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AID Agenda lauds NPP’s decision not to contest Tamale Central seat 

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Isaac Boison, Acting President of Aid Agenda

AID AGENDA, a Non-governmental organisation, has commended the New Patriot Party (NPP), for its decision not to contest the by-election to be conducted in the Tamale Central Constituency following the tragic death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.

AID AGENDA is a non-profit organisation, which works towards strengthening democratic governance by supporting inclusive political participation, enhancing policy development through evidence based advocacy and empowering instructions to be transparent, accountable and also responsive to the needs of all citizens.

The organisation in a press statement said the decision was not just a political gesture, but a heartfelt tribute to a colleague whose life and service have left a lasting impact and also a call for political unity in honour of the eight distinguished Ghanaians who lost their lives while on an official assignment on August 6, 2025 in the ill-fated military helicopter crash at Adansi Sikaman near Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region.

The statement, which was signed by Mr Isaac Boison, Acting President of Aid Agenda, noted that the NPP had demonstrated “a deep sense of respect, compassion and political maturity by deciding not to contest”, and added that as the “nation prepares for another by-election at Akwatia, we respectfully call on the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to consider taking a similar step to honour the memory of the late Ernest Kumi”.

“We salute the NPP for this honourable decision and encourage the NDC to follow suit in Akwatia as a mark of respect to the legacy of Ernest Kumi”. By so doing, it gesture will help the country to continue “to rise above partisanship in moments that call for unity”.

“In choosing not to field a candidate, the NPP has placed national unity and human dignity above partisan interests, reminding us all that politics, at its best, is about people and not just power. It is in moments like these that true leadership is revealed, and we commend the NPP for leading with empathy and honour” and hoped that the NDC would reciprocate the gesture to show that “our political divides can give way to shared respect and national solidarity”, the statement stated.

Aid Agenda, long before the NPP announced its intention not to contest in the Tamale Central by-elections, had already issued a statement on the matter, part of which read; “At this time of great national grief, we humbly appeal to both the NDC and the NPP to consider an extraordinary gesture of solidarity to allow the incumbent party to retain their respective constituencies in which the departed Minister Dr. Murtala Muhammad of Tamale Central and MP Ernest Kumi of Akwatia served…”

Meanwhile, the NDC last week strongly rejected the suggestion to replicate the gesture in Akwatia, arguing that the party did not believe that the NPP actually won the Akwatia parliamentary seat in the 2024 general elections and, therefore, the circumstances surrounding Akwatia and Tamale Central by-elections were not the same.

From Thomas Agbenyegah Adzey, Kumasi

Volta Trade and Investment Fair launched at Juapong 

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The Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC), in collaboration with the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), has launched the Seventh Volta Trade and Investment Fair at the premises of Volta Star Textiles Limited (VSTL), in Juapong, North Tongu District, with a renewed call for the revival of the once-thriving textile factory.

The launch, which also introduced the maiden 24-Hour Economy Fair in the region, was held on the theme: “Volta Rising: Building Global Partnerships for a Thriving 24-Hour Economy.”

Volta Regional Minister, Mr. James Gunu, described the choice of Juapong Textiles as symbolic, noting that it served both as a reminder of Ghana’s industrial heritage and as a rallying point for a new era of economic transformation.

He said the Fair aligned with President John Dramani Mahama’s flagship 24-Hour Economy Policy, which forms a core part of the 2025 Budget, backed by an initial US$300 million investment and a target of US$4 billion over four years.

“This policy is designed to stimulate industrial growth, create over 1.7 million jobs and position Ghana as a competitive round-the-clock economy. For Volta region, we see enormous opportunities – the revival of Juapong Textiles under a 24-hour model and the development of a 24-Hour Industrial Park in Adaklu on a secured 1,500-acre land to drive manufacturing, logistics and exports,” Mr. Gunu said.

He invited development partners, diplomats and investors to collaborate in advancing this vision, stressing that global partnership would be key to transforming the region into a hub of continuous productivity and innovation.

H.E. Syed Nauzer Idid Bin Syed Yusoff Idid, the Malaysian High Commissioner to Ghana, pledged his country’s support, commending the Fair as “a crucial bridge between Ghana’s readiness and the world.”

