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Ghana News Live Updates – January 9: Catch up on all the major local news

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Stay informed with the latest news from Ghana as developments unfold across politics, education, public safety, and social affairs. Our rolling updates will provide timely coverage of major events and government actions. Check back regularly as we bring you verified reports as they happen.


Franklin Cudjoe Lauded for Parkinson’s Disclosure

Renowned policy analyst and founder of the influential think tank, IMANI Center for Policy and Education, Franklin Cudjoe is being widely praised for courageously sharing his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, with public figures and health advocates applauding his openness. Supporters say his disclosure is helping break stigma around the condition and encouraging others living with Parkinson’s to speak out and seek treatment. This moment captures the growing conversation about chronic illness and public awareness in Ghana.


24-Hour Reforms Driving Revenue Growth at Ghana Publishing

Moving from personal health revelation to economic news, the Ghana Publishing Company is reporting a boost in revenue following recent reforms under the new 24-hour economy initiative. The company’s Managing Director says extended operating hours are increasing sales and enhancing access to publications, signaling positive early impacts of the broader economic strategy aimed at stimulating business activity across sectors.


President Mahama Announces 24-Hour Authority Imminent

President John Mahama is confirming the imminent establishment of a new 24-Hour Authority, a body expected to regulate and implement Ghana’s ambitious 24-hour economy blueprint. The move is intended to institutionalize extended operations, streamline licensing, and support businesses operating around the clock—further strengthening the economic reforms that are now showing early results.


Ablakwa Commends Ukraine as Ghana Advocates for Captured Citizen

Foreign Affairs Minister Okudzeto Ablakwa is commending Ukraine for its resilience, while also pressing for the release of a Ghanaian citizen captured during the ongoing conflict there. The Ghanaian was captured as part of the prisoners of war captured while allegedly fighting for Russia. The statement reflects Ghana’s growing role on the global stage, balancing solidarity with international partners and the protection of its nationals abroad.


Ghana Pushing Structured Trade and Tariff Flexibility in US Talks

Ghana is advocating for a structured trade framework and greater tariff flexibility in ongoing discussions with the United States. Government officials are seeking trade arrangements that will enhance market access for Ghanaian goods, support value-added exports, and deepen economic ties with one of Africa’s key external partners. The move is seen as part of Ghana’s broader strategy to attract investment and expand its global trade footprint.


Effiduasehene Nana Adu Ameyaw II Passes On

Ghana is mourning the passing of Effiduasehene Nana Adu Ameyaw II, as reports are confirming the death of the respected traditional ruler. Residents in Effiduase and beyond are remembering him for his leadership, community development efforts, and role in preserving cultural heritage.

Tributes are continuing to pour in as arrangements for traditional rites are anticipated.


Mahama Is Rolling Out Foreign-Built Housing Plan for Security Services

Meanwhile, President John Mahama is unveiling an ambitious foreign-built housing program aimed at improving accommodation for police and military personnel. The initiative is being framed as a long-term investment in national security, welfare, and morale, with government officials describing it as a major upgrade to barracks infrastructure nationwide.


“No Hiding Place” — Mahama Issues Strong Warning to Criminals

In a firm security message, President Mahama is warning criminals who injure or kill police officers that there will be “no hiding place” for them. The president is reinforcing the government’s commitment to protecting law enforcement officers, as security agencies intensify operations against violent crime.


Anidaso Foundation Condemns Parkinson’s Disease Stigma

On the social front, the Anidaso Foundation is pushing back against stigma surrounding Parkinson’s disease following a public disclosure by policy analyst Franklin Cudjoe. The foundation is stressing that Parkinson’s is not a weakness, urging empathy, understanding, and public education to combat discrimination against those living with the condition.


Atta Akyea Says Constituency Demands Are His Toughest Political Test

Former MP Atta Akyea is opening up about the pressures of public office, describing incessant demands on his personal resources as the most difficult hurdle he faced as a legislator. His comments are sparking wider conversation about the financial expectations placed on MPs by constituents.


Amasaman Residents Are Appealing Over Dangerous Roads

Turning to infrastructure, residents of Amasaman are raising alarm over deteriorating roads, describing them as dangerous and life-threatening. Community members are calling on the government to urgently intervene, warning that the poor road conditions are affecting transportation, safety, and local economic activity.


