Raoul de Jong was 28 years old when he received an email that would change his life. Written in capital letters, it read: “I’M SEARCHING FOR MY SON RAOUL DE JONG.” It was from his father—a man he had met only once before, when he was two years old.

They arranged to meet under the big clock at Amsterdam Central Station.

“I immediately recognized him. That was the weird thing. I could immediately see, oh, yeah, of course, there’s only one person on this planet that is my father,” Raoul recalls in a BBC podcast.

After that first meeting, they lost touch again. But when Raoul decided to travel to Suriname—a former Dutch colony in South America where his father was born—to research a book about his roots, his father reappeared and told him something that would send him on a seven-year journey across three continents.

His father, a devout Christian, warned him about a family curse. One of Raoul’s ancestors, brought as a slave from Africa to Suriname, had practiced Winti, an Afro-Surinamese traditional religion similar to voodoo or Candomblé, and could transform himself into a jaguar.

“But this is very bad,” his father said. “This is like a curse for the family.”

The Quest for the Jaguar Man

His father advised him to stay away from the curse. But Raoul, driven by curiosity, could not let it go. Who could this ‘jaguar man’ be? And what did his powers have to do with him?

“I wanted to find out what are those powers and why is my father so afraid of them. And what do they have to do with me?” Raoul explains in another podcast Dutch Studies University of Sheffield.

He knew very little about Suriname—“as much as the average Dutch person, which is almost nothing,” he admits. He went to the biggest bookstore in his city and asked for books about Suriname. They had just one, written by two Amsterdam students.

“I was like, ‘Ah, that’s not what I’m searching for. I want to know what is beautiful about Suriname,'” he says.

He searched for voices like Maya Angelou or James Baldwin, writers who looked like him or his father. The bookstore said they did not exist. But Raoul was stubborn. He eventually found a book from 1934, written by Anton de Kom, a black man from Suriname. He had to go to the library in Rotterdam every day for three days to read it because he had not paid his library fine.

“It was a really weird and magical experience to read that book,” he says.

De Kom’s book explained the history of Suriname and how deeply it was intertwined with the history of the Netherlands.

“For example, as I would find out later, the owner of my family, my enslaved ancestors, was the founder of the Dutch bank, the National Dutch bank,” Raoul reveals.

He realized that enslaved people were not allowed to learn to read or write.

“That was one of the ways they turned people into slaves, basically. So then at the beginning you might think, oh, so that means they did not use their voice. But then after a while, I understood that’s not true. They still spoke. They just had to learn to talk in a way that the master didn’t understand that they were talking,” he explains.

They did it through clothes—using color codes in fabrics to refer to African deities. They did it through music and rhythms that could call certain spirits.

“These rhythms, we still hear them every day. Those are the rhythms that we dance to when we let ourselves go in the discotheque. Or even in Justin Bieber’s songs, you can hear certain rhythms,” Raoul says.

The Kromanti Spirits and the Ghana Connection

As Raoul delved deeper, he discovered the Kromanti—the name for seven spirits that accompanied his African ancestors as they were brought to Suriname on slave ships. One of these spirits was a leopard, which, once in Suriname, took on the form of a jaguar.

“They called upon these spirits when they had to go through these terrible punishments on the slave plantations,” Raoul says.

His research eventually led him to Ghana. He visited a coastal village called Kormantse. Like the seven Kromanti spirits, the village had seven families, each represented by an animal.

Many people had been taken as slaves from this village. One of them was a powerful warrior whose symbol was a leopard. Was he Raoul’s ancestor? And had his name always been remembered as the spirit Kromanti?

Raoul believes this spirit guided him—first to Suriname, and then to Ghana.

“I think you know that as well as I do. It’s time to take stock, to put our cards on the table. All right, I will start. This is not a story about white or black, the Netherlands or Suriname, the old world or the new. And it’s not a story about my father, even though it involves all those things. This is a story about you, Jaguar Man,” he writes in his book.

