Ex-St. Louis Inspector Pleads Guilty To Fraud

News Ghana
-
0
Ex-St. Louis Inspector Pleads Guilty To Fraud

A former St. Louis building inspector pleaded guilty Tuesday to three counts of wire fraud after steering $1.64 million meant for city property repairs to himself and relatives.

Adebanjo “Banjo” Popoola, 57, entered his plea in U.S. District Court in St. Louis as part of an agreement in which prosecutors did not drop any charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith, who handles the case, told reporters afterward that Popoola “took advantage of the system and defrauded programs” meant to serve city residents.

Popoola worked as a building division inspector overseeing two city rehabilitation programs, Stable Communities STL and Prop NS. Stable Communities STL was funded through federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money and covered privately owned properties, while Prop NS used city bonds to fund repairs on properties owned by the city’s Land Reutilization Authority (LRA). Popoola’s duties included selecting properties for repair, awarding contracts and certifying that work had been completed before releasing payment.

He admitted arranging for his sister, a Texas resident with no prior ties to St. Louis, to register Farst Construction LLC in Missouri in October 2022. His future wife had separately formed Premier Finish Contractors LLC in February 2021. Between 2023 and 2024, Popoola directed roughly $1.4 million in Stable Communities STL contracts and $339,500 in Prop NS contracts to Farst, and about $1.3 million and $853,100 respectively to Premier. Together the two companies received $3.32 million, or 42 percent of the $7.19 million disbursed through the Stable Communities STL program.

Property owners and Land Reutilization Authority representatives said the companies frequently failed to complete the paid work, but Popoola falsely certified it as finished. He, his sister and his wife shared joint bank accounts into which the city funds were deposited, and Popoola admitted spending the money on mortgage payments, vehicle repairs, travel, a September 2023 wedding in Hawaii, and casino gambling. He also admitted lying on city disclosure forms in 2022 and 2023 by denying any financial interest in companies doing business with St. Louis.

Neither Popoola’s sister nor his wife has been charged in the case.

The scheme first came to light in December 2024 through local news reporting that linked Popoola to Farst Construction’s city contracts. He resigned days after a second report tied him to Premier. The city’s then mayor, Tishaura Jones, paused both programs and asked the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Missouri state auditor to investigate. Federal prosecutors indicted Popoola in March 2026.

Popoola is scheduled to be sentenced October 6. Wire fraud carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both, and Popoola will be ordered to repay the stolen funds. His attorneys are disputing prosecutors’ position that he led the scheme.

Meta Builds Cloud Unit To Sell AI Compute

News Ghana
-
0
Meta Builds Cloud Unit To Sell AI Compute

Meta Platforms is building a new cloud unit called Meta Compute to sell spare artificial intelligence (AI) computing power, Bloomberg News reported Wednesday, sending its shares up more than 10 percent on the day.

Three executives are leading the effort, according to Bloomberg: infrastructure chief Santosh Janardhan, Daniel Gross of Meta Superintelligence Labs, and Meta President Dina Powell McCormick. The plans remain in development and could still change, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.

Meta is weighing two approaches. One would let outside developers access AI models hosted on its own infrastructure, including its recently unveiled Muse Spark model, and pay based on the computing power they use, similar to Amazon Web Services’ Bedrock platform. The other would involve selling raw computing capacity directly, the approach used by so called neoclouds such as CoreWeave and Nebius.

That prospect hit both companies hard. CoreWeave shares fell 10.8 percent and Nebius dropped 12.4 percent on concerns that Meta, a major customer of both firms, could cut its spending with them while becoming a rival supplier at the same time.

Gil Luria, managing director at D.A. Davidson, said the shift would likely hurt neoclouds more than established cloud providers such as Amazon, Microsoft and Alphabet. “Meta may not need them anymore,” Luria said, noting that CoreWeave and Nebius depend heavily on Meta for growth. He compared the situation to SpaceX, whose Musk owned xAI unit has rented out spare capacity at its Memphis data centres to Anthropic and Google.

