Ghana News
Olympic Icon John Carlos Storms Ghana With Urgent Message of Pan-African Unity: ‘We’ve Been Naive Towards One Another’
More than half a century after his defiant, history-altering Black Power salute on the Olympic podium, Dr. John Carlos has arrived in Ghana.
The civil rights activist and pan-Africanist has been spreading a powerful, urgent message to the African continent and its diaspora: unity and economic self-determination are not just ideals, but necessities for survival.
In an exclusive, wide-ranging interview with content creator Ivy Prosper published November 30, 2025, the 80-year-old activist-athlete reflected on his iconic 1968 protest, his life of resistance, and his first-time visit to Ghana, offering a stark assessment of global Black solidarity and a blueprint for the future.
“The Medal Was Secondary”: The Unchanged Truth of 1968
Carlos revisited the Mexico City Olympics with clarity, stating his purpose was always the protest, not the podium.
“I didn’t go to the games to win a medal. Medal was secondary to me. I went to the games primarily to do what I did on that victory stand,” he said.
He fiercely debunked the long-standing myth that the International Olympic Committee confiscated his bronze medal.
“They told me they were going to take my medal away… I had to explain to them… I earned the medals… if you come to take this medal, bring the militia cuz you going to need them.” He described the tale of its confiscation as “propaganda” to deter athletes from activism.
A Ghanaian Pilgrimage: Confronting History, Sensing Freedom
He disclosed that his visit to Cape Coast’s slave forts was a profound, moving experience.
“It’s a sinister move just to think that a human being could even be that sinister to another,” Carlos stated, reflecting on the horrors of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Yet, in modern Ghanaian society, he observed a liberating contrast: “I see 10 times more accidents in the correct way [in America]… I haven’t seen one accident yet… All they show is love.”
Bridging the Divide: A Call for Pan-African Reunion
Carlos directly addressed the fraught relationship between Africans and the diaspora, calling it a manufactured divide.
“We’ve been naive towards one another based on the seeds that have been… put upon us,” he said. The solution, he argues, is to move beyond discussing shared pain and focus on shared solutions. “We need to start focusing on the solution to the problem, not so much talking about the problem.”
He criticized the reliance on flawed political saviors, using President Barack Obama as an example he viewed as a “symbol to sedate black people in America,” asking pointedly, “What did he do for black people specific?”
The Path Forward: Economics, Youth, and Spiritual Awakening
For Carlos, the future hinges on three pillars:
- Economic Unity: He challenged Black millionaires and billionaires to rebuild communal wealth, asking, “Why haven’t we gone back and rebuilt Black Wall Street?” He urged everyday people to hold them accountable.
- Youth Empowerment: “We got to start training kids from puberty in terms of who they are,” he urged, warning with tears in his eyes, “we don’t see the youth stepping up to fill our shoes… if they don’t come, we got a grim future.”
- Spiritual Clarity: Distinguishing spirituality from organized religion, Carlos critiqued how Christianity was historically used to justify racism and slavery. “They promoted racism. They promoted slavery… from the pope on down,” he asserted, advocating for a reclamation of innate spiritual strength.
A Spark for the Future
Carlos, who describes himself as a “spark,” leaves Ghana with a resonant metaphor for Black consciousness. He likened the community to a gas tank that clearly contains fuel (potential), yet many listen to outsiders who claim it is empty. His life’s work has been to ignite that fuel.
“Until we can fuse together and become united as one,” Carlos concluded, “what they took from us they’re not going to give back, but we had the means to take it back.”
His journey to Ghana can be summed as a timely pilgrimage to spread a message of unity and economic self-determination for a new generation of Africans – with fists raised!
A now-viral video purports to show the Russian national who previously gained attention in Ghana for controversial secret videos being arrested in Tokyo.
The video captures the man often identified in online reports by the username “Yaytsesl” being handcuffed and his rights being read to him by a Japanese law enforcement officer.
