The much-anticipated draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially underway in Washington, setting the stage for what will be the largest and most complex tournament in the competition’s history.

With an expanded team lineup and new group-stage mechanics, tonight’s draw is anything but routine. FIFA officials are currently guiding attendees and global viewers through the technical framework — including a computer-assisted process designed to prevent confederation conflicts and ensure each team is placed in an eligible position on the tournament grid.

The big event starts on Thursday, June 11, 2026 to Sunday, July 19, 2026.

Watch a live stream of the draw below.

Ghana heads into the first weekend of December with a mix of celebration, controversy and new policy momentum.

Farmers’ Day festivities sweep the nation today; fresh allegations grip the Office of the Special Prosecutor, and security agencies roll out major upgrades are among the major headlines.

🇬🇭 Farmers’ Day celebrations headline today

Ghanaians are observing Farmers’ Day on Friday, December 5, 2025, in recognition of the tireless efforts of farmers and fishers whose work underpins the nation’s food security and rural economy. The 41st edition of the celebration began on December 1 at the Ho Sports Stadium with the opening of the 2025 National Agricultural Fair — a week-long showcase of agricultural innovations, technologies, and partnerships under the theme “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future.”

Today, John Dramani Mahama will lead the official honors, awarding the national best-farmer prizes across various crop and livestock categories, in a ceremony that highlights the country’s commitment to strengthening its agrarian backbone. The fair has drawn farmers, agripreneurs, investors and policymakers from across Ghana and beyond, underscoring a growing global interest in Ghana’s agricultural potential.

OSP controversy resurfaces: Did officials help former finance minister leave Ghana?

A fresh wave of controversy has engulfed Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) after allegations from private lawyer Martin Kpebu that the agency facilitated the exit of former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta from Ghana, despite active investigations into alleged corruption.

The claims have reinvigorated public scrutiny of OSP’s impartiality and enforcement capabilities.

In response, OSP head Kissi Agyebeng countered that at the time of Ofori-Atta’s departure, the office lacked the operational backing from security agencies and therefore could not legally block his exit.

He said: “We saw him leave, but we couldn’t prevent him from leaving the airport.”

The broader issue now raised is one of accountability during transitions: how do anti-corruption institutions maintain oversight when state machinery is under political flux? For many Ghanaians, the clarity and transparency of that oversight matter more than ever.

Police Service receives 40 new armored vehicles

As part of a broader drive to modernize national security agencies, President Mahama officially handed over a fleet of 40 new armored vehicles to the Ghana Police Service on December 4, 2025, at the Police Headquarters in Accra. The vehicles include armored pickups and Cobra-series vehicles designed for rapid response and high-risk operations.

The President described the delivery as the start of a national overhaul: more covert-ops vehicles, tow trucks, and drone surveillance units are to be rolled out later. He urged officers to use the equipment professionally and lawfully, emphasizing that the tools are meant to protect citizens — not intimidate them.

Also Worth Noting

• Some Ghanaians continue to call on the government to address education quality after mass failures in the latest WASSCE exams.
• Former President John Agyekum Kufuor named Dr Richard Anane as his best-performing minister during his administration — a move that has sparked debate over legacy and governance standards.

Ghana has once again been named one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most stable countries, according to the newly released 2025 Africa Country Instability Risk Index (ACIRI).

ACIRI is a continent-wide assessment that ranks 48 nations on vulnerability to political, economic, and security shocks.

The index (PDF), compiled by Nigeria-based research firm SBM Intelligence, placed Ghana within the top 10 safest countries on the continent, crediting its steady governance, relatively resilient economy, and calm geopolitical environment. Mauritius topped the list with an exceptionally low risk score of 17, followed by Cape Verde, Liberia, and Lesotho.

For Ghana, the ranking reinforces a trend seen in recent years: despite economic headwinds and political polarization ahead of the 2024 elections, the country continues to stand out as a democratic bright spot in a region grappling with coups, insurgencies, and fragile institutions.

A Regional Outlier in a Turbulent West Africa

Ghana’s performance, however, sits in sharp contrast to broader patterns across West Africa. The region posted an average instability score of 45.2, reflecting simmering coup rumors in Nigeria, subsidy-linked protests, and ongoing insecurity. While these pressures did not drag Ghana into the higher-risk categories, analysts warn that the country is not insulated from regional contagion.

“Ghana’s institutions are still holding firm, but the neighborhood is growing more dangerous,” one West Africa security analyst told the news site. “Cross-border instability, currency pressures, and rising cost-of-living grievances could test resilience if unaddressed.”

How the Index Works

ACIRI aggregates macro-risk indicators across four categories:

• Leadership and Governance (40%)
• Economy (30%)
• Geopolitics (15%)
• History (15%)

Scores fall into six classifications:

• Red Watch (70+)
• Warning (60–69)
• Critical (50–59)
• Vulnerable (40–49)
• Stable (30–39)
• Safe (below 30)

Ghana’s exact score was not publicly disclosed in the summary, but its placement within the “top 10 safest” implies performance within the Safe or Stable category — a reflection of moderate inflation stabilization, smooth political transitions, and a mature civic landscape.

A Divided Continent

Across the rest of Africa, stability remains uneven.

• Southern Africa remained the most secure region with an average score of 35.25, bolstered by South Africa’s Government of National Unity completing its first year.
• East Africa saw the sharpest decline, slipping from 50.7 to 56, driven by political unrest in Kenya and Tanzania and mounting fiscal pressures across the region.
• Central Africa remained precarious at 55.75, weighed down by the M23 conflict in eastern DRC and volatility in Chad and Cameroon.

The report notes that as 2026 approaches, the continent continues to face structural threats linked to weak governance, security crises, and democratic backsliding.

Why Ghana Matters in This Landscape

Ghana’s stability stands out not just statistically, but symbolically. As a hub for regional diplomacy, a destination for multinational firms, and a major peacekeeping contributor, the country’s internal resilience has broader implications for West Africa’s future.

Economists argue that Ghana’s challenge now is to convert stability into long-term opportunity. “Ranking in the top 10 is encouraging,” a Ghanaian policy researcher noted, “but stability must translate into investor confidence, job creation, and stronger social protections. Otherwise, the gains risk evaporating.”

The Road Ahead

ACIRI’s authors stress that Africa’s future hinges on how leaders respond to persistent risks — from violent extremism in the Sahel to domestic governance failures across key capitals. Tailored policies, credible institutions, and inclusive leadership, they argue, will determine whether countries like Ghana continue to rise or begin to slip.

For now, Ghana remains a rare anchor of calm in a region where volatility increasingly feels like the norm.