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Shariff Abdulai Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Murder of 23 People

By
Ivy Hollys
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police arrest shariff abdulai

The Wa High Court has sentenced notorious serial killer Shariff Abdulai, popularly known as Cristos, to life imprisonment with hard labour for the murder of 23 people across parts of Ghana. The sentence was delivered on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, by Justice Osei-Wusu Antwi after Shariff Abdulai pleaded guilty to the charges.

According to a statement from the Ghana Police Service Upper West Regional Command, Shariff Abdulai admitted to killing sixteen people in Wa, five in Bole, and one each in Banda Nkwanta and Bamboi.

Police say Shariff Abdulai was arrested on October 6, 2025, following sustained intelligence-led operations conducted by the Ghana Police Service.

After months of investigations, Shariff Abdulai was first committed by a District Magistrate Court before being arraigned before the High Court on March 4, 2026.

In court, Shariff Abdulai, who was represented by counsel, pleaded guilty to the charge. Based on his plea, Justice Osei-Wusu Antwi sentenced Shariff Abdulai to life imprisonment with hard labor.

The convict is expected to serve his sentence at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison.

Fuel Pricing Window: Dr. Riverson Oppong Says March 16 Will Reveal ‘Real Marketing’ in Ghana’s Oil Sector

By
Ivy Hollys
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riverson oppong on march 16 fuel pricing window

Chief Executive of the Ghana Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies, Dr. Riverson Oppong, says the upcoming fuel pricing window beginning March 16 will reveal what he describes as the true dynamics of fuel marketing in Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector.

Speaking on PM Express on Joy News on Wednesday, Dr. Riverson Oppong said the next pricing window will demonstrate how the oil marketing industry truly operates.

According to Dr. Riverson Oppong, Ghanaians should expect significant developments when the new fuel pricing window opens on March 16.

His comments come as the National Petroleum Authority prepares to enforce revised Petroleum Pricing Guidelines aimed at standardizing fuel prices across the country.

Under the new directive, which takes effect on March 16, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketing Companies (LPGMCs) will be required to maintain uniform fuel prices across their retail outlets.

This means the price displayed at the pump must be the same price submitted to the regulator, effectively ending the practice where companies offered discounts at selected stations while maintaining higher prices at others.

However, Dr. Riverson Oppong rejected claims that the National Petroleum Authority has scrapped fuel discounting altogether.

Instead, Dr. Riverson Oppong insists the regulator has only corrected what he describes as a long-standing error in the fuel pricing structure.

“The President’s assertion that U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran could possibly impact African economies is nothing but the truth”—Kofi Asher, NDC Communications

By
Ivy Hollys
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Kofi Asher

Kofi Asher, a member of the communications team of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), says the President is right to suggest that the ongoing tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States could have economic consequences for countries like Ghana.

Speaking in a discussion with Alfa Ali on the orange Sunrise, Kofi Asher explained that global conflicts—especially in regions that control a large share of the world’s oil supply—can influence economies across the globe, including those in Africa.

According to him, the global economy is interconnected, and developments in the Middle East cannot be viewed in isolation. He said political instability in that region could disrupt oil supply and global markets, which may eventually affect African economies.

However, he was quick to add that external factors alone cannot be blamed as the main cause of an economic downturn.

The NDC communicator explained that the party has never denied the role external developments can play in shaping Ghana’s economic performance. Instead, he said the party’s position has always been that domestic economic challenges should not be attributed solely to external shocks.

He noted that during Ghana’s economic difficulties under the New Patriotic Party administration, the NDC questioned attempts to blame the crisis entirely on global issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia–Ukraine war.

According to him, the NDC maintained that while those global developments had some impact, internal economic management also played a significant role.

He further challenged claims that the NDC has ever dismissed the influence of external factors on Ghana’s economy, stating that there is no evidence of any senior member of the party publicly making such a claim.

Instead, he argued that former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia had at various times suggested that external factors could fully explain the country’s economic challenges.

The NDC communicator maintained that the President’s comment about the potential economic impact of tensions in the Middle East reflects a reality that cannot be ignored, given the interconnected nature of the global economy.

Tribenet controversy: Afenyo Markin referred to the privileges committee over recruitment allegations

By
Ivy Hollys
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afenyo markin on tribenet controversy

Tribenet, a private software development platform used to harmonize and digitalize recruitment into the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Service, and Ghana National Fire Service, has found itself at the center of a controversy. 

The development follows allegations made by Afenyo-Markin on February 27, 2026, concerning the Tribenet platform and its role in the ongoing recruitment into the security services. Following the allegations, the Minister for the Interior, Mutaka Mubarak, formally applied for the Minority Leader to be referred to the Privileges Committee over what he described as contemptuous remarks made on the floor of Parliament.