Meta’s move would deepen its rivalry with established cloud leaders while reducing its reliance on advertising revenue. It also comes as analysts continue to question whether Meta’s AI research effort, backed by billions of dollars in spending and a wave of high profile hires last year, can catch up with labs such as Anthropic. Muse Spark, unveiled in April, has yet to reach outside developers, and a Wall Street Journal report last month said Meta has not set a launch date for it.

At Meta’s shareholder meeting in May, Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said entering the cloud business was “definitely on the table,” and noted that outside companies approach Meta almost weekly seeking access to its AI models or spare computing power. Meta expects to spend as much as 145 billion dollars on AI infrastructure this year, part of an industry wide outlay by major technology companies that has topped 700 billion dollars.

Meta declined to comment on the report.

Apple In Talks To Buy Blacklisted Chinese Chips

News Ghana
-
0
Apple In Talks To Buy Blacklisted Chinese Chips

Apple is in advanced talks to buy memory chips from two Chinese manufacturers on a Pentagon blacklist, as a global AI driven shortage forces the company to raise prices, Bloomberg News reported on July 1, citing people familiar with the matter.

The negotiations, first reported by the Financial Times, involve ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) and Yangtze Memory Technologies Co (YMTC). Apple wants the companies to supply dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and flash storage chips for devices sold only in the Chinese market. No agreement has been finalized and talks remain ongoing.

Both companies sit on the US Defense Department’s Section 1260H list, a congressionally mandated roster of firms the Pentagon says support the Chinese military. YMTC was added to the list in January 2024 and CXMT followed in 2025. Apple attempted to source memory from YMTC once before, in 2022, but abandoned the plan after pushback from US lawmakers and officials.

Republican Representative Brian Mast, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has already objected to the talks. He called CXMT and YMTC Chinese military companies and warned the move would undercut supply chain security. “Allowing this decision to go forward would destroy the President’s agenda,” Mast said.

The 1260H designation does not legally prevent private companies from buying from the listed firms, so Apple does not need formal government approval to proceed. Its greater concern, according to Bloomberg, is that Washington could later add CXMT and YMTC to the Commerce Department’s stricter Entity List, which would ban the purchases outright. Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook has raised the issue directly with Trump administration officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, seeking assurances before committing to a deal. Some administration officials have reportedly objected to giving Apple room to proceed.

A deal would expand Apple’s memory suppliers to five, adding to its existing reliance on Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix and Micron Technology. All three have shifted production toward high bandwidth memory for AI data centres, tightening the supply of standard chips used in phones, tablets and laptops. Standard DRAM contract prices have climbed by an estimated 55 to 60 percent since early 2026, according to industry estimates.

Apple raised prices across its Mac, iPad and Vision Pro lines last week, with some MacBook Pro configurations rising by up to 400 dollars and MacBook Air prices increasing by 200 dollars. The company has cited the memory shortage as the reason for the increases.

Frankie Muniz And Wife Paige Announce Divorce

News Ghana
-
0
Frankie Muniz And Wife Paige Announce Divorce

“Malcolm in the Middle” actor and NASCAR driver Frankie Muniz and his wife Paige Muniz announced on July 1 that they are divorcing after roughly seven years of marriage.

The couple, who have been together for a decade, shared the news in a joint social media statement. Muniz, 40, wrote that the decision followed a period of separation the pair had kept private, adding that their bond now feels strongest as a friendship and co-parenting partnership. He said their five-year-old son, Mauz Mosley Muniz, remains the center of their world and credited Paige with putting her own goals aside to support his career. “That foundation of respect and friendship isn’t going anywhere,” Muniz wrote.

The pair said they plan to keep running their joint venture, Muniz Racing, together and to continue co-parenting their son as a team.

Muniz first posted the announcement alongside a video of the family dancing at home, but later deleted it and reposted the same statement with a family photo instead. Paige Muniz responded in the comments, writing that she was sorry Frankie felt pressure to remove what she called an old, fun family video because of public criticism. She added that divorce is difficult but said the two remain on the same team as co-parents.

Muniz and Paige met in 2016 at a celebrity golf event, where she worked as a presenter for a golf network, and the couple got engaged in 2018.

