Stay tuned for real-time developments shaping Ghana. Bookmark this page and return often for fresh summaries as stories evolve. (Updated February 5, 2026)

Ashanti Chiefs Blocked Yaa Asantewaa Naming for Kotoka Airport – Historian Reveals

Historian Yaw Anokye Frimpong disclosed on JoyNews’ Upfront on February 4, 2026, that Dr. Kwame Nkrumah originally planned to name Accra International Airport after Yaa Asantewaa, the Ashanti Queen Mother who led resistance against British colonialism in 1900. Nkrumah discussed the idea with Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Agyeman Prempeh II, who supported it, but opposition from sub-chiefs—citing political tensions with Nkrumah’s CPP—prevented it. The airport, built by 1957 as part of Nkrumah’s vision for African liberation, was instead named Accra International Airport. This revelation comes amid current debates on renaming Kotoka International Airport, with critics arguing against honoring coup leader Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka.
Source: MyJoyOnline

Ghana’s Cocoa Sector Teeters on Collapse Amid Funding Woes, Buyers Warn
The Licensed Cocoa Buyers Association (LICOBAG) warned at a February 5, 2026, press conference in Accra that Ghana’s cocoa industry risks imminent collapse due to funding shortages, flawed sales strategies, policy inconsistencies, and political interference. COCOBOD secured only US$500 million in syndicated loans for 2023/2024, forcing buyers to borrow at high 29.8% rates, leading to firm closures and unpaid debts. Additional issues include delayed sales causing unsold stocks, smuggling, and farmer unrest. LICOBAG called for urgent reforms like seed funds, timely payments, and restoring COCOBOD’s professionalism. Executive Secretary Victus Dzah stated: “If serious efforts are made beyond rhetoric and theatrics, the industry can be realigned.”
Source: MyJoyOnline

Security and Free Movement Must Complement Each Other for Africa’s Growth – Interior Minister
At the Africa Prosperity Dialogue 2026 in Accra, Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak emphasized that security and free movement are complementary for economic transformation under the AfCFTA. He advocated for technology-driven border management, a harmonized AU biometric ID system, and capacity-building, stating: “A borderless Africa does not mean borderless security; it means smart borders.” Referencing the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol, he urged integrated approaches to empower SMEs, women, and youth. Minister of Trade Elizabeth Agyare Ofosu highlighted financing gaps for SMEs. The event gathered leaders to discuss integration.
Source: MyJoyOnline

Bookmark this page and return often for fresh summaries as stories evolve. (Updated February 5, 2026)

Asante Bediatuo Defends Kotoka Naming, Cites Role in ‘Liberating’ Ghana from Nkrumah
Nana Asante Bediatuo, former Executive Secretary to President Nana Akufo-Addo, opposed renaming Kotoka International Airport, arguing Lt. Col. Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka symbolized liberation from Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s 1966 regime and preserved democratic freedoms. Speaking on Asempa FM on February 4, 2026, he said: “In liberating ourselves from the 1966 regime… it is an important statement that Ghanaians want this freedom. And I think that is what Kotoka represents.” Kotoka led the coup against Nkrumah and was killed in 1967. Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin echoed concerns for Kotoka’s Volta Region ties, while MP Kojo Oppong Nkrumah supported the change.
Source: Yen.com.gh

Prophet Telvin Sowah Predicts Political Downfall for NAPO in 2028 Elections
Prophet Telvin Adjei Sowah prophesied challenges for Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO) ahead of the 2028 elections, claiming he would not secure the NPP vice presidential slot due to stronger rivals. Shared in a February 4, 2026, TikTok interview, the prophecy drew mixed reactions, with some praising it as insightful and others dismissing it as analysis. This follows NAPO’s endorsement of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who won the NPP primaries with 56.48% on January 31, 2026. Sowah previously accurately predicted the primaries outcome.
Source: Yen.com.gh

Prof Lumumba Suggests Renaming Kotoka Airport After Nkrumah Amid Ongoing Saga
Kenyan Pan-Africanist Prof. PLO Lumumba, arriving in Ghana, weighed in on the Kotoka International Airport renaming debate, advocating for honoring Dr. Kwame Nkrumah instead of reverting to Accra International Airport. He stated: “There are some of us who think it should bear another name, and that name is Kwame Nkrumah.” The government plans legislative changes, following lawsuits by Democracy Hub and the CPP challenging Kotoka’s name as undemocratic. MP Kwame Asare Obeng (A Plus) supported the move, calling Kotoka an “enemy of the state” and urging posthumous prosecution for disrupting Nkrumah’s legacy.
Source: Yen.com.gh

