🇬🇭GhanaWest Africa
Ghanaian businessman Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng pleads guilty in US romance and inheritance fraud case
via GhanaWeb2 min read
Ghanaian businessman Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng, also known as Dada Joe Remix, has pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud in the United States. Following his extradition in June 2025, Boateng admitted that he and co-conspirators operated a romance and inheritance fraud scheme from 2013 through March 2023, targeting elderly individuals across the United States, including Arizona. The scheme involved co-conspirators feigning romantic relationships online and falsely claiming to have received an inheritance of gold and jewels, requiring victims to pay taxes and fees for their release. Boateng has agreed to pay approximately $4.4 million in restitution. His sentencing is scheduled for September 8, 2026, before United States District Judge Angela M. Martinez. The investigation was conducted by the FBI Phoenix Division’s Sierra Vista office, with prosecution handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Arizona, Tucson. Support for the extradition was provided by the FBI Legal Attaché in Accra, Ghana, the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, the Republic of Ghana’s Economic and Organized Crime Office, Ghana Police Services – INTERPOL, and the Department of Justice, Office of International Affairs.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Apostle Eric Kwabena Nyamekye, Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, has called on Ghana's political leaders to focus on long-term national development rather than short-term election promises. Speaking at the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, Apostle Nyamekye emphasized the need to build strong foundations, similar to those in advanced nations, instead of merely replicating their successes. He criticized the country's reliance on superstition, political prophecies, and election-cycle planning, arguing that these practices hinder sustainable development. The Chairman stressed that national development requires a long-term, non-partisan vision spanning generations, rather than being dictated by changing political manifestos. He referenced Max Weber's "The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism," suggesting Ghana should emulate the underlying values of discipline, sacrifice, and long-term thinking that contributed to the prosperity of many European countries. Apostle Nyamekye urged Ghanaians to embrace integrity, patriotism, and sacrifice, stating that leadership involves inspiring citizens with a clear vision for the future. He expressed hope for Ghana, affirming that laying the right foundations would lead to blessings.
Former Works and Housing Minister Francis Asenso Boakye stated that flooding in Ghana is a national failure requiring urgent enforcement of planning laws, increased drainage investment, and sustained political will. Speaking in Parliament on June 30, 2026, he noted that despite knowing the root causes of perennial floods, the country has failed to address the issue. The Member of Parliament for Bantama emphasized that flooding should not be a partisan debate, as it is one of Ghana's most persistent national challenges, affecting life, infrastructure, and economic activity. He identified inadequate drainage infrastructure, weak enforcement of planning laws, poor waste management, rapid urbanization, and the growing impacts of climate change as key causes. Asenso-Boakye expressed concern that interventions have reportedly slowed or stalled, stressing that a concerted effort from the government, local authorities, and all stakeholders is needed to significantly reduce the flooding crisis.
The Minority in Parliament has demanded the immediate dissolution of the seven-member presidential task force, chaired by Deputy Chief of Staff Stan Dogbe, established to address Accra’s perennial flooding. This call follows Monday’s devastating floods, which the Minority argues demonstrate the task force’s failure despite over a year of operation. The opposition caucus is also seeking a full parliamentary investigation into the task force’s work and urges the government to implement urgent public health measures to prevent disease outbreaks after the floods claimed at least 12 lives. Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin questioned the committee’s effectiveness, stating that 15 months after its establishment in March 2025, there is little evidence of its achievements or recommendations. He argued that the scale of destruction exposed a disconnect between government assurances and actual flood preparedness. The Minority Leader called for a special parliamentary committee to investigate the conduct of the flood preparedness task force and relevant ministries, departments, and agencies, to determine the extent of work undertaken, the effective use of public funds, and why interventions failed. The Minority also demanded that task force members step aside during the investigation to ensure impartiality. Beyond accountability, the Minority expressed concern over heightened disease risks and called on the Minister for Health to announce emergency public health measures. Meanwhil