Muniz spent his childhood starring on the Fox sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle” and recently returned to the franchise for its revival, “Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Unfair.” His focus in recent years has shifted to auto racing. More than a decade after a series of injuries ended an earlier racing career, Muniz announced his return to stock car racing in 2023 through the American Racing Club of America’s Menards Series. He now competes in the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing’s Craftsman Truck Series.

Tahir Field Recycling Wins MTN Accra Business Pitch

News Ghana
-
0
Tahir Field Recycling Wins MTN Accra Business Pitch

Tahir Field Recycling won the Accra leg of MTN Ghana’s Business Pitch Challenge, taking home GH¢30,000 as one of five winners in the telecom’s 2026 SME Accelerate programme.

Edible Treat placed second, followed by Dyluri Beauty in third, Tropical Snacks in fourth and Manehlla Foods in fifth. Each of the five winners received GH¢30,000 in prize money along with MTN’s Yellow Biz Pack, a bundle of internet connectivity tools and digital business solutions. Five other finalists who did not place among the top winners each received GH¢2,000 plus a Yellow Biz router and MiFi device.

Speaking after the event, MTN Ghana’s Senior Manager for SME Sales, Partnership and Business Broadband, Mohammed Abubakari-Sidick, said the competition forms part of a wider strategy to support businesses that create jobs and contribute to the country’s economy. “These businesses are very strategic to MTN,” he said, adding that the company identifies with SMEs because MTN itself started as one.

Abubakari-Sidick said the Accra event drew from hundreds of applications nationwide, narrowed to ten finalists who pitched their ideas to judges. He announced that the five Accra winners will join a 13 week Mini MBA programme run with Nova Business School, designed to teach business management fundamentals and prepare entrepreneurs to compete internationally.

The Accra event marks the third Business Pitch Challenge MTN Ghana has staged in 2026. The first was held during the MTN Women’s Summit at Labadi Beach Hotel, where Namawu Nasara Yahaya Iddi took the top GH¢30,000 prize. The second, staged at AshantiFest in Kumasi, was won by Nolap Technologies, which also received GH¢30,000 to fund its expansion.

Abubakari-Sidick said MTN’s Mobile Money team will offer winners access to soft loans through the MoMo platform to help strengthen their finances, while the company’s direct sales teams and its partner agency SMEDA will track how the businesses use the funding. He said MTN plans to continue rolling out SME Accelerate initiatives to support entrepreneurs and grow Ghana’s small business sector.

Genesis Owusu’s Accra Video Joins Global Film Awards List

Roger A. Agana
-
0
Genesis Owusu’s Accra Video Joins Global Film Awards List

A music video shot with Accra’s motorcycle daredevils has landed on a curated list of ten African films competing at the Oscars, Emmys and other major awards in 2026, published this week by South African streaming curator Plot Twist Picks.

The Ghanaian-Australian rapper Genesis Owusu returned to Ghana for the first time in 11 years to film “Stampede,” directed by Isaac Brown and shot on the streets and coastline of Accra with the city’s real motorbike riding community. The video won a Silver prize in the Music Video category at the Young Director Award, presented during Cannes Lions in June 2026. Cinematographer Daniel Attoh and producer Ekow Barnes worked on the shoot alongside Accra production house WB Group.

“It felt nourishing to go back to my home country for the first time,” Owusu said of the shoot.

The list places “Stampede” alongside nine other African productions recognised this awards season. Kenya’s “Searching for Amani,” directed by Debra Aroko and Nicole Gormley, is nominated for Outstanding Social Issue Documentary at the 2026 News and Documentary Emmy Awards. The film follows Simon Ali, a 13 year old aspiring journalist investigating his father’s 2019 killing in Kenya’s Laikipia conservancy, and previously premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Also featured is “Butterfly,” an Algerian animated short nominated for an Oscar and inspired by the true story of Alfred Nakache, a Jewish Algerian swimmer who competed at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. A Webby nominated documentary series on African cultural landmarks, a Royal Television Society award winning investigation into a Ugandan influencer’s death in Dubai, and a $1 million AI Film Prize winner from Tunisia round out the selection, according to Plot Twist Picks.