Haruna Iddrisu Disavows Fake Posters Projecting Him as 2028 NDC Flagbearer
Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South and Minister of Education, distanced himself from social media posters portraying him as an NDC flagbearer aspirant for 2028. His Press Secretary, Hashmin Mohammed, labeled them “fake” in a February 5, 2026, statement, urging the public to disregard them. Iddrisu is focused on his ministerial role and supporting President Mahama’s Reset Ghana agenda in education, currently in Zambia. He has endorsed Vice-President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as a qualified NDC leader and potential first female President.
Source: Graphic Online

Mahama Warns of Africa’s ‘Triple Dependency’ Trap in Historic Zambia Address

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, in a landmark speech to Zambia’s National Assembly on February 5, 2026, during his state visit, described Africa as ensnared by a “pandemic of unfulfilled potential” driven by a “Triple Dependency”: reliance on external actors for security, donor funding for health and education, and exporting raw minerals while importing finished goods. This, he argued, leads to youth unemployment, fragile systems, and wealth extraction. Mahama proposed the Accra Reset Initiative to promote pragmatic partnerships, industrial growth via Africa’s resources, digitalization, and fintech for market connectivity, urging economic transformation through unity and self-reliance amid declining aid.
Source: MyJoyOnline

Mahama Calls for Transparent Leadership to Unlock Africa’s Potential
In his address to Zambian MPs on February 5, 2026, President John Dramani Mahama stressed that Africa’s advancement hinges on transparent, accountable leadership and strong institutions over “strong men,” echoing Barack Obama’s words. He criticized corruption, resource misuse, and democratic backsliding in West Africa due to military coups, while praising Zambia’s stabilization and Ghana’s democratic model. Mahama advocated for independent anti-corruption bodies and efficient resource use, and expressed commitment to strengthening Ghana-Zambia ties through trade, investment, and the Permanent Joint Commission, with optimism for Zambia’s 2026 elections.
Source: MyJoyOnline

Nana Agradaa’s 15-Year Sentence Slashed to One Year by High Court
The Amasaman High Court has reduced Nana Agradaa’s (Patricia Asiedua) prison term from 15 years with hard labour to 12 calendar months, deeming the original punishment excessive and disproportionate. The ruling upholds her July 3, 2025, conviction for charlatanic advertisement and defrauding by false pretences, stemming from claims of supernatural money-multiplying powers on TV. The decision has fueled public debate on its fairness.
Source: MyJoyOnline

Korle Klottey Assembly Halts Burials at Osu Cemetery Amid Illegal Exhumations
The Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly (KoKMA) has indefinitely suspended burials at Osu Cemetery following reports of illegal exhumations, grave desecration, and unauthorized plot sales, actions deemed criminal and culturally offensive. Limited burials for indigenes will proceed under strict controls. KoKMA plans a full audit, management overhaul, and enhanced security, urging families to report issues while committing to transparency and dignity in cemetery operations.
Source: MyJoyOnline

Attorney-General Denies Secret Deals in ORAL Anti-Corruption Probes
Attorney-General Dominic Ayine has dismissed allegations of secret deals or plea bargaining in the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) investigations, insisting all cases follow legal protocols without compromise. With 16 dockets under review and some requiring more evidence, he assured public accountability. Ayine also warned of a “tsunami” of land compensation claims against the state, potentially worth billions based on colonial-era documents, posing fiscal risks and prompting a presidential brief.
Source: MyJoyOnline

GTEC Suspends New General Nursing Programme Accreditations
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has halted accreditations for new diploma and bachelor’s General Nursing programmes effective February 4, 2026, under the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020. Institutions must refrain from processing applications until further notice, shifting focus to specialised fields like Critical Care, Paediatric, Oncology, and Psychiatric Nursing to address workforce gaps and align with national priorities.
Source: GhanaWeb

Actor Big Akwes in Tears Over Court Reducing Agradaa’s Sentence
Kumawood actor Big Akwes, a close friend of Nana Agradaa, was overcome with emotion in a viral video, weeping in relief after the Amasaman High Court cut her sentence from 15 years to 12 months. The court upheld her 2025 conviction for fraud and charlatanic claims but ruled the original term excessive. The decision has sparked mixed reactions, with some praising its fairness and others questioning its impact as a deterrent.
Source: Pulse Ghana

