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The Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Roey Gilad, has called on the Government of Ghana to use its influence to persuade Hamas to comply with the ceasefire deal brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to end the conflict in Gaza.

Speaking at a press conference at the Israeli Embassy, the Ambassador stated that just as Ghana criticised Israel, the country is equally expected to use its strong voice in Africa, through ECOWAS and the AU, to call on Hamas to respect the terms of the deal.

‘Given Ghana’s influential position in Africa, particularly within the African Union (AU), we expect Ghana to leverage its voice through ECOWAS and the AU to join the international community, in urging Hamas to comply with the agreement.

‘Ghana should clearly support the agreement while also calling on Hamas to disarm and respect their commitments, as Hamas’s involvement in Gaza’s future is not envisaged by either Israel or the agreement,’ he said.

The Israeli Ambassador stressed that the future of the Palestinian people takes precedence over Hamas’ interests. He said Hamas must disarm and honour its commitments, similar to the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA)’s disarmament in Ireland 20 years ago, to pave the way for peace in Gaza.

‘We expect and hope that Ghana, as a peace-loving state that respects democracy and stability, will sound a clear call to Hamas to disarm and respect the agreement they signed. Hamas should not have a role in the future of Gaza. The future of Gaza should be in the hands of innocent Palestinians who want to live alongside Israel, not instead of Israel,’ he said.

The Israeli Ambassador stated that Ghana’s Foreign Minister adopted a UN report accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, which he believes is inaccurate.

‘It was premature for the Minister to adopt the report without thorough scrutiny, given its serious allegations and the term’s historical significance stemming from the Holocaust,’ he said.

‘While we acknowledge the tragic events in Gaza, the issue at hand is determining responsibility, not comparing scales of tragedy,’ he added.

The Ambassador stated that the Minister for Foreign Affairs’ decision to adopt the report was a mistake, but the matter is being addressed.

He added that government did not send a representative to the second memorial ceremony for the October 7th massacre, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs later issued an official apology, attributing the absence to a ‘bureaucratic administrative blunder.’

A High Court in Accra has dismissed an application by former Chief Executive of Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), Solomon Asamoah, seeking to halt his trial in the $2 million non-existent Skytrain scandal, pending appeal.

His lawyer, Victoria Barth, had moved a motion urging the court to pause the trial to enable her pursue an appeal against the court’s decision to dismiss an earlier application by the accused, asking the prosecution to provide him with more disclosure documents.

The application was opposed by Sefakor Batse, a Chief State Attorney, who argued that it had no merit.

The court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, in a ruling dismissed the application, holding that he did not demonstrate any exceptional circumstances to warrant the court to grant the application.

Mr. Asamoah and the erstwhile Board Chairman of GIIF, Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, are on trial for their alleged involvement in the dissipation of state funds in the non-existent $2 million Accra Skytrain project.

In July this year, he filed an application before the court asking it to order the prosecution to disclose certain documents which he said were deliberately omitted during disclosure but are crucial to his preparation for defence.

Among the documents he was asking for are all board packs that were sent to members of the GIIF Board from 2017 to 2021, along with both signed and unsigned minutes of the Board and Investment Committee meetings that took place during that period.

He was also seeking the complete attendance records for every GIIF Board and Investment Committee meeting within those years.

Again, Mr. Asamoah sought for all memoranda related to the AI Skytrain project, as well as email correspondence between himself and several members of the board, among others.

The application was opposed by Deputy Attorney General, Justice Srem-Sai, who argued that the materials requested for are not in the prosecution’s possession, and did not come into their possession or the possession of the investigators.

The court, presided over by Justice Comfort Tasiame, in a short ruling held that the prosecution had indicated that the said documents are not in their possession and since there are other means counsel for applicant can use to procure the documents they are requesting for, the request would not be granted.

Trial

The brief facts indicate that the Accra Skytrain project was to be constructed on a Design, Build Finance, and Operate basis.

‘In the memorandum of understanding, GIIF was to be the anchor equity investor and local project development partner to the Africa Investor Holdings (Proprietary) Limited. It was further agreed in the memorandum of understanding that GIIF would conduct due diligence and develop a bankable feasibility study on the project,’ the facts disclosed.

