News
All set for Akwaaba Fest from March 5-7
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A programme aimed at driving the youth economy and a global platform to project Ghana’s cultural assets to the rest of the world has been launched.
The event dubbed Akwaaba Festival is part of Ghana’s preparation to mark another Independence anniversary, one of the country’s most significant youth-driven cultural, tourism, and lifestyle platforms.
This edition marks the 5th year, and the festival has evolved into a multi-day national cultural season, running before, during, and after March 6, transforming Independence celebrations into a vibrant, inclusive, and economically impactful experience.
Anchored to Ghana’s Independence calendar, Akwaaba Festival is more than entertainment. It is a commercial, cultural, and tourism ecosystem that delivers measurable value for brands, creatives, SMEs, media, government institutions, and the wider economy, while amplifying youth participation, cultural preservation, and nation branding.
A Festival with Purpose
Akwaaba Festival’s vision is to position Ghana as a leading cultural destination by showcasing the country’s creative power, heritage, and modern lifestyle to Africa and the global diaspora.
The festival actively deepens youth engagement in Independence celebrations, promotes Ghanaian culture across music, fashion, food, and art, and stimulates tourism, hospitality, and SME growth during Independence week.
The festival attracts a highly engaged audience of young professionals, students, creatives, entrepreneurs, tourists, diaspora visitors, media, influencers, and tastemakers–an audience that values authenticity, storytelling, and purpose-led brands.
Economic Growth
Creating revenue opportunities for vendors, designers, musicians, service providers, and hospitality businesses, while generating jobs across the creative and events value chain.
Cultural preservation and innovation, showcasing music, fashion, dance, and art from all 16 regions of Ghana, and providing platforms for emerging talent alongside established cultural icons. Tourism and nation branding, positioning Ghana as a vibrant Independence-season destination and enhancing visitor experience beyond official state ceremonies.
As part of the festival, there would be a vive fair (Cultural Trade & Lifestyle market), Akwaaba Experience (Free Independence Concert), National Open Mic Concert, Tribal Fashion Parade, Cultural Displays, Dance & DJ Experience among others.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Lawyers for former NAFCO Chief Executive Officer, Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, say they will file an appeal despite a High Court directive for the Attorney General to amend two counts of defrauding by false pretences in the ongoing case.
The court on Wednesday ordered the AG to amend the two charges in the case involving the former NAFCO CEO and co-accused, Faiza Seidu Wuni.
Reacting to the ruling, counsel for Hanan Aludiba, Godfred Yeboah Dame, expressed dissatisfaction with the decision.
“Even though they’ve been ordered to amend some of the charges, we’ll still file an appeal. I think the decision was not so sound,” he said.
The case is part of ongoing prosecutions linked to alleged financial irregularities at the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO).
The High Court’s directive means the prosecution will have to revise aspects of the charge sheet before the trial proceeds further.
Background
Counsel for former NAFCO CEO Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, led by Godfred Yeboah Dame, filed an application seeking to have the charges against their client dismissed.
They contend the charges are fundamentally flawed and violate his right to a fair trial.
The State, represented by Deputy Attorney General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, opposed the application, maintaining that the charges are valid and that the accused ought to face trial.
Lawyers for Hanan’s wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, led by Augustine Obour, who would also benefit if the application succeeded, yielded their time to the lead counsel for the first accused.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
News
High Court rejects dismissal request in NAFCO Case, orders prosecution to amend 2 of 16 Charges Against former CEO
The High Court has declined a request by lead counsel for former National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) Chief Executive Officer, Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, to dismiss charges against him, but has directed the Attorney General to amend two of the 16 counts filed against him.
Presiding Judge, Justice Francis Apangabonu Achibonga, a Justice of the Court of Appeal sitting with additional responsibility as a High Court judge, ruled today that while the prosecution must revise Counts 9 and 14, the trial will proceed on all charges.
This means the trial of the couple will continue on a combined 20 counts.
Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba is facing 16 counts, while his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, is facing 4 counts. Both pleaded not guilty on May 18, 2026 and are currently on bail.
Godfred Yeboah Dame, former Attorney General and lead counsel for the first accused, had argued for the dismissal of the charges. Reacting after the ruling, he said the decision was not sound and indicated plans to file an appeal.
“Even though they’ve been ordered to amend some of the charges, we’ll still file an appeal. I think the decision was not so sound,” he stated.
Augustines Obuor is lead counsel for the second accused, Faiza Seidu Wuni, whiles the Republic was represented by Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, Deputy Attorney General.
The case relates to alleged financial irregularities at NAFCO and is being closely watched as part of government’s efforts to hold public officials accountable.
The court has directed the prosecution to effect the amendments to Counts 9 and 14 before the trial proceeds further.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
