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CSOs urge ‘more transparency’ in COVID-19 expenditure
Four Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have called for “more transparency and accountability” in the use of funds meant to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
The organisations including, SEND Ghana and the International Budget Partnership, indicate that there have been “significant gaps and inconsistencies” in the provision of information on COVID-19 expenditures by the government.
Recommendations put forward by the CSOs, in a recent survey report, highlighted the need for the Auditor General to “conduct special audits into COVID related spending to ensure value for money.”
The CSOs, presenting the survey report dubbed “Managing COVID Funds: The Accountability Gap”, urged the Ministry of Finance to provide “quarterly briefs on COVID-19 spending from all funding sources.”
The findings presented at stakeholders’ forum in Accra on Tuesday, focused on transparency, extent of public participation, gender-responsiveness, among other aspects of Ghana’s COVID-19 response.
It further sought feedback from individuals on some of the policies introduced by the government between 2020 and 2021 to help tackle the pandemic.
Other partners of the study are the Network for Women’s Right in Ghana (NETRIGHT), BudgiT Ghana, and Community Development Alliance (CDA).
The survey report, which commended the government’s role in reducing the impact of the pandemic, however, indicated that “the lack of information” on emergency medical procurements was one of the “transparency gaps” in the management of COVID-19 funds.
“Many contracts have been entered into by the government of Ghana in the procurement of health equipment, infrastructure and services to help contain the pandemic and mitigate its socio-economic costs. For now, information is lacking as to what procurement processes were undertaken and whether value for money has been ensured.
“There were limited formal opportunities made available by the government to consult with the public around the formulation or implementation of the COVID-19 response, though there were some informal inputs made by specific interest groups,” the report said.
Madam Patricia Akakpo, a representative of NETRIGHT, presenting a gender analysis of COVID-19 related policies, emphasised that the pandemic had worsened existing gender and income inequalities.
She, therefore, urged stakeholders to ensure that policies meant to control the pandemic do not impact the poor and vulnerable negatively.
She stressed the need for government to help eliminate stereotypes and harmful practices such as forced and early marriage and several others that discriminated against women, and called for adequate financial and social reward for health workers to help reduce attrition from the health service.
By Ernest Nutsugah
The Criminal Investigation Department has launched an investigation into a viral video in which a woman identified as Arianna Naomi Mackey, an American citizen, claims she was kidnapped by five masked men, whom she alleges were officers of the Ghana Police Service on snap-check duty in Accra, and robbed her of some amount of money.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the video was recorded at a hotel in Accra where Ms. Mackey and two companions were staying.
According to the police, investigation also confirmed that they checked out of the hotel on December 5, 2025.Checks at the Kotoka International Airport also disclosed that she left Ghana on the same day.
The Police subsequently contacted the alleged victim to assist the investigation. She indicated to Police that she was out of the country and she could not get the names of the alleged officers nor the number plate of the vehicle they were using.
Police further requested for the contact details of her friend in Ghana, who she said was with her during the time of the incident.
She, however, stated that her friend does not want to be involved in the investigation.
According to the police, she has since deleted the video on her page and further efforts by the Investigators to contact her through WhatsApp calls and messages have proved unsuccessful, as she has declined to respond and later blocked the team.
Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to secure her cooperation through appropriate diplomatic channels.
The Ghana Police Service has noted that it treats such allegations very seriously and remains committed to uncovering the facts in this case.
The Northern Regional Police Command has arrested three men believed to be part of a kidnapping syndicate responsible for abducting a 42-year-old man in Wapuli, a community in the Yendi District.
The suspects, Haruna Seidu, Amidu Bandi and Osman Bandi allegedly kidnapped the victim and demanded GH¢100,000 from his family for his release.
According to a police statement, officers from the Regional Police Intelligence Directorate were deployed to Wapuli after the incident was reported.
The team conducted surveillance and launched a rescue operation.
On Friday, December 5, 2025, police successfully rescued the victim and arrested the suspects after what was described as an intense exchange of gunfire.
The suspects were later taken into custody and are expected to be arraigned before court.
The Police said the a fourth suspect, who is believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the operation, is currently on the run.
They urged the public to provide any information that may lead to his arrest.
By: Jacob Aggrey
