News
Ghana News Live Update — Catch up on What’s Happening in the Country (Jan 6, 2026)
Key stories have emerged across Ghana’s media landscape that touch on accountability, institutional integrity, economic policy, and public safety.
-Readers are encouraged to check back throughout the day for further updates on these and other unfolding stories.
Here’s a comprehensive update on major developments in the country now:
President Mahama Pledges Enduring Economic Reforms in Ghana
President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to delivering long-lasting economic and governance reforms in his second term, telling Ghanaians that his mandate will focus on building a stronger, more resilient economy that future governments cannot reverse.
Speaking at the Annual New Year School Conference on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, President Mahama emphasised that he intends to capitalise on the broad political support that brought him back to power after eight years in opposition. He said the country must solidify democratic gains at a time when other nations in the region are experiencing democratic backsliding.
“I have decided to make this second mandate so graciously granted to me by Ghanaians count. I have pledged to raise our economy and governance to a level that no succeeding government can reverse,” he said.
Mahama highlighted fiscal discipline and sound economic management as cornerstones of his agenda, assuring citizens that reforms begun in 2025 will continue, even in the election year of 2028. He reiterated that prudent fiscal policies and efficient management are critical to sustaining macroeconomic stability and attracting investment.
The president’s remarks align with the government’s broader “Reset Agenda,” which aims to entrench economic stability after years of volatility and rising public debt.
Observers note that Mahama’s approach emphasises structural reform—including measures in the 2026 budget, such as broad tax reforms and business incentives—which are intended to drive productivity and inclusive growth.
For a global audience, Mahama is framing Ghana’s path not just as recovery, but as an example for democratic governance and economic resilience—especially at a time when many African economies face fiscal pressures and institutional challenges.
Police Arrest Controversial Prophet Fire Oja in Defamation Case
Ghanaian law enforcement has arrested Prophet Jedidiah Henry Kore, widely known as Fire Oja, following allegations of making defamatory statements against veteran musician Mzbel (Belinda Nana Ekua Amoah).
The controversial preacher, leader of Zion Prayer Ministries International, was taken into custody by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service after Mzbel filed a formal complaint policing his viral claims.
According to reports, Fire Oja’s remarks revolved around unverified assertions that Mzbel suffered severe health issues and was hospitalised after a “soul travel” experience at a spiritual centre in Kasoa in 2025—allegations the singer has strongly denied. During police questioning, Fire Oja admitted that he did not personally know Mzbel and apologised for his comments, which are now being treated as potentially defamatory under Ghanaian law.
Mzbel has since addressed the public, confirming that the pastor was formally invited by police, arrested, and interrogated in connection with the false statements. She stressed that her action was taken to protect her reputation and mental well-being, and not out of malice, urging citizens to use lawful channels when seeking redress for character attacks. The case has now been processed for court, with Fire Oja charged and granted bail pending his scheduled appearance.
His arrest has sparked discussions across social media, with reactions divided between support for accountability and debate over the limits of free speech and religious expression.
President Mahama Announces 10,000-Bed Hostel for University of Ghana Under Singapore Partnership
In a major boost to student welfare and education infrastructure, President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled plans for a 10,000-bed student hostel at the University of Ghana (UG), to be constructed through a partnership with Singapore using innovative prefabricated building technology.
The announcement was made during the opening ceremony of UG’s 77th Annual New Year School and Conference on Tuesday, January 6, themed “Building the Ghana We Want, Together for Sustainable Development.” The event brought together policymakers, academics, civil society actors, and students to discuss national development challenges and solutions.
President Mahama revealed that the project stems from an agreement signed during his recent visit to Singapore. “When I went to Singapore, we signed an agreement for a 10,000-student hostel in the University of Ghana,” he disclosed. “This is going to be a prefabricated building. It means the building will be manufactured somewhere and then assembled on campus.”
Preparations are already underway, with machinery for the manufacturing factory shipped from Singapore and en route to Accra. The initiative addresses longstanding accommodation shortages at public universities, where most students live off-campus and face daily commutes.
The President contextualized the project amid growing concerns over student safety and living conditions, referencing a recent social media post by academic Professor “Kwaku Azar”. Azar contrasted his university days—where students simply collected room keys from the porter’s lodge—with today’s realities.
“Today, most of our students have to live off campus and travel to lectures every day,” Mahama recounted.
He highlighted the risks of off-campus living, noting incidents where students have been knocked down by vehicles or attacked by armed robbers, sometimes fatally.