The Curse That Was Not a Curse

For seven years, Raoul researched, travelled, and wrote. He filled 20 notebooks with notes and recorded countless hours of interviews. He spoke with spiritual leaders, visited archives, and travelled to the rainforest in Suriname and to Brazil, where the Dutch had also been present.

He realized that the “curse” was not what his father had believed.

“People were taught to be afraid of their own beauty, and their own powers,” he says.

The Kromanti spirits and the jaguar man were not something to fear. They were sources of strength that had helped enslaved people survive the horrors of the slave trade and plantation life. Raoul’s book, Jaguar Man (published in Dutch as Jaguarman in 2020), became a temple for these silenced voices.

A Father’s Gratitude

After the book was published, his father called him. He thanked Raoul—for not listening to him.

“After Raoul published his book, called Jaguarman, his father called and thanked him – for not listening to him,” a BBC report notes.

The book was published two months after the Black Lives Matter movement gained global momentum. “If it would have been published before, it would have not done the same thing. People were ready for this story to be told,” Raoul says.

Anton de Kom’s book, written in 1934, became a bestseller 86 years after it was written. The Dutch government made apologies to his family. Prime Minister Mark Rutte apologized in 2022, and King Willem-Alexander followed in 2023.

Jaguar Man Goes Global

Now, with the English translation of Jaguar Man, Raoul is reaching an international audience. He has connected with readers from Jamaica, the United States, and the Caribbean—people whose ancestors, like his, were part of the same African diaspora.

“Suriname would be more powerful. All these suppressed people would be more powerful if they united with each other instead of always having the regard at the oppressor,” Raoul says.

He believes the story of the jaguar man is not just Surinamese or Dutch. It is a story about humanity.

“Just like I don’t have to be white to learn something from Ernest Hemingway or enjoy Ernest Hemingway,” he says.

As he writes in his book:

‘Dear Douw, who art my forefather, for these past few years you’ve been playing a game with me. You send me signs and I follow them from Rotterdam to Paramaribo, from Rome to Recife. But every time I came close to treading on your tail, you sped away. We cannot go on like this forever.”

For Raoul de Jong, the journey is complete.

The jaguar man has finally been found—not in the Amazon rainforest, but in the history of Ghana, Suriname, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Renowned Ghanaian businessman and mining executive Sir Sam Jonah has initiated international arbitration proceedings against the Nigerian government over a disputed 501-hectare property in Abuja, in a case that could have significant implications for Ghanaian investment across West Africa.

The arbitration, being conducted under the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, stems from the termination of a development lease covering a large parcel of land near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Nigeria’s capital. The dispute centres on Plot 4 in Cadastral Zone E30, Lugbe West, a 501-hectare site allocated to JonahCapital Nigeria Limited in 2007 under Nigeria’s Mass Housing Scheme.

While neither party has disclosed the value of the claim, reports estimate the land could be worth approximately $500 million based on current property values in Abuja. The investment is held through JonahCapital Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Sir Sam Jonah’s investment group.

The Dispute Over River Park Estate

The land was developed into River Park Estate, one of Abuja’s largest private residential developments, comprising housing units, commercial facilities, healthcare centres, offices and places of worship. JonahCapital maintains that its development lease remains valid until June 2030.

However, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) terminated the lease in November 2025, a decision the company argues was unlawful and in breach of the development agreement.

JonahCapital’s Claims

In the arbitration, JonahCapital alleges that Nigerian authorities failed to fulfil key obligations under the agreement. According to the company, the FCDA did not provide essential infrastructure—including roads, electricity and water—forcing the developer to finance and construct those facilities at considerable cost.

The company also alleges that authorities breached provisions governing building approval fees and have fenced off sections of the disputed land while arbitration is ongoing. In addition, JonahCapital argues that it has spent years defending ownership claims by third parties who allegedly attempted to assert rights over portions of the estate during its development.

