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Mahama Points to Baffling Protocol Breaches After Shooting at Trump’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner

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President John Dramani Mahama has offered a striking perspective on the shooting incident that targeted U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

The Ghanaian President is highlighting what he described as several baffling and out-of-place breaches of standard security protocol.

Speaking at the 60th birthday thanksgiving service of his Chief of Staff Julius Debrah at the Pentecost Church in Trasacco, Accra, on Sunday, April 26, 2026, Mahama drew sharp contrasts between routine high-office security measures and the extraordinary events that unfolded in Washington D.C. on April 25, 2027.

The First Baffling Thing: President and Vice President Together

Mahama began by pointing out the most immediate anomaly: the joint appearance of President Trump and Vice President JD Vance at the same venue. According to the Ghanaian leader, standard protocol for heads of state and their deputies explicitly forbids sharing transportation or attending the same event unless absolutely unavoidable.

“One of the major things they tell us when you reach the high office of president and vice president is not to drive in the same car together,” Mahama explained. “They won’t allow you to do it. Myself and Naana cannot fly in the same plane together. And as much as possible, they avoid us being at the same events together — unless it’s a very important event that is unavoidable.”

He noted that for both the U.S. president and vice president to be present at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was itself a rare and risky exception to established security doctrine.

The Second Baffling Thing: Gunfire at a Gala

Mahama then turned to the incident itself, describing how a gunman, later identified as 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen, stormed the prestigious dinner and opened fire. What struck the Ghanaian president as particularly out of place was the nature of the event: a celebratory gathering of journalists and political figures, not a venue anyone would expect to become a crime scene.

“This morning I was watching TV and there were some gunshots at the White House press call dinner,” Mahama said. “And it’s a ceremony traditionally the president and vice president attend.”

The Third Baffling Thing: Secret Service Bundling Leaders to Safety

Perhaps most striking to Mahama was the visible chaos that erupted as the Secret Service sprang into action. He described watching security personnel physically bundle both the president and vice president out of the venue — a sight he found deeply unsettling and out of character for an event of that stature.

“And when the gunshots rang out, you should have seen the Secret Service people bundling the president and the vice president out,” he remarked.

He then drew a direct line to his own security situation in Accra, noting that the incident had not been lost on his protective detail. “I’m sure today our security are taking extra precaution because two of us are here,” Mahama added, referring to his own presence at the church service alongside Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.

Aftermath

Authorities have confirmed that the shooter, Cole Thomas Allen, was apprehended at the scene and is in police custody. No fatalities were recorded at the U.S. event, though the breach has raised urgent questions about security at high-profile political gatherings.

For Mahama, the incident served as a sobering reminder that even the most tightly guarded nations remain vulnerable to unexpected breaches — and that protocol exists precisely for such unforeseen moments.

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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Temporary Power Curtailment in Volta, Oti Regions, Gov’t Revokes Adamus Mining Lease, and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today

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Welcome to this morning’s curated news roundup. We have gathered the most pressing and relevant stories from across Ghana today.

ECG Announces Temporary Power Curtailment in Volta & Oti Regions

Ghana’s Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced a temporary power curtailment (load shedding) in the Volta and Oti regions. According to the utility provider, the measure is necessary due to technical challenges affecting supply from the national grid to specific areas. While no extensive timeline for the disruption was detailed in this specific release, such curtailments are typically implemented to protect the broader grid infrastructure. Residents and businesses in the affected regions have been advised to prepare for intermittent outages.
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‘Demand Shot Up, Transformers Overloaded’ – Deputy Energy Minister Explains

Following power challenges, Ghana’s Deputy Energy Minister has shed light on a root cause of recent grid instability, stating that “demand shot up” leading to overloaded transformers across key distribution points. The Minister explained that a surge in consumption, particularly from industrial and residential sectors, has outpaced the carrying capacity of certain infrastructure. He assured the public that the ministry is working with ECG to redistribute load and upgrade critical components to prevent widespread disruptions.
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Atuguba Allays Fears of a Supreme Court Ruling Annulling All OSP-Prosecuted Cases

Prominent legal figure Justice William Atuguba (Rtd.) has moved to calm public apprehension over a potential Supreme Court decision that could invalidate all cases previously prosecuted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). Addressing fears following recent legal arguments about the OSP’s constitutional mandate, Justice Atuguba clarified that such a sweeping annulment is highly unlikely. He stated that legal precedents and the specific application of rulings would protect concluded cases, thereby maintaining the integrity of past anti-corruption efforts.
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10 Dead, 11 Arrested and More: Ghana Army Shares Details of the Shootout in Binduri

The Ghana Army has released detailed casualty figures following a deadly shootout in Binduri in the Upper East Region. According to the official military update, the clash resulted in 10 deaths and the arrest of 11 individuals. The army’s statement provided context on the security operation, which aimed to quell escalating communal tensions. Authorities have assured residents that investigations are ongoing and that additional personnel have been deployed to the area to prevent further violence and restore calm.
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From Physician Assistant in Ghana to US Air Force Airman: The Story of Ebenezer Aborah

In a feature on inspiring journeys, GhanaWeb profiles Ebenezer Aborah, who transitioned from working as a Physician Assistant in Ghana to becoming an Airman in the United States Air Force. His story details the rigorous process of credentialing, training, and cultural adaptation required to make such a leap. Aborah’s trajectory serves as a motivational example for Ghanaian health professionals and service members worldwide, illustrating how determination and skill can open doors to international military and healthcare careers.
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6. Government Revokes Adamus Resources Limited’s Mining Leases for Illegal Activities

The Ghanaian government has revoked the mining leases of Adamus Resources Limited following investigations that uncovered multiple violations of the Minerals and Mining Act. The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources cited illegal sub-contracting without consent, mining without valid permits, environmental degradation, and the engagement of foreign nationals in illegal mining (“galamsey”) as grounds for the revocation. The government has not ruled out criminal charges against the company’s directors and management, while pledging to protect jobs of affected workers.
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7. Ghana on Track for IMF Programme Exit as Final Review Commences

Ghana is entering the final phase of its engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). An IMF staff mission is expected in Accra this week for the sixth and final review of the three-year Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement. Technical Advisor to the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Theo Acheampong, expressed confidence that Ghana has met most programme targets on fiscal consolidation, inflation, and structural reforms, paving the way for a successful exit from the programme in August 2026.
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Four Arrested for Smuggling Over 100 Bags of Cocoa Into Ghana

Four suspects have been arrested for allegedly smuggling more than 100 bags of cocoa beans from Côte d’Ivoire into Ghana. The arrests followed a joint operation by the Ghana Cocoa Board’s Anti-Smuggling Unit and security agencies in the Dormaa West District. Bono Regional Minister Joseph Addae Akwaboa revealed that licensed buying companies were allegedly bypassing local farmers to source smuggled cocoa. The suspects are assisting police investigations and will face prosecution as authorities intensify border patrols.
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Ghana News

Newspaper Headlines Today: Tuesday, April 28, 2026

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Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Stay informed with today’s front pages of Ghanaian newspapers, all in one place.

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