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Groundbreaking! Noguchi Memorial Institute in Ghana Announces Potential HIV Therapy Breakthrough Using Herbal Extracts

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Laboratory research of blood, coronavirus concept. Afrcican woman inspecting blood and using laptop. insert: University of Ghana and Noguchi signage. Credit: Image by prostooleh on Freepik

The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) has achieved successful laboratory results with a potential new HIV therapy derived from two herbal compound extracts of native plants.

The breakthrough was presented at the 2025 International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) held in Ghana from December 3 to 8.

The therapy features a high selectivity index, targeting and killing the virus while leaving healthy cells intact, unlike current antiretroviral therapies (ARTs) that can cause liver and kidney issues requiring regular monitoring.

Dr. Adriel Cyrus Moodley, lead rapporteur for Track ‘A’ and a South African general practitioner, described the research as groundbreaking.

“The compound exists in the plant, so we do not need to create it,” he told state-owned Daily Graphic newspaper, noting the natural extracts avoid side effects associated with synthesized drugs.

The Noguchi discovery blocks and locks away the HIV virus, differing from ARTs that suppress replication.

“That’s awesome! I’ve been treating HIV for 15 years. I’ve never heard of such a thing in my life,” Dr. Moodley added.

Laboratory testing is complete; animal tests are next. The extracts remain under code names pending full publication.

Dr. Moodley’s Track ‘A’ team included NMIMR’s Chief Research Assistant Diana Asema Asare and Research Fellow Dr. Nana Afia Asante Ntim.

Dr. Moodley stressed that ARTs remain the only recognized treatment for HIV, which is incurable, and emphasized refining herbal active ingredients responsibly.

He suggested intensified multimodal research could lead to an AIDS cure by 2030.

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Ghana News

Power Situation to Improve After Boost at Akosombo, US Health Aid Deal Rejected, and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today

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Lights

Welcome to our curated news roundup. We have gathered the most relevant stories from across Ghana today. Here are the top stories you need to know.

Power Boost at Akosombo as Fourth Unit Comes Back Online in Late-Night Breakthrough

Ghana’s national grid received a significant boost after the fourth generating unit at the Akosombo Dam was successfully brought back online in a late-night technical breakthrough. The restoration of the unit is expected to increase power generation capacity and help stabilize electricity supply, which has faced challenges in recent weeks due to maintenance issues and high demand. The state-owned Volta River Authority (VRA) confirmed the development, expressing optimism that the additional megawatts will ease pressure on the grid and reduce the frequency of unscheduled load management. Energy analysts have welcomed the move as a critical step toward resolving persistent power fluctuations affecting homes and businesses.
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Ghana Rejects Proposed US Health Aid Deal Citing Data Concerns – Source

Ghana has reportedly rejected a proposed health aid agreement from the United States over concerns about data sovereignty and patient privacy. According to a Reuters source familiar with the matter, the deal — which would have channeled funds into Ghana’s health system — contained provisions that would have granted US agencies broad access to Ghanaian health data, including patient records and disease surveillance information. Officials within Ghana’s Ministry of Health and Foreign Ministry raised red flags over the terms, fearing they could compromise national data protection laws and individual privacy rights. The rejection underscores a growing global trend in which developing nations are scrutinizing foreign aid agreements for clauses that may infringe on digital sovereignty.
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Mystery Deepens as 2 Arrested in Disappearance of Accra Couple

Investigations into the mysterious disappearance of an Accra-based couple have taken a new turn following the arrest of two suspects, police have confirmed. The couple, whose identities have not yet been publicly released, went missing under unclear circumstances from their residence in the Greater Accra Region. Law enforcement officials say the two individuals currently in custody are assisting with inquiries as detectives piece together the timeline leading up to the couple’s disappearance. Residents in the community have expressed growing unease, and family members are appealing for any information that could lead to the safe return of their loved ones. Police have assured the public that all leads are being pursued and further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
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Fuel Prices Dip from May 1 as Diesel Drops Sharply, LPG Set to Surge

