GAF Rescues 71 Fishermen Following High Sea Robbery off Senya Bereku

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  ACCRA  — The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) have successfully concluded a major search and rescue operation, bringing  71 Ghanaian fishermen  safely to shore after a violent armed robbery on the high seas. The incident occurred in the early hours of  Wednesday, February 25, 2026 , approximately  35 nautical miles  off the coast of Gomoa Nyanyano and Senya Bereku in the Central Region. The Attack The fishermen were on a routine night expedition when they were intercepted by gunmen operating a  "black boat." According to survivor accounts, the attackers were armed with AK-47 assault rifles and fired multiple warning shots to seize control of the fishing vessels. The pirates systematically stripped the canoes of their most valuable equipment, including: 7 Outboard motors Generator sets Personal belongings and fuel The theft left the seven affected boats—including vessels named  Argentina 2 ,  Argentina 3 ,  Sea Lion , and  Berema Nsuk...

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.

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