Sammi Awuku Denies EOCO Arrest Reports as COPEC Proposes Technical Oversight for State Contracts

Sammi Awuku, the Member of Parliament for Akuapem North and former Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), has strongly refuted reports claiming he was arrested by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on August 15, 2026. Addressing the rumors through a video shared on August 16, Awuku clarified that he was actively participating in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) regional elections at the time of the alleged detention. His public appearance in Kumasi, alongside known NDC supporter Appiah Stadium, was intended to debunk claims that his arrest was linked to financial irregularities during his previous tenure at the NLA, which he dismissed as completely false.

Amidst these discussions on accountability, Duncan Amoah, the Executive Director of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), has called for a major institutional reform of Ghana’s procurement processes. Amoah is advocating for the creation of a second parliamentary chamber composed of technical experts, academics, and professionals to scrutinize significant state contracts and public spending. This proposal follows the fallout from the AKSA Energy deal and the bribery conviction of former Tema Oil Refinery MD Asante Berko in the United States. Amoah emphasized that the current parliamentary oversight is often insufficient for complex international agreements and urged for a non-partisan investigation into procurement failures to prevent future systemic corruption.

On the electoral front, political activities for the 2028 cycle are already gaining momentum. Kojo Asemanyi, a former NPP MP, has officially declared his intention to reclaim the Gomoa East parliamentary seat, which he lost to the NDC’s Desmond Degraft Paitoo in both 2020 and 2024. Asemanyi criticized the incumbent for a lack of development and stalled projects, expressing confidence that voters would return him to office. Simultaneously, Prophet Dr. Isaac Nyarko of the Grace Impartation Power Ministry International has stirred social media by issuing stern warnings to critics of President John Mahama’s administration, using a viral video to caution against negative intentions toward the current government and future voting patterns.

In the broader West African region, political tensions remain high as neighboring countries navigate governance challenges. In Burkina Faso, the ruling military junta has imposed mandatory military-style 'patriotism' training on over 40 journalists, reflecting a tightening of state control amidst ongoing security threats. Meanwhile, in Nigeria, Afrobeats star Davido drew attention to the Osun State governorship elections, where early results showed his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, leading the APC. However, the artist later deleted several politically charged tweets, including one suggesting his family would withdraw support for future presidential candidates, highlighting the complex intersection of celebrity influence and regional politics.