inflation target jointly with the Government.’

Minority MPs argued that this provision represents a significant departure from established central banking principles and risks exposing monetary policy to undue political influence.

During debate on the bill, Minority members insisted that inflation targeting is a core mandate of the Central Bank and should remain solely within the professional and technical domain of the Bank of Ghana.

They cautioned that allowing the Executive to jointly determine inflation targets blurs the critical line between fiscal policy, which is the responsibility of the government, and monetary policy, which constitutionally rests with the Central Bank.

The Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, and the MP for Nhyiaeso, Dr. Stephen Amoah, questioned the true intent behind the new provision, warning that it could weaken the functional autonomy of the Bank of Ghana and undermine investor confidence.

They argued that the Central Bank’s independence is essential for controlling inflation, maintaining price stability and safeguarding the long-term health of the economy.

Similarly, the MP for Effia, Isaac Boamah-Nyarko, described the provision as dangerous, stressing that once the government becomes a joint determinant of inflation targets, political considerations could override sound economic judgment.

He warned that such an arrangement could open the door to pressure on the Central Bank to accommodate expansionary fiscal policies, with inflationary consequences.

While acknowledging the government’s argument that stronger coordination between fiscal and monetary authorities is necessary, the Minority maintained that coordination must not translate into control.

They argued that collaboration can be achieved through consultation and information-sharing without compromising the Bank’s independence.

Responses

In response, the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, rejected claims that the provision undermines the Central Bank’s work.

He argued that the amendment seeks to improve policy harmonisation and is consistent with the constitutional mandate of the Bank of Ghana to promote economic development alongside price stability.

He further insisted that safeguards remain in place to prevent abuse and that Parliament retains oversight authority.

The concerns emerged during deliberations on the bill, which the government says is critical to strengthening monetary governance and meeting conditions under Ghana’s International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

The proposed law is also expected to pave the way for the release of the next tranche of IMF support later this year.

Presenting the report of the Economy and Development Committee, its Chairman, Dr. Eric Afful, urged Parliament to fast-track the passage of the bill, stressing its urgency and importance to restoring confidence in the country’s financial system.

He said the amendments are designed to improve monetary efficiency, strengthen the Bank’s institutional framework and reinforce financial stability.

While acknowledging the need for reforms, several MPs questioned whether the bill goes too far in reshaping the governance structure of the Central Bank.

The MP for Bolgatanga Central, Isaac Adongo, said although the bill seeks to enhance coordination between the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Ghana, especially during emergencies, Parliament must retain firm control to prevent abuse of any expanded powers.

Cairo will soon host an important political event: heads and officials of the foreign ministries of Russia and the African countries will gather in the hospitable capital of Egypt to assess the state of Russian-African relations and set out the ways of their development.

For the first time, the ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum will take place on the African continent. We are glad that a year ago, during such a conference in the Russian city of Sochi, our partners responded to the proposal to host the ministerial conference in 2025.

Let me recall that the Partnership Forum was established back in 2019. We have already successfully held two Russian-African summits – in Sochi in 2019 and in St. Petersburg – another city in Russia – in 2023. Sectoral meetings on specific areas of cooperation are held regularly.

The work of the Forum is crucial for promoting the full range of Russian-African relations; it organically complements and enriches Russia’s relations with the African countries which are developing dynamically on a bilateral basis as well.

There are many reasons for Russia-Africa mutual attraction dating bac k to supported countries in Africa to break free from the shackles of colonial dependence. We are proud that our predecessors provided this assistance selflessly and with dedication. It was the Soviet Union that played the key role in the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples exactly 65 years ago.

After that, Moscow has consistently contributed to the formation of young African States, their national economies, and the establishment of education and healthcare systems.

As Russian President Vladimir Putin said, the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 was the major geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century. Our friends on the African continent felt its dismal effects. There was a noticeable slowdown in the relations at the turn of the millennium. However, the ‘end of history’ did not happen, and today is the new heyday of the Russian-African friendship.