Plot Twist Picks launched its African film curation project during Africa Month and says it has featured more than 300 acclaimed titles on YouTube since, with new selections posted twice weekly.

All ten films are streaming free on YouTube, and an expanded 20 film playlist covering the 2026 awards season is also available on the platform.

AIFF Urged Freight Forwarders to Intensify Due Diligence as Drug Concealment Cases Rise at Ghana’s Ports

Prosper Kay
-
0
AIFF Urged Freight Forwarders to Intensify Due Diligence as Drug Concealment Cases Rise at Ghana’s Ports

The Advocate for Indigenous Freight Forwarders (AIFF) has issued a strong warning to freight forwarders across Ghana to exercise heightened vigilance and conduct thorough due diligence before accepting any cargo clearing assignment, citing an increasing trend of illicit drug concealment in import and export consignments.

The Convenor of the Advocate for Indigenous Freight Forwarders, Dr. Godfred Mawuli Tettey, cautioned that organised criminal networks are increasingly exploiting legitimate freight forwarding businesses by concealing narcotic substances in seemingly lawful shipments, leaving unsuspecting clearing agents exposed to criminal investigations and possible prosecution.

Speaking on the growing threat, Dr. Tettey urged freight forwarders to carefully scrutinise shipping documents, verify the identities and credibility of importers and exporters, and satisfy themselves about the nature and contents of consignments before undertaking any clearing process.

“Freight forwarders must not allow themselves to become innocent victims of sophisticated drug trafficking syndicates. Every assignment must be subjected to proper scrutiny because the legal consequences can be devastating,” he stressed.

His warning comes amid intensified anti-narcotics operations by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and other security agencies aimed at preventing Ghana’s ports and borders from being used as transit routes for international drug trafficking.

In recent months, NACOC has recorded a number of significant seizures through intelligence-led operations. Earlier this year, officers intercepted cocaine concealed in packaged gari destined for export through the Kotoka International Airport, leading to the arrest of a company official. The Commission has also stepped up surveillance at airports, seaports and land borders, deploying canine units, behavioural detection officers and advanced scanning technologies to detect concealed narcotics. Recent nationwide operations have additionally resulted in large seizures of cannabis and other prohibited substances while dismantling suspected trafficking networks.

Security experts say criminal organisations continue to devise increasingly sophisticated methods of hiding illicit drugs in legitimate cargo to evade detection.

Some of the commonly detected concealment methods include hiding narcotics inside processed food products, industrial machinery, vehicle compartments, timber products, textiles, furniture, luggage with false compartments, chemical containers and other commercial goods intended to appear legitimate during customs inspections. In many cases, the external documentation appears genuine, making thorough verification by all parties within the logistics chain critically important.

Industry observers note that while many freight forwarders may unknowingly become involved in such shipments, Ghana’s laws place significant responsibilities on persons handling imported and exported cargo, making professional vigilance essential.

Dr. Tettey therefore encouraged freight forwarders to strengthen internal compliance systems by insisting on complete documentation, maintaining proper records of clients, reporting suspicious transactions to the appropriate authorities and refusing assignments where the source or ownership of cargo cannot be satisfactorily established.

He also called for continuous education within the freight forwarding industry to help practitioners identify emerging trafficking trends and protect the integrity of Ghana’s ports.

According to him, safeguarding the reputation of Ghana’s logistics and maritime sector requires collective responsibility among freight forwarders, customs officers, shipping lines, terminal operators and security agencies.

“As professionals entrusted with facilitating international trade, freight forwarders have a responsibility not only to their clients but also to national security. Vigilance and professionalism remain our strongest defence against criminals seeking to abuse legitimate trade,” Dr. Tettey stated.

The renewed caution comes as Ghana continues to strengthen border security and collaborate with international partners to combat transnational organised crime and prevent the country’s ports from being exploited as conduits for illicit drug trafficking.

UPSA, NACOC Study Reveals Widespread Substance Abuse Among Youth in Madina Municipality

Prosper Kay
-
0
UPSA, NACOC Study Reveals Widespread Substance Abuse Among Youth in Madina Municipality

A baseline study conducted by the Research and Consultancy Centre (RCC) of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), in collaboration with the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), has revealed alarming levels of substance abuse among young people in the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipality, with nearly one in every two respondents admitting to using substances for non-medical or recreational purposes.

