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Suame MP John Darko denies involvement in SIC, equity savings and loans settlement
Suame Member of Parliament (MP) John Darko has denied any involvement in a post-court settlement between SIC Savings and Loans and Equity Savings and Loans, insisting that he had no part in any decision to compromise a court judgment in favour of SIC.
His position follows an interrogation by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, as part of its ongoing investigations into the affairs of the two financial institutions.
In a press release dated Wednesday, October 14, his lawyers, Darko, Keli-Delataa & Co, said he met EOCO investigators after receiving an invitation to assist with the investigations.
According to the firm, the questioning focused on his role as legal counsel for Equity during its court dispute with SIC over a matured investment that had not been paid. It also covered his membership of Equity’s board between 2015 and 2023.
The lawyers explained that their firm’s involvement was limited to the litigation and the recovery of part of the amounts awarded to SIC by the court.
They said the firm had no further involvement in any settlement reached between the two companies after the court proceedings.
The statement further indicated that the firm was unaware of Equity’s decision to sell land that had been attached by a court to secure the judgment to a third party, ECOSWISS.
It added that the firm had already stopped providing legal services to Equity because of unpaid legal fees before the events that followed the court judgment.
The lawyers maintained that Mr Darko had ceased to be a member of Equity’s board by September 2023 and was not involved in any decision to compromise the court judgment.
They rejected any suggestion that he participated in a scheme to deny SIC the benefits of the court awards.
“ Our client is committed to the ongoing investigations and stands ready to provide any further assistance to EOCO concerning his role and that of our firm in this SIC and Equity matter,” the statement said.
The firm commended EOCO’s investigators for their professionalism during the questioning and the courtesies extended to the MP.
It maintained that both Mr Darko and the firm acted ethically and professionally throughout their period of representing Equity.
The statement was signed by K. Keli-Delataa, Managing Partner of Darko, Keli-Delataa & Co.
EOCO’s investigations into the affairs of SIC Savings and Loans and Equity Savings and Loans remain ongoing.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, today led the National Executives of the party to pay a condolence visit to the family of the late H.E. Samuel Odoi-Sykes.
Odoi-Sykes, former National Chairman of the NPP, was a distinguished lawyer, diplomat and statesman.
In a message after the visit, Dr. Bawumia said the leadership shared in the family’s grief and extended heartfelt sympathies during the difficult time.
“H.E. Odoi-Sykes served our party with dedication and commitment, and his contributions will always be remembered,” he stated.
He prayed for comfort and strength for the bereaved family and for the soul of the late former Chairman to rest in eternal peace.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has dismissed claims that the introduction of a new digital Value Added Tax (VAT) collection system will impose an additional 20% tax on subscriptions and payments for online services.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the Authority clarified that the new system does not introduce a new tax or increase existing tax rates but is intended to improve the collection of taxes already required by law.
It explained that the applicable effective tax rate remains 20%, comprising 15% VAT, 2.5% National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) and 2.5% Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) Levy.
The GRA noted that the taxes already apply to electronically supplied services provided by foreign companies to consumers in Ghana.
It added that about 92 foreign digital service providers are currently registered with the Authority and remit the applicable taxes, while approximately 100 others have been identified for inclusion in the tax system.
According to the GRA, customers who already pay the applicable taxes through their subscriptions should not be charged again when the new collection system takes effect.
However, it cautioned that consumers using services from providers who have not been charging and remitting the taxes could see the applicable charges reflected in their payments as those companies are brought into compliance.
The new system will allow the tax component of qualifying transactions to be identified and collected at the point of payment through participating banks, financial institutions and payment service providers.
The Authority said this would improve transparency and accountability, as the existing system relies largely on foreign digital service providers to declare their transactions and pay the taxes due.
The system will cover digital services such as streaming subscriptions, cloud computing, online gaming and digital advertising paid for through Ghana-issued bank cards, mobile money and other digital payment platforms.
The GRA clarified that the system applies to digital services and not imported physical goods purchased through international e-commerce platforms, which remain subject to the applicable Customs procedures.
It further assured consumers that it would continue to engage banks, payment service providers and digital companies to prevent duplicate tax collection and ensure that customers receive clear information about charges.
Members of the public who notice charges that appear inconsistent with the clarification have been encouraged to contact the Authority through its official channels for assistance and redress.
The GRA said the objective of the new system was to improve compliance, ensure fairness between local and foreign service providers, and ensure that taxes already required by law are properly collected and accounted for.
By: Jacob Aggrey
