Ghana News
Hannah Bisiw Claims She Was Poisoned Over Galamsey, Overall Best WASSCE Candidate Inspires, and Other Trending Stories (March 12, 2026)
Welcome to our live rolling news update from Accra, keeping you informed on the latest developments in Ghana and its international relations. New updates are added as events unfold — check back regularly!
Meet Ghana’s Overall Best WASSCE 2025 Candidate
Huda Suglo Suleman from Legacy Girls’ College has been named the overall best candidate in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Ghana. The brilliant student, who scored 8As in the General Arts programme, received a certificate and cash prize from WAEC. She has gained admission to Ashesi University to study Mechatronics Engineering and dreams of becoming an aerospace engineer.
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Hannah Bisiw Claims She Was Poisoned Over Anti-Galamsey Campaign
Dr Hanna Louisa Bisiw-Kotei, Administrator of the Minerals Development Fund, has claimed she was poisoned because of her strong stance against illegal mining (galamsey). Speaking on GHOne TV, she revealed she survived the incident by God’s grace while describing the intense challenges faced in the field. She also highlighted new regional structures established to intensify the crackdown on galamsey operations.
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COCOBOD Disburses GH¢4.2 Billion to Settle Cocoa Farmers’ Arrears
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has released GH¢4.2 billion to Licensed Buying Companies to clear long-overdue payments to cocoa farmers. The funds aim to restore confidence in the sector following recent reforms announced by the Finance Minister. COCOBOD expects to complete payments before the end of the 2025/2026 cocoa season.
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Government Sets April 1 Deadline for Courier Operators to Register
The government has set March 31, 2026, as the deadline for all courier operators and delivery riders to register on the Integrated Courier and Logistics Management System (ICOLMS-Ghana). Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George warned that unlicensed operators will face strict sanctions starting April 1, with no further extensions.
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Walewale MP Accuses President Mahama of Breaching Code of Conduct
Walewale Member of Parliament Abdul Kabiru Tiah Mahama has criticised President John Dramani Mahama for using his brother’s private jet for official travels, including a recent trip to South Korea. The MP claims the action violates the government’s own Code of Conduct for public officials and creates a conflict of interest.
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‘Sukudai’ Cocktail Poses Serious Kidney and Liver Risks – Lab Tests Kill Rats Within 24 Hours
A popular herbal cocktail known as ‘Sukudai’ or ‘Madara Sukudai’, widely consumed in parts of Ghana especially in Zongos, has been flagged as highly toxic. Laboratory tests conducted by the Department of Pharmacology at KNUST, in collaboration with the FDA and Ghana Standards Authority, revealed that the concoction contains dangerous chemicals including acetone, zinc chloride, and ethanol. All laboratory rats administered the mixture died within 24 hours. Health experts are warning the public to immediately stop consuming the product due to risks of severe gastrointestinal irritation and long-term damage to the kidneys and liver. National Security has launched operations to remove the cocktail from the streets.
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Scholarship Beneficiaries Are Ghanaians, Not Foreigners – Scholarship Authority Boss Clarifies
The Director-General of the Ghana Scholarship Authority, Alex Kwaku Asafo-Agyei, has dismissed claims that foreigners, including Canadian citizens, are benefiting from Ghana’s national scholarships. He stressed that all beneficiaries are Ghanaians by birth and parentage who meet strict eligibility criteria. The Authority has earmarked 5,000 scholarships for the 2026 cycle, with 2,000 reserved for needy but brilliant students. The clarification comes amid allegations of irregularities and political manipulation in the scholarship selection process.
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Health Ministry Suspends Principal of Nkanchina Nursing College Over Admissions Breach
The Ministry of Health has suspended the Principal of the College of Nursing at Nkanchina, Fredrick Anaba, for allegedly over-admitting students and introducing unapproved academic programmes for the 2025/2026 academic year. The Ministry has launched a full administrative investigation and directed the principal to hand over management responsibilities to the Acting Vice Principal. Authorities say they will enforce strict adherence to approved admission quotas and programmes across all health training institutions.
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President Mahama Commissions New LPG Vessel ‘Asharami Ghana’ in South Korea
President John Dramani Mahama has commissioned the new LPG vessel named ‘Asharami Ghana’ in South Korea. The commissioning is described as a significant milestone in strengthening Ghana’s energy infrastructure and supporting the country’s transition to cleaner energy sources. President Mahama emphasized the strategic importance of the project in improving energy security for Ghana and the broader West African region through partnerships and forward-looking investments.
