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Ghana Police Probe Stalled in American Tourist’s Kidnapping Claim

Published

1 month ago

December 10, 2025

Ghana Police Service

The Ghana Police Service’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) probe into the viral kidnapping allegation by American TikToker Arianna Naomi Mackey remains stalled, primarily due to her ongoing refusal to cooperate. No major breakthroughs have been reported since the CID’s December 9 statement, but diplomatic efforts are intensifying to compel her assistance.

Key Details of the Incident

Claimant’s Identity: Arianna Naomi Mackey (known as Ari Mackey on TikTok, with ~34,000 followers), a U.S. citizen.
Alleged Incident: Mackey claimed that on the night of December 6, 2025, she and her friends were stopped at a fake police checkpoint in Accra while in an Uber. Five masked men, allegedly posing as Ghana Police officers (in uniforms, driving a patrol vehicle with covered plates and no name tags), kidnapped her, robbed her of ~$400, and released her later.
Initial Video: Posted on TikTok on December 7, 2025, it quickly went viral, raising alarms about tourist safety amid “Detty December” events. Similar unverified claims from other Black American visitors surfaced, prompting multi-agency scrutiny.

Status of the Investigation

Police Response: The CID initiated the probe on December 7, contacting Mackey via WhatsApp for specifics like alleged officers’ names, vehicle details, and her Ghanaian friend’s contact.
Stall in Probe: Timeline inconsistencies emerged early—Mackey and her two companions checked out of their Accra hotel on December 5, 2025, and airport records confirm she departed Ghana that same day, before the claimed incident date.
She has:
- Deleted the video from TikTok.
- Failed to provide any evidentiary details.
- Blocked investigators on WhatsApp and social media.
- Refused to share her friend’s contact, citing the friend’s unwillingness to participate.
  - Next Steps: The CID is now leveraging U.S. diplomatic channels for cooperation and has subpoenaed the unnamed Ghanaian friend for questioning. No evidence of actual police involvement has surfaced, and the probe is exploring potential fabrication or misinformation.

Chief Inspector Brigitte Babanawo, CID PRO, reiterated the service’s commitment to “uncovering the facts.”

Official Reassurances and Public Reaction

- Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA): On December 8, CEO Maame Efua Houadjeto affirmed Ghana’s safety for the thousands of visitors during year-end festivities. The GTA noted enhanced security collaborations and urged calm, emphasizing that the matter is under “national security bodies.”

- Widespread skepticism on socials claim “fake” or an “agenda” against Detty December tourism, citing the timeline mismatch, non-cooperation, and implausibility (e.g., masked officers without name tags).
- Ghanaian actress Lydia Forson highlighted everyday police extortion but stressed the need for investigation without excusing exaggeration.

- Skit-maker SDK Dele (via reposts) called it “disrespectful,” accusing Mackey of damaging Ghana’s image before fleeing.
- Defenders of the claim point to Ghana Police’s corruption reputation (e.g., ranked highly corrupt in surveys), arguing it warrants scrutiny rather than dismissal.
- Broader Context: This echoes other unverified videos of alleged extortion by imposters, leading to reviews of checkpoint protocols. No arrests or confirmations yet.

Latest Posts and Mentions on X (as of December 10, 2025) X chatter peaked on December 9, with over 1M impressions on police-related threads. Key recent activity (Latest mode, filtered for relevance):

@GhanaCrimes

(December 9, 11:20 GMT): Shared CID statement on non-cooperation; 260 likes, 61 reposts. “She’s trying to destroy everything good… Wei” – sparking debates on tourism sabotage.

@withAlvin__

(December 9, 09:47 GMT): Posted probe summary with images; 97 likes, 25 reposts. Users speculated on “paid content” motives.

@MacJordaN

(December 9, 15:04 GMT): Viral video thread (691 likes) claiming Mackey was “paid to film content painting Ghana as unsafe.”

@_GhChronicles

(December 9, 11:21 GMT): Update on diplomatic push; 419 likes, 79 reposts. Highlights friend’s refusal.

@Shejackiesays

(December 9, 11:33 GMT): News snippet on hampered probe; 4 likes. Focuses on Mackey’s departure timing

@GTATOURISMGH

The story’s trajectory hinges on diplomatic outcomes—could clarify if this was exaggeration, a hoax, or something more sinister.

Related Topics:Arrest Ghana Ghana Police Tik TOk

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Ghana Clears $1.47 Billion Energy Debts, Restores World Bank Guarantee

Published

1 week ago

January 13, 2026

Samuel Kobina Amu

The Ministry of finance paid a total of approximately $1.47 billion in 2025 to clear longstanding legacy debts in the energy sector.

