Welcome to our rolling news summary from Ghana. These stories reflect the nation’s landscape. Check back for more news updates as the day progresses and new information becomes available.

Ghanaian PhD Students in UK Begin Mass Withdrawals Over Unpaid Scholarships

Ghanaian PhD students in the UK are withdrawing from programs due to unpaid tuition and stipends for nearly two years, facing debt, evictions, and visa curtailments. The PhD Cohort-UK plans demonstrations at the Ghana High Commission in London and has petitioned UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for intervention. A student stated: “Our situation has reached a breaking point… If the fees aren’t paid by the end of this month, my Tier 4 visa will be curtailed, and I will be deported with nothing but debt.”

Prempeh College Students Caught in Violent Fistfight During School Competition

Prempeh College students engaged in a violent fistfight with Cadet Corps members during the 2026 Ashanti Regional Senior High Schools Boys’ Soccer Festival at Baba Yara Sports Stadium, as captured in a video shared on January 16, 2026, by SikaOfficial on and republished GhanaWeb. The incident has sparked public outrage over rising student indiscipline, with calls for arrests as a deterrent.

Ghana Navy Foils Illegal Fuel Bunkering Along Keta-Aflao Coast

The Ghana Navy conducted two raids dismantling illegal fuel bunkering operations in Volta Region, seizing 162 fuel-filled 25-litre gallons and 32 200-litre barrels on January 13, 2026, and intercepting seven modified canoes with 378 empty barrels on January 15, 2026. Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin reaffirmed commitment to maritime security, urging public cooperation to protect national security, marine biodiversity, and the blue economy.

Minister Calls for Inter-Ministerial Force to Fix Accra’s Rush-Hour Transit Crises

Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs Ahmed Ibrahim urged an inter-ministerial alliance with the Ministry of Roads to repair Accra’s intra-roads during a January 16, 2026, stakeholder meeting hosted by the Ministry of Transport. He warned private operators of government intervention if roads remain unmotorable, citing a €1 million grant for Ayalolo bus revival, and stated: “We need to bring my brother, the Road Minister, in so that the intra-roads that are not motorable are fixed.”

Ex-Manager Case: Black Sherif’s Contract Breach Deemed ‘Technical’ as Court Awards GH¢50k Instead of GH¢1.1m Demand

The High Court in Accra ruled Black Sherif’s contract breach with former manager Shadrach Owusu Agyei ‘technical’, awarding GH¢50k in nominal damages and GH¢15k in costs against the plaintiff, dismissing most claims due to lack of evidence, according to MyJoyOnline. Justice Afia Adu-Amankwa noted no proven substantial loss from the breach.

Esther Smith Refutes Claims Pastor Elvis Agyemang Charged for Prayers

Esther Smith’s management denied social media allegations that Pastor Elvis Agyemang of Alpha Hour charged for prayers, calling them false and explaining that no money was requested. They urged verification of facts and praised the pastor’s integrity: “At no point was any amount requested, demanded, or charged for prayers.”

Antoine Semenyo’s £65m Manchester City Switch Sparks Discussions in UK Parliament

Antoine Semenyo’s £65m transfer from AFC Bournemouth to Manchester City sparked UK Parliament discussions on January 15, 2026, with Labour MP Tom Hayes praising his farewell ad in the Bournemouth Echo, linking it to advocacy for raising social media age limits. Hayes called Semenyo “a superstar on the pitch and a gentleman off it.”

Ghana Eager to Change the Narrative at 2026 World Cup

After missing the 2025 AFCON, Ghana’s Black Stars qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, drawn in Group L with Croatia, England, and Panama. Coach Otto Addo aims for redemption with key players like Antoine Semenyo, Mohammed Kudus, and Thomas Partey.

GRA Launches AI-Powered System to Boost Revenue and Curb Customs Fraud

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) launched Publican AI on January 16, 2026, to enhance revenue and curb customs fraud using real-time analytics. Deputy Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem stated:

“The AI tool will help us achieve accurate duty determination,” while Commissioner-General Dr Anthony Sarpong added: “The Publican AI system will give us 100% coverage of assessment.”

