Bolgatanga-Bawku-Polimakom Road Remains Top Priority in Government’s Regional Connectivity Drive—Pres. John Mahama
The Bolgatanga-Bawku-Polimakom Road is once again in the spotlight as President John Dramani Mahama reaffirmed its importance during his recent ResettingGhana Tour of the Upper East Region. Recognized as a cornerstone in the government’s strategy to improve road connectivity, this major infrastructure project is set to transform travel across the region and provide a vital alternative route to Accra. During his inspection of the ongoing works, President Mahama highlighted how the road will seamlessly connect the eastern and western parts of the Upper East Region, fostering greater integration and economic activity. “The Bolgatanga-Bawku-Polimakom Road will not only serve as a direct link between communities here and the capital, but it will also open up the region for trade and development,” he remarked. To allay concerns from stakeholders and contractors, President Mahama gave assurances that the government is committed to making timely payments to ensure the project stays on track and is completed within the stipulated timeframe. He also pointed to the strategic significance of the road within the broader network, noting that the Eastern Corridor connects directly with the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Polimakom stretch. The government is currently scoping the Nakpanduri-Garu-Kulungungu route, which will further reinforce the region’s transport links and strengthen the national road system. With these efforts, the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Polimakom Road stands as a symbol of the government’s ongoing commitment to enhancing infrastructure and linking communities across the Upper East Region with the rest of Ghana. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
President Mahama Promises Upper East Airport Within 24 Months, Envisions Economic Boom
President John Dramani Mahama has rekindled hope for the people of the Upper East Region, pledging that the region’s long-awaited, and often politicized, airport project will finally become a reality within 24 months. Addressing chiefs and residents at the future airport site on Thursday, August 13, 2026, President Mahama vowed that construction would not only deliver a modern airport but would also spark the development of a vibrant city around it. “We want to open up the country to air travel,” President Mahama declared, highlighting the burdensome journey residents currently endure. For too long, travelers from Upper East have had to drive 160 kilometers to Tamale just to catch a flight to Accra, and repeat the journey on their return. “That will be a thing of the past. You’ll be able to fly directly to Accra without driving to Tamale,” he announced, promising a transformative change for the region. Beyond convenience for passengers, the President pointed to the airport’s economic potential. With Upper East home to thriving gold mines and growing businesses, the new facility will make it easier for companies to transport goods securely and efficiently. “This is going to be an important enabler of economic activity,” he said, noting that gold bullion could soon be flown directly from Upper East to Accra. President Mahama assured the crowd that the procurement process was on track, and that groundbreaking would take place by the end of the year. He revealed that Upper East is not alone: new airports are also planned for Wa and Sunyani. He expressed confidence in the contractors’ ability to deliver the project, even suggesting that completion could come sooner than the promised 24 months. “This airport will be a game changer,” President Mahama said, urging residents to embrace the project and envision its growth. Designed to handle 100,000 passengers initially, the scalable airport is expected to expand rapidly as demand increases. “I look forward to seeing passenger numbers climb and this airport grow phenomenally.” With gratitude for the donation of land and the region’s support, President Mahama pledged to return soon for the formal groundbreaking. “Very soon, you’ll see contractors on site working seriously to bring this project to fruition,” he concluded, signaling the dawn of a new era for the Upper East Region. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
President Mahama Sets 2028 Target for Completion of Chuchuliga-Tumu Road
President John Mahama has pledged a brighter future for commuters in northern Ghana, announcing that the long-awaited road linking Chuchuliga to Tumu is expected to be completed by 2028. The President shared his vision for a smoother, safer journey between the two regional capitals, bringing hope to residents and motorists who have long endured challenging travel conditions. “It is my hope that by 2028, the entire stretch from here to Wa will have been completed,” President Mahama declared, outlining the government’s commitment to enhancing road infrastructure across the country. The President explained that the ultimate goal is to establish reliable road links between all regional capitals, while also upgrading major roads in selected districts. He reassured the people of the Upper East Region that the current road projects under the first phase of the ‘Big Push’ initiative are just the beginning. “We are already scoping a second phase of the Big Push,” he announced, emphasizing that the government is actively preparing to extend the programme. President Mahama acknowledged the concerns of communities whose roads were not included in the initial phase, stressing that further phases are on the horizon. “We are going to have a second phase and even a third phase of the Big Push,” he said, underscoring the government’s intention to address road needs across Ghana. Expressing confidence in the ambitious programme, President Mahama stated, “By the time we complete the entire Big Push programme in five years, I am sure everybody will be satisfied and everybody’s road will have been captured.” As communities along the Chuchuliga-Tumu corridor look forward to better connectivity, the President’s assurance signals a new chapter of development and accessibility for the Upper East and Upper West regions, and for all Ghanaians awaiting improved roads. source: Apexnewsgh.com
