Connect with us

Ghana News

Top Ghana News Headlines: December 2 – First Non-Interest Bank, 120% Health Tariff Hike plus More

Published

on

John Mahama (Credit: Ghana Presidency on Flickr); AI-Generated image speaking into megaphone (Credit: Freepik)

Ghana’s local news headlines focus on major developments across finance, governance, healthcare, education, and diaspora affairs.

From the country’s first non‑interest bank to sweeping health insurance reforms, and from high‑profile petitions challenging key state officials to shocking diaspora tragedies, the stories highlight both the opportunities and challenges shaping Ghana today.

Ghana to License First Non-Interest Bank as Central Bank Finalizes Regulations

Ghana’s central banking authority, Bank of Ghana (BoG), has announced plans to begin licensing fully-fledged non-interest banking and finance (NIBF) institutions — a first for the country.

The move follows years of delay caused by a lack of regulatory guidelines under the 2016 Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions Act. BoG now says it is engaging banks, fintechs, rural lenders, microfinance firms and other financial actors to build capacity and prepare them for NIBF licences once regulations are finalised.

Industry stakeholders have already started training staff locally and abroad to align with global standards. BoG’s NIBF advisor, John Gatsi, said the regulatory clarity will allow both new banks and existing institutions to offer ethically-structured, interest-free products — a system practiced in several African countries.

The central bank hopes the model will complement traditional banking, expand financial inclusion and support Ghana’s economic growth.

Ghana Sent 16 Petitions for Removal of Electoral Commission Leaders to Chief Justice

Political pressure has escalated in Ghana as 16 petitions calling for the removal of the heads of the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) — including the Chairperson and her two deputies — along with petitions targeting the Office of the Special Prosecutor, have officially been forwarded to the country’s Chief Justice.

According to government spokesman Felix Kwakye Ofosu, President John Mahama has completed his administrative role; the fate of the EC leadership now lies solely within the judiciary.

Petitioners — comprising civil-society groups, private individuals, and political stakeholders — accuse the officials of mismanagement, procurement irregularities, and flawed electoral practices, including alleged voter-registration problems.

If the Chief Justice accepts the petitions, it could trigger constitutionally mandated removal hearings. The development adds to growing concerns about quasi-Executive control over election oversight in Ghana.

Ghana’s NHIA Announces 120 % Health Tariff Increase for 2026, Capping Controversy Around Coverage and Cost

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in Ghana has announced a sweeping 120 percent increase in its healthcare tariff schedule for 2026 — a move aimed at strengthening the health insurance scheme and boosting funding for improved services.

Senior NHIA official Senanu Kwesi Djokoto explained that the hike became possible after lifting a cap on the National Health Insurance Fund, which added an extra GH₵ 3.4 billion to the pool.

The revised tariffs will support a new “Free Primary Healthcare” programme and help build the Ghana Medical Trust Fund to support chronic-disease patients. The reform comes amid concerns over illegal payments at some health facilities.

Medical staff welcomed the change, expressing hope that it will reduce under-the-table fees and improve access to care across the country.

Ghanaian Diaspora in the UK in Mourning UK After Man Stabs His Mother to Death

A Ghanaian family living in the UK is publicly grappling with tragedy after a London-area man stabbed his mother to death and seriously injured his younger sister and father in 2024.

In a rare interview with Sky News, the father, Joshua Obinim, described the horror of the night, recalling how he was also stabbed while trying to save his daughter — only to later discover his wife had already died. The son, later diagnosed with schizophrenia, has been detained under the Mental Health Act.

Obinim described the attack as a “demonic assault” prior to the diagnosis, expressing deep regret for having interpreted warning signs as purely spiritual. He said his family, though shattered, has forgiven the son and urged him to seek healing.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the Ghanaian diaspora community in the UK and reignited concerns about mental-health awareness and stigma in immigrant communities.

Ghana Basic Education Crisis: Student Who Passed National Exam Couldn’t Write Her Own Name

A troubling new report has emerged from Ghana’s 2025 national school-leaving exam: a student who passed the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) reportedly could not write her own name at the time she sat for the test.

