Accra, Ghana – President John Dramani Mahama has announced a $300 million World Bank facility aimed at upgrading 50 senior high schools across Ghana, a move designed to end the country’s double-track system by 2027 while transforming secondary education through infrastructure expansion, teacher development, and technical training.

According to the Information Services Department, the President made the announcement on Wednesday, May 14, 2026, at the commissioning of a PET scan facility at the Swedish Ghana Medical Centre in Accra, describing the investment as one designed not just to expand infrastructure but to promote equity, improve quality, and widen opportunities for every Ghanaian child.

The STARR-J Programme: What It Entails

The initiative, officially named the Transformative Secondary Education for Access, Results and Relevance for Jobs programme (STARR-J) , will see 30 category C senior high schools upgraded to category B, and 20 category B schools upgraded to category A. The project will also introduce community day schools through the construction of new e-blocks in urban and peri-urban communities, bringing secondary education closer to families and easing pressure on boarding facilities across the country.

President Mahama stated that STARR-J would help Ghana achieve its target of ending the double-track system in all senior high schools by 2027. The double-track system, introduced as a temporary measure to accommodate increased enrollment following the implementation of free senior high school education, has been criticized for reducing contact hours between teachers and students and placing strain on both educators and facilities.

“We will give teachers more time to prepare teaching materials and rest between terms,” the President said, outlining one of the key benefits of transitioning to a single-track system.

Teacher Development at the Core

Beyond infrastructure, the programme places strong emphasis on teacher development. All secondary school teachers will benefit from continuous professional development programmes covering digital literacy, critical thinking, artificial intelligence integration, and learner-centred teaching approaches.

“Our objective is clear: to ensure that every teacher is not only well qualified but also continuously empowered to deliver relevant high-quality education that prepares our young people not merely for examinations but for life, work, innovation and national development,” President Mahama said.

Technical and Vocational Education Included

The President added that the STARR-J project would also cover technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, ensuring that improvements in quality extended across all categories of secondary education and aligned with the skills demands of a modern and competitive economy. This inclusion signals the government’s commitment to bridging the gap between academic education and practical, job-ready skills.

Context: The Double-Track System

The double-track system was implemented in 2018 as a stopgap measure to absorb the surge in enrollment following the introduction of free senior high school education. Under the system, students attend school in alternating tracks, with one track in session while the other is on break. While the policy succeeded in expanding access, it has faced persistent criticism over reduced instructional hours, overcrowded facilities, and teacher burnout.

President Mahama’s announcement signals a firm commitment to phasing out the system entirely by 2027, a timeline that will require rapid and coordinated infrastructure development across the country.

Looking Ahead

The World Bank-backed STARR-J programme represents one of the largest single investments in Ghana’s secondary education sector in recent years. With a focus on equity, quality, and relevance to the job market, the initiative aims to position Ghanaian students for success not only in examinations but in the broader context of life, work, and national development.

The government is expected to release further details on implementation timelines, beneficiary schools, and teacher training rollouts in the coming months.

Accra, Ghana – The detention of Ghanaian Member of Parliament Ohene Kwame Frimpong at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport signals a profound lack of trust between international law enforcement and Ghanaian authorities, according to a legal analyst, who suggests this breach may have blocked potential extradition proceedings.

Ghana has activated urgent diplomatic channels to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the detention of the Asante Akyem North MP, widely known as OK Frimpong, with the country’s Mission in The Hague coordinating efforts.

The legislator was reportedly detained while traveling to the United Kingdom. The detention, publicly disclosed by the Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, on Tuesday evening, reportedly occurred two days earlier on Sunday.

“International Embarrassment” Over Handling of Politically Exposed Persons

Private legal practitioner Amanda Clinton, speaking to Joy News, offered a sharp critique of Ghana’s standing with international law enforcement agencies. She argued that the decision to detain Frimpong at a European airport rather than pursuing extradition through official channels suggests a fundamental lack of confidence in Ghana’s ability to handle cases involving politically exposed persons (PEPs).

“It absolutely sends a signal to this government and to any government that will take place that international law enforcement perhaps did not trust the Ghanaian government enough to share information that they should have,” Clinton stated.

“Had they trusted them, we would have seen something like an extradition.”

Fear of Information Leakage to Government Officials

Clinton explained that international agencies often hesitate to share sensitive information with national security departments in jurisdictions where politically exposed persons hold sway.

“When you have somebody called a politically exposed person or someone in government, international law enforcement will say, ‘Well, if I share this with national security, if I share this with different departments, will that information be compromised? Will it spoil our investigation? And will it mean the person is put on notice so they don’t get on a flight?'”

She elaborated that the fear is not abstract:

“If our agencies were put on notice, some of government appointees would just share that information and it would filter down to a politically exposed person or someone in government. That is the fear from international agencies.”

Why International Agencies Let Him Fly

Clinton noted that the very fact that Frimpong was allowed to board a flight suggests Ghanaian authorities were not alerted in advance.

“He wasn’t put on notice, per se,” she said. “The fact that they let him get on a flight having gathered all that information, instead of sharing it with the Ghanaian government for the Ghanaian government to know whether they agreed or were going to extradite him, says a lot about the ongoing conversation about whether any government can handle politically exposed people and people in government effectively.”

She concluded with a stark warning:

“If they don’t handle them effectively, this is the international embarrassment we will face.”