He expressed confidence that the event would spark new and lasting collaborations between Ghana, Malaysia, and other international partners.

Mr. Fred Avornyo, CEO of the Volta Trade and Investment Fair, described the event as a model of public-private partnership led by the VRCC and AGI.

He said the Fair would go beyond exhibitions, seeking to position Volta as Ghana’s eastern gateway to the West African market of 400 million people.

“This is not just an event, it is a vision to tackle youth unemployment, expand investment, and open new revenue streams for government,” Mr. Avornyo said.

From agribusiness to tourism, manufacturing to the creative industries, the Fair is designed to create sustainable livelihoods while repositioning Volta in the national and regional economic conversation.

The District Chief Executive of North Tongu, Madam Victoria Amefadzi Yawa Doe, welcomed the initiative, calling it a “bold statement” of North Tongu’s strategic importance.

She highlighted the district’s vast agricultural potential, fertile plains, and strategic location as a gateway between Accra, Eastern, and the Volta Region.

The launch also featured goodwill messages from key partners including the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Bank of Ghana, National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Petroleum Commission, and the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat, all of whom pledged full support. Partners also signed a symbolic endorsement of the Fair.

The Seventh Volta Trade and Investment Fair will take place from November 26 to December 8 in Ho, featuring exhibitions, business-to-business sessions, cultural showcases, investment summits, and tourism promotions.

Volta Star Textiles Ltd., once a leading textile producer since 1968, has faced decades of decline due to obsolete machinery.

Proposals to modernize the factory could see its production capacity rise from 20 million yards annually to 100 million yards, creating at least 1,200 direct jobs and boosting the local economy.

From Michael Foli Jackidy, Juapong

GNA 

What Is an Ice Pick Headache?

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Ice pick headaches feel like a sudden, stabbing pain in your face, often around the eyes or temples. They’re brief, usually lasting just a few seconds. They can happen repeatedly in the same or different spots throughout the day. People prone to migraines or cluster headaches are more likely to have ice pick headaches, though anyone can have them.

Doctors don’t know the exact cause, but it may involve how the brain sends pain signals. Triggers could include sudden movements, bright light, or stress. Because ice pick headaches are short-lived, they can be hard to treat.

Many people, from time to time, feel quick jabs or jolts of severe pain around one of their eyes or at their temple. They usually last only a few seconds.

They might happen in the same spot over and over again. Or you could feel them in different places each time, such as one temple and then the other.

Thunderclap Headache vs. Ice Pick Headache

Like an ice pick headache, a thunderclap headache comes on suddenly. But the difference is that an ice pick headache lasts a few seconds, while a thunderclap headache can stick with you anywhere between 1 and 5 minutes. Also, ice pick headaches happen in clusters, but a thunderclap headache happens in one burst. A thunderclap headache could also be a sign of a serious health issue, while an ice pick headache usually isn’t.

 

Who Gets Ice Pick Headaches?

You’re more likely to get ice pick headaches if you’re prone to migraines or cluster headaches. But you could get them even if you don’t normally have migraines. People usually first notice them between the ages of 45 and 50.

Ice Pick Headache Causes

It’s not clear what causes ice pick headaches. But doctors do know they’re not caused by disease or injury. You may get them because something is wrong with how your brain sends pain signals to your body.

Ice pick headache triggers may include:

  • Sudden movements
  • Bright light
  • Stress

Track Your Triggers

It’s a good idea to keep a headache diary. Write down when you have an ice pick headache and what happened before it started. If you had a stressful day at work before it hit, write that down. You can also use a mobile phone app instead of a diary.

Take this information to your next doctor’s appointment so you can discuss ways to prevent these headaches. They may be able to suggest lifestyle changes, such as relaxation, to reduce stress.

Ice pick headaches may come and go quickly, so they’re hard to treat. One medicine you might try to prevent an attack is indomethacin (Indocin, Tivorbex). It’s a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It could cause side effects such as nausea, stomach bleeding, heartburn, and eye or kidney problems. You’ll need an annual eye exam to make sure your eyes are healthy if you take it.

