News
Pastor in court over visa fraud
Cris Karl Ofori, a pastor, was on Friday appeared before the Dansoman Circuit Court for allegedly defrauding a businessman of GH¢310,000.
Pastor Ofori was said to have collected the amount from the complainant (businessman) under the pretext of assisting him to secure visas for him and his family.
Charged with defrauding by false presences, Ofori pleaded not guilty.
The court admitted Ofori to bail in the sum of GH¢350,000 with three sureties.
Two of the sureties are to be public servants earning not less than GH¢5,000.
The remaining surety was to be justified with title deed.
The case has been adjourned to April 25, 2025.
The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Kwadwo Aboagye, told the court that the complainant, Amadu Seidu, was a resident of Sampa in the Bono Region.
The accused is a branch pastor of a charismatic church in Tema.
In 2023, prosecution said the complainant expressed his intention to travel to Canada with his family to resettle there.
The complainant discussed this with one Nana Abena Sika, who introduced the accused as someone who could assist him (complainant) with the visa acquisition processes.
In October 2024, the accused informed the complainant to make a commitment of GH¢80,000, which the complainant promptly did and added three passport booklets (his own, that of his wife and daughter) to start the documentation process.
Prosecution said the accused succeeded in collecting various sums of money totaling GH¢310,000 from the complainant.
Later the accused called the complainant that he was not successful with the Canadian visa acquisition but rather obtained visas for the United Kingdom (UK).
Based on that, the accused invited the complainant and family to Accra for the trip to the UK.
Prosecution said the accused went into hiding and for three days when the family got to Accra, he was nowhere to be found.
The court heard that the complainant’s family returned to Sampa where a report was made to the police at James Town and the accused was arrested from his hideout.
Pastor Ofori, in his caution statement, admitted the offence, prosecution said.
—GNA
Empowering women is not merely an act of goodwill but a strategic investment in national development, the Vice President, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has said.
According to her, when women are given opportunities to participate fully in leadership and decision-making, the nation benefits from a broader pool of talent, ideas and perspectives.
In a message to commemorate International Women’s Day 2026, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang praised the resilience, achievements and invaluable contributions of women to national development, urging them to take pride in their role in shaping the country’s progress.
The Vice President said Ghana’s theme for this year’s celebration: ‘Giving to Gain,’ reflected deliberate efforts being made to promote women’s participation in leadership and governance.
She explained that the intentional effort to ensure women constituted at least 30 per cent of government appointments recognised the important role women played in national development.
According to her, when women served as ministers, led key public institutions and contributed to policy formulation at the highest levels, the country benefited significantly.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang noted that expanding opportunities for women should go beyond government institutions.
She said sectors such as business, academia, civil society, the creative industry and faith-based organisations would also benefit greatly from increased participation of women in leadership.
The Vice President, therefore called for continued support for initiatives that promoted gender equality and women’s empowerment across all sectors of society.
She also commended Ghanaian women for their resilience and dedication and wished them a happy International Women’s Day.
By Spectator Reporter
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WOMEN in Sustainability Africa (WiSA) successfully held the African Women’s Health and Wealth Conference (AWoHW) with a call for research and investment into women’s healthcare.
It also called for robust financial systems and encouraged women to generate wealth as well as prioritise their health.
The conference held at the Shippers House in Accra on March 5, was on the theme: ‘Championing Inclusive healthcare and finance systems for African women and girls.’
Speaking on behalf of Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Sabia Kpekata, Programme Officer at the Ministry, said financial inclusion remains one of the most critical pathways to women’s empowerment and achieving sustainable development.
According to the minister, it is for this reason that the government continues to support initiatives that expand access to affordable credit, strengthen women-led enterprises and build financial literacy.
“Women must sit at the policy table where budgets are approved, health priorities are set, and economic policies are designed. This is why the ministry calls on all stakeholders to push for the effective implementation of the Affirmative Act,”
• Sabia Kpekata addressing the gathering
she stated.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, noted that many women suffer from mental health issues as a result of health financing, adding that, “this is why President Mahama has initiated the Accra Reset to tackle issues relating to women.”
On her part, the convener, Nana Yaa Serwaa Sarpong, explained that, “Today is not just a conference – It is a declaration. It is a declaration that African women and girls will no longer stand at the margins of systems that determine their health, their wealth, and their future.”
According to her, it is a declaration that sustainability is not a slogan for them, rather, it is a strategy, a commitment and a promise.
The Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod Jewellery, Getrude Emefa Donkor, said saving alone cannot make one financially sound, adding that investing and having other sources of income was the best way to go.
WiSA is a Coordinating Pan-African Organisation that works with other CSOs, NGOs, Corporate Institutions, local and international development organisations and individuals to bring all women, men, young people and women groups together to foster the achievement of the SDGs across Africa
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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