A coordinated intelligence-led operation by the Special Operations Assistant (SOA) to the Inspector-General of Police has dismantled a suspected robbery network operating in Akatsi and surrounding communities, leading to the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of a significant cache of weapons.

According to information shared on the Ghana Police Service’s official Facebook page, the targeted operation was triggered by a recent spate of robberies reported in the area. Acting on intelligence, the SOA team moved into Gavekope on 21 April 2026, where the first suspect, Enoch Adoglo, was arrested.

Subsequent intelligence-led follow-up operations led officers to the outskirts of the same community, where Cephas Aniwaa—a blacksmith alleged to have been manufacturing and supplying weapons to the criminal group—was picked up. A third suspect, identified as David Adzinu, was also arrested in connection with the network.

A search conducted on the suspects yielded what investigators describe as a substantial arms haul: seven single-barrel rifles, five locally manufactured pistols, one revolver, 64 rounds of ACP ammunition, 11 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, four rounds of 7.62 × 51 ammunition, as well as BB cartridges—four live and 18 spent. Officers also retrieved three mobile phones and a set of winding tools believed to be linked to weapons fabrication activities.

Police further disclosed that investigations have identified Mensah Kedzi as a key figure allegedly connected to a series of robberies, including one recorded on 3 April 2026. He is currently on the run, alongside other suspected accomplices, including an ex-convict identified as Akakpo and another suspect, Ageh.

Security agencies say efforts have been intensified to track down all remaining suspects and ensure that those in custody are processed for prosecution.

The development underscores growing concerns about locally manufactured firearms feeding into organised criminal activity in parts of the Volta Region, even as law enforcement agencies deepen intelligence-led operations to curb the trend.

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The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, has directed the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) to step aside pending investigations into a fire incident at the Akosombo power control centre.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu on his Facebook page on Sunday, April 26, 2025.

According to the statement, there has also been a major shake-up in the leadership of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in the Ashanti Region.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition is expected to hold a major briefing on recent developments in electricity distribution. The briefing is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. tomorrow.

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Police have arrested one suspect in connection with the murder of an Indian national in Kumasi, as the Inspector-General of Police has deployed a special team of intelligence and homicide investigators to support ongoing investigations.

The deceased, identified as Devendra Singh, was earlier reported missing, prompting an extensive search operation by the Ghana Police Service.

According to a statement from the Police, the victim’s whereabouts remained unknown until Saturday, 25 April 2026, when officers received a tip-off that led to a breakthrough in the case.

At about 2:00 p.m., police were informed that a vehicle belonging to the missing man had been spotted on the outskirts of Sabin Akrofuom, near the Royal Lemosey Hospital. Officers who rushed to the scene discovered the car parked by the roadside.

A search of the vehicle revealed a disturbing scene: the lifeless body of Devendra Singh was found in the boot, with multiple stab wounds.

The Ashanti Regional Crime Scene Management Team was immediately deployed to process the scene. The body has since been conveyed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy, while the vehicle has been impounded to support further investigations.

One suspect is currently in custody assisting police with investigations. The Inspector-General of Police has also dispatched a special investigative team to the Ashanti Regional Command to reinforce efforts to identify and arrest all persons connected to the crime.

The Police Service has assured the public of a thorough investigation and urged anyone with relevant information to come forward to assist in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

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The Dansoman Circuit Court has remanded a 34-year-old businessman, Augustine Agyei, into police custody for allegedly defrauding six individuals of a total sum of GH¢710,050 under the pretext of supplying them with mineral water.

Agyei, who pleaded not guilty to six counts of defrauding by false pretence, appeared before the court presided over by Her Honour Nancy Teiko.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Kwadwo Aboagye prayed the court to remand the accused, arguing that he posed a flight risk and could abscond if granted bail.

The prosecution further noted that investigations were still ongoing and that the accused could interfere with the process if released.

The court granted the prosecution’s request and ordered that Agyei be held in police custody. He is expected to reappear on May 13, 2026.

According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly committed the offences earlier this year within the jurisdiction of the court.

He is said to have presented himself to the complainants as an agent of Awake Mineral Water, claiming he could supply them with large quantities of the product.

Based on this representation, the complainants reportedly handed over various sums of money to the accused.

These included GH¢184,000 from Joshua Ntim, GH¢97,000 from Ebenezer Manaa Mpah, GH¢80,000 from Jocelyn Serwaa Ampofo, GH¢149,000 from Helena Owusu Boakye, GH¢100,050 from Emmanuel Awuah, and GH¢100,000 from Kwame Asante.

