A U.S. federal court has sentenced Nana Takyiwa Adonu, a U.S.-based Ghanaian, to 70 months (nearly six years) in federal prison for her role in a romance fraud scheme that targeted victims across the United States.
According to U.S. prosecutors, the scam caused victims to lose more than US$1.6 million. In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered Adonu to pay more than US$1.65 million in restitution to compensate the victims for their financial losses.
The sentencing follows the conviction of another member of the same conspiracy, highlighting the U.S. government’s continued crackdown on online romance scams and related financial crimes. Prosecutors said such schemes often involve fake online identities used to gain victims’ trust before convincing them to transfer large sums of money.
Authorities continue to warn the public to exercise caution when interacting with individuals met online, especially where requests for money are involved.
Accra, Ghana — Ghana’s Parliament has passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, commonly referred to as the anti-LGBTQ bill, following debate in the House.
The legislation seeks to criminalize various LGBTQ-related activities while introducing exemptions for some professional groups, including lawyers, journalists and healthcare workers acting within their professional duties.
Following the bill’s passage, Speaker Alban Bagbin later called on Parliament to reconsider aspects of the legislative process, citing procedural concerns and the need for broad consensus.
The bill still requires the remaining constitutional processes before becoming law. Public debate continues, with supporters arguing it reflects Ghanaian family values, while critics, including international human rights organizations, have expressed concerns over its potential impact on civil liberties and human rights.
ACCRA, Ghana – The Chief Executive Officer of Zonda Tech Ghana Ltd., Yang Yang, has appealed to the Finance Minister to reduce taxes on vehicles assembled in Ghana, saying the move would make vehicle ownership more affordable for ordinary Ghanaians while strengthening the country’s automotive industry.
According to Yang Yang, reducing the tax burden on locally assembled vehicles would encourage more consumers to purchase Ghana-made automobiles, leading to increased production, job creation, and greater investment in local manufacturing.
She believes tax incentives would make domestically assembled vehicles more competitive against imported alternatives, helping to expand Ghana’s industrial base while supporting the government’s broader industrialisation agenda.
Yang Yang further urged the government to consider the proposal as part of ongoing efforts to promote local production, improve accessibility to vehicle ownership, and stimulate economic growth through manufacturing.
If implemented, the proposed tax reductions could enhance the competitiveness of Ghana’s automotive sector while providing more affordable transportation options for citizens.
The family of the late Hajia Habiba Yakubu Kuri-teng, affectionately known as Nnaa Biba, has publicly expressed profound appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama, First Lady Lordina Mahama, government officials, traditional authorities, religious leaders and hundreds of sympathisers for the overwhelming support shown following her passing.
Hajia Habiba passed away on July 28, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, generosity, humility and unwavering commitment to her family and community.
Her Islamic funeral rites (Adua), held at Jejeidayiri in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region, drew a large gathering of government representatives, chiefs, Islamic clerics, opinion leaders, relatives and friends who came to honour her memory.
According to the family, Hajia Habiba shared a unique and longstanding relationship with President Mahama and First Lady Lordina Mahama, who regarded her as an adopted mother. That close relationship was reflected in the significant support offered by the First Family during the funeral.
A delegation led by Chief of Staff Dr. Julius Debrah represented the President and First Lady at the funeral, delivering their condolences, paying tribute to Hajia Habiba’s life and presenting a donation to support the funeral arrangements.
Speaking on behalf of the grandchildren, Chief Hissan Siita Sofo (Malti Naa I), President of the AfCFTA Young Entrepreneurs Federation (AfYEF), together with Hafiz Halilu, Chief Executive Officer of Astee Company Ltd, thanked the President and First Lady for their compassion before and after their grandmother’s passing.
He said the First Family consistently demonstrated genuine concern for Hajia Habiba throughout her lifetime, adding that their support during her illness and the honour accorded her funeral reflected a relationship built on trust, respect and family values.
Chief Hissan Siita Sofo also thanked government officials, Members of Parliament, traditional rulers, Islamic scholars, community leaders, friends, neighbours and all mourners who travelled from different parts of Ghana to support the bereaved family.
According to him, the overwhelming show of solidarity demonstrated the enduring spirit of compassion among Ghanaians during moments of grief.
Reflecting on the experience, he said leadership is ultimately measured by humanity, humility and the willingness to stand beside people during difficult times.
The family described Hajia Habiba as a woman remembered for her integrity, wisdom, generosity, faith and unconditional love, noting that her values would continue to inspire future generations.
