Ghana News
Top Ghana Headlines: December 9, 2025 – US Tourist Kidnap Claim, Wesley Girls Dispute, Daddy Lumba Funeral Tensions, Plus More
A compilation of leading stories from newsrooms in Ghana on December 9, 2025, show police-related controversies, religious litigation, family feuds, law enforcement operations, political rebuttals, and anti-corruption critiques.
Christian Council Urges Out-of-Court Settlement in Wesley Girls’ vs. Shafic Osman Hijab Dispute: The Christian Council of Ghana, led by General Secretary Rev. Dr. Cyril Fayose, is pushing for an amicable resolution to the lawsuit filed by lawyer Shafic Osman against Wesley Girls’ High School in December 2024, alleging religious discrimination through bans on hijabs and Ramadan fasting for Muslim students, in violation of constitutional rights under Article 21. Fayose, appealing to Osman’s dual roles as an Islamic scholar and legal expert, emphasized that court rulings create divisions in sensitive faith matters and urged dialogue for national harmony. The case awaits Supreme Court hearing, with the school’s board granted 14 days from November 25 to respond; the Attorney-General’s office is defending the institution. Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu backed inclusive practices, while the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, via Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, voiced regret over the suit, citing a 2025 interfaith MOU on tolerance in religious schools and the need to preserve Wesley Girls’ Christian ethos amid ongoing debates.
Asantehene Postpones Meeting on Daddy Lumba’s Funeral Amid Escalating Family Divisions: Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, delayed a scheduled December 8, 2025, mediation session with the family of the late highlife legend Daddy Lumba (Charles Kwadwo Fosu), rescheduling it to December 11 to address rifts over the planned December 13 funeral at Baba Yara Stadium. The gathering highlighted fractures: Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu, representing the royal Ekuona family of Parkoso, led one group to brief the king, while elder sister Ernestina Fosuh, alongside uncle Wofa Yaw Opoku and maternal grandaunt, headed the opposing faction. Disputes center on widowhood rites, event organization, and unauthorized withdrawals from a memorial fund, prompting Ernestina’s group to sue for an injunction, with the first hearing aligning with the rescheduled meeting. Post-session reactions were polarized—Ernestina’s side expressed satisfaction, while Abusuapanin and widow Faustina Marfo appeared frustrated—stirring public discourse on traditional protocols versus modern family dynamics in celebrity farewells.
American Woman in Ghana for Detty December Claims She Was Kidnapped and Robbed by Police — But Many Ghanaians Say Her Story Doesn’t Add Up: U.S. content creator Ari Mackey, a TikTok influencer with over 34,000 followers who arrived in Accra via a brand-sponsored trip, alleged on December 6 that three masked police officers stopped her Uber at a checkpoint, inspected her belongings, seized cash and devices, and forced her into their vehicle—complete with covered license plates—to an ATM for extortion. In a viral video warning tourists not to “look rich” or challenge officers, she described the ordeal as terrifying amid Detty December festivities. However, Ghanaians online have dismissed the account as implausible, citing inconsistencies like masked officers without badges, which contradict standard Ghana Police protocols; comments include “Ghana police will not kidnap you—they’ll just ask for a tip” and “This isn’t the Ghana police; plates aren’t covered like that.” Speculation points to imposters, with no official response from authorities yet, fueling social media debates and calls for verification.
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Police Arrest Three Suspected Kidnappers After Fierce Gun Battle in Northern Region: The Northern Regional Police Command apprehended three members of a kidnapping syndicate—Haruna Seidu, Amidu Bandi, and Osman Bandi—on December 6 in Bokpaba along the Bimbilla-Yendi road following an intelligence-led operation. The group had abducted a 42-year-old man from Wapuli in Yendi District, demanding GH¢100,000 in ransom. A five-member team from the Regional Police Intelligence Directorate tracked the suspects, engaging them in an intense exchange of gunfire on December 5. The victim was rescued unharmed, while the fourth suspect escaped with gunshot injuries. Authorities recovered weapons and are urging residents in affected areas to report suspicious activities to facilitate the fugitive’s capture. The arrested trio remains in custody pending court arraignment.
Bawumia’s Aide Counters Kufuor: Not All Went Well Under His Regime: Ellen Ama Daaku, aide to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, rebuked former President John Agyekum Kufuor for critiquing the Akufo-Addo administration’s policies during an appearance on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana on December 9. Daaku argued that no leader is infallible, noting Kufuor’s own tenure had shortcomings despite its developmental strides, and insisted Akufo-Addo’s record should stand on its merits. Kufuor, on The Delay Show, had lambasted decisions like the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, National Cathedral project, and Power Distribution Services deal, claiming they contributed to the NPP’s 2024 election loss and that he was sidelined in consultations. Daaku urged evaluating each presidency independently, amid ongoing NPP introspection.
