Ghana News
Ghana News Live Blog: Catch up on Key Updates
Stay tuned for real-time developments shaping Ghana. Bookmark this page and return often for fresh summaries as stories evolve. (Updated February 5, 2026)
Ashanti Chiefs Blocked Yaa Asantewaa Naming for Kotoka Airport – Historian Reveals
Historian Yaw Anokye Frimpong disclosed on JoyNews’ Upfront on February 4, 2026, that Dr. Kwame Nkrumah originally planned to name Accra International Airport after Yaa Asantewaa, the Ashanti Queen Mother who led resistance against British colonialism in 1900. Nkrumah discussed the idea with Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Agyeman Prempeh II, who supported it, but opposition from sub-chiefs—citing political tensions with Nkrumah’s CPP—prevented it. The airport, built by 1957 as part of Nkrumah’s vision for African liberation, was instead named Accra International Airport. This revelation comes amid current debates on renaming Kotoka International Airport, with critics arguing against honoring coup leader Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka.
Source: MyJoyOnline
Ghana’s Cocoa Sector Teeters on Collapse Amid Funding Woes, Buyers Warn
The Licensed Cocoa Buyers Association (LICOBAG) warned at a February 5, 2026, press conference in Accra that Ghana’s cocoa industry risks imminent collapse due to funding shortages, flawed sales strategies, policy inconsistencies, and political interference. COCOBOD secured only US$500 million in syndicated loans for 2023/2024, forcing buyers to borrow at high 29.8% rates, leading to firm closures and unpaid debts. Additional issues include delayed sales causing unsold stocks, smuggling, and farmer unrest. LICOBAG called for urgent reforms like seed funds, timely payments, and restoring COCOBOD’s professionalism. Executive Secretary Victus Dzah stated: “If serious efforts are made beyond rhetoric and theatrics, the industry can be realigned.”
Source: MyJoyOnline
Security and Free Movement Must Complement Each Other for Africa’s Growth – Interior Minister
At the Africa Prosperity Dialogue 2026 in Accra, Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak emphasized that security and free movement are complementary for economic transformation under the AfCFTA. He advocated for technology-driven border management, a harmonized AU biometric ID system, and capacity-building, stating: “A borderless Africa does not mean borderless security; it means smart borders.” Referencing the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol, he urged integrated approaches to empower SMEs, women, and youth. Minister of Trade Elizabeth Agyare Ofosu highlighted financing gaps for SMEs. The event gathered leaders to discuss integration.
Source: MyJoyOnline
Bookmark this page and return often for fresh summaries as stories evolve. (Updated February 5, 2026)
Asante Bediatuo Defends Kotoka Naming, Cites Role in ‘Liberating’ Ghana from Nkrumah
Nana Asante Bediatuo, former Executive Secretary to President Nana Akufo-Addo, opposed renaming Kotoka International Airport, arguing Lt. Col. Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka symbolized liberation from Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s 1966 regime and preserved democratic freedoms. Speaking on Asempa FM on February 4, 2026, he said: “In liberating ourselves from the 1966 regime… it is an important statement that Ghanaians want this freedom. And I think that is what Kotoka represents.” Kotoka led the coup against Nkrumah and was killed in 1967. Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin echoed concerns for Kotoka’s Volta Region ties, while MP Kojo Oppong Nkrumah supported the change.
Source: Yen.com.gh
Prophet Telvin Sowah Predicts Political Downfall for NAPO in 2028 Elections
Prophet Telvin Adjei Sowah prophesied challenges for Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO) ahead of the 2028 elections, claiming he would not secure the NPP vice presidential slot due to stronger rivals. Shared in a February 4, 2026, TikTok interview, the prophecy drew mixed reactions, with some praising it as insightful and others dismissing it as analysis. This follows NAPO’s endorsement of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who won the NPP primaries with 56.48% on January 31, 2026. Sowah previously accurately predicted the primaries outcome.
Source: Yen.com.gh
Prof Lumumba Suggests Renaming Kotoka Airport After Nkrumah Amid Ongoing Saga
Kenyan Pan-Africanist Prof. PLO Lumumba, arriving in Ghana, weighed in on the Kotoka International Airport renaming debate, advocating for honoring Dr. Kwame Nkrumah instead of reverting to Accra International Airport. He stated: “There are some of us who think it should bear another name, and that name is Kwame Nkrumah.” The government plans legislative changes, following lawsuits by Democracy Hub and the CPP challenging Kotoka’s name as undemocratic. MP Kwame Asare Obeng (A Plus) supported the move, calling Kotoka an “enemy of the state” and urging posthumous prosecution for disrupting Nkrumah’s legacy.
