Ghana News
Ghana News Live Blog: Key Updates Throughout Saturday, January 24, 2026
Stay tuned — we’ll refresh this page as new developments emerge across politics, public safety, and civic affairs.
Ghana Explores Maritime and Trade Opportunities at Philadelphia Port

Ghana is advancing international trade and maritime cooperation, exploring opportunities at the Port of Philadelphia to boost Ghanaian exports and strengthen global logistics networks. Discussions focused on expanding trade linkages and leveraging port infrastructure to enhance Ghana’s access to U.S. markets. This initiative is part of Ghana’s broader push to deepen trade partnerships and strengthen economic ties abroad.
Read more: https://www.myjoyonline.com/ghana-explores-maritime-and-trade-opportunities-at-philadelphia-port/
11 Arrested for Illegal Mining at Atiwa
Eleven individuals have been arrested for engaging in illegal mining activities (galamsey) in the Atiwa Forest area as authorities ramp up enforcement efforts. The arrests follow operations aimed at curbing environmental degradation and preserving natural resources. Law enforcement and environmental agencies continue to pursue offenders to protect Ghana’s critical ecosystems.
Read more: https://www.myjoyonline.com/11-arrested-for-engaging-in-illegal-mining-at-atiwa/
GES Warns Against Fake Recruitment Letter Circulating Online
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has cautioned the public to ignore a fraudulent recruitment letter circulating on social media. GES clarified that no official recruitment for the 2025/26 academic year has begun and the document is unauthorised. The Service reiterated that official recruitment announcements will only be released through verified channels.
Read more: https://www.myjoyonline.com/ges-warns-public-against-fake-recruitment-letter-circulating-on-social-media/
Woman Lies on Nkrumah’s Grave to ‘Satisfy Pregnancy Craving’
A video has gone viral showing a heavily pregnant woman lying on the grave of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, claiming to satisfy a pregnancy craving. The footage, which appears to be shared widely on social media, has drawn public attention and mixed reactions.
Read more: https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Watch-as-woman-lies-on-Nkrumah-s-grave-to-satisfy-pregnancy-craving-2018687
Mahama Commissions Fleet for Ghana Armed Forces
President John Dramani Mahama has commissioned a new fleet of vehicles for the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) aimed at enhancing mobility and operational capabilities. The handover at the WASSA event in Accra included pickup trucks, buses, and Land Cruisers. The move forms part of a broader modernization program to improve military logistics and support national security. Plans are also underway for expanded barracks and enhanced military infrastructure.
Read more: https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/President-Mahama-commissions-a-fleet-vehicle-for-Ghana-Armed-Forces-2018699
🛣️ John Dumelo Assures Students’ Safety After UniMAC Student’s Death
Following the tragic death of a UniMAC journalism student who was reportedly struck while crossing a busy highway near the South Legon campus, Deputy Minister John Dumelo has pledged to prioritize road safety measures. He expressed condolences to the family and vowed to collaborate with authorities to improve pedestrian safety along the hazardous N1 highway stretch.
Read more: https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/John-Dumelo-assures-students-safety-after-death-of-GIJ-student-2018685
💰 BoG Backs $134m Injection into Cocoa Value Chain
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has endorsed a $134 million risk-sharing facility between Access Bank Ghana PLC and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to support liquidity in Ghana’s cocoa value chain. The initiative aims to strengthen Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs), safeguard rural farmers’ incomes, and bolster export resilience. The financing framework is positioned as a strategic priority for economic stability and expansion in Ghana’s cocoa sector.
Read more: https://citinewsroom.com/2026/01/bog-backs-ifc-access-bank-134m-injection-into-cocoa-value-chain/
🚓 38-Year-Old Arrested Over Suspected Narcotics in GHS Vehicle
Police in the Volta Region have arrested a 38-year-old man, identified as Godsway Kwaku Dogbey, for allegedly transporting suspected narcotic substances in a vehicle registered to the Ghana Health Service. The arrest followed an intelligence-led operation and the vehicle was impounded at a checkpoint in Ho. Investigations are ongoing.