According to a headmistress interviewed by local media, the student’s illiteracy — despite passing the exam — raises urgent questions about the examination system’s integrity and the quality of basic education.

The incident has stoked concern among parents, educators, and global observers about the long-term value of Ghana’s certification process and the reliability of credentials issued by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

Ghana News

More Floods Predicted For Accra, Former Gov’t Official Extradited from U.S. to Serve 10-Year Jail Sentence, and Other Big Stories

Published

on

These are the key stories making headlines today.

More Floods Loom for Accra as GMet Predicts Heavy June Rains
The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has warned of heightened flood risks in Accra this June, with projected rainfall totals between 100 and 150 millimetres in the Coastal Zone. Deputy Director Francisca Martey noted that the city’s reduced capacity to absorb and drain water — due to urbanisation, encroachment on natural retention areas, and runoff from surrounding highlands — means even 30mm of rain can now trigger flooding. She highlighted how development has narrowed drainage channels and built over watercourses, exacerbating the problem.

GMet’s June 2026 outlook predicts predominantly wet conditions across most zones, with enhanced rainfall in parts of the Forest and Coastal areas. Martey urged disaster management agencies to strengthen preparedness while calling on planners and city authorities to enforce long-term solutions. Read the full story here

Mahama Submits List of 808 Presidential Staffers to Parliament
The Presidency has submitted its annual staffing report to Parliament, revealing a total of 808 personnel at the Office of the President as of December 31, 2025. This comprises 233 political appointees and 585 civil servants and public officers, in line with Section 11 of the Presidential Office Act, 1993 (Act 463). The breakdown includes 4 Ministers of State at the Presidency, 39 political staffers, and 190 other political appointees.

Civil service and attached staff cover various roles, from core administrative classes to household personnel, protocol, and specialised secretariats. The report provides full details on ranks, grades, and attachments from institutions like the Ghana Health Service and Public Works Department. Read the full story here

Mahama Orders NADMO to Map Restricted Lands to Curb Flooding Risks
President John Dramani Mahama has directed the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and a national task force to comprehensively map restricted and protected lands in Accra to combat recurring floods. Speaking upon his return from the UK and Belarus, he tasked the teams with identifying encroached waterways and vulnerable areas for decisive enforcement action.

Mahama acknowledged potential public criticism of measures like demolitions but emphasised their necessity for protecting lives and property, urging citizens to view them as essential for long-term urban resilience. Read the full story here

Minority Demands Urgent Appearance of 3 Ministers Over Floods, SA Evacuation, and Visa Issues
The Minority in Parliament has called for the immediate summoning of three ministers — Foreign Affairs’ Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Works/Housing/Water Resources’ Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, and Sports’ Kofi Adams — to brief the House on pressing national issues. These include recent Accra floods, the repatriation of Ghanaians from South Africa amid xenophobic attacks, and visa controversies linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Minority MPs stressed Parliament’s oversight role, particularly with the World Cup approaching and ongoing public concerns over drainage infrastructure and evacuation handling. Read the full story here

UGMC Hits New Milestone with 15 Successful Kidney Transplants
The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has reached a significant milestone, completing four additional kidney transplants to bring its total to 15 successful procedures since its first in June 2024. This advancement strengthens Ghana’s local capacity for complex organ transplants, reducing reliance on overseas treatment for end-stage kidney disease patients.

The centre continues to build expertise in specialised care, positioning itself as a leading facility in the sub-region and inspiring confidence in domestic healthcare. Read the full story here

Former MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu Arrives in Ghana
Former Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) CEO Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu has returned to Ghana after extradition from the United States. She arrived at Kotoka International Airport on June 9, 2026, and is in custody to serve a 10-year sentence for causing financial loss to the state and stealing, following her 2024 in-absentia conviction.

The case, involving nearly GH¢90 million in losses during her 2013–2016 tenure, underscores Ghana’s commitment to international cooperation in pursuing justice for corruption-related offences. Read the full story here

BoG Absorbs GH¢17.2bn in Liquidity Amid Inflation Fight and FX Stability
The Bank of Ghana has absorbed GH¢17.24 billion from the banking system through a 14-day bill auction as part of efforts to maintain tight liquidity, support inflation control, and ensure exchange rate stability. The June 8, 2026 operation saw bids with rates between 10.46% and 10.95%, at a weighted average of 10.98%.

