For more than four decades, Mr. Oriel Chinthaka Ariyaratna Paiyagala Linyanage carried out his duties quietly and faithfully behind the wheel of Ghana’s embassy vehicles in Paris — representing a country he had never once set foot in.

This Christmas season, that lifelong dream finally came true.

Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs has announced that Mr. Paiyagala, a locally recruited driver at Ghana’s Embassy in France, has been awarded an all-expenses-paid trip to Ghana after 41 years of dedicated service.

The surprise was revealed during a carols service, turning an ordinary ceremony into an emotional moment of recognition and gratitude.

Originally from Sri Lanka, Mr. Paiyagala was recruited on September 8, 1984, and has since served as a representational driver for Ghana’s mission in Paris. Throughout those years, he embodied the values of professionalism, loyalty and quiet diplomacy — becoming, in many ways, an ambassador without a title.

The honour carries deep personal meaning. Mr. Paiyagala’s late father also served as a driver at Ghana’s Embassy in France for many years but never had the opportunity to visit Ghana before his passing. His son’s journey now fulfils not only a personal dream, but a family legacy of service left incomplete for a generation.

As part of the award, Mr. Paiyagala’s visit to Ghana will include tours of major tourist attractions, gifts and a cash prize — a tangible expression of appreciation for decades of devotion to a nation not his own by birth, but clearly his own by service.

In announcing the award, the Foreign Affairs Minister described the initiative as part of a newly established long-service and best-performing staff award scheme for locally recruited employees of Ghana’s diplomatic missions abroad. The programme is intended to motivate staff, deepen inclusivity, and recognise the often unseen contributions that sustain Ghana’s diplomatic presence around the world.

Alongside Mr. Paiyagala, several Ghanaian staff members were also honoured for exceptional service:

• Mr. Evans Aryeequaye Attoh, a driver at Ghana’s Embassy in Rome, with 36 years of service;
• Mrs. Caroline Nkrumah-Appiah, a stenographer at Ghana’s New York mission, with 35 years of service; and
• Mr. Philip Twum Nkansah, an Accounts Assistant at the Rome embassy, also with 35 years of service.

While home-based Foreign Service staff already operate under a separate awards framework, the new scheme ensures that locally recruited staff — often the backbone of diplomatic missions — are recognised and celebrated annually.

For Mr. Oriel Chinthaka Ariyaratna Paiyagala, the journey to Ghana is more than a trip. It is the culmination of 41 years of loyalty, a tribute to a father’s unfinished dream, and a powerful reminder that service, wherever it comes from, does not go unnoticed.

Major news outlets in Ghana are reporting a mix of crime and security developments, government infrastructure goals, policy debates, and national tragedies today, December 27, 2025.

These stories paint a picture of continuing efforts to ensure safety during the festive season, strengthen democratic processes, expand essential services like electricity, and mourn prominent figures in the media sector. Below are concise summaries of each major report.

1. ECOWAS to Eliminate Air Ticket Taxes from 2026

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has approved a measure to abolish air ticket taxes and reduce passenger and security charges by 25% starting 1 January 2026. The reform aims to make flights cheaper across West Africa, stimulate travel demand, boost tourism and enhance regional integration.

2. Constitution Review Chair Defends Youth Inclusion

Prof Henry Kwasi Prempeh, Chair of Ghana’s Constitution Review Committee, pushed back against fears about “young presidents,” stating that lowering age barriers in leadership debates should not be feared. He emphasised that democratic choices should rest with voters and that historical constitutional arrangements have allowed younger leadership roles in the past.

3. Greater Accra Leads in Gun Amnesty Surrenders

Under the ongoing Gun Amnesty Programme, the Greater Accra Region has seen the highest number of surrendered illegal firearms. The initiative, running until January 15, 2026, allows citizens to voluntarily turn in unregistered weapons without fear of arrest, reinforcing peace and public safety.

4. Police Christmas Operation Nets 101 Arrests

Greater Accra police reported the arrest of 101 suspects during intensified Christmas peace enforcement operations at key locations such as Kwame Nkrumah Circle and East Legon. These operations aim to reduce crime and maintain safety during the festive period.

5. Arrests in Ho Central Mosque Shooting Case

Police in the Volta Region have arrested 10 suspects in connection with a shooting incident at the Ho Central Mosque that injured worshippers. Investigations are ongoing to unravel the circumstances and apprehend other potential suspects.

6. 27 Arrested in Savannah Region Drug Operations

The Savannah Regional Police Command arrested 27 people in Salaga, Damongo, Buipe and Bole for drug-related offences during a special Christmas anti-crime operation, reflecting heightened security enforcement across regions.

