The investigation centers on alleged under-declaration of petroleum imports, falsification of product types during depot transfers, and deliberate tax evasion. Preliminary findings suggest collusion between certain BDCs and officials from the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and National Security Secretariat (NSS), with intermediaries reportedly used to facilitate illicit financial transfers.

The companies under scrutiny include Platon Oil and Gas Ltd, Sentuo Oil, Akwaaba Oil, Sahara Oil and Gas Ltd, and Chase Petroleum Ghana Ltd.

According to OSP sources, investigators have seized critical documents and electronic materials, while several persons of interest remain in custody. The Special Prosecutor’s office confirmed that the probe is ongoing, with further updates expected in the coming days.

The operation is among the most significant enforcement actions in Ghana’s petroleum sector in recent years, signaling the government’s renewed determination to combat corruption, safeguard revenue, and ensure transparency in fuel distribution.

For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z

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Delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Kwahu Business Forum held on Saturday, April 4, 2026 under the theme “Leaders Committing to Sustenance of Ghanaian Businesses,” Mr. Jerry Shaib stressed the need for practical, long-term policies that enable local businesses to grow and compete fairly.

“The time has come for Ghana to move beyond rhetoric and ensure that local businesses are not merely surviving, but thriving on a level playing field,” he said.
He described entrepreneurship as central to nation building, noting that sustainable development cannot be achieved if business opportunities are shaped by political affiliation. According to him, the politicisation of enterprise stifles innovation, sidelines local firms and creates an uneven environment that favours foreign competitors.

“The success of a business should never depend on which political regime is in power. Our responsibility is to create a fair environment where merit, innovation and hard work are rewarded,” he emphasised.
Mr. Shaib also highlighted the critical role of young people in driving entrepreneurship, urging that they be empowered and included at the forefront of innovation and enterprise development.

Drawing from engagements with key industry stakeholders, including the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), the Ghana Employers’ Association, farmers and small and medium-scale enterprises, he described the concerns raised as “sobering.”

Among the major challenges identified were high lending rates, stringent collateral requirements, short credit repayment periods and a tax regime that places heavy burdens on businesses without improving competitiveness.

He added that many manufacturers are operating below capacity due to rising energy costs, which make full-scale production unprofitable.
“We cannot preach entrepreneurship while the system makes capital structurally inaccessible,” he stated.

He further criticised the implementation of the AI-based customs duty assessment system, known as the Publican Trade Solution, arguing that it has led to inflated and inconsistent valuations due to the lack of independent validation and an effective appeals process.

Another key concern, he noted, is the persistent lack of consultation between policymakers and the business community, with many decisions imposed on industry players without adequate engagement.
In response, the Minority outlined a set of proposed reforms aimed at creating a more predictable and supportive business environment.

These include the introduction of a statutory pre-legislative consultation framework, a comprehensive review of the cumulative impact of taxes before new levies are introduced, and parliamentary scrutiny of the customs system alongside the establishment of a credible appeals mechanism.

Other proposals include an independent review of utility tariff structures, targeted investments in technical and vocational education aligned with industry needs, structured quarterly engagements between Parliament and business associations, and reforms to SME financing to allow for longer credit tenures and more flexible collateral requirements.

“Our commitment is not just to speak, but to be held accountable,” Mr. Shaib said. He concluded by urging entrepreneurs to invest confidently in their ventures and called on the financial sector to work with policymakers to build a resilient ecosystem that supports indigenous businesses.

“Let this forum be more than a conversation. Let it mark the beginning of sustained and structured support for Ghanaian enterprises,” he added.

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Speaking during an engagement with journalists over the weekend, Mr. Adjei stressed that GETFund will adopt a more rigorous approach in supervising contractors, amid growing concerns over substandard construction and structural defects in some projects across the country.

“We are going to be very stringent on value for money. This year, we will be quite tough on how contractors deliver on projects financed by GETFund,” he stated.

He emphasised that contractors must prioritise durability and quality over excessive profit-making, noting that public funds used for such projects are derived from taxpayers who deserve the best outcomes.

“Ghanaian taxpayers make significant sacrifices before earning their income, and it is from these same resources that government funds development projects. They therefore deserve nothing short of quality work,” he added.

To strengthen oversight, Mr. Adjei disclosed that a special strategic monitoring team has been constituted to inspect both ongoing and completed GETFund projects nationwide.

The team will ensure strict adherence to specifications, with any contractor who fails to meet required standards facing appropriate sanctions.