They concluded by praying for Allah’s mercy upon her soul, asking that she be granted Jannatul Firdaus while also invoking blessings upon everyone who supported the family through prayers, donations, visits and words of encouragement.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has unveiled an ambitious regulatory framework aimed at sanitising the country’s used vehicle import market, announcing that the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme will become mandatory from October 1, 2026.
Dr Jabanyite Samuel Abdulai, Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA)
The policy requires every used vehicle destined for Ghana to be inspected and certified in its country of export before shipment, ensuring compliance with Ghana Standard GS 4510, the national benchmark for imported used vehicles.
Authorities say the initiative is intended to eliminate unsafe and environmentally hazardous vehicles from entering the Ghanaian market while improving consumer confidence and enhancing road safety nationwide.
Speaking after a stakeholder engagement, Deputy Director-General for General Services at the Ghana Standards Authority, Samuel Abdulai Jabanyite, said the Authority was determined to end the influx of defective vehicles into the country.
“For far too long, Ghana has become a destination for vehicles that many countries no longer consider safe for their roads. The PVoC programme is our firm response to that challenge. We are raising the standard to protect lives, property and the environment.”
Under the new regulations, vehicles that have been submerged in floods, extensively damaged by fire or suffered major structural damage to their chassis or safety cage will be prohibited from entering Ghana.
The standard also bars the importation of originally manufactured right-hand-drive vehicles, over-aged vehicles exceeding ten years, vehicles assembled from spare parts and automobiles that do not display speedometer readings in kilometres per hour.
Mr. Jabanyite stressed that the inspection process would be rigorous and handled by internationally accredited third-party inspection agencies operating on behalf of the Ghana Standards Authority.
“We will not compromise on safety. Any vehicle that poses a danger to motorists or passengers simply has no place on Ghana’s roads. Our inspectors have clear guidelines and the technical capacity to distinguish between vehicles that are genuinely roadworthy and those that are beyond safe repair.”
According to the GSA, the programme is expected to significantly improve the quality of imported vehicles while reducing road crashes linked to mechanical defects and poor vehicle conditions.
Officials further believe the initiative will strengthen consumer protection by ensuring buyers receive vehicles that meet internationally accepted safety standards before arriving in Ghana.
Beyond road safety, the Authority says the policy will promote transparency within the automotive sector, improve traceability of imported vehicles and increase investor confidence by creating a more structured and predictable vehicle import regime.
The GSA also expects the reforms to support the formalisation of Ghana’s domestic used-vehicle industry and make vehicle financing more accessible as the quality of imported automobiles improves.
Alongside the PVoC programme, the Authority has announced the rollout of the Vehicle Dealer Information System (VEDIS), a technology-driven platform designed to combat vehicle theft and improve information sharing among state institutions.
The digital platform will integrate data from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), insurance companies, National Security, Interpol and the Ghana Standards Authority to enable real-time verification of vehicles before registration.
Mr. Jabanyite explained that the interconnected system would make it increasingly difficult for stolen or illegally imported vehicles to enter Ghana’s transport system.
“VEDIS is about allowing institutions to speak one language through technology. Once the system is fully operational, every relevant agency will be able to verify a vehicle’s history instantly, making it extremely difficult for stolen or unsafe vehicles to slip through the cracks.”
Industry players who attended the stakeholder engagement reportedly expressed growing support for the reforms after extensive consultations with the Authority, paving the way for the nationwide implementation of the programme.
With the October deadline approaching, the Ghana Standards Authority is urging importers, dealers and exporters to familiarise themselves with the new requirements, insisting that compliance will be strictly enforced without exception.
“Our objective is simple: every vehicle arriving in Ghana must meet acceptable safety standards before it reaches our roads. This is a reform that places the lives of Ghanaians first and strengthens confidence in the country’s automotive industry.”
GhanaMedia.net has reached another significant milestone, recording an exceptional 718-millisecond page load speed while achieving a 99% GTmetrix Performance Score, reinforcing its position as one of Ghana’s fastest-performing news websites.
The latest benchmark highlights GhanaMedia.net’s commitment to delivering breaking news at lightning speed, with pages loading in well under one second. This performance far exceeds Google’s recommended benchmark of 2.5 seconds for a high-quality user experience.
Unlike many traditional news platforms that rely on heavy page structures, multiple third-party scripts, and legacy technologies, GhanaMedia.net has embraced a modern, performance-first architecture designed to provide readers with instant access to news while minimizing data usage.
Recent testing also recorded a Total Blocking Time (TBT) of just 6 milliseconds and zero Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS), ensuring smooth navigation and a stable reading experience across desktop and mobile devices.
