U.S. Central Command Hits Multiple Iranian Targets Following Strait of Hormuz Escalation

Image
American forces launched a heavy wave of precision airstrikes across southern Iran, striking dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military installations.  The operations come in direct response to renewed attempts by Iranian forces to disrupt commercial shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz and target U.S. and coalition personnel in the region. AP News Key Operations and Target Profiles The coordinated strikes focused on neutralizing offensive naval capabilities and breaking down early-warning networks across critical coastal nodes, including Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, and Larak Island: The Guardian Naval & Asymmetric Threats:   Operations targeted IRGC fast-attack craft, mine-laying naval assets, and coastal anti-ship missile sites designed to threaten merchant vessels traversing the strait. Anadolu Ajansı Air Defense & Command Structures:  U.S. munitions disabled key coastal radar installations, integrated air defense nodes, and military communic...

OSP Declares Former Finance Ministry Advisor Wanted in SML Corruption Probe

 

Kumasi, Ghana – The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has escalated its investigation into alleged corruption surrounding the controversial Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML) contract, declaring Mr. Ernest Darko Akore, a former Chef de Cabinet (Technical Advisor) at the Ministry of Finance, as a wanted person.

In a public notice issued today, Wednesday, July 16, 2025, the OSP announced that an arrest warrant for the 67-year-old Akore was issued by the High Court's Criminal Division. He is being sought in connection with ongoing investigations into suspected corruption and corruption-related offenses tied to the Revenue Assurance Contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and SML.

Mr. Akore, believed to hold dual Ghanaian-American nationality, with a history of possessing an American passport, is suspected by authorities to be in hiding in various countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, or South Africa. The OSP has urged the public to provide any credible information regarding his whereabouts through dedicated WhatsApp hotlines: 0554494499 and 0554484488.


The SML contract has been a subject of intense public scrutiny and accusations of corruption. Under the previous Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government, SML was engaged by the GRA to provide real-time monitoring and audit services to enhance tax compliance and revenue assurance, initially in the downstream petroleum sector. The scope of the contract was significantly expanded in 2023 to include upstream petroleum activities and the mining sector, drawing widespread criticism.

The government subsequently suspended the contract in 2024 following an audit by KPMG, which confirmed several irregularities. By the time of its suspension, an amount of GH¢1.06 billion had already been paid to SML, with projections indicating a total cost to the state of GH¢5.17 billion over five years if the contract had continued.

This development comes as the OSP intensifies its efforts in the SML probe. The Office previously declared former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta a wanted person in connection with the SML deal and other matters, issuing an Interpol red notice against him in June 2025. Furthermore, the OSP conducted raids on SML's offices in Osu and Tema in June, reportedly detaining three directors as part of the ongoing investigation.

The declaration of Ernest Darko Akore as a wanted person signifies a further step in the OSP's commitment to unraveling the full extent of alleged irregularities and bringing those responsible to justice in what has become one of Ghana's most high-profile corruption investigations.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

WAEC Releases Provisional BECE 2025 Results The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the provisional results for candidates who took the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for School Candidates. The results are now available for all candidates to check online. 🥳

Venezuelan President Appears in U.S. Court After Arrest on Drug Charge

South Suntreso M/A JHS Sets the Standard at Epic Graduation & Prize Giving Day