Ghanaian consumers are set for a mixed bag of fuel price adjustments effective May 1, with diesel and petrol seeing a welcome dip while liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices are expected to surge. Industry sources indicate that diesel will experience the sharpest drop, providing relief to transport operators and businesses reliant on the fuel. However, households and commercial users of LPG for cooking and heating should brace for a significant increase, driven by rising global demand and supply chain constraints. The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) is expected to release official price caps ahead of the implementation date. Consumer advocacy groups have urged the government to consider subsidies or targeted relief for households that depend heavily on LPG.
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‘What Kind of Mentality Is This?’ – South Africa’s Queen Vee Hits Back at Ablakwa, Ghanaians

South African activist Victoria Africa, popularly known as Queen Vee, has fired back at Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Ghanaians who condemned her group’s recent attack on a Ghanaian man living in South Africa. In a fiery interview, Queen Vee defended the xenophobic actions captured on video, arguing that Ghanaians should instead blame their own government for failing to create economic opportunities at home, which she claimed forces citizens to migrate for menial jobs. Her remarks have sparked fresh outrage in Ghana, with many social media users and civil society groups calling for a strong diplomatic response. The Ghanaian victim, Emmanuel Asamoah, has previously described the ordeal as humiliating and traumatic.

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Ghana’s Banking Sector Strengthens as Assets Surge to GH¢465bn – BoG Report

Ghana’s banking sector is showing renewed strength, with total industry assets rising to GH¢465.4 billion as at February 2026. This is according to the Bank of Ghana March Monetary Policy Report, reflecting improving balance sheet resilience and stronger domestic market positioning.  The 21 percent year-on-year growth, though moderating from the previous year, signals a more stable and sustainable expansion path, underpinned by robust domestic asset growth and improving funding conditions.

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Adamus Denies Illegal Mining Allegations, Raises Due Process Concerns

Adamus Resources Limited has vehemently denied allegations that it is engaged in illegal mining, describing attempts to portray the company as unlawful as misleading and unfair. In a press release issued on April 29, the indigenous Ghanaian mining firm insisted that it operates under valid mining leases and permits granted in accordance with the laws of Ghana, and remains fully compliant with its regulatory obligations under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703). 

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Ghana News

Newspaper Headlines Today: Wednesday, April 29, 2026

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Wednesday, April 29, 2026. Stay informed with today’s front pages of Ghanaian newspapers, all in one place.

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Ghana News

At Least 7 Killed in Road Crash in Ghana’s Eastern Region as Brake Failure Sends Minivan Into Valley

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The accident, which occurred late Monday on a mountainous route between Nkawkaw and Atibie, claimed the lives of six females and one male, officials have confirmed.


A road accident in Ghana’s Eastern Region late Monday has left at least seven people dead after a Hyundai minivan traveling from Nkawkaw to Atibie suffered brake failure and plunged into a nearby valley, according to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).

The crash occurred on a mountainous stretch of road connecting the two communities, both of which are located in the region’s highlands. The vehicle was carrying passengers along the route when the driver reportedly lost control.

Driver Lost Control After Brake Failure

Deputy Regional GNFS spokesman Aaron Adu Ohemeng confirmed the casualty figures and provided initial details of the incident. Preliminary investigations suggest that the driver experienced mechanical failure, specifically a loss of braking function, which led to the vehicle veering off the roadway and descending into a valley below.

The victims included six females and one male, Ohemeng said. Their bodies have been deposited at the mortuary of a local hospital in Nkawkaw, where the injured survivors are also receiving medical treatment.

Police Investigation Underway

Police have launched a formal investigation into the cause of the accident, though early evidence points to mechanical failure as a primary factor. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the deceased pending family notifications.

Road accidents remain a significant public safety concern in Ghana, particularly on rural and mountainous routes where road conditions, vehicle maintenance, and driver fatigue often contribute to fatal crashes. The Eastern Region, known for its hilly terrain and winding roads, has seen multiple serious accidents in recent years involving passenger vehicles and heavy-duty trucks.

Call for Enhanced Road Safety Measures

The latest tragedy has renewed calls from road safety advocates for stricter vehicle inspection regimes, particularly for commercial passenger vans operating on high-risk routes. Brake failure, tyre blowouts, and overloading are frequently cited as leading causes of fatal crashes across Ghana’s road network.

Emergency responders recovered the bodies and assisted the injured late Monday night. Hospital officials at Nkawkaw have not yet released an update on the condition of those receiving treatment.

This story is developing. Further details, including the total number of injured passengers and any potential arrests or charges against the vehicle operator, will be reported as they become available.

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