Arrest captured in partially verified video
The partially blurred footage circulating online shows Japanese police officers informing the man of his rights to remain silent in English while placing him under arrest.
In the video, officers say they had reviewed his online content before taking action.
The man is heard responding that he had never been arrested before and asking what personal items he would be allowed to bring.
The authenticity of the footage has not been independently verified.
Background: online activity linked to Ghana controversy
The suspect had drawn international attention after posting videos involving escapes with women in Kenya and Ghana that sparked widespread backlash.
The content allegedly included exploitative online material tied to vulnerable individuals, which triggered outrage among social media users and prompted calls for investigation.
Ghanaian authorities later confirmed they were aware of the situation and had initiated inquiries into the man’s activities while he was in the country. Officials indicated they were cooperating with international partners as part of broader investigations.
Reports from African and Russian media described the man as a self-proclaimed “pick-up artist” and online blogger in his 30s who travelled to Ghana and other African countries, where he allegedly recorded interactions with women without their knowledge.
Media outlets in both regions also alleged that he used sunglasses equipped with a hidden camera to capture some of the encounters and later shared the footage on social media, although authorities have not officially confirmed these claims.
Cross-border legal implications
Japanese police have not publicly disclosed the exact charges, but the arrest, if confirmed, highlights how digital activity can lead to international law enforcement action. Authorities reportedly acted after reviewing evidence linked to his online conduct.
The case has also sparked debate in Ghana about online exploitation, digital regulation, and the protection of vulnerable populations in the age of social media.
In Ghana, under the Cybersecurity Act 2020, the law punishes those who share nude photos or videos online, especially of women and children, often for revenge or blackmail.
Several Ghanaian traders are feared dead after a truck carrying tomato merchants from Ghana was attacked by suspected terrorists in Titao, Burkina Faso, on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
In an official statement issued on February 14, 2026, Ghana’s Ministry of the Interior and National Security described the incident as “disturbing,” reflecting the gravity of the situation, but kept its lips tight about casualties.
The release, signed by Minister Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka (MP), stated that the vehicle transporting the traders was caught in the terrorist attack in the northern Burkinabè town of Titao, near the Ghana border.
“The Ghana Embassy in Burkina Faso is liaising with the officials of Burkina Faso to visit the attack site for details and identification of Ghanaians caught in the attack,” the statement read. “Further details would be communicated to the public.”
While no official casualty figures have been released by Ghanaian or Burkinabè authorities as of February 15, 2026, and the identities of those affected remain unconfirmed, reports on social media, where the news about the attack first broke, suggest at least seven of the traders hit have died.
The attack took place in a region of Burkina Faso that has seen frequent jihadist incursions by groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates operating in the Sahel.
Cross-border trade in agricultural goods, especially tomatoes, onions, and other perishables, is a major economic lifeline for communities on both sides of the Ghana-Burkina Faso frontier. However, escalating insecurity in northern Burkina Faso has increasingly disrupted commercial movements, raised insurance costs, and threatened livelihoods.
The Ministry’s prompt public communication reflects growing concern over the safety of Ghanaian nationals operating in volatile border areas. Ghanaian consular officials are expected to provide further updates as more information emerges from the joint site visit.
Welcome to today’s real-time updates of developments in Ghana for Sunday, February 16, 2026. Return often for fresh summaries as stories break.
7 Ghanaians Reportedly Killed in Burkina Faso Terrorist Attack
Seven Ghanaian nationals are feared dead after a truck carrying tomato traders from Ghana was attacked by suspected terrorists in Titao, Burkina Faso, on Saturday, February 14, 2026. The Ministry of the Interior confirmed the incident, stating the Ghana Embassy in Ouagadougou is liaising with local authorities to visit the site, confirm identities, and provide support. The attack occurred in a volatile Sahel border region where terrorist groups have intensified cross-border operations.
