Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), is currently in custody at the Nevada Southern Detention Centre in the United States, according to a statement issued by Ghana’s Ambassador to the U.S., Emmanuel Victor Smith, on Thursday, January 15, 2026. Mrs. Tamakloe-Attionu was apprehended by U.S. Marshals on January 6, 2026, following an extradition request from Ghanaian authorities submitted in July 2024. She now awaits court proceedings that could see her returned to Ghana. The development comes after Mrs. Tamakloe-Attionu was convicted in April 2024 on 78 counts, including causing financial loss to the state, theft, money laundering, conspiracy, and breaches of the Public Procurement Act. She was sentenced in absentia to 10 years in prison with hard labour, after failing to return to Ghana from an approved medical trip abroad. Her co-defendant, former MASLOC Chief Operating Officer Daniel Axim, received a five-year sentence with hard labour, having chosen not to call any witnesses in his defence during the trial. The convictions stemmed from offences committed between 2013 and 2016, where public funds intended for MASLOC programmes were misappropriated. The trial, which began in 2019, heard testimony from six prosecution witnesses and uncovered a series of financial irregularities. These included a GH¢500,000 loan to Obaatampa Savings and Loans Company that was never properly accounted for, and over GH¢1.7 million allocated for a public sensitisation programme that was largely diverted, with only a fraction reaching its intended beneficiaries. Further investigations revealed that of the GH¢1.4 million set aside to aid victims of the Kantamanso fire outbreak, just GH¢579,800 was actually disbursed, with the rest unlawfully appropriated. The case also exposed inflated procurement costs for vehicles and Samsung mobile phones, with MASLOC paying well above market rates despite bulk purchases. Mrs. Tamakloe-Attionu remains in U.S. detention as legal proceedings continue, marking a significant chapter in Ghana’s efforts to recover public funds and enforce accountability for financial crimes. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has made a heartfelt appeal to both transport operators and commuters, urging them to protect and diligently manage state-owned transport assets for the benefit of all Ghanaians. Her call comes amid ongoing concerns about a shortage of commercial vehicles, an issue that has led to crowded stations, extended waiting times, and, at times, the mistreatment of passengers. During a stakeholder engagement with management and staff of Metro Mass Transit Limited on Friday, January 16, the Vice President reiterated the government’s commitment to building a reliable, efficient, and well-organised public transport system. She encouraged Metro Mass employees to prioritize the regular maintenance of buses, highlighting that proper upkeep is vital to extending the lifespan of vehicles and ensuring uninterrupted service for commuters. Professor Opoku-Agyemang assured workers that the government stands ready to retool Metro Mass and provide additional buses to boost the company’s operations. She explained that even older vehicles can continue to serve the public effectively if they are well cared for, emphasizing the shared responsibility of all Ghanaians in preserving public transport assets. “Government is ready to retool Metro Mass and provide more buses. While ten years may seem long, we also know that in this country, vehicles can remain operational far beyond that if they are well-maintained. We must all take responsibility for public property because it belongs to every Ghanaian,” she affirmed. Her remarks underscore the urgent need for collective stewardship of state resources to ensure a dependable and accessible transport system for all. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

As the sun rose over Accra on January 14, 2026, the city’s residents braced themselves for yet another day of lengthy queues and soaring fares at bus stops across the capital. What had once been a routine commute had become a daily struggle, with frustration mounting among passengers in neighborhoods like Madina, Amasaman, and Kasoa. The root of the problem, it seemed, ran deeper than congestion. Addressing the nation during the Government Accountability Series, the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, shed light on the troubling trend. He attributed the worsening transport crisis to the unlawful tactics of some private transport operators, who were accused of deliberately creating vehicle shortages during peak hours to extract higher fares from desperate commuters. “Some of these drivers have abandoned their designated stations and now roam the city instead,” Mr. Ofosu explained. “By limiting vehicle availability, they compel passengers to part with more money than they would ordinarily pay. It is an unlawful activity and must be addressed.” The minister’s remarks came in the wake of repeated fuel price reductions and a 15% cut in official transport fares, measures that should have eased the burden for commuters. Instead, he noted, a few operators had responded by manipulating supply, hoping to maximize profits at the public’s expense. The phenomenon, which worsened during the 2025 yuletide, has persisted despite government assurances of action. Mr. Ofosu emphasized that Ghana’s transport sector is largely private-sector-led, with groups like the GPRTU organizing much of the public conveyance system. Still, he assured Ghanaians that the government would take the lead in confronting these unlawful acts. “We are looking into these practices to ensure that those involved are dealt with,” he stated, pledging a renewed commitment to restoring fairness and order on Accra’s roads. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is taking steps to expel one of its most prominent former members, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, after a series of explosive remarks that have rocked the party’s top ranks. The controversy erupted after Professor Frimpong-Boateng, a renowned heart surgeon and former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, appeared on Channel One TV on Monday, January 12, 2026. During the interview, the respected academic did not hold back, calling the NPP a “fake party” and openly questioning the legitimacy of the party’s internal elections. The following day, the NPP leadership responded swiftly. In a statement signed by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, the party said it had taken note of Professor Frimpong-Boateng’s comments, which included allegations that the party’s 2023 presidential primary was rigged in favour of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who later became the NPP’s presidential candidate for the 2024 general elections. According to the statement, Professor Frimpong-Boateng not only attacked the party’s credibility but also declared that he no longer considered himself a member. The NPP described his words as “disparaging” and “damaging to the unity, values, and integrity” of the party. The party strongly refuted the former minister’s claims, insisting that the 2023 presidential primaries were conducted in a manner that was “free, fair, transparent, and credible,” and pointing out that the outcome was broadly accepted by all participating candidates and supporters. Now, citing its constitutional mandate, the NPP says it has begun formal disciplinary proceedings to expel Professor Frimpong-Boateng, pledging to follow due process in the days ahead. The party’s leadership emphasized that unity and adherence to core values remain non-negotiable, even as it faces criticism from within its own ranks. Source: Apexnewsgh.com