Ofosu Nkansah Denies Arrest, Claims Voluntary Cooperation with NIB
Former NEIP CEO Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, through his lawyer Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, refuted reports of his arrest by the National Investigation Bureau (NIB), asserting he voluntarily reported to aid probes into alleged sales of government scholarships. The investigation, ordered by President Mahama on February 3, 2026, follows Nkansah’s radio claims of payments for scholarships, aiming to verify transparency issues. Conflicting accounts from Dzifa Gunu suggest he ignored prior invitations, but Nkansah pledges full cooperation for accountability.
Source: Pulse Ghana

Twitter Clashes Erupt Over Mahama’s Traditional Attire in Zambia

A light-hearted yet heated social media spat unfolded between Ghanaians and Zambians after President John Dramani Mahama arrived in Zambia wearing a northern Ghanaian Fugu (Batakari) smock with jeans. Zambian users mocked the outfit as unfamiliar, prompting strong defenses from Ghanaians highlighting its cultural significance and promotion of local fashion. Ghanaian influencer Wode Maya weighed in humorously, contrasting it with non-African suits and praising Mahama’s style choice during the state visit.
Source: GhanaWeb

Mahama: We Inherited a ‘Sick Country’ with Governance in Tatters
During his state visit to Zambia, President John Dramani Mahama described Ghana’s condition upon his January 2025 inauguration as dire: “We inherited a country that was sick. The economy was in crisis, and governance was in tatters.” He cited debt default, over 100% debt-to-GDP ratio, eroded investor confidence, and crises in health, education, and agriculture, likening the needed fixes to a full system “reset.” The remarks frame his administration’s reform agenda.
Source: Citi Newsroom

Parliament Approves Expansion of Legal Education in Ghana
Ghana’s Parliament has adopted a key report backing the Legal Education Reform Bill, paving the way for broader access to legal training. The reforms aim to end the Ghana School of Law’s monopoly by establishing a National Council for Legal Education to accredit university law faculties and oversee a national bar exam. Justice Minister Dominic Ayine stressed the need to break barriers for aspiring lawyers, while Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga stressed fairness and equity. Bipartisan MPs welcomed the move but urged strict safeguards to maintain professional standards. This step promises more opportunities for legal aspirants while preserving the profession’s integrity.
Source: MyJoyOnline

Mahama Pushes for Parliamentary Oversight on Public Land Sales
President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to introduce legislation requiring full parliamentary approval for any sale or lease of public lands. Citing cases of undervalued state properties resold at massive profits (e.g., GHS150,000 acquired then flipped for $2 million), the policy seeks to halt unchecked disposals, enhance transparency, and reclaim improperly titled lands. A review committee is already active in Accra and beyond, with transactions suspended until titles are finalized. The move aims to boost accountability in managing national assets.
Source: MyJoyOnline

Ghana and Zambia Seal Landmark Visa Waiver Deal
Ghana and Zambia have agreed to a historic visa-free travel arrangement—the first in their bilateral history—announced by Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa during President Mahama’s February 2026 state visit to Zambia. The policy, a personal priority for Mahama, aims to boost trade, tourism, investment, and people-to-people ties by easing mobility for citizens, students, and professionals. Ablakwa noted it was a key condition for the visit, promising smoother cross-border movement.
Source: Citi Newsroom

Ghana’s Gold Refinery Launches Amid Galamsey Contamination Concerns
Ghana’s local gold refining has begun through a Gold Coast Refinery-Rand Refinery partnership, processing at least one metric tonne weekly with room for growth to boost foreign exchange earnings. However, experts warn that gold from illegal ‘galamsey’ operations risks contaminating supplies, potentially alienating premium international buyers who demand strict traceability under LBMA and OECD standards. A pilot traceability program covers up to 600 mines, but gaps could limit access to high-value markets like Switzerland and the US, where Ghana’s small-scale gold often sells at discounts elsewhere.
Source: MyJoyOnline

Nigerian Socialite Accused of $2.5m Romance Scam Posing as Dubai Crown Prince
A Nigerian socialite, Nzube Henry Ikeji, allegedly defrauded a Romanian businesswoman, Laura, of $2.5 million by posing as the Dubai Crown Prince on LinkedIn. The scam evolved into a fake investment and romance scheme, involving a cloned UK bank account and fabricated fees to “unlock” funds. Laura’s complaint led UK police to identify an accomplice under investigation, while OCCRP traced Ikeji to Abuja—he denied involvement. The case highlights sophisticated cross-border fraud tactics.
Source: GhanaWeb

Bookmark this page and return often for fresh summaries as stories evolve. (Updated February 5, 2026)