Ice Pick Headache Home Remedies

At-home treatments are another option to ease an ice pick headache. You can try:

  • Massaging your head
  • Placing a warm or cold compress on your head
  • Resting in a cool, dark room
  • Drinking water

Ice Pick Headache Complications

See a doctor if you have an ice pick headache along with the following:

  • Trouble with balance
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Throwing up
  • Vision changes

When to Seek Emergency Help

Ice pick headaches aren’t serious in most cases. But other serious brain conditions could also make you feel similar pains. If you have brief headaches that feel like stabbing, see your doctor to rule out other health concerns.

Credit: webmd

Feature: Eight Lives Lost Daily: Why Ghana Must Treat Road Safety as a National Emergency

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Shadrack Nii Yarboi Yartey

Eight Ghanaians do not make it home every day because of road crashes. That is not an abstract statistic; it’s eight empty seats at dinner tables every single day. Statistics from the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) for January–June 2025 show 7,289 reported crashes involving 12,354 vehicles, injuring over 8,300 people and killing 1,504, more lives lost in six months than Ghana recorded during the entire COVID-19 pandemic. This is a national emergency, and it demands a legislative, regulatory and enforcement response with the same urgency we would give to any public-health crisis.

The Cost of Inaction

When the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) says we are losing an average of eight lives daily, we should treat that as a call to arms. Eight a day is not fate; it’s the predictable outcome of gaps in law, weak enforcement, poor vehicle and road standards, and fragmented accountability.

In a 24-hour economy where people and goods will move at all hours, those gaps will widen unless Parliament and regulators take the appropriate steps. Night-time and early-morning travel carry higher risks: fatigue, speed, alcohol, and low visibility combine into a deadly mix. If we expand round-the-clock activity without strong safety rules and enforcement, we will expand the times and places where crashes occur.

What the Law must do, Clearly and Quickly

Adopt a “Safe System” approach in law. Road safety design are part of every road design; however, during road construction, they are omitted and the same people who ignored the safety designs become victims of their own action and inaction. Make safety a design requirement on roads, in vehicles, and at speeds, rather than relying only on perfect human behaviour. This means statutory speed management, safer street design (traffic calming, street light functioning, pedestrian islands, protected shoulders), mandatory safety audits for all new or rehabilitated roads, and routine maintenance that prioritizes high-risk corridors and junctions.

Set and enforce firm speed limits with automated enforcement. Speed is the single most crucial factor in whether a crash becomes a fatality or not. According to the National Road Safety Authority, excessive speeding contributes to 60% of road crashes leading to deaths, pedestrian and passenger knockdowns. Speeding has become the lone ranger in killing people, maiming them, and destroying property.Worldwide evidence shows that speed cameras, when deployed transparently and fairly, reduce injury crashes and deaths. The attempt to amend Road Traffic Regulation LI 2180 to allow for automated speed enforcement is still in limbo.

Close the safety-gear loopholes. Effective helmet and seat-belt laws save lives. The law must require standards-certified motorcycle helmets (with a national conformity regime so only safe helmets are sold), rear and front seat-belt use, and child restraints, with penalties that deter. Complement the law with roadside checks and low-cost distribution/financing of compliant gear.

Zero tolerance for drink- and drug-driving backed by evidence tools.Mandating the police to undertake regular random breath testing and roadside sobriety checks, with lower blood-alcohol limits for commercial, night-shift, and novice drivers, can help limit the culture of binge driving. Ghana’s blood alcohol content (BAC) level is in excess of international best standards. Addressing binge driving will not be complete without bringing it to a level that makes driving safer for both the driver and other road users.

Professionalize commercial transport. The NRSA law mandates the Codification of minimum hours-of-service and rest breaks for truck, bus, and ride-hail drivers; require electronic logging for fleets above a defined size; license and audit transport companies for safety management; and enforcement has become very low due to underfunding of the NRSA. In a 24-hour economy, fatigue management is non-negotiable.