Minority Is Slamming Mahama’s First Year Despite Economic Gains

And in politics, the Minority in Parliament is sharply criticising President Mahama’s first year in office, arguing that progress has been underwhelming despite acknowledged economic improvements.


Ofori-Atta US Detention Update

Frank Davies

Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s US detention is being actively addressed. His lawyer, Frank Davies, confirmed that efforts are ongoing to resolve the matter diplomatically and ensure swift outcomes. The lawyer also said the former minister is in constant consultation with his medical team, who may advise that he remains in the U.S. for further treatment or monitoring.


GTEC Restores Recognition for Accountancy Institute

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has reinstated recognition for the Institute of Chartered Accountants, ensuring its qualifications remain officially valid and strengthening professional standards in the sector.

Eric Oduro Osae

The decision comes after months of review over regulatory compliance and academic standards. By reinstating recognition, GTEC ensures that ICA-certified professionals can continue to operate fully in both the public and private sectors, protecting the careers of thousands of Ghanaian accountants.

Restoring the institute’s recognition also underscores Ghana’s commitment to professional standards and global competitiveness. Chartered accountants play a vital role in auditing, financial management, and corporate governance, sectors critical to economic growth and foreign investment.

GTEC earlier withdrew recognition of ICAG after its newly appointed CEO reportedly continued using an academic “Dr” title despite a directive to stop. GTEC found discrepancies and unverifiable credentials related to the doctoral title claimed by CEO Eric Oduro Osae, leading to the derecognition of the professional body until corrective action was taken.


SSNIT Announces Pension Increase

The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) approved a 10% increase in pension payments for 2026, benefiting retirees across Ghana and supporting financial security for senior citizens.


Former Finance Minister Urges Bold Economic Decisions

Former Finance Minister Kwaku Kwarteng advised President John Mahama to take tough economic decisions without fear, stressing the importance of strong policy choices to stabilize the economy. His advice follows widespread praise for the president for improving Ghana’s economy significantly just one year after taking over from the previous administration that Mr Kwarteng himself served in.


Forestry Officer Killed in Volta Reserve

The Forestry Commission condemned the killing of an officer in the Volta Forest Reserve. The tragic incident highlights the continued risks faced by environmental and conservation staff amid illegal activities in protected areas.


Professor Nana Aba Amfo Appointed ACU Council Chair

On the higher education front, Prof. Nana Aba Amfo has been named Chair of the African Council for Universities (ACU), marking a significant milestone for Ghanaian leadership in continental academic governance.


Ghana Publishing Recognized for 24-Hour Operations

President John Mahama commended Ghana Publishing for adopting 24-hour operations early, praising the initiative for improving access to educational and informational resources nationwide.


Anti-Corruption Efforts Highlighted

Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang

Vice President Prof. Opoku Agyemang stated that fighting corruption remains a national priority under the current administration, stressing the need for transparency and accountability in governance.

She made the remarks while addressing the 93rd Jalsa Salana of the National Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission on Wednesday, January 8, at Gomoa Pomadze in the Central Region.

“A nation is strengthened by moral courage and ethical consistency. As citizens, we serve our country when we stand for what is right, speak against injustice, and uphold values in both public and private lives,” she said.


Bawumia Leading in NPP Primaries

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, a key contender in the upcoming NPP presidential primaries, is projected to secure over 65% support at the polls, according to one of his campaign. The projection is meant to highlight the strong backing the former vice president enjoys in the party. The residential primaries will he held on January 31, 2026.


Suspected Arson in Assin Fosu Claims Life

Bizarre news, as authorities confirm a man was burnt to death in a suspected arson attack at Assin Fosu, intensifying calls for improved public safety measures and law enforcement vigilance.


Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings Honors Father’s Legacy

MP Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings stated that her father’s recently installed statue serves as an admonition to Ghanaians to live by his ideals of probity and accountability.


Kade SHS Tutor Assault Case

Five individuals have been remanded after pleading guilty to assaulting a tutor at Kade Senior High School. The incident heightens ongoing concerns around student and teacher safety in Ghanaian schools situated far away from the capital.


Check back regularly as we bring you verified reports as they happen.

Ghana News

How Ghana’s Government Pressured MTN, Telecel, and AirtelTigo to Cut Data Prices

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In a decisive move to fulfill President John Dramani Mahama’s digital transformation agenda, the government has successfully pressured the nation’s leading telecommunications operators into slashing broadband prices and increasing data allocations, marking a major political and policy victory for the administration.

Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, announced the sweeping changes during the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Monday, framing the outcome as a direct result of the government’s successful negotiation tactics and strong-arm leverage over the telecom sector.

The Minister revealed that MTN, facing the sharpest government intervention, increased its mobile data volumes by 15 per cent, while Telecel and AirtelTigo also bowed to pressure, increasing theirs by 10 per cent.

Most notably, MTN’s fibre broadband tariffs have been dramatically revised. The 100 Mbps unlimited package has been slashed from GH¢987 to GH¢299 per month, representing one of the largest residential broadband price reductions in recent years and a massive 70% drop in cost for consumers.

Presenting the reductions as a fulfillment of the Mahama administration’s core policy promises, Minister George emphasized that the interventions are part of a broader mission to force the private sector to align with the government’s public interest goals.

“These interventions form part of President Mahama’s digital transformation agenda to make internet access more affordable and expand opportunities for education, business and innovation,” Mr George stated.

He added that the government’s objective is to ensure that digital connectivity becomes a tool for inclusive economic growth rather than a luxury available to only a few, directly warning the telecom giants that the state will not tolerate the exclusion of ordinary Ghanaians from the digital economy.

The Minister assured Ghanaians that his Ministry will continue to exert regulatory and negotiating pressure to improve digital infrastructure, expand access to reliable, high-speed internet, and ensure that the government remains the ultimate arbiter of affordability for the citizenry.

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Ghana News

Buckingham Palace Responds to Jamaica’s $10 Billion Reparations Demand, But the UK Government’s Wallet Remains Shut

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A historic diplomatic maneuver that highlights the stark contrast between UK’s royal sympathy and governmental policy has been triggered by Jamaica’s official petition to King Charles III on Monday, September 7, 2026.

The petition formally requests that the UK’s highest court review the legality of the transatlantic slave trade and whether Britain has a legal obligation to pay reparations.

However, while Buckingham Palace has pledged its engagement with the process, the United Kingdom government immediately reiterated its firm position that its “wallet remains shut”.

Led by Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, the delegation filed the petition in London, marking the first time a Commonwealth country has utilized this specific legal route to advance the cause of reparatory justice.

The petition seeks an advisory opinion from the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC), Jamaica’s highest court of appeal based in London, on three pivotal questions: whether the enslavement of Africans in Jamaica was legal under English common law, whether it breached international law, and whether the UK is currently legally obligated to provide a remedy for the harm caused.

While initial reports suggested Jamaica was seeking a $10 billion settlement, Minister Grange clarified to journalists that no specific sum is attached to the petition; instead, it aims to establish a legal foundation for determining what, if anything, is owed.

The Royal Response

The response from Buckingham Palace was characterized by procedural engagement coupled with royal distance. Contrary to some initial headlines, King Charles III—who is currently in Scotland and was not present for the delivery—will not personally receive the petition.

A palace spokesperson clarified that the process requires the petition to be lodged directly with the Judicial Committee under Section 4 of the 1833 Act, rather than being handed to the King.

The spokesperson emphasized that the King has “on many occasions expressed his personal and wholehearted commitment to promoting greater understanding around the issue of slavery and finding ways to address historic wrongs for the benefit of communities today”.

The Palace also confirmed that the Jamaican representatives would be received by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for bilateral discussions.

The Government’s Hardline Stance

While the Palace signaled engagement, the response from the British government was unequivocal and immediate. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s Downing Street office stated, “The UK does not and will not pay reparations”.

The spokesperson added, “The transatlantic slave trade was abhorrent and of course it’s right that we acknowledge the wrongs of the past, but we’ll continue to face forward and work with other countries on our current shared challenges”.

This stance remains unchanged despite recent acknowledgements that the UK significantly benefitted from the trade, and the fact that British institutions, such as the Church of England, have previously pledged funds to address their historical links.

A Historical Irony

The refusal comes against a backdrop of historical precedent that critics and advocates often highlight. In 1833, the British government agreed to a compensation package of £20 million (worth approximately $2.6 billion today) to be paid to British slave owners for the “loss of their property” after the abolition of slavery legislation.

“Encouraged” but Firm

Despite the government’s refusal to entertain financial compensation, Minister Grange expressed optimism about the engagement from Buckingham Palace.

“We’re not pre-empting the process, but we are encouraged,” she told Reuters, noting the Palace’s role in ensuring the petition was properly lodged through the Governor-General.