7. Government Targets 99.9% Electricity Access by 2030

The Ghanaian government reaffirmed its plan to achieve nearly universal electricity access — 99.9% by 2030. The initiative includes recent grid extensions to underserved areas like Awurahae and Sapor, seen as transformative for local livelihoods, education and business growth.

8. Pentecost Elder Fleeing After Alleged Murder

A Pentecost Church elder, Kwame Sarpong, is on the run after allegedly killing his wife, Abena Oforiwaah, in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region. Police have launched a manhunt as investigations continue.

9. Why Diaspora Investors Lose Money in Ghana

Many Ghanaians returning from the diaspora with business ideas suffer financial losses or end up leaving Ghana because they fail to understand local market dynamics and consumer behaviour before investing. Analysts point out that a lack of proper market research and adaptation to Ghana’s unique commercial environment often leads to unrealistic expectations and costly mistakes.

10. Real Cost of Living in Accra for Families

A detailed breakdown of living expenses in Accra shows the real costs of raising children, including housing, utilities, schools, transport and food shopping. High upfront rent payments, significant school fees for international curricula, and weekly shopping costs are major factors that families relocating to Ghana need to plan for.

11. Russian Billionaire Pavel Durov’s IVF Offer

Russian billionaire Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, said he has over 100 biological children through sperm donation and is offering to fund IVF for women under 37 who want to use his sperm, framing it as a civic response to global infertility challenges. He also stated that children who can prove shared DNA may inherit part of his fortune, raising ethical debate worldwide.

12. GIBA Executive Secretary Gloria Kafui Hiadzi Dies

The Executive Secretary of the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), Gloria Kafui Hiadzi, has passed away after a short illness on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025. She was widely respected for her contributions to Ghana’s media and broadcasting industry.

From renewed U.S.–Ghana talks on mining and student welfare to IMF assessments of Ghana’s economic outlook, and from currency movements to infrastructure investment and accountability concerns, today’s headlines capture key developments shaping policy, livelihoods and public discourse both at home and abroad.

U.S.–Ghana Engagement on Mining, Students and Diaspora Welfare

Senior officials from the U.S. Department of Commerce met Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, to discuss pressing issues affecting American investment and Ghanaian nationals in the U.S. talks focused on operational challenges in Ghana’s mining sector — particularly bottlenecks involving heavy equipment at ports — and concerns over the welfare of Ghanaian students in the United States. The meeting reaffirmed bilateral cooperation on trade, investment, infrastructure and diaspora protection.

Bank of Ghana to Exit Gold Trading; IMF Views

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) will exit the gold trading business effective January 2026 to refocus on its core mandate of inflation targeting and price stability. Senior officials clarified that this strategic shift is independent of International Monetary Fund (IMF) commentary suggesting potential BoG losses linked to gold trading.

IMF on Ghana’s Economy: Cautious Optimism Amid Risks

The IMF has described Ghana’s economic performance as “broadly satisfactory” but warns of downside risks, including external vulnerabilities and fiscal pressures. The Fund advises that any further easing of interest rates by the Bank of Ghana should be data-dependent and gradual, underscoring the importance of stable macroeconomic policy.

Japan Boosts Support for Ghana’s Rice Value Chain

Japan has stepped up its support for Ghana’s rice value chain through technical and development assistance as stakeholders work to enhance productivity and address ongoing sector challenges.

Cedi Expected to Rebound Against Dollar

Market analysts predict the Ghanaian cedi (GH¢) could strengthen in the next two weeks, with exchange bureaus quoting around GH¢12.40 to the U.S. dollar, indicating temporary stability in foreign exchange markets.

China Finances New University in Damongo

The Ghanaian government has secured a US$30 million Chinese grant to support the establishment of a new University of Science and Technology in Damongo, a key move to expand higher education infrastructure in northern Ghana.

Concerns Over Selective Justice in Anti-Corruption Efforts

Prof. Henry Kwasi Prempeh, Chairman of Ghana’s Constitutional Review Committee, has sounded the alarm that selective justice and political considerations in anti-corruption enforcement are eroding public trust in key institutions. He advocated for systemic reforms to strengthen credibility and fairness in prosecutions.

Breaking: Historical and Human Interest Headlines

• Sekou Nkrumah says his father’s actions contributed to the Bawku conflict for political gain, offering a rare and emotional reflection on a long-running chieftaincy dispute.
• President John Dramani Mahama has gifted a brand-new SUV to National Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, symbolising respect and interfaith unity during the festive season.
• Former NDC deputy Samuel Koku Anyidoho criticises Prof. Prempeh’s media engagements on constitutional reform.