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NIA investigates extortion allegations in viral TikTok video
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The National Identification Authority has responded to a viral TikTok video in which a man known as Sefwi Biggest Trapper accused some officers at the Bono Premium Centre of extorting money from him and other applicants.
In a public notice, the Authority expressed concern about the claims and condemned the individual’s disruptive behaviour at the centre on 11 November 2025, which it indicated created risks for other applicants.
The Authority stressed that the Executive Secretary, Wisdom Kwaku Deku, and Management remain firmly against any form of extortion or misconduct by staff.
According to the Authority, several attempts have been made to reach the man and his companion, Appiah Comfort, to support ongoing inquiries, but all efforts have so far been unsuccessful. The matter has now been referred to the Internal CID for a full and independent investigation.
Management also introduced measures to strengthen security at all operational centres to protect both staff and applicants.
The Authority urged the individual to provide any evidence he claims to have to support the investigation. It assured the public that disciplinary and legal action will be taken against anyone found culpable when the investigation is completed.
The Authority reminded the public that fees at Premium Centres are different from those charged at District Offices. At Premium Centres, first time registration is GHS 310, personal information update is GHS 355, and replacement of a lost or damaged card is GHS 420.
The Authority encouraged applicants to be aware of the approved charges and report any attempt at extortion.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has taken note of public allegations of extortion and related conduct made against the Minority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
The allegations were made by the Chief Executive of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi.
In a brief statement, the OSP said it has also received a joint petition submitted by two persons, as well as two separate petitions from other persons, in relation to the same allegations.
“Given the nature of the allegations, the OSP will assess the case and determine whether it falls within its statutory mandate and whether further investigative action is warranted,” the statement said.
The development comes amid a heated public feud between the Minority in Parliament and the leadership of GoldBod over the operations of the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.
The Minority, led by Afenyo-Markin, has accused GoldBod and the Bank of Ghana of causing a loss of over $1.7 billion, citing the International Monetary Fund’s August 2026 report. The Minority has vowed to pursue the matter as Parliament has reconvened for an emergency sitting.
GoldBod, on the other hand, has rejected claims by some NPP MPs, including Tano South MP Dr Gideon Boako, that it owes the Bank of Ghana GH¢1 billion in overdrafts, describing the claim as “false and malicious.”
In the latest twist, GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi has accused the Minority Leader of extortion and related conduct, an allegation that has triggered petitions to the OSP.
The OSP is mandated under Act 959 to investigate and prosecute specific cases of alleged or suspected corruption and corruption-related offences involving public officers and politically exposed persons.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has filed his nomination to contest the position of General Secretary again as the party begins its rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.
He was accompanied by party stalwarts and supporters who were in high spirits, expressing confidence that he is the right person to hold the position.
Speaking after filing his nomination, Mr Kodua Frimpong assured the rank and file of the party that he would not disappoint them.
“I can assure you that the faith the rank and file of the party have had in me, I will never disappoint them,” he said.
He also pledged to run a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks.
“I can assure you that our internal campaign will be devoid of personal attacks,” he told his fellow contestants and the rank and file of the party as he seeks to retain his position.
His tenure has seen the party through the 2024 general elections, where the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after eight years in government.
The party is currently in a rebuilding phase, with internal elections scheduled to elect new national executives to lead its reorganization towards the 2028 polls.
The General Secretary position is considered one of the most influential in the party’s administrative structure, responsible for the day-to-day running of the party secretariat and implementation of party decisions.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
