‘Massacre’ in Sudan kills at least 53 including 14 children and 15 women
At least 53 people, including 14 children and 15 women, have been killed in an attack on a displacement shelter in a besieged city in North Darfur. The Sudan Doctors’ Network said Sudanese paramilitaries were behind the shelling attack, which also wounded another 21 people, including five more children. The strike by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) hit the al Arqam Home, which shelters displaced families in Al Fashir, the capital of North Darfur province, the group said. The attack, late on Friday, was the latest deadly onslaught on Al Fashir, which has been for months the epicentre of the war between the Sudanese military and the paramilitaries. A spokesperson for the doctors’ network – a group of medical professionals tracking the Sudanese civil war – described the attack as a “massacre”. A statement said: “This massacre represents a continuation of the scorched-earth policy practised by the Rapid Support Forces against civilians, in flagrant violation of all international norms and laws.” Al Fashir is being targeted by the RSF as it pushes to claim full control of the Darfur region as a base for its parallel government, after the military recaptured the capital Khartoum and other key sites in central Sudan. Close to a million people are facing famine in Al Fashir and surrounding camps, as the RSF enforces a full blockade, launching armed attacks on volunteers and aid workers risking their lives to bring in food. Inside the city, thousands are bombarded by almost daily shelling from surrounding RSF troops. | Reuters (Pic): Families displaced by RSF attacks have been forced into shelters across North Darfur, such as this one in the town of Tawila The RSF has physically reinforced its siege with a berm – a raised earth mound. First spotted by Yale Humanitarian Research Lab, the berm is visible from space. The city, the Sudanese military’s last stronghold in Darfur, has been under siege for more than a year. The UN and other aid groups warn that 260,000 civilians remain trapped in Al Fashir, even after most of its population fled RSF attacks on it and its surroundings. Sudan plunged into chaos when simmering tensions between the military and the RSF exploded into open fighting in April 2023 in Khartoum and elsewhere. The fighting has turned into a full-fledged civil war that has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced more than 14 million people from their homes and pushed parts of the country into famine. The devastating conflict has been marked by atrocities, including mass killings and rape, which the International Criminal Court is investigating as war crimes and crimes against humanity. Source: news.sky.com
Former National Service Authority Boss Osei Assibey Antwi Charged with 14 Counts in GH¢600 Million Financial Loss Case
The former Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), Osei Assibey Antwi, has been charged with 14 counts, ranging from causing financial loss to the Republic, stealing, to money laundering, in a case involving more than GH¢600 million. According to a charge sheet filed at the Accra High Court, Mr. Assibey Antwi stands accused of authorising payments to more than 60,000 non-existent national service personnel and misappropriating public funds during his tenure between August 2021 and February 2025. He faces multiple charges under sections 179A(1) and 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and section 1(2)(c) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044). Ghost Names and Unauthorised Payments On the first count, prosecutors allege that Mr. Assibey Antwi willfully caused a financial loss of GH¢500,861,744.02 to the Republic by approving allowances for over 60,000 so-called “ghost” service personnel between August 2021 and February 2025. He is also confronted with six counts of stealing. The prosecution claims that between August 2023 and May 2024, he dishonestly appropriated several million cedis from the National Service Authority, including: GH¢3.6 million on August 22, 2023 GH¢516,000 each on September 11, October 26, and November 23, 2023 GH¢1.03 million on December 18, 2023 GH¢2.06 million on May 14, 2024 Transfers to Personal Account Further allegations state that between January 2022 and December 2024, Mr. Assibey Antwi authorised the transfer of an additional GH¢8.26 million from the NSA’s Control Account to his personal e-zwich card account (No. 1177042059), contributing to both the financial loss and money laundering charges. Kumawu Farm Project Allegations The charge sheet also cites unauthorised withdrawals totalling GH¢74 million from the Kumawu Farm Project account (No. 1018631542212), which prosecutors claim were not used for their intended purpose. The withdrawals include: GH¢55 million on September 30, 2022 GH¢15 million on October 20, 2023 GH¢4 million on January 24, 2024 All these alleged transactions were reportedly made without expending the funds on the project as intended. The case is expected to be heard at the Accra High Court, where the prosecution will present its evidence. Mr. Assibey Antwi, who served as Executive Director of the NSA until early 2025, has not yet entered a plea. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
President Mahama Extends Dialysis Subsidy to Private Health Facilities: Minister Announces at Medical Trust Fund Inauguration
Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has revealed that President John Dramani Mahama has directed the extension of the government’s dialysis subsidy to include private health facilities. The announcement was made during the inauguration of a 13-member governing board for the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as “Mahama Cares,” a flagship initiative aimed at providing financial support for the treatment of chronic non-communicable diseases. According to Mr. Akandoh, the government will now cover GH₵500 of the cost charged per dialysis session at private health facilities, mirroring the subsidy already available at public hospitals. “The current arrangement for payment of dialysis is that if you go to public health facilities, we have a maximum amount of money we pay per session, that’s around 499, something about 500 Ghana cedis. What we have realised is that there are people who also go to private facilities, and so, it’s a necessity; the President has directed us to give what is paid to the public facilities,” he explained. He further clarified, “So, for example, if you go to private facility A and they are charging you 1,000 Ghana cedis, the government will pay the 500 Ghana cedis, and you top up, to be fair to everybody. So, the CEO for the National Health Insurance has been directed accordingly to take up that challenge.” The Minister also used the occasion to appeal to corporate organisations and individuals to support the government’s efforts by contributing to the Medical Trust Fund. “We cannot do it all alone. It is the partnership between the government and corporate Ghana that will take us far. Other corporate bodies have come on board, like Telecel Group of Companies, and there are some banks as well,” Mr. Akandoh noted. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