Read more: https://www.myjoyonline.com/police-arrest-38-year-old-man-over-suspected-narcotics-in-a-ghs-vehicle/
CHRAJ Urges Ofori-Atta to Return, Vows Protection

The head of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Joseph Whittal, has called on former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana to face accountability, reassuring him of protection against unfair treatment. The appeal came as pressure group Arise Ghana paused its four-day protest at the U.S. Embassy after submitting a petition seeking his repatriation. The group warned it would resume action if there was no satisfactory response from American authorities. (MyJoyOnline)
NPP Contest: Gyampo on Science vs Prophecy
Professor Ransford Gyampo described the New Patriotic Party’s January 31 primary race as a “battle between science and prophecy,” highlighting tensions between data-driven strategy and personality-based narrative in the flagbearer contest. His remarks reflect rising debate over whether Ken Agyapong or Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will be elected flagbearer of the opposition party, whose popularity keeps falling after the last NPP-led administration under Nana Akufo-Addo. (MyJoyOnline)
President Mahama to Boost National Cyber Defence
President John Dramani Mahama announced plans to establish Ghana’s first Cyber and Electronic Warfare Centre at the Tamale Air Force Base. The facility will enhance border surveillance and digital defence capabilities, supported by advanced communication systems, armored vehicles, and drones as part of a broader military modernisation effort. (CitiNewsroom.com)
UniMAC Mourns Student Killed in Hit-and-Run
The University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) is in mourning after Nelson Blay Nokotey, a Level 300 journalism student, died in a hit-and-run accident near the South Legon campus. The unregistered vehicle fled the scene after the collision. University authorities and students have called for enhanced road safety measures and are cooperating with police in the investigation. (MyJoyOnline)
Road Crashes Surge in Ghana in 2025
Preliminary data from the National Road Safety Authority shows that Ghana recorded 2,949 deaths from 14,743 road traffic crashes in 2025, marking a significant rise compared with the previous year. Pedestrians were among the most affected road users, underscoring ongoing challenges in traffic safety and enforcement nationwide. (CitiNewsroom.com)
Critics Say Political Agitation Hampers Ofori-Atta Extradition Bid
Gushegu MP Hassan Tampuli argued that the intense political debate surrounding Ken Ofori-Atta’s extradition effort risks weakening Ghana’s legal case abroad. Tampuli contended that framing the matter as political upheaval could undermine the country’s position with U.S. authorities following demonstrations and public agitation. (MyJoyOnline)
Legal Challenge to Ghana’s Legal Profession Structure
Private legal practitioner Yaw Aning Boadu has filed a lawsuit against the Ghana Law Society, the General Legal Council, and the Registrar of Companies, claiming the Ghana Law Society’s registration and licensing authority lacks proper legal basis. The High Court case seeks to annul the Society’s status and restrain it from licensing practitioners. (CitiNewsroom.com)
Return soon for more updates on these stories and others shaping Ghana’s domestic and international news landscape.
Ghana News
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Honoured as Former and Current Ghanaian Presidents Receive Commemorative Gold Coin
Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has been formally presented with a specially minted commemorative gold coin in his honor, alongside three distinguished Ghanaian leaders — former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Akufo-Addo and President John Dramani Mahama.
The high-profile presentation, part of activities tied to the 2021 launch of the Otumfuo Commemorative Gold Coin, recognizes the Asantehene’s immense contributions to peace, national development, and democratic stability in Ghana.
Upon receiving the coin, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II expressed humility, stating that he accepted the honor on behalf of the Asante Kingdom and the entire nation.

Former president Akufo-Addo described the gesture as a fitting tribute to the King’s legacy.
He particularly thanked Otumfuo for his instrumental role in facilitating lasting peace in the Dagbon Traditional Area during his administration.
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor was effusive in his praise, declaring that Otumfuo’s mediation in the Dagbon conflict, alongside two other traditional leaders, was of Nobel Peace Prize standard. Kufuor also credited the Asantehene with playing a pivotal behind-the-scenes role in Ghana’s successful exit from the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program, which resulted in the cancellation of approximately $4 billion in external debt.
President John Dramani Mahama also lauded Otumfuo’s statesmanship.