Why this matters even more under a 24-hour Economy

Ghana’s 24-hour economy vision promises jobs, productivity, and better use of infrastructure. But the same round-the-clock movement raises exposure during the riskiest hours. A strong legal framework enables the country to reap economic benefits without sacrificing lives.

By establishing safe speeds at night, implementing fatigue rules for shift workers, designing safe routes for industrial zones and markets, and ensuring predictable, automated enforcement that operates 24/7. If we legislate safety into the 24-hour model, we set ourselves up for inclusive growth; if we ignore it, we will multiply today’s tragedy by tomorrow’s traffic volumes. The outcome is an increase in crashes and fatalities.

What the world has learned and Ghana can Adapt

Sweden’s Vision Zero made safety the top design goal and aligned laws, engineering, and enforcement accordingly. Over time, Sweden more than halved road deaths while traffic volumes rose, proving that systematic, law-backed safety works. Ghana can legislate its own Vision Zero target and plan, tailored to our roads and risks.

Speed cameras save lives when used fairly. International reviews find consistent reductions in injury crashes where cameras are deployed. Our law should require community consultation, signage, independent calibration, privacy safeguards, and public dashboards so that the focus is on safety, not revenue.

World Health Organization best practice is clear: enforce helmet, seat-belt, child-restraint and drink-driving laws; manage speed; and improve post-crash care. Countries that put these into law and enforce them see fewer funerals and fewer disabilities.

A simple bargain with the Ghanaian public

Ghanaians will accept tougher rules if they see fairness and results. That’s why the legislative package must hard-wire transparency: where cameras are placed, how fines are used, which junctions will be redesigned next, and how many minutes an ambulance should take to arrive. Publish the numbers. Fix the hotspots. Show the lives saved.

We should be honest, persuading every driver to behave perfectly is impossible. Designing a system that anticipates mistakes and prevents them from becoming fatalis possible. Parliament should treat NRSA’s 2025 figures as a wake-up call and pass amendments to the Road and Traffic Act to align with global best practice, alongside regulations that give the Police, MMDAs, and transport regulators the tools to enforce it, day and night.

Eight a day is not inevitable. With smart laws, firm enforcement, and safer streets, we can make “arrive safely” the norm in Ghana’s 24-hour economy, not the exception. The writer is a development professional with CUTS International, Accra. For more information visit www.cuts-accra.org or email sny@cuts.org

By Shadrack Nii Yarboi Yartey

Man United’s ‘Mainoo reluctantly will consider offers going forward’

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Kobbie Mainoo

BBC Senior Football Correspondent Sami Mokbel says Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo “needs to give serious consideration” to an exit from the club and risks becoming “the forgotten man” if he doesn’t make the right move.

Mainoo seems to have slipped back quite a way since his 2023-24 breakthrough campaign under Erik ten Hag, when he scored in the FA Cup final and started for England in the Euro 2024 final.

After he was an unused substitute against Fulham on Sunday, Ruben Amorim said the 20-year-old is “fighting for the position now with Bruno [Fernandes]”.

“If he’s got to fight with the captain of the football club for his position, it doesn’t bode well for Kobbie Mainoo,” Mokbel told the Football Daily podcast.

“My understanding is that Mainoo reluctantly will consider offers going forward because I think he’s realised his opportunities at Manchester United are going to be few and far between this season given his direct competition is the captain.

“I think there will be a lot of takers. Chelsea historically have an interest but they’re pretty well-stocked in central midfield at the moment.

“In a World Cup year, for a guy who started in the Euro 2024 final for England, he needs to playing football and in my opinion needs to give serious consideration for an exit from United.

“He’s maybe going to have to go down a rung lower on the Premier League ladder than he’d want to.

“I’d imagine for Kobbie Mainoo, as important as it is to play Premier League football, going down the food chain is fraught with concerns. If the step down doesn’t go well, where do you go from there?

“Sometimes your career is governed by your transfers and what moves you take and if you don’t make the right one you can very quickly become the forgotten man.”

Credit: bbc.com

Palace agree £26m deal for Villarreal winger Pino

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Yeremy Pino

Crystal Palace have agreed a deal in principle worth up to £26m with Villarreal for Spain winger Yeremy Pino.