“There have been a few unfortunate incidents where students have either been knocked down by vehicles and died, or in some cases been attacked by armed robbers and lost their lives,” the President said. “It is preferable that we have as many of our students living on campus, or as close to campus as possible.”
Mahama shared the “good news” with UG’s Vice-Chancellor as part of the government’s commitment to supporting public universities. The prefabricated approach promises faster construction and cost efficiencies, aligning with broader efforts to enhance access to education.
This development comes at a time when Ghana’s universities, like UG, struggle with limited on-campus housing amid rising enrollment, forcing students into surrounding communities with escalating rents and security issues. The project could serve as a model for similar initiatives nationwide, potentially attracting diaspora investments in education infrastructure.
⚖️ Ex-GFA Boss Kwesi Nyantakyi Says Exposé Damaged Reputation
Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) boss Kwesi Nyantakyi has publicly lamented the personal consequences of investigative exposés, particularly the Number 12 documentary. Nyantakyi says the widely circulated reporting has damaged his reputation to such an extent that his daughter once asked him if he was a thief, underscoring the human toll of corruption scandals on families and public perception.
🧑⚖️ Calls for Faster Corruption Prosecutions
Veteran anti-corruption campaigner and former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo pressed Ghana’s Attorney-General to expedite corruption cases, warning that delay feeds public disillusionment. Domelevo said Ghanaians are losing hope as high-profile cases linger without court outcomes and stressed the need for judicial effectiveness to bolster public confidence in anti-graft institutions.
🇬🇧 Support for Stability Over Retribution
Prof. Baffour Agyeman-Duah, former UN governance advisor, backed President John Mahama’s handling of petitions targeting the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), saying “stability over vengeance” is more conducive to institutional trust. He cautioned that habitual removal of key officials could weaken Ghana’s governance framework.
🚨 Road Fatality in Suame
A tragic accident in Suame, Ashanti Region saw a trailer carrying soya beans run over and kill an okada rider on the spot. Eyewitnesses attributed the crash to road conditions amid ongoing construction, highlighting persistent public safety concerns on major thoroughfares.
🖊️ Attack on Press Freedom Condemned
The Class Media Group has condemned the assault of one of its journalists by personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) while on duty. Media stakeholders described the incident as a threat to press freedom and urged a swift, impartial investigation to protect journalists’ safety and uphold democratic norms.
🧑🏫 President Mahama Condemns Teacher Assaults
President John Mahama strongly condemned attacks on teachers at Kade Senior High School, demanding justice and accountability. The incident has reignited public concern about the safety of educators and the broader climate of respect for public servants.
💰 PMMC made losses under Nana Akufo-Addo
A revelation by a government official, Eric Opoku, that Ghana made losses of $460 million in 2024 under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration has raised questions of accountability and transparency in the management of Ghana’s precious minerals.
📊 Debt and Revenue Trends
The World Bank reports that Ghana is increasingly financing its budget through domestic borrowing, deepening domestic debt markets while aiming to reduce foreign-exchange risks. This trend reflects broader economic adjustments amid revenue shortfalls and global pressures on frontier economies.
🪙 Gold Sector Debate Continues
Public policy voices, including Bright Simons of IMANI Africa, argue that Ghana’s fight against gold smuggling cannot be solved by the Gold Board (GoldBod) alone and requires structural reforms targeting incentives for informal trade. He stressed that systemic inefficiencies and tax burdens fuel smuggling, and comprehensive reforms are needed for long-term impact.
📌 Readers are encouraged to check back throughout the day for further updates on these and other unfolding stories.
Liberian security forces have seized nearly four metric tons of cocaine valued at an estimated $318 million from a warehouse on the outskirts of Monrovia, in what officials are calling the largest drug bust in the country’s history.
The raid, carried out by a joint security team acting on a court-issued search-and-seizure warrant, uncovered 3,971 kilograms of cocaine at a private property in the VOA Community in Paynesville. Two foreign nationals, one holding dual Colombian and Spanish passports and a Serbian citizen, were taken into custody at the scene.
The seizure comes just weeks after authorities intercepted 237.6 kilograms of cocaine at Roberts International Airport in June, and is nearly 17 times the weight of that earlier bust and roughly 40 times its value. At close to four metric tons, it ranks among the most significant drug hauls ever reported in West Africa.
The Arrests and Investigation
The two men arrested at the scene were identified as Johann David Garces Grajales, who holds both Colombian and Spanish passports, and Srdan Seles, a Serbian national. Investigators, however, are not convinced the names are genuine.
“One of the things we’re going to establish is whether the names in their passports are indeed their real names,” a member of the joint security team told The Liberian Investigator. “It is a common practice for transnational drug dealers to conceal their real identities.”