These allegations have not yet been tested before the arbitration tribunal.

Nigeria’s Position

Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has acknowledged that arbitration proceedings are underway and says the government will allow the process to run its course.

“The other party has gone to arbitration and we say okay, until you finish from arbitration,” he said.

The minister maintains that the government lawfully recovered the land after the lease expired. He has also argued that some disputed developments were undertaken by Paulo Homes Limited, a separate company engaged by JonahCapital to facilitate certain approvals.

Criminal Case Running Alongside

Separate from the arbitration, Nigerian authorities have filed criminal charges against Sir Sam Jonah and several others before the Federal Capital Territory High Court. The 26-count charge alleges forgery of company documents and the unlawful allocation of shares in companies linked to the Abuja development.

Sir Sam Jonah has denied the allegations, which have yet to be tested in court.

Ghana Raises Diplomatic Concerns

The dispute has also attracted the attention of the Ghanaian government. In late 2025, Sir Sam Jonah petitioned Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, alleging that actions by Nigerian regulatory authorities threatened his ownership interests in the investment.

Mr Ablakwa subsequently raised concerns over the treatment of Ghanaian investors during a meeting of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in Abuja, citing the JonahCapital dispute as an example of challenges facing Ghanaian businesses operating in Nigeria. The Foreign Minister had earlier visited River Park Estate and publicly expressed support for efforts to protect Ghanaian investments abroad.

Why the Arbitration Matters

The decision to pursue arbitration before the ICC means the dispute will be determined by an independent international tribunal rather than Nigeria’s domestic courts. International arbitration is commonly used for cross-border commercial disputes because awards can generally be enforced in more than 170 countries under the New York Convention, to which Nigeria is a party.

No date has yet been announced for the arbitration hearing, while the related criminal proceedings in Nigeria remain pending.

Background: Sir Sam Jonah’s Legacy

Sir Sam Jonah is one of Ghana’s most accomplished business leaders. He transformed Ashanti Goldfields Company into one of Africa’s leading mining firms before becoming President of AngloGold Ashanti following its merger with Ashanti Goldfields in 2004.

He has since built investments across mining, energy and real estate in several African countries, with the Abuja development ranking among his largest property investments outside Ghana. The outcome of the arbitration could have significant implications not only for his business interests but also for the broader climate of Ghanaian investment across West Africa.

Check out the top 10 headline stories dominating Ghanaian newspapers on Monday, August 10, 2025.

1. NPP Demands President Mahama Withhold Assent to New Cocoa Board Bill

The opposition New Patriotic Party has urged President John Dramani Mahama to refuse assent to the Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, describing its passage through Parliament as rushed and lacking adequate stakeholder consultation. The party warns that the new law could criminalise farmers and hurt the cocoa sector. Multiple newspapers lead with this story, including Supreme, Republic Press, The Daily Searchlight, The Metro Lens, The Daily Statesman, and The Custodian.

Sources: Supreme, Republic Press, The Daily Searchlight, The Metro Lens, The Daily Statesman, The Custodian, The Publisher, The Informer

2. $1 Million Foreign Bribery Scandal Hits Mahama’s Government Over Power Plant Deal

Fresh scrutiny has fallen on President Mahama’s administration following the conviction of Asante Kwaku Berko, a Ghanaian-American former Goldman Sachs banker, by a US federal court for bribing Ghanaian officials in a power plant deal involving Turkish energy company Aksa Enerji. The scheme involved over $1 million in bribes, with payments discussed for Ghana’s then Minister of Power, his senior adviser, and members of Parliament. The Attorney General has promised a full probe into the deal. The Chronicle asks “Which Minister Took the $1m Bribe?” while The Source reports “$4m Foreign Bribery Scandal Hits Mahama’s Govt” and The Publisher covers “Ghana, US Hunt Fugitives After Ex-TOR Boss Conviction.”

