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American Woman in Ghana for Detty December Claims She Was Kidnapped and Robbed by Police — But Many Ghanaians Say Her Story Doesn’t Add Up

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Screenshots via @arimackey on TikTok

A U.S. content creator, Ari Mackey, sparked a fierce online debate on Monday, December 8, 2025, after posting a viral TikTok video alleging that she was kidnapped, robbed, and extorted by masked Ghanaian police officers during her Detty December trip.

Mackey, who has over 34,000 followers on TikTok, claimed the incident happened on the night of December 6 in Accra while she and her friends were in an Uber.

According to her, armed officers in masks stopped their car at a checkpoint, inspected their belongings, and quickly singled her out after hearing she was a foreigner.

“I was kidnapped and robbed by the police in Ghana. I was kidnapped by three masked police officers. They covered their license plate, they had no name badges, and they completely covered their faces,” she said in the video.

She alleged that the men took cash from her bag, confiscated phones and cameras, and forced her into their patrol vehicle. Mackey said the ordeal escalated when she was driven to an ATM and compelled to withdraw more money.

Describing the encounter as terrifying, she warned tourists heading to Ghana’s peak holiday season:

“If you’re going to Accra for Detty December or going at all, make sure you don’t look rich. And don’t talk back to the police because they would straight up take you.”

Mackey is currently in Ghana after winning a brand-sponsored travel promotion.

Ghanaians Push Back: “This Doesn’t Sound Like Ghana Police”

While her video has been viewed widely, many Ghanaians online insist the story has glaring inconsistencies, arguing that the behaviour she described does not match standard Ghana Police operations.

One user wrote:

There’s no police officer who is masked in Ghana.”

Another added:

This is definitely not the Ghana police, and I’m standing on that.”

Others pointed out that Ghanaian police officers rarely cover their faces or remove license plates during routine checks.

A popular Ghanaian TikToker commented:

“The Uber driver knows the people. They weren’t Ghana Police. Ghana police are very well-behaved, especially around foreigners.”

Some reactions blended disbelief with Ghana’s trademark humour:

“Ghana police will not kidnap you. They will just ask you to give ‘something for the boys,’” another user wrote, echoing a widely known phrase about low-level bribery.

A user identifying as a former Accra nightclub DJ offered a more detailed rebuttal:

“Working in nightclubs for over a decade, I can tell you for a fact that no police in Ghana drives around with their plates covered. At night, we only have two types of police: checkpoints and patrols. They don’t even wear hats at night. This story is hard to believe.”

He challenged Mackey directly, urging her to report the incident to Ghana Police for verification:

“If they were real officers, the service should be able to confirm who was on duty at that checkpoint.”

Ghana Police Yet to Issue a Statement

As of now, the Ghana Police Service has not released an official response to Mackey’s claims.

The lack of clarity in Mackey’s story has left room for speculation, with some suggesting she may have encountered criminals posing as officers, while others believe there may be more to the story than she publicly disclosed.

What is clear is that the viral video paints a terrible picture about a country many Americans call a peace-loving and peaceful home.

Ghana News

EU Approves $23 Million Grant to Upgrade Ghana’s Tema-Mpakadan Railway

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Accra, Ghana – The European Commission has approved a €20 million (a little over $23 million) grant to support the implementation of the European Train Control System (ETCS Level 1) on Ghana’s Tema-Mpakadan railway line, in a major boost to the country’s efforts to modernise its rail infrastructure and improve operational efficiency.

The 97-kilometre standard-gauge railway, commissioned in 2024 for US$449 million, has been operating significantly below capacity due to a non-functional signalling system.

This currently restricts operations to a single train movement at a time, limiting both passenger and freight services despite rising demand. Dr Frederick Appoh, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA), confirmed the grant approval following engagements at the recent EU-Africa Business Forum in Abidjan.

The funding follows the submission of an Aide Mémoire on sustainable transport four months ago. The project’s identification phase has now been completed, with formal approval granted in Brussels on March 27, 2026.

Implementation will proceed through several key stages, including a Quality Review Committee assessment in May 2026, validation by the NDICI Committee of EU Member States in September, and an expected EU Financing Decision in October, with first disbursements targeted for December 2026.

Once completed, the ETCS Level 1 system will enable safe multiple train operations through advanced supervision and movement authority. Dr Appoh said the upgrade will significantly improve capacity, reliability, safety, and overall utilisation of the line as a strategic national asset.

The project aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision to revitalise the Volta Corridor and position Ghana’s railway sector as a key driver of economic growth and regional connectivity.

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Ghana News

Prof Prempeh Slams Supreme Court, Police Officer Killed in Road Crash and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today

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We have curated the most relevant and impactful stories from Ghana for your enjoyment and awareness.

Prof Prempeh Descends on Supreme Court and AG Over Suit Against OSP
Executive Director of the renowned think tank Center for Democratic Development, Ghana (CDD-Ghana), Prof. Henry Kwasi Prempeh, has launched a strong criticism of the Supreme Court and the Attorney-General’s Department over a suit filed against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). He described the legal action as an attempt to undermine the OSP’s independence and accused the judiciary and the AG of shielding corruption. Prof. Prempeh maintained that the move sets a dangerous precedent and weakens public confidence in anti-corruption institutions.
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Right Move, Wrong Timing – COMAC CEO Questions Govt’s Delay on Fuel Price Relief
The Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) has described the government’s planned intervention to reduce fuel prices as “the right move” but criticized the timing as too slow. He noted that the delay is compounding hardship on consumers already struggling with the recent sharp increases in petrol and diesel prices. The CEO called on the government to act more swiftly to implement relief measures before the situation escalates further.
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Mahama Enforces Fuel Coupon Ban for Ministers as Cabinet Moves to Slash Fuel Taxes
President John Dramani Mahama has directed that all government ministers and political appointees stop using fuel coupons with immediate effect. The directive comes as the Cabinet considers slashing certain fuel taxes and levies to provide relief to consumers following the recent price surge. The move is part of broader efforts by the government to demonstrate leadership and sacrifice amid the current economic pressures caused by global fuel price increases.
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NRSA Stands Firm on Toyota Voxy Ban Despite Transport Operators’ Opposition
The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has maintained its ban on the use of Toyota Voxy vehicles for commercial transport operations, despite strong opposition from transport unions and operators. The Authority cited safety concerns and the vehicle’s unsuitability for commercial passenger services. It has given operators a grace period to comply or switch to approved vehicles, insisting that the decision is non-negotiable and aimed at protecting public safety.
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Police Officer Killed in Road Crash at Atortorkorpe in Ada
A police officer has been killed in a tragic road accident at Atortorkorpe in the Ada area of Greater Accra. The officer lost his life while on duty when the vehicle he was travelling in was involved in a crash. Police have commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident as colleagues mourn the loss of their fellow officer.
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Ex-Black Stars Player Accuses Family of Stealing His 8-Bedroom House
A former player of the Black Stars has accused members of his own family of allegedly stealing his eight-bedroom house. The ex-footballer claims the property was taken from him through fraudulent means while he was away. The case has sparked public interest and is currently under police investigation.
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Ghana News

Newspaper Headlines Today: Wednesday, April 10, 2026

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Friday, April 10, 2026. Stay informed with today’s front pages of Ghanaian newspapers, all in one place.

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