IGP Promotes 25 Police Officers for Exceptional Crime-Fighting Achievements
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has promoted 25 police personnel in recognition of their outstanding performance and significant contributions to the fight against crime in Ghana. The officers were honored for their roles in a series of successful operations across the Bono East, Tema, and Western Central Police Regions. Their actions included the arrest of high-profile robbery suspects and the interception of suspected cocaine at the Tema Harbour. Among their notable achievements was the arrest of six suspects linked to a major robbery, in which GH¢300,000 was allegedly stolen from a victim along the Portor-Kawempe stretch of the Kintampo-Buipe Highway on July 19, 2026. Several of the promoted officers were also recognised for apprehending four suspected members of a violent robbery syndicate at Wassa Akropong in the Tarkwa area, as well as for their involvement in the recent interception of 866 parcels of suspected cocaine at the Tema Harbour. The promoted personnel include Chief Inspectors Bede Nwinbomeh and Joe Tetteh; General Sergeants Elijah Ndaga Yinimi and Kaifan Sulemanna; General Corporals Owusu Ansah Evans and Tansang Jonathan; and General Lance Corporals Osei Christopher Bonny, Kyei Francis, Ofori Francis, Anim Dominic, and Asante Isaac. Others are General Constables Adam Bakari Alhassan and Bakai Mark; Detective Chief Inspector Frank Dzah; Detective Inspectors Edem Ametowoga, Abroso, and Vincent Dankwah; and Detective Sergeants Salifu Yakubu and Samuel Mordzifa. The IGP praised the officers for their bravery, diligence, and commitment to upholding law and order. He encouraged all personnel to emulate these exemplary standards as the police service intensifies efforts to combat crime and ensure public safety nationwide. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin Reflects on Ayariga’s Departure, Praises His Candid and Easygoing Nature
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has paid tribute to the outgoing Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, describing him as a candid and easygoing colleague he will miss following Ayariga’s appointment as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. Reflecting on their years of working together across the political aisle, Mr Afenyo-Markin spoke warmly of Mr Ayariga’s straightforward approach and affable personality. “I miss him. He has his strengths. He has things that I like about him. You know, he’s an affable, easygoing character,” the Effutu MP said during an appearance on Metro TV on Monday, August 10, 2026. Mr Ayariga, having been nominated to his new ministerial role, left the Majority Leader position to be succeeded by James Agalga. Mr Afenyo-Markin noted that what set Mr Ayariga apart was his willingness to speak his mind and his aversion to holding grudges, even when political disagreements arose. “Ayariga will not hide his feelings. At least I could easily predict him on what he likes and what he doesn’t like. And he doesn’t hold grudges. That is one strength I would miss,” he remarked. The Minority Leader explained that Mr Ayariga preferred to address conflicts directly. “If he’s not happy with you, he will call as a leader. This one, I’m not happy with you,” he said, adding that this candour helped prevent tensions from festering. Mr Afenyo-Markin also recalled that, despite the occasional political surprise in Parliament, both men maintained a healthy respect for each other’s roles and responsibilities. “There were times that he would surprise me. There were times that I also spring surprises on him. No politician likes surprises. But in the end, you are leading a side. You have a party interest to defend,” he reflected. Despite their different political affiliations, Mr Afenyo-Markin stressed that their differences never stood in the way of effective collaboration. “But all in all, I think we’ve worked well, and I wish him well in his new portfolio,” he concluded. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Former Power Minister Dr Kwabena Donkor Denies Involvement in Berko Bribery Case