Beyond infrastructure delivery, the Administrator outlined a series of reforms and initiatives aimed at improving education and institutional efficiency. He highlighted efforts to expand educational facilities through partnerships with the private sector, revealing that some corporate entities have pledged up to GH¢18 million each to support GETFund projects.

Others, he noted, are investing in renewable energy solutions such as solar installations for schools, particularly to ease pressure on the national grid in boarding institutions.

Mr. Adjei also announced an expansion of the GETFund Scholarship Scheme to build human resource capacity across key public institutions, including the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, National Fire Service, Prisons Service, and the Judicial Service.

He further extended an invitation to the Ghana Journalists Association to participate, describing the media as a critical partner in national development.

“The scholarships are for Ghanaians and this is an opportunity to help build capacities within your organisations and communities,” he said, assuring that the application process will be transparent and inclusive, especially for students from rural and underserved areas.

As part of broader institutional reforms, Mr. Adjei revealed the establishment of a dedicated Corporate Affairs Department within GETFund to enhance public engagement, improve information dissemination and address stakeholder concerns more effectively.

Another major initiative introduced is a National Student ID system, being implemented in partnership with financial and technology institutions.

The multifunctional ID cards will allow parents to send money directly to students, particularly those in boarding schools, while also supporting student loan disbursements and offering access to discounted goods and services through a network of merchants.

According to him, the initiative is designed to promote financial inclusion and improve student welfare nationwide.

Mr. Adjei reiterated GETFund’s commitment to transparency and collaboration, encouraging journalists and other stakeholders to engage actively with the Fund and provide feedback to strengthen its operations.

The engagement formed part of GETFund’s broader strategy to deepen partnerships, enhance accountability, and drive sustainable improvements in Ghana’s education sector.

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The Minister made the call as he climaxed his Easter engagements with visits to some congregations of the Church of Pentecost in the Sakumono and La Areas of the church, in Accra, on Resurrection Sunday.

A statement made available to the Ghana News Agency said the Minister’s visits formed part of a broader nationwide engagement with Christian communities during the Easter season, aimed at sharing messages of hope, renewal and national cohesion.

Drawing inspiration from the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Minister emphasised that Easter remained a powerful symbol of sacrifice, renewal and transformation.

He urged the Ghanaian citizenry to reflect these virtues in their contributions to national development.

“Just as Christ sacrificed for humanity; we must be prepared to sacrifice for the progress of our nation. Ghana’s development depends on our willingness to put the collective good above personal interest,” he stated.

The Minister placed particular emphasis on the role of the youth, calling for a fundamental shift in mindset toward patriotism, innovation and selflessness.

He urged young people to see themselves as key drivers of national transformation and to actively contribute to building a resilient and prosperous Ghana.

Mr Ibrahim underscored the importance of empowering women, noting that sustainable national development was intrinsically linked to the progress of women.

He called for greater support and inclusion of women in leadership and development processes, adding that “when women flourish, the nation flourishes.”

He appealed to leaders and citizens across all sectors to uphold the principles of truthfulness, loyalty and justice in the discharge of their duties.

The Minister for Local Government stressed that ethical leadership and responsible citizenship were indispensable to the country’s growth and stability.

He called for strengthened collaboration between the State and churches, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to Ghana’s development, particularly in the areas of moral upbringing, education and healthcare.

In a deeply moving and spiritually significant moment across all Areas visited, the Minister’s call for national reflection and unity culminated in intense and fervent prayers for Ghana.

Congregations lifted their voices in earnest intercession for the nation, invoking divine guidance, peace and prosperity, with special prayers offered for the President, government officials and all leaders of the country, asking for wisdom, integrity and the courage to take decisions that served the best interests of Ghana.

The Minister for Local Government expressed profound appreciation to the congregations for responding to the call to prayer, noting that the spiritual support of the Church remained indispensable in the nation’s development journey.

GNA

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Kwadwo Poku, Director of the Institute for Energy Policies and Research, known as INSTEPR, says the numbers behind the National Democratic Congress manifesto promise to spend US$10 billion on infrastructure within four years, simply do not support the President’s assertion that the initiative would be financed solely from internally generated funds.

“The numbers do not add up, from the revenue data available to us, the only way to pay for the Big Push is through debt, if all contractors are to be paid for work done at the end of 2027,” he said.

The controversy traces back to a meeting between the President and members of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee on July12, 2025 during which President Mahama identified petroleum revenue and mineral royalties as the primary sources of funding for the initiative. It is a claim that INSTEPR’s figures struggle to support.