The prosecution said after receiving the monies, Agyei failed to deliver the products as promised and subsequently went into hiding.

Police investigations led to his arrest on April 16, 2026. During interrogation, he allegedly admitted to the offence and pleaded with the complainants to allow him time to refund the money.

He has since been charged with defrauding by false pretence, contrary to Section 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), as investigations continue.

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Proceedings in the criminal case involving former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and five others have been adjourned by the High Court following recent developments affecting the prosecutorial mandate of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

The adjournment was granted after Senior Principal State Attorney at the OSP, Adelaide Kobiri-Woode, informed the court that the Office had filed a notice of appeal and an application for stay of execution in response to a ruling that stripped it of its prosecutorial powers.

Addressing the court, Kobiri-Woode explained that subsequent proceedings—particularly at General Jurisdiction 10 of the High Court and at the Supreme Court—had direct implications on the OSP’s authority to prosecute ongoing cases.

“My Lord, respectfully, between the last adjourned date and today, some court proceedings have taken place, particularly at General Jurisdiction 10, concerning the prosecutorial powers of the OSP,” she stated.

She added that the OSP had taken steps to challenge the ruling by Justice John Eugene Nyante Nyadu, which declared the Office’s prosecutions invalid and removed its authority to prosecute cases.

The prosecution therefore prayed the court to adjourn proceedings pending the determination of its application for stay of execution.

The case is among several high-profile matters tied to the anti-corruption mandate of the OSP and has drawn considerable public attention due to the involvement of Mr Ofori-Atta, who served under the New Patriotic Party administration led by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Five of the accused persons were present in court with their lawyers. They included Emmanuel Kofi Nti, Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, Isaac Crentsil, Evans Adusei, and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML).

Lawyers for some of the accused persons indicated they had no objection to the prosecution’s request for adjournment.

Counsel for one of the accused, Ernest Hardi Silas, told the court they would oblige with the OSP’s prayer.

Another defence team, led by Prof. Kwame Gyan, also associated themselves with the request, urging the court to set a reasonable adjournment date.

Presiding judge, Justice Francis Apangabuno Achibonga, in his ruling, noted the significance of the decision by General Jurisdiction 10 of the High Court and the steps taken by the OSP to challenge it.

“In light of the decision by General Jurisdiction 10 and the subsequent decision of the OSP to file notice of appeal and stay of proceedings, the case is hereby adjourned,” he ruled.

The matter has been adjourned to May 26, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., pending the determination of the OSP’s application for stay of execution.

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President John Dramani Mahama has declared that Ghana will pursue a human-centred approach to artificial intelligence (AI) development, positioning technology as a tool to enhance — not replace — human capability.

Launching the country’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2025–2035) at a high-level forum in Accra, the President framed the policy as a decisive shift from passive consumption of global technologies to active participation in designing and governing them.

“A simple principle will guide our approach: AI must enhance human capabilities and not diminish human dignity,” he stated.

The strategy, unveiled in the presence of government officials, industry leaders and members of the diplomatic corps, outlines Ghana’s ambition to become a leading AI hub in West Africa, leveraging innovation to drive economic growth, improve public service delivery and strengthen institutional efficiency.

President Mahama emphasised that the global narrative around AI has evolved from fear and uncertainty to opportunity and responsibility. According to him, while earlier debates focused on job losses and technological disruption, countries are now embracing “AI for good,” using policy frameworks to steer innovation toward national development goals.

He cited practical applications already transforming sectors worldwide — including healthcare diagnostics, education, agriculture forecasting, security systems and public administration — arguing that AI is no longer a futuristic concept but an immediate development tool.

“For Ghana, the question is no longer whether AI will shape our future,” he said. “The question is whether we will shape its use in ways that reflect our national priorities, values and aspirations.”

Addressing concerns about job displacement, the President acknowledged anxieties among workers but assured that government policy would prioritise inclusion and workforce adaptation.

“We do not intend to surrender our people to technological disruptions,” he said. “We intend to prepare them to lead in it.”

To that end, he announced plans to invest in large-scale upskilling and reskilling programmes across both the public and private sectors, ensuring that workers are equipped to operate effectively in an AI-driven economy.

The President also underscored the need for leadership preparedness, revealing that ministers and senior government officials had already undergone a National AI Boot Camp to build capacity at the highest levels of governance.