The findings were presented during Ghana’s commemoration of the 2026 World Drug Day under the global theme, “World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses.” The event brought together senior government officials, development partners, academics and anti-drug campaigners to discuss practical measures to address the growing threat of substance abuse among the youth.

According to the study, 45.1 percent of the 1,039 young people surveyed across Madina, Teiman, West Adenta, Pantang and Oyarifa reported having used substances at some point in their lives.

Madina recorded the highest lifetime prevalence rate at 73.5 percent, making it the municipality’s major hotspot for substance use, while Pantang registered the lowest prevalence at 30.5 percent.

Alcohol emerged as the most widely consumed substance, followed by prescription medicines, cannabis, tobacco, shisha, tramadol, codeine-based products, inhalants and energy drinks mixed with other substances.

Researchers found that although awareness of substance abuse was high—with 94.9 percent of respondents indicating they had heard about the dangers and 77 percent having received some form of sensitisation—this had not translated into reduced drug use. Only 6.6 percent of those sensitised had been reached through NACOC campaigns, suggesting limited outreach by the Commission.

The study identified peer influence as the leading driver of substance abuse, with 42.9 percent of users saying they were introduced to drugs by friends. Other contributing factors included unemployment, stress, curiosity, weak family support, easy access to substances and social media influence.

Researchers also expressed concern over the average age of first substance use, estimated at 18.7 years, stressing the need for early preventive education targeting both in-school and out-of-school youth.

Another major finding was the high relapse rate among users attempting to quit. The study revealed that 84.5 percent of respondents who tried to stop using substances eventually returned to drug use, largely because of cravings, stress, peer pressure, family challenges and inadequate support systems.

Despite the presence of Pantang Hospital, one of Ghana’s leading mental health facilities, very few young people were found to be accessing formal rehabilitation and counselling services, highlighting significant gaps in referral systems and community-based recovery support.

To address the situation, the researchers recommended that Madina be designated as a priority intervention zone for intensive anti-drug programmes. They also called for expanded public education through radio, television, social media and community outreach, alongside practical life-skills training, peer-refusal education and structured behavioural change programmes.

Additional recommendations include strengthening referral pathways to treatment centres, establishing community support groups, engaging religious and traditional leaders, partnering pharmacies to curb prescription drug misuse, intensifying enforcement with the Food and Drugs Authority, and conducting municipal substance use surveys every two to three years to monitor progress.

The researchers noted that youth substance abuse should no longer be viewed solely as an awareness issue but as a broader public health, education, employment and community safety challenge requiring sustained, evidence-based interventions.

They said the collaboration between UPSA-RCC and NACOC provides a critical evidence base to guide policy, strengthen prevention programmes, improve rehabilitation services and protect young people from the growing threat of substance abuse in the municipality and across Ghana.

Pastor Nuvi Ordained As Prophet

Benjamin Makafui Attipoe
-
0
Pastor Nuvi Ordained As Prophet

Pastor John Prosper Nuvi of the Living Word Teaching Ministry at Ashaiman Down in the Greater Accra Region and Dzodze in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region has been ordained and elevated to the rank of Prophet in a colourful ceremony held at the Ashaiman Down congregation. The event drew a large gathering of church members, relatives, friends, and well-wishers from across the country, including the Volta Region, who came to celebrate his spiritual elevation.

The ordination was officiated by Apostle Paul Asare Agbebo, Founder and Head Pastor of the Ministry, who led Pastor Nuvi through the sacred rites of his elevation. The ceremony was marked by joy and thanksgiving, with gospel music, praise and worship, prayer sessions, and spirited ministration uplifting the congregation. In his sermon, Apostle Agbebo urged Christians to live righteous lives in accordance with the teachings of Christ and reminded church leaders to serve as role models by demonstrating humility, integrity, and commitment.