Russia appreciates that Africa is reawakening. In the middle of the last century, the struggle culminated into decolonisation, and now African countries are fighting to make all areas of life for its citizens sovereign. We fully support this fight. It is symbolic that at the UN and other international platforms Russia has been actively calling for enhanced efforts to eradicate modern practices of neo-colonialism. Many African countries are sending their representatives to participate in the ‘For the Freedom of Nations!’ international movement established on the initiative of the United Russia political party.

It is important for us that Africa seeks to speak with a common voice in the international arena. Russian diplomacy will contribute to the development of the African continent as an influential centre of a multipolar world. This priority is enshrined in the Concept of the Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation. We believe in the inalienable right of African countries to independently determine the ways and models of their development and to choose international partners.

As Russian President Vladimir Putin at one time said, ‘We have virtually no disagreements with any African countries and the level of trust and mutual affinity is high, mainly because our relations with Africa have never been tarnished. We have never been involved in the exploitation of African peoples.’

Russia and Africa are natural allies in democratisation of international relations on the principles of the UN Charter in their integrity, entirety and interconnection.

We have consistently advocated the rectification of historical injustice and the essential consideration of Africa’s interests in the work on the reform of the UN Security Council. We welcome African countries’ broader involvement in the work of the BRICS association which is playing an increasingly important role in advancing the collective aspirations of the Global South and the Global Majority.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia pays special attention to the maintenance of peace and security in Africa as a necessary condition for its social and economic progress. In the spirit of the ‘African solutions to African problems’ concept, we are contributing to the settlement of regional conflicts and enhanced potential of the States of the continent to combat terrorism, as well as other threats and challenges.

The guidelines of Russian-African cooperation are outlined in the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Action Plan 2023-2026. The guidelines cover, among other things, security, energy sector, trade, education, science and culture. It is gratifying that the Plan naturally matches the strategy that the African Union formulated in 2015 in the ‘Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want’.

Africa’s importance to Russia is marked by the expansion of our diplomatic presence on the continent. Embassies in Niger, Sierra Leone and South Sudan have been opened this year. Next are new diplomatic missions in Gambia, Liberia, Togo and the Comoros. We welcome the plans of Botswana and Togo to open their diplomatic missions in Moscow.

We attach great importance to trade, economic, as well as investment cooperation. We appreciate that the trade turnover with Africa is growing steadily: compared to 2019, it increased by more than one and a half times, exceeding USD 27 billion last year. We are convinced that this is not the limit.

Currently, increased trade with the States of Sub-Saharan Africa, expansion of supply of African products to the Russian market, and introduction of reliable mutual settlement mechanisms based on national currencies are on the agenda.

Intergovernmental commissions on trade and economic, as well as scientific and technical cooperation with African countries play an important role in strengthening ties between business circles. 19 such commissions are already operational. We are working to increase their number. Additional opportunities are provided by the formation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, a future common market with a total GDP exceeding USD 3 trillion.

Russia has never considered Africa as a raw materials base since we have plenty of our own natural resources. Our focus is on implementation of investment projects that help African countries develop their own resources, enhance industrial capacity, and improve the quality of life of the people. We have much to offer our partners in the energy sector, mineral resources management, logistics and transport, infrastructure, as well as in high-tech areas, including digital technologies and artificial intelligence.

Such initiatives are designed for decades to come, and it is hard to overestimate their social and economic importance. We have a good example in the past. Over 300 industrial and infrastructure facilities which have been working successfully to this day were built on the African continent with the support of the Soviet Union.

Last year, 200,000 tons of Russian wheat were sent to the African States that are most in need. Along with humanitarian supplies of grain and fertilizers, we help African countries develop their own agricultural sector. We are ready to share technologies and experience in farming and breeding, fertilizer production, irrigation, and fishing.

We are open for interaction not only on a bilateral basis, but also with African multilateral mechanisms, primarily the African Union. We are interested in engaging in our common work like-minded countries from Eurasian structures, particularly the Eurasian Economic Union.

We continue to enhance Russian-African cooperation in such areas as emergency prevention and response, healthcare, and disease control. Russian mobile laboratories and diagnostic tools for infectious diseases are in great demand in Africa.