He added that key performance indicators (KPIs) have been introduced across ministries, departments and agencies to ensure measurable adoption and integration of AI technologies.

“Transformation must not remain rhetorical,” he stressed. “It must be measurable, accountable and result in change.”

In a lighter moment during his address, President Mahama referenced emerging AI tools capable of speaking multiple Ghanaian languages and performing creative tasks, noting both their potential and the need to carefully balance innovation with human creativity.

The 10-year strategy is expected to guide Ghana’s AI governance, infrastructure development and ethical standards, aligning technological advancement with national development priorities while safeguarding social equity.

With this launch, Ghana joins a growing number of countries formalising AI policies — a move widely seen as essential to maintaining competitiveness in an increasingly digital global economy.

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Motorists and commuters along the busy Kasoa–Winneba highway may soon experience some respite from persistent congestion, following assurances from the Presidency that rehabilitation works on the corridor are progressing steadily.

According to a statement posted on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Jubilee House, President John Dramani Mahama, after inspecting the project yesterday, expressed satisfaction with both the pace and quality of work. He indicated that sections of the road will be opened to traffic within the next month to ease congestion on the heavily patronised stretch.

“I understand the frustrations faced by commuters, but help is on the way. The contractor is doing good work, and we are closely monitoring progress to ensure timely delivery,” the President stated.

The statement added that full completion of the project is expected by December this year, or, at the latest, the first quarter of 2027.

The Kasoa–Winneba rehabilitation forms part of government’s flagship infrastructure programme, the Big Push agenda, aimed at modernising key road networks, improving connectivity and reducing travel time along major economic corridors.

Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, attributed the steady progress to a directive from the President that no inherited infrastructure project should be abandoned. He emphasised that the policy is intended to ensure continuity and restore momentum across stalled works.

He further disclosed that government has, since 2025, released over GH₵12 billion to contractors, a move he said has significantly accelerated road construction nationwide.

The Kasoa–Winneba stretch remains one of the country’s most critical yet congested highways, serving as a major link between Accra and the Central and Western regions. Its rehabilitation is expected to deliver both economic and social benefits, particularly by easing commuter delays and facilitating trade along the coastal corridor.

While the assurances signal progress, the extent to which phased openings will meaningfully reduce congestion—and whether revised timelines will hold—remains a key test as work advances.

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The Founder and Leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), Hassan Ayariga, has called on government to urgently review the agreement between the National Lottery Authority (NLA) and KGL Technology Limited, describing it as a monopoly that undermines transparency and fair competition.

In a press release dated April 22, 2026, issued in Accra and signed by Dr. Ayariga, the APC leader said the directive by John Dramani Mahama to review the controversial agreement offers an opportunity to address what he termed “systemic imbalances” in Ghana’s digital lottery space.

According to him, the current arrangement, which grants exclusive control over the digital and USSD channels of the NLA’s 5/90 lottery to a single private company, has effectively created a monopoly that restricts competition, limits innovation, and reduces opportunities for other Ghanaian businesses.

“A monopoly of this nature weakens transparency and raises serious concerns about compliance with Ghanaian law,” the statement said, adding that no private entity should wield such disproportionate control over a national revenue-generating asset.

Dr. Ayariga argued that the National Lottery Authority Act clearly establishes the NLA as the sole operator of lotteries in the country, allowing private sector participation only within defined limits as Lotto Marketing Companies under the Authority’s supervision.

He maintained that any agreement that transfers operational dominance or financial control to a private entity contradicts both the letter and spirit of the law.

The APC leader is therefore urging government, regulators, and the technical review team to take decisive steps, including terminating or restructuring exclusivity clauses, opening the digital lottery ecosystem to multiple qualified operators through a transparent licensing process, and ensuring full revenue visibility under NLA oversight.

He further called for equal opportunities for Ghanaian innovators and technology firms, stressing that competition is essential for efficiency, innovation, and value creation.

Dr. Ayariga also expressed concern over what he described as declining contributions from the lottery sector to the national purse, warning that the current structure risks eroding public trust.

He insisted that Ghanaians deserve a lottery system that is fair, transparent, competitive, and fully accountable.

“The directive by the President presents a defining test of leadership,” he stated, adding that the review process must prioritise national interest over entrenched advantages.

He concluded by urging swift action to end monopoly control, enforce existing laws, and open the sector to fair competition, cautioning that failure to act could entrench inequality and deny the country the full economic benefits of its lottery industry.

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