Stay informed with this rolling coverage of the latest news from Ghana. As stories break, we’ll add more updates to keep you in the know on the major local stories. Check back soon.

Ghana Intercepted Over 2,000 Guns and Ammunition at Airports in 2023

Ghana’s Auditor-General has raised concerns over aviation security vulnerabilities after the 2024 audit report revealed that more than 2,000 guns and ammunition were intercepted from passengers at the country’s airports in 2023 alone. The findings, which came to light during scrutiny by Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), highlight an “increasing number” of weapons being carried by travelers, and point to critical policy shortcomings that allowed some passengers to board flights despite interceptions. Read more here.

The report, covering operations at Kotoka International Airport and other facilities, documented the seizure of over 2,000 firearms and rounds of ammunition during the year. All intercepted cases were referred to the National Investigation Bureau (NIB) for further action.

FBI Involvement Raises Stakes in Ken Ofori-Atta Detention – Ghana’s US Envoy

Ghana’s High Commissioner to the US, Victor Smith, has disclosed that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta remains in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody amid immigration status queries. Smith disclosed that the FBI is involved in Ofori-Atta’s case, suggesting potential criminal elements or a Ghana government request for his assistance in investigations. Ofori-Atta, who has a pending adjustment of status petition, declined consular access from the Ghanaian embassy without his lawyers and later refused meetings entirely. Smith suspects a mix of immigration issues and possible Interpol alerts in the high-profile case. Read more here.

‘Infection Spread’ Feared: Teshie Water Crisis Triggers Healthcare Emergency

A prolonged water shortage in Accra’s Teshie-Nungua area, stemming from the October 2025 shutdown of the Teshie-Nungua Desalination Plant over unpaid debts, has sparked a healthcare crisis at facilities like Camp 2 Health Centre. Sanitation breakdowns, including unflushable toilets and reused unwashed bedsheets, raise fears of infection outbreaks and waterborne diseases. Nurses report buying sachet water personally for patient care and over-relying on sanitizers, which harms skin. Residents endure high costs and long travels for water, with GWCL promising resolutions but offering limited progress, exacerbating hygiene and public health risks in affected communities like Teshie, Nungua, and Spintex. Read more here.

After Years of Losses, BoG Tightens Controls and Slashes Fees in Gold Programme Overhaul

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has overhauled its Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP), launched in 2021 to stabilize the economy amid forex pressures, after incurring audited losses from 2022-2024 due to timing differences, forex conversions, and dore gold costs. Reforms in 2025 include ring-fencing proceeds, stricter settlements with guarantees, and fee reductions (off-taker discounts, agent fees, assay charges) to cut total costs to 1.7%. Governor Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama told Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee the programme was not profit-driven but served national interest, rejecting high-buy/low-sell claims. Future plans for 2026 involve hedging, cost negotiations, and phasing out BoG funding for sustainability. Read more here.

Re-Electing Old Flagbearer Will Be a “Trainwreck” for NPP – Prof Frimpong-Boateng

Former Environment Minister Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng has warned the New Patriotic Party (NPP) against re-electing its previous flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, labeling it a potential “trainwreck” amid unaddressed reasons for the party’s recent electoral defeat. He criticized the last selection process for alleged bribery, intimidation, and manipulation, calling the NPP “fake” and detached from its roots. While describing Dr. Bawumia as a “nice person,” Frimpong-Boateng urged him to distance himself from those linked to economic failures under Akufo-Addo to regain trust. Read more here.

BoG Governor Calls for Review of GoldBod’s Trading Model, Proposes Budget Support to Sustain Gold for Reserves Programme

Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama has urged Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson to review GoldBod’s trading model for inefficiencies and provide budgetary support from the Ministry of Finance to cover costs, ensuring the Gold for Reserves programme’s sustainability. The initiative, which formalizes small-scale gold transactions to bolster national reserves, has generated profits but at BoG’s expense, with $214 million in losses by September 2025 per IMF reports. Asiama stressed a unified national approach to address transactional and insurance burdens without abandoning the program, aligning it with broader economic stabilization goals. Read more here.

