Ghana News

Akufo-Addo Pleads With Mahama For ‘Safe Passage’ for Embattled Ken Ofori-Atta

Published

4 months ago

December 15, 2025

Former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo is reportedly reaching out to his successor, President John Dramani Mahama, to secure a “safe passage” for his cousin and erstwhile Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.

Ofori-Atta faces mounting corruption charges that could tarnish Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) post-tenure image.

According to The Herald newspaper, sources close to the Akufo-Addo family reveal that the outgoing leader, whose administration ended amid economic turmoil and procurement scandals, is “deeply distressed” by the escalating probe into Ofori-Atta’s nearly eight-year stewardship of Ghana’s finances.

Ofori-Atta, once hailed as a “financial wizard” for steering the economy through the COVID-19 crisis, has been ensconced in the United States since February 2025, citing kidney-related health issues. Yet, insiders insist he remains actively engaged in his private ventures, including insurance giant Enterprise Insurance and investment firm Databank Financial Services, while dodging what prosecutors describe as a “fugitive” status back home.

At the heart of the controversy is the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) scandal—a web of alleged procurement manipulations that reportedly drained over GH¢1.4 billion (approximately $92 million) from Ghana’s coffers between 2017 and 2025.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), led by Kissi Agyebeng, accuses Ofori-Atta and accomplices of conspiring to award no-bid contracts to SML for dubious audit services in petroleum and mineral sectors, bypassing parliamentary approval and public procurement laws. Payments, prosecutors claim, flowed on “autopilot” without verifiable deliverables, embodying a broader pattern of “self-serving patronage” that Mahama’s incoming administration has vowed to dismantle.

The OSP’s charges against Ofori-Atta—spanning 78 counts including conspiracy, abuse of public office, and causing financial loss to the state—paint a picture of impunity at the highest levels. Extradition proceedings are underway in the U.S., following his failure to heed summons despite a submitted medical note dismissed as insufficient. Last week, an Accra High Court granted bail to five co-accused, including former Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) chiefs, at GH¢50 million each, but suspended new conditions until today, December 15, amid procedural wrangling. Ofori-Atta and two others remain absent, with their next court date set for December 17.

Akufo-Addo’s reported overtures to Mahama, made through backchannels, seek to avert a humiliating airport arrest upon Ofori-Atta’s anticipated return to Kotoka International Airport.

“The family name is at stake,” one source told The Herald newspaper, adding that the ex-president views the allegations as a direct assault on his administration’s legacy.

Yet, Jubilee House officials, speaking anonymously, signal a firm rebuff: Mahama, who campaigned on anti-corruption credentials during his December 7 election victory, insists the judiciary must proceed unimpeded.

“No deals on accountability,” one aide said, echoing sentiments that Ofori-Atta must first refund any ill-gotten gains before entertaining leniency.

This saga extends beyond the SML debacle. The OSP’s net has widened to probe other flashpoints from Ofori-Atta’s tenure, including the abrupt cancellation of a $100 million power grid contract with China’s Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology, questionable spending on the stalled National Cathedral project, and a GH¢1.2 billion ambulance procurement marred by inflated costs and irregular funding from GRA’s tax refund account. Investigations, sparked by public petitions in late 2023, culminated in a presidential directive last month terminating all SML ties—a move that has saved Ghana an estimated $2.8 billion in future liabilities.

For a nation still reeling from debt defaults and inflation spikes under Akufo-Addo’s watch, the Ofori-Atta affair symbolizes the perils of unchecked executive power in emerging democracies.

Globally, it resonates as a cautionary tale for African governance: How do leaders balance familial bonds with public trust? As Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration settles in, promising fiscal reforms and transparency, eyes worldwide—from Washington to Beijing—watch whether Ghana can turn scandal into systemic renewal.

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Ghana News

US Requires Ghanaian Visa Applicants to Make All Social Media Profiles ‘Public’ for Vetting

Published

12 hours ago

April 21, 2026

GNG Staff

Accra, Ghana – Ghanaians applying for various categories of US visas must now make all their social media accounts public, the United States Embassy has announced in a new requirement that is being rolled out globally.

The policy, which took effect immediately, affects a wide range of non-immigrant visas including A-3, C-3, G-5, H-3, H-4 (dependents), K-1, K-2, K-3, Q, R-1, R-2, S, T, and U visas. Applicants are required to adjust the privacy settings of platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), TikTok, LinkedIn, and others to “public” to allow US consular officers to review their online activity as part of the security and admissibility vetting process.