For many decades, our country has been contributing to the training of professionals for Africa, primarily in the field of agriculture, engineering, medicine, and teaching. Over 32,000 people from Africa are attending Russian universities today. Since 2020, the quota of Russian scholarships for the continent has almost tripled, exceeding 5,300.

Consistent facilitation of mutual travel could be a good help for expanding educational, cultural, humanitarian, and tourist exchanges.

In conclusion, I would like to note once again that Russia an old and trusted friend of Africa. The values of collectivism, solidarity, and mutual assistance are at the core of the Russian cultural code, which is generally in line with the African philosophy of Ubuntu – ‘I exist because we exist’. On this sound basis, we will develop our friendship and cooperation, while respecting each other’s civilizational features.

Constructive and forward-looking partnership is essential for the well-being of our peoples. I am sure that the ministerial meeting in Cairo will lay the groundwork for the third Russia-Africa Summit in 2026 and give it a new impetus.

Former Vice President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) George Afriyie has voiced strong belief in the Black Stars’ capacity to rise above the challenge in their 2026 FIFA World Cup group, declaring that none of Ghana’s opponents are beyond reach.

Ghana has been placed in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama at next summer’s tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

While acknowledging the pedigree and experience of the teams drawn against Ghana, Afriyie remains optimistic about the Black Stars’ prospects.

Speaking in an interview with Asempa FM, Afriyie stressed that Ghana possesses the quality and depth required to compete at the highest level.

According to him, the presence of England and Croatia-both established forces in world football-should not intimidate the team.

‘England, Croatia, and Panama are all beatable,’ Afriyie said, expressing confidence that the Black Stars can secure positive results in each of their group matches.

He also highlighted the need for proper preparation ahead of the tournament, urging the Ghana Football Association to line up top-level international friendly matches.

Afriyie believes such fixtures would sharpen the team and provide the technical bench with a clearer picture of the squad’s readiness.

‘Playing high-profile friendlies is the right approach ahead of the World Cup,’ he added.

Ghana will open their Group L campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto before facing England in Boston on June 23. The Black Stars will wrap up the group stage with a clash against Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.

After suffering group-stage exits at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the 2022 edition in Qatar, Ghana will be eager to make a deeper run at the 2026 tournament and restore their reputation on the global stage.

The Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr. Jonson Pandit Asiama has called on banks to expand credit to productive businesses, especially Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to drive inclusion and help build a resilient economy.

Speaking at the post Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), engagement with heads of commercial banks in Accra, he said the banking sector is expected to consolidate the gains in the financial sector to improve credit allocation to help strengthen governance.

‘We call on banks to support the real sector, expand credit to productive enterprises, especially SMEs, and drive innovation that enhances access and inclusion, while managing risk. Let us turn this recovery into a financial system that is both stable and catalytic in shaping Ghana’s prosperity.

‘Colleagues, our task is to consolidate these gains by deepening financial intermediation, improving credit allocation, and strengthening governance,’ he stated.

According to him, after a period of significant strain, banks have demonstrated resilience, sound liquidity, improved capital strength renewed profitability.

The gains, the Governor explained reflect stronger governance, improved risk management, and a regulatory framework that continues to evolve toward a more forward-looking approach.

He stated that while challenges remain, particularly in asset quality, the banks commitment to responsible risk management is evident stating that the Central bank will therefore continue to work closely with the players in the industry to safeguard stability and support sustainable credit growth.

The Governor added that external buffers have rebuilt considerably to enhance the country’s ability to withstand future shocks coupled with the positive response of the cedi that is also showing renewed resilience.

He noted, ‘Ghana’s external sector has emerged as a pillar of resilience. Strong export performance, led by gold and supported by cocoa, delivering substantial trade surpluses and strengthening the current account position.’

Dr. Asiama also indicated that the Central Bank will consolidate regulatory gains through strict enforcement, expanded training, and deeper engagement with the industry as part of its programmes.

That, he mentioned, will be the next phase of reforms which will include new directives spanning stress-testing, recovery planning, and risk management to further enhance the sector’s resilience and alignment with global best practices.

He said the country’s economy is charting a confident path forward though the international environment remains fragile, shaped by lingering trade tensions and policy uncertainty.

