From the Diaspora
Ghanaian-Born Basketball Prospect Charles Bediako Barred From NCAA Play After Judge’s Ruling
A U.S. judge has ruled that Charles Bediako, a Ghanaian-born basketball player whose winding career has spanned college, the NBA G League, and professional contracts, is not eligible to return to college basketball, effectively ending his NCAA career.
According to ESPN, Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court Judge Daniel F. Pruet on February 9, 2026, denied Bediako’s motion for a preliminary injunction, overturning a temporary ruling that had allowed him to suit up for the University of Alabama earlier this season.
The decision shuts the door on Bediako’s attempt to resume college eligibility after competing professionally.
Bediako, who is of Ghanaian descent and holds dual American and Canadian citizenship, first played for Alabama before leaving the program in 2023 to declare for the NBA Draft. He later signed a two-way NBA contract and spent the last three seasons in the NBA G League, establishing himself as a professional player.
In January, a judge granted Bediako a temporary restraining order (TRO) that allowed him to return to the court while his eligibility case was under review. During that brief window, he played in five games, averaging 10 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.
Judge Pruet ultimately ruled, however, that Bediako did not have a “reasonable expectation” of returning to the college ranks, noting that no previous player had been permitted to do so after competing professionally in the same manner.
The ruling drew swift reaction from the NCAA, which has maintained that college athletics should remain distinct from professional sports.
“Common sense won a round today,” NCAA President Charlie Baker said in a written statement. “The court saw this for what it is: an attempt by professionals to pivot back to college and crowd out the next generation of students.”
Baker added that while the NCAA welcomed the ruling, broader inconsistencies in eligibility rules—particularly across state laws—remain unresolved.
The University of Alabama, however, criticized the decision, arguing that the NCAA has applied its rules unevenly. In a statement, the school said it was disappointed by the court’s denial of the injunction and pointed to cases where other players with professional experience—both overseas and in the G League—were deemed eligible to play college basketball.
“The NCAA has granted eligibility to over 100 current men’s basketball players with prior professional experience in the G League or overseas,” the university said. “Granting eligibility to some former professionals, and not to others, is what creates the havoc we are currently in and why consistency from decision-makers is so desperately needed.”
Bediako comes from a family deeply rooted in basketball. His brother, Jaden Bediako, played college basketball at Santa Clara and Seton Hall, while his sister, Jada Bediako, currently plays for Marquette.
For Bediako, whose journey from Ghanaian heritage to American college basketball and the professional ranks has been marked by constant transition, the ruling brings clarity—but also finality—to his NCAA ambitions.
From the Diaspora
Ghanaian National Pleads Guilty in U.S. to Stealing Over $10 Million Through Romance Scams
New York / Accra – March 5, 2026 – A 40-year-old Ghanaian man, Derrick Van Yeboah (also known as “Van”), has pleaded guilty in federal court in Manhattan to his role in an international criminal enterprise that defrauded victims across the United States of more than $100 million through romance scams and business email compromise schemes.
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton announced the plea on March 5, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian.
Yeboah admitted to conspiring to commit wire fraud, personally responsible for stealing over $10 million by impersonating romantic partners online and convincing vulnerable victims—many elderly men and women—to send money or assist in laundering funds.
According to court documents, Yeboah was part of a Ghana-based criminal network that created fake online personas to build trust with victims, often on dating websites. Once trust was established, victims were deceived into wiring money or helping transfer proceeds from other frauds. The stolen funds were laundered back to West Africa, with Yeboah’s share exceeding $10 million.
“This defendant cruelly exploited the vulnerabilities of people searching for companionship online,” Clayton said. “Many New Yorkers and Americans look for love online, and no one deserves to have that met with fraud and theft. Today’s plea is a reminder: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
Yeboah faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. He has agreed to pay restitution and forfeit $10,149,429.17.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 3, 2026.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from Ghanaian authorities and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs. Prosecutors from the Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit—Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead and Mitzi Steiner—are handling the matter.
Romance scams and business email compromise remain major threats globally, with the FBI reporting billions lost annually to similar schemes. U.S. officials continue to urge the public to verify identities online, avoid sending money to strangers, and report suspicious activity immediately.
From the Diaspora
Ghanaians and Other Africans in UAE Flood Social Media with Videos as Iranian Missile Strikes Hit Dubai
Dubai / Accra – March 2, 2026 – Ghanaians and fellow Africans living in the United Arab Emirates have taken to social media in large numbers, posting raw, real-time videos and emotional accounts capturing the chaos and fear after an Iranian missile strike reportedly struck parts of Dubai on Saturday night, March 1, 2026.
The attack, widely seen as direct retaliation for earlier US–Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has caused shattered windows, scattered debris, and widespread panic in residential and commercial areas.
Trending clips shared by Ghanaian residents show women wailing as glass from apartment windows rains down, children crying, and streets filled with people fleeing or sheltering in place. One widely circulated video features a Nigerian man in Bahrain reflecting on the irony of his journey:
“In my country in Nigeria, the wars were fought with AK47, but I ran away from that just to come and face war with heavier weapons—bombs and missiles.”
