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The Accra High Court has been informed that Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is seeking a plea bargain in the ongoing criminal case involving alleged fraud linked to the Ghana Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank).
The Office of the Attorney-General formally notified the court of the development in a filing dated June 11, 2026, indicating that the first accused person had initiated steps toward a plea negotiation process.
The request was made through Wontumi’s lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, and communicated to the Attorney-General in a letter dated June 5, 2026. The notice was filed under Section 162C(3) of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30).
The case before the High Court in Accra lists Bernard Antwi-Boasiako as the first accused person, alongside Thomas Antwi-Boasiako—who is currently at large—and Wontumi Farms Limited. The Attorney-General is prosecuting the matter on behalf of the state.
The notification, signed by Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, was submitted to the court registry for the attention of the presiding judge.
Prosecutors allege that between 2018 and 2022, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako and Thomas Antwi-Boasiako fraudulently obtained GH¢14,302,000 from EXIM Bank through false pretences, using Wontumi Farms Limited as the vehicle for the transaction.
The charge sheet further states that Chairman Wontumi allegedly presented a forged receipt to EXIM Bank officials, which was used to support an additional GH¢4 million facility.
He is also accused of knowingly benefiting from funds alleged to have been fraudulently obtained, forming the basis of a money laundering charge.
In addition, the prosecution claims the accused persons caused financial loss exceeding GH¢30 million to EXIM Bank through the transactions in question.
The court is expected to take further steps as it considers the plea bargain notification and the parties proceed with negotiations under the relevant legal framework.
Following the three-day anti-flood clean-up operation launched by Zoomlion Ghana Limited and its partners, Dredge Masters Limited on Thursday, June 11, deployed specialised equipment to dredge and desilt critical drains in Weija, Mepeasem (near UPSA), and other parts of the Greater Accra Region.
Despite heavy silt and solid waste that had cut capacity in major storm drains across Accra, worsening flood risks, the joint anti-flood exercise was now targeting key flashpoints before the next rains.
The exercise is a partnership between Zoomlion Ghana Limited, NADMO, FeDems Limited, Dredge Masters Ghana Limited, Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service and MMDAs in Greater Accra.
In an interview, the Operations Manager of Dredge Masters Ghana Limited, Sena Adiepena, said the channels have lost capacity due to lack of maintenance.
“This UPSA storm drain is expected to be carrying a lot of flood waters downstream towards the outfall, ultimately into the sea. But it hasn’t been maintained for a while now and has lost capacity. You can see lots of solid waste,” Mr. Adiepena said.
He explained that Dredge Masters was called in based on its experience in dredging water bodies nationwide. “We found it important as our responsibility to also give back to the nation and work with NADMO, especially to identify these very key areas and then mobilise specialised equipment to allow us to dredge and create access for flow of water.”
With more rains forecast, the team is racing to clear selected drains to prevent repeat flooding. “We know that floods have occurred in the past few days and weeks, and the rains haven’t stopped. More is expected. So we are positioning ourselves to ensure that once we cater for some of these selected drains which are flashpoint areas, we will be able to ensure that we don’t have flooding in the same areas again,” he said.
He added that the team will extend the exercise to other areas. “We are also at Weija, at the Kasoa toll booth. We’ll be heading to Sakumono, Teshie and other places NADMO considers very critical to controlling the floods.”
But the work faces a major obstacle: encroachment. Buffer zones meant for equipment access have been taken over by private structures.
“We are faced with very key challenges. During our assessment prior to deployment, we realised that the buffers that are supposed to allow for passage and equipment access in order to easily maintain these drains are not accessible because of encroachment. A lot of private properties have been built into these access ways, so it makes it quite difficult to effectively dredge,” Adiepena stated.
He called for long-term collaboration to reclaim access. “Ultimately, we would have to find a way of manoeuvring around it. Long term, we would have to work together with the authorities to see how we can probably demolish some of them or speak to their owners to allow for these spaces to be available for maintenance of the drain because it is very key.”
Mr. Adiepena stressed that continuous maintenance is the only way to avoid “firefighting mode.” “The proactive measure in ensuring that these drains don’t flood is to allow for continuous maintenance. That way we will not have to wait for the flood to happen before we come to the ground. We are always ready. We are well equipped, well resourced.”
He noted that the sites were selected with NADMO and MMDAs based on recent flood reports. “We’ve had in the past few days the news about flooding in a number of areas. We are working closely with the several district and municipal assemblies and more especially NADMO because they normally respond to the distress calls. Beyond the response, they also have the ability to identify some of these flashpoints and the nuances that are causing these flooding.”