Speaking directly to the newly ordained Prophet, Apostle Agbebo emphasized that the prophetic office comes with great responsibilities and challenges. He encouraged him to remain steadfast in faith, focused on his divine calling, and dedicated to advancing the Kingdom of God. He also offered guidance to the congregation, stressing unity, obedience, and devotion to God’s word.

Prophet Nuvi, in his response, expressed deep gratitude to God for the honour of serving in His vineyard. He described his ordination as a call to greater responsibility and pledged to win more souls for Christ while supporting the spiritual growth of believers. He assured the congregation of his commitment to diligent service, declaring, “With His grace and guidance, I will continue to work diligently in His service and contribute to the spread of the Gospel.”

The ceremony included a special anointing session where Prophet Nuvi ministered to members with oil, praying for healing, favour, and empowerment. Certificates were presented to mark his successful ordination, and in a symbolic gesture of honour, Apostle Agbebo removed his own necklace and adorned Prophet Nuvi with it, drawing admiration from the congregation.

The event concluded with prayers, thanksgiving, and goodwill messages from family, friends, and church leaders, all wishing the newly ordained Prophet success in his expanded ministry. Prophet Nuvi, aged thirty-two, has completed two years of Theology Studies at the Bible School of the Living Word Teaching Ministry in Ashaiman in 2026.

Beyond his pastoral duties, he is also a herbalist who treats ailments with the support of prayer and faith in Christ as the ultimate healer.

Abola Piam Family Reaffirms Ownership Over Sowutuom Lands

Prosper Kay
-
0
Abola Piam Family Reaffirms Ownership Over Sowutuom Lands

…Urges Developers to Avoid Unauthorized Dealings

 

The Abola Piam (Tunma We) Family in Ga Mashie of the Greate Accra Region has reaffirmed its
right ful ownership of the Sowutuom lands and urged land developers not to engage in transactions with any unauthorized persons.

The Abola Piam (Tunnma We) family of Accra hereby Notified the General Public that it is the rightful owner of all lands at Sowutoum as confirmed by final judgement of the Superior Court of Ghana.

This declaration was affirmed in the High Court Judgement in Seth Ankrah and Joseph Yaya Addy v. Kingsford Adjabeng, Michael Agbwalefio, Kwesi Ahiaku and Sempe I Stool, Suit No. TRLD 45/10 (dated 15th April, 2014).

Other affirmation of the Abola Piam Family’s ownership of the lands in Sowutuom was contained in Judgement of the Court of Appeal in Civil Appeal No. H1/141/2017, presided over by F.G.Korbieh, J.A.(Presiding), delivered on 15th June, 2017 and consolidated High Court Suit Nos. BL 19/2010, BL 143/2005 and BL 397/2006.

The judgement affirmed that the Abola Piam (Tunnma We) family owns the said Sowutuom Lands and that, the Sempe Stool and all persons claiming through them, have no interest in the said Lands.

However this notice reiterates and strengthens the family’s earlier Public Notices.

The family warned the general public not to deal with the following person(s) claiming to be Chief/Zongo Chief or Seriki or their agents.

These individuals include Alhaji Seriki Deku, Santa Maria, Ayoo Awala, Sowutuom Insumfa, Haruna Ahmed Tijani of Omanjor, Sulley Mohammed (Coach), Sulemana Mawiya of Gonja, Nii Ofoli Osabu Akwei of Sowutuom, Manye Naa Dede Ankle I of Sowutuom, Abdul Rauf Ussif, Garba Samori of Tantra, Ahmed Ajeidu of Israel, Naa Ajakyuma Ankrah of Tantra, Nii Ayo Mensah (PRO), Nii Shika Tsuru of Tabora, Solomon Bitter, and Yahata Seidu (Alhaji).

The family stressed that any document obtained from any unauthorized source regarding these Lands is void of no legal value.

The family will take immediate legal action, including recovery of possession, damages for trespasses, perpetual injunction, and criminal proceedings, against any person who continues to encroach or deal with unauthorized persons.

“All prospective buyers, developers or tenants must verify title exclusively through the Head of Abola Piam ( Tunnma We) family. Transaction with any unauthorized party are at the purchaser’s own risk, and the family accepts no liability,” part of the notice by the family roads.

1...345...49,512Page 4 of 49,512