President Mahama Predicts Ghana’s First Female President Amid Progress in Women’s Empowerment
At the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women in Beijing, China, on Monday, October 13, President John Dramani Mahama voiced his confidence that Ghana will soon witness the election of its first female President. Speaking to a gathering of world leaders, President Mahama highlighted the country’s steady progress in championing women’s empowerment and gender equality. “As the African Union Champion for Gender and Women’s Empowerment, I am proud to say that Ghana remains steadfast in its pursuit of equality for all,” President Mahama declared. He underscored Ghana’s commitment by referencing historic milestones, including the election of the nation’s first female Vice President and the appointment of women to pivotal roles across government, the judiciary, security services, and major national institutions. “These are not symbolic gestures; they are a deliberate affirmation that women deserve a seat at the highest levels of decision-making,” he stated. “And I am confident that, in the very near future, our women will break the glass ceiling and that a woman will be president of the Republic of Ghana.” President Mahama also pointed to advances in education, noting that Ghana has achieved gender parity in school enrollment, with more girls now accessing and completing their education than ever before. He emphasized that these achievements are bolstered by robust institutional reforms and legal frameworks designed to protect the rights of women and girls. Key improvements include strengthening the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection; the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service; the Domestic Violence Secretariat; and the Specialised Domestic Violence Courts. According to Mahama, sustained budgetary allocations have empowered these institutions to deliver justice, protection, and social support to survivors of gender-based violence. President Mahama’s remarks concluded with a broader call for governments and international partners to take transformative action to achieve genuine gender equality and empower women across the globe. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
National Security Warns Eastern Region Chiefs and Politicians: No Interference in Anti-Illegal Mining Operations
The National Security has issued a stern warning to chiefs, politicians, and opinion leaders in the Eastern Region, urging them to stay clear of the activities of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) as it launches its operations in the area. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, October 13, Eastern Regional National Security Liaison Officer Francis Annor Dompreh cautioned that any traditional leader or politician who attempts to intervene or plead on behalf of individuals arrested for illegal mining will face arrest and prosecution themselves. “I keep emphasising, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat was put together by the President himself, and they report directly to the President and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources. The directive is clear: Let the waters be blue, clean, and drinkable, as they used to be. Let the forests be green again, at least,” he stated. Mr. Annor Dompreh stressed that the authorities would not recognize any chief or influential figure seeking to shield illegal mining operations. “We don’t know any chief. We don’t know anybody. What we know is the order: Get out! That is why I’m making this press conference. If you know you are a chief or whoever, and you have machines on the rivers or in the forest, you should pack up and leave.” He further warned that no matter the time of day, anyone attempting to intervene in anti-illegal mining activities would be dealt with decisively. “Don’t come here again, don’t go near there, because you are not going to be allowed. Whether you come in the morning, you come in the afternoon, you come in the night, you will be dealt with.” Mr. Annor Dompreh reiterated that the directive from the Presidency is explicit and must be respected by everyone, regardless of their status in society. The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), established under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, is a special-purpose unit tasked with coordinating, monitoring, and leading intelligence-driven field operations against illegal mining (galamsey) activities across Ghana Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Duke Aaron Sasu Withdraws from GIIF Board Chair’s Case: Court Proceedings Delayed Amid Legal Dispute
Duke Aaron Sasu, the counsel for the former board chairperson of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, has officially notified the court of his intention to withdraw his legal representation. Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi is currently on trial alongside the Fund’s former CEO, Solomon Asamoah, both facing allegations of causing financial loss to the state and the intentional dissipation of public funds. The charges stem from a contentious $2 million payment connected to the now-defunct SkyTrain project. According to the prosecution, this sum was disbursed without the necessary board approval, and for work that the prosecution claims was never carried out. The case, which had been adjourned from July 30 to October 13 to allow the prosecution to present its first witness, was unable to proceed as scheduled. In court, Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi explained that a misunderstanding had arisen between himself and his lawyer, and that efforts were underway to mediate the situation. However, Her Ladyship Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, the presiding judge, informed the accused that the court had received a formal letter from Mr. Sasu indicating his decision to withdraw from the case. Meanwhile, the legal team of the second accused, Solomon Asamoah, led by Victoria Barth, has applied to a stay of proceedings. This application follows an appeal against the court’s earlier decision to deny a request for further disclosures, and has now been adjourned to October 20 for hearing. The unfolding developments have further delayed the trial, casting uncertainty over the prosecution’s next steps. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana’s Revenue and Grants Fall Short of 2025 Target Despite Strong Growth, Says Bank of Ghana