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New Judge Takes Over Republic v Adu-Boahene Trial Midway
A new judge, Justice Francis Apangabuno Achibonga, has taken over the high-profile trial of former National Security Bureau Director-General Kwabena Adu-Boahene and two others midway through proceedings. The case, which was previously handled by Justice John Eugene Nyante Nyadu, involves allegations related to the management of National Security funds. The trial was adjourned to March 17 and 18, 2026, for continuation.
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Report Details Ghana’s Alleged Role in US Christmas Day Airstrike on ISIS Targets in Nigeria
A report has outlined Ghana’s purported involvement in the US airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Sokoto, northern Nigeria, on Christmas Day 2025. Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa revealed at Chatham House on March 10, 2026, that both the US and Nigerian governments reached out to Ghana for collaboration. Journalist Alhaji Gbangbanku clarified that the US conducted only Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions from Ghana — permissible under the 2018 defence cooperation agreement — and did not use Ghana as a launchpad or base for the strikes. Opposition NPP figures, including Dominic Nitiwul and Samuel Jinapor, have claimed Ghana served as a base, prompting debate over sovereignty and the operation’s scope.
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US-Based Ghanaian ‘Dixon AI’ Jailed for Tuition Refund Scam at University of Connecticut
A 36-year-old Ghanaian resident of Greenwich, Connecticut, Dickson Alorwornu (known as “Dixon AI”), has been sentenced to 48 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for a tuition refund fraud scheme. He used stolen identities to create student accounts at the University of Connecticut (UConn), funded them with over $62,000 in stolen credit card information from three victims, then withdrew and requested refunds, receiving approximately $46,000. His email accounts were linked to defrauding other US universities of more than $500,000. Alorwornu, with a prior 2017 New York conviction for similar fraud, was arrested in February 2023 and convicted by jury in October 2024; he reports to prison on April 20, 2026.
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IGP Deploys Special Police Team to Geniyiri After Reprisal Attacks in Savannah Region
The Inspector-General of Police has deployed a special team of intelligence officers and investigators to Geniyiri in the Savannah Region following reported reprisal attacks in the community. The move aims to reinforce security, restore law and order, intensify operations, identify perpetrators, support investigations, and facilitate arrests and prosecutions. The Savannah Regional Police Command reports that calm has been restored, with ongoing operations to apprehend those responsible. Authorities urge residents to remain calm and cooperate by providing information.
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Dancehall Star Shatta Wale Eyes Ablekuma South Parliamentary Seat as Independent
Popular Ghanaian dancehall artist Shatta Wale has revealed his ambition to contest the Ablekuma South parliamentary seat — but only as an independent candidate if there is a clear call from local residents. He emphasized he has no intention of joining any political party, stating, “Most definitely, but I don’t want to belong to any political party. I want to be myself.” Inspired by biblical leadership examples and a desire for better governance beyond the 1992 constitution, he stressed that any run would respond to community demand rather than personal initiative, focusing on improved policies and development. For now, he prioritizes his career and personal life.
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President Mahama Pursues Visa Waiver Deal with South Korea for Diplomatic & Official Passports
President John Dramani Mahama is actively seeking a visa waiver agreement with South Korea specifically for holders of diplomatic and official passports to facilitate easier travel and deepen bilateral ties. Announced during bilateral talks with South Korean President Lee Ja-Myung on an official visit to Seoul, Mahama stated: “We look forward to signing a visa waiver agreement with Korea for diplomatic passports and official passports. This will make it easier for exchanges between our two countries.” If successful, it would align South Korea with about 45 other nations offering similar reciprocity to Ghana, enhancing mobility for officials, diplomats, and delegations while boosting trade, education, and cultural links. Diplomatic relations between the two countries date to 1977.
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Security Services Recruitment: Just 5,000 Spots for 500,000 Applicants in First Phase
Ghana’s security services recruitment drive faces intense competition, with only 5,000 positions available in the initial phase against 500,000 applicants. The services include the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana Immigration Service, and Ghana National Service. After disqualifying some for documentation issues (leaving around 400,000), aptitude tests (65% pass mark required) and medical exams follow. Interior Minister Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka cited fiscal constraints for the limited intake, assuring future phases and urging disappointed youth to exercise restraint while the government creates jobs across sectors.