Ken Ofori-Atta to Face Deportation – AG Discloses

Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Ayine disclosed that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta faces high deportation risk from the US, with a January 20, 2026, immigration hearing. Ayine stated:

“The possibility is very high and he could either self-deport or face deportation by the immigration judge.”

Check back for more news updates as the day progresses and new information becomes available.

A heartfelt plea from 6-year-old Harriet Wilson is trending on social media as the young girl appeals directly to President Donald Trump to reverse a U.S. immigration policy that has left her family stranded in Nigeria with their adopted special-needs sibling, Ollie.

In a short video shared widely across social media, Harriet speaks on behalf of the Wilson family, explaining that they legally adopted Ollie nearly a year ago.

“Ollie is my baby. Ollie belongs to our family,” she says, her voice steady and sincere. “When we first came here, Ollie was really sick and small. We loved them and fed them and took care of them… and now they’re a happy toddler.”

The Wilsons have followed every legal step in the international adoption process and have been waiting patiently to bring Ollie home to the United States. However, Presidential Proclamation 10998, effective January 1, 2026, suspended or limited entry and visa issuance for nationals from 39 countries — including Nigeria — and removed previous categorical exemptions for adoption visas (IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4).

Harriet’s message is clear and deeply emotional:

“Some people say we could go back to America without Ollie, but that would mean leaving them at an orphanage, which we’re not going to do. My parents wouldn’t send me to an orphanage or any of my siblings. And we won’t leave Ollie at an orphanage either. So if Ollie can’t come to America, we can’t come to America. Our family stays together.”

Addressing President Trump directly, she adds:

“I know you make big decisions for our country, so I’m asking you with my whole heart, please change your mind. Please fix this mistake so that our baby can come home with us. Please, President Trump, help our family go home together.”

The Wilson family’s situation has become a focal point in discussions about the human impact of U.S. immigration restrictions on international adoptions, particularly from African nations. Hundreds of other adoptive families are reportedly facing similar barriers, with some children remaining in orphanages indefinitely.

The plea comes amid broader concerns among the African diaspora and global adoption communities about the effects of Proclamation 10998, which targets countries including Nigeria, Ghana, and several others in West and East Africa.

While non-immigrant visas (tourist, business, student) remain largely unaffected, the suspension of immigrant visa categories has created significant uncertainty for families pursuing permanent family reunification or adoption.

The Wilson family continues to call for public support — urging viewers to engage with the video, share their story, and contact U.S. senators and representatives to advocate for the reinstatement of adoption visa exemptions.

Watch Harriet’s full message here: Harriet Wilson’s Plea to President Trump

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The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has officially confirmed that former Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is classified as an “illegal alien” in the United States, having overstayed his visa following its revocation in mid-2025.

In a statement released on January 15, 2026, ICE detailed that Ofori-Atta, who remains in custody at the Caroline Detention Facility in Virginia, entered the U.S. on a temporary visa that expired, and he failed to depart or regularize his status.

The agency described him as an “illegal alien” under U.S. immigration law, a designation that significantly complicates his legal position amid Ghana’s ongoing extradition request, reports say.

Ofori-Atta, who served as Finance Minister from 2017 to 2024 under former President Nana Akufo-Addo, faces 78 criminal charges in Ghana, including allegations of corruption, financial misconduct, and procurement irregularities tied to the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) contract and payments for the National Cathedral project.

Ghana formally submitted its extradition request to the U.S. Department of Justice on December 10, 2025.

The ICE confirmation adds new pressure to the case, which has already sparked intense diplomatic engagement between Accra and Washington. Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa recently announced that U.S. authorities assured Ghana they would not block extradition proceedings for Ofori-Atta or fugitive former MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, signaling potential cooperation despite the immigration classification.

Legal experts note that the “illegal alien” status could accelerate removal proceedings, though Ofori-Atta’s defense team has filed a petition for adjustment of status and is challenging the detention.

A U.S. immigration court hearing is scheduled for January 20, 2026, where his case will be further reviewed.

The development continues to draw widespread attention in Ghana, fueling debates on accountability for public officials, the strength of bilateral relations, and the intersection of immigration enforcement with international justice.

Ofori-Atta’s case remains a major test of Ghana–U.S. diplomatic and law-enforcement ties under the Mahama administration’s anti-corruption and accountability drive.