Sam Okudzeto Declares OSP a Failure, Slams Ghana’s Anti-Corruption Model: Veteran lawyer and former Ghana Bar Association President Sam Okudzeto lambasted the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) as ineffective on JoyNews’ PM Express on December 8, asserting it has done little to deter rampant corruption, evidenced by persistent bribe demands across sectors. He decried the OSP’s establishment as redundant, given the Attorney-General’s Department—via the Director of Public Prosecutions—already holds prosecutorial powers over all crimes, including graft. Okudzeto advocated dissolving the OSP in favor of bolstering the AG’s office, warning against personality-driven institutions that risk collapse upon leadership changes. He highlighted the OSP’s lack of institutional depth, positioning it as a flawed experiment in Ghana’s fight against endemic corruption.
Ace Ankomah Proposes Merging OSP, DPP, and EOCO for Independent Prosecutions: Legal expert Ace Anan Ankomah urged the fusion of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) into a unified, autonomous body on Channel One TV on December 8. He argued the current framework, tethered to the Attorney-General under constitutional Articles 88(3) and (4), lacks the expertise to tackle sophisticated corruption cases, often undermined by robust defenses. The OSP Act underscores these deficiencies, per Ankomah, who envisions the merger leveraging OSP’s focus, DPP’s stability, and EOCO’s investigations to form an impartial entity free from political sway. This reform, he contended, is essential to rebuild trust in prosecutions and combat economic crimes effectively.
Prof. Prempeh Warns OSP Faces Extinction Without Constitutional Overhaul: Executive Director of CDD-Ghana, Prof. Henry Kwasi Prempeh, cautioned that the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) could vanish amid escalating disputes unless anchored in comprehensive constitutional reforms, as stated on Channel One TV’s The Point of View on December 8. He dismissed superficial fixes or court battles as inadequate, advocating a root-and-branch redesign inspired by global models to fortify the institution. Prempeh’s alert follows Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga’s push to abolish the OSP and revert duties to the underfunded Attorney-General’s Department, citing the OSP’s failure to deliver amid heavy investments. The discourse underscores broader calls to refine Ghana’s anti-corruption architecture for sustainability.
FDA Intensifies Market Raids to Combat Counterfeit and Expired Goods: The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has escalated surveillance operations across markets to eliminate fake and expired products posing health risks, as part of a renewed crackdown announced on December 9. While specific details on recent seizures remain limited, the initiative targets unregulated vendors in major urban centers, emphasizing consumer safety through spot checks and public awareness drives. Officials reiterated the agency’s commitment to stringent enforcement, warning traders of severe penalties for non-compliance and urging citizens to verify product authenticity. This uptick in activity aligns with rising concerns over substandard imports affecting public health nationwide.
Headlines from the print media
The rhythmic tones of Mandarin echoed through Ghana’s cultural heartland on Thursday, May 21, 2026, as the country’s brightest young linguists gathered for the national final of the 2026 “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Students.
Held in Kumasi, Ghana’s second-largest city, the event transformed the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) into a vibrant stage for Sino-African camaraderie.
Local students demonstrated not only brilliant language skills but also a deep talent for Chinese calligraphy, music, and traditional dance.
The two-day competition, hosted by the Confucius Institute at KNUST, brought together a diverse cohort of competitors.
University students from KNUST, the University of Cape Coast, and the University of Ghana competed alongside primary, junior high, and senior high school students from various Chinese language programs around the West African nation.
‘Opening a Window to a Beautiful Way of Thinking’
Speaking at the event, Ke Ningli, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at KNUST, expressed profound joy at the growing enthusiasm for Mandarin.
“To see so many young Ghanaians full of passion for the Chinese language and eager to explore the ancient and modern aspects of China is truly remarkable,” Ke told Xinhua. “This competition connects the hearts and cultures of young people from China and Ghana.”
The event was more than a linguistic test; it was a celebration of the deepening ties between the two nations. Charles Ofosu Marfo, provost of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at KNUST, praised the courage of the youngest participants.
“By mastering Chinese characters and tones at your age, you are not just learning words; you are also opening a significant window into a rich history, vibrant tradition, and a beautiful way of thinking,” Marfo told the audience.
The Future Facilitators of Partnership
Marfo added that the students represent the future facilitators of the deepening Sino-Ghanaian partnership, driving mutual growth, industrial innovation, and cultural exchange.
As the competition draws to a close on Friday, judges are expected to select a single winner who will represent Ghana on the global stage at the international final later this year.
For the hundreds of students in attendance, the event served as a powerful reminder that in an increasingly interconnected world, language is the ultimate bridge.