A shareholder agreement was subsequently signed on January 9, 2019 between GIIF and Africa Investor Holdings Limited where the latter was to transfer 10% of its alleged 100% shares in a company styled as ‘Ai Skytrain Consortium Holdings,’ a limited liability company registered in Mauritius.

Upon their arrest, Solomon Asamoah is said to have indicated in his cautioned statement that he obtained approval of GIIF board, in respect of the payment, while Prof. Akumfi told investigators he signed the funds transfer on the recommendation of Mr. Asamoah.

The facts added that neither of the accused persons have been able to account for the $2 million.

Broadcast journalist, Nana Aba Anamoah, has described the ongoing scandal involving former CEO of Buffer Stock Company, Abdul-Wahab Hanan, who allegedly stole GHS78 million, as ‘monstrous’.

The outspoken journalist, on X (formerly Twitter), posted flier of alleged properties acquired with the proceeds of crime by the former CEO with the caption, ‘Greed is a fat demon with a small mouth, and whatever you feed it is never enough. Greedy monster!’

Nana Aba’s reactions follow an earlier revelation made by the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, of freezing assets of the former Buffer Stock CEO and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, following alleged financial misconducts and acquisition of high-value properties using public funds.

The Minister for Justice further disclosed that investigators have frozen a fixed deposit account belonging to Mr. Hanan at Republic Bank’s Labone Branch in Accra, containing GHS10 million.

He said steps are also underway to confiscate several vehicles and over 61 luxury handbags linked to the couple as part of ongoing investigations.

Dr. Ayine said between 2017 and 2024, the former Buffer Stock CEO in concert with Richard Sam Asante and Bismark Owusu Boakye allegedly orchestrated and transferred GHS78,269,084.04 from the bank account of Buffer Stock Company to a private company linked to him, his wife and staff of Buffer Stock Company at Republic Bank and Ecobank.

Dr. Ayine indicated that they also made suspicious transfers amounting to GHS40.5 million through Sawtina Enterprise, a company allegedly linked to the former Buffer Stock CEO.

They also traced some properties suspected to have been acquired illegally by him, including a five-bedroom house at Chain Homes, valued at $1.625 million; a three-bedroom house at Cantonments, purchased for $600,000; multiple plots of land at Airport Development Area, worth $750,000 among others.

Comments under her post witnessed varied views from followers, Onipa Nua wrote, ‘Nana, how do we conclude in believing this art work when the person in question hasn’t even been to court or given the chance to make his point. The Attorney General is doing too much of talking than working in my view.’

David Nkansa Anto added, ‘Pls be mindful of how you comment about ongoing court cases. Innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.’

Richwes added, ‘I usually don’t blame them, not at all. The whole system is faulty and needs a complete overhaul. Why would a real estate company and bank accept such huge sums of money in cash/cheque from a public servant without some kinda red flag? It can be stopped at the source.’

Meanwhile, Mr. Hanan has denied all the allegations of corruption levelled against him, describing the claims as ‘untrue and deeply unfortunate.’

In a statement released after the Attorney General’s address, Mr. Hanan said he had never been involved in the matters referred to by the Attorney General, and has instructed his lawyers to take steps to safeguard his reputation.

THE PUBLIC Relations Department of the Ghana Police Service led by Director Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Grace Ansah-Akrofi paid a courtesy visit to management of the Daily Guide Network, operators of the Daily Guide newspaper, Guide Radio 91.5 and DGN television.

ACP Ansah-Akrofi, in her remarks, acknowledged the role of the Daily Guide newspaper in publishing stories about the Ghana Police and craved for a sustained cooperation between the internal security organisation and the Daily Guide Network.

She observed that there are people who erroneously think the Police Service belongs to personnel of the Service only and not the citizens whose security the organisation is mandated to ensure.

