Ghana’s persistent diplomatic efforts have yielded a formal breakthrough, as the African Union (AU) Commission has issued a written assurance to the government that its petition against xenophobic attacks in South Africa will be tabled for deliberation at the next AU Summit in January 2027.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, made the announcement during a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Accra, where he provided an update on the petition originally filed on May 6, 2026.

“I can therefore confirm that the African Union Commission has formally written to the Government of Ghana in response to our petition and has clearly indicated that the matter will be tabled for deliberations at the AU Summit, expected to convene in January 2027,” Ablakwa stated.

The petition, addressed to the Chairperson of the AU Commission, highlighted the loss of lives, attacks on African migrants, destruction of businesses and investments, and the broader threats to African unity, free movement, and continental integration.

Ghana’s position has been clear: the best way to address the crisis is not to look away, but to bring it into the open for an honest, good-faith discussion on its root causes.

“Ghana believes that the best way to address this matter is not to look away and pretend nothing serious has happened, but to bring it into the open and have an honest, good-faith discussion on this concern and how best to address it,” Ablakwa added.

The announcement comes as a significant victory for Ghana’s diplomatic tactics. The petition was initially expected to be considered at the AU’s Eighth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting.

However, following the postponement of that meeting, Ghana did not relent. Instead, Accra secured the unanimous endorsement of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government to continue pursuing the matter at the continental level.

The issue was further escalated by President John Dramani Mahama during bilateral talks with the AU Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, on the sidelines of the AU Extraordinary Summit held in Accra in July. During those talks, President Mahama reiterated the call for the issue to be formally placed on the AU agenda, arguing that ignoring the crisis would not address its underlying causes.

President Mahama stressed that Ghana harbors no ill will towards South Africa but remains deeply concerned about the attacks and the significant losses suffered by foreign nationals forced to abandon their investments and return to their home countries. He noted that placing the matter on the agenda would provide South Africa with a formal, constructive platform to present its perspective while allowing African leaders to collectively work towards a lasting solution.

Chairperson Youssouf has acknowledged the need for continental discussion, noting that nationals of several African countries have been affected. He also disclosed that he had raised the matter directly with South African authorities during a recent visit to the country. While he commended the South African government for publicly condemning the violence, he expressed deep concern about the apparent impunity of some perpetrators.

The formal commitment from the AU comes after a difficult period for many Ghanaians. Between May 27 and September 4, 2026, Ghana evacuated 1,964 nationals from South Africa following renewed xenophobic violence and significant threats to the safety of its citizens.

With the AU Summit now confirmed as the stage for this critical dialogue in January 2027, Ghana is poised to shift the conversation from bilateral grievances to a broad, continental strategy to protect African citizens and preserve the spirit of Pan-African integration.

Here are the top headlines from Ghanaian newspapers published on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

The Informer

• Main: Public Angry @ Security Personnel …For Breach of Road Traffic Rules; IGP Called To Act
• Also: Make NDPC’s Work Binding On Govts – IEA; ‘WhatsApp English’, Poor Reading Culture Responsible For 2026 WASSCE English Decline – WAEC; Bawumia Attributes Political Journey To Allah’s Will

The NewsCentra

• Main: Telecel Ghana investment rises to $1.4bn
• Also: Galamsey Liabilities Eroding Economy’s Future – IMF warns; Vacant ex-CJ seat on Council of State: Buabeng sues Mahama; Give 54,985 candidates actual SHS placements – NPP

The Ghanaian Times

• Main: Aayalolo set for revamp – Govt eyes dedicated lanes, police escort
• Also: GRA hails B5 Plus for GH¢400m tax payment; Ghana must prepare for electric vehicle future – Lands Minister; Long queues hit CSSPS resolution centres

Daily Graphic

• Main: SHS placement blues: Parents, JHS graduates chase schools (Resolution centre addresses concerns)
• Also: Govt to launch Diaspora Consular Fund for Ghanaians in distress – Foreign Minister; Police storm robbery dens – Grab suspects, seize ammunition

B&FT (Business & Financial Times)

• Main: Minerals law overhaul faces test of investment certainty, value capture
• Also: Indo-Ghana’s locally made liquid oxygen enters hospitals; Economy targets greater value addition as non-traditional exports hit US$5bn; Ports Authority turns in GH¢2.8bn profits

The Daily Statesman

• Main: MINORITY DEMANDS ANSWERS Over GH¢49.7m South Africa Evacuation Bill
• Also: Agyarko eyes stronger NPP performance in Accra; NPP demands real school places for 54,985 BECE candidates; Galamsey will worsen without the right intelligence architecture