Dredge Masters is expected to cover about two kilometres of the drain at Mepeasem near UPSA, but bottlenecks remain. “We are looking at achieving that stretch but there are a lot of bottlenecks and structures in the way that are making the work difficult. But we are still working with authorities to see how best we can deliver on our mandate, which is to dredge and ensure that there’s free flow.”
Mr Adiepena confirmed the exercise is being funded by Zoomlion and partners. “This was done out of the benevolence of Zoomlion. This is at no cost to the State or the Assembly and we are supporting.”
The three-day dredging and clean-up exercise targets flood-prone areas including Madina, Roman Ridge, Mallam, Paloma, Circle, Kaneshie, and GBC.
The NADMO Greater Accra Regional Director, Dennis Nartey, and Zoomlion’s Chief Corporate Communications, Officer Sophia Kudjordji, have warned that most flood damage is man-made, caused by waste blocking drains, and urged residents to embrace responsible waste disposal under the “No Do No Do” campaign.
A heavy downpour on Thursday morning caused severe flooding across sections of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) campus, disrupting academic activities and leaving many students stranded between their halls of residence and lecture venues.
The flooding overwhelmed drainage systems in several parts of the campus, rendering key roads, bridges, and pedestrian walkways impassable.
As a result, many students heading to lectures were forced to use longer alternative routes, while others remained in their halls due to safety concerns and restricted access to academic areas.
To ease the situation, the university deployed buses capable of navigating some of the flooded sections to transport students across affected areas. However, taxis and other smaller vehicles were unable to access several inundated routes, further hampering movement on campus.
University security personnel were also deployed to monitor the affected areas and direct traffic to ensure the safety of students, staff, and motorists.
The flooding significantly slowed movement across the university and disrupted normal academic activities, particularly during the morning hours when many lectures were scheduled.
As of Thursday afternoon, university authorities had not issued an official statement detailing the full extent of the disruption or outlining immediate measures to address the situation.
Meanwhile, students have renewed calls for urgent and long-term solutions to the recurring flooding problem on campus, expressing concerns about accessibility, safety, and the impact of seasonal rains on teaching and learning.
Many students believe improvements to the campus drainage infrastructure are necessary to prevent future disruptions and ensure the smooth running of academic activities during the rainy season.
The Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture and Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, John Setor Dumelo, has announced a series of community initiatives to enable residents to enjoy Ghana’s FIFA World Cup matches together.
In a post shared on his official Facebook page on Thursday afternoon, Mr Dumelo said the commencement of the World Cup brings “good news” for residents of the constituency, outlining several arrangements to promote communal viewing and support for the Black Stars.
According to him, subscriptions have been paid for selected television viewing centres across Ayawaso West Wuogon to ensure residents can watch the tournament.
In addition, free giant screens will be mounted at the following locations for Ghana’s World Cup matches: – Abelemkpe Astro Turf Park – Okponglo – Mempasem – Airport Residential Area – West Legon – Dzorwulu
Mr Dumelo also disclosed that he has partnered with 13 kenkey vendors across the constituency to provide free kenkey and fish meals to supporters attending the Black Stars’ matches.
The initiative is aimed at creating a festive atmosphere while encouraging residents to rally behind the national team throughout the tournament.
Concluding his announcement, the Ayawaso West Wuogon MP urged Ghanaians to support the Black Stars, declaring, “Go Ghana Go!”
The initiative has generated public interest as football fans across the constituency prepare to gather at the designated centres to cheer on Ghana during its World Cup campaign.
A Maternal and Child Health Expert at Ridge Hospital, Mrs. Racheal Hesse Matey, has urged pregnant women to seek accurate medical information and ignore myths surrounding pregnancy and childbirth.
Speaking on Atinka TV’s Ghana Nie hosted by Ama Gyenfa Ofosu Darkwah, Ms. Matey dismissed the common belief that vaginal delivery automatically causes vaginal looseness.
According to her, many factors can contribute to vaginal looseness, and some women who have never given birth also experience the condition. She advised women not to allow such misconceptions to influence their choice of delivery method.
She further stressed that bleeding during pregnancy is not normal and should be treated as a medical emergency. Pregnant women experiencing any form of bleeding, she said, should seek immediate medical attention.
The health expert also debunked the belief that swollen legs during pregnancy indicate the sex of a baby. She explained that swelling is a common pregnancy-related condition and has no connection to whether a woman is carrying a boy or a girl.
Mrs. Matey highlighted the importance of mental health during pregnancy, warning that untreated emotional and psychological challenges could affect mothers even after childbirth.
She also encouraged husbands to support their wives during labour, noting that the presence of a partner often helps reduce anxiety and stress during delivery.
Touching on childbirth trends, Ms. Matey observed that an increasing number of women are choosing Caesarean Section (C-section) deliveries, stressing that expectant mothers should rely on medical advice when making decisions about childbirth.