Source: Yen.com.gh
Haruna Iddrisu Disavows Fake Posters Projecting Him as 2028 NDC Flagbearer
Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South and Minister of Education, distanced himself from social media posters portraying him as an NDC flagbearer aspirant for 2028. His Press Secretary, Hashmin Mohammed, labeled them “fake” in a February 5, 2026, statement, urging the public to disregard them. Iddrisu is focused on his ministerial role and supporting President Mahama’s Reset Ghana agenda in education, currently in Zambia. He has endorsed Vice-President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as a qualified NDC leader and potential first female President.
Source: Graphic Online
Mahama Warns of Africa’s ‘Triple Dependency’ Trap in Historic Zambia Address
Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, in a landmark speech to Zambia’s National Assembly on February 5, 2026, during his state visit, described Africa as ensnared by a “pandemic of unfulfilled potential” driven by a “Triple Dependency”: reliance on external actors for security, donor funding for health and education, and exporting raw minerals while importing finished goods. This, he argued, leads to youth unemployment, fragile systems, and wealth extraction. Mahama proposed the Accra Reset Initiative to promote pragmatic partnerships, industrial growth via Africa’s resources, digitalization, and fintech for market connectivity, urging economic transformation through unity and self-reliance amid declining aid.
Source: MyJoyOnline
Mahama Calls for Transparent Leadership to Unlock Africa’s Potential
In his address to Zambian MPs on February 5, 2026, President John Dramani Mahama stressed that Africa’s advancement hinges on transparent, accountable leadership and strong institutions over “strong men,” echoing Barack Obama’s words. He criticized corruption, resource misuse, and democratic backsliding in West Africa due to military coups, while praising Zambia’s stabilization and Ghana’s democratic model. Mahama advocated for independent anti-corruption bodies and efficient resource use, and expressed commitment to strengthening Ghana-Zambia ties through trade, investment, and the Permanent Joint Commission, with optimism for Zambia’s 2026 elections.
Source: MyJoyOnline
Nana Agradaa’s 15-Year Sentence Slashed to One Year by High Court
The Amasaman High Court has reduced Nana Agradaa’s (Patricia Asiedua) prison term from 15 years with hard labour to 12 calendar months, deeming the original punishment excessive and disproportionate. The ruling upholds her July 3, 2025, conviction for charlatanic advertisement and defrauding by false pretences, stemming from claims of supernatural money-multiplying powers on TV. The decision has fueled public debate on its fairness.
Source: MyJoyOnline
Korle Klottey Assembly Halts Burials at Osu Cemetery Amid Illegal Exhumations
The Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly (KoKMA) has indefinitely suspended burials at Osu Cemetery following reports of illegal exhumations, grave desecration, and unauthorized plot sales, actions deemed criminal and culturally offensive. Limited burials for indigenes will proceed under strict controls. KoKMA plans a full audit, management overhaul, and enhanced security, urging families to report issues while committing to transparency and dignity in cemetery operations.
Source: MyJoyOnline
Attorney-General Denies Secret Deals in ORAL Anti-Corruption Probes
Attorney-General Dominic Ayine has dismissed allegations of secret deals or plea bargaining in the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) investigations, insisting all cases follow legal protocols without compromise. With 16 dockets under review and some requiring more evidence, he assured public accountability. Ayine also warned of a “tsunami” of land compensation claims against the state, potentially worth billions based on colonial-era documents, posing fiscal risks and prompting a presidential brief.
Source: MyJoyOnline
GTEC Suspends New General Nursing Programme Accreditations
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has halted accreditations for new diploma and bachelor’s General Nursing programmes effective February 4, 2026, under the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020. Institutions must refrain from processing applications until further notice, shifting focus to specialised fields like Critical Care, Paediatric, Oncology, and Psychiatric Nursing to address workforce gaps and align with national priorities.
Source: GhanaWeb
Actor Big Akwes in Tears Over Court Reducing Agradaa’s Sentence
Kumawood actor Big Akwes, a close friend of Nana Agradaa, was overcome with emotion in a viral video, weeping in relief after the Amasaman High Court cut her sentence from 15 years to 12 months. The court upheld her 2025 conviction for fraud and charlatanic claims but ruled the original term excessive. The decision has sparked mixed reactions, with some praising its fairness and others questioning its impact as a deterrent.