The operation grew out of a sustained intelligence effort to track the cartel, the officer said, but the scale of what the team found still caught it off guard.
“We have been doing everything possible to track down the cartel. This was made possible through the intelligence we gathered,” he said. The team expected to recover some quantity of drugs at the site, he added, but not this. “What we saw really blew my mind.”
Who owns the warehouse remains an open question. “So far, we have not been able to identify the owner of the property,” the officer said. “We cannot also say whether the owner is linked to the cartel or not. But that’s one of the areas the investigation would also focus on.”
A Widening Reckoning with Trafficking
The arrests land in the middle of a widening reckoning with Liberia’s role on the transatlantic cocaine route. The case that opened that reckoning began June 8 at Roberts International Airport, when customs and security officers intercepted 198 compressed plates of cocaine weighing about 237.6 kilograms and valued at roughly $19.2 million, concealed in six cargo boxes falsely declared as Maggi seasoning cubes and lappas and bound for Europe.
That case has since exposed a network reaching into the institutions meant to stop it. Prosecutors charged five people:
- Paul J. King, an executive at Global Logistics Services, whose company handled cargo at the airport’s GLS-Menzies terminal—the only suspect to appear in a Liberian courtroom in person
- Michael U.S. Browne, also known as Rahim or Raheem Bah, who remained in Monrovia for weeks after the seizure before slipping across the border into Sierra Leone—charged in absentia
- Oscar J. Browne, chief of intelligence for RIA Security
- Emmanuel Kpah, whom police say delivered the shipment and the cash tied to the transaction
- Usman Ali, the United Kingdom-based consignee whose name was stamped on one of the boxes
All five face trafficking and conspiracy charges, with criminal solicitation added in at least one instance. Four of the five were charged in absentia.
A Pattern of Impunity
Senators, including Amara Konneh, Darius Dillon, and Edwin Snowe, have called for a broader inquiry to question how seizures of that size resulted in no arrests before suspects left the country. The concern is genuine: in 2022, a jury acquitted all four defendants in the $100 million Freeport cocaine case, which was then the country’s largest, and the court ordered the seized cash to be returned.
The lesson traffickers seem to have drawn is that Liberia’s borders might sometimes catch a shipment, but its courts rarely catch a trafficker.
Announcing the charges in the June case, Inspector General of Police Col. Gregory O. W. Coleman said the seizure was no accident or clerical error but the work of an organized criminal enterprise exploiting the country’s air cargo system. He added that fugitive suspects were being pursued through arrest warrants, international cooperation, extradition requests, and mutual legal assistance.
What Happens Next
Authorities say investigators will work to trace how the latest shipment entered Liberia and to establish the true identities of the two men in custody. The investigation will also focus on determining the ownership of the warehouse where the drugs were stored.
For a country with a long history of serving as a transit point for Latin American cocaine bound for Europe, the record-breaking seizure—and the questions it raises about institutional integrity—may mark a turning point in Liberia’s fight against transnational organized crime.
President John Dramani Mahama has issued a sweeping call for Africa to move beyond its role as a “passive beneficiary” of global health systems and demand a decisive voice in shaping the international health architecture, declaring that the continent’s future depends on “health sovereignty” and freedom from excessive external dependence.
Addressing the African Union Extraordinary Summit on Health in Accra, President Mahama pointed out that the continent’s healthcare challenges are a new liberation struggle, one that demands the same urgency and unity that drove the fight for political independence decades ago.
“The liberation we seek today is not from colonial rule but from inequality, preventable disease, maternal deaths, weak health systems and dependence on others for our healthcare,” he told the gathering of African heads of state, health ministers, and global health experts.
The two-day summit, convened under the theme “Advancing Justice, Equity and Universal Health Coverage: Ending AIDS, TB, Improving Maternal Health, Addressing Endemic Non-Communicable and Neglected Tropical Diseases and Conditions in Africa,” marked the first Extraordinary Session of the African Union Assembly ever dedicated to health.
A Defining Moment for African Health
President Mahama said Africa stood at a defining moment where the success of the continent’s health agenda would be measured not by declarations but by tangible improvements in the lives of its citizens.
“The success of this new liberation struggle will be measured by clinics that remain open, medicines produced on African soil, healthy mothers carrying healthy babies and governments financing their own health priorities,” he stated.
He urged African leaders to view the weakening of global development assistance not as a setback but as an opportunity to build lasting institutions.