Former Power Minister, Dr Kwabena Donkor, has firmly rejected allegations linking him to the bribery scheme for which former Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Managing Director and Goldman Sachs banker, Asante Kwaku Berko, was convicted in the United States. In a statement issued through his lawyers, Dr Donkor expressed surprise at the allegations circulating on social media, categorically denying ever asking for, demanding, or receiving any money from Mr Berko or any other person. His legal team stated that Dr Donkor had no knowledge of any payment requests made in his name and insisted he had never authorised anyone to seek money or personal benefits on his behalf. Dr Donkor did, however, confirm that he was the Minister responsible for Power during the period covered by the US case, when Ghana was negotiating the development of a power plant with Turkish energy company Aksa Enerji Uretim A.S. , referred to in the statement as ASKA Energy. These negotiations, his lawyers explained, took place at the height of Ghana’s electricity crisis, commonly known as “dumsor.” As part of the project’s due diligence, a technical delegation from relevant power-sector institutions travelled to Istanbul, Turkey, to inspect equipment for the proposed power project. Dr Donkor’s lawyers described this trip as a standard pre-shipment inspection, emphasizing that Dr Donkor did not meet with Mr Berko during the negotiations, and, in fact, has never met Mr Berko at all. The statement further stressed that Dr Donkor never discussed any personal payment or benefit with Mr Berko or anyone else in relation to the project. He asserted that if anyone sought money in his name, they did so without his knowledge or authority, and for their own benefit. Dr Donkor’s legal team also challenged the interpretation that references during the US trial to funds allegedly being sought for a “Senior Ghana Official” constituted evidence against him. They maintained that, based on Dr Donkor’s understanding, no evidence was presented at trial to show that he personally requested, received, or benefited from any payment in any currency or form. This statement comes days after a federal jury in Brooklyn, New York, convicted Mr Berko on August 6, 2026, for conspiring to pay, and paying, more than US$1 million in bribes to Ghanaian government officials to secure a power plant deal. The case involved allegations of illicit payments routed through the US financial system. Cautioning the public and media, Dr Donkor’s lawyers warned against publishing any allegations they consider defamatory or damaging to his reputation, promising swift legal action against any publication or statement that, in their view, wrongly impugns his integrity. They concluded by reiterating that the circulating allegations against their client are not supported by evidence presented during the US proceedings, as far as Dr Donkor is aware. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
EOCO Intensifies Probe into Ghanaian Angle of Asante Berko Bribery Case
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has ramped up its investigation into the Ghanaian aspect of the high-profile bribery case involving former Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Managing Director and Goldman Sachs banker, Asante Kwaku Berko. This intensified probe follows Berko’s recent conviction by a US federal jury over his involvement in a scheme that saw more than US$1 million in bribes allegedly paid to Ghanaian officials to facilitate the development and financing of a power plant. According to a statement issued by EOCO on Monday, August 10, the agency is now actively working to identify and trace funds, assets, and other financial benefits that may be linked to the alleged bribery scheme. The tracing and potential recovery of such assets, EOCO stated, is a central pillar of its Ghana-focused investigation. As part of its efforts, EOCO investigators will examine financial transactions, scrutinize individuals who may have benefited, and seek out assets acquired from or linked to suspected criminal activity. The Office noted that should any assets be found to have originated from unlawful conduct, they could be preserved and recovered, so long as the evidence and Ghanaian law permit. EOCO’s involvement dates back to 2025, after receiving a request from US authorities for information on persons in Ghana considered relevant to the bribery probe. That request specifically mentioned a former Minister of State and other public officials, broadening the scope of the investigation. Since then, EOCO has worked closely with the Attorney-General and the Ministry of Justice, tracking developments in the US case while pursuing leads on the Ghanaian side. In the wake of Berko’s conviction, the Attorney-General has moved swiftly to engage US authorities for the exchange of evidence and documents to bolster the ongoing investigation back home. Additionally, the Attorney-General has instructed EOCO to intensify its investigative efforts as more information becomes available through formal channels of international cooperation. Despite the gravity of Berko’s conviction, EOCO cautioned against assuming that criminal wrongdoing by others in Ghana is a foregone conclusion. The agency emphasized that each individual named in the evidence would be independently assessed on the basis of available evidence and in accordance with Ghanaian law. While EOCO has pledged to diligently follow the financial trail, it underscored its commitment to protecting sensitive investigative details to avoid jeopardizing ongoing inquiries or potential prosecutions. US prosecutors alleged that Asante Berko orchestrated the payment of over US$1 million in bribes to Ghanaian officials in connection with the power plant project, a scheme whose reverberations are now being thoroughly examined by Ghanaian anti-corruption authorities. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
A Forensic Audit Uncovers $19.37 Million in Irregular Proceeds at Ghana’s Embassy in Washington D.C.
