News
Attorney-General Ayine reports EOCO recovery of US$15.19 million in hidden virtual assets
The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has announced that the Economic and Organized Crime Office has successfully used Ghana’s local laws to freeze and recover virtual assets hidden in foreign jurisdictions, amounting to US$15,191,730.13.
Dr Ayine made this known at the Government Accountability Series, where he briefed the media on what he described as a groundbreaking investigation into an international online investment fraud scheme.
He explained that the recovery followed a complex investigation by the Economic and Organized Crime Office into a criminal network made up largely of Chinese and Malaysian nationals who targeted Ghanaian and British citizens through fraudulent online investment platforms.
According to the Attorney General, the syndicate operated through a Ghanaian registered company that presented itself as a legitimate e commerce and online trading business.
Victims were made to pay registration fees and buy investment packages, with promises of high returns, while payments were made through mobile money, cash and cryptocurrencies.
Dr Ayine stated that EOCO investigators traced the proceeds of the crime through cryptocurrency wallets using advanced blockchain analysis tools.
The investigations led to the identification and freezing of wallets hosted on an offshore crypto exchange platform, following cooperation with international partners.
He noted that EOCO obtained orders from the High Court directing the transfer and conversion of the seized virtual assets into fiat currency and the payment of their dollar value into EOCO’s exhibit account.
As a result, he disclosed that on November 19, 2025, the recovered crypto assets were successfully converted and paid into the account in the total amount of US$15,191,730.13.
The Attorney General explained that part of the recovered funds would be used to compensate victims of the fraud, while the remaining amount would be paid into the public purse.
He stressed that the operation showed that Ghana could apply its domestic laws effectively to track, freeze and recover digital assets concealed outside the country, describing the achievement as a major step forward for law enforcement on the African continent.
Dr Ayine revealed that EOCO had exceeded its 2025 recovery target of US$200 million, with total recoveries now standing at about US$337.4 million, the highest in the history of the office.
He attributed the success to strong institutional leadership, effective collaboration with international partners and the support of President John Dramani Mahama, adding that the results demonstrated that state institutions could deliver when given the needed backing.
The Attorney General assured the public that investigations were still ongoing and that his office would continue to account to Ghanaians while ensuring that recovered proceeds of crime were properly managed under the law.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
CSA urges Universities to strengthen cybersecurity following university of Nottingham cyber-attack
The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has cautioned universities and other operators of Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) in Ghana to comply with cybersecurity regulations following a recent cyber-attack on the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom.
In a press release issued on June 16, 2026, the Authority said the incident should serve as a warning to educational institutions that no organisation is immune to cyber threats, regardless of its size, reputation or technological capacity.
According to the CSA, the attack on the University of Nottingham is believed to have affected about 450,000 students and alumni, exposing sensitive information such as personal records, contact details, student identification information and financial data.
The Authority noted that although the breach occurred outside Ghana, it has important lessons for the country’s education sector as well as other critical sectors including health, telecommunications and transportation.
The CSA explained that Ghanaian universities are increasingly relying on digital technologies such as student information systems, online learning platforms, cloud services, digital payment systems and research collaborations.
While these technologies improve efficiency and access to services, they also create opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities.
“The question is therefore not whether Ghanaian universities or other critical sectors will be attacked, but whether they are sufficiently prepared when an attack occurs,” the statement said.
The Authority reminded institutions to adhere to the Directive for the Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure, which was launched in October 2021 to strengthen cybersecurity across critical sectors.
According to the CSA, the directive requires organisations to establish cybersecurity governance structures, conduct risk assessments, implement security controls, report incidents, carry out regular audits and develop effective incident response plans.
The Authority said these measures are intended to reduce the likelihood and impact of cyber-attacks and help protect essential services and national interests.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Former NPP flagbearer aspirant, Kennedy Agyapong, has criticised both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the delayed completion of the Afari Military Hospital and other stalled health infrastructure projects.
Mr. Agyapong made the remarks on Tuesday after donating a pickup truck, an incubator and personal protective equipment (PPEs) to the 37 Military Hospital as part of activities marking his 66th birthday.
Speaking at the event, he said successive governments had failed to complete the Afari Military Hospital despite having years in office to do so.
According to him, the project was initiated during the administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor and construction later commenced under the NDC.
Mr. Agyapong, who previously chaired Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, said he was aware of the project’s challenges and insisted that both the NPP and NDC should be held accountable for the delays.
“We will criticise the NDC and we will criticise the NPP. That’s the only way to go,” he said.
He noted that the previous NPP administration spent eight years in office without completing the facility and questioned attempts to place the blame solely on the current government.
The former Assin Central MP called on Ghanaians to put national development ahead of partisan politics and demand accountability from all political parties.
He said the country would make greater progress if leaders focused on completing critical projects and delivering results rather than engaging in political point-scoring.
By: Jacob Aggrey