Among Ghana’s major news publishers, including GhanaWeb, MyJoyOnline, Modern Ghana and Pulse Ghana, GhanaMedia.net distinguishes itself through its lightweight infrastructure, enabling significantly faster page rendering and interaction.
On the global stage, the site’s loading speed is competitive with leading international news organizations. Its sub-second performance places it among a select group of digital publishers prioritizing speed, usability and accessibility.
Website performance has become increasingly important for search engine visibility, Google Discover eligibility and reader retention. Faster websites generally offer improved engagement, reduced bounce rates and stronger mobile experiences.
With these results, GhanaMedia.net continues to demonstrate that African digital journalism can combine high-quality reporting with world-class technical performance, setting a new benchmark for fast, reliable and user-focused news delivery.
For more technology and media industry updates, visit Top Stories, explore the latest Ghana News, follow Ghana News Live, and learn more about digital policy developments through the Policy & Law Hub.
Andy Appiah-Kubi Explains Challenges of Representing Chairman Wontumi
Lawyer and Member of Parliament Andy Appiah-Kubi has described representing Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as one of the more demanding legal assignments due to the nature of the client and the complexity of the case.
According to Appiah-Kubi, successfully defending Wontumi requires balancing both legal strategy and client management throughout the judicial process.
“Managing a client like Chairman Wontumi is difficult. You have to manage both the person and the case at the same time.”
His remarks have sparked discussions on social media, with many Ghanaians debating the pressures lawyers face when handling high-profile political cases.
The comments come amid ongoing public interest surrounding Chairman Wontumi’s legal matters, which continue to attract widespread media attention.
Observers say the statement provides a rare insight into the realities of legal representation in politically sensitive cases, where public scrutiny often extends beyond the courtroom.
The Government of Ghana has announced a series of national activities to commemorate the first anniversary of the tragic military helicopter crash of August 6, 2025, which claimed the lives of several senior government officials and security personnel.
The commemorative programme is intended to honour the memories of the deceased, celebrate their service to the nation, and provide an opportunity for Ghanaians to reflect on the sacrifices they made. Planned activities include memorial services, wreath-laying ceremonies, moments of silence, and tributes from state officials, security agencies, and families of the victims.
The crash, regarded as one of Ghana’s deadliest aviation tragedies in recent history, shocked the nation and prompted an extensive investigation into its cause. Since then, calls have continued for enhanced aviation safety measures and stronger operational standards for military and state aircraft.
Government officials have encouraged the public to participate in the remembrance events, describing them as a moment of national unity and respect for those who lost their lives in service to Ghana.
As the anniversary approaches, tributes continue to pour in from across the country, with many remembering the lasting contributions of the victims to national development and public service.
Ghanaian comedian OB Amponsah has sparked widespread discussion after criticising the government’s decision to grant clemency to former MASLOC Chief Executive Officer Sedina Tamakloe.
In a social media post that has gained significant attention, the comedian questioned why social media personalities have faced legal consequences over online remarks while individuals convicted in high-profile corruption-related cases receive presidential clemency.
He wrote: “Mahama jails TikTokers for hurting his feelings but frees thieves who have hurt the nation.”
The comment comes after the government’s decision to pardon Sedina Tamakloe, a move that has generated mixed reactions across the political divide. Supporters argue the President acted within constitutional powers, while critics believe the decision sends the wrong message regarding accountability and the fight against corruption.
The remarks have since gone viral on social media, with Ghanaians debating issues surrounding justice, free speech, corruption, and the exercise of the presidential prerogative of mercy.
Government officials are yet to respond directly to OB Amponsah’s comments.
Spanish authorities have deployed additional security resources to the North African enclave of Ceuta after a sharp rise in irregular migrant arrivals from neighboring Morocco overwhelmed local reception centers. Regional leaders say more than 1,500 migrants reached the enclave within a week, with many arriving by swimming around border barriers or using small boats.
The surge has placed immense pressure on Ceuta’s accommodation facilities, particularly shelters for unaccompanied minors, prompting local officials to call for an extraordinary national response. Authorities say humanitarian services have been stretched beyond capacity as hundreds of new arrivals continue to enter the territory each day.
Spain’s Interior Ministry has responded by sending additional police and security personnel while coordinating with Moroccan authorities to curb further crossings. Local officials have also appealed for increased funding, logistical support and stronger border management measures to stabilize the situation.
The developments have reignited debate across Spain and the European Union over migration policy, border security and cooperation with Morocco. Ceuta, one of Spain’s two autonomous cities in North Africa, has long served as a key entry point for migrants seeking to reach European territory
