Ghana News
Court Slaps Barker-Vormawor with GH₵5m for Defaming Kan Dapaah and Other Trending Topics in Ghana (March 2, 2026)
Welcome to our rolling news update from Ghana, delivering timely insights and developments as they break. Return often as we continue to add the latest stories.
Court Slaps Barker-Vormawor with GH₵5m in Favour of Kan Dapaah for Defamation

The High Court in Accra has awarded GH₵5 million in general damages to former National Security Minister Albert Kan Dapaah against Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the former convener of the FixTheCountry Movement, for defamation. The ruling, delivered on March 2, 2026, also includes GH₵100,000 in costs. Justice (Rev.) Joseph Owusu Adu-Agyeman granted all reliefs claimed by Kan Dapaah except reducing the compensation from GH₵10 million to GH₵5 million. The case stemmed from Barker-Vormawor’s allegations of a $1 million bribery offer involving Kan Dapaah and government officials to halt activism. The court dismissed Barker-Vormawor’s application to relist his struck-out Statement of Defence and Witness Statement, deeming it irregular.
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Barker-Vormawor Vows to Challenge GH₵5.1m Kan Dapaah Defamation Judgment
Oliver Barker-Vormawor has announced plans to challenge the High Court’s March 2, 2026, ruling awarding GH₵5 million in damages and GH₵100,000 in costs to Albert Kan Dapaah for defamation. In a Facebook post, Barker-Vormawor cited procedural irregularities, including the court’s refusal to allow completion of cross-examination, striking out his defence after an adjournment due to his lawyer’s new appointment as Deputy Attorney General, and not considering his filed witness statement. He stated, “Of course we will seek to set it aside. But he can take his victory lap,” and invited the public to review his unconsidered witness statement. The judgment granted all of Kan Dapaah’s reliefs except reducing the claim from GH₵10 million to GH₵5 million.
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Presidential Wardrobe: Mahama’s Repeated Smock at SONA – Coincidence or a Statement?
President John Dramani Mahama’s choice to wear the same traditional handwoven smock (fugu/batakari) with bold vertical stripes in deep burgundy, brown, mustard yellow, black, and white details for his second consecutive State of the Nation Address (SONA) has sparked discussions on symbolism. The outfit, paired with a matching cap, is seen as representing continuity of his Reset Agenda, consistency of purpose, humility, and pride in Northern Ghanaian heritage. Historian Kwaku Darko Ankrah interprets it as a reassurance of steadfast commitment and resilience, echoing independence-era use of traditional attire for economic and developmental strength. During the SONA, the Minority caucus wore black attire with protest sashes reading “Cocoa farmers are pitiful,” while the Majority wore white signifying unity and support.
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Government Must Liaise with Gulf States to Safeguard Ghanaians – Prof Antwi-Danso
International relations expert Prof Vladimir Antwi-Danso has urged the Ghanaian government to coordinate with Gulf states and partners to ensure the safety and potential evacuation of nationals amid flight cancellations and air travel disruptions caused by escalating Middle East tensions. Speaking on JoyNews’ The Probe on March 1, 2026, he recommended diplomatic and consular actions, real-time updates for families, and work within the UN framework for de-escalation. The call follows regional instability, including missile threats and airspace closures, stranding Ghanaians and highlighting risks to citizens abroad.
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US/Israel Attack: Iranian Ambassador to Ghana Slams ‘State Terrorism’; Violation of the UN Charter
Iran’s Ambassador to Ghana, Ali Ghomshi, has condemned the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran as “cowardly assassination” and “state terrorism,” violating international law and the UN Charter (Article 2, Paragraph 4). In a statement on March 2, 2026, he described attacks on civilian infrastructure—including hospitals, Red Crescent facilities, schools, and a girls’ school in Minab where over 150 children were martyred—during Ramadan and Nowruz as war crimes. Iran vows a “lawful and decisive” response and calls on the UN, Islamic nations, and Non-Aligned Movement to act against the aggression. Ghomshi emphasized Iran’s resilience, internal cohesion, and right to self-defense, paying tribute to Supreme Leader Khamenei as a symbol of resistance and assuring no power vacuum.
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Ghanaian Residents in Qatar Urged to Register for Emergency Preparedness Amid Regional Tensions
The Embassy of Ghana in Doha has urgently called on all Ghanaian nationals in Qatar to register immediately with the mission as part of ongoing emergency preparedness measures amid heightened tensions and unrest in the Middle East. The registration, accessible via an online form, will enable the embassy to communicate effectively, provide assistance, and coordinate evacuation arrangements if necessary. All information submitted will be treated with strict confidentiality and used solely for official consular and emergency purposes. The advisory follows recent regional hostilities, including missile and drone activity affecting Gulf countries, and complements earlier shelter-in-place guidance. Ghanaians in Qatar—including students, workers, families, and visitors—are encouraged to complete the form promptly.