Background: The Detention and Diplomatic Response

The legislator is said to have boarded a KLM flight to Schiphol Airport en route to the United Kingdom when he was detained based on an international arrest warrant reportedly linked to U.S. authorities and circulated through INTERPOL mechanisms.

Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor revealed that the MP personally contacted him on Sunday to inform him of the detention. Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga altered his travel arrangements from London to Accra, rerouting instead to Amsterdam to engage with the detained legislator.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are actively involved in Ghana’s diplomatic response, while Attorney-General Dominic Ayine is reportedly reviewing legal aspects of the matter.

Allegations of $32 Million Fraud and Romance Scams

While the precise basis for the arrest remains officially undisclosed, allegations linking the legislator to an alleged $32 million financial crime and “romance scam” investigation have circulated widely in sections of the media. This is not the first time Frimpong has faced such allegations. In 2025, he was reported to have been arrested in the UK over similar claims, which he flatly refuted at the time.

Political Upset Turned Parliamentary Alignment

Ohene Kwame Frimpong entered Parliament after securing a major upset victory in the 2024 parliamentary elections as an independent candidate in the Asante Akyem North Constituency, defeating incumbent Andy Appiah-Kubi of the New Patriotic Party. He polled 26,926 votes (70.25%), while Appiah-Kubi secured 8,933 votes (23.31%). Following his election, Frimpong aligned with the Majority Caucus in Parliament despite contesting as an independent.

We have curated the most relevant and impactful stories from across Ghana today, covering politics, security, power supply, health, telecommunications, and crime to keep you informed.

Mahama Chairs Crucial Cabinet Meeting on Constitution Review

President John Dramani Mahama is today chairing a special Cabinet meeting to deliberate on the long-awaited Constitution Review recommendations. The session, which follows extensive legal scrutiny by the Attorney General and the President’s legal team, will consider a draft position paper outlining the government’s stance on proposed amendments. Government Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu noted that not all recommendations will be accepted wholesale — some may be modified or rejected based on feasibility and national interest.

Once Cabinet approves the document, it will be made public, paving the way for the establishment of an Implementation Committee, public sensitization, and subsequent legislative or referendum processes. The exercise is expected to shape Ghana’s democratic framework for years to come. Read the full story here.

Defilement Suspect Found Dead in Police Cell at KEEA

A 38-year-old carpenter, Emmanuel Cudjoe, who was arrested on Sunday, May 10, 2026, for allegedly defiling his 11-year-old stepdaughter, has been found dead in a police cell at Egyeikrom in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipality of the Central Region. Police suspect suicide, as the suspect was found hanging with a strip of fabric from a blanket in the cell on the same day of his arrest.

No signs of physical assault were observed on the body. The body has been deposited at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital morgue, and investigations are ongoing. Read the full story here

ECG Announces Major Power Maintenance Across Tema, Ashanti & Western Regions

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has scheduled extensive planned and emergency maintenance works across the Tema, Ashanti, and Western Regions for Thursday, May 14, 2026. Power supply will be disrupted from 9:00 am in multiple communities, with durations ranging from 5 to 9 hours. Affected areas include several estates and commercial zones in Tema, numerous communities in Kumasi and surrounding districts in Ashanti, and parts of the Western Region.

The exercises are necessary to upgrade infrastructure and address faults, such as the recent underground cable issue on the Bantama Feeder. ECG has apologized for the inconvenience and urged consumers to plan accordingly. Read the full story here.

Ghana Records 6 New Mpox Cases, Total Now 1,070

Ghana has recorded six new cases of Mpox, bringing the total confirmed infections to 1,070 since the outbreak began, according to the Ghana Health Service (GHS). The new cases were reported as of May 10, 2026, showing a relatively slow transmission rate compared to earlier periods.

Health authorities continue to urge the public to maintain good hygiene, report symptoms promptly, and seek medical attention at the nearest health facility if they experience fever, rash, or other related signs. Read the full story here.

Fibre Cuts Surge Dramatically as Telco Industry Reaches Breaking Point

The telecommunications industry in Ghana is facing severe challenges as annual fibre cuts have skyrocketed from around 400 to over 8,000. Industry players warn that this surge is threatening service quality, increasing operational costs, and putting the sector under immense pressure. Read the full story here.

Asante Akyem North MP Linked to $215m Wire Fraud & Money Laundering Syndicate

New details have emerged linking Asante Akyem North MP Ohene Kwame Frimpong (OK Frimpong) to an alleged international wire fraud and money laundering syndicate that defrauded victims of approximately $215 million across 47 US states and 19 countries. Court documents from the US Department of Justice detail how the syndicate hacked emails and used shell companies to move funds.

Several Ghanaians, including the MP, are allegedly connected to accounts that received and transferred substantial sums from the scheme. The MP was recently detained in the Netherlands in connection with the investigations. Read the full story here.

Dafeamekpor Outlines Timeline for New Legal Education System Rollout

Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has provided a timeline for implementing Ghana’s new legal education reforms following the passage of the Legal Education Reform Bill. Plans are underway to quickly establish the Legal Education Council, appoint a Director-General and Registrar, and begin accrediting institutions.

Provisional licences for interested institutions are expected by July 2026, with admissions potentially starting in August and the new academic year in September. Read the full story here.