London, United Kingdom – A Ghanaian national, Duane Owusu, has been sentenced to a minimum of 16 years and six months in prison for the murder of 27-year-old deaf woman Zahwa Mukhtar, whom he punched and abandoned on a roadside in east London.

Owusu, 36, of Althorne Way in Dagenham, was convicted at the Old Bailey after a trial that revealed a tragic sequence of events on the night of August 15–16, 2025. Mukhtar, who had never met Owusu or his group before, joined them during a night out.

After drinking and taking drugs, tensions escalated inside an overcrowded Mercedes. When the group stopped near a garage in Chadwell Heath Lane, Owusu forcibly removed Mukhtar from the car, threw her phone away, kicked towards her as she lay on the ground, and delivered a forceful blow to her neck. She fell backwards, hitting her head, and suffered a fatal fractured skull and brain injury. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 06:21 BST.

Judge Richard Marks KC described Owusu’s actions as showing complete disregard for Mukhtar’s welfare. He noted that while Owusu may not have immediately realised the severity of her injuries, he “couldn’t have cared less.” The judge also highlighted Owusu’s previous criminal record, including an eight-year sentence in 2010 for acting as a getaway driver in a fatal robbery.

Mukhtar’s brother, Jamaluddin, described her as a “remarkable young woman” who overcame deafness caused by meningitis at age three and never let her disability hold her back. The family expressed deep grief, calling her loss an “immeasurable void.”

The case has drawn attention to issues of violence against women and the vulnerabilities faced by deaf individuals in social situations. Owusu was released on bail pending any appeals.

We have curated the most relevant stories from Ghana to keep you informed. Today’s news cycle covers the arrest of suspects in the tragic armed robbery incident involving a football team, power supply disruptions due to technical faults, scheduled electricity maintenance, and other key developments in governance, justice, and national affairs.

Police Arrest Two Over Deadly Robbery Attack on Berekum Chelsea Team Bus
Police have arrested two suspects, including the alleged gang leader, in connection with a deadly armed robbery attack on the Berekum Chelsea team bus that resulted in the death of one player. The incident occurred as the team was returning from a Ghana Premier League match against Samartex 1996 at Samreboi. Six armed men blocked the VIP bus carrying about 30 players and officials around 10:30pm, opened fire, and forced the driver off the road. A police intelligence team later engaged the suspects in a shootout, injuring one who is now receiving treatment. The Ghana Police confirmed the arrests and stated that further details will be communicated. The attack has sent shockwaves through the football community.
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OSP Has Grounds to Appeal High Court Decision on Prosecutorial Powers – Prof Appiagyei Atua
Legal expert Prof. Kwadwo Appiagyei Atua has stated that the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has strong grounds to appeal the recent High Court decision that questioned its prosecutorial powers. The High Court had ruled that the OSP lacks independent authority to prosecute cases and directed the Attorney-General to take over all ongoing cases until proper authorisation is granted. Prof. Appiagyei Atua argued that the ruling raises important constitutional questions and that the OSP is well-positioned to challenge it at the Supreme Court level. The development has sparked debate on the independence of anti-corruption institutions in Ghana.
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Major Fault at Ghana Gas Processing Plant Triggers Power Supply Disruptions
A major technical fault at the Ghana Gas Processing Plant, caused by the complete failure of the Burner Management System controller for the Heat Medium System, has led to an emergency shutdown and temporary curtailment of gas supply to thermal power plants. The incident, announced in a joint press release on April 15, 2026, by Ghana Gas and the Ghana Grid Company, has resulted in power supply disruptions in some parts of the country. Engineers are working around the clock to replace the damaged system and carry out a comprehensive technical and safety risk assessment. Operations are expected to resume today, April 16, 2026, pending the outcome of the assessment. The companies have apologised to the public for the inconvenience.
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ECG Announces Planned Maintenance for April 16: See Full List of Affected Areas
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced planned maintenance works across four regional districts on Thursday, April 16, 2026, resulting in temporary power outages in several communities within the Central, Accra West, Tema, and Accra East Regions. The maintenance exercises, scheduled between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm or 5:00 pm depending on the location, are part of ongoing efforts to improve service delivery and enhance power supply reliability. Affected areas include Saltpond Zongo, Kurankyekrom, Otsir, Anomabo in Central Region; Dome CFC Estates, Gbawe Bulemin, Gonse, Joma Agbozome in Accra West; Lashibi, Community 19 Annex, Klagon in Tema Region; and parts of Nmaidzor and School Junction in Accra East. ECG has apologised to customers and advised them to make alternative arrangements during the specified hours.
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We Still Don’t Know 2020 Election Result Because ‘Unanimous FC’ Protected Jean Mensa – Tsatsu
Renowned legal practitioner Tsatsu Tsikata has criticised the Supreme Court panel that handled the 2020 presidential election petition, claiming it failed to allow proper questioning of Electoral Commission Chair Jean Mensa. Speaking at an Honourific Lecture and Award ceremony held in his honour by the University of Professional Studies, Accra on April 15, 2026, Tsikata described the panel as a “unanimous FC” for allegedly shielding Mensa. He pointed to inconsistencies in the results announced by Mensa and later corrections by the EC, arguing that the lack of testimony has left Ghanaians without a definitive accounting of the 2020 election outcome.
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Don’t Resign, Relax and Collect Your Pay – Prof Prempeh to Special Prosecutor
Former Education Minister Prof. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO) has advised the Special Prosecutor not to resign but to “relax and collect your pay” amid ongoing legal challenges to the office’s prosecutorial powers. The outspoken MP made the remarks in reaction to the recent High Court ruling that questioned the OSP’s authority. He argued that the Special Prosecutor should remain in office and continue performing his duties while the legal battles play out in the courts.
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Ten Killed in Deadly Crash on Accra-Kumasi Highway
Ten people have been killed in a tragic road accident on the Accra-Kumasi highway. The crash occurred when a vehicle lost control and collided with another, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. Emergency services responded promptly, but the incident has once again highlighted concerns over road safety on one of Ghana’s busiest highways.
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Strong Exports Lift Ghana’s Q4 2025 Trade Surplus to GH¢47.2bn
Ghana recorded a strong trade surplus of GH¢47.2 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, driven by robust export performance, particularly in key commodities. The positive trade balance reflects improving external sector conditions and stronger global demand for Ghanaian goods. Economists say sustained export growth will be critical for maintaining macroeconomic stability.
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Thursday, April 16, 2026. Stay informed with today’s front pages of Ghanaian newspapers, all in one place.