News
Aide to Wontumi Convicted in Galamsey Bribery Case
The High Court yesterday convicted Thomas Andy Owusu, aide to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (popularly known as Chairman Wontumi), in a corruption case tied to illegal mining licensing.
Mr.Owusu, the second accused in the case of The Republic v. Charles Bissue & Another, was convicted on his own plea after the Court accepted a plea agreement entered under section 71 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959).
The charge was based on Corruption of a Public Officer and Accepting Bribe to Influence a Public Officer.
This case stems from the 2019 “Galamsey Fraud Part One” investigation by Tiger Eye PI, which implicated Owusu and then-presidential staffer Charles Bissue in facilitating illegal mining licences for bribes, bypassing official processes.
According to the agreement, Owusu will pay:
- A fine of 500 penalty units (equivalent to GHS 6,000), and
- Restitution of GHS 200,000 to the state.
For taking GHS 15,000 as his compensation so that he can influence a public officer to bypass the licencing requirements.
Following his conviction, the court struck out the two charges against him- Corruption of a Public Officer and Accepting Bribe to Influence a Public Officer.
Mr.Owusu’s conviction narrows the case to focus solely on the first accused, Charles Bissue, accused of Using Public Office for Profit, contrary to section 179C(b) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
His trial will continue on 10 June 2025 with a scheduled Case Management Conference.
News
Education Minister announces approval of RISE
The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu has announced the approval of the project Revitalising Institutions for Scales Enhancement (RISE) by the Italian government with a grant of 5million Euro to support Technical Vocational Education Training(TVET).
He was optimistic that investment in technical and vocational education was the surest way to reduce youth unemployment.
He charged the Director General for Ghana TVET, Eng. Dr Eric Kofi Adzroe to work with the policy planning directorate of the ministry to rebrand TVET sectors to position them as entrepreneurs.
“We to help produce entrepreneurs who can create their own jobs and not rely on government”, the minister emphasised.
Mr.Iddrisu stated that the TVET training centre will be one of the beneficiaries of the grant which will be implemented by the Ministry through the Commission for TVET (CTVET).
The chairperson, Mr Sebastian Fred Deh, commended the minster for his hard work and assured him that the council will provide a strategic direction to deliver on its mandate.
News
Trial of Charles Bissue to Commence on July 2
The High Court has set July 2, 2025 for the commencement of the trial in the case of Republic v. Charles Bissue.
At a Case Management Conference, the prosecution informed the court that it had filed all disclosures on 28 May 2025.
Two witness statements have also been submitted, one with five exhibits and another with 12 exhibits.
In addition, the prosecution disclosed 63 other documents. Lawyers for the accused requested the original copies of these documents, confirming they had already been provided.
The court outlined a schedule for the prosecution’s witnesses to appear on July 2, 3, 8, 9, 15, 22, and 23.
The case was accordingly adjourned to July 2, for the trial to begin.