Drawing on data from the Bank of Ghana’s Ghana Petroleum Funds semi-annual reports and the Minerals Income Investment Fund annual revenue figures, Poku notes that the total petroleum revenue accumulated over fifteen years, from 2011 to date, stands at just US$11.58 billion. That figure, covering a decade and a half of production, is only marginally above the amount the government intends to spend in four years.

The breakdown for 2025 is equally instructive. Total petroleum revenue for the year was US$770.27 million.

However, under the Petroleum Revenue Management Act, only the portion accruing to the Consolidated Fund and the Annual Budget Funding Amount can lawfully be deployed by government for infrastructure and that figure amounts to US$433.29 million.
On the mineral royalties side, MIIF received a record GHc5.43 billion in 2025, equivalent to approximately US$517.14 million at the prevailing exchange rate.

Following a legislative amendment requiring 80 percent of MIIF revenues to be transferred to the Consolidated Fund for infrastructure, the effective contribution to the Big Push from this source stands at US$413.7 million.

Combined, the two designated funding streams generated US$846.9 million in 2025. At that rate, Mr Poku calculates it would take Ghana more than eleven years to accumulate the US$10 billion required, more than double the length of a single presidential term.

The institute’s concern is sharpened by the pace at which contracts are already being awarded. The Roads Minister has confirmed that over US$7 billion worth of contracts were issued through single sourced procurement on grounds of urgency, with completion targeted for the end of 2027.

The Director of the INSTEPR is now asking the government to explain how the GHc46 billion allocated across the 2025 and 2026 budgets, equivalent to approximately US$4.4 billion, is being financed.

He is also pressing for clarity on how government intends to raise over US$3 billion in 2027 alone to settle contractors upon completion of the 81 urgent road contracts.

INSTEPR stopped short of a categorical conclusion, but called for deeper interrogation of the policy, stating that whether the President’s no borrowing assurance holds true remains, on current evidence, an open question.

The presidency had not responded to the institute’s findings at the time of publication.

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He has, therefore, called on the people of Adaklu Ablornu in the Adaklu district to unite and rally behind their Chiefs for the rapid development of the community.

Mr Ameko stated this at a grand durbar of the chiefs and people of Adaklu Ablornu to mark their sixth Afordeza.

It was on the theme “Empowering Educators, Enriching Communities: Building brighter futures.”

“To enable us to benefit fully from the reset agenda of President John Dramani Mahama, the people of Adaklu must unite and be at peace with each other,” he noted.

The DCE intimated that Adaklu had suffered for far too long under different authorities and jurisdictions and said, “I am happy we have moved from that stage to another level.”

He noted that Adaklu could not develop in a state of chaos and acrimony and called on every citizen to be a vessel of unity and peace.

Mr Ameko advised the people to shy away from backbiting and mudslinging and engaged in constructive dialogue with both traditional and political authorities in the district.

He told the people that several development projects were ongoing in the district including classroom blocks, teachers and nurse quarters, and roads.

Mr Ameko who is also the Dean of Volta Region MDCEs assured the people of Adaklu Ablornu that the Assembly in collaboration with Mr. Governs Kwame Agbodza Minister for Roads and Highways and Member of Parliament for Adaklu would complete the ongoing teacher’s bungalow and provide furniture for their Kindergarten.

He asked the people to use the Easter season for a sober reflection for both their physical and spiritual development.

Mama Dzuenyeakpe III, the Queen of the community in her welcoming address, stated that “the community has been in a slumber for far too long” and told the youth to focus their attention and energy on the development of the community.

“Let us all do away with all bitterness and acrimony and hunger and thirst for the development of Adaklu Ablornu,” she stated.

Mama Dzuenyeakpe appealed to parents in the community to ensure that their children were well educated, adding “this is the surest way that Ablornu can develop rapidly and also eradicate poverty.”

She appealed to the government and the District Assembly to upgrade the road from Adaklu Waya to the community, which she said was in a very deplorable state.

Mr Raphael Anani, the Chairman of the Festival Planning Committee told the Ghana News Agency that funds raised at the durbar would be channeled into the completion of the ongoing teacher’s bungalow.

Mr Ameko on behalf of himself, and Mr Agbodza donated an amount of GHS5,000 in support of the project. An amount of GHS50,000 was realized during an appeal for funds.

GNA

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When the National Democratic Congress (NDC) majority in Parliament moved to scrap the OSP in 2025, it offered no compelling ideological argument, no credible fiscal justification. It simply moved, swiftly and brazenly, to shut the office down. Only the direct intervention of President John Dramani Mahama halted that shameful attempt. The OSP survived, but the episode laid bare something every Ghanaian must confront.