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Fact-Check: Did Ablakwa Claim US Used Ghana as Base for Nigeria Airstrike, as Jinapor Alleges?
A GhanaWeb fact-check has debunked claims by NPP’s Samuel Jinapor that Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa stated the US used Ghana as a base for airstrikes on ISIS in northern Nigeria, with President Mahama’s approval. Jinapor made the assertion at a March 11, 2026, press briefing. Ablakwa’s actual words at Chatham House on March 10 touched on case-by-case collaboration with express approval, sovereignty respect, and that both US and Nigerian governments reached out to Ghana, without mentioning any base or territorial cession. Verdict: Jinapor’s claim is completely false.
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In a powerful demonstration of local ownership, Ghanaian research institutions and pharmaceutical manufacturers are contributing an additional €425,000 of their own money to implement innovative health projects, signaling a robust commitment to advancing homegrown medical solutions beyond relying on foreign aid alone.
The co-funding is part of a €2 million grant package awarded under the PharmaVax Ghana program, backed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU).
The initiative is designed to bridge the critical gap between scientific discovery and industrial-scale manufacturing within Ghana.
While the grants provide vital financial fuel, the local co-investment—which ranges from €10,000 to €150,000 across the eight winning projects—represents a crucial “skin in the game” approach.
It shows that local institutions are not merely passive recipients of aid, but active stakeholders willing to risk their own capital to bring products to the market. This practical commitment underscores the sustainability of the projects, ensuring they are not abandoned once international funding cycles end.
The projects span a wide range of medical priorities, including fast-dissolving oral tablets for child-friendly malaria treatment, AI-powered diagnostic tools for Mpox and malaria, standardized herbal treatments for hypertension and liver disease, and stability data for locally produced tetanus-diphtheria vaccines.
Highlighting the importance of this local participation, Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, Chief Executive Officer of the National Vaccine Institute (NVI), emphasized that the funds are meant to catalyze local capabilities.
“Ghana has the scientific talent, the research institutions and an increasingly capable pharmaceutical industry to develop health solutions that respond to our own priorities,” he stated. “By bringing these strengths together, we are creating the foundation for medicines and vaccines that are developed in Ghana, manufactured in Ghana, and have the potential to benefit the wider region.”
Ghana’s Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, echoed this sentiment, noting that the initiative marks a journey where researchers and manufacturers collaborate to transform scientific discoveries into life-saving products.
The €425,000 in local contributions—combined with the €2 million in grants and technical assistance from the EU and Germany—positions Ghana as a rising hub for pharmaceutical industrialization in West Africa, moving the nation closer to health security and economic self-reliance.
Ghana News
From Default to Discipline: How Ghana is Legally Binding Itself to Prevent the Next Debt Crisis
Fresh off a landmark agreement with Belgium that eases its debt burden, Ghana’s Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has unveiled a sweeping package of legal and institutional reforms designed to permanently prevent the country from sliding back into the fiscal chaos that triggered its 2022 sovereign default.
The deal with Belgium to restructure €163 million in debt owed to the country’s Export Credit Agency marks a pivotal step towards completing Ghana’s broader debt restructuring program. Crucially, the agreement frees up much-needed “fiscal space” by slashing the amount of national revenue consumed by debt servicing. Minister Forson revealed that Ghana’s debt-service burden has fallen drastically from a crippling peak of roughly 50% to 55% of national revenue to less than 20% today—a shift that directly impacts the government’s ability to fund schools, hospitals, and roads.
However, the most significant aspect of Ghana’s strategy is its attempt to codify fiscal prudence into law, ensuring that the discipline learned from the crisis is not lost by future administrations.
A Three-Pronged Strategy for Fiscal Discipline
1. The Commitment Authorization Regime
At the core of the immediate controls is a strict mandate for all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). Under the amended Public Financial Management Act, no government institution can initiate a contract for goods, services, or works without first securing commitment authorization from the Finance Minister . This process, integrated with the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), acts as a “roadblock” to prevent overspending and the accumulation of hidden arrears—a practice that historically poisoned the country’s finances.
2. Binding Fiscal Rules in Law
Beyond day-to-day controls, the government has instituted statutory targets to ensure long-term solvency. The Public Financial Management Act has been amended to require a minimum annual primary surplus of 1.5% of GDP and to cap the national debt-to-GDP ratio at 45% by 2034 . These are not policy recommendations but binding legal requirements, with the Finance Minister potentially facing censure for breaching these targets.
