DVLA Refutes Claims of GH¢308,300 Loss in Mobile Money Theft Case Involving Former National Service Person
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has firmly denied reports suggesting it lost GH¢308,300 in an alleged mobile money theft case involving a former National Service person. The Authority clarified that the funds in question were neither owned by the DVLA nor taken from its accounts. This clarification comes in the wake of the ongoing prosecution of Ebenezer Ghartey, a former National Service person later contracted by the DVLA, who is currently standing trial at the Accra Circuit Court. Ghartey is accused of unlawfully transferring GH¢308,300 from the MTN merchant account of a DVLA administrative officer into his personal mobile money wallet. He has pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing. According to the prosecution, Ghartey allegedly used part of the funds to purchase a Hyundai Elantra saloon car, a 50-inch Samsung television, and finance other personal expenditures. The court, presided over by Mrs. Emmanuella Sarah Asmah, granted him bail set at GH¢100,000 with three sureties, including one with landed property and another who is a public servant earning at least GH¢5,000 monthly. Ghartey must also report to the case investigator twice weekly as the matter has been adjourned to August 4, 2026. In response to public concerns and media reports, the DVLA issued a statement on Tuesday, July 7, stressing that the alleged theft was a private matter involving individuals and had no connection to the Authority’s finances or official activities. The DVLA reassured the public that its financial management systems remain robust and unaffected by the case. The Authority urged media outlets and the public to report accurately on the matter to prevent any misconception that public funds were misappropriated. It also reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and pledged to cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies should its involvement be required during the ongoing investigation. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
National Service Personnel Arraigned Over Alleged GH¢308,000 Mobile Money Theft at DVLA
A National Service Personnel assigned to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court over allegations that he illegally transferred more than GH¢308,000 from a colleague’s Mobile Money merchant account into his own. The accused, Ebenezer Ghartey, pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing when he was arraigned before Mrs. Emmanuella Sarah Asmah. According to the prosecutor, Inspector Frank Morgan Dorvi, Ghartey is alleged to have carried out a series of unauthorized Mobile Money transactions from the MTN merchant account of a DVLA Administrative Officer, diverting the funds into his personal account. The court granted bail to Ghartey in the sum of GH¢100,000 with three sureties, all of whom must reside within the court’s jurisdiction. As part of the bail conditions, one surety must provide landed property valued at not less than the bail amount, and another must be a public servant earning a minimum monthly salary of GH¢5,000. Ghartey has also been ordered to report to the lead investigator every Monday and Friday until the case concludes. The matter has been adjourned to August 4, 2026. According to the prosecution, the case came to light when the complainant, who supervises Ghartey at the DVLA, noticed an unexplained withdrawal of GH¢3,000 from her MTN merchant account on May 22, 2026. A review of transaction records allegedly traced the transfer to Ghartey’s Mobile Money account. Further investigations uncovered additional unauthorized transfers between March 31 and May 20, 2026, bringing the total amount allegedly diverted to GH¢308,300. The case was subsequently reported to the Cantonments Police, leading to Ghartey’s arrest. During police interrogation, Ghartey allegedly admitted to using part of the funds to pay his rent, buy household items—including a Hyundai Elantra, a 50-inch Samsung TV, furniture, an air conditioner, a washing machine, a dining set, a carpet, and a television stand, and pay a sibling’s school fees. The prosecution stated that Ghartey admitted the offence in his caution statement, a claim that will be tested during the trial. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
GRA Interdicts Four Officers Over Consignment Investigation, Launches Internal Disciplinary Process
The Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Anthony Sarpong, has announced the interdiction of four officers following an investigation into a recent consignment case. Addressing the media on Tuesday, July 7, Mr. Sarpong stated that the officers have been temporarily relieved of their duties and are currently undergoing the Authority’s internal disciplinary process. “We have interdicted four officers who worked on the consignment, and we are going through our internal disciplinary processes to ensure that all officers found culpable are dealt with in accordance with our internal policies and the law,” he explained. In his briefing, Mr. Sarpong revealed that, under the directive of the Ministry of Finance, the consignment in question was allocated to the National School Feeding Programme. He also reassured the trading public and Ghanaians at large that the GRA, through its Customs Division, remains vigilant and has intensified compliance measures, particularly at the country’s borders. These efforts, he noted, aim to boost effective revenue mobilisation and prevent illicit trade. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
NACOC Boss Raises Alarm Over Public Demand for Rewards in Exchange for Drug Crime Tips
The Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, has voiced concern over a growing trend among some members of the public who now demand financial rewards before sharing information on suspected drug activities. Speaking before Parliament’s Assurances Committee on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, Major General Mantey highlighted the critical importance of citizen intelligence in the fight against narcotics trafficking. His remarks come amid renewed scrutiny of Ghana’s role in international drug trafficking, following the recent seizure of 320 kilogrammes of methamphetamine hidden in a charcoal shipment from Ghana and intercepted in Australia. Major General Mantey stressed that drug traffickers are constantly developing new tactics to evade law enforcement, making close cooperation between NACOC and the public more essential than ever. “Each day, the traffickers evolve new strategies and try to go ahead of us. They connect, and they cooperate among themselves as to how to outwit them,” he explained. While NACOC relies heavily on intelligence from the public to disrupt drug networks, Major General Mantey expressed concern about the expectation of monetary compensation attached to some tips. “Ghanaians now have become a bit demanding so when they send you intelligence, they demand money,” he noted, recalling an incident where an individual sought a house in exchange for providing information. Despite these challenges, Major General Mantey assured the Assurances Committee that the Commission remains committed to working with citizens and all stakeholders in the ongoing battle against narcotics trafficking. He said the agency would continue to pursue intelligence-led operations, even as traffickers adapt with new methods and networks. These comments come as Ghanaian security agencies intensify efforts to disrupt international drug networks, following a series of cases involving narcotics shipments linked to Ghana. Authorities, including Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, have consistently encouraged citizens to provide credible information to support anti-drug operations, emphasizing that public intelligence plays a vital role in successful drug busts. Major General Mantey concluded that continued collaboration between NACOC and the public would be crucial in preventing Ghana from becoming a transit hub for international drug trafficking. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Auditor-General Uncovers Over GH¢7.4 Million Paid to Deceased Pensioners
The Auditor-General has revealed a troubling case of payroll irregularities, uncovering that more than GH¢7.4 million was paid out to four deceased pensioners, sparking renewed concerns about lapses in Ghana’s pension administration system. Details of this finding are contained in the latest Report of the Auditor-General on the Public Accounts of Ghana for Ministries, Departments and Other Agencies (MDAs) for the year ended December 31, 2025. According to the report, a total of GH¢7,494,975.34 was disbursed to the four pensioners after their deaths between February 2019 and March 2026, a clear violation of Regulation 88 of the Public Financial Management Regulations, 2019 (L.I. 2378). In response, the Auditor-General has recommended that the Controller and Accountant-General recover the full amount, along with interest calculated at the prevailing Bank of Ghana rate, from the next-of-kin of the deceased pensioners. Any funds recovered are to be paid into the Auditor-General’s Recoveries Account at the Bank of Ghana. The report further cautions that if the money cannot be recovered, legal proceedings should be initiated against both the bankers involved and the next-of-kin of the deceased pensioners. This revelation is part of a broader pattern of payroll irregularities identified in the 2025 audit of MDAs, as the Auditor-General intensifies efforts to strengthen accountability and protect public funds. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana Cancels South African President’s State Visit Over Xenophobic Attack Concerns
The Government of Ghana has declined a planned state visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, citing mounting concerns over the killing of a Ghanaian national and reports of xenophobic attacks targeting Ghanaians in South Africa. The decision comes in the aftermath of the death of 40-year-old Bashiru Isak, who Ghanaian authorities say was killed during demonstrations linked to renewed violence against foreign nationals in South Africa on June 30, 2026. Officials in Accra indicated that the move was necessary due to growing fears for the safety of Ghanaians living in South Africa and the urgent need to address repeated incidents of violence against foreigners. President Ramaphosa was scheduled to visit Ghana in the first week of August, a visit that was expected to strengthen bilateral ties and facilitate discussions on measures to tackle attacks against foreign nationals. However, Ghana’s government stressed that the current climate demanded attention before any high-level diplomatic engagement could proceed. Ghana has formally lodged a protest with South African authorities over the death of Mr. Isak and the wider issue of security for Ghanaian nationals in South Africa. According to Ghanaian officials, Mr. Isak was shot and killed during what they described as “anti-immigrant demonstrations” in Cape Town’s Khayelitsha township. South African authorities, however, have strongly disputed Ghana’s version of events, calling the claims “factually incorrect” and insisting that no deaths were reported during the June 30 protests, which drew thousands of demonstrators across the country. South Africa’s Justice Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, criticised Ghana’s statements as misleading and warned against perpetuating a negative narrative about South Africa. The diplomatic row has reignited debate over the safety of African nationals in South Africa, with Ghana urging for stronger protections for its citizens abroad and renewed efforts to prevent further attacks. Historically, Ghana and South Africa have enjoyed strong ties in trade, investment, and diplomacy, but the recent dispute has introduced tensions as both countries seek to address the latest incident and its implications for their relationship. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
LIONS OF NPP: Party Security Group Explains Black Attire and Purpose
Abure Anthony, the leader of the newly launched “LIONS OF NPP”, a security group affiliated with the New Patriotic Party, has shed light on the reasons behind their distinctive black attire and clarified the group’s mission. Speaking to Apexnewsgh, Anthony explained that the choice of black clothing is purely practical, not symbolic of militancy or intimidation. “We chose black because our work takes us into villages, often riding motorcycles. The roads are dusty, and black helps keep us looking neat while we’re on the move,” Anthony said. He emphasized that the group’s main responsibility is to mobilize and educate voters across communities, supporting the party and its candidates, particularly in the lead-up to the 2028 elections. Anthony addressed public concerns about the group’s purpose, especially in light of past experiences with party-affiliated security outfits. He made it clear that LIONS OF NPP is not a militant or violent group. “We are not using weapons, nor are we being trained to fight. Our only tool is our ability to engage with people and encourage them to vote for our party. If disagreements arise, we aim to resolve them peacefully through dialogue.” He further noted that the group operates within the laws of Ghana and respects the country’s regulations, including the Vigilantism Act. The LIONS OF NPP, according to Anthony, is preparing to officially register with the party and will operate under its oversight. He further emphasized that membership in the group is open to anyone, regardless of background or gender, as long as they demonstrate integrity and maturity. Anthony explained that prospective members are observed over time to ensure they align with the group’s values of peaceful engagement and community service. Currently, the LIONS OF NPP is focused on activities in the Bolgatanga Central constituency but is open to expansion across the region. Their goal, Anthony reiterated, is to serve as a disciplined, volunteer force supporting the party’s outreach and campaign efforts without resorting to violence or intimidation. Source: Apexnewsgh.com