Ghana News

Pirates Attack Fishermen Off the Coast in the Central Region Weeks After Brutal Burkina Faso Terrorist Incident

Published

2 months ago

February 26, 2026

Senya Bereku, Central Region, Ghana – February 26, 2026 – A joint rescue operation by the Ghana Armed Forces, Marine Police Unit, and National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has successfully brought 38 fishermen safely ashore after they were ambushed and robbed by armed assailants at sea.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, February 26, 2026, approximately 35 nautical miles off the coast near Senya Bereku in the Awutu Senya West District.

The fishermen, operating in two locally manufactured canoes (part of a larger fleet of seven canoes from Senya Bereku, Vorkor in Greater Accra, and other areas), were returning from a routine fishing expedition when they were attacked by unidentified gunmen in a black boat.

*The freed fishermen covered in white powder to celebrate their good luck of being rescued.*

The assailants fired warning shots, held the victims at gunpoint, and stole seven outboard motors, five generators, mobile phones, cash, fuel, and other valuables—disabling the canoes and leaving the men stranded in deep waters. Preliminary reports indicate the attackers spoke pidgin English, but their nationality remains undisclosed.

Summaries of Key Developments in Ghana (Feb. 26, 2026)

Following distress reports, a coordinated search and rescue mission was launched at dawn. The Ghana Armed Forces conducted offshore operations, while Marine Police and NADMO teams towed the disabled vessels back to shore. The rescued fishermen, who endured hours adrift and traumatised by the ordeal, were safely landed in Senya Bereku, where they received initial support.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has begun taking statements from the victims as investigations continue to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. In a statement, the Armed Forces appealed for public calm and assured ongoing efforts, with further updates to follow.

This latest attack heightens growing fears among Ghana’s coastal fishing communities over rising sea piracy and armed robbery incidents in the Gulf of Guinea region. Similar reports of over 50 fishermen stranded in related or overlapping events underscore the vulnerability of artisanal fishers to violent crime at sea, threatening livelihoods and food security in a sector critical to Ghana’s economy.

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Authorities have urged fishermen to report suspicious activities and stressed the need for enhanced maritime security patrols to deter future incidents.

Burkina Faso Attack Still Fresh

The recent armed pirate attack underscores the growing insecurity facing ordinary Ghanaians in cross-border economic activities.

Just weeks earlier, on February 14, 2026, a terrorist ambush by the Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM group in the northern Burkinabe town of Titao claimed the lives of eight Ghanaian tomato traders who had crossed the border to purchase produce.

The militants separated men from women, opened fire, and set vehicles ablaze, leaving bodies burnt beyond recognition and prompting Ghana to temporarily suspend tomato imports from Burkina Faso—triggering sharp price surges in local markets and renewed fears among cross-border traders, particularly women.

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Both incidents highlight the interconnected threats of violent extremism and maritime crime along Ghana’s northern and coastal frontiers.

The Burkina Faso attack disrupted vital agricultural supply chains and exposed the vulnerability of informal traders in the Sahel spillover zone, while the Senya Bereku piracy raid directly targets artisanal fishers who rely on sea routes for livelihoods.

Together, these events illustrate how regional instability—fueled by jihadist expansion in the Sahel and rising piracy in the Gulf of Guinea—is increasingly spilling over into Ghana, endangering civilian economic activities, food security, and cross-border trade.

The incidents have intensified calls for enhanced security cooperation, including recent Ghana-Burkina Faso agreements on joint patrols and trade facilitation, as authorities work to protect vulnerable communities and prevent further escalation.

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Ghana News

US Requires Ghanaian Visa Applicants to Make All Social Media Profiles ‘Public’ for Vetting

Published

11 hours ago

April 21, 2026

GNG Staff

Accra, Ghana – Ghanaians applying for various categories of US visas must now make all their social media accounts public, the United States Embassy has announced in a new requirement that is being rolled out globally.

The policy, which took effect immediately, affects a wide range of non-immigrant visas including A-3, C-3, G-5, H-3, H-4 (dependents), K-1, K-2, K-3, Q, R-1, R-2, S, T, and U visas. Applicants are required to adjust the privacy settings of platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), TikTok, LinkedIn, and others to “public” to allow US consular officers to review their online activity as part of the security and admissibility vetting process.

The move is designed to help establish the applicant’s true identity, intentions, and potential security risks before granting entry into the United States. While the directive was first highlighted by the US Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, it is now being implemented at US embassies and consulates worldwide, including in Ghana.