Source: Pulse Ghana
Ofosu Nkansah Denies Arrest, Claims Voluntary Cooperation with NIB
Former NEIP CEO Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, through his lawyer Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, refuted reports of his arrest by the National Investigation Bureau (NIB), asserting he voluntarily reported to aid probes into alleged sales of government scholarships. The investigation, ordered by President Mahama on February 3, 2026, follows Nkansah’s radio claims of payments for scholarships, aiming to verify transparency issues. Conflicting accounts from Dzifa Gunu suggest he ignored prior invitations, but Nkansah pledges full cooperation for accountability.
Source: Pulse Ghana
Twitter Clashes Erupt Over Mahama’s Traditional Attire in Zambia
A light-hearted yet heated social media spat unfolded between Ghanaians and Zambians after President John Dramani Mahama arrived in Zambia wearing a northern Ghanaian Fugu (Batakari) smock with jeans. Zambian users mocked the outfit as unfamiliar, prompting strong defenses from Ghanaians highlighting its cultural significance and promotion of local fashion. Ghanaian influencer Wode Maya weighed in humorously, contrasting it with non-African suits and praising Mahama’s style choice during the state visit.
Source: GhanaWeb
Mahama: We Inherited a ‘Sick Country’ with Governance in Tatters
During his state visit to Zambia, President John Dramani Mahama described Ghana’s condition upon his January 2025 inauguration as dire: “We inherited a country that was sick. The economy was in crisis, and governance was in tatters.” He cited debt default, over 100% debt-to-GDP ratio, eroded investor confidence, and crises in health, education, and agriculture, likening the needed fixes to a full system “reset.” The remarks frame his administration’s reform agenda.
Source: Citi Newsroom
Parliament Approves Expansion of Legal Education in Ghana
Ghana’s Parliament has adopted a key report backing the Legal Education Reform Bill, paving the way for broader access to legal training. The reforms aim to end the Ghana School of Law’s monopoly by establishing a National Council for Legal Education to accredit university law faculties and oversee a national bar exam. Justice Minister Dominic Ayine stressed the need to break barriers for aspiring lawyers, while Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga stressed fairness and equity. Bipartisan MPs welcomed the move but urged strict safeguards to maintain professional standards. This step promises more opportunities for legal aspirants while preserving the profession’s integrity.
Source: MyJoyOnline
Mahama Pushes for Parliamentary Oversight on Public Land Sales
President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to introduce legislation requiring full parliamentary approval for any sale or lease of public lands. Citing cases of undervalued state properties resold at massive profits (e.g., GHS150,000 acquired then flipped for $2 million), the policy seeks to halt unchecked disposals, enhance transparency, and reclaim improperly titled lands. A review committee is already active in Accra and beyond, with transactions suspended until titles are finalized. The move aims to boost accountability in managing national assets.
Source: MyJoyOnline
Ghana and Zambia Seal Landmark Visa Waiver Deal
Ghana and Zambia have agreed to a historic visa-free travel arrangement—the first in their bilateral history—announced by Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa during President Mahama’s February 2026 state visit to Zambia. The policy, a personal priority for Mahama, aims to boost trade, tourism, investment, and people-to-people ties by easing mobility for citizens, students, and professionals. Ablakwa noted it was a key condition for the visit, promising smoother cross-border movement.
Source: Citi Newsroom
Ghana’s Gold Refinery Launches Amid Galamsey Contamination Concerns
Ghana’s local gold refining has begun through a Gold Coast Refinery-Rand Refinery partnership, processing at least one metric tonne weekly with room for growth to boost foreign exchange earnings. However, experts warn that gold from illegal ‘galamsey’ operations risks contaminating supplies, potentially alienating premium international buyers who demand strict traceability under LBMA and OECD standards. A pilot traceability program covers up to 600 mines, but gaps could limit access to high-value markets like Switzerland and the US, where Ghana’s small-scale gold often sells at discounts elsewhere.
Source: MyJoyOnline
Nigerian Socialite Accused of $2.5m Romance Scam Posing as Dubai Crown Prince
A Nigerian socialite, Nzube Henry Ikeji, allegedly defrauded a Romanian businesswoman, Laura, of $2.5 million by posing as the Dubai Crown Prince on LinkedIn. The scam evolved into a fake investment and romance scheme, involving a cloned UK bank account and fabricated fees to “unlock” funds. Laura’s complaint led UK police to identify an accomplice under investigation, while OCCRP traced Ikeji to Abuja—he denied involvement. The case highlights sophisticated cross-border fraud tactics.
Source: GhanaWeb
Bookmark this page and return often for fresh summaries as stories evolve. (Updated February 5, 2026)
Ghana News
610 More Ghanaians to Evacuate South Africa in Coming Days: High Commissioner Vows to Continue Until Every Citizen Who Wants to Leave Is Home
Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Anani Quashie, has announced that 610 more Ghanaian evacuees are expected to arrive in Ghana within the next three to four days, as the government accelerates its voluntary repatriation exercise amid ongoing xenophobic attacks and hostility toward foreign nationals.