Similar footage from other African nationals in Dubai and nearby emirates shows sirens blaring, explosions echoing in the distance, and residents documenting damage to homes and hotels—including the iconic Burj Al Arab, hit by debris from an intercepted drone.
Many videos are accompanied by captions expressing disbelief, fear, and calls for safety: “We are Ghanaians in Dubai—please pray for us,” one user wrote alongside footage of a cracked building facade.
The Ghana Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have urged nationals in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and other affected countries to remain indoors, avoid unnecessary movement, steer clear of military sites and crowded areas, keep travel documents ready, and register with diplomatic missions. Emergency lines remain active: +233 240 913 284 / +233 240 793 072.
The crisis has severely disrupted daily life and commercial activity. UAE airspace remains closed, Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International are suspended, and major airlines including Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways have cancelled or diverted flights. Cruise operations in the region have also been halted.
For Ghana’s large diaspora in the Gulf—many working in construction, hospitality, retail, and domestic services—the situation has created intense anxiety over personal safety, job security, and the ability to send remittances home.
The surge in user-generated videos from Africans on the ground has provided real-time insight into the human impact of the conflict, amplifying calls for urgent de-escalation and safe evacuation options.
From the Diaspora
Ghanaian-Heritage Scientist AJ Addae Develops Breakthrough Sunscreen That Protects Darker Skin Without White Cast
LOS ANGELES — A scientist of Ghanaian heritage at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has developed a groundbreaking zinc-oxide sunscreen formula designed to protect darker skin tones without leaving the chalky white residue that has long discouraged use.
AJ Addae, a chemical biology researcher and cosmetic entrepreneur, says her innovation addresses both a scientific and public-health gap — improving sun protection accessibility while helping reduce skin cancer risks among people with deeper complexions.
Solving a Long-Standing Problem
Zinc oxide sunscreens are widely considered effective and safe, but their visible white cast has historically made them unpopular among people with darker skin tones.
“They leave this white cast on my skin, and it deters me from wanting to use sunscreens,” Addae said, explaining what first motivated her research.
Public health experts explain that this cosmetic drawback has had real consequences. When people avoid sunscreen due to appearance concerns, they face greater exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation and increased skin cancer risk.
“The best sunscreen is one that you’ll actually wear,” Addae said. “That’s really where my motivation came from.”
A Scientific Breakthrough
Working alongside UCLA researchers and international collaborators, Addae investigated why traditional zinc oxide formulas appear white.
Scientists determined that conventional sunscreens contain round zinc oxide particles that clump together, scattering visible light and creating the chalky effect.
The team instead developed a novel “tetrapod” shape — zinc oxide particles with tiny leg-like extensions that prevent clumping and allow smoother, more even dispersion on skin.
Research published through the American Chemical Society confirmed the new formula offers UV absorption comparable to existing zinc oxide sunscreens.
A Greener and Inclusive Innovation
In addition to eliminating the white cast, the new sunscreen technology offers environmental benefits. The tetrapod zinc oxide does not require solvents, making production more sustainable.
Because zinc oxide is already an FDA-approved UV filter, experts say regulatory hurdles for bringing the product to market may be less complex than introducing entirely new chemical filters — none of which have been approved in the United States since 1999.
Addae is now working with UCLA to commercialize the technology.
Expanding Protection for All
The breakthrough carries broader implications for health equity, particularly among communities historically underserved by cosmetic and dermatological industries.
By making sunscreen more wearable for people of color, researchers say innovations like this could improve prevention of sun damage and skin cancer worldwide.
Addae hopes the technology will encourage wider adoption of daily sun protection.
“I think it’s a good step in the right direction for getting everyone to wear sunscreen and prevent skin cancer,” she said.
Renowned Global Bodies Warn Middle East War Will Scuttle Africa’s 2026 Growth
Ex-President Akufo-Addo and President Mahama Exchange Pleasantries on Easter
Mahama Calls Christ’s Birthplace an ‘Epicentre of War’, New Airport Concourse Planned and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today
-
Business2 days agoGhana Turns to Russian Fuel to Cushion Impact of Global Energy Crisis
-
Tourism2 days ago5 Things You Need to Know About Ghana’s Visa-Free Entry for All Africans
-
Ghana News9 hours agoGhana President Convenes Emergency Cabinet Meeting to Cushion Ghanaians from Soaring Fuel Prices
-
Ghana News8 hours agoMahama Calls Christ’s Birthplace an ‘Epicentre of War’, New Airport Concourse Planned and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today
-
Ghana News8 hours agoEx-President Akufo-Addo and President Mahama Exchange Pleasantries on Easter
-
Ghana News2 days agoGhanaian Stowaways Bound for Europe End Up in Nigeria After Five Days at Sea
-
Ghana News1 day agoHere Are the 10 Key Agreements Signed Between Ghana and Zimbabwe During Mnangagwa’s State Visit
-
Health & Wellness2 days ago3 Surprising Signs Your Body Is Building Muscle