News
Mahama calls for stronger internal audit systems to reduce misuse of public funds
President John Mahama has called for a stronger and more effective internal audit system across public institutions.
He made the call at the opening of the Annual Conference of the African Association of Accountants General.
He explained that Ghana has two key audit bodies: the Internal Audit Agency and the Auditor General’s Department.
According to him, the Auditor General steps in at the end of every year to audit state institutions and often uncovers cases of misused funds, wrongful procurement processes and other financial breaches.
President Mahama questioned why these problems continue to appear every year despite the presence of internal auditors in every government department.
He asked how internal audits fail to detect these issues early enough before they end up on the Auditor General’s list of irregularities.
He noted that it is important for the country to take a closer look at how internal audit units operate and find ways to strengthen them.
He stressed that improving internal audits will help prevent the yearly cycle of financial mismanagement reports that damage public trust.
President Mahama encouraged public institutions to work together to build a more reliable system that identifies risks early and promotes accountability throughout the year.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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