Speaking to TV3 News, Quashie confirmed that two flights carrying approximately 610 people will depart for Ghana in the coming days. However, he stressed that the evacuation process will not stop there.
“The registration will continue. It will be an ongoing concern,” he said. When asked how long the exercise would last, Quashie disclosed that he had put the same question to the Foreign Affairs Minister. “He indicated to me that until every Ghanaian that wants to go home is taken home. So this process is going to continue until every Ghanaian who wants to come home is taken home.”
The High Commissioner’s remarks come as Ghana has already evacuated its first batch of 300 citizens on May 28, with hundreds more registered for voluntary return following renewed fears over xenophobic attacks.
High Commission screens evacuees on Ghanaian soil to prevent arrests
Quashie addressed claims that some Ghanaians had faced challenges registering for evacuation through the High Commission, firmly denying any systemic obstacles. He explained that the High Commission had negotiated with South African authorities to relocate the screening process to the premises of the Chancery, effectively placing the evacuees on what he described as “Ghanaian soil” during processing.
“The reason why we negotiated and got the screening to be done in the premises of the Chancery. All the officers are there in the Chancery so that if there’s any problem, they’re presumed that they are on Ghanaian soil. We’ll solve it here rather than allowing our people to go to their offices where they can easily arrest them and put them in custody,” Quashie explained.
He clarified that the only Ghanaians facing difficulties are those traveling with children who cannot prove parentage:
“The only time they’ll ask you to go for a document is people who come with children and those kids will come and tell you that ‘oh, it’s not my kid, it’s my uncle’s kid, it’s my sister’s kids.’
Those ones have laid down procedures for that in the interest of those kids. The Department of Home Affairs are strict with that. We cannot even ask them to do anything about it because they need to ascertain whether indeed these are your kids.”
Quashie also noted that some mothers are attempting to send their children back with friends while they remain in South Africa. “It’s not allowed. The law doesn’t allow it,” he said firmly. He invited any Ghanaian facing difficulties to come directly to the Chancery, where about 200 people were currently going through the screening process.
Cautious optimism as South Africa signals tougher enforcement
The High Commissioner expressed cautious optimism that the situation in South Africa might improve, noting that authorities are beginning to take action after nearly three months of tensions. “We’ve been hearing that Jacinta has been invited to appear before law enforcement. We’ve been hearing that some people will be arrested. We’ve been hearing that government is going to deploy the armed forces on the various streets of South Africa,” Quashie said.
He suggested that if these measures materialize, some Ghanaians might reconsider leaving.
“Which means that our people can go back and open up their shops when that time comes. I’m sure that nobody would want to go home under the circumstances that we find ourselves currently,” he acknowledged.
However, Quashie admitted frustration with the pace of action:
“Three months down the line, we’ve not seen the action that we want. But we are beginning to believe that they would want to show that action now, and we just give them the benefit of the doubt.”
Quashie praised the efforts of the Foreign Affairs Minister, who he said flew to South Africa personally for a day to engage with authorities despite the diplomatic difficulties.
“It’s something that I can tell you,” he said, underscoring Ghana’s commitment to protecting its citizens.
He concluded by reiterating the government’s resolve: the evacuation will continue for as long as any Ghanaian wishes to return home.
Ghana News
Pregnant Ghanaian Woman and Son Detained at Dules International Airport For Over a Week Released
A pregnant Ghanaian woman and her 4-year-old son, who spent more than a week confined to a windowless room at Washington Dulles International Airport after arriving on valid tourist visas, are on a flight back to Ghana following a federal judge’s order on Friday, May 29, 2026, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Virginia.
CNN reports that hours before the flight departed, U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema stated in her order that “the welfare of the petitioners and the interests of justice are best served by allowing petitioners to return home immediately.”
At an earlier hearing in Alexandria, Virginia, Brinkema had told the U.S. government that Anabella Gyasi, 38, and her son must be released from the holding room at the airport before the end of the day.
“She cannot spend tonight at Dulles,” said Brinkema, a Clinton nominee to the federal bench, per CNN reporting. “One way or another, we’re going to get her out.”
Gyasi came to the United States on a tourist visa after securing an appointment at Akron Children’s Hospital in Ohio for her son to be evaluated for possible surgery to address severe physical abnormalities affecting his fingers on both hands.
