The Minerals Commission of Ghana has clarified that it had no role in the awarding of a contract between Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) and the Ghana Revenue Authority for monitoring mineral resource extraction and export. Despite a Ministry of Finance letter indicating an expansion of SML's contract to include oil and gold monitoring, the Commission maintains regular audits and collaborations with other institutions. An anonymous mining expert criticized SML's involvement as unnecessary and potentially part of a scheme to plunder state resources. The Petroleum Commission also denied knowledge of a contract with SML for petroleum revenue monitoring. The Fourth Estate's investigation suggests SML's claims of saving the state money are unsubstantiated, and tax audit firm KPMG is set to report on the contract's legitimacy.

Ghana's President Akufo-Addo has suspended a contract between the Ministry of Finance, Ghana Revenue Authority, and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) for revenue assurance services in the petroleum and mining sectors, following an investigation by The Fourth Estate. He has directed KPMG to audit the services provided by SML and assess the contract's compliance with legal standards. The contract, which was not approved by Parliament, is worth nearly US$100 million a year. The Fourth Estate's investigation revealed false claims by SML, and Parliament has also suspended payments to SML and plans to investigate. The minority leader in Parliament and policy experts have criticized the president's directive and expressed doubts about KPMG's ability to conduct an independent audit.

Prince Sarpong, IT Systems Engineer of SML Ghana, contradicted both himself and his managing director, Christian Tetteh Sottie, regarding the company's claim of saving Ghana GH₵3 billion. Initially, Sottie denied the accuracy of the figure, suggesting it was taken out of context by journalists. However, Sarpong later stated in a media tour that the savings were based on increased revenue from higher volumes of operations. Despite this, SML Ghana issued a press statement denying wrongdoing and accusing The Fourth Estate, specifically journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, of inaccuracy.

The cost of dialysis at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana has increased, raising concerns about affordability for kidney failure patients. The hospital cites tax increases as the reason for the price hike. Fact-Check Ghana explains the importance of kidneys, causes of kidney diseases, symptoms, and treatment options, including dialysis and transplantation. The article emphasizes the high prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Ghana and the financial burden of treatment. It also provides preventive measures such as lifestyle changes, managing chronic conditions, staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and regular health check-ups.

The article discusses ten Ghanaian politicians who have resigned from their political parties to form their own parties or run as independent candidates. It highlights the political journeys of figures like Alan Kyerematen, Charles Wereko Brobbey, Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, and Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, among others. These politicians have made significant moves at crucial moments, often after losing flagbearer contests, to establish new political entities or run independently. The narrative underscores the recurring theme of political fragmentation and reformation within Ghana's Fourth Republic.

Following Ghana's First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo's announcement of free childhood cancer treatment under the National Health Insurance Scheme, NGOs and hospitals like the Wesoamo Child Cancer Foundation and the Greater Accra Regional Hospital have experienced a significant reduction in donor funding. This has limited their ability to support affected children. Despite the policy, parents continue to pay for treatments, and the coverage is not comprehensive, excluding many necessary drugs. Stakeholders are advocating for the importation of quality, affordable chemotherapy drugs and the removal of taxes on cancer medications to improve the situation.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana, with over 2.5 million Twitter followers, actively engages in Twitter diplomacy, often addressing international events and extending condolences. However, his critics argue that he overlooks domestic tragedies on the platform. Fact-Check Ghana highlighted several local disasters that did not receive presidential acknowledgment on Twitter, contrasting this with his responses to global issues. Incidents such as road accidents, drownings, and violence in Ghana were not mentioned by the President on Twitter, despite his active presence on the platform.

Freddie Blay, the Board Chairman of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, attempted to sell half of Ghana's interest in the Deep Waters Tano oil block to Petro SA, against government directives. Energy Minister Dr. Mathew Opoku wrote to President Nana Akufo-Addo detailing Blay's actions, which included pushing for the sale despite being ordered to cease negotiations. The stakes in question were acquired by GNPC and vested in JOHL, registered in a tax haven. Civil society organizations are demanding the removal of Blay and GNPC CEO Ahweneeh Danquah, accusing them of threatening Ghana's petroleum sector interests. The minister has directed Blay to withdraw the offer and emphasized the need for government approval for such transactions, which could also require parliamentary approval.

The article by The Fourth Estate's Adwoa Adobea Owusu investigates the Ghana government's expensive mandatory COVID-19 antigen testing for arriving passengers at Kotoka International Airport, which is conducted by Frontiers Healthcare Services Limited. The cost is $150 for non-ECOWAS citizens, significantly higher than the $16 charged at a nearby laboratory. The government reduced the price to $50 for ECOWAS citizens after pressure from the community. The report highlights the lack of transparency and potential profiteering, as the contract with Frontiers was not disclosed by six ministers during vetting, and the company was handpicked without competitive tendering. The article also compares the cost and efficacy of antigen tests to PCR tests and notes the global practices regarding airport testing.