The move is seen as a significant escalation in the wider Caribbean reparations campaign. By seeking a legal opinion, Jamaica aims to bypass the political impasse that has blocked progress at Commonwealth summits.

If the JCPC rules in Jamaica’s favor, it could provide a powerful legal platform not only for Jamaica but for other former British colonies in the Caribbean demanding reparations, potentially paving the way for litigation in British courts.

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Ghana News

Top Headlines From Ghanaian Newspapers: Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026

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Here are the top headline stories pulled from the front pages of the provided Ghanaian newspapers.

The Dispatch

  • Main: GHANA MUST KEEP TWO TERM PREZ LIMITS – ASIEDU NKETIA
  • Secondary: IGP YOHUNO PROMOTES SEVEN POLICE OFFICERS WHO ARRESTED SUSPECTS IN CONNECTION WITH MURDER
  • Also: MY JOURNEY FROM RUNNING MATE TO FORMER VEEP IS BY GOD’S DIVINE WILL – DR. BAWUMIA; BLACK STARS COACH QUEIROS TO STAY; REV. STEPHEN WENGAM LAUNCHES THE 10TH TRIENNIAL CONGRESS…

The Hawk Newspaper

  • Main: MAHAMA DUMPS ASHIE MOORE (Over ‘Incompetence’ At Sankofa Gold)
  • Secondary: FORMER CDS OFFERS BOOZ AND CASH TO KILL STORY; MAHAMA, OPEN YOUR EYES! – Obiri Boahen’s Chilling Warning: NPP ‘Mulling Evil’; SILENT THEN. OUTRAGED NOW – Anin-Yeboah’s Praise Exposes Critics’ Double Standards

The Overseer

  • Main: MAHAMA SACKS NDC ‘SERIAL TROUBLEMAKER’ ASHIE-MOORE FROM SANKOFA GOLD
  • Secondary: Free Primary Healthcare To Reach All 216 Districts By 2027 – Akandoh; Mahama Has Mobilized $1.7bn For Accra-Kumasi Expressway – Tamakloe; Ato Forson Thanks Constituents For 18 Years Of Support

The New Trust

  • Main: Over 300k candidates chose category A schools despite 76,417 vacancies – Education Ministry
  • Secondary: Ashanti NPP Women’s Wing cautions “Prophet” Owusu Bempah over attacks on Ayew Afriyie & Bawumia; Govt spent GH¢49.7m on 1,964 Ghanaians evacuated from SA – Ablakwa reveals; COKA swears in appointed deputy regional executives & others…urges them to work hard in unity

The National Enquirer

  • Main: DON’T PAY ANYONE FOR SHS PLACEMENT – Dr. Apaak warns parents
  • Secondary: National Security Nabs Notorious Illicit Drugs Pusher; TOR Seeks Strategic Int’l Partners; Minerals Commission Pushes Deeper Ghana-UK Mining Cooperation; NPA Gears Up – Takes petroleum safety campaign to Fetu Afahye in Cape Coast

The Spyder

  • Main: Ayariga’s Cathedral Slip-Up: Chieftaincy Minister Tenure Starts on Wrong Footing
  • Secondary: Controversial ‘Witches Conference’ Set for Accra; Former Army Boss’ Cash-And-Booze Trap Fails – Oppong-Peprah’s Journalist Trap Lands Him in Trouble; Do the Math: Students are Getting Smarter in Numbers, Dumber in Words – WAEC

Daily Graphic

  • Main: Free Primary Healthcare goes live (Over 4,500 facilities ready • 135 Districts implement policy)
  • Secondary: 53,000 Grade 9 BECE graduates given lifeline – They can do self-placement; Amansie Community Bank mobilises GH¢1bn deposits – Highest in Ashanti Region for 2025

Economy Times

  • Main: BoG develops regulatory framework for cedi-backed stablecoins
  • Secondary: Ghana’s 4-Year Bond issuance settles at 12% – …govt accepts bids of GH¢3.15 billion; Cedi turnaround delivers GH¢23.7bn FX upswing for SOEs

Day Break (Dated September 2, 2026)

  • Main: Mahama Sued – …Over Council of State Vacancy
  • Secondary: 1 In 4 Fibre Cuts By Galamsey – …Sam George Reveals; Be Like Zijin! – …Armah Buah Charges Ghanaian Mining Companies; Galamsey To Worsen – …Without Right Intelligence Architecture

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