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Attorney general details alleged COCOBOD contract fraud involving Kofi Akpaloo

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The Attorney General, Dominic Ayine, has detailed an alleged fraud case involving Mr Percival Kofi Akpaloo of the Liberal Party of Ghana, linking it to suspicious financial transactions connected to a COCOBOD feeder road contract.

Addressing the Government Accountability Series at the Jubilee House, he explained that the Financial Intelligence Centre flagged unusual transactions on an account held at First Bank Ghana and filed a Suspicious Transaction Report.

He noted that this action prompted an investigation by the Economic and Organised Crime Office, which established that Pomaa Universal (Gh.) Ltd, owned entirely by Akua Pomaa, was the rightful contractor awarded a COCOBOD feeder road project valued at over GH₵29.5 million in December 2020.

According to him, the project began and the first payment was correctly paid into the company’s account.

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He explained that problems emerged with later payments, which raised red flags about misrepresentation, forgery and the unauthorized handling of cheques.

He disclosed that investigations showed Mr Akpaloo secretly registered a second company named Pomaah Universal (Gh.) Ltd, deliberately designed to closely resemble the original firm, with the difference being the addition of the letter “h”.

He stated that between December 2022 and June 2024, Mr Akpaloo collected eight cheques issued by the Ghana Cocoa Board in the name of Pomaa Universal (Gh.) Ltd, amounting to GH₵3,169,432.22, and deposited them into the account of his own company at First Bank Ghana.

He further explained that Akua Pomaa only became aware of the diversion in June 2024 after COCOBOD contacted her about outstanding payments on the contract. Upon making checks, she discovered that the funds had been redirected without her approval.

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He added that she also alleged her signature was forged on the COCOBOD contract, using her former name, Mercy Owusu, to secure the agreement without her consent.

According to him, internal investigations by First Bank Ghana confirmed the fraud claims and concluded that Mr Akpaloo knowingly misrepresented ownership of the cheques.

He pointed out that the bank admitted operational failures, including its inability to detect differences between cheque payee names and account details.

He mentioned that the suspects investigated include Percival Kofi Akpaloo, Pomaah Universal (Gh.) Ltd and Delvine Akpaloo, the spouse of Mr Akpaloo.

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He stressed that the evidence points to offences such as stealing, forgery and money laundering, adding that the suspects are expected to be charged in January as part of the accountability process.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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AMA announces August clean-up exercise, warns traders against opening shops

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The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has announced that the August edition of the National Sanitation Day clean-up exercise will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon across the capital.

In a statement issued on Monday, July 27, 2026, the Assembly directed traders, shop owners, transport operators, market leaders, corporate institutions, organisations and residents to keep their shops and business premises closed during the exercise.

The AMA explained that the clean-up would focus on desilting drains, clearing choked gutters and waterways, sweeping public spaces and evacuating refuse.

According to the statement, the exercise will take place in all sub-metros, electoral areas, markets, lorry parks, communities, business districts and other public spaces within the metropolis.

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The Assembly indicated that the exercise forms part of its efforts to improve environmental sanitation, protect public health, prevent flooding and encourage residents to take responsibility for keeping the city clean.

It called on all residents and business operators to participate actively by cleaning their surroundings, desilting drains, clearing frontage areas and removing refuse.

The AMA warned that strict enforcement measures would be applied during the exercise.

It stated that persons who fail to participate, obstruct the exercise or engage in trading activities during the clean-up period would be arrested, fined, prosecuted before the sanitation court or sanctioned under the Assembly’s bye-laws.

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The Assembly therefore urged all stakeholders to cooperate fully and support the clean-up exercise to promote a cleaner, healthier and safer Accra.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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Abeiku Santana dedicates TOHO Africa honour to gov’t, tourism stakeholders, Ghanaians

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Renowned tourism advocate, and Deputy Chief ExecutiveOfficer (CEO) of Ghana TourismAuthority (GTA), Abeiku Santana, has expressed gratitude to Tourism and Hospital (TOHO) Africa after being recognised among outstanding personalities for his contributions to tourism and hospitality on the continent.

In a statement following the announcement, Santana said he was “deeply honoured and sincerely grateful” for the recognition, but stressed that the award was not about him alone.

“This honour is not a personal achievement but a testament to the collective efforts of everyone I have had the privilege to work with over the years,” he stated.

The Deputy CEO of GTA dedicated the recognition to the Government of Ghana, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, the Ghana Tourism Authority, his colleagues, industry stakeholders, the media, his family, and “every Ghanaian who believes in the power of tourism to transform lives and drive national development.”

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Mr.Aggrey reaffirmed his commitment to championing sustainable tourism and promoting Ghana’s rich culture and heritage.

He added that he will continue working with partners across Africa to position the continent as “the world’s preferred destination for tourism, investment, and cultural exchange.”

He also congratulated all other personalities recognised in the *
TOHO100 list.

“Thank you, TOHO Africa, for this honour. Congratulations to all the outstanding personalities recognised,” he said.

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The TOHO 100 recognises 100 leading figures in tourism leadership and hospitality across Africa who are driving growth, innovation, and destination marketing on the continent.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

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