Speaking at a national dialogue on March 31, 2026 Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng said what this newspaper has long maintained – “Politicians don’t want us around because we are bad news for politicians.”

The Chronicle commends the Special Prosecutor for his candour. It takes courage to speak that truth from the very office that is supposed to make the powerful uncomfortable.

Kissi Agyebeng’s concern is bigger than his own tenure. He is not fighting for himself, he is fighting for an institution that Ghana desperately needs. His argument is simple and unanswerable: an anti-corruption office that survives at the discretion of politicians is by definition already compromised. The mere condition of dependence is corrosive, regardless of whether direct interference ever occurs.

Ghana’s history with the OSP confirms this. The office became operational in 2018 under Martin Amidu, a man whose integrity was never seriously questioned, and who resigned in November 2020 citing political interference. The groundwork he laid came at great personal cost.

Under Kissi Agyebeng, the office has built impressively on that foundation. It recovered over GH₵125 million through reformed Ghana Revenue Authority auction processes, disrupted a $40 million counterfeiting syndicate, halted GH₵34.25 million in fraudulent payroll payments, prosecuted the former Chief Executive of the Public Procurement Authority and launched the Ghana Corruption League Table to systematically measure corruption risk across public institutions. Two Special Prosecutors – two administrations – the same relentless pattern of political pressure. That is not coincidence. That is deliberate sabotage dressed in parliamentary procedure.

The Chronicle used this column repeatedly last year to condemn the NDC majority’s attempt to dismantle the OSP and we make no apology for returning to it today. The question we posed then remains unanswered: who benefits if the OSP is scrapped? The ordinary Ghanaian who wakes up every morning to hustle for a living certainly does not. The trader at Makola, the teacher in Tamale, the fisherman in Elmina, none of them gain anything from a weakened anti-corruption office. Only those with something to hide stand to benefit.

The wider cost of corruption to this country is staggering. The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition estimates that corruption drains approximately $3 billion from our economy annually. Ghana has returned to the International Monetary Fund seventeen times, spending roughly 40 of its 68 years of independence under IMF programmes.

We have seen politicians arrive in office with modest means and depart with assets that no salary could ever explain. These things are connected. A nation haemorrhaging billions to elite greed while its citizens struggle to put food on the table is not suffering from misfortune. It is suffering from the consequences of unchecked corruption.

We will concede one point – the OSP is not above scrutiny and indeed no institution is. Its claims of achievement deserve independent verification and it must remain answerable to transparent performance standards. Integrity must be structural, not merely proclaimed.

That said, the case for protecting the OSP is overwhelming. The constitutional review process now underway presents Ghana with a historic opportunity to enshrine the OSP beyond the reach of any parliamentary majority or presidential preference.

More than 70% of Ghanaians want an independent anti-corruption body. More than 50% trust the OSP above every other institution to lead that fight. The people know what they want. The question is whether their representatives will listen.

Civil Society Organisations must rise to this moment. The survival of the OSP cannot be left to the goodwill of presidents or the conscience of parliamentarians who have already shown where their loyalties lie.

The Chronicle has said it before and will say it again – whoever moves to undermine the OSP is an enemy of this republic. Ghana has given corruption far too much time and far too much money. It is time to fight back.

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He said the facility would be used for hands-on training when the University introduces programmes in Forestry and Land Reclamation.

“I know that one day we are going to establish a programme in the University on Forestry and Land Reclamation and that will be the place where we will do our practicals,” Prof Amankwah stated.

An arboretum is a living museum or botanical garden dedicated to the cultivation and exhibition of diverse species of trees, shrubs and woody plants for scientific study, education and conservation.

Prof Amankwah made the announcement during the University’s observance of the 2026 World Water Day, held on the theme: “Water and Gender.”

He explained that upon assuming office five years ago, he introduced two major initiatives into the University system, one of which focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to him, the University selected nine out of the 17 SDGs as priority areas for research, industry collaboration and community engagement.

These included no poverty, gender equality, quality education, clean water and sanitation, climate action, life on land, partnerships, affordable and clean energy, as well as industry, innovation and infrastructure.

He said the University also aligned some global observance days with the selected SDGs, including World Water Day.

Prof Amankwah noted that the University also observes the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, which has enjoyed strong patronage from industry players and the surrounding communities to promote safety awareness.

Additionally, he said the University marks other international days such as International Women’s Day, World Environment Day and World Engineering Day.

“For instance, when we are celebrating World Day for Safety and Health, and you see the kind of organisation that goes on, you realise that these celebrations have brought the University closer to the community and industry,” he said.