The Ministry of Finance announced that the government, under President John Dramani Mahama, paid a total of approximately $1.47 billion in 2025 to clear longstanding legacy debts in the energy sector.

This major payment has successfully restored the World Bank’s Partial Risk Guarantee (valued at around $500 million), which had been depleted under the previous administration.

The guarantee, originally established to support the Sankofa Gas Project (Offshore Cape Three Points field), was critical for attracting nearly $8 billion in private investment for gas supplies and power generation.

Key Breakdown of the Payments

$597.15 million (including interest) fully repaid to the World Bank, reinstating the guarantee in full and reaffirming Ghana’s credibility as a reliable partner globally.
Around $480 million to settle outstanding gas invoices with suppliers like ENI and Vitol.
About $393 million in legacy arrears to Independent Power Producers (IPPs), including companies such as Karpowership and Cenpower.

This settlement addresses chronic issues that contributed to power supply instability (often referred to as “dumsor”) and threatened fiscal stability. By clearing these obligations, the government aims to stabilize electricity generation, lower long-term power costs, reduce interest burdens, and boost investor confidence in Ghana’s energy sector.

Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson described the energy sector as fragile when the current administration took office, and this decisive action marks a “turnaround” for reliable power and economic growth. Independent Power Generators (IPGs) have reportedly commended the move as a major step toward sector stability.

News

Ghana’s Ex-Finance Minister Detained by ICE in U.S

Published

1 week ago

January 11, 2026

Samuel Kobina Amu

Ghana's former Finance Minister, Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta

Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This development occurred on January 6, 2026, with his lawyers confirming the detention the following day (January 7). He is currently held at the Caroline Detention Facility in Virginia, and a court hearing is reportedly scheduled for January 20, 2026.

Letter of detention

Key Details

Reason for Detention: Reports indicate issues related to his immigration status, including overstaying his visa or a revoked visa. Some sources (including Ghana’s Deputy Attorney General) clarify that his U.S. visa was revoked in mid-2025 (around June/July), with a deadline to leave by late November 2025. He had been in the U.S. since January 2025, initially for medical treatment (including prostate cancer surgery), and had applied to regularize or extend his stay.

His Lawyers’ Statement: They describe him as cooperating fully with authorities and expect the matter to be resolved “expeditiously.” He was reportedly arrested during a targeted operation while leaving a luxury apartment in Washington, D.C.

Ghanaian Government Involvement: Ofori-Atta has been a fugitive in Ghana since February 2025, declared wanted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) on multiple corruption-related charges (including conspiracy to commit procurement fraud, causing financial loss to the state, and involvement in scandals like the SML case). He faces dozens of counts and was placed on an Interpol Red Notice. Ghana formally requested his extradition from the U.S. in late 2025. While the current detention is immigration-related, some officials suggest it ties into cooperation on the extradition process.

Ghana Embassy Response: The Embassy in Washington, D.C., confirmed the detention, requested consular access, and is engaging U.S. authorities to ensure his rights are respected. However, Ofori-Atta declined to meet consular officials without his lawyers present.

This case has sparked significant discussion in Ghana, with reactions ranging from calls for swift extradition and justice to speculation about his future (e.g., possible deportation, asylum attempts on health grounds, or resolution of his U.S. status). The situation remains ongoing, with his legal team working to address the immigration issues.

News

Mahama Tours Media Houses, Condemns Assault on Reporter

Published

2 weeks ago

January 8, 2026

Obed Benyin

On January 8, 2026, President John Dramani Mahama began a nationwide tour of selected media houses in Ghana, starting with a visit to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) in Accra. The tour aims to promote accountability, strengthen public trust, and enhance cooperation between the government and the media.

During the visit, President Mahama strongly condemned recent attacks on journalists, particularly the assault on a Class Media Group (Class FM) reporter, Samuel Addo, allegedly by personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) on January 5, 2026. As a trained journalist himself, Mahama described such violence as “unacceptable” and stated that it “has no place in a democratic society.” He emphasized that his administration will not tolerate assaults on media professionals performing their duties.

He confirmed that the involved GNFS officers have been identified and interdicted, with ongoing investigations to ensure accountability. The President vowed to crack down on attacks against journalists and pledged a safe working environment for media practitioners.

This incident and Mahama’s response have drawn widespread support, including from organizations like the Global Media Foundation (GloMeF), which praised his prompt action.