This monetary policy tool helps curb excess funds that could fuel forex demand and price pressures while aligning short-term rates with broader economic objectives. Read the full story here

Continue Reading

Ghana News

Today’s Newspaper Headlines: Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Published

on

Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Stay informed with today’s front pages of Ghanaian newspapers, all in one place.

Continue Reading

Ghana News

Accra–Tema Motorway Chaos Averted as Fire Fighters Battle Fuel Tanker Fire; One Dead, Recovery Operations Underway

Published

on

A major disaster was narrowly avoided on Ghana’s busiest highway late Monday night, when the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) contained a fuel tanker fire following a head-on collision, preventing what officials described as a potentially catastrophic large-scale explosion.

The incident occurred at approximately 23:49 hrs on Monday, June 8, 2026, on the Accra–Tema Motorway between Saka Saka Park and Tanink Ghana. A tipper truck with registration number AS 466-19 collided head-on with a fuel tanker registered as AS 3555-24, belonging to GIG EMPIRE. The impact left the tanker fully engulfed in flames.

One person, believed to be the driver of the tipper truck, died at the scene. Three injured occupants – identified as Kwabena Agyapong, Joseph Teye Quarshie, and Aaron Kyei – were rushed to Tema General Hospital prior to the arrival of fire crews. Their current condition has not been disclosed.

Swift Multi-Station Response

The GNFS received an emergency call at 23:49 hrs. The Tema Motorway Fire Crew, led by ADO I Samuel Darko, was dispatched within one minute and arrived on scene at 23:54 hrs – a response time of just four minutes.

Reinforcement units from the Ashaiman Fire Station arrived at 23:59 hrs, followed by crews from the Tema Industrial Area Fire Station at 00:14 hrs. A water tanker provided by the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly ensured sustained firefighting capacity.

The fierce fire was brought under control at 00:56 hrs – approximately one hour after the first crew arrived – and fully extinguished at 01:44 hrs.

Extent of Damage

The collision and subsequent fire caused extensive damage to both vehicles. The tanker suffered a complete burnout of all 26 tyres. Both vehicles experienced severe structural destruction to their front ends. An undetermined quantity of fuel was lost in the blaze.

The charred remains of the male victim, believed to be the tipper truck driver, were retrieved from the wreckage and handed over to the Police with a pickup vehicle (GP 3772) at 02:19 hrs for preservation and further investigation.

Traffic Disruption and Recovery

The motorway, a critical arterial route connecting Ghana’s capital Accra to the port city of Tema and the Tema Industrial Enclave, experienced significant disruption as firefighting and cooling operations continued. The GNFS noted that traffic flow was being gradually restored as of early Tuesday morning.

Motorists using the Accra–Tema Motorway have been advised to exercise extreme caution, comply with traffic directions, and adhere to all safety instructions from emergency and traffic personnel as clearance and recovery operations continue.

Leadership Commended

The GNFS statement issued special recognition to DO II Samuel Fiifi Oppong, Tema Operational Officer, for “exemplary leadership in ensuring operational coordination and scene safety.”

The cause of the crash and fire remains under investigation. The GNFS confirmed it is working in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service to determine the circumstances that led to the head-on collision.

Broader Context

Fuel tanker fires pose a recurring threat on Ghana’s road network, with high temperatures, poor road conditions, and driver fatigue frequently cited as contributing factors. The Accra–Tema Motorway, which carries heavy industrial traffic to and from the Tema Harbour and the Tema Industrial Area, has been the site of multiple serious accidents involving heavy-duty vehicles.

The swift intervention by the GNFS prevented what could have become a larger conflagration, including the risk of the fuel tanker exploding and sending burning fuel across the motorway surface – a scenario that could have endangered dozens of motorists and caused severe damage to the road infrastructure.

Cooling operations and scene management continue in collaboration with the Police.

Continue Reading

Trending