Connect with us

Ghana News

Ghana to Honour Astronaut Christina Koch Following Historic Artemis II Moon Mission

Published

on

Accra, Ghana – The Ghanaian government will formally honour American astronaut Christina Hammock Koch for her groundbreaking role in NASA’s Artemis II mission, which successfully took humans farther from Earth than any crewed flight in more than 50 years.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced on April 12, 2026, that President John Dramani Mahama will personally recognise Koch on behalf of the people of Ghana at a mutually agreed date.

Ablakwa described the Artemis II mission as “scientifically groundbreaking and exceedingly inspiring,” praising the crew for demonstrating “human ingenuity and courage with no boundaries.”

Koch, who served as mission specialist on the Orion spacecraft, became the first woman to travel into deep space. Her connection to Ghana stems from the 1999/2000 academic year, when she studied at the University of Ghana, Legon, as an exchange student, taking courses including History of Ghana, History of Africa, Rural Sociology, Music, and Twi. The University of Ghana has celebrated her achievement as a powerful example of the global impact of its academic community.

The Artemis II mission marked NASA’s first crewed lunar flight since the Apollo era.

The four-member crew — Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen — completed a successful lunar flyby, venturing to the far side of the Moon before returning safely to Earth.

President Mahama is expected to host Koch in Ghana in recognition of her historic journey and her enduring link to the country through education and cultural exchange.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ghana News

Armed Robbers Kill Berekum Chelsea Forward, Nationwide Strike Over AI Customs Valuation System and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today

Published

on

We have curated the most relevant stories from Ghana to keep you informed. The news cycle in Ghana this morning covers tragic incidents in sports, major diplomatic appointments, significant revenue losses, and key national debates on trade and taxation. Enjoy!

Armed Robbers Attack Berekum Chelsea Team Bus, Forward Frimpong Killed
A tragic armed robbery has claimed the life of Berekum Chelsea forward Dominic Frimpong after robbers attacked the team’s bus. The incident happened as ​the team returned from an away match in the Ghana ‌Premier League on Sunday, April 12, 2026, the GFA said. The incident occurred on the Goaso–Bibiani road as the team were heading home from the ​game against Samartex in Samreboi in the south of ​the country. Police have launched a full-scale investigation as the football fraternity mourns the loss of the promising player. The attack has sparked renewed calls for enhanced security on major roads, especially during night travels by sporting teams and public transport.
Read the full story here

UN Names Ghana’s Anita Gbeho Head of Mission in South Sudan
The United Nations has appointed Ghana’s Anita Gbeho as the new Head of Mission in South Sudan, a significant diplomatic achievement for the country. Gbeho, a seasoned diplomat with extensive experience in peacekeeping and conflict resolution, will lead UN efforts in the war-torn nation. Her appointment is seen as recognition of Ghana’s longstanding contribution to international peace and security missions across Africa. Analysts say it further strengthens Ghana’s global diplomatic profile.
Read the full story here

Govt Loses Over GH¢600m in Taxes from Unaccounted Petroleum Products
The Ghanaian government has lost more than GH¢600 million in potential tax revenue due to unaccounted petroleum products entering the market, according to latest reports. The shortfall is attributed to weak monitoring at importation points and possible under-declaration by some importers. The revelation has raised fresh concerns about revenue leakages in the energy sector at a time when the country is grappling with high fuel prices and fiscal pressures. Authorities have pledged tighter controls to plug the gaps.
Read the full story here

Govt Could Lose Nearly GH¢500m a Month for Every GH¢1 Cut from Fuel Taxes
Finance experts have warned that for every GH¢1 reduction in fuel taxes, the government could lose nearly GH¢500 million monthly in revenue. This projection comes as the Cabinet considers various relief measures to cushion citizens from the recent surge in pump prices. While tax cuts may provide immediate relief to consumers, analysts caution that such moves could widen the fiscal deficit if not carefully balanced with other revenue measures.
Read the full story here

Traders Declare Nationwide Strike Today Over AI Customs Valuation System
Traders across Ghana have declared a nationwide strike effective today in protest against the introduction of the new AI-driven customs valuation system. The action is expected to disrupt commercial activities, particularly at major markets and border points. Traders argue that the system is causing delays, arbitrary valuations, and increased costs. The Ghana Union of Traders Association has called for immediate dialogue with government to address their concerns.
Read the full story here

There’s No Restriction on Ken Ofori-Atta’s Movements – Hassan Tampuli
Immigration lawyer Hassan Tampuli has clarified that there is currently no restriction on the movement of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta following his release from US ICE detention. Tampuli explained that while Ofori-Atta remains under US court jurisdiction with certain bail conditions, he is free to move within the United States pending further hearings. The clarification comes amid public speculation about his legal status.
Read the full story here

Continue Reading

Ghana News

Newspaper Headlines Today: Monday, April 13, 2026

Published

on

Monday, April 13, 2026. Stay informed with today’s front pages of Ghanaian newspapers, all in one place.

Continue Reading

Ghana News

The Mosquito That Could Save Ghana: Inside the Gene Drive Revolution Aiming to Eradicate Malaria

Published

on

London/Accra – In a secure laboratory at Imperial College London, scientists are engineering a radical solution to one of humanity’s oldest and deadliest diseases: rewriting the genetic code of the malaria-carrying mosquito itself through gene drive technology.

The research, led by the Target Malaria consortium, seeks to spread genetic modifications through mosquito populations that would drastically reduce their ability to transmit the Plasmodium parasite responsible for malaria.

Unlike traditional methods such as insecticide-treated nets or vaccines, gene drive offers the potential for self-sustaining, population-level change — a biological intervention designed to spread rapidly across generations with near-100% inheritance rates, compared to the usual 50% in natural reproduction.

For Ghana, where malaria remains a leading cause of illness and death, this emerging technology carries particular significance. The country recorded millions of cases annually in recent years, with children under five bearing the heaviest burden.

While Ghana has made notable progress — including an 86% decline in confirmed malaria deaths among young children in vaccinated areas between 2018 and 2024 — challenges such as insecticide and drug resistance, urban mosquito adaptation, and funding gaps continue to hinder elimination efforts.

During a recent media visit organised under the UK-Ghana Capacity Building for Media Excellence programme, Ghanaian journalists gained rare access to the laboratories where this science is advancing.

Researchers emphasised that gene drive is not a quick fix but a carefully modelled, long-term strategy requiring extensive ecological studies, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory oversight. Teams at Imperial and the University of Oxford are examining potential ecosystem impacts, including effects on food chains and the possibility of other mosquito species filling ecological niches.

Professor Austin Burt, Global Principal Investigator for Target Malaria, and his colleagues are working across genetics, mathematical modelling, and ethics to ensure any future deployment is safe, targeted, and acceptable to communities. African nations, including Ghana, are actively involved in these discussions as potential future deployment sites, given the continent accounts for about 95% of global malaria cases and deaths.

While gene drive remains in the research and development phase, its progress represents a bold shift in malaria control — from managing the disease to potentially eliminating its primary vector.

For Ghana and other high-burden countries, it offers a glimmer of hope that the mosquito, long the deadliest animal on Earth, could one day become a tool in its own obsolescence.

Information for this news story was obtained from a news feature published here, and written by Abigail Arthur.

Continue Reading

Trending