It is important to protect public confidence in the Police Service, as not doing so can impact negatively on security in the country, she said, adding that all should support the internal security organisation to serve citizens.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Daily Guide Network, Kwame Blay, on his part, welcomed the police entourage as he appreciated the words of commendation for the support his outfit is rendering the police.

He called on the Police Service Public Relations Directorate to share contents to the Daily Guide Network’s television to educate the public on security issues.

‘I see what the police show on their Police TV, which is very interesting. We have a relationship through which you would share with us the Police Television contents so we can share with our wider audience,’ he said.

Chief News Editor, Alhaji A.R. Gomda, on his part, called on the Police Service to organise seminars so reporters can specialise on security reporting.

‘There are a lot of journalists who report on matters relating to the Police but lack adequate knowledge of the security service. I suggest that you organise periodic training programmes for such journalists to improve upon their knowledge of the operations of the Service,’ he said.

He also commended the police for decentralising information dissemination, which has facilitated sourcing of news by the media.

Editor of the Daily Guide newspaper, Jamila Akweley Okertchiri, also informed the police public relations team of the newly introduced ‘Crime Stoppers Page’ dedicated to reporting on crime related stories in the weekend newspaper.

She urged the team to contribute some safety tips to be featured on the page to better inform readers.

Guide Radio and DGN presenter, Abena Soreno Yankyera, lamented the increasing cases of misinformation on the part of journalists due to lack of prompt response by the Police Service.

She urged the Service to be prompt in their news briefings on crime-related occurrences in the country to reduce misinformation.

Ghanaian singer and songwriter, Black Sherif, has disclosed that rapper Kwesi Arthur stands as an inspiration to his music craft.

Black Sherif made this revelation on X after a fan named Cyrus asked the ‘First and Second Sermon’ hitmaker which acts inspire him in the music industry.

The post read, ‘@um_cyrus, @blacksherif_ which musician inspires you the most.’ Black Sherif, in response, wrote, ‘Kwesi Arthur.’

Black Sherif, on several occasions, has publicly expressed admiration and love for Kwesi Arthur, stating, ‘I love Kwesi Arthur so much, I wish he knew’. This gesture has sparked mixed reactions from fans, with some appreciating Black Sherif’s sentiment and others wondering about his motives.

Rumours has it that following Black Sherif’s breakthrough in the music scene, he has overshadowed Kwesi Arthur. The two are said to have collaborated on music projects, including a song that was leaked but never officially released due to differences in their opinions about the track’s quality.

Twenty-one (21) foreign nationals, all believed to be from Burkina Faso, have been arrested by the Amansie West District Security Council (DISEC) for engaging in illegal mining on river bodies at Esaase Bontefufuo in the Ashanti Region.

The suspects were apprehended in the early hours of Wednesday, October 22, 2025, during a special intelligence-led operation conducted by the District Police Command and the Formed Police Unit (FPU) under the command of ASP Solomon Adusei Berko.

Confirming the incident, ASP Berko said the operation followed credible intelligence about the activities of foreign nationals involved in galamsey operations that were causing massive environmental degradation in the area.

‘We moved in swiftly and arrested twenty-one Burkinabes who were actively mining on river bodies. Several tools and mining equipment were retrieved from the scene,’ ASP Berko stated.

He described the extent of destruction as alarming, noting that the illegal activities had led to the contamination of major water sources, the destruction of farmlands, and the depletion of vegetation cover in the community.

ASP Berko warned that the police would not relent in their efforts to clamp down on illegal mining operations, and assured residents of sustained security patrols in the area.

The District Chief Executive for Amansie West and Chairman of DISEC, Prince Manu Morris, lauded the swift response of the security forces and reiterated the Assembly’s determination to stamp out illegal mining in the district.

‘Illegal mining continues to destroy our environment and threaten the survival of our communities. Whether Ghanaian or foreign, anyone found engaging in such activities will face the full rigours of the law,’ he cautioned.

Mr. Morris also revealed that DISEC will intensify surveillance in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), and the Ghana Immigration Service to prevent further incursions by illegal miners.

He further appealed to residents to assist security agencies by promptly reporting suspicious activities, to help protect the district’s natural resources.