A major theft at the Komenda Sugar Factory has severely disrupted key operations after unknown persons allegedly made away with critical industrial equipment, exposing significant security and operational challenges at the state-owned facility.
Three Suspects Arrested
Police have arrested three suspects in connection with the theft and are continuing their investigations. Authorities have assured management and the public that efforts are underway to recover the stolen equipment and identify any additional individuals involved.
Critical Equipment Stolen
According to preliminary reports, the perpetrators gained access to the factory overnight and dismantled several heavy-duty industrial motors used in the plant’s water management and utility systems.
The stolen equipment reportedly includes: One primer motor from the spray pond cooling system Two pumps from the water reservoir station One pump from the wastewater station One freshwater pumping station motor is supplying the factory floor One critical firefighting pump A large spray pump motor was reportedly left behind at the scene.
The theft has significantly affected the factory’s water supply, wastewater management, and emergency firefighting capabilities.
Management Expresses Concern
A representative of West Africa Agrotech Company Limited, Mr Patel, confirmed the incident but declined to provide extensive comments, stating that the matter is under active investigation by the Ghana Police Service.
Internal communications, however, reportedly show management expressing disappointment over the apparent security lapse, questioning how multiple heavy machines could be dismantled and removed without detection.
Unpaid Security Staff Raise Questions
A security officer, speaking anonymously, alleged that security personnel assigned to the factory have gone 20 months without receiving salaries.
The revelation has sparked concerns over whether prolonged salary arrears may have weakened security operations or contributed to vulnerabilities at the facility. No official evidence has been presented to link any security personnel to the theft, and investigations are ongoing.
Concerns Over Police Response
Sources indicate that management initially encountered delays after reporting the incident, including logistical challenges that reportedly required assistance in fueling a police vehicle before investigators could visit the scene. Police have since intensified investigations following the arrest of the three suspects.
Factory Remains Vulnerable
The theft has left essential infrastructure compromised, particularly the factory’s water systems and firefighting equipment, raising concerns about operational readiness and safety.
Management officials also say uncertainty remains over plans to fully revive the factory and secure the investment needed to resume production.
A Decade After Commissioning
The incident comes just days after the factory marked ten years since its inauguration on May 30, 2016. Once envisioned as a catalyst for industrial development and employment, the Komenda Sugar Factory has remained largely inactive, with the latest theft highlighting ongoing challenges surrounding the facility’s maintenance, security, and future operations.
Investigations into the theft continue, with authorities expected to provide further updates as the case progresses.
The Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, has told Parliament that the Ghana Police Service has learned important lessons from the violence and disturbances that characterised the Ablekuma North by-election.
Responding to questions on the floor of Parliament, the Minister said the Police have reviewed and strengthened their election security strategies, noting that the improvements were evident during the subsequent Akwatia by-election, which was conducted in a more orderly manner.
According to him, the experience from Ablekuma North has informed new operational measures that will be adopted to enhance security during future by-elections and other electoral processes.
Mr Muntaka Mubarak further disclosed that the Ghana Police Service will work more closely with the military and other security agencies to strengthen election security and ensure the safety of voters, electoral officials, and stakeholders.
He expressed confidence that the enhanced collaboration and revised security strategies will contribute to peaceful and credible elections across the country.
Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Patrick Yaw Boamah, has cautioned government against what he describes as the risk of misrepresentation and propaganda in its handling of recent xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa.
According to the Okaikwei Central MP, the sensitive nature of the developments requires a measured, factual and diplomatic response, warning that any attempt to distort the situation could undermine Ghana’s foreign relations and investor confidence.
Speaking on the matter at a press briefing with journalists in parliament, Mr. Boamah called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs to urgently appear before Parliament to provide a comprehensive briefing on the situation and government’s response efforts.
“The issue is too important to be reduced to political communication. Parliament and the Ghanaian public deserve accurate information on what is happening and the steps being taken to protect our citizens,” he stressed.
Mr. Boamah expressed concern over what he described as discrepancies between accounts being provided by some Ghanaian officials and reports emerging from South African authorities, arguing that conflicting narratives could create uncertainty and damage Ghana’s international standing.
He further warned that any mishandling of the situation could have broader implications for trade, investment and diplomatic relations between the two countries. His comments come amid growing concern over attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, prompting calls for enhanced diplomatic engagement and stronger protection for affected communities.
The lawmaker maintained that government must approach the matter with transparency, accuracy and diplomacy to ensure the safety of Ghanaians abroad while preserving the longstanding relations between Ghana and South Africa.
Zoomlion Ghana Limited, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), FeDEMS Group Ltd, Dredge Masters Ghana Limited, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), and several Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), has today begun a three-day clean-up and desilting exercise in selected flood-prone communities across the Greater Accra Region.
