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Passport Head Office Temporarily Closed After Alleged Attack Over Hajj Delays

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The Passport Head Office located at Ridge in Accra has been temporarily closed after a reported security breach involving a group of individuals allegedly from the Zongo community.

According to preliminary information, the incident occurred on the evening of Friday, May 9, when a group of aggrieved individuals entered the premises demanding the immediate release of their passports in order to meet travel deadlines for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage.

Sources indicate that explanations provided by officials at the scene did not satisfy the crowd, leading to heightened tensions. The situation compelled both the Director of Passports and a foreign consultant—who had been deployed to assist with the expedited processing of passports for pilgrims—to leave the facility for safety reasons.

This incident comes in the wake of recent reforms introduced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to streamline passport issuance. These reforms include a 24-hour service model aimed at reducing processing times to 15 days and addressing application backlogs. The new system also features courier delivery and a week-long rotational shift structure to enhance operational efficiency.

During a visit to the Ridge office on Saturday, May 10, at approximately 1:54 p.m., Citi News observed limited activity at the facility. Only one plainclothes security officer was stationed at the gate, and two foreign nationals were seen leaving the premises.

Reports further suggest that, on the night of the disturbance, only two police officers were on duty and were unable to manage the large group, reportedly consisting of over 20 individuals who arrived on motorbikes.

At this time, it is not confirmed when the Passport Office will resume full operations. Citi News has also learned that an official report has not yet been filed with the police.

Ms. Fati Musah, an applicant who arrived at the facility to collect her biometric passport, was unable to do so and expressed concern about the implications of the delay. “Some pilgrims are scheduled to depart on Monday and others on Tuesday. Any further hold-ups may disrupt travel arrangements,” she stated.

Meanwhile, a group of pilgrims is scheduled to depart Accra on Saturday, May 10, via a direct flight from Tamale.

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Gold Board CEO Sammy Gyamfi Sues Afia Schwarzenegger for Defamation

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Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, has filed a defamation lawsuit against media personality Valentina Nana Agyeiwaa, popularly known as Afia Schwarzenegger. The case has been lodged at the High Court in Accra.

 

According to court documents, Gyamfi alleges that Afia Schwarzenegger—who currently resides in the Bronx, New York—made and published defamatory statements that have severely damaged his reputation. The suit claims that these remarks portrayed Gyamfi as morally corrupt and lacking integrity.

 

The writ states that the statements, made in the Asante Twi language and widely shared on social media, included false accusations about Gyamfi’s personal life, including his marital status and alleged inability to support a woman named Vida. The comments also allegedly targeted his wife’s sister.

 

Gyamfi contends that the statements were made with full awareness of their falsehood and with reckless disregard for the truth. As a result, he says he has faced a barrage of phone calls, public embarrassment, and uncomfortable questions from political figures and other prominent individuals.

 

Describing Afia Schwarzenegger’s actions as malicious, Gyamfi is seeking several legal remedies. These include general damages, aggravated and exemplary damages, a perpetual injunction to prevent further defamatory publications, and a public apology to be published in multiple media outlets. He is also requesting that the court award legal costs, including his lawyer’s fees.

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PAC Chair Demands Urgent Probe into GH¢138.91 Billion Public Debt Overstatement

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Chairperson of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Abena Osei-Asare, has described the GH¢138.91 billion overstatement in Ghana’s 2024 public debt as revealed by the Auditor-General as a serious error that demands immediate investigation.

 

According to the 2024 Audit Report, while the Controller and Accountant-General (CAG) reported Ghana’s total public debt as GH¢876.01 billion, the Ministry of Finance recorded a significantly lower figure of GH¢737.17 billion. This discrepancy exposes an overstatement of GH¢138.91 billion in the Whole of Government Accounts (WGA) submitted by the CAG.

 

In a Facebook post, Ms. Osei-Asare, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Atiwa East, stressed that such a substantial misstatement is more than just a clerical error. She said it highlights troubling gaps in internal controls, data consistency, and coordination among key financial management institutions.

 

“This is no ordinary mistake,” she stated. “The responsibility for preparing the Government of Ghana’s accounts lies solely with the Controller and Accountant-General. A misstatement of this magnitude raises important questions about internal controls, data harmonisation, and institutional coordination within our public financial management framework.”

 

Citing the Auditor-General’s own recommendations, she emphasized the need for urgent reforms and improved collaboration between the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, the Ministry of Finance, and other relevant bodies to enhance the accuracy and integrity of national financial reporting.

 

Ms. Osei-Asare assured that the PAC will launch a thorough probe into the matter, engaging all institutions involved to uncover the root cause of the discrepancy and ensure full implementation of the Auditor-General’s proposed measures.

 

“This is about protecting the integrity of our public financial systems and rebuilding public trust. We must demand precision — not approximation — in our national accounts,” she stated, reaffirming the Committee’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and value for money in the use of public funds.

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Ablekuma North MP Ewurabena Aubynn Joins Ghana Shippers Authority Board

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Member of Parliament for Ablekuma North, Ewurabena Aubynn, has been officially sworn in as a member of the Governing Board of the Ghana Shippers Authority.

 

Her appointment follows a historic electoral victory, where she became the second National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate to win the Ablekuma North seat since 1992. She secured the position during a highly competitive rerun on Friday, July 11, 2025.

 

As a first-time legislator, Aubynn brings a strong background in community service and social impact to the Board. She is well known for her grassroots engagement and philanthropic efforts, particularly through the Awula Foundation—a nonprofit she established in February 2023.

 

The Foundation has played a significant role in supporting vulnerable groups across the Ablekuma North Constituency, reinforcing her commitment to social development.

 

Her addition to the Ghana Shippers Authority Board is expected to deepen community-level engagement and influence inclusive policymaking in Ghana’s trade and logistics sector.

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