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July 8, 2026
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Abu Trica rushed to Police Hospital as lawyer raises concerns over access to client
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Policy
Key Points
- Frederick Kumi (Abu Trica) has been rushed to the Police Hospital, according to his lawyer, Oliver Barker-Vormawor.
- His legal team has been denied access to him for over a week, and they are unaware of his current detention location, with Interpol denying custody.
- Barker-Vormawor plans to file a habeas corpus application if authorities continue to deny Abu Trica his right to legal representation.
- The lawyer criticized the treatment of Ghanaian citizens in cases involving foreign law enforcement agencies, likening it to treating them as 'animals'.
- Abu Trica faces extradition to the United States over an alleged $8 million romance scam and wire fraud scheme.
Why This Matters
This case is significant for Ghana as it raises serious questions about due process, fundamental human rights, and the rule of law within the country's justice system, especially concerning extradition proceedings. The alleged denial of access to legal counsel and uncertainty about a detainee's whereabouts could erode public trust and set a concerning precedent for how Ghanaian citizens are treated in cases involving international law enforcement agencies. It underscores the need for transparency and adherence to constitutional rights in all legal processes.
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August 24, 2026
GoldBod denies GH¢1bn BoG overdraft claim, demands retraction and apology from Boako
- The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has vehemently denied claims by MP Dr. Gideon Boako that it owes the Bank of Ghana (BoG) a GH¢1 billion overdraft.
- Dr. Boako, a Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Finance Committee, questioned GoldBod's reported GH¢907 million profit, stating an outstanding overdraft would reflect a loss.
- GoldBod labeled Dr. Boako’s claim as “totally false,” a “deliberate and malicious smear campaign,” and demanded a retraction and apology.
- This dispute is set against a broader political and economic debate concerning GoldBod’s financial performance and the accounting treatment of GH¢22 billion losses from the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP).
- GoldBod asserts it has never taken any loan, overdraft, or debt instrument from the Bank of Ghana or any financial institution since its establishment.
August 24, 2026
GoldBod losses remain key on Minority agenda as Parliament reconvenes – Afenyo-Markin
- The NPP Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, reaffirmed the caucus's commitment to investigate a reported US$1.7 billion loss linked to the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme and the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).
- This commitment was reiterated after Afenyo-Markin met with NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in Accra.
- Dr Bawumia commended the Minority Caucus for its accountability efforts and encouraged their continued work.
- The reported loss, equivalent to about 1.5% of Ghana’s GDP, will be a key issue for the Minority as Parliament reconvenes.
- The Minority is resolute in pursuing the matter to get answers for the Ghanaian public regarding the circumstances of the loss.
August 23, 2026
Why celebrate $2.62bn FDI while losing $1.7bn under the Domestic Gold Programme? IERPP asks
- The Institute of Economic Research and Public Policy (IERPP) welcomes Ghana's US$2.62 billion Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as a sign of investor confidence.
- However, IERPP tempers this optimism with concern over an estimated GH¢22 billion (US$1.7 billion) loss from the Domestic Gold Purchase Program (DGPP).
- The DGPP loss is significant, equating to about 65 cents for every US$1 of FDI attracted, highlighting a major resource management issue.
- IERPP emphasizes that while FDI is crucial, it cannot substitute for prudent management and protection of existing public resources.
- The Institute calls for greater transparency, a clear breakdown of DGPP losses, and intense scrutiny from accountability institutions, Parliament, and civil society.