The 22-year-old is believed to be open to a move to Selhurst Park and is expected to complete a medical in the coming days.

Pino has a £69m release clause, but with there being less than two years left to run on his contract, Villarreal have decided to accept Palace’s offer.

The Eagles have moved for Pino after England forward Eberechi Eze’s £60m move to Arsenal last week.

Eze, 27, was Palace’s talisman last season, scoring 14 goals and recording 11 assists in 43 games as the club won the FA Cup – the first major trophy in their history.

After Palace’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest at the weekend, manager Oliver Glasner said he was “very confident” the club would make new signings before deadline day on Monday following a quiet transfer window.

The club have made only two signings this summer – goalkeeper Walter Benitez’s arrival from PSV Eindhoven on a free transfer and defender Borna’s Sosa’s £3m move from Ajax.

Palace have also made a move for Manchester City’s 30-year-old Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji, who the club value at £15m.

Winger Pino came through Las Palmas’ youth set-up before joining Villareal in 2017.

He made his full debut in 2020 and scored four goals in 34 league games last season to help Villarreal finish fifth and qualify for the Champions League.

Pino has scored three goals in 15 internationals for Spain since making his debut in 2021.

Credit: bbc.com

Wolves reject £55m Newcastle bid for Strand Larsen

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Jorgen Strand Larsen

Wolves have rejected a second Newcastle bid for striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, who scored twice in the win over West Ham on Tuesday.

The Magpies had returned with a £55m offer after a £50m approach was turned down earlier this week.

Wolves do not want to sell the Norway international, firstly because of how little time they would have to find a replacement, with the transfer window closing on Monday, and also because of how valuable Strand Larsen is to their Premier League survival chances.

Newcastle are looking for fresh firepower with Alexander Isak trying to engineer a move to Liverpool – the Sweden forward is in a stand-off with the Magpies and yet to play this season.

Strand Larsen, who only made his loan move from Celta Vigo permanent for £23m this summer, came off the bench to score twice in the final eight minutes as Wolves beat West Ham 3-2 in the EFL Cup on Tuesday.

Afterwards, boss Vitor Pereira refused to rule out a sale, even though he wants to keep the forward.

He said: “Football is football and every player has a price, even [Lionel] Messi or Cristiano [Ronaldo]. I understand football but for me it’s very important for us. We will see what happens.

“If it’s my decision, of course [he stays]. He is a very important player.”

Newcastle is an attractive option for Strand Larsen, who scored 14 Premier League goals last season, but he has remained professional and Pereira believes the 25-year-old will not force a move.

He said: “I know a lot of players in my career in this situation and they have asked me not to play but he wants to play every time. He wants to help the team.

“In the last seven or eight months I am with him, I know him very well. He will never force. Of course we know football is football. You must be ready for everything but I want to keep the best players and this kind of player with us.”

Credit: bbc.com

2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers: Otto Addo names familiar faces for September games

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Black Stars at training

The head coach of the Black Stars of Ghana, Otto Addo, has included familiar faces in his squad for the September international break.

The national team is set to return to action next month for crucial games in the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

On Tuesday, August 26, Coach Otto Addo named a 24-man squad he will be using for the games against Chad and Mali.

The squad is led by regular players including Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Antoine Semenyo, and Inaki Williams.

These familiar players will be playing important roles in the two games, with Ghana expected to aim for wins to inch closer to booking qualification to next year’s World Cup.

The two games against Chad and Mali will be played on September 4 and 8, respectively.

Credit: ghanasoccernet.com

No Evidence of Injuries in Ridge Hospital Assault Case – Committee 

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The Greater Accra Regional Hospital

A committee set up by the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, to investigate the widely publicized assault incident at Ridge Hospital has found no medical evidence to support claims that Rejoice Tsotso Bortei, a rotation nurse at the facility, sustained a dislocated shoulder or wrist fracture during the altercation.

The committee’s report was presented to the Health Minister on Wednesday, August 27, following a week-long probe into the incident, which triggered public outcry and legal action.

Ms. Bortei had alleged that she was physically assaulted on August 17 by social media personality Ralph Saint Williams while on duty.

