{
  "id": 993983,
  "title": "Livestream: Newsfile discusses AKSA energy deal, legal vacation and GoldBod losses",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/livestream-newsfile-discusses-aksa-energy-deal-legal-vacation-and",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-15T08:18:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/livestream-newsfile-discusses-aksa-energy-deal-legal-vacation-and-goldbod-losses/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ghana is actively pursuing measures to combat corruption, enhance control over its natural resources and invest billions of dollars to transform the economy. However, as the government strengthens its grip on the nation's affairs, questions arise regarding accountability, due process, and the financial consequences when the state's actions are scrutinized. The issues involve three major controversies: the GoldBod energy deal, the AKSA power deal, and the Adamus mining controversy.\n\nFirstly, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported a loss of approximately US$1.7 billion related to the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP). Yet, GoldBod refutes this claim, asserting that its audited accounts reveal a significant surplus. This raises questions about the actual loss incurred, who should bear the cost, and whether the benefits derived from the programme, such as increased reserves and cedi stability, justify the reported trading losses. Is this a case of GoldBod's loss or a policy cost?\n\nSecondly, a US prosecution involving former Goldman Sachs banker Asante Kwaku Berko has reignited debates surrounding the AKSA power deal. Allegations of bribery, involving coded payments, shell companies, and millions of dollars, have cast doubt on whether Ghana was taken advantage of. If corruption is proven, the inquiry will be whether the country will investigate and recover the losses it may have incurred.\n\nMoreover, during the legal vacation, the government's Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) cases face uncertainty. With dozens of cases deemed ready for prosecution, the two-month court break could potentially disrupt the government's aggressive corruption campaign. However, urgent criminal cases may continue despite the vacation, potentially maintaining momentum. The Adamus controversy also adds another dimension, as the government has revoked three mining leases over alleged breaches of mining laws. The company contests these allegations, claiming that the revocation violates due process. This dispute underscores the tension between the state's enforcement of mining laws and the scrutiny it may face regarding its own actions. As these four controversies unfold, the question remains: who ensures accountability when the state exercises power? Tune in to Samson Lardy Anyenini and his panel on JoyNews and MyJoyOnline this Saturday at 9 a.m. for insights, arguments, and the pressing questions Ghana must address.",
  "summary": "Ghana is chasing corruption, tightening control over its natural resources and spending billions to reshape the economy. But as government exercises greater power in the name of the public interest, difficult questions are emerging about accountability, due process and who ultimately pays when the state gets",
  "key_points": [
    "Ghana pursuing anti-corruption measures and investing billions",
    "GoldBod disputes reported US$1.7B loss from DGPP",
    "AKSA power deal under scrutiny for alleged bribery"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "3News",
        "title": "There was clearly no value for money in the approval for Aksa power plants deal - Ben Boakye",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/there-was-clearly-no-value-for-money-in-the-approval-for-aksa-power",
        "published": "2026-08-15T08:20:49.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}