Sources: The Chronicle, The Source, The Publisher, The New Crusading Guide, Daily Gist, The Custodian

3. Sir Sam Jonah Drags Nigeria to International Arbitration Over $500m Abuja Land Dispute

Renowned Ghanaian businessman Sir Sam Jonah has taken Nigeria to international arbitration over a $500 million land dispute in Abuja. The case involves a contentious land deal that has escalated to the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Multiple newspapers report this as a lead story, with Daily Guide headlining “Jonah Capital Takes Nigeria To ICC Over $500m Abuja Land” and The Ghanaian Publisher reporting “Sam Jonah Drags Nigeria To Int. Arbitration.”

Sources: Daily Guide, The Ghanaian Publisher, The Informer, The Daily Banner, The New Crusading Guide

4. MTN Mobile Money Float Hits GHc38.4bn – Second Only to GCB Bank

MTN’s Mobile Money float has reached GHc38.4 billion, ranking second only to GCB Bank and surpassing all other banks in Ghana. The Business & Financial Times reports this as a lead story, highlighting how mobile payments have grown into a pillar of the country’s financial system. The development underscores the rapid transformation of Ghana’s financial services sector.

Source: Business & Financial Times

5. Kantanka Family Expresses Gratitude to Ghanaians for Support During Apostle Kwadwo Safo’s Funeral

The family of the late Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka has expressed gratitude to Ghanaians for their support during the final transition of the founder of the Kristo Asafo Church. Supreme, The Metro Lens, The Daily Statesman, Daily Gist, and The New Crusading Guide all carry this as a lead or prominent story, with the family thanking the nation for standing with them during the mourning period.

Sources: Supreme, The Metro Lens, The Daily Statesman, Daily Gist, The New Crusading Guide, The Chronicle

6. Asanteman COKA Pledges to Make Ashanti NPP Election Winning Party for 2028

Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, popularly known as COKA, has pledged to make the Ashanti Region branch of the NPP an election-winning party for the 2028 elections. Supreme reports “Asanteman COKA Ashanti NPP For 2028 Victory” while The Daily Banner runs “Ashanti NPP’s Spirit Is With Asanteman COKA.” The story highlights growing support for COKA among NPP delegates in the Ashanti Region.

Sources: Supreme, The Daily Banner, The Ghanaian Publisher, The New Crusading Guide

7. Ga Mantse Commends MIIF for Historic GHc1.1 Billion Profit

The Ga Mantse and King of the Ga State, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has highly commended the management and board of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) for achieving an impressive financial turnaround, recording a historic GHc1.1 billion audited profit and GHc5.39 billion revenue for the 2025 financial year. Supreme and Daily Graphic both report this as a lead story.

Sources: Supreme, Daily Graphic

8. DVLA Under Fire Over ‘Delinquency Charges’ – CUTS Says Must Charge By Law, Not Presumption

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has come under fire over its delinquency charges, with policy think tank CUTS International arguing that the authority must charge by law, not presumption. The Chronicle and Daily Gist both lead with this story, with Daily Gist reporting “DVLA Under Fire In Outrageous ‘Delinquency’ Charges” and The New Crusading Guide covering “DVLA ‘Must’ Charge By Law, Not Presumption – CUTS Says.”

Sources: The Chronicle, Daily Gist, The New Crusading Guide

9. GRA Customs Reforms Add GHc1.5bn in Monthly Revenue

The Business & Financial Times reports that customs reforms implemented by the Ghana Revenue Authority have added GHc1.5 billion in monthly revenue. The story highlights the impact of reform efforts on government revenue collection and fiscal consolidation.

Source: Business & Financial Times

10. GETFund and UNESCO Sign MoU to Leverage Digital and AI Skills in TVET

The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and UNESCO have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to leverage digital and artificial intelligence skills in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The Daily Searchlight and The Informer both report this as a story, highlighting efforts to modernise Ghana’s education sector.

Sources: The Daily Searchlight, The Informer