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Virologist asks govt to institute localised lockdown

A virologist at the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR), Dr Michael Owusu, has asked the government to institute localised lockdowns in COVID-19 hotspots across the country.

He noted that the virus was running ahead of the nation and the only way to prevent the health system from being completely overwhelmed was to impose restrictions since the country’s state in relation to the pandemic was not as being reflected from the government.

Commenting on the development, Dr Owusu cautioned that “the figures have become a cause for concern as many fear issues may spiral out of control and if drastic and critical steps are not taken immediately to stop the rapid infection rate, a catastrophe will soon hit the country and issues will get out of hand”.

The virologist insisted that the government has to restrict the movement of persons to stem the infection rate and he believes that is the only sure way of reducing the rate of infections as there were people who had tested positive but were still going about their daily activities.

“I know people who are positive but still going to work, if a lockdown is imposed they will have no option than to stay home, if this is not done and more people, including health workers get infected and die, it can lead to the country being swamped by the virus since morale in health workers can be affected,” Dr Owusu warned.

Contributing to the discussion, Dr Ernest Yorke, the President of the Greater Accra Chapter of the Ghana Medical Association bemoaned the government’s painting a picture of everything being rosy when it was not saying “Ghana stands a chance of losing everything if the direction is not changed in COVID-19 management in our country and I also support the call of a localised lockdown.

“The government will, however, want to weigh the social and political impact of such a measure before going for it but am sure if a decisive move is not taken soon, the country will lose all gains made so far,” he cautioned.

The government has fought off claims that the figures are being massaged to create a good picture. -myjoyonline.com

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Ex-GIIF CEO and Prof. Ameyaw-Ekumfi charged over $2m Sky Train fiasco

The Attorney General’s Office has formally charged former Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) CEO Solomon Asamoah and ex-board chairman Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Ekumfi for their roles in the controversial Accra Sky Train project, which allegedly cost the state $2 million without authorisation.

The charges, filed today at the High Court (Criminal Division), include wilfully causing financial loss to the state under the Criminal Offences Act, conspiracy to commit crime through intentional dissipation of public funds, and intentional dissipation of public funds under the Public Property Protection Decree.

Prosecutors allege that in February 2019, the accused authorised a $2 million payment from GIIF to Africa Investor Holdings Limited for preliminary work on the Sky Train project – a system that was never built. The payment was reportedly made without proper board approval.

The Sky Train project, initiated in 2018 as a public-private partnership for an urban rail system in Accra, involved a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Railways Development, Africa Investor Holdings, and GIIF. However, investigations revealed the $2 million disbursement lacked proper due diligence and violated GIIF’s governance protocols.

Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine stated the accused acted outside their mandate, causing significant financial harm to the state. “The payment was unauthorised, and the project never materialised. This is a clear case of financial misconduct,” the filing stated.

The case will proceed in the High Court, with the AG’s office indicating some GIIF board members have agreed to testify as prosecution witnesses.

This prosecution forms part of the government’s broader crackdown on financial malfeasance, following earlier warnings of pending charges in the Sky Train and NSS ghost names scandals.

Source: Myjoyonline.com

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Interdict Sammy Gyamfi immediately to allow for investigations – NPP urges Mahama

The National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, has called on President John Mahama to immediately interdict Mr Sammy Gyamfi from his role as acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), to allow for investigations into his conduct following his public gifting of dollars to a self-lifestyle preacher.

The incident in question occurred on Saturday, May 10, 2025, when Mr Gyamfi was seen in widely circulated videos gifting bundles of US dollars to controversial evangelist Nana Agradaa while seated in his Range Rover.

Speaking at a news conference held by the party on Tuesday, May 13, Mr Boakye emphasised the need for consistency in leadership and accountability, pointing to recent controversies involving senior public officials.

“We also call on the President to immediately interdict Mr Sammy Gyamfi as acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board — or at least, he should interdict him pending the conduct of the investigation by the criminal investigation authorities of the state,” Boakye said.

Drawing a sharp comparison with a previous incident involving former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah, Boakye noted that Madam Dapaah was compelled to resign after reports emerged of large sums of money allegedly stolen from her residence, despite her long-standing public service and reputable family background.

“We cannot but remember when huge sums of money were reported to have been stolen from the residence of Madam Cecilia Dapaah, a woman who had worked in high places for over forty years before the incident — an MP since 2001, a deputy minister and a minister — married to a well-known, wealthy architect and consultant with nearly sixty years’ experience,” he remarked.

Boakye highlighted that under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Madam Dapaah stepped aside promptly, enabling thorough investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

“Investigations were duly conducted by the OSP against Madam Cecilia Dapaah and her husband after what the OSP described as seven months of extensive investigation and four months of collaborative inquiry,” he added.

The NPP is now demanding similar action from President Mahama in the interest of transparency, good governance, and public trust.

Source: Myjoyonline.com