Prof Amankwah expressed gratitude to AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine, Gold Fields Ghana Limited, Ghana Manganese Company, traditional authorities and the security agencies for their continuous support.

From Erica Apeatua Addo, Tarkwa

GNA

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The four-day event attracted nearly 25,000 industry players, including distributors, contractors, architects, developers and global buyers, with exhibitors from close to 40 countries presenting cutting-edge innovations in tile and stone production.

Keda Ghana, which made history in 2025 as the first and only ceramic manufacturer from Ghana and across Africa to participate in the exhibition since its inception in 1990, returned this year with a stronger presence, underlining its strategic push into the American, European and Latin American markets.

At the exhibition, the company unveiled a diverse range of modern ceramic tiles tailored to international standards, combining durability, aesthetic appeal and cost efficiency.

The products drew significant attention from buyers and distributors, with Keda’s stand emerging as one of the busiest at the event.
Industry stakeholders who interacted with the company commended the rising competitiveness of Ghana-manufactured products, noting that Keda Ghana is successfully bridging quality and scale to meet global demand.

The growing acceptance of its products in the United States and Europe signals increasing confidence in Ghana, as a viable manufacturing and export hub, particularly in the building materials sector.

Keda Ghana’s expanding export footprint is also expected to deliver direct economic benefits to the Shama enclave in the Western Region, where its manufacturing base is located, through job creation, local business stimulation and infrastructure development.
The company’s international breakthrough comes on the back of ongoing expansion projects, including a new glass manufacturing plant.

At a recent ceremony officiated by John Dramani Mahama, the President commended the firm’s contribution to Ghana’s export growth and its increasing penetration into key global markets such as the United States, Italy and Spain.

He noted that Keda Ghana’s long-term vision of positioning its operations as a major supply base for American and European markets aligns with Ghana’s ambition to become a leading industrial and manufacturing hub in Africa.

With products now moving from factory floors in Shama to shelves and construction sites across advanced economies, Keda Ghana is increasingly positioning the country as a competitive player in the global ceramics industry.

The company’s success underscores the potential of Ghana’s industrial sector to drive economic diversification, reduce import dependence and elevate the country’s presence in high-value global supply chains.

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The appeal, directed at local assemblies across the country, emphasised the urgent need for the church to develop structured systems to care for retired men and women of God who, after decades of sacrifice, often face neglect and financial hardship.

A former Bono-Ahafo Regional Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Rev. John Felix Yeboah, made the call at the climax of the 2026 Easter Convention of the Sunyani East District of the Assemblies of God.

The Convention was held from Thursday 2nd April to Sunday 5th April, 2026 at the End Time Assemblies of God auditorium in Sunyani.

Rev. Yeboah noted that many pastors, after years of selfless service and sacrifice, retire into conditions marked by financial difficulty, ill health and in some cases, neglect.

He stressed that such a situation does not reflect the values of a church built on compassion, honour and gratitude.

According to Rev. Yeboah, who is also the Vice Chairman of the Retired Pastors Association, the retired pastors remain invaluable assets to the church, possessing deep spiritual insight and experience that should continue to benefit the body of Christ.

He, therefore, urged all the congregations to maintain close ties with them through regular visits, spiritual, physical and material support.

“Those who laboured to build the church must not be left to struggle in their later years, and investing in the welfare of retired pastors would also boost the morale of younger ministers”.

He reminded the members that caring for retired pastors was not only a responsibility of the church leadership, but also a personal obligation of every member who has benefited from their ministry.

Rev. John Felix Yeboah said he plans to ignite renewed discussions within the Assemblies of God church on strengthening welfare systems and ensuring that those who dedicated their lives to God’s work retire with honour, dignity and adequate support.

Rev. Emmanuel Nkatia, retired head Pastor of the Living Word Assemblies of God, Abesim also underscored the urgent need for the church to establish a comprehensive social security system for its clergy.

He indicated that prioritising pension schemes, healthcare support, and welfare funds would guarantee dignity and stability for pastors after active service.

The Chronicle has learnt that the Assemblies of God Ghana has an established Ministers’ Pension Scheme, which was formally instituted around 2012 by a General Council resolution.

The scheme requires pastors to contribute toward retirement benefits. However, support to the retired ministers still depends heavily on contributions from the local churches.

This implies that retired pastors from low capacity local churches enjoy almost next to nothing in terms of benefits.

The 2026 Easter Convention spearheaded and chaired by the Sunyani East District Pastor and head of Agape Centre Assemblies of God, Rev. Justice Frank Oduro, brought together 10 different branches of the AG churches within the district.

By Edmond Gyebi 

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