FIFA has announced the introduction of a new Supporter Entry Tier ticket priced at $60, aimed at making the 2026 FIFA World Cup more accessible to fans following their national teams across the tournament.

The new pricing initiative comes amid unprecedented demand, with FIFA confirming that 20 million ticket requests have already been submitted during the ongoing Random Selection Draw sales phase.

The Supporter Entry Tier tickets will be available for all 104 matches, including the final, and are specifically reserved for supporters of nations that have qualified for the tournament.

Distribution of these tickets will be handled by the Participating Member Associations (PMAs), with each association responsible for setting its own eligibility criteria and application process. FIFA has urged PMAs to prioritise loyal fans who have a strong connection to their national teams.

Under the allocation structure, 50% of each PMA’s ticket quota will fall within the most affordable categories.

This includes 40% for the Supporter Value Tier and 10% for the newly introduced Supporter Entry Tier. The remaining tickets will be split evenly between the Supporter Standard Tier and the Supporter Premier Tier.

FIFA also confirmed a refund incentive for fans applying through their PMAs. Supporters whose teams fail to progress to the knockout stage will have their administrative fees waived when refunds are issued for unsuccessful ticket applications.

Christian Service University (CSU) has installed Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Kwaku Asante as its first Chancellor, marking a major milestone in the institution’s history following the granting of its charter.

The investiture ceremony took place on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, and was attended by members of the University Council, management, faculty, clergy, students, alumni, and invited guests.

In his acceptance speech, Most Rev. Prof. Asante described the appointment as a great honour and a heavy responsibility, pledging to work with all stakeholders to advance the University’s mission of academic excellence and Christian service.

He paid tribute to the founders, missionaries, and partners whose sacrifices laid the foundation of the university, particularly the West Africa Evangelical Church (WEC) missionaries and their Ghanaian collaborators who nurtured the institution from its early years.

The Chancellor commended past Council Chairmen and Presidents for their visionary leadership, acknowledging their roles in steering CSU through challenging periods and guiding it to chartered university status.

He expressed special appreciation to the immediate past President and first Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sam K. Afranie, and the immediate past Council Chairman, Rev. Dr. Frimpong Manso, as well as former Chairman Mr. Sarfo, for their contributions to the university’s transformation.

Most Rev. Prof. Asante also acknowledged the academic mentorship provided by the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and the University of Cape Coast, noting that their support strengthened CSU’s academic systems.

Addressing faculty, staff, and students, he urged unity, discipline, and hard work, stressing that the university’s future depends on collective effort, strong moral values, and high academic standards.

Reaffirming CSU’s mandate, the Chancellor said the university remains committed to producing graduates who are professionally competent, ethically grounded, and guided by Christian values, capable of serving both church and society.

Profile

Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Kwaku Asante is a renowned academic, theologian, and ordained minister, and an alumnus of Christian Service University.

He served as Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana from 2009 to 2015, and is the immediate past Chairman of the National Peace Council.

In 2022, he was appointed by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to the Advisory Group of the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, where he served for two years.

His academic career includes serving as an Adjunct Lecturer at Christian Service University College, Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor at Trinity Theological Seminary, and Head of the Department of Religious Studies at KNUST. He has also worked as an external examiner and consultant in Religious Studies for several tertiary institutions and regulatory bodies.

Veteran Nollywood actress, Patience Ozokwor, also known as Mama G and G for General, has expressed her profound appreciation to Ghanaian fans for the love shown her after arriving in Ghana for an event.

Patience Ozokwor was among some selected Nollywood stars who graced the maiden edition of the Regal Film Festival and Awards (REFFA) held at the Palms Convention Centre in Accra last Saturday.

Mama G made this statement when some Ghanaian actors paid homage to her on the red carpet of the event.

The likes of Kalsoume Sinare, Jackie Appiah, among others were seen cheering Mama G and applauding her for years of dedication in Africa’s film industry.

In response to the affection shown her, Mama G stated that she is overwhelmed with the love shown her since she landed in Ghana.

‘I don’t need a soothsayer to tell me I’m loved in Ghana. I’m very happy to be here,’ she said.

Mama G was honoured with a citation for her decades of service in the movie industry.