According to her, she was struck with a clenched fist and a metallic cellphone, leading to injuries in her arm, shoulder, waist, and chest, along with persistent headaches and panic attacks.

The nurse subsequently filed a civil lawsuit against Mr. Williams, demanding GH¢7 million in damages for alleged assault and defamation.

She is also seeking a public retraction, an apology, and a court order restraining Mr. Williams from coming within 50 meters of her.

However, in its findings, the investigative committee chaired by Dr. Lawrence Ofori-Boadu stated that medical examinations conducted on August 18 — a day after the alleged assault — showed no evidence of a shoulder dislocation or wrist fracture, as claimed by Ms. Bortei.

“There was no evidence of fracture on her left wrist or dislocation of her right shoulder joint as documented by the medical records,” Dr. Ofori-Boadu noted in the report.

While the nurse did receive pain relief and psychological support following the incident, the committee maintained that the clinical records did not corroborate the severity of the physical injuries alleged.

Despite the committee’s findings, Ms. Bortei maintains her account of the events, insisting that Mr. Williams’ actions not only caused her physical harm but also defamed her publicly.

In her lawsuit, she accused him of publishing a live video calling her a liar and alleging she had fabricated the injuries to “cover the nonsense going on at the hospital.”

The Health Ministry has not yet indicated whether any further action will be taken following the committee’s report.

IPMC Executive Chairman Arraigned over Alleged Gold Theft

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A court gavel

Amardeep Singh Hari, Executive Chairman of IPMC and prominent business figure, has been arraigned before the Accra Circuit Court on charges of stealing gold and company documents belonging to Gold Crest Refinery Limited

Mr. Hari, 58, appeared before His Honour Kwabena Kodua Obiri-Yeboah earlier today, where he pleaded not guilty to three counts of stealing under Section 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

His alleged accomplice, Sannamdeep Singh Hari, is currently at large.

The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Jacob Maalo Kuubal, accused the two of dishonestly appropriating 23 kilograms of refined gold, 2 kilograms of unrefined gold, and sensitive corporate documents, including incorporation certificates, trading licenses, and books of accounts.

The incidents are said to have occurred on or before December 2024 at the offices of Gold Crest Refinery in Accra.

According to the brief facts presented by the prosecution, the accused persons allegedly took the items without the knowledge or consent of the other directors.

Multiple efforts by the police to engage Mr. Hari in the course of their investigation allegedly failed, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant.

He was subsequently apprehended at the Kotoka International Airport on August 25, 2025, upon returning from South Africa.

Bail Application and Defence Submissions

Defence counsel for Mr. Hari, strongly objected to the charges, describing them as baseless and driven by internal company disputes.

He emphasized that the complainant company had never officially lodged a complaint directly; rather, the petition that triggered the investigation was submitted by legal representatives (Sory@Law) allegedly acting on behalf of individuals with questionable standing in the company.

Counsel further disclosed that Mr. Hari holds a 50% majority shareholding in Gold Crest Refinery and has acted as Managing Director for the past seven months, during which the other shareholders have allegedly abandoned their responsibilities.

“The accused person is being prosecuted for allegedly misappropriating property belonging to his own company,” counsel stated. “He was never invited for questioning by any state agency prior to his arrest. He has cooperated fully with investigators and poses no flight risk.”

He also stressed that Mr. Hari has deep roots in Ghana, having lived and worked in the country since 1991, employing nearly 1,000 people.

Prosecution Perspective

Chief Inspector Kuubal insisted that the charges are serious and that the accused cannot claim ownership over company property merely by virtue of being a shareholder or director.

He emphasized that Gold Crest Refinery Limited, as a legal entity separate from its shareholders, is entitled to the protection of its assets from internal misappropriation.

Nevertheless, the court ruled in favour of bail, setting conditions at GH¢100,000 with two sureties. Mr. Hari is expected to reappear on September 3, 2025.

The court also ordered that the second accused, Sannamdeep Singh Hari, appear on the adjourned date.

The court has directed the prosecution to file the necessary disclosures ahead of the next hearing.

The case remains under active investigation.

The Ghanaian Chronicle