Ghana’s total revenue and grants for the first half of 2025 reached GH¢116.2 billion, marking a robust 22.9 percent year-on-year increase. However, this figure fell 5.5 percent short of the government’s ambitious GH¢122.9 billion target, according to the Bank of Ghana’s September 2025 Monetary Policy Report. The report attributed the shortfall to underperformance across several key tax lines, even as some sectors outperformed expectations. Non-oil tax revenue missed its target by 0.2 percent, while Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) collections fell 3.5 percent below target, largely due to reduced payments from the mining sector following the appreciation of the cedi. On the positive side, corporate tax collections exceeded expectations by 2.8 percent, buoyed by improved performance in the mining and financial sectors. Domestic VAT, the GETFund Levy, and the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) also surpassed their respective targets, reflecting stronger consumer spending amid easing prices. In contrast, taxes related to imports suffered notable setbacks. The strengthened cedi reduced import values, causing import duties to fall short by GH¢1.9 billion, a 13 percent decline. The import components of VAT, GETFund, and NHIL also failed to meet targets, missing by 3.8 percent, 4.6 percent, and 5.2 percent, respectively. One of the standout performers was the Communications Service Tax, which exceeded its target by 66.3 percent (GH¢400 million), driven by increased gross revenues and stronger collections from prepaid credit sales by a major telecom operator. Despite the overall strong performance, crude oil receipts underperformed by 42.7 percent, falling GH¢4.4 billion short of target due to delayed corporate income tax payments and exchange rate effects. Grants also missed projections by GH¢553 million, primarily because of non-disbursed project grants from development partners. While the data highlights resilience and improved buoyancy in Ghana’s revenue performance, the report emphasizes that sustained efforts in tax compliance, revenue diversification, and collection efficiency remain essential to meeting fiscal targets and maintaining macroeconomic stability. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Tetretem Royal Family Accuses Tano North MCE of Fueling Galamsey on Stool Lands
The Tetretem Royal Family of Duayaw-Nkwanta has accused the Tano North Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of unlawfully issuing mining permits to illegal miners, sparking a surge in galamsey activities on the Duayaw-Nkwanta Stool Lands and resulting in significant environmental degradation. In a strongly worded statement issued by Nana Asamaa Kofi Ofori Adu, the royal family condemned the MCE’s actions as both unlawful and irresponsible. “The Tano North Municipal Assembly issued Business Operating Licences to CAKROB Limited without the consent of the Ghana Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency,” the statement alleged. The family further claimed that the MCE, together with some sub-chiefs,including Nana Boakye II and Nana Nsowaa Diawuo Kokroko, collaborated to allow foreigners to engage in illegal mining operations. “Chinese, Senegalese and Guinean nationals are actively involved in mining activities in Adagyamem,” the statement asserted. Recalling the era of the late Nana Blakey Tromo III, the family noted that illegal mining was non-existent and that “Newmont Mining Company was the only officially approved operator then.” Calling for urgent intervention, the royal family appealed to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and regional authorities to step in and restore order. “We are calling for Otumfuo’s intervention to prevent violence and restore sanity to the Duayaw-Nkwanta Traditional Area,” the statement concluded. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana Police Bust Fake Online Food Delivery Syndicate, Arrest Ten Suspects
The Ghana Police Service, through the Cybercrime Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), has dismantled a network of fraudsters operating fake online food delivery platforms, leading to the arrest of ten individuals suspected of defrauding customers nationwide. The first six suspects, Wonder Sakpiti, Sedinam Amaglo, Godsway Dunyo, Angela Agblemekpe, Mathew Aheto, and Fafali Amoah, were apprehended on 1st October 2025 during a targeted operation in Sogakope following weeks of surveillance. Police investigations revealed the group’s involvement in creating counterfeit websites and social media pages impersonating popular food brands such as Papaye, Pizzaman, KFC, and Mawarko. Unsuspecting customers who placed orders through these fake platforms were asked to make advance payments via mobile money but never received their food. Further investigations uncovered that some victims lost additional funds after the suspects gained unauthorized access to their mobile money and bank accounts, all under the pretense of assisting with payment issues. Digital devices believed to have been used in the fraudulent scheme were seized and are undergoing forensic analysis. A follow-up operation on 12th October 2025 led to the arrest of the alleged ringleader, Elijah Sotama Etse, alias Pop Smoke, along with three accomplices, Elliot Sotama Atsu, Jethro Atsu, and Obed Selasi Agboli, at their hideout in Haatso, Accra. Police also retrieved twelve mobile phones for further evidence. All ten suspects are in custody and expected to be arraigned before court today, Monday, 13th October 2025. The Ghana Police Service is urging anyone who may have fallen victim to these scams to report to the nearest police station to aid ongoing investigations. Source: Apexnewsgh.com