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Kofi Tonto denies involvement in alleged Washington Embassy fraud scheme
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Former Head of Information and Public Affairs at Ghana’s Embassy in Washington, Kofi Tonto, has denied claims linking him to an alleged fraudulent scheme said to have occurred at the embassy.
In a statement issued in Accra on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, Mr. Tonto rejected reports that he received US$800 from an alleged US$19 million fraud uncovered through a forensic audit conducted by the Ghana Audit Service.
According to him, he has never been involved in any fraudulent scheme, the sharing of illicit funds, or the receipt of ill-gotten money.
He stated that the audit report covering the period from 2017 to 2025 does not name him as a person of interest for investigation.
Mr. Tonto explained that the US$800 payment he received in July 2021 was a lawful child benefit package following the birth of his daughter in January 2021.
He noted that the payment was made under an existing practice at the embassy and that other staff members had also received similar benefits for various life events.
He argued that the one-time payment could not reasonably be used to suggest that he was complicit in the alleged fraud.
The former embassy official further stated that all compensations, allowances, benefits and refunds he received during his tenure between March 2019 and July 2021 were paid to him in good faith as an employee and in accordance with established procedures.
He maintained that he was never involved in decisions relating to the financial management of the embassy, including matters concerning the operation or closure of bank accounts.
Mr. Tonto urged his family, friends, admirers and the general public to disregard what he described as distorted narratives intended to falsely associate him with wrongdoing in the matter.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has cautioned the National Democratic Congress (NDC) against assuming that it will automatically win the 2028 general elections.
According to him on Metro TV Good Morning Ghana on August 12, 2026, the belief that the NDC will return to power in 2028 regardless of circumstances is “faulty” and “amateurish.”
Mr Pratt argued that several developments could change the political situation before the next elections.
He noted that political momentum can shift quickly and warned that a major national scandal could erase the government’s achievements.
“Only amateurs can think that the NDC victory in 2028 is guaranteed,” he stated.
He explained that ongoing discussions about constitutional reforms, particularly proposals concerning dual citizens holding public office, could become politically sensitive if they generate strong public opposition.
Mr Pratt expressed concern about what he described as early presidential ambitions among some government officials.
He said ministers, chief executive officers, party officials and diplomats should focus on delivering on the government’s mandate rather than engaging in activities aimed at promoting personal political ambitions.
According to him, public disagreements among ministers damage the image of the government and distract attention from key national issues such as illegal mining, corruption, economic management and infrastructure development.
He maintained that ministers who disagree with government figures or policies should use Cabinet and other official channels rather than the media.
Mr Pratt further urged President John Dramani Mahama to ensure discipline within his administration so that the government can concentrate on its development agenda and build a lasting legacy.
He stressed that national stability depends on effective governance, economic improvement, affordable living conditions and public confidence in state institutions.
Mr Pratt added that political actors across party lines have a responsibility to protect Ghana’s democratic stability and avoid actions that could create unnecessary tension in the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Three people have been confirmed dead following a head-on collision between a Toyota RAV4 and a Kia Picanto on the Kyebi–Asikam road in the Eastern Region.
According to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the accident occurred on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, and personnel from the Kibi Fire Station were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Firefighters on arrival met the two badly damaged vehicles. The crew rescued the injured occupants and rushed them to the Kibi Government Hospital for treatment.
Sadly, three occupants of the Kia Picanto were pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary findings by the GNFS indicate that the Toyota RAV4 lost control, crossed into the opposite lane and collided head-on with the Kia Picanto.
Both vehicles sustained extensive damage.
The Eastern RegionGNFS has urged drivers to exercise caution, avoid speeding, and desist from wrongful overtaking, especially on busy inter-town roads.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
