🇬🇭GhanaWest Africa
Dennis Miracles Aboagye expresses dismay over EOCO GH¢55 million probe
via GhanaWeb2 min read
Dennis Miracles Aboagye, spokesperson for the New Patriotic Party and aide to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, stated he was disheartened by the Economic and Organised Crimes Office EOCO investigation into alleged financial and procurement irregularities totaling approximately GH¢55 million during his time at the Inter‑Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation IMCCoD. Aboagye, who appeared before EOCO on April 28, 2026, with his lawyer after a petition was filed, said he was not informed of specific allegations or that he was under investigation. He expressed sadness and anger upon learning of the GH¢55 million probe, stating he was never officially notified by EOCO. Aboagye also recounted his shock when Immigration officials at Accra International Airport informed him his name was on a stop list upon his return to Ghana, despite having traveled out of the country earlier. He emphasized that while EOCO has the right to investigate, citizens should be treated fairly. EOCO confirmed his arrest at the airport was related to the GH¢55 million allegations, and he has since been granted bail for GH¢50 million with three sureties.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Must ReadFormer President of Tanzania, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, expressed concern over the high rate of maternal mortality in Africa during a keynote address at the High-Level Interactive Policy Dialogue in Accra. He noted that nearly 70% of the 260,000 global maternal deaths annually occur on the African continent, despite advancements in health technology. Kikwete attributed this to implementation failures rather than a lack of scientific knowledge. He cited Tanzania's success in reducing maternal deaths from 500 to 104 per 100,000 live births through proper implementation of solutions, nearing the SDG target of fewer than 70 by 2030. He also urged African nations to increase domestic financing for health needs, emphasizing that reliance on external aid is unsustainable, especially given the lessons from the COVID-19 vaccine distribution. The dialogue, co-convened by the African Renaissance Trust and the Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation, aimed to discuss sustainable health financing, accountability, and innovation, ahead of the AU Extraordinary Session on Health.
Must ReadDeputy Attorney General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai has clarified that the conviction of Benard Antwi Bosiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party NPP, in an illegal mining case was based on his own statements, police records, and witness testimonies. Speaking on TV3 on July 22, 2026, Dr. Srem-Sai expressed surprise at claims that the conviction was politically motivated, noting that much of the evidence relied upon by the court came from the defense itself. He suggested that reactions labeling the case as political persecution were expected in politically charged situations. Chairman Wontumi was sentenced to 20 years in prison by an Accra High Court for illegal mining offenses involving Akonta Mining Limited. The court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, found him guilty on six counts, including assigning mineral rights without ministerial approval and facilitating mining operations without a license. He was also fined GH¢120,000, with a default sentence of three years' imprisonment. The NPP has announced its intention to appeal the ruling.
Paul Afoko, a former New Patriotic Party NPP National Chairman, shared his experience of escaping detention during the June 19, 1983 prison break under the Provisional National Defence Council PNDC regime. Speaking on Channel One TV on July 21, 2026, Afoko explained that he seized the opportunity to flee when a group attempting to overthrow the government broke into the prison to free soldiers. Although not involved in the coup attempt, he feared for his life if he remained incarcerated. He had previously fled to Burkina Faso, then called Upper Volta, after receiving intelligence that soldiers were coming to arrest him from Tamale. He crossed the border on a motorbike and blended in due to his ability to speak the local language. Afoko later returned to Ghana after his father, following assurances from then-PNDC member Daniel Akatapuri, asked him to come home. However, soldiers surrounded his home at dawn shortly after his return, arrested him, and transferred him to a detention center in Accra. After escaping during the prison break, Afoko went into hiding before leaving Ghana through Kotoka International Airport with the help of friends, including a junior from secondary school who was the country manager for Nigeria Airways.