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Ghana News Live Updates – January 10: Catch up all the major local news stories

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Here is a curated summary of the key stories in Ghana today. Check back regularly as we bring you verified reports as they happen.


Domestic Blaze in Tse Addo Destroys Wooden Structures

A domestic fire broke out on January 9, 2026, at Tse Addo near the God Super Church in the Greater Accra Region. Firefighters responded swiftly after the blaze was reported at 8:01 a.m., bringing it under control by 8:32 a.m. and fully extinguishing it by 10:36 a.m. No injuries or fatalities were recorded.

However, nine wooden structures and their contents were completely destroyed, and a metal container was partially damaged. Emergency responders managed to save nearby buildings, including a self-contained house and the church. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.


Nine Remanded Over Assault on Police at Obuasi SHS Park

Nine suspects have been remanded into police custody by the Obuasi Circuit Court for their alleged involvement in an assault on police officers at the Tweapease Senior High School Park in the Ashanti Region. The men were arraigned and charged with assault on public officers following a viral video of the incident. They remain in custody as investigations continue. The Ghana Police Service has warned the public against attacks on law enforcement personnel.


Legal Advocate Urges Akufo-Addo to Bring Ofori-Atta Home

Martin Kpebu (L) and Ken Ofori-Atta

Legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has urged former President Nana Akufo-Addo to encourage ex-Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana and engage with ongoing legal and accountability processes. Kpebu said now is opportune for Ofori-Atta to face any formal proceedings at home, stressing the importance of physical presence in resolving matters tied to his tenure. The appeal comes amid broader public discourse about legal responsibility and the role of former officials in national accountability efforts. Ofori-Atta served under Akufo-Addo as finance minister.


AG Confirms GH¢22M in Tax Evasion on DRIP Transactions

The Attorney-General’s office has confirmed that GH¢22 million in taxes were evaded in connection with the District Roads Improvement Program (DRIP) transactions, following verification from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Ayine announced on Newsfile, a renowned weekend news analysis show, that while the company involved admitted to erroneous tax-exempt clearances, this does not negate the legal determination that duty should have been paid upon importation. In addition to the evaded tax, an alleged overpayment of $2 million has also been flagged for further pursuit by the government. Dr. Ayine rejected suggestions that the issues stemmed from clerical errors, signaling the state’s firm stance on accountability and revenue protection.


Economists: Ghana’s Economy Improving, But Risks Still Loom

Economists and industry stakeholders have noted improvement in Ghana’s economic performance, yet remain cautious about persistent risks. The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) highlighted gains compared to past years as well as underlying vulnerabilities that demand continued fiscal discipline and policy focus. According to COPEC, while macroeconomic indicators show progress, structural challenges and external pressures necessitate careful management to ensure sustained growth and economic resilience for Ghana in the year ahead.


Ayine Clarifies Ken Ofori-Atta’s U.S. Visa Revocation

Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Ayine has clarified that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s U.S. visa revocation was not due to an overstay, countering public speculation. The clarification on Saturday, January 10, 2026, on a wide-ranging interview on Newsfile, comes amid heightened scrutiny of Ofori-Atta’s legal exposure and international standing, as Ghana intensifies accountability measures involving former officials.


Ayine Assures Fair Trial for Ofori-Atta

Dr. Ayine also formally assured lawyers for Ken Ofori-Atta that Ghana’s justice system will guarantee a fair and impartial process, reinforcing the government’s stance that accountability efforts will adhere strictly to the rule of law rather than political retribution.


Ayine Criticizes Saglémi Prosecution

Still on Newsfile, the Attorney-General described the prosecution of the Saglemi housing case as poorly investigated and weakly constructed, raising broader concerns about prosecutorial standards and institutional competence in high-profile corruption cases. According to him, it was legally and logically impossible to charge former Minister Collins Dauda with causing a $200 million financial loss. Dr Ayine revealed that only $94 million had been spent by the time Dauda left office, and prosecutors failed to show how his actions could be directly linked to the entire alleged loss.


ORAL Initiative to Boost State Revenue

The Office of the Attorney-General has assured Ghanaians that funds will soon begin flowing into state coffers through the ORAL (Operation Recover All Loot) initiative, signaling a more aggressive approach to asset recovery and public financial accountability.


Parkinson’s Disease to Benefit from Mahama Cares

The Ministry of Health has announced that Parkinson’s disease will be integrated into the Mahama Cares social protection framework, marking a significant expansion of Ghana’s public health safety net for chronic neurological conditions.


Mahama Orders Review of NLA–KGL Contract

President John Dramani Mahama has ordered a comprehensive review of the National Lottery Authority–KGL contract. The move reflects renewed scrutiny of the controversial public-private partnership and the Mahama government’s broader transparency agenda.


Emirates A380 Diverts to Accra After Smoke Alert

An Emirates A380 aircraft en route from Dubai diverted safely to Kotoka International Airport after a smoke alert in its cargo hold, highlighting Ghana’s growing role as a regional aviation safety and emergency response hub.


Mobile Money Vendor’s Death Sparks Public Concern

A mobile money vendor in Hohoe has died in an incident authorities say involved suicide, prompting renewed conversations about economic stress, mental health, and informal sector vulnerabilities in Ghana.


Domelevo Calls for Transparency in ORAL

Former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo has urged authorities to keep the ORAL initiative active and transparent to maintain public confidence, stressing that credibility is essential for long-term institutional reform.


Special Needs Education to Be Free

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has announced that special needs education will be free from this academic year, a landmark policy shift aimed at improving inclusion and equal access to education nationwide.