The First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, subsequently referred Afenyo-Markin to the committee for investigation.

The Allegations by Afenyo Markin

Speaking in Parliament, Afenyo-Markin alleged that the Tribenet platform, which is being used to harmonize recruitment across the security services, was being manipulated.

He described the current internal security recruitment as “scandalous,” warning that “there is corruption looming” and that “people will go to prison.”

In response, Interior Minister Mutaka Mubarak strongly defended the use of Tribenet, stating that the platform had previously provided similar services under past administrations.

He told Parliament that in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2021, Tribenet Ltd undertook recruitment-related services for the Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana Immigration Service, and Ghana National Fire Service under the same business model now being implemented for the 2025–2026 recruitment exercise.

According to the minister, the harmonized and digitalized system aims to prevent “vacancy hijacking,” reduce operational costs, and empower the various agencies to eventually take ownership of their recruitment portals after a set number of cycles.

He explained that the current approach is in line with the 2024 manifesto commitments of the National Democratic Congress, which promises a merit-based, transparent, and decentralized recruitment and promotion process for all security agencies.

Mutaka Mubarak argued that he had earlier offered to provide detailed information to the Minority Leader if he formally requested it. However, he said Afenyo-Markin chose to repeat the allegations during proceedings connected to the State of the Nation Address, “when the whole world was listening.”

Citing Standing Order 31 (E and F), the minister described the remarks as contemptuous and called for the minority leader to be given the opportunity to substantiate his claims before the Privileges Committee.

While this marks the second time he has been referred to the committee, Afenyo-Markin has indicated that he is prepared for the matter to be heard publicly and says he will substantiate his claims before the Privileges Committee. 

Reuben Ameh rejects claims Iran-Israel-US tensions will affect Ghana’s economy

By
Ivy Hollys
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Reuben Ameh

The Secretary of the Combined Kejetia Traders Association, Reuben Ameh, has rejected claims that the escalating tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States could negatively impact Ghana’s economy.

Reuben Ameh made the remarks during an interview with Alfa Ali, following comments by President John Dramani Mahama suggesting that developments in the Middle East may have economic consequences for Ghana.

But Reuben Ameh insisted that Ghana should not be affected.

Questioning the basis of such concerns, Reuben Ameh asked why events in the Middle East should automatically translate into economic hardship for Ghanaians. He argued that similar explanations were given during the Russia–Ukraine war, the 2007 global economic downturn, the Ebola outbreak, and the COVID-19 pandemic, yet many citizens challenged those claims.

According to Reuben Ameh, Ghana has sufficient gold and oil reserves to cushion the country against external shocks. He maintained that no politician should use foreign conflicts as grounds to increase fuel prices or weaken the cedi.

Reuben Ameh further cautioned against what he described as “political games,” stressing that leaders must not wake up and announce sharp fuel price hikes under the pretext of international tensions.

He stated that Ghana’s economic foundation should be strong enough to withstand global pressures and urged policymakers to protect the national interest.

He said traders would not accept explanations that blame international conflicts for local economic decisions, insisting that Ghana must remain economically resilient regardless of external events.

Iran FIFA world cup 2026 participation in doubt amid middle east conflict

By
Ivy Hollys
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fifa world cup 2026

With just a few more months to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, uncertainty is growing over whether Iran will participate in the global tournament amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The competition, organized by FIFA, is set to take place across North America, including the United States, a nation currently involved in heightened conflict with Iran.

Recent military strikes involving the United States and Israel have intensified the crisis, raising questions about Iran’s involvement in the tournament.

Iran is scheduled to play its opening group stage match against New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles. However, comments from the president of Iran’s football federation suggest participation may not be guaranteed.

According to reports, the federation’s leadership has indicated that the ongoing attacks have made it difficult to look ahead to the World Cup with optimism.

The reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has further complicated the situation, creating uncertainty over who would make a final decision on whether Iran will boycott the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Kwesi Botchwey Jnr Files RTI Requests Over President Mahama’s SONA Statements

By
Ivy Hollys
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kwesi botchwey

Private legal practitioner Kwesi Botchwey Jnr. has filed Right to Information (RTI) requests at the Economic and Organized Crime Office and the Ghana Statistical Service over claims made by President John Dramani Mahama during the 2026 State of the Nation Address.

In a Facebook post dated March 2, 2026, the lawyer disclosed that his petition to EOCO relates to the president’s statement that the anti-corruption agency investigated 462 cases and recovered more than GH¢600 million as of December 2025.

Mr. Botchwey is requesting detailed information on the specific cases from which the GH¢600 million was recovered, the individuals involved, the nature of the cases, their suit numbers, the dates of recovery, and the bank accounts into which the funds were deposited.

In a separate RTI application to the Ghana Statistical Service, Kwesi Botchwey is seeking a breakdown of the one million jobs President Mahama claimed were created between the first and third quarters of 2025.