“The system that is weakening today was never meant to become our permanent foundation. It was only the scaffolding that helped us build. Our responsibility now is to complete the building itself—a strong, self-reliant African health system that can stand on its own,” Mahama declared.
“We must ask ourselves whether we intend to remain builders of temporary scaffolds or builders of lasting institutions.”
The Changing Disease Burden
President Mahama observed that while African countries had made notable progress in reducing HIV/AIDS-related deaths and tuberculosis infections, the continent continued to grapple with a rapidly shifting health landscape.
He noted that heart disease, diabetes, cancers, and mental health conditions were increasingly becoming leading causes of illness and premature deaths across Africa, with more than two million Africans dying annually from non-communicable diseases before reaching the age of 70.
“Mental health remains neglected in far too many national health strategies,” he stressed, adding that the changing disease profile required a new approach to healthcare across the continent.
The President also highlighted that more than 90 million Africans live with chronic hepatitis B or C, most of them undiagnosed, underscoring the scale of the continent’s hidden health burdens.
The Accra Reset Initiative
President Mahama highlighted Ghana’s efforts to advance health reforms through the Accra Reset Initiative, a flagship policy direction he has been championing to promote “health sovereignty” by strengthening governance, expanding domestic investment, and improving Africa’s capacity to shape global health policies.
The initiative has led to the establishment of a High-Level Panel on Global Health Architecture and Governance to generate practical solutions that would place Africa firmly in control of its health future.
The President also pointed to Ghana’s Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as Mahama Cares, as a practical intervention introduced to protect families from the financial burden of chronic diseases.
A Historic Setting
President Mahama expressed appreciation to the African Union for selecting Ghana to host the Extraordinary Summit, describing Accra as a city with a rich history of shaping Africa’s destiny.
“Accra has always been a city where Africa has gathered to shape its destiny,” he said, recalling that in December 1958, Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, convened the All-African Peoples Conference in the capital and declared that Ghana’s independence would only be meaningful when the entire continent was free.
“Today, sixty-eight years later, Africa gathers once again in Accra to confront a different struggle,” he added.
A Call for Concrete Action
President Mahama urged African leaders to remain focused on implementing concrete reforms that would deliver better healthcare services to citizens across the continent.
“The people of Africa may never read the declarations we adopt here, but they must experience their impact in better hospitals, reliable medicines, efficient clinics and healthier lives,” he said. “They must see the difference in mothers smiling with healthy children, patients receiving timely treatment and communities enjoying stronger health systems.”
He expressed optimism that the Extraordinary Summit would produce decisions capable of transforming healthcare delivery across Africa, urging leaders to ensure that the Accra Declaration became a practical roadmap for action rather than another policy document.
“Let history record that when the old systems began to fail, African leaders gathered once again in Accra and charted a new path towards health sovereignty and total liberation,” President Mahama declared.
Ghana News Global presents a comprehensive breakdown of the top news stories dominating today’s press.
1. President Mahama Declares “This Is My Final Term”
Appears in: The Dispatch
Summary: President John Dramani Mahama has publicly stated that his current term is his final one, putting an end to growing speculation about a potential third-term agenda. The declaration comes as the Supreme Court prepares to hear three separate suits challenging the constitutionality of a third term. The statement is expected to significantly shape the political landscape ahead of the 2028 elections.
2. Police Arrest NDC TikToker for Alleged Insults Against Bawumia; Former Veep Calls for Case to Be Dropped
Appears in: The Chronicle
Summary: Police have arrested a TikTok user, Prince Aboagye, over alleged insults directed at former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. However, in a surprising move, Dr. Bawumia has called for the case to be discontinued, urging authorities to drop charges against the suspect and defending the right to free speech.
3. Parliament Approves $822 Million World Bank Loans
Appears in: Daily Guide
Summary: Parliament has approved $822 million in World Bank loans, paving the way for critical infrastructure and development projects. The approval comes ahead of the mid-year budget review, with the government facing pressure to maintain fiscal discipline while addressing pressing developmental needs.
4. Wontumi Declared “Political Prisoner” as Court Rules on Charges Today
Appears in: Daily Guide
Summary: Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been declared a “political prisoner” by supporters as a court is set to rule on charges against him today. The embattled NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman has been at the center of legal battles, with his case drawing significant political attention. Bawumia and NPP MPs stormed Nsawam Prison in a show of solidarity.
5. At AU Health Summit: President Urges Self-Reliant African Health Care
Appears in: Daily Graphic, Ghanaian Times
Summary: President Mahama opened the African Union Extraordinary Summit on Universal Health Coverage and Ending AIDS in Accra, urging African nations to break free from dependence on external partners and build self-reliant health systems. Drawing parallels with the continent’s struggle for political independence, Mahama called for a new era of health sovereignty.