He highlighted the King’s significant contribution to securing Ghana’s 2016 IMF bailout program, which helped stabilize the economy at a critical time. Mahama further described Otumfuo as a consistent voice of wisdom in Ghana’s democratic journey since the Rawlings era, noting that the Asantehene has offered valuable counsel during numerous national crises.
The presentation of the commemorative gold coin underscores the deep respect and influence Otumfuo Osei Tutu II commands across Ghana’s political divide, transcending party lines and generations.
Ghana News
Macron, Mahama Held Reparations Talks During Ghana Leader’s Paris Visit: French Ambassador Reveals
French President Emmanuel Macron and Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama discussed the issue of reparatory justice during the Ghanaian leader’s recent visit to Paris, France’s Ambassador to Ghana has disclosed.
Madam Diarra Dimé-Labille, Ambassador of France to Ghana, revealed the high-level engagement during her first press briefing in Accra, confirming that both leaders expressed willingness to continue dialogue on the matter.
The disclosure comes just weeks after the United Nations General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution on March 25, 2026, spearheaded by Ghana on behalf of the African Union with backing from Caribbean states. The resolution calls for recognition of the transatlantic slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity and encourages efforts toward reparatory justice.
France abstained from the vote, a decision the Ambassador addressed directly.
“President Mahama and President Macron discussed this issue during the Ghanaian leader’s recent visit to Paris,” Madam Dimé-Labille told journalists. “Both sides expressed willingness to continue engagement on the matter.”
The Ambassador stated that France fully recognizes slavery as a crime against humanity within its legal framework – noting that France was the first country to formally adopt such recognition more than two decades ago.
However, she explained that certain legal considerations influenced France’s position on the wording of the resolution, leading to its abstention alongside other European Union member states.
France, she said, supported the broader intent of the resolution but sought a more consensual formulation aligned with established classifications under international law.
“The resolution is not the end, it is the beginning,” Madam Dimé-Labille said, expressing optimism about the way forward.
She indicated that France is prepared to contribute meaningfully to future discussions, including a proposed coalition of states expected to explore practical pathways toward reparatory justice, potentially hosted in Ghana.
Drawing on her background in international law, the Ambassador explained that establishing a clear legal basis for reparations at the global level remains complex. Unlike other historical cases where compensation frameworks were backed by binding international mechanisms, there is currently no specific legal instrument governing reparations for the transatlantic slave trade.
Progress, she said, is therefore likely to be driven by dialogue, cooperation, and political consensus among states – a process in which the Macron-Mahama conversation represents an early but significant step.
Madam Dimé-Labille described the UN resolution’s adoption, with more than 120 countries voting in favour, as an “overwhelming success” and a significant milestone reflecting growing global consensus on addressing historical injustices.
She also broadened the definition of reparatory justice beyond financial compensation, pointing to areas such as reform of global financial systems, debt considerations, education, and historical research as part of the wider conversation.
“Reparation is not only about financial compensation,” she said.
Ghana has taken a leading role in advancing the reparations agenda internationally, positioning itself at the forefront of calls for historical justice and equitable global systems. The Macron-Mahama talks signal that major European powers are prepared to engage with that agenda, even as legal and procedural differences remain.
The Ambassador reiterated France’s broader commitment to addressing historical issues, including ongoing efforts to acknowledge aspects of its past and support the return of African cultural artefacts.
“Continued dialogue and partnership will be essential in shaping a shared understanding of reparatory justice and its implications,” she said.
Ghana News
Cheddar Declares ‘I Will Be President Sooner Than Later’, Remittances to Ghana Hit Record $7.8bn and Other Big Stories Today
We’ve curated the most important stories shaping Ghana today for a global audience. From bold political statements and record gains in non-traditional exports and remittances to government efforts to cut tomato imports, this roundup keeps you informed on key developments across the country—wherever you are in the world.