The exercise, which runs from June 10 to 12 and starts daily at 7:00 a.m., is targeting major drainage channels and waterways in Roman Ridge, Mallam, Paloma, Circle, Kaneshie and GBC. Teams are undertaking extensive cleaning and desilting works to improve the free flow of rainwater and help reduce the risk of flooding.
The initiative comes in response to recent heavy downpours that have triggered flooding in parts of the capital, raising concerns about poor waste disposal practices and clogged drainage systems.
Speaking on the sidelines of the exercise, the Greater Accra Regional Director of NADMO, Dennis Nartey, said the collaboration among the participating institutions demonstrates a collective commitment to addressing one of the major causes of flooding in the metropolis.
According to him, every heavy rainfall leaves behind significant amounts of waste and debris, much of which eventually finds its way into drains and waterways.
He noted that the situation is further worsened by residents who deliberately dump refuse into drains, making it difficult for water to flow freely during storms.
Mr. Nartey stressed that many flooding challenges are man-made and therefore require a change in public attitude. He urged residents to dispose of waste responsibly and make use of designated waste collection systems rather than relying on rainwater to carry away refuse.
He also used the occasion to promote the ongoing “No Do No Do” campaign, which seeks to discourage indiscriminate littering and encourage environmental responsibility among citizens.
“Protecting lives and property from floods requires the active participation of every member of society,” he said.
The Head of Government and Corporate Affairs at Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Emma Adwoa Appiah Osei-Duah, said the company is pleased to partner with NADMO, FeDEMS and the other agencies in undertaking the exercise, particularly at a time when the country is experiencing frequent heavy rains.
She explained that waste carried by floodwaters often accumulates in drains and waterways, creating blockages that increase the likelihood of flooding.
According to her, the clean-up exercise forms part of broader efforts to address these challenges through sustained sanitation interventions and stakeholder collaboration.
Madam Appiah Osei-Duah noted that the three-day programme is designed to support flood prevention efforts by clearing waste and silt from critical drainage channels in affected communities.
“The partnership reflects a shared commitment to protecting communities and improving environmental conditions across the capital,” she added.
Also speaking at the exercise, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Sophia Kudjordji, said the initiative is specifically aimed at reducing flood incidents during the rainy season by ensuring that drains and gutters remain free from obstruction.
“We are gathered here today to undertake this clean-up exercise as part of efforts to curb flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. Most floods occur because gutters and drains are clogged with waste. Therefore, we are dredging and cleaning these gutters to ensure the free flow of water,” she stated.
Madam Kudjordji noted that while rainfall itself cannot be prevented, the destruction often associated with floods can be minimised through proper sanitation practices and regular maintenance of drainage infrastructure.
She called on residents to support the efforts of sanitation authorities by refraining from dumping refuse into drains and waterways, stressing that maintaining a clean environment is a shared responsibility.
She expressed confidence that sustained public education and community participation would go a long way toward reducing flooding and safeguarding lives and property across the metropolis.
The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has raised concerns over severe staffing shortages within agencies under the Ministry, warning that inadequate personnel are affecting the supervision and quality assurance of road projects across the country.
Addressing Parliament’s Select Committee on Economy and Development, the Minister revealed that the Ministry has requested the recruitment of about 1,000 additional staff to strengthen oversight and improve the delivery of road infrastructure projects.
According to Mr. Agbodza, the shortage of engineers, quality assurance officers, and other technical professionals has left many agencies overstretched, making it difficult to effectively monitor ongoing projects despite significant government investment in the sector.
“The staffing level of the agencies is far less than what it should be. If you consider the fact that we are investing heavily in these projects, part of the reason some of the projects suffer quality assurance is simply because we don’t have enough people to monitor these projects,” he told the committee.
The Minister attributed part of the challenge to the creation of six new administrative regions, which expanded the workload of road agencies without a corresponding increase in staffing levels.
As a result, technical departments responsible for project inspection, monitoring, and compliance have been forced to operate with limited personnel, raising concerns about the effectiveness of project supervision.
Mr. Agbodza disclosed that approval has already been granted for the recruitment of 137 staff members for the Ghana Highways Authority, including engineers and quality, safety, and environmental officers. However, he stressed that the staffing challenge extends across the entire roads sector.
“We’ve got approval for 137 staff at various levels, QSEs, engineers and everything, but that was just for highways. The Chief Director has since submitted a request for about 1,000 because we created six new regions and didn’t actually staff them with new staff,” he said.
The Minister emphasized that addressing the personnel gap is critical to ensuring value for money in road infrastructure investments and improving the quality of projects delivered to the public.
He assured lawmakers that efforts are ongoing to secure the necessary approvals to boost staffing levels, which he believes will significantly enhance project monitoring, quality control, and service delivery across the sector.