Bawumia Accuses Mahama Govt of Attacking Democracy, Otumfuo Warns Politicians and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today

Implications for Ghanaian Applicants

For many Ghanaians seeking to visit, study, work, or join family members in America, the new rule adds another layer of scrutiny to the already rigorous US visa application process.

Privacy-conscious applicants may need to temporarily adjust or archive private content before submitting their applications.

US visa officials will now have broader access to posts, comments, photos, friends lists, and online associations.

This development comes amid heightened global security concerns and reflects the Trump administration’s continued emphasis on stricter immigration vetting. Ghanaian travellers are advised to review their social media presence carefully and ensure consistency between their online profiles and visa application details to avoid delays or refusals.

Ghana News

Bawumia Accuses Mahama Govt of Attacking Democracy, Otumfuo Warns Politicians and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today

Published

12 hours ago

April 21, 2026

GNG Staff

We have curated the most relevant stories in Ghana today to keep you informed.

Bawumia Claims Ghana’s Democracy Under Attack and Free Speech Sacrificed Under Mahama Govt
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has strongly accused President John Dramani Mahama’s government of undermining Ghana’s democratic credentials by suppressing free speech and using state security agencies to intimidate political opponents. Speaking on April 18, 2026, during a visit by Bono Region NPP executives, Bawumia described the situation as a threat to the country’s democratic gains and urged party members to remain outspoken. The former Vice President’s comments followed the arrest and detention of NPP member Abubakar Yakubu (Baba Amando), with the party planning a major demonstration in Sunyani on April 22 under the theme “Yensuro Ahunahuna Demo” to protest what it calls attacks on free speech.
Read the full story here

Akonta Mining: Court Gives Wontumi Final Chance to File Witness Statement
The Criminal Division of the Accra High Court has granted Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) a final opportunity to file his witness statements in the Akonta Mining illegal mining case. Justice Audrey Kocouvi-Tey set May 5, 2026, as the new deadline after Wontumi missed the previous April 14 cut-off. The ruling came during a case management conference on April 20, despite defence requests for adjournment pending an appeal. Wontumi faces charges related to unauthorised mining activities on his concession in Samreboi.
Read the full story here

BOST to Lose GH¢40m from Suspended Fuel Margins – Deputy MD
The Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST) stands to lose nearly GH¢40 million in April alone due to the government’s suspension of the BOST margin on diesel. Deputy Managing Director Nat Salifu Acheampong warned that the move threatens critical infrastructure projects, including the upgrade of the Accra-Akosombo pipeline from 6 inches to 12 inches. While the margin on petrol remains, he appealed to Parliament to restore the diesel margin once the current fuel price relief measures end, stressing that the funds support national strategic fuel reserves.
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Power is Transient – Otumfuo Warns Politicians to Stay Out of Chieftaincy Matters
Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has cautioned politicians to refrain from interfering in chieftaincy affairs, reminding them that power is transient. The warning, delivered at the Asanteman Council meeting, underscores the Asantehene’s firm stance on preserving the independence and integrity of traditional institutions from political influence.
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‘You Are All Thieves!’ – Woman Slams Methodist Pastors and Elders Over Tithe Policy
A female member of the Wesley Cathedral Methodist Church in Sunyani caused a stir when she publicly described the pastor and elders as “thieves” during a church service. She criticised an alleged policy tying welfare support (especially during funerals) to tithe payment, arguing it was unfair and discouraging membership. The dramatic confrontation, which has gone viral, has sparked widespread debate on church finances and member support.
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Explainer: Why Asantehene Destooled Kyeame Kofi Nti
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has destooled his linguist (Kyeame) Kofi Nti following deliberations by the Asanteman Council. The removal was based on serious allegations including doubts over his royal lineage, improper handling and failure to report invocations of the sacred Otumfuo Ntam Kɛseɛ oath, and interference in chieftaincy processes. The decision highlights the high standards of accountability expected in Asante traditional offices.
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GES Announces Instalment Plan to Clear Teachers’ Salary Arrears
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has revealed that the government will pay outstanding salary arrears to newly recruited teachers under the 2024 financial clearance in instalments from May to August 2026. Four months’ arrears will be disbursed monthly to ensure accuracy and transparency. The move brings relief to teachers whose payments were delayed after reporting to post.
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