Welcome to your curated daily briefing. We have gathered the most relevant stories shaping Ghana today to keep you informed. Stay informed!

Accra: Floodwaters submerge homes, roads across various communities

Heavy rains that hit parts of Greater Accra on Friday, May 22, 2026, caused widespread flooding, submerging several homes, displacing residents, and leaving motorists stranded on major roads. A Citi News visit to affected communities showed houses inundated with floodwaters, particularly in Alajo, where several residents were forced out of their homes after the downpour. Other areas including Mallam, Baah Yard, SCC, and Dansoman also recorded varying levels of flooding, resulting in severe disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian movement. Motorists were seen struggling to navigate waterlogged roads, while traffic built up along major routes as commuters attempted to return home.

Residents reported the destruction of household items, electrical appliances, and other personal belongings, with some remaining outside their homes hours after the rains, waiting for floodwaters to recede. Speaking to Citi News, frustrated residents blamed the persistent flooding on poor drainage systems, choked gutters, and poorly constructed drainage channels, claiming that repeated appeals to authorities have yielded little response. They called on city authorities and government to urgently intervene to prevent future occurrences, especially as the rainy season intensifies.

Read the full story here.

Panic in Sunyani: Chiefs to perform rituals after mystery deaths of two successive headteachers

The Sunyani West Municipality in Ghana’s Bono Region has been thrown into fear and anxiety following the sudden and mysterious deaths of two successive headteachers at the Kobedi AME Zion Basic School. The current headmistress, Madam Gladys Dorlo Batinge, passed away in April 2026 under unusual circumstances, just months after being posted to replace the previous headmaster, who had also died under similar mysterious conditions in September 2025. The tragedy has forced a week-long suspension of all academic activities at the school pending traditional cleansing rituals.

The Queen Mother of Kobedi, Nana Ameyaa Ansu Gyeabour, has disclosed that community members believe the deaths are linked to a spiritual curse invoked by a native associated with the Nzor community, allegedly over claims of financial extortion involving school authorities. The traditional council is actively working to perform necessary customary rites and resolve underlying disputes, while the Krotihene of Kobedi, Nana Korang Amoah Asimpi, has strongly criticised what he describes as inaccurate and unverified media reports that have exacerbated panic. District education authorities are expected to meet with the traditional council this week to assess the psychological readiness of teachers and coordinate a safe reopening of the school.

Read the full story here.

The party has lost ground – Paul Afoko breaks long silence to launch NPP comeback

Former National Chairman of Ghana’s New Patriotic Party (NPP), Paul Afoko, has emerged from years of self-imposed exile with a stark warning that the party has “lost a lot of ground” due to internal complacency. Addressing a closed-door consultative meeting with the Greater Accra Regional Executive Committee on May 21, 2026, Afoko argued that the party’s electoral machinery has been severely weakened and that denial would only worsen the situation. He recalled the operational blueprint built during his tenure as National Chairman, which he says laid the groundwork for the party’s eventual electoral success, drawing a biblical parallel by stating he “saw the promised land” but was sidelined before victory. Afoko explained that his long silence was a deliberate sacrifice to protect party cohesion, revealing that he was driven underground after defending the new administration early on—only to have his comments twisted by detractors. Despite his absence, he disclosed that he continued to bankroll and support parliamentary candidates. His nationwide consultative tour is widely interpreted as a strategic move to position himself as a unifying elder statesman capable of reconciling internal factions and reclaiming lost political ground.

Read the full story here.

Ghana to announce World Cup squad on June 1

Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku has announced that the Black Stars’ FIFA World Cup squad will be revealed on June 1, 2026, following Ghana’s 2-0 defeat to Mexico in an international friendly. Despite the loss, Okraku declared “objective accomplished” on Facebook, emphasising that the match provided significant stage exposure for the majority of Ghana’s U-23 players, who will soon assemble for Olympic qualifiers, as well as other players who have had limited playing time.

Okraku stressed that the friendly offered a valuable opportunity to test players outside the regular senior national team setup, allowing the technical team to evaluate unfamiliar talents at close range. He acknowledged the challenges of integrating a largely inexperienced squad within a short period but urged supporters to focus on the positives. The GFA President praised the young talents as exceptional players requiring collective nurturing along a designated pathway. Ghana will now face Wales in another friendly as preparations continue toward the World Cup, with anticipation building ahead of the official squad announcement on June 1.

Read the full story here.

Pastor Accused of Murder: New revelations emerge over death of Scottish wife in Ghana hotel

More than a decade after the death of Scottish woman Charmain Speirs, new revelations have emerged in the case against her Ghanaian husband, pastor Eric Adusah. Charmain, 40, was found dead in a hotel bathtub in Ghana in March 2015, just six months after a whirlwind romance and quickfire wedding. Adusah, the head pastor of the Global Light Revival church who is known as “the prophet” by followers, was charged with murder but released due to lack of evidence. A new BBC podcast series, “Charmain and the Prophet,” features Elma Adams, an 80-year-old devout Christian who was Adusah’s “Scottish mum.” Adams claims Charmain was “on a mission” to discover her husband’s true identity, describing how Charmain appeared distressed, resentful, and financially dependent, with Adusah allegedly insulting her appearance and controlling what she wore.

Other witnesses have told the BBC they saw signs of coercive control and physical abuse. According to a witness statement given to British police, Charmain discovered during her Ghana trip that her husband used another name, was much older than claimed, and may have had another wife in Ghana. On March 16, 2015, the day before she was last seen alive, a witness received a phone call from Charmain’s number during which Adusah was heard shouting and banging a table before the call ended abruptly. Adusah, who now lives in the USA under the name Eric Isaiah Kusi Boateng, did not answer the BBC’s questions about alleged domestic abuse. Friends, including Adams and Anne-Marie Bond, continue to reckon with Charmain’s death, with Adams stating:

“We’ve both been conned, useful idiots… Charmain was used; she was a commodity.”

Read the full story here.

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.