General News
“Former Spy Chief Hints at Explosive Secrets Amid Embezzlement Trial” – Bright Simons
The former head of one of the three main agencies constituting Ghana’s national security system is under trial for stealing public funds designated for intelligence operations.
He has written a letter from detention darkly hinting at two things:
- The monies that his private companies received from national security accounts and other government agencies were to be used for sensitive intelligence and security operations.
- Unless his continued trial and detention are halted, he shall be forced to disclose some of these operations, details of which could embarrass senior politicians from both major political parties.
He tried to insinuate that national security agencies bribed members of parliament to facilitate the passage of laws of interest to the government.
He is alleging that even the then opposition party, now ruling party, received funds, vehicles, and other forms of support from the national security agencies ahead of recent elections.
The stated intent of all these murky expenses is the cohesion and stability of the country. In previous commentary, I have warned how the murky way in which national security operations are funded has led to the some of the few instances of overt embezzlement in Ghana.
Ghana is a country where public officials rarely embezzle public funds. They tend, instead, to prefer kickbacks.
At some point, serious conversations must be had about the setup of the national security auditing regime. The auditor general is not currently fit for this purpose. In fact, it is not fit for tackling most organised modes of misusing public funds.
However, as far as the criminal charges against the former spy boss is concerned, this letter is irrelevant.
If national security agencies wish to set up a special corporate vehicle for confidential operations, why would they do so in the name of one of the seniormost spy bosses in the country? Highly implausible. Why are there no actual classified records of any of this?
If the national security establishment wants to efficiently disburse funds for “dirty operations”, why would it do so through illiquid real estate investments and the purchase of luxury items, for instance? How does that facilitate undercover payments for national security objectives?
Most vitally, the theories and allegations being urged on us by the former spy boss are up against the work of one of Ghana’s most formidable investigators, Raymond Archer. Even as a private citizen, his craft was of daunting precision. Now that he has the full apparatus of the security state at his beck and call, I would be very surprised if he will leave any gaps of the kind suggested by the former spy boss.
Even what fragments we know about the investigation so far, if put together, shows that many payments from the bank account of the shady companies set up by the former spy boss have been traced to purely commercial activities and numerous luxury purchases.
What has the buying of a lamborghini for a high-end car rental service, for instance, got to do with bribing MPs to pass laws in parliament favorable to the government?
Hence, while the letter from the former spy boss makes for titillating reading and raises serious concerns about potential rot in national security, I do not see any real impact on the substantive charges laid against him.
Furthermore, the cryptic way he has presented the information, to maximise its sensational value without presenting any actual evidence, means that it is not even usable by the anti-corruption agencies.
If he is alleging actual wrongdoing by the national security agencies, then he can present clearer, actionable, evidence to any of the anti-corruption agencies. Otherwise, this looks like an attempt to blackmail the state to back off under vague and veiled threats of embarrassing some important people.
Obviously, the state would give credence to the insinuations if it relented for even a second. My analysis is that, for that same reason, the letter will only encourage the prosecution to double up their efforts.
If the state continue to put out information that folks like myself can independently verify, the public would be better served. It would make attempts to throw mud at the picture harder.
Bright Simons Twitt
The United States Embassy in Accra has announced the release of more than 2,000 additional visa interview appointments over the next two weeks for applicants seeking B1 and B2 visas.
According to the Embassy, the newly opened slots are intended to support individuals planning temporary travel to the United States for business, tourism, family visits, and participation in major international events. Among the anticipated events is the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place across North America.
In an official statement, the Embassy encouraged prospective applicants to secure interview dates as soon as possible due to sustained demand for B1 and B2 visas. These visa categories cover short-term travel for business purposes under B1 and tourism or family visits under B2.
Applicants who already have appointments scheduled later in the year are also advised to log into the visa scheduling system to check for earlier availability and, where suitable, reschedule their interviews.
The Embassy indicated that the additional appointment slots are expected to help reduce existing backlogs and provide greater flexibility for travelers with time-sensitive plans.
Further details on application procedures, requirements, and appointment scheduling are available on the Embassy’s official visa information page at: https://gh.usembassy.gov/visas/
Ghana’s telecommunications sector may soon witness increased competition in the 5G space following a move by the National Communications Authority to amend the licence of Next-Gen Infraco.
In a press release dated March 4, 2026, the regulator announced it had issued a Notice of Proposed Licence Amendment to NGIC, seeking to remove the exclusivity clause that grants the company sole rights to operate in Ghana’s 5G segment. The Authority said the action was taken pursuant to Section 14 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775).
If approved, the amendment would open the 5G market to other operators, allowing them to deploy the technology independently.
According to the NCA, the proposed amendment is in the public interest and intended to promote competition and innovation, enhance consumer choice and service quality, accelerate nationwide digital transformation, and ensure efficient use of spectrum as a national resource.
Under the law, the amendment will take effect 90 days from the date of the notice unless, after reviewing any representations submitted by NGIC within the statutory period, the Authority determines otherwise. The NCA emphasized that the process complies with due procedure and aligns with its mandate to regulate communications services in the national interest.
NGIC’s Commercial Rollout
The proposed regulatory change comes shortly after NGIC announced it had received clearance from the NCA to commence full commercial operations as Ghana’s wholesale 4G and 5G infrastructure provider. The company said the approval followed technical inspections confirming compliance with its Wholesale Electronic Communications Infrastructure Licence.
NGIC has deployed 49 operational 5G sites across the country. Of these, 43 are located in Greater Accra, with the remaining sites spread across the Ashanti, Western, Northern, Bono and Central regions. The network is currently live in selected parts of Accra, Kumasi and Tamale under a wholesale-first model, where NGIC builds and manages shared radio and core infrastructure, while mobile network operators provide retail services to customers.
Chief Executive Officer Tenu Awoonor described the rollout as a transition from planning to execution, stating that the shared backbone is now commercially active and positioned for expansion. He noted that the model is designed to coordinate infrastructure investment nationally while preserving competition at the retail level.
Chief Operating Officer Nenyi George Andah said the company’s immediate focus is on scaling coverage in a coordinated and sustainable manner. He maintained that the wholesale model supports faster national reach and more efficient capital deployment.
Technology partner Nokia also reaffirmed its role in the deployment. Mustapha Salah, Head of Central West and East Africa, Mobile Networks at Nokia, said the partnership would support the rollout of Ghana’s first neutral-host 4G and 5G network, enabling operators to deliver high-speed data services and new enterprise solutions.
Licence Fee Default
In a related disclosure, the NCA indicated that NGIC is in default of an installment payment under its agreed licence fee schedule. The regulator said it is addressing the matter in accordance with applicable statutory provisions.
The combination of a potential policy shift on 5G exclusivity and concerns over fee compliance marks a significant moment for Ghana’s telecoms industry. While NGIC’s wholesale model remains central to national broadband expansion plans, the regulator’s proposed amendment signals a possible recalibration aimed at deepening competition and optimizing spectrum management.
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