The Custodian

• Main: Ablakwa Blows Over GH¢49m On SA Evacuees > Minority Demands Item By Item Bill
• Also: NPP Gives Govt 30 Days To Disclose Rural Telephony Status; Government Secures GH¢3.15bn From 4-Year Bond Bids; Middle East Conflict Affects Ghana’s Gold Exports

Daily Guide

• Main: Place Over 200k Stranded Students In Schools – NPP To Govt
• Also: Wontumi Endorses John Boadu For National Chairman; B5 Plus Group Pays GH¢400m Tax To GRA; 27,385 New Cancer Cases, 17,944 Deaths Recorded

The New Publisher

• Main: 238,000 Students Abandoned (NPP Corners Mahama: Rescue Them Today, Not on Camera Tomorrow)
• Also: Campaign From Prison: Wontumi Backs John Boadu; Barosky Back Home: Govt Sponsors Repatriation from UK

The Ghanaian Publisher

• Main: Ghana’s Cancer Crisis: 27,385 New Cases, 17,944 Deaths
• Also: SHS Placement Fiasco: 54,985 Need Classrooms, Not Portals …NPP Tells Govt; GH¢49.7m Evacuation: Minority Demands Breakdown

Supreme Newspaper

• Main: Minority Demands Answers Over South Africa Evacuation Bill
• Also: ‘Backward’ SHS Selection Policy Caused Placement Crisis – Abuakwa South MP; B5 Plus Presents Gh¢400M Tax Cheque To GRA; Adopt Zijin Mining Model *Armah Kofi-Buah

The Campaigner

• Main: GHANA EYES EV SKILLS CENTRE > As China’s Electric Truck Revolution Grows in Africa
• Also: Redesign CSSPS to accommodate 55K unplaced BECE candidates – Adutwum; Mahama Appoints Acting Director-General of Value for Money Office; AFRAMISCO Offers Free Admission, Tuition for 2026/27

The New Crusading Guide

• Main: OLIVER BARKER-VORMAWOR RACES TO COURT FOR APPEAL …Seeks Stay, Extension, Blames Former Lawyers
• Also: Michael Bartlett-Vanderpuye’s Meteoric Rise; B5 Plus Pays GH¢400m In Taxes; Dr. Sylvester Nyamekye Wins 2025 Best Paper Award

The Canary

• Main: Make Ghana A Hub Of Your Activities > Lands Minister To Global Mining Giant
• Also: Forex Gains Accounted For More Than 50% Of SOE Profit Margins – Kpessa-Whyte; New Economy Agenda Will Take Ghana Beyond Stabilisation *Dr Ato Forson; TOR MD Highlights Expansion Opportunities

The Accra Times

• Main: DEDICATE PEAK-HOUR LANES For Ayalolo Buses
• Also: This Is My New Job, Guide Me To Succeed – Ayariga Tells National Chief Imam; Ghana Not Insulated From Terror Threat – James Agalga Warns; North Dayi MP Calls For Global Action

In a decisive move to fulfill President John Dramani Mahama’s digital transformation agenda, the government has successfully pressured the nation’s leading telecommunications operators into slashing broadband prices and increasing data allocations, marking a major political and policy victory for the administration.

Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, announced the sweeping changes during the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Monday, framing the outcome as a direct result of the government’s successful negotiation tactics and strong-arm leverage over the telecom sector.

The Minister revealed that MTN, facing the sharpest government intervention, increased its mobile data volumes by 15 per cent, while Telecel and AirtelTigo also bowed to pressure, increasing theirs by 10 per cent.

Most notably, MTN’s fibre broadband tariffs have been dramatically revised. The 100 Mbps unlimited package has been slashed from GH¢987 to GH¢299 per month, representing one of the largest residential broadband price reductions in recent years and a massive 70% drop in cost for consumers.

Presenting the reductions as a fulfillment of the Mahama administration’s core policy promises, Minister George emphasized that the interventions are part of a broader mission to force the private sector to align with the government’s public interest goals.

“These interventions form part of President Mahama’s digital transformation agenda to make internet access more affordable and expand opportunities for education, business and innovation,” Mr George stated.

He added that the government’s objective is to ensure that digital connectivity becomes a tool for inclusive economic growth rather than a luxury available to only a few, directly warning the telecom giants that the state will not tolerate the exclusion of ordinary Ghanaians from the digital economy.

The Minister assured Ghanaians that his Ministry will continue to exert regulatory and negotiating pressure to improve digital infrastructure, expand access to reliable, high-speed internet, and ensure that the government remains the ultimate arbiter of affordability for the citizenry.