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Mother and Three Children Drown in Abandoned Galamsey Pit at Wassa Dankwa
A tragic incident in the Amenfi West Municipality of the Western Region claimed the lives of a 42-year-old woman and her three sons after they drowned in an abandoned illegal mining (galamsey) pit at Wassa Dunkwa on Saturday afternoon. The family had gone to collect firewood from dried cocoa trees near the site—a common practice among residents—when the children decided to swim in the water-filled pit. The mother rushed to rescue them but was unable to save them or herself. Bodies were retrieved and conveyed to the morgue at Catholic Hospital in Asankragwa. Police at Asankrangwa have commenced investigations. The incident renews concerns about the persistent dangers posed by unregulated and abandoned galamsey pits in many communities across the Western Region.
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‘I Dreamt of My Father Awaiting Judgment’ — Mahama Recalls Teen Nightmares
President John Dramani Mahama shared a deeply personal reflection on his teenage years during the opening of the 2026 Judicial Year of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, Tanzania, on March 2, 2026. He recounted recurring nightmares about his father— a minister in Kwame Nkrumah’s government—standing before judges awaiting judgment after detention following the 1966 coup. Mahama described how his father was interrogated, held for over a year, and later faced renewed risk during the 1974 Acheampong coup despite being a private rice farmer. In a letter to Acheampong, his father offered unsolicited advice: “Do not hold on to power for too long. Leave when the applause is the loudest.” The President said these experiences shaped his understanding of the dangers of challenging power and the importance of justice, stating: “Although I stand before you as a head of state, I remain the child whose father was detained for serving his country and advising its leader.” The anecdote underscored themes of human rights, impunity, and judicial independence.
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Ghana Maintains Over 5 Weeks of Fuel Stock Amid Middle East Tensions – NPA Assures

The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has reassured Ghanaians that the country has sufficient fuel reserves despite escalating tensions in the Middle East, including the recent Israel-Iran conflict and threats to the Strait of Hormuz. As of last Friday (February 27, 2026), diesel stocks are projected to last over 5 weeks (approximately 5.3 weeks), while petrol stocks can sustain nearly 6.8 weeks. NPA Director of Economic Regulation and Planning Abass Ibrahim Tasunti, speaking on JoyNews’ The Probe on March 1, 2026, attributed the robust buffer to regular import mandates, daily product discharges, production from the Sentuo oil refinery (operational since June 2025), and the Atuabo gas processing plant for LPG. He emphasized continuous monitoring and planned imports to prevent disruptions, stating, “Even without this war, we always ensure that we have a plan to make petroleum products available for consumers in the country.” Vessels with diesel and petrol cargoes are already at Tema anchorage, with more scheduled.
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Three Arrested for Beating Liberian National to Death in Sakumono
Three suspects—Francis Amuzu (44), William Adison (36), and Vincent Adzikah (34)—have been arrested by Sakumono District Patrol Team after a mob beat a 26-year-old Liberian national, Austin Tengeeh, to death near the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) facility at Lashibi in Sakumono, Greater Accra Region, on February 27, 2026. The victim was mistaken for a thief. Police responded to a distress call, found him unconscious with assault marks, and rushed him to Sakumono Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body is at the hospital morgue, and diplomatic protocols are being followed. The National Police Headquarters’ Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team is pursuing additional suspects. Investigations continue.
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10 Confirmed Dead, 30 Critical After Manso Tontokrom Mine Cave-In
A cave-in at an illegal mining site (galamsey) in Manso Tontokrom, Ashanti Region, has claimed 10 lives, with 30 others in critical condition as of March 2, 2026. Emergency teams are intensifying rescue operations, with an unspecified number still believed trapped underground. Injured victims have been transported to Hwidiem Hospital. Officials have not disclosed the exact cause or total number of miners present at the time, but investigations are underway to determine the circumstances. The incident highlights ongoing safety risks in unregulated small-scale mining operations.
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President Mahama Arrives in Tanzania for African Court’s 20th Anniversary
President John Dramani Mahama arrived at Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania on March 1, 2026, to participate in the 20th anniversary celebrations of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Court of Justice and Human Rights in Arusha. He will deliver the keynote address at the solemn opening of the 2026 Judicial Year on March 2, themed “20 Years of Service in Protecting Human and Peoples’ Rights in Africa,” at Kibo Hall. Accompanied by senior officials including Presidential Advisor Joyce Bawa Mogtari and Legal Advisor Marietta Brew, his visit underscores Ghana’s commitment to the rule of law, human rights, and African Union judicial institutions. He was received by Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, Ghana’s High Commissioner to Kenya Paul Evans Aidoo, and Supreme Court Judge Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei.