Displaced persons from Burkina Faso, including children and teenagers like 14-year-old Aliyata, are facing hunger and a lack of education in camps in Ghana's Upper East Region. Families such as Mady Bukhari's have fled violent extremism in Burkina Faso, seeking safety and a new life in Ghana. Despite the hardships, some, like Mady, have found a semblance of stability through farming, while others, like Ajara Bukari and Aisha, struggle to provide for their families. The Ghana Refugee Board reports about 2000 displaced persons in the region, with organizations like UNICEF providing assistance. The personal stories of these displaced individuals highlight the ongoing challenges and resilience in the face of violence and displacement.

Displaced persons from Burkina Faso, including children and teenagers like 14-year-old Aliyata, are facing dire conditions in camps in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Many, like Aliyata's family, fled violent attacks in Burkina Faso and now live in precarious situations, with limited access to food and education. The Ghana Refugee Board reports about 2000 displaced Burkinabes in the region. While some, like Mady Bukhari, have found a semblance of stability through farming, others, such as 61-year-old Ajara Bukari, struggle daily for survival. The displaced continue to face the threat of violence and the challenges of displacement, with some still risking travel back to Burkina Faso to farm for sustenance.

The Fourth Estate conducted an undercover investigation revealing a fraudulent scheme within the computerised school placement system at the GNAT Hall in Accra, Ghana. Officials, including security guards and cleaners, were selling placements into top senior high schools. The investigation uncovered a network led by individuals such as Isaac Adorkor and Eric Aggrey, who facilitated these illegal transactions. Despite parents' reluctance to cooperate, the reporters posed as guardians seeking school changes for their wards, exposing the corrupt practices. The scheme involved intermediaries and insiders within the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service, with only two top officials having the passwords to effect placements in category A schools. The investigation led to the arrest of eight suspects and highlighted the need for a more transparent placement system.

The former Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, Prof Opoku-Amankwa, and the Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, acknowledged their responsibility in the event of any fraud associated with the protocol placement of students into senior high schools. They are the only individuals with access to place students in category A schools. An internal memo confirmed their exclusive access, and eight suspects, including Rachel, who had links to the Ministry of Education, are on trial for school placement fraud. Prof Opoku-Amankwa had requested investigations into the corruption allegations from the National Intelligence Bureau and the Ghana Police Service's CID, but the investigations were halted by higher powers. The Fourth Estate's own investigation led to the arrest of eight people, none from the Ministry, GES, or Free SHS Secretariat. The involvement of the top security hierarchy in the investigation is uncertain.

Albert Kan-Dapaah, Ghana's Minister for National Security, was surprised by the interdiction of aviation security officer Awudu Basit by the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) after Basit demanded to search him at Kumasi Airport. The GACL claimed Basit's actions tarnished the company's image, but Kan-Dapaah found no disrespect in Basit's actions and was unaware of the interdiction until informed by The Fourth Estate. Following an apology from GACL and further consultations, the company's Managing Director, Pamela Djamson Tettey, announced the reversal of Basit's interdiction.

Deputy Minister of Finance of Ghana, Dr. John Kumah's claim that the Ghana cedi is the third strongest currency in Africa is false. Fact-Check Ghana verified this claim against Bloomberg data, which shows the cedi has dropped by 38% from September 2021 to September 2022, ranking it as the worst performing currency in Africa and second worst globally, next to Sri Lanka’s rupee. The strength of a currency is measured by its rate of depreciation against more stable currencies, as explained by Prof. Lord Mensah from the University of Ghana. Other global currency ranking platforms also do not support Kumah's claim.

Prof Stephen Adei's assertion that corruption was worse under former President John Mahama's government compared to President Akufo-Addo's tenure is false. Fact-checking by Fact-Check Ghana reveals that Ghana's Corruption Perception Index was higher during Mahama's administration, with the lowest score being 43 in 2016, and the highest at 48 in 2014. Under Akufo-Addo, the CPI score has not surpassed 43, which was the worst score during Mahama's era.

The article discusses the unusual cases of Ghanaian women Lydia Ansong and Fedelia Oduro, who have experienced challenges with menstruation. Lydia never had a menstrual flow but was able to have children, while Fedelia claimed to menstruate through her palm, nose, and mouth. Medical professionals like Dr. Titus Beyuo and Dr. Nana Henaku Larbi provide insights into conditions such as endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) that could explain these phenomena. The article highlights the complexities of reproductive health issues and the importance of medical research and understanding.

Ghana approaches one year of mandatory mask-wearing, and citizens like Emmanuel Nelson are experiencing side effects such as skin discoloration. Despite various adverse reactions, including difficulty breathing and pressure on ears, health experts emphasize the importance of masks in combating COVID-19. The Ghana Standards Authority and Food and Drugs Authority have set guidelines for fabric masks, and prices for surgical masks have decreased. Dermatologist Dr. Mckeown Seade suggests using moisturizer to mitigate skin irritation, while Dr. Yaw Bediako of WACCBIP acknowledges skin irritations but notes the lack of severe reaction reports. The future of mask-wearing remains uncertain, but vaccines may offer a resolution.