The family had traveled to the U.S. for treatment two years earlier, but Gyasi was told her child was too young for surgery at that time. Their tourist visas expire in 2028, according to the habeas petition filed by the ACLU.
Instead of being able to board her connecting flight to Ohio, Gyasi – who is four and a half months pregnant – and her son were taken into custody after she “disclosed her fear of returning to Ghana based on the persecution she and her son faced” during questioning by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. They were then “locked in a holding room” at the airport and “denied adequate food and medical care,” the petition alleged.
Mother hospitalized twice during detention
Gyasi was hospitalized twice over the past week, initially for lightheadedness and then for vaginal bleeding, which doctors attributed to high stress and high blood pressure. Medical staff “were concerned that she was not eating enough and fed her. They even gave her food to take back with her,” her attorneys alleged in court documents. Gyasi told officials she and her son were not familiar with food in the U.S., and it was making her sick and weak.
Four days after her arrival – and after repeated requests for more food – the petition said Gyasi agreed to be deported, “fearing that she might lose her unborn child.”
“Because I’m pregnant, I am getting weaker and weaker by the day,” she told a CBP officer, according to an official transcript. Her son had “spent much of the day crying because of his hunger pains,” and CBP officers allegedly denied her request to purchase food, “saying she could only access the food they gave her.”
However, after she initially agreed to drop her asylum request, officers “offered to get her whatever food she wanted” and let her and her son shower for the first time since their detention, according to the petition. Gyasi’s attorneys said her agreement for self-deportation was prompted by “desperation for the health and well-being” of her son and her unborn child, and that she did “not wish to relinquish their asylum claims.”
Government denies mistreatment allegations
The Department of Homeland Security has denied the allegations of mistreatment, with a spokesperson stating that “everyone in CBP custody, including this individual, has access to appropriate care, including medical evaluation by a doctor, medication, and food.” The government also argued that Gyasi’s tourist visa was not valid because she “admitted under oath … her intent was not to leave the United States to return to Ghana.”
Gyasi said in a statement to immigration authorities under oath that she had been researching the possibility of claiming asylum “for the past 2 years,” after officers examined her phone and found a history of searches on the topic, according to a CBP officer. Her attorneys argue she is being punished for her honesty.
“If she did not disclose the fear that she was having about persecution in her country, she could have still entered on the tourist visas,” said Eden Heilman, Gyasi’s lead attorney with the ACLU of Virginia. “Unfortunately, because she was honest and shared her concerns, that’s what funneled her into this separate asylum-seeker category.”
After an immigration judge denied her asylum request on Wednesday, making it virtually impossible for Gyasi and her son to remain in the country, her legal team shifted focus to her well-being.
“We were very pleased that the judge recognized one fundamental principle, which is that human beings should not be detained under the conditions our client was being detained at Dulles Airport in a windowless room without access to appropriate food or medical care,” said Mary Bauer, executive director of the ACLU of Virginia.
Although Gyasi’s hopes that she and her son could remain in the United States were dashed, the judge insisted on one thing: no more nights in a windowless room.
“She’s not gonna spend tonight at Dulles,” Brinkema reiterated at the end of the hearing.
Ghana News
World Bank Approves $500 Million to Upgrade Ghana’s Rural Roads and Boost Agricultural Connectivity
The World Bank has approved a $500 million financing package to support the rehabilitation and maintenance of at least 1,000 kilometers of rural agricultural and market access roads across Ghana.
The Ghana Market Access and Connectivity Project (GMACP) aims to address long-standing challenges posed by poor road infrastructure in rural areas, which have limited farmers’ access to markets, increased transportation costs, and contributed to high post-harvest losses.
The project is expected to directly benefit over 550,000 people by improving connectivity, reducing travel times, and strengthening agricultural value chains.
World Bank Division Director for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, Robert Taliercio, described the initiative as a major step toward enhancing rural livelihoods and economic resilience.
“This project will improve access to markets and opportunities for rural communities while strengthening Ghana’s agricultural competitiveness,” he said.
The project is also projected to generate more than 5,000 direct jobs and over 25,000 indirect jobs through construction and road maintenance activities.
The initiative, which will be implemented by Ghana’s Ministry of Roads and Highways, incorporates climate-resilient designs to ensure long-term durability of the roads and drainage systems.
610 More Ghanaians to Evacuate South Africa in Coming Days: High Commissioner Vows to Continue Until Every Citizen Who Wants to Leave Is Home
Pregnant Ghanaian Woman and Son Detained at Dules International Airport For Over a Week Released
World Bank Approves $500 Million to Upgrade Ghana’s Rural Roads and Boost Agricultural Connectivity
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