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TikToker Arrested for Spreading False Claims About Kumasi Police Officers
Isaac Boafo, a 45-year-old TikTok content creator known as “Duabo King,” has been arrested by the Police Intelligence Directorate (Ashanti Region) for publishing false information. He alleged on TikTok that four officers at the Central Police Station in Kumasi engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with commercial sex workers during night patrols at Asafo. During interrogation, Boafo admitted fabricating the claims to gain views and engagement, and also confessed to making unverified comments about the President for similar reasons. He was formally charged and detained pending further investigations. The Ashanti Regional Police Command, in a March 1, 2026, press release signed by Deputy Superintendent of Police Godwin Ahianyo, warned that such conduct will be dealt with according to law.
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Diplomatic Reset: President Mahama Appoints Baba Sadiq High Commissioner-Designate to Nigeria
President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Baba Sadiq Abdulai Abu as Ghana’s High Commissioner-designate to Nigeria, as announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 1, 2026. The move signals a diplomatic reset in Ghana-Nigeria relations under the Mahama administration. Baba Sadiq, a prominent figure in Ghana’s creative and media industries, recently served as the National Democratic Congress parliamentary candidate for Okaikwei Central in the 2024 elections. The appointment follows the recall of previous envoy Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed (Baba Jamal) after he contested the Ayawaso East by-election amid allegations of voter inducement in NDC primaries. Ghana and Nigeria share deep historical, cultural, and economic ties, though relations have faced challenges from trade disputes, migration concerns, and regulatory issues affecting businesses.
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32-Year-Old Missing Woman Reportedly Killed in Road Crash
A 32-year-old woman who went missing after booking a ride-hailing trip to Kumasi Airport on Thursday, February 26, 2026, has reportedly died in a road accident. The Uber vehicle, traveling at high speed in the early hours (around 4–5 a.m.), crashed into a broken-down bus parked in the middle of the road. An eyewitness rushed the woman and the driver to hospital; she succumbed to her injuries, while the driver survived but remains in a coma. Further details on the exact crash location or family response were not immediately available, and police involvement is not yet confirmed.
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Ghana News
How Ghana’s Government Pressured MTN, Telecel, and AirtelTigo to Cut Data Prices
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.
Ghana News
Buckingham Palace Responds to Jamaica’s $10 Billion Reparations Demand, But the UK Government’s Wallet Remains Shut
A historic diplomatic maneuver that highlights the stark contrast between UK’s royal sympathy and governmental policy has been triggered by Jamaica’s official petition to King Charles III on Monday, September 7, 2026.
The petition formally requests that the UK’s highest court review the legality of the transatlantic slave trade and whether Britain has a legal obligation to pay reparations.
However, while Buckingham Palace has pledged its engagement with the process, the United Kingdom government immediately reiterated its firm position that its “wallet remains shut”.
Led by Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, the delegation filed the petition in London, marking the first time a Commonwealth country has utilized this specific legal route to advance the cause of reparatory justice.
The petition seeks an advisory opinion from the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC), Jamaica’s highest court of appeal based in London, on three pivotal questions: whether the enslavement of Africans in Jamaica was legal under English common law, whether it breached international law, and whether the UK is currently legally obligated to provide a remedy for the harm caused.
While initial reports suggested Jamaica was seeking a $10 billion settlement, Minister Grange clarified to journalists that no specific sum is attached to the petition; instead, it aims to establish a legal foundation for determining what, if anything, is owed.
The Royal Response
The response from Buckingham Palace was characterized by procedural engagement coupled with royal distance. Contrary to some initial headlines, King Charles III—who is currently in Scotland and was not present for the delivery—will not personally receive the petition.
A palace spokesperson clarified that the process requires the petition to be lodged directly with the Judicial Committee under Section 4 of the 1833 Act, rather than being handed to the King.
The spokesperson emphasized that the King has “on many occasions expressed his personal and wholehearted commitment to promoting greater understanding around the issue of slavery and finding ways to address historic wrongs for the benefit of communities today”.
The Palace also confirmed that the Jamaican representatives would be received by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for bilateral discussions.
The Government’s Hardline Stance
While the Palace signaled engagement, the response from the British government was unequivocal and immediate. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s Downing Street office stated, “The UK does not and will not pay reparations”.
The spokesperson added, “The transatlantic slave trade was abhorrent and of course it’s right that we acknowledge the wrongs of the past, but we’ll continue to face forward and work with other countries on our current shared challenges”.
This stance remains unchanged despite recent acknowledgements that the UK significantly benefitted from the trade, and the fact that British institutions, such as the Church of England, have previously pledged funds to address their historical links.
A Historical Irony
The refusal comes against a backdrop of historical precedent that critics and advocates often highlight. In 1833, the British government agreed to a compensation package of £20 million (worth approximately $2.6 billion today) to be paid to British slave owners for the “loss of their property” after the abolition of slavery legislation.