The move is designed to help establish the applicant’s true identity, intentions, and potential security risks before granting entry into the United States. While the directive was first highlighted by the US Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, it is now being implemented at US embassies and consulates worldwide, including in Ghana.

Bawumia Accuses Mahama Govt of Attacking Democracy, Otumfuo Warns Politicians and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today

Implications for Ghanaian Applicants

For many Ghanaians seeking to visit, study, work, or join family members in America, the new rule adds another layer of scrutiny to the already rigorous US visa application process.

Privacy-conscious applicants may need to temporarily adjust or archive private content before submitting their applications.

US visa officials will now have broader access to posts, comments, photos, friends lists, and online associations.

This development comes amid heightened global security concerns and reflects the Trump administration’s continued emphasis on stricter immigration vetting. Ghanaian travellers are advised to review their social media presence carefully and ensure consistency between their online profiles and visa application details to avoid delays or refusals.

Ghana News

Bawumia Accuses Mahama Govt of Attacking Democracy, Otumfuo Warns Politicians and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today

Published

12 hours ago

April 21, 2026

GNG Staff

We have curated the most relevant stories in Ghana today to keep you informed.

Bawumia Claims Ghana’s Democracy Under Attack and Free Speech Sacrificed Under Mahama Govt
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has strongly accused President John Dramani Mahama’s government of undermining Ghana’s democratic credentials by suppressing free speech and using state security agencies to intimidate political opponents. Speaking on April 18, 2026, during a visit by Bono Region NPP executives, Bawumia described the situation as a threat to the country’s democratic gains and urged party members to remain outspoken. The former Vice President’s comments followed the arrest and detention of NPP member Abubakar Yakubu (Baba Amando), with the party planning a major demonstration in Sunyani on April 22 under the theme “Yensuro Ahunahuna Demo” to protest what it calls attacks on free speech.
Read the full story here

Akonta Mining: Court Gives Wontumi Final Chance to File Witness Statement
The Criminal Division of the Accra High Court has granted Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) a final opportunity to file his witness statements in the Akonta Mining illegal mining case. Justice Audrey Kocouvi-Tey set May 5, 2026, as the new deadline after Wontumi missed the previous April 14 cut-off. The ruling came during a case management conference on April 20, despite defence requests for adjournment pending an appeal. Wontumi faces charges related to unauthorised mining activities on his concession in Samreboi.
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BOST to Lose GH¢40m from Suspended Fuel Margins – Deputy MD
The Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST) stands to lose nearly GH¢40 million in April alone due to the government’s suspension of the BOST margin on diesel. Deputy Managing Director Nat Salifu Acheampong warned that the move threatens critical infrastructure projects, including the upgrade of the Accra-Akosombo pipeline from 6 inches to 12 inches. While the margin on petrol remains, he appealed to Parliament to restore the diesel margin once the current fuel price relief measures end, stressing that the funds support national strategic fuel reserves.
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Power is Transient – Otumfuo Warns Politicians to Stay Out of Chieftaincy Matters
Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has cautioned politicians to refrain from interfering in chieftaincy affairs, reminding them that power is transient. The warning, delivered at the Asanteman Council meeting, underscores the Asantehene’s firm stance on preserving the independence and integrity of traditional institutions from political influence.
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‘You Are All Thieves!’ – Woman Slams Methodist Pastors and Elders Over Tithe Policy
A female member of the Wesley Cathedral Methodist Church in Sunyani caused a stir when she publicly described the pastor and elders as “thieves” during a church service. She criticised an alleged policy tying welfare support (especially during funerals) to tithe payment, arguing it was unfair and discouraging membership. The dramatic confrontation, which has gone viral, has sparked widespread debate on church finances and member support.
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Explainer: Why Asantehene Destooled Kyeame Kofi Nti
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has destooled his linguist (Kyeame) Kofi Nti following deliberations by the Asanteman Council. The removal was based on serious allegations including doubts over his royal lineage, improper handling and failure to report invocations of the sacred Otumfuo Ntam Kɛseɛ oath, and interference in chieftaincy processes. The decision highlights the high standards of accountability expected in Asante traditional offices.
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GES Announces Instalment Plan to Clear Teachers’ Salary Arrears
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has revealed that the government will pay outstanding salary arrears to newly recruited teachers under the 2024 financial clearance in instalments from May to August 2026. Four months’ arrears will be disbursed monthly to ensure accuracy and transparency. The move brings relief to teachers whose payments were delayed after reporting to post.
Read the full story here