Cheddar Declares He Will Become President ‘Sooner Than Later’
Nana Kwame Bediako, popularly known as Cheddar and founder of the New Force movement, has confidently declared his ambition to become President of Ghana. Speaking at the Africa Real Estate Festival on April 18, 2026, the 2024 presidential candidate — who placed third with 84,478 votes — told the audience: “I know you all saw me running for president. I probably looked too young, but I’m promising you I will be your president sooner than later.” He added that upon taking office he would extend his vision across African borders to build the continent and its people.
Read the full story here
Government Targets Tomato Import Cuts as Vice-President Courts Major Investment in Spain
Vice-President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has reaffirmed the government’s push to reduce Ghana’s reliance on tomato imports through major agribusiness investments. During a meeting with GB Foods executives in Barcelona, she highlighted plans for technology-driven tomato production and value addition, including 6,000 hectares already secured in the Afram Plains. The partnership aims to boost local yields from the current average of five tonnes per hectare to as much as 60 tonnes using precision irrigation and specialised techniques, while creating jobs and including smallholder farmers.
Read the full story here
Mahama Vows to Keep Inflation in Single Digits After Sharp Decline
President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to maintain inflation in single digits following its sharp drop to 3.2%. Speaking at the University of Development Studies on April 19, 2026, he noted that inflation stood above 24% when his administration took office and credited fiscal discipline, controlled public spending, and prudent management of petroleum prices for the improvement. The President said the government remains committed to keeping inflation below 4% through continued macroeconomic stability measures.
Read the full story here
Ghana’s Top 10 Non-Traditional Exports Skyrocket to $3.28bn
Ghana’s non-traditional exports recorded historic growth in 2025, with the top 10 products generating $3.28 billion, a 53% increase from $2.15 billion in 2024. Cocoa paste led the list at $789.3 million, followed by cocoa butter ($635.7 million) and cashew nuts ($297.6 million), while shea nuts and aluminium products also posted strong gains. The Ghana Export Promotion Authority report shows processed and value-added goods now dominate, accounting for 65.48% of total non-traditional export earnings and signalling successful economic diversification.
Read the full story here
Godfred Dame Alleges Judicial Bias and Warns of Threat to Public Confidence
Former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame has raised serious concerns about alleged judicial bias, claiming some judges are enabling rights violations against New Patriotic Party (NPP) members through unjustified detentions and denial of bail. Speaking at the Leadership and Law Series on April 19, 2026, he warned that such actions, including prosecutions over public commentary, cast a slur on the judiciary’s integrity and independence, potentially eroding public trust in the justice system.
Read the full story here
NAiMOS Arrests Six Chinese Nationals for Illegal Mining Along Nyaase River
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAiMOS) has arrested six Chinese nationals for illegal mining activities along the Nyaase River in the Ahafo Ano South-West District of the Ashanti Region. The April 18, 2026 operation recovered firearms, ammunition, vehicles, cash, and mining equipment while destroying excavators and washing platforms. The suspects have been handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for further action.
Read the full story here
Former Fuel Attendant Exposes Alleged Tactics Used to Cheat Customers
A former fuel station attendant has revealed alleged widespread practices of manipulating dispensers to short-change customers. Emmanuel Eshun claimed supervisors adjusted pumps to show higher prices and covered unit-price displays with Ghana Standards Authority stickers. He directed customers to tampered machines, allowing attendants to pocket significant extra cash — sometimes up to GH¢4,000 per day. He advised drivers always to verify unit prices on main signboards.
Read the full story here
Government to Launch WhatsApp System for Reporting Power Outages
Energy Minister John Abdulai Jinapor has announced plans to introduce a WhatsApp-based system for Ghanaians to report power outages instantly. The new platform will allow users to send their location via message, enabling rapid dispatch of technical teams and bypassing traditional call centres. The initiative forms part of broader efforts to improve communication and service delivery in the electricity sector.
Read the full story here
Remittance Inflows Near $7.8bn in 2025, Surpassing Foreign Direct Investment
Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama has revealed that remittance inflows reached nearly $7.8 billion in 2025, up from $4.6 billion in 2024 and now exceeding foreign direct investment. Speaking at a diaspora roundtable in the United States, he described remittances — which account for about 6% of GDP — as a cornerstone of Ghana’s external sector and called for policies to channel more of these funds into productive investments.
Read the full story here
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