A forensic audit by the Auditor-General has uncovered a startling $19.37 million in irregular proceeds from visa and passport-related charges at Ghana’s Embassy in Washington D.C. between 2019 and 2025. The audit, which spanned several years, revealed a sophisticated scheme where applicants seeking passports or visas were redirected from the embassy’s official website to privately controlled external platforms. These platforms, disguised with official symbols and presentation styles, led many to believe they were dealing with government-authorised services. Instead, applicants found themselves paying hefty additional fees for processing and for the return of their documents. One of the most striking discoveries centered on mailing charges. Applicants were forced to pay $29.75 for return mailing, even though the average actual postage cost was only about $10.10. Over the review period, applicants paid a total of $6.95 million in mailing and dispatch fees. After deducting the true postage cost of $2.36 million, the auditors found an excess of approximately $4.59 million—money that found its way into unauthorized hands. But the irregularities didn’t end there. The audit found that applicants were also billed $67 for passport application support services and $76.78 for visa application assistance—charges that were never officially sanctioned by the government. Using data from the embassy’s Electronic Consular Information Management System (eCIMS) and AppTrack, investigators traced $21.34 million in transactions linked to these activities. After accounting for legitimate costs, about $19.37 million remained classified as irregular proceeds. The investigation uncovered that the external platforms, including TravelGhana.Net and GhanaPV.org, were linked to the embassy’s own Information Technology Officer, Fred Kwarteng, and associated entities. These sites were connected to the embassy’s official systems, with applicants unknowingly redirected to make payments through them. The ramifications of these irregularities extended beyond financial loss. The audit documented significant delays in the delivery of passports and visas. Between June and August 2025 alone, the embassy faced a backlog of 12,721 applications, even though applicants had already paid for mailing services. Of these, only 4,507 applications were mailed; the remaining 8,214 were either collected personally or not delivered at all. The embassy later spent about $45,000 to post letters and address part of the backlog. The report also scrutinized the actions of senior officials, such as former Ambassador Alima Mahama, who served from 2021 to 2024. According to the audit, Mrs Mahama signed a contract to formalize the outsourcing of passport and visa dispatch services to Travel Ghana/Secure Data Center, a decision that played a pivotal role in the unfolding events. Ultimately, the Auditor-General attributed the irregularities to weak internal controls, lack of oversight, manipulation of the embassy website, and the use of unauthorized external platforms. The report recommended that all irregular monies be recovered from the key actors involved, and that the implicated officers face sanctions under the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038). Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Kenneth Gilbert Adjei Returns as Defence Minister in Mahama’s Cabinet Reshuffle
President John Dramani Mahama has nominated Kenneth Gilbert Adjei as Minister for Defence, marking a homecoming to a portfolio with which he is already well acquainted. Mr Adjei is set to take over from the late Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, whose untimely death in a military helicopter crash on August 6, 2025, left the ministry without a substantive head for nearly a year. Mr Adjei’s nomination signals both continuity and a return to familiar territory. He previously served as Deputy Minister for Defence between 2015 and 2016, gaining hands-on experience in Ghana’s defence administration during a period marked by heightened regional security challenges. His understanding of military operations and policy development was further deepened during this time, preparing him for the top job. In the interim, the Defence Ministry was overseen by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who managed its affairs in an acting capacity while the government sought a permanent replacement. Mr Adjei’s appointment, if confirmed by Parliament, will end this period of transition and restore full leadership to the ministry. Mr Adjei is not new to government leadership. Before his latest reassignment, he held the position of Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, where he steered major projects in housing delivery, water management, and public infrastructure since February 2025. His academic credentials also align closely with his new role. Mr Adjei holds a Master of Arts degree in Peace, Security and Intelligence Management from the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), where he graduated top of his class in 2022. The programme equipped him with vital skills in security strategy, intelligence coordination, conflict management, and policy development — all critical to the responsibilities of a Defence Minister. In addition, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from GIMPA and an Executive MBA from the University of Ghana. Mr Adjei’s return to the Defence Ministry comes at a time when Ghana faces ongoing regional security issues and a need to strengthen the capacity of the Ghana Armed Forces. His blend of institutional memory, hands-on experience, and specialist knowledge positions him to provide steady leadership as the country navigates complex security dynamics. The nomination also brings closure to the search for a substantive Minister after Dr Omane Boamah’s tragic passing, which claimed the lives of eight people on official duty. Dr Omane Boamah was not only a close ally of President Mahama but also a pivotal figure in the government, making the transition particularly significant. With Parliament’s approval, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei is expected to bring a balance of continuity and renewed expertise to the Defence Ministry, steering it through both challenges and opportunities ahead. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Chairman Wontumi Seeks Bail Pending Appeal After Illegal Mining Conviction
Lawyers representing Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), have taken a significant legal step in his ongoing battle for freedom. In a dramatic turn of events, his legal team, Zoe, Akyea & Co., has filed an application at the High Court, requesting bail for Chairman Wontumi as he mounts an appeal against his 20-year prison sentence for illegal mining. Currently, Chairman Wontumi is serving his sentence at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, following his conviction for illegal mining activities at Samreboi. The case has captured national attention, becoming a landmark in Ghana’s fight against galamsey (illegal mining). According to the motion submitted to the High Court, Wontumi’s lawyers are urging the court to grant him temporary release from custody while the Court of Appeal reviews both his conviction and sentence. The legal team’s argument, detailed in an accompanying affidavit, asserts that their client should be admitted to bail during the appellate process. They have further asked the court to make any additional orders it deems appropriate given the circumstances. This latest court filing represents another determined effort by the defense to secure Chairman Wontumi’s release, at least temporarily, as the legal process continues. Should the High Court rule in his favor, Wontumi would be granted bail and regain his freedom until the final decision on his appeal is delivered. The High Court’s impending decision will hinge on whether Chairman Wontumi meets the legal threshold for bail pending appeal, a matter being closely watched by the public and political observers alike. His 20-year sentence and conviction for illegal mining have sparked widespread debate, solidifying the case as one of the most significant prosecutions in Ghana’s ongoing battle against galamsey. Source: Apexnewsgh.com