Part of the citation read, ‘In recognition of an extraordinary career that has shaped the heart and soul of African Cinema, the Regal Film Festival and Awards (REFFA) proudly celebrates Patience Ozokwor, affectionately known across the world as Mama G.

‘For over three decades, you have stood as a pillar of excellence in the Nigerian and African film industry. With unmatched versatility, powerful presence and a commanding ability to embody characters with depth, authenticity, and emotion, you have brought unforgettable stories to life and inspired millions across generations.

‘Your work has transcended screens, echoing in homes, cultures, across the African continent and beyond. Through drama, humour, and compelling character portrayals, you have helped elevate Nollywood to global acclaim while nurturing the next generation of actors with passion.’

In response, the actress on social media wrote, ‘I woke up this morning with a grateful heart. Thank you @reffaawards for the honour. Thank you, Ghana. Thank you, Africa. Thank you, #MamaGLovers. Happy to be celebrated while I am still here. Hall of fame recipient #ReffaAwards.’

The Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe Bonnie, has assigned three High Court judges who will oversee cases submitted by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Secretariat (NAIMOS).

This announcement was made yesterday during the annual Chief Justice’s Mentoring Programme, by a Justice of the Supreme Court, Gabriel Pwamang, in Accra.

‘The Judiciary under the Leadership of the Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, has already allocated three High Court judges, and they are being refurbished to specifically deal with cases coming from the NAIMOS and other related matters. We are hoping that early next year, we’ll launch these courts and make them available for you,’ he said.

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, said the government is committed to eradicating environmental degradation as well as reclaiming lands and water bodies affected by illegal mining, adding that government is working to cut out corruption and opacity in operations that degrade lands and water bodies.

‘Government is totally committed to eradicating this menace, to halt the degradation and to reclaim our lands, make our forests green again and make sure that our waters are turned blue. And this commitment is what built the five pillars strategy that this government is focusing on, and one is the stakeholders, engagement and collaboration, such as the one we are heading today,’ he said.

He further indicated that ‘we are trying to address this challenge by cutting out the corruption and the opacity that fuel illegal mining operations, the third is reclaiming degraded lands and polluted water bodies to turn our forest back to green, and our waters back to blue.’

The minister added that the government is tracking and geo-fencing excavators to ensure they are used only in designated areas, and has tracked and geo-fenced 1,200 excavators.

The Chief Justice’s Mentoring Programme is an initiative by the Judicial Service aimed at empowering young people, particularly vulnerable girls (kayayei).

It seeks to inspire interest in law, foster character traits such as patriotism and integrity, provide life skills, and expose participants to the judicial system through interactions with judges, visits to courts, and support from partners like the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The programme was launched by former Chief Justice Georgina Wood in 2007.

Musician, Reggie Zippy, has paid glowing tribute to Calvin Fosu, son of the late highlife legend Daddy Lumba, describing him as a model first child every responsible father should pray to have.

In an Instagram post, Reggie Zippy commended Calvin for the maturity and restraint he displayed during the controversy and backlash that surrounded his father’s funeral in Ghana. According to the musician, Calvin understood the responsibility entrusted to him by his late father and chose dignity over public confrontation.

‘Every responsible father should pray to have a first child like Daddy Lumba’s son, Calvin Fosu,’ Reggie Zippy stated, adding that those who were close to Daddy Lumba would understand why the young man remained silent despite the drama involving divided family members.

He explained that Calvin’s decision not to react publicly was a deliberate act of respect and loyalty to his father’s legacy.

‘Calvin was according his final respect to his late father, who instilled knowledge, experience and wisdom in him,’ he noted.

Reggie Zippy further described Daddy Lumba as a good and honourable man who broke boundaries to create a safer and better future for all his children and their mothers, values he believes are clearly reflected in Calvin’s conduct.

The tribute has resonated with many fans of the late musician, with social media users praising Calvin Fosu for his calm demeanour and respectful silence during one of the most turbulent periods following Daddy Lumba’s passing.

Daddy Lumba, one of Ghana’s most influential highlife musicians, passed away on July 26, 2025, leaving behind a powerful musical legacy.