The leadership of Alpha Hour, a faith-based Christian initiative, has formally demanded a retraction and public apology from social media commentator Albert Nat Hyde, popularly known as Bongo Ideas, following a video he posted on his social media timeline making allegations against the group and its leadership.

In the video, Bongo Ideas claimed that Pastor Elvis Agyemang, founder of Alpha Hour and Chief Alpharian, demanded or received money from legendary gospel musician Esther Smith in exchange for prayers. According to Alpha Hour’s leadership, the claims, specifically the allegation that Pastor Elvis demanded £300,000, are false, unfounded, and defamatory.

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ALPHA HOUR PRESS RELEASE (FINAL 1) – [2026]

In a statement dated January 15, 2025, and released on behalf of Alpha Hour, the leadership strongly condemned the remarks, describing them as misleading and damaging to the integrity, reputation, and public image of both the movement and its leaders. They noted that the allegations, which circulated widely on social media, have caused reputational harm and unnecessary public controversy.

The statement stressed that the claims made by Bongo Ideas were not supported by facts, accusing the social media commentator of engaging in reckless commentary without due diligence or verification. While acknowledging the importance of free speech and public criticism in a democratic society, the leadership emphasised that such freedoms should not be abused to spread misinformation or malign individuals and organisations.

As a result, AlphaHour has issued a formal demand for an immediate retraction of the statements across all platforms where they were published, along with an unqualified public apology to help restore public confidence and trust.

The leadership further cautioned that failure to comply with the demand within a reasonable timeframe would compel them to pursue legal action, including defamation proceedings, to protect their name and reputation.

“This is not an attempt to silence criticism,” the statement emphasised, “but a necessary step to defend truth, accountability, and responsible public communication.”

As of the time of filing this report, Bongo Ideas has not publicly responded to the demands. The incident has since ignited renewed debate on social media regarding responsible commentary, freedom of speech, and the legal boundaries of online expression in Ghana’s digital space.

Former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, has reportedly been detained at the Nevada Southern Detention Centre in the United States.

The development was contained in a statement signed by Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Emmanuel Victor Smith, dated Thursday, January 15, 2026.

My information is that she was detained by US Marshals on January 6th and has since been kept at that detention centre. I am reliably informed that, acting on an extradition request sent to the US Authorities sometime in July 2024, US Marshals arrested Mrs Tamakloe-Attionu and placed her in detention to await her day in court.”

Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu was in April 2024, sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment with hard labour after being found guilty on 78 counts, including causing financial loss to the state, stealing, conspiracy to steal, money laundering, and breaches of the Public Procurement Act.

Her co-accused, former MASLOC Chief Operating Officer Daniel Axim, was also sentenced to five years’ imprisonment with hard labour.

The two were prosecuted for offences committed between 2013 and 2016, involving the misappropriation of funds meant for MASLOC activities. The trial, which began in 2019, saw the state call six witnesses.

Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu was tried in absentia after she absconded while on permission from the court to seek medical treatment abroad. Daniel Axim, however, testified in person but did not call any witnesses.

Among the offences established by the court was the withdrawal of GH¢500,000 as a loan to Obaatampa Savings and Loans Company, which the convicts later demanded to be refunded after the institution declined to agree to a 24 per cent interest rate. Although evidence showed the amount was refunded, it was not reflected in the accounts of MASLOC.

The court also found that over GH¢1.7 million allocated for a sensitisation exercise was misappropriated. MASLOC was expected to pay GH¢20 each to 85,300 beneficiaries, but only GH¢1,300 was used for the intended purpose.

Additionally, only GH¢579,800 out of GH¢1.4 million meant for victims of the Kantamanso inferno was disbursed, with the remainder unlawfully appropriated.

The case further involved inflated procurement costs for vehicles and Samsung mobile phones, with evidence indicating that the amounts paid exceeded prevailing market prices, despite the items being purchased in bulk.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, on 15th January 2026, promoted thirty-five police officers in recognition of their outstanding role in the arrest of suspects involved in the Adabraka gold robbery in Accra.

The promotions were awarded to personnel who demonstrated exceptional professionalism, dedication, and teamwork during operations that led to the arrest of suspects linked to the high-profile daylight robbery at a jewellery shop in Adabraka in November 2024.

IGP Yohuno, together with members of the Police Management Board (POMAB), congratulated the promoted officers and urged them to regard the elevation as a call to greater responsibility, leadership, and accountability in the discharge of their duties and charged the officers to continue working hard.

The Ghana Police Service reiterates its commitment to recognising merit and rewarding excellence as a means of strengthening professionalism, boosting morale, and enhancing effective policing across the country.