“Encouraged” but Firm
Despite the government’s refusal to entertain financial compensation, Minister Grange expressed optimism about the engagement from Buckingham Palace.
“We’re not pre-empting the process, but we are encouraged,” she told Reuters, noting the Palace’s role in ensuring the petition was properly lodged through the Governor-General.
The move is seen as a significant escalation in the wider Caribbean reparations campaign. By seeking a legal opinion, Jamaica aims to bypass the political impasse that has blocked progress at Commonwealth summits.
If the JCPC rules in Jamaica’s favor, it could provide a powerful legal platform not only for Jamaica but for other former British colonies in the Caribbean demanding reparations, potentially paving the way for litigation in British courts.
Ghana News
Top Headlines From Ghanaian Newspapers: Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026
Here are the top headline stories pulled from the front pages of the provided Ghanaian newspapers.
The Dispatch
- Main: GHANA MUST KEEP TWO TERM PREZ LIMITS – ASIEDU NKETIA
- Secondary: IGP YOHUNO PROMOTES SEVEN POLICE OFFICERS WHO ARRESTED SUSPECTS IN CONNECTION WITH MURDER
- Also: MY JOURNEY FROM RUNNING MATE TO FORMER VEEP IS BY GOD’S DIVINE WILL – DR. BAWUMIA; BLACK STARS COACH QUEIROS TO STAY; REV. STEPHEN WENGAM LAUNCHES THE 10TH TRIENNIAL CONGRESS…
The Hawk Newspaper
- Main: MAHAMA DUMPS ASHIE MOORE (Over ‘Incompetence’ At Sankofa Gold)
- Secondary: FORMER CDS OFFERS BOOZ AND CASH TO KILL STORY; MAHAMA, OPEN YOUR EYES! – Obiri Boahen’s Chilling Warning: NPP ‘Mulling Evil’; SILENT THEN. OUTRAGED NOW – Anin-Yeboah’s Praise Exposes Critics’ Double Standards
The Overseer
- Main: MAHAMA SACKS NDC ‘SERIAL TROUBLEMAKER’ ASHIE-MOORE FROM SANKOFA GOLD
- Secondary: Free Primary Healthcare To Reach All 216 Districts By 2027 – Akandoh; Mahama Has Mobilized $1.7bn For Accra-Kumasi Expressway – Tamakloe; Ato Forson Thanks Constituents For 18 Years Of Support
The New Trust
- Main: Over 300k candidates chose category A schools despite 76,417 vacancies – Education Ministry
- Secondary: Ashanti NPP Women’s Wing cautions “Prophet” Owusu Bempah over attacks on Ayew Afriyie & Bawumia; Govt spent GH¢49.7m on 1,964 Ghanaians evacuated from SA – Ablakwa reveals; COKA swears in appointed deputy regional executives & others…urges them to work hard in unity
The National Enquirer
- Main: DON’T PAY ANYONE FOR SHS PLACEMENT – Dr. Apaak warns parents
- Secondary: National Security Nabs Notorious Illicit Drugs Pusher; TOR Seeks Strategic Int’l Partners; Minerals Commission Pushes Deeper Ghana-UK Mining Cooperation; NPA Gears Up – Takes petroleum safety campaign to Fetu Afahye in Cape Coast
The Spyder
- Main: Ayariga’s Cathedral Slip-Up: Chieftaincy Minister Tenure Starts on Wrong Footing
- Secondary: Controversial ‘Witches Conference’ Set for Accra; Former Army Boss’ Cash-And-Booze Trap Fails – Oppong-Peprah’s Journalist Trap Lands Him in Trouble; Do the Math: Students are Getting Smarter in Numbers, Dumber in Words – WAEC
Daily Graphic
- Main: Free Primary Healthcare goes live (Over 4,500 facilities ready • 135 Districts implement policy)
- Secondary: 53,000 Grade 9 BECE graduates given lifeline – They can do self-placement; Amansie Community Bank mobilises GH¢1bn deposits – Highest in Ashanti Region for 2025
Economy Times
- Main: BoG develops regulatory framework for cedi-backed stablecoins
- Secondary: Ghana’s 4-Year Bond issuance settles at 12% – …govt accepts bids of GH¢3.15 billion; Cedi turnaround delivers GH¢23.7bn FX upswing for SOEs
Day Break (Dated September 2, 2026)
- Main: Mahama Sued – …Over Council of State Vacancy
- Secondary: 1 In 4 Fibre Cuts By Galamsey – …Sam George Reveals; Be Like Zijin! – …Armah Buah Charges Ghanaian Mining Companies; Galamsey To Worsen – …Without Right Intelligence Architecture
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