Health Minister assures citizens no cases recorded in West Africa, yet urges preventive measures as WHO declares public health emergency
Ghana’s Health Minister has assured citizens that the risk of Ebola in the country remains low, with no cases recorded in Ghana or anywhere in West Africa, even as he urged Ghanaians to practice rigorous hand hygiene and called on event organizers to provide sanitizing stations at mass gatherings.
In a public address on Thursday, May 21, 2026, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh sought to balance reassurance with vigilance following the World Health Organization’s declaration of Ebola as a public health emergency of international concern last week.
“It is important to note that no cases have been recorded in West Africa, including our dear country, Ghana,” the Minister said. “However, it is said prevention is always better than cure.”
Low Risk, but Not No Risk
Akandoh explained that Ebola is a viral disease spread through direct contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, and contaminated surfaces or materials. He listed key symptoms including sudden fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and unexplained bleeding – urging anyone experiencing these signs to report immediately to the nearest health facility.
Despite the low-risk assessment, the Minister outlined specific precautions for the public.
“Practice good hand hygiene,” he said. “What this means is that we should wash our hands frequently with soap under running water or use hand sanitizers.”
Mass Gatherings in Focus
The Minister paid particular attention to mass gatherings, urging event organizers to provide hand washing stations and hand sanitizers at their venues.
“During mass gatherings, please also practice good hand hygiene,” he said. “And event organizers should provide hand washing stations and hand sanitizers.”
The directive affects religious services, concerts, political rallies, weddings, funerals, and other large public events that remain central to Ghanaian social and cultural life.
Government Preparedness
The Minister concluded by assuring citizens that the government is not relying on luck.
“I would like to use this opportunity to assure everybody that the government is taking all the necessary measures to protect us all,” he said.
While the WHO’s emergency declaration has raised global alarm, Ghanaian authorities are walking a careful line – warning without panicking, preparing without provoking fear.
For now, the message is clear: the risk is low. But washing your hands costs nothing.
Ablakwa promised swift evacuation. Then 800 Ghanaians registered. Now his ministry faces its first major test.
Just days after Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced a comprehensive support package for Ghanaians fleeing xenophobic attacks in South Africa, his ministry has been forced to delay the evacuation, marking the first major test of his leadership in a crisis.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Thursday, May 21, 2026, that the evacuation, originally scheduled to begin on May 21, has been “deferred by a few days” after more than 800 Ghanaians registered with the High Commission in Pretoria seeking repatriation.
The figure far exceeds initial estimates and has overwhelmed planned logistical arrangements.
“Considering the numbers involved and the South African legal conditions that have to be met including mandatory passenger screening, multi-institutional coordination and flight permits, the planned evacuation has been deferred by a few days,” the ministry said in a press release.
A Promising Start Meets Reality
Earlier this week, Ablakwa, who took office with a reputation as an energetic and outspoken legislator, announced a high-profile support package for evacuees that included a welcome home financial package, transportation assistance, re-integration allowance, free psychosocial support, and entry into a special database for jobs and startup opportunities.
The announcement was widely praised and positioned Ghana as a leader in citizen protection amid a wave of anti-immigrant violence sweeping across South Africa. But the sudden deferral of the evacuation, even if unavoidable, has raised questions about implementation and preparedness.
The Ministry acknowledged that the surge in registrations, coupled with South African legal requirements, created bottlenecks that could not be resolved in time for the planned start date.
Diplomatic Engagement Intensifies
Ghanaian and South African authorities have since agreed on “enhanced and more efficient pre-evacuation modalities to expedite the process,” the statement said, adding that senior government officials on both sides remain actively engaged.
For Ablakwa, who has positioned himself as a vocal advocate for diaspora affairs and consular services, the evacuation represents an early test of his ability to translate political promises into operational reality. The delay, even if temporary, puts him in the difficult position of asking desperate citizens to wait longer while conditions on the ground in South Africa remain dangerous.
The Bigger Picture
The evacuation comes amid escalating xenophobic violence in South Africa, where foreign nationals from across the continent have been targeted by vigilante groups and anti-immigrant protesters. Ghana is among several African nations racing to repatriate citizens.
The Ministry explained that the deferral is measured in days, not weeks, and that “best efforts are being pursued to ensure their safe return home.” It also commended affected nationals for their “remarkable understanding and patience.”
What to Watch
For Ablakwa, the coming days will determine whether the delay is a minor logistical hiccup or the beginning of a more protracted challenge. The government has pledged to keep the public apprised in a “transparent and timely manner,” a commitment that will be tested as anxious families await word.
The minister, who earlier this week welcomed the Church of Scotland’s apology for slavery and renewed Ghana’s call for justice over an attack on its peacekeepers in Lebanon, now faces a more immediate and personal test: getting 800 citizens home safely.
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