3. Independent Oversight Institutions
To guarantee that fiscal responsibility is maintained even after Ghana concludes its International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, the government has established two powerful oversight bodies:
- The Value for Money Office: Parliament passed the Value-for-Money Office Bill in March 2026, creating an independent body to scrutinize major public expenditure. This office will combat inflated contracts, cost overruns, and abandoned projects by issuing mandatory “Value for Money Certificates” before major contracts are awarded.
- The Independent Fiscal Council: The government is establishing a council composed of locally appointed experts to provide advisory support on financial controls and fiscal decision-making . This council, scheduled to take effect after the IMF programme ends, aims to strengthen domestic oversight and accountability, ensuring that Ghana owns its fiscal destiny.
From Recovery to Sustainability
Finance Minister Ato Forson is clear about the goal: “We want to ensure that the fiscal rules that we have instituted today are enshrined in law, so that even if this government is not there, the next government will have to make sure that these fiscal rules are respected” .
The Belgium agreement is the immediate piece of good news that provides tangible relief—allowing Ghana to redirect more resources towards essential public services. But the real measure of Ghana’s recovery will be its ability to enforce these new legal shackles.
By moving from crisis management to institutionalized discipline, Ghana is attempting to break the cycle of over-borrowing, arrears, and economic collapse that has plagued the nation for decades.
In a significant boost to Africa’s push for pharmaceutical self-reliance, the European Union (EU) and Germany have injected €2 million into Ghana to bridge the critical gap between laboratory research and industrial-scale manufacturing.
The funding, awarded under the PharmaVax Ghana programme, has been distributed to eight groundbreaking research partnerships aimed at developing and manufacturing medicines and vaccines locally, drastically reducing the continent’s historical reliance on imported drugs.
The announcement came during the “Research Meets Manufacturing” Award Ceremony in Accra on August 19, co-hosted by Ghana’s National Vaccine Institute (NVI) and the German development agency GIZ.
The grants are jointly funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU) as part of the broader Team Europe Initiative on Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies in Africa (MAV+).
This strategic geopolitical and economic move underscores Western Europe’s commitment to backing local African manufacturing ecosystems, countering the long-standing structural imbalance where Africa imports over 90% of its pharmaceuticals.
“A ceremony marks the beginning of an important journey—a journey that brings researchers, manufacturers, government and international partners together to transform scientific discoveries into medicines and vaccines that save and improve lives,” said Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Ghana’s Minister of Health, during the event.
Innovation Across the Health Spectrum
The eight winning projects, selected from 43 competitive proposals by an independent committee of nine Ghanaian experts, represent the breadth of the nation’s scientific talent. They include:
- AI-driven monoclonal antibodies and diagnostics for Mpox and malaria, using a Ghanaian artificial intelligence platform.
- Fast-dissolving oral tablets for the treatment of malaria in children, addressing critical issues of accurate dosing.
- Clinical trials for locally developed herbal treatments for prostate health, hypertension, and alcohol-related liver disease.
- Stability data generation to support regulatory approval of locally produced tetanus-diphtheria vaccines, snake venom antiserum, and pain management therapies.
A Foundation for Health Sovereignty
Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, Chief Executive Officer of the National Vaccine Institute, emphasized that the grants go far beyond financial aid.
“Ghana has the scientific talent, the research institutions and an increasingly capable pharmaceutical industry to develop health solutions that respond to our own priorities,” Dr. Sodzi-Tettey stated. “By bringing these strengths together, we are creating the foundation for medicines and vaccines that are developed in Ghana, manufactured in Ghana, and have the potential to benefit the wider region.”
Notably, Ghanaian partners are contributing an additional €425,000 towards implementing their projects, demonstrating a strong local commitment to advancing homegrown innovation. Alongside the direct funding, the projects will also receive technical assistance, networking opportunities, and knowledge exchange to ensure long-term commercial viability.
As the global health community increasingly looks to localized manufacturing to secure supply chains, this €2 million initiative serves as a pivotal case study.
It represents a concrete, actionable blueprint for how international development capital can ignite the “Made in Africa” pharmaceutical industrial wave, securing the continent’s health security and driving economic development from within.
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