Weak Forex Controls Could Cost Banks Their Trading Licences – BoG Warns

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has issued a stern warning to commercial banks over “material weaknesses” in internal controls for foreign currency transactions, identified through examinations and surveillance, which heighten risks of fraud, money laundering, and market disruption. Banks must implement multi-tier authorizations, enhanced AML/CFT checks, duty segregation, real-time monitoring, daily reconciliations, internal audits, and staff training. Licence renewals now depend on compliance, with sanctions under relevant acts for violations, as part of efforts to safeguard Ghana’s forex market integrity amid economic recovery. Read more here.

Widespread Blackout Hits Major Parts of Kumasi

A widespread power outage struck significant areas of Kumasi on January 13, 2026, disrupting daily activities, with limited details available on causes or restoration timelines from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). Residents reported impacts across major parts of the city, highlighting ongoing challenges in Ghana’s energy infrastructure. Read more here.

Reactions as Akosua Serwaa, Papa Shee Spotted at High Court in Kumasi

Akosua Serwaa, first wife of the late Highlife legend Daddy Lumba, was spotted at Kumasi High Court alongside family friend Papa Shee, sparking social media speculation of a new legal case amid ongoing estate disputes. She visited her lawyer, William Kusi beforehand and was greeted by supporters from Team Legal Wives. This follows her November 2025 court loss recognizing both her and Priscilla Ofori as wives of Daddy Lumba, after Lumba’s death in July 2025, with Serwaa skipping his funeral but returning to Ghana recently from Germany. Read more here.

A-Plus’ Land Sale App Sparks Tension in Winneba and Gomoa as Communities Reject ‘Litigation-Free’ Claims

Gomoa Central MP Kwame A-Plus’s Digital Land Acquisition and Management Platform (DILAP), launched in October 2025 to sell “litigation-free” lands for the Gomoa Central Special Economic Zone, has ignited tensions in Effutu and Gomoa. On January 8, 2026, A-Plus allegedly led armed forces to seize disputed lands along the Winneba-Cape Coast Road, assaulting locals and drawing accusations of land grabs and conflicts of interest. Effutu traditional leaders reject the app’s claims, insisting on direct engagement with chiefs, and a petition demands adherence to law, amid fears of escalating inter-community conflicts. Read more here.

No Protocol Admissions in Ongoing Police Recruitment — Interior Minister

Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak has assured transparency in the 2026 Ghana Police Service recruitment, stating no “protocol” admissions will occur, with presidential backing to prevent interference. The paperless screening of 29,812 applicants began smoothly in Accra across multiple centres, with orderly batches, refreshments, and close monitoring. He warned against fraudsters posing as agents, noting arrests for attempts to compromise the process. Read more here.

Chairman Wontumi Begins Fight for Freedom in Galamsey Case, Witness Delivers Testimony

Ashanti NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Wontumi) began his defense in an Accra High Court trial over illegal mining charges linked to Akonta Mining in the Samreboi concession and Tano Nimire Forest Reserve. The first prosecution witness, artisanal miner Michael Gyedu Ayisi, testified to no documentary evidence of concession transfers, basing claims on verbal statements, and admitted no direct interaction with Wontumi. The case, adjourned to January 13, 2026, follows Wontumi’s October 2025 arrest and bail, amid allegations of unauthorized activities since 2022. Read more here.

Wendy Shay Beats Moliy and Tiwa Savage to Win Best Female Artiste in West Africa at 2026 AFRIMA

Ghanaian singer Wendy Shay triumphed at the 2026 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) in Lagos on January 11, winning Best Female Artiste in West Africa for her hit Too Late, beating nominees like Moliy, Amaarae, Tiwa Savage, and Ayra Starr. As the sole Ghanaian winner, she thanked her fans, team, and protégé Tracy Shay for viral promotion. The event celebrated African talent, with other victors including Rema and Burna Boy, underscoring Shay’s rising status in regional music. Read more here.

Check back soon for updates as more developments unfold across Ghana and the global community