Ghana News
Mahama Points to Baffling Protocol Breaches After Shooting at Trump’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner
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
American Expats in Ghana Get a Helping Hand to Vote in 2026 U.S. Midterm Elections
With the 2026 U.S. midterm elections fast approaching, American citizens living in Ghana are receiving a timely boost to ensure their voices are heard from thousands of miles away.
The Vote from Abroad Team in Ghana is set to host a specialized voter registration and assistance event this weekend, designed to navigate the complexities of overseas voting.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, August 29, at 2:00 PM (Ghana time) at Theia’s Coffee House in the Airport Residential Area of Accra. Volunteers will be on the ground to provide trained assistance, guiding participants through the process of registering to vote and requesting their absentee ballots. The organizers have set a goal to register at least 50 new overseas voters in a single afternoon.
“This is a crucial opportunity,” said Lenny Baer, a volunteer with the Vote from Abroad Team in Ghana. “Many US citizens often don’t realize they can vote from overseas. We can, and our votes help determine the outcome of elections across the US.”
Why This Outreach Matters
This initiative is part of a broader effort by Democrats Abroad, the official arm of the Democratic Party representing Americans living outside the United States . The organization operates a volunteer-run network with chapters on six continents, working to protect the voting rights of the estimated 9 million Americans living abroad .
While the event is hosted by Democrats Abroad, the organizers emphasize that it is open to all U.S. citizens living in Ghana, irrespective of political party affiliation . This nonpartisan approach to voter assistance is a core tenant of the organization’s mission, reflecting their commitment to helping any American facing voting challenges . Through their platform, VoteFromAbroad.org, they provide a public service that helps citizens register and participate in elections regardless of their political leanings .
Midterm elections historically see lower voter turnout than presidential elections, particularly among overseas voters who often face bureaucratic hurdles or are simply unaware of their eligibility . With all 435 House seats and approximately 36 Senate seats up for grabs in 2026, every single vote—including those from Accra—holds the potential to tip the balance of power in Congress .
How to Participate
For those unable to attend the event in person, organizers have confirmed that a virtual session will be held simultaneously . Interested voters can RSVP through the VoteFromAbroad.org platform to receive the online meeting link and receive the same level of one-on-one assistance in completing their ballot request forms.
Trained voting assistants will also be available to answer questions, help participants complete their Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)—the standard federal form needed to request a ballot—and ensure that their voting rights are protected .
For Americans in Ghana, this Saturday’s event is more than just a registration drive; it is a critical lifeline to the democratic process back home, ensuring that their geographic distance does not translate into political silence.
Ghana News
Top Headlines from Ghanaian Newspapers: Monday, August 24, 2026
Monday, August 24, 2026 – Ghana’s front pages are dominated by a fierce political standoff over GoldBod’s massive financial losses, a significant government U-turn granting a lifeline to Adamus Resources, and a highly competitive race for NPP national executive positions ahead of the 2028 elections.
1. The GoldBod $1.7bn Loss Saga: War of Words Escalates
The Minority in Parliament is refusing to back down on the GoldBod losses, while the state gold company’s CEO faces intense scrutiny.
- “No Distraction: Afenyo-Markin, Minority Sustain Heat …On $1.7bn Gold Loss” (Day Break), with The Daily Statesman stating “PERSONAL ATTACKS WON’T DISTRACT US.”
- The Source reports “Sammy Gyamfi’s Extortion Claim False – Afenyo-Markin,” while The Inquisitor and The Daily Gist note the Minority Leader is “Threatening Legal Action” over the allegation.
- The Informer headlines “Minority Hauls GoldBod CEO Before Parliament” over the controversy.
- NewsCentra digs into the numbers, reporting “GH¢29.1bn Gold Losses In 4 Years – The role of GoldBod and BoG explained,” while The Custodian leads with “Minority Vows To Probe GH¢22bn Gold Trading Loss.”
2. Mahama Intervenes: The Adamus U-Turn
President John Dramani Mahama has stepped into the heated standoff between the Lands Ministry and Adamus Resources, granting the mining giant a 12-month reprieve.
- Daily Democrat and The Insight lead with “Mahama Rescues Adamus Resources” / “Gives Adamus Reprieve.”
- The Daily Banner and The Ghanaian Publisher frame this as a “Government Flip-Flop Questioned” or a “U-Turn.”
- The Informer reports the President “Gives Company Amnesty To Operate Under New Arrangement.”
3. NPP Internal Elections: 50 Battle for Top Posts
The race for the NPP’s national executive positions is officially underway, drawing a massive field of candidates.
- Daily Guide reports “50 Battle For NPP Top Posts,” while The Source and NewsCentra note “50 Aspirants Chase 11 Positions.”
- The Chronicle and The Daily Gist report “Afoko Files Chairmanship Papers Morrow” (Tuesday).