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No More Excuses – NCA Rolls Out Stricter Mobile Service Standards
The National Communications Authority (NCA) has introduced tougher quality-of-service standards for mobile network operators, effective immediately. The new rules, announced February 13, 2026, set minimum benchmarks for call drop rates, data speeds, network availability, and customer complaint resolution times, with heavy fines for persistent violations. The NCA said the measures aim to end years of public complaints about poor service and force operators to invest in infrastructure upgrades.
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Ex-Sergeant Peter Tasiri, Main Brain Behind June 4 Uprising, Is Dead
Retired Sergeant Peter Tasiri, widely regarded as one of the key architects and ideologues of the June 4, 1979, Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) uprising in Ghana, has died. The former soldier, who played a central role in the revolutionary events that led to the execution of eight senior military officers, passed away on February 13, 2026. Tributes have poured in from veterans, historians, and political figures acknowledging his controversial yet pivotal place in Ghana’s post-independence history.
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Return to Lecture Halls Effective Feb 16 – CETAG Directs Members
The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) has directed its members to resume in-person lectures starting Monday, February 16, 2026, following the suspension of an earlier strike. The directive, issued February 13, 2026, comes after negotiations with government representatives addressed outstanding concerns over conditions of service and allowances. CETAG urged full compliance to avoid disruptions to the academic calendar.
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Accra Gridlock Costs Ghana GH¢4.5bn a Year – Report
Traffic congestion in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area costs the Ghanaian economy an estimated GH¢4.5 billion annually in lost productivity, fuel waste, vehicle maintenance, and health impacts, according to a new study released February 13, 2026. The report, commissioned by the Ministry of Roads and Highways, highlights peak-hour delays averaging 2–3 hours daily and calls for urgent investment in mass transit, road expansion, smart traffic systems, and alternative transport corridors.
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NPA Raises Price Floor for Feb 16 Window: Petrol Up to GH¢10.24, Diesel Pegged at GH¢11.34
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has adjusted the price floors for the February 16 pricing window, increasing the maximum retail price for petrol to GH¢10.24 per litre and setting diesel at GH¢11.34 per litre. The February 13, 2026, announcement reflects movements in global crude prices, exchange rate fluctuations, and local taxes. The NPA assured consumers that margins remain regulated to prevent excessive profiteering by Oil Marketing Companies.
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AGI Demands Protection for Local Manufacturers Under 24-Hour Economy
The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has called for strong safeguards for local manufacturers as government pushes ahead with the 24-hour economy policy. In a February 13, 2026, statement, AGI President Dr. Humphrey Ayim Darku warned that unrestricted foreign competition could undermine domestic industries, job creation, and value addition. The group urged the government to prioritise local content, tax incentives, and import substitution in the policy rollout.
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GTYA Calls for Urgent Road Safety and Infrastructure Reforms After Nsawam Tanker Explosion
The Ghana Tyre and Automotive Association (GTYA) has renewed calls for comprehensive road safety and infrastructure reforms following the fatal fuel tanker explosion on the Nsawam-Accra highway that killed three people on February 14, 2026. GTYA President Dr. Kwame Agyemang highlighted the need for mandatory speed limiters, fire-suppression systems on tankers, better road design, and stricter enforcement to prevent recurrence of such tragedies.
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T-Bills Investors Ignore Low Yields to Tender GH¢22.66 Billion Bids in Appetite Surge
Investors submitted GH¢22.66 billion in bids for Treasury bills in the February 13, 2026, auction, far exceeding the target despite historically low yields. The surge in demand reflects continued strong confidence in government debt instruments amid macroeconomic stabilisation efforts and attractive risk-adjusted returns compared to alternative savings options.
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United States Intensifies Operation in Nigeria as 3 Military Aircraft Deliver Ammunition and More Troops
Russian Man Who Secretly Filmed Ghanaian Women Reportedly Arrested in Tokyo
U.S. Offers Tax Refunds to African 32 Exporters Under New AGOA Framework
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