News
Patrick Boamah criticises proposed Accra–Kumasi express road project
Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central Patrick Boamah has criticised the government’s plan to construct a new express road from Accra to Kumasi, describing it as a misplaced priority.
Speaking during the budget debate in Parliament, he noted that the cover page of this year’s budget featured what he described as a “Photoshopped image” of the proposed express road.
He questioned why government would focus on a new project when the dualisation of the Accra–Kumasi highway remains unfinished.
He argued that Ghanaians, especially those who regularly travel between Accra, Paga and Bawku, would prefer the completion of the ongoing dualisation project rather than the start of a new one.
The Okaikwei Central MP claimed that from 2009 to 2016, the previous NDC administration did not add a single kilometre of road on that stretch, and urged the current government to avoid repeating that trend.
Boamah also raised concerns about funding for the proposed express road.
He questioned how the project would be financed under a public-private partnership and how much road users would be expected to pay.
He insisted that completing the existing dualisation project should be the priority before any new express road is considered.
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