6. “WHO’S NEXT?” – Predictions of More Arrests After Wontumi, Miracles, Adu-Boahene
Appears in: The Hawk
Summary: Following the arrests of high-profile figures including Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Wontumi), Dennis Miracles Aboagye, and Kwabena Adu-Boahene, a front-page headline asks “WHO’S NEXT?” Speculation is rife that more prominent political and business figures could face legal action. The newspaper also featured a “prison prediction” naming Adu-Boahene, Gifty Oware Mensah, and Miracles.
7. Bawumia Forgives NDC Organizer, Urges A-G and Police to Drop Charges
Appears in: Day Break
Summary: In a gesture of political reconciliation, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has forgiven an NDC organizer who was reportedly facing legal action and has urged the Attorney-General and police to drop the charges. The move has been widely praised as an act of statesmanship.
8. NPP Punches Holes in Govt’s Fiscal Surplus Claims Ahead of Mid-Year Budget
Appears in: The National Voice
Summary: The opposition NPP has questioned the credibility of the government’s claimed 2025 fiscal achievements ahead of the mid-year budget review. The party has raised concerns about revenue shortfalls and warned against introducing new unfunded policies that could undermine economic stability.
9. ‘Big Push’ Project Stalls Over GH¢9,000 Fee to Relocate ‘Voodoo’
Appears in: The Archives
Summary: A major infrastructure project under the government’s ‘Big Push’ initiative has stalled over a GH¢9,000 fee required to relocate a ‘voodoo’ shrine. The Roads Minister, Ato Forson, has been urged to intervene to resolve the impasse and allow work to proceed on the critical road project.
10. Police Intercept Over 1,000 Vehicles in Accra Over Illegal Modifications; Arrest 6 Highway Robbers
Appears in: The Dispatch
Summary: The Ghana Police Service has intercepted over 1,000 vehicles in the Greater Accra Region as part of a crackdown on illegal road modifications. In a related operation, six highway robbers were arrested in connection with a series of armed robberies. IGP Tetteh Yohuno is leading the security push.
Additional Notable Headlines
| Headline | Newspaper |
|---|---|
| NPP Launches Legal Fight Against 20-Year Sentence for Wontumi | The Daily |
| BoG Keeps Policy Rate at 14% – Cites Global Uncertainties, Inflation Risks | Ghanaian Times, Business Analyst |
| NPA Fires Back at ‘Rot’ Claims – Says A-G Found No Financial Loss | The Hawk |
| SEC Names 23 Unlicensed Online Investment Schemes | Business Analyst |
| BoG Warns: You Can Be Jailed for Rejecting Cedi Coins | Business Analyst |
| Mid-Year Budget Review: Experts Tell Gov’t to Maintain Fiscal Discipline, Avoid New Taxes | Ghanaian Times |
| Cheddar’s Legal Searchlight Authorises Police to Take Over No. 1 Oxford Street Battle | The Daily |
| Education Ministry Set to Introduce Revised KG/Primary Curriculum | Daily Graphic |
| Access Bank Ghana Picks Two Euromoney Awards | Daily Graphic |
| Ghana Backs Morocco’s Sahara Autonomy Plan | The National Voice |
Could Your Support Network Help Lower Your Cancer Risk?
Breakfast, Business and Big Ideas: Inside One of Accra’s Must-Attend Professional Gatherings
Gideon Hanyame Turns Stains Into Symbols of Memory and Transformation
-
Ghana News2 days agoTop Headline Stories from Ghanaian Newspapers: Wednesday, July 22, 2026
-
Ghana News2 days agoIn a First for Africa, Ghana and US Sign Landmark Patent Deal to Fast-Track Innovation
-
Ghana News2 days agoUS State-Level Diplomacy: Governor Evers’ Ghana Visit Signals Deepening Economic Ties
-
Sights and Sounds2 days agoFrom Wli to Tagbo: Discover the Waterfall Trails That Define Ghana’s Volta Region
-
Festivals & Events2 days agoAn Evening of Conversation and Community Awaits at LOLA Africa Liberty Mixer Night
-
Homes & Real Estate1 day agoRelocating in Ghana: The Property Decisions That Can Make or Break Your Fresh Start
-
Ghana News20 hours ago
Top 10 Front-Page Headlines from Ghanaian Newspapers Today: Thursday, July 23, 2026
-
Ghana News19 hours agoAfrica Demands a Seat at the Table: Mahama Calls for Reshaping Global Health Governance