The lawyer has asked for clarity on how many of the reported jobs were created in the private sector and how many were generated in the public sector. He is also requesting details of the institutions—both public and private—credited with creating the jobs.

President Mahama, during his address to Parliament on February 27, 2026, cited data from the Ghana Statistical Service to support his claim that one million people gained employment within the stated period.

Police Assure Tight Security for Ayawaso East Parliamentary re-run

By
Ivy Hollys
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ayawaso east re-run 2026

The Ghana Police Service has assured residents of maximum security ahead of the Ayawaso East parliamentary re-run election scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

In a statement issued by the Accra Regional Police Command on March 2, the police confirmed the deployment of adequate personnel to all designated polling stations and key locations within the Ayawaso East Constituency. According to the Command, officers will maintain a strong and visible presence before, during, and after voting to ensure a peaceful and transparent electoral process.

The police also announced intensified patrols across the constituency to prevent any disturbances that could disrupt the re-run election.

Residents and political party supporters have been cautioned against engaging in acts that may undermine the integrity of the Ayawaso East parliamentary re-run. The Command emphasized that anyone found violating electoral laws will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, certified international election observer Koku Anyidoho has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election so far.

Speaking from a polling station in the constituency on election day, he commended the Electoral Commission of Ghana for the timely deployment of election materials and personnel. He noted that polling stations were set up in line with internationally accepted standards.

The Ayawaso East parliamentary re-run is being closely monitored amid heightened political interest, with security agencies promising to ensure calm throughout the exercise.

Global crude surge threathens fuel price hike in Ghana

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Fuel prices are expected to surge in the coming weeks as global oil prices hike as a result of the attacks on commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz is a major shipping lane that carries about 20% of the world’s oil and gas supply.

Escalating tensions in the Middle East have contributed to the price spike. Iran has intensified strikes across the region in response to ongoing attacks by the United States and Israel. The tensions and uncertainty have hit the energy sector, raising concerns about potential supply disruptions.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) says at least three ships were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz. Two vessels were hit by unknown projectiles, causing fires, while another projectile reportedly exploded very close to a third vessel. Authorities say the crew members are safe.

Iran has sternly cautioned ships to avoid passing through the strait, prompting many vessels to anchor in nearby waters rather than risk transit. According to analysts, shipping activity at the strait’s entrance has slowed significantly due to security concerns and rising insurance costs.

Sustained increases in crude prices could translate into higher pump prices, increased transport fares, and upward pressure on food and commodity prices for Ghana.

Energy analysts have said that markets have not yet gone into full panic mode because major oil production and transport infrastructure have not been directly targeted. However, they warn that if the war drags on and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains restricted, prices could surge beyond $100 per barrel.

Globally, companies like the OPEC+ group — which includes Saudi Arabia and Russia agreed on Sunday to increase output by 206,000 barrels per day as part of efforts to stabilise the market. Some experts, however, have expressed concerns about the sustainability of this if the conflict should last longer than expected.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) says three tankers linked to the UK and US had been struck by missiles and were burning. Neither country has officially confirmed the claim.

The UKMTO has reported multiple security incidents across the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman and has advised vessels to transit with caution.

Ship-tracking data indicates that more than 150 tankers have dropped anchor in open Gulf waters rather than attempt to pass through the strait. Analysts warn that if the waterway remains effectively closed for an extended period, the consequences for global energy markets — and fuel-dependent economies like Ghana — could be significant.

By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang

Ashanti Regional Police arrest TikToker for publication of false news

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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suspect

The Ashanti Regional Police Command, has announced the arrest a 45yr old man by name,Isaac Boafo, and popularly referred to as “Duabo King,” for the offence of publication of false news with intent to cause fear and panic.

The Police arrested Isaac Boafo after the he accused four police officers stationed at the Central Police Station, Kumasi of engaging in inappropriate conduct with commercial sex workers during night patrol duties at Asafo, Kumsai in a viral video circulated on TikTok.

Police Intelligence Directorate (Ashanti Region) apprehended the suspect to justify his allegations and revealed that during interrogations, Isaac Boafo admitted to publishing the video and stated that he is a social media content creator who made the allegations solely to attract views and online engagement. He also admitted that he had no evidence to back the claims made against the officers.

“The suspect also acknowledged making comments concerning the President of the Republic for the purpose of content creation and admitted that he could not defend those statements.

“He has since been formally charged and detained to assist with further investigations”, the statement read.

The Police cautioned the public against the publication and circulation of false information, particularly on social media.

“The Police wish to caution the public against the publication and circulation of false information, particularly on social media, as such acts have the potential to cause unnecessary fear, panic, and reputational damage. Persons found engaging in such conduct will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” The Police statement said.

By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang

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