- In the Communications Director race, Daily Analyst and The Source report “Gordon Asare-Bediako withdraws from NPP Communications Race …Endorses Dennis Miracles Aboagye.”
- Republic Press highlights the upcoming internal vote with “50 Battle For NPP National Executive Posts.”
4. Galamsey, Security, and Public Health
- Daily Analyst leads with a tragic report: “Kakum Forest Reserve Wildlife Guard Shot Dead.”
- The Daily Statesman reports “Galamsey destroys over 100 acres of farmland,” while The Informer quotes the Interior Minister vowing to “Get Tough!” on illegal mining.
- On the health front, Daily Analyst and The Exclusive report Ghana’s plan to “Reverse 70% Medicine Imports Through 24-Hour Economy,” while Daily Democrat notes a “GMTF, Atlantic Lifesciences Partner to Cut Drug Costs.”
5. Economy, Banking, and Tax
- Graphic Business leads with a major fiscal milestone: “Ghana now spends less than 20% on servicing debt.” This is supported by The Custodian, which reports “Ghana Signs €163m Debt Restructuring Deal With Belgium.”
- B&FT highlights “Gov’t weighs lifting grain export ban …amid 70,000mt rice glut.” The paper also reports “Robust investor confidence in economy returns …local investments hit US$816m, FDIs US$2.62bn.”
- Graphic Business also flags the “23 banks, one dollar, many prices” phenomenon, exposing varying FX costs across banks.
6. Judicial and Political Fallout
- Republic Press reports the “Supreme Court clears way for legal vacation criminal trials …Dismisses Oppong Nkrumah’s injunction bid,” a ruling also confirmed by Daily Guide.
- The Daily Gist reports a tragic cross-border incident: “Man Drowns While Helping Travellers Cross Ghana-Togo River.”
Ghana News
Ghanaian Firms Inject €425,000 of Own Funds to Ignite ‘Made in Ghana’ Health Innovation
In a powerful demonstration of local ownership, Ghanaian research institutions and pharmaceutical manufacturers are contributing an additional €425,000 of their own money to implement innovative health projects, signaling a robust commitment to advancing homegrown medical solutions beyond relying on foreign aid alone.
The co-funding is part of a €2 million grant package awarded under the PharmaVax Ghana program, backed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU).
The initiative is designed to bridge the critical gap between scientific discovery and industrial-scale manufacturing within Ghana.
While the grants provide vital financial fuel, the local co-investment—which ranges from €10,000 to €150,000 across the eight winning projects—represents a crucial “skin in the game” approach.
It shows that local institutions are not merely passive recipients of aid, but active stakeholders willing to risk their own capital to bring products to the market. This practical commitment underscores the sustainability of the projects, ensuring they are not abandoned once international funding cycles end.

The projects span a wide range of medical priorities, including fast-dissolving oral tablets for child-friendly malaria treatment, AI-powered diagnostic tools for Mpox and malaria, standardized herbal treatments for hypertension and liver disease, and stability data for locally produced tetanus-diphtheria vaccines.

Highlighting the importance of this local participation, Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, Chief Executive Officer of the National Vaccine Institute (NVI), emphasized that the funds are meant to catalyze local capabilities.
“Ghana has the scientific talent, the research institutions and an increasingly capable pharmaceutical industry to develop health solutions that respond to our own priorities,” he stated. “By bringing these strengths together, we are creating the foundation for medicines and vaccines that are developed in Ghana, manufactured in Ghana, and have the potential to benefit the wider region.”
Ghana’s Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, echoed this sentiment, noting that the initiative marks a journey where researchers and manufacturers collaborate to transform scientific discoveries into life-saving products.
The €425,000 in local contributions—combined with the €2 million in grants and technical assistance from the EU and Germany—positions Ghana as a rising hub for pharmaceutical industrialization in West Africa, moving the nation closer to health security and economic self-reliance.
-
Ghana News21 hours agoTop Headlines from Ghanaian Newspapers: Monday, August 24, 2026
-
Ghana News20 hours agoAmerican Expats in Ghana Get a Helping Hand to Vote in 2026 U.S. Midterm Elections
-
Africa Watch21 hours agoThe West Africa Corridor’s Dirty Secret: Liberia’s Record Cocaine Bust Exposes State-Sanctioned Trafficking
-
Reels & Social Media Highlights1 day agoA Preacher, A GoFundMe, and A Viral Legend: Decoding Ghana’s Sunday Social Media Storm
-
Festivals & Events1 day agoDrums, Chiefs and Blessings: Inside Kwahu Tafo’s Gyenpren Festival
-
Festivals & Events12 hours agoAhoba Kuma Festival: How the Abura People Keep Their Warrior Legacy Alive
-
Health & Wellness1 day agoThe Surprising Bone and Circulation Benefits of 100 Daily Jumps
-
Homes & Real Estate23 hours agoHow to Capitalise on the $7.8 Billion Diaspora Cash Fueling Ghana’s Real Estate Boom
