Key stories have emerged across Ghana’s media landscape that touch on accountability, institutional integrity, economic policy, and public safety.

-Readers are encouraged to check back throughout the day for further updates on these and other unfolding stories.

Here’s a comprehensive update on major developments in the country now:

President Mahama Pledges Enduring Economic Reforms in Ghana

President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to delivering long-lasting economic and governance reforms in his second term, telling Ghanaians that his mandate will focus on building a stronger, more resilient economy that future governments cannot reverse.

Speaking at the Annual New Year School Conference on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, President Mahama emphasised that he intends to capitalise on the broad political support that brought him back to power after eight years in opposition. He said the country must solidify democratic gains at a time when other nations in the region are experiencing democratic backsliding.

“I have decided to make this second mandate so graciously granted to me by Ghanaians count. I have pledged to raise our economy and governance to a level that no succeeding government can reverse,” he said.

Mahama highlighted fiscal discipline and sound economic management as cornerstones of his agenda, assuring citizens that reforms begun in 2025 will continue, even in the election year of 2028. He reiterated that prudent fiscal policies and efficient management are critical to sustaining macroeconomic stability and attracting investment.

The president’s remarks align with the government’s broader “Reset Agenda,” which aims to entrench economic stability after years of volatility and rising public debt.

Observers note that Mahama’s approach emphasises structural reform—including measures in the 2026 budget, such as broad tax reforms and business incentives—which are intended to drive productivity and inclusive growth.

For a global audience, Mahama is framing Ghana’s path not just as recovery, but as an example for democratic governance and economic resilience—especially at a time when many African economies face fiscal pressures and institutional challenges.

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Police Arrest Controversial Prophet Fire Oja in Defamation Case

Ghanaian law enforcement has arrested Prophet Jedidiah Henry Kore, widely known as Fire Oja, following allegations of making defamatory statements against veteran musician Mzbel (Belinda Nana Ekua Amoah).

The controversial preacher, leader of Zion Prayer Ministries International, was taken into custody by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service after Mzbel filed a formal complaint policing his viral claims.

According to reports, Fire Oja’s remarks revolved around unverified assertions that Mzbel suffered severe health issues and was hospitalised after a “soul travel” experience at a spiritual centre in Kasoa in 2025—allegations the singer has strongly denied. During police questioning, Fire Oja admitted that he did not personally know Mzbel and apologised for his comments, which are now being treated as potentially defamatory under Ghanaian law.

Mzbel has since addressed the public, confirming that the pastor was formally invited by police, arrested, and interrogated in connection with the false statements. She stressed that her action was taken to protect her reputation and mental well-being, and not out of malice, urging citizens to use lawful channels when seeking redress for character attacks. The case has now been processed for court, with Fire Oja charged and granted bail pending his scheduled appearance.

His arrest has sparked discussions across social media, with reactions divided between support for accountability and debate over the limits of free speech and religious expression.

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President Mahama Announces 10,000-Bed Hostel for University of Ghana Under Singapore Partnership

In a major boost to student welfare and education infrastructure, President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled plans for a 10,000-bed student hostel at the University of Ghana (UG), to be constructed through a partnership with Singapore using innovative prefabricated building technology.

The announcement was made during the opening ceremony of UG’s 77th Annual New Year School and Conference on Tuesday, January 6, themed “Building the Ghana We Want, Together for Sustainable Development.” The event brought together policymakers, academics, civil society actors, and students to discuss national development challenges and solutions.

President Mahama revealed that the project stems from an agreement signed during his recent visit to Singapore. “When I went to Singapore, we signed an agreement for a 10,000-student hostel in the University of Ghana,” he disclosed. “This is going to be a prefabricated building. It means the building will be manufactured somewhere and then assembled on campus.”

Preparations are already underway, with machinery for the manufacturing factory shipped from Singapore and en route to Accra. The initiative addresses longstanding accommodation shortages at public universities, where most students live off-campus and face daily commutes.