Ofori-Atta Linked to U.S. Residency Application

Legal practitioner Martin Kpebu claims Ken Ofori-Atta has applied for U.S. permanent residency through his son, adding an international dimension to ongoing legal and political discussions surrounding the former finance minister.


NPP Campaign Boycott Threat Emerges

Claims have surfaced that Bryan Acheamong, a NPP presidential-candidate aspirant, threatened to boycott the NPP primaries following a dispute involving the Kwahu Traditional Council.


Family of Slain U.S.-Based Ghanaian Speaks Out

The family of George Ennin, the U.S.-based Ghanaian security guard who was fatally stabbed recently, has said they are heartbroken by the tragic incident. His sister has revealed that he could not survive because he was stabbed in the heart.


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Ghana to Open New Embassy in Singapore in Bid To Strengthen Trade Ties with Asia

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Accra, Ghana – The Government of Ghana has formally initiated high-level diplomatic engagements with Singapore to establish a permanent embassy in the Asian financial and technology hub, marking a strategic expansion of its global diplomatic presence.

The announcement follows a working visit by a Ghanaian delegation led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs James Gyakye Quayson to Singapore from April 10 to 15, 2026.

During discussions with Singapore’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Social and Family Development, Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, Ghana officially conveyed its intention to open a resident mission.

The proposed embassy aims to enhance consular services for Ghanaian nationals, facilitate trade and investment flows, and deepen institutional cooperation in technology, capacity building, and economic development.

This move forms part of a broader foreign policy drive by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish new diplomatic missions and permanent chanceries in strategic locations, while reducing heavy reliance on rented premises that currently cost the state around $15 million annually.

Earlier commitments outlined at the 2025 Conference of Heads of Mission include opening missions in Massachusetts (USA), Dublin (Ireland), Lisbon (Portugal), and Singapore by 2026. Recent developments under this agenda include the opening of a new chancery in Ethiopia in February and planned missions in Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Serbia, and Hungary.

Singaporean authorities welcomed the proposal and expressed strong commitment to expanding bilateral ties with Ghana. Officials from both sides see the new mission as a platform to boost South-South cooperation and tap into Asia’s dynamic economic opportunities.

The establishment of the embassy is expected to be completed within the government’s 2026 diplomatic expansion timeline.

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Pope Leo XIV Strongly Criticises Foreign Exploitation of Africa During Visit to Conflict-Hit Cameroon

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Bamenda, Cameroon – Pope Leo XIV has delivered a sharp rebuke against foreign entities exploiting Africa’s natural resources for profit, describing it as a major driver of instability and suffering during his visit to the conflict-ridden city of Bamenda in Cameroon.

Speaking to an estimated 20,000 worshippers at a Mass held at Bamenda Airport on Thursday, the pontiff said outsiders “in the name of profit, continue to lay their hands on the African continent to exploit and plunder it.”

He added that those who rob Africa of its resources often invest the profits in weapons, “thus perpetuating an endless cycle of destabilisation and death.”

The remarks form part of a series of unusually forthright statements made during his ongoing 11-day tour of Africa, which has also included pointed calls for the Cameroonian government to root out corruption to achieve lasting peace.

The Pope’s visit to Bamenda, a focal point of Cameroon’s nearly decade-long separatist rebellion in its English-speaking regions, comes as he seeks to promote peace and reconciliation. The conflict has claimed at least 6,000 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands.

At a peace meeting earlier in the day at Saint Joseph’s Cathedral, Leo described the world as being “ravaged by a handful of tyrants” and urged obedience to God over human authority. He commended local religious leaders and victims for their efforts to maintain interfaith harmony, noting that the crisis had not degenerated into a religious war.

The visit is the first by any pope to predominantly Muslim Algeria earlier in the week and continues to Angola and Equatorial Guinea.

Analysts say Leo’s strong focus on Africa early in his pontificate reflects the continent’s growing importance to the Catholic Church, where more than 20% of the world’s Catholics now reside and where the faith is expanding fastest.

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Morocco Gifts 2,000 Metric Tons of Fertilizer to Ghana Amid Global Shortage

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Accra, Ghana – The Kingdom of Morocco has donated 2,000 metric tons of fertilizer to Ghana in a significant gesture aimed at bolstering the country’s agricultural productivity and food security amid global supply chain challenges.

The donation comes amid a severe global fertiliser shortage, driven by the Iran conflict and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has blocked approximately 30% of global urea and phosphate trade, causing prices to surge by up to 85%, threatening a 10–15% drop in crop yields.

The global fertilizer crisis is heavily affecting importers in East Africa, India, and beyond, raising severe food security risks.

The fertilizer consignment from Morocco was officially received on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, during a ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Accra. Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa welcomed the donation, describing it as timely and reflective of the deepening bilateral ties between Ghana and Morocco.

He noted that this marks the second such consignment from Morocco and revealed that discussions are ongoing for potential collaboration on local fertilizer production to ensure long-term self-reliance.

Morocco’s Ambassador to Ghana, Imane Ouaadil, described the donation as a continuation of Morocco’s commitment to supporting agricultural development across Africa. She emphasised that the fertilizer would help Ghanaian farmers improve productivity, build resilience against climate change and rising input costs, and contribute to national food security goals. The Chief Director at Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Khadijah Iddrisu, added that the support represents a practical outcome of sustained diplomatic engagement and would directly aid ongoing efforts to boost agricultural output.

The donation comes as Ghana intensifies efforts to reduce dependence on imported inputs and enhance domestic agricultural value chains.

Beyond agriculture, both countries are exploring expanded cooperation in areas such as visa facilitation and sports development to strengthen people-to-people relations further.

The move underscores Morocco’s growing role as a key partner in supporting African nations’ efforts to achieve food sovereignty and sustainable development.

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