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2 jailed for human trafficking
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An Accra Circuit Court presided over by Ms Christina Cann has sentenced Ibrahim Keita, a 31-year-old Mali national and Baba Isaah, a 31-year-old Ghanaian to six and five years in prison respectively in hard labour for conspiracy to commit crime.
Ibrahim Keita, the first accused was further sentenced to six years in hard labour for human trafficking.
The presiding judge said the sentences of Ibrahim Keita were to run concurrently.
Delivering her ruling, the judge, Ms Cann indicated that the offence was premeditated and considering the inhuman treatment meted out to the victims and the increasing incidence of human trafficking, there was the need to apply the law in order to curb the practice.
Presenting the facts to the court, Detective Chief Inspector Agatha Abena Asantewaa, said in April, 2020, the Agona Swedru Police Divisional Criminal Investigation Division had intelligence report that the two convicted persons had conspired to sell one Maxime Sassou, a 20-year-old Beninoi.
She told the court that the convicts had initially wanted to sell the victim at GHC 150.000 but later increased the price to GHC 160.000 due to the depreciation of the Cedi.
The prosecutor said having settled on the price to transact the business, Ibrahim Keita lured the victim into Ghana on June 26, 2020, on the pretext that he had secured a job for him to clean, even at the time the land borders were closed as a result of the outbreak of COVID-19.
She said when the victim arrived in the country, the convicts persons arranged with the buyer to receive the money at Swedru in exchange of the victim. In the process, they were arrested when the purported buyer introduced himself as a policeman.
The prosecution witness said investigations revealed that Ibrahim Keita travelled to Benin and met with the victim who was assisting the aunt to operate a restaurant and discussed with him about his intention to double his money but the victim could not assist him.
Later, Keita befriended Baba Isaah at Agona Nyarkrom in 2019 and discussed with intention to double his money which the second convict tried all means to assist him but was not successful.
Chief Inspector Asantewaa told the court that since he was in dire need of money, Ibrahim Keita contrived another plan to sell a human which the second convict agreed to the plan.
By Raymond Kyekye
The Ghana Police Service has arrested a man suspected of running a romance scam that targeted women with false marriage promises, blackmail, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
The suspect, Nana Yaw Bonsu Kwarteng, was arraigned alongside Sally Akosua Amoasah before the Accra Circuit Court 1 on charges of conspiracy to commit crime, defrauding by false pretences, and non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
According to preliminary investigations, Kwarteng posed as a pastor conducting online church services on Instagram. He allegedly told women that “God had revealed” they were his future wives.
To gain their trust, police say he went as far as meeting their families and presenting them with promise rings.
Investigators allege the suspect then obtained intimate images of some victims and used them to blackmail them for money.
He is also accused of introducing victims to a fake car tyre business. Under the pretext of shipping and clearing containers of tyres, he allegedly collected thousands of dollars from them before becoming unreachable.
Police further allege that Kwarteng shared the intimate images of some victims with his wife, Sally Akosua Amoasah, who is also accused of threatening the victims.
Seven victims have so far reported the matter to the Police. Investigations indicate the offences date back to 2021.
The court remanded Nana Yaw Bonsu Kwarteng into Police custody to reappear on August 6, 2026. Sally Akosua Amoasah was granted bail.
The Ghana Police Service says it continues to receive complaints from other possible victims.
The Service is urging anyone who may have had similar encounters with the suspect to report to the nearest Police station to assist with ongoing investigations.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Ghana’s tourism industry is in mourning following the sudden death of Prince Anthony Bart-Appiah, a pioneering figure credited with helping to reconnect the African diaspora to the continent.
Prince Anthony passed away in the early hours of Saturday, July 26, 2026, at his private residence in Spintex, Accra.
He was instrumental in the development and promotion of “The Year of Return,” the flagship tourism campaign that invited members of the African diaspora to return to Ghana in 2019.
The initiative is widely regarded as a turning point that boosted Ghana’s tourism numbers and strengthened cultural ties with Black communities across the world.
Beyond his work with the GTA, Prince Anthony was the Chief Exexutive Officer (CEO) of Bridgezone, an agency dedicated to showcasing Africa to Western audiences and fostering cultural and business connections between the continent and the diaspora.
Colleagues describe him as passionate, strategic, and committed to telling authentic African stories that drive tourism, investment, and pride.
Widely known as Prince Anthony, he served as a Board Member of the Ghana Tourism Authority from 2025 to date.
A former British Army officer and a royal of the Akwamu clan, he brought discipline, vision, and a deep sense of heritage to every role he held
Prince Anthony was also a proud father to two teenagers, whom he deeply cherished.
In a statement, the *Ghana Tourism Authority extended its heartfelt condolences to the grieving family, friends, and all sympathizers.
“The tourism industry has lost a pioneering figure and a vital link to the diasporan community,” the statement read.
The statement further added that “We pray for strength for the family during this difficult time.”
Tributes have since poured in from tourism stakeholders, creatives, and diasporan groups who say Prince Anthony’s legacy will continue to shape how the world sees and experiences Ghana.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