The President contextualized the project amid growing concerns over student safety and living conditions, referencing a recent social media post by academic Professor “Kwaku Azar”. Azar contrasted his university days—where students simply collected room keys from the porter’s lodge—with today’s realities.

“Today, most of our students have to live off campus and travel to lectures every day,” Mahama recounted.

He highlighted the risks of off-campus living, noting incidents where students have been knocked down by vehicles or attacked by armed robbers, sometimes fatally.

“There have been a few unfortunate incidents where students have either been knocked down by vehicles and died, or in some cases been attacked by armed robbers and lost their lives,” the President said. “It is preferable that we have as many of our students living on campus, or as close to campus as possible.”

Mahama shared the “good news” with UG’s Vice-Chancellor as part of the government’s commitment to supporting public universities. The prefabricated approach promises faster construction and cost efficiencies, aligning with broader efforts to enhance access to education.

This development comes at a time when Ghana’s universities, like UG, struggle with limited on-campus housing amid rising enrollment, forcing students into surrounding communities with escalating rents and security issues. The project could serve as a model for similar initiatives nationwide, potentially attracting diaspora investments in education infrastructure.

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⚖️ Ex-GFA Boss Kwesi Nyantakyi Says Exposé Damaged Reputation

Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) boss Kwesi Nyantakyi has publicly lamented the personal consequences of investigative exposés, particularly the Number 12 documentary. Nyantakyi says the widely circulated reporting has damaged his reputation to such an extent that his daughter once asked him if he was a thief, underscoring the human toll of corruption scandals on families and public perception.

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🧑‍⚖️ Calls for Faster Corruption Prosecutions

Veteran anti-corruption campaigner and former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo pressed Ghana’s Attorney-General to expedite corruption cases, warning that delay feeds public disillusionment. Domelevo said Ghanaians are losing hope as high-profile cases linger without court outcomes and stressed the need for judicial effectiveness to bolster public confidence in anti-graft institutions.

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🇬🇧 Support for Stability Over Retribution

Prof. Baffour Agyeman-Duah, former UN governance advisor, backed President John Mahama’s handling of petitions targeting the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), saying “stability over vengeance” is more conducive to institutional trust. He cautioned that habitual removal of key officials could weaken Ghana’s governance framework.

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🚨 Road Fatality in Suame

A tragic accident in Suame, Ashanti Region saw a trailer carrying soya beans run over and kill an okada rider on the spot. Eyewitnesses attributed the crash to road conditions amid ongoing construction, highlighting persistent public safety concerns on major thoroughfares.

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🖊️ Attack on Press Freedom Condemned

The Class Media Group has condemned the assault of one of its journalists by personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) while on duty. Media stakeholders described the incident as a threat to press freedom and urged a swift, impartial investigation to protect journalists’ safety and uphold democratic norms.

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🧑‍🏫 President Mahama Condemns Teacher Assaults

President John Mahama strongly condemned attacks on teachers at Kade Senior High School, demanding justice and accountability. The incident has reignited public concern about the safety of educators and the broader climate of respect for public servants.

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💰 PMMC made losses under Nana Akufo-Addo

A revelation by a government official, Eric Opoku, that Ghana made losses of $460 million in 2024 under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration has raised questions of accountability and transparency in the management of Ghana’s precious minerals.

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📊 Debt and Revenue Trends

The World Bank reports that Ghana is increasingly financing its budget through domestic borrowing, deepening domestic debt markets while aiming to reduce foreign-exchange risks. This trend reflects broader economic adjustments amid revenue shortfalls and global pressures on frontier economies.

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🪙 Gold Sector Debate Continues

Public policy voices, including Bright Simons of IMANI Africa, argue that Ghana’s fight against gold smuggling cannot be solved by the Gold Board (GoldBod) alone and requires structural reforms targeting incentives for informal trade. He stressed that systemic inefficiencies and tax burdens fuel smuggling, and comprehensive reforms are needed for long-term impact.

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📌 Readers are encouraged to check back throughout the day for further updates on these and other unfolding stories.

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