Ghana News
Rolling News Update: Key Developments in Ghana (Feb. 23, 2026)
Welcome to our rolling news update from Ghana. We’re tracking stories across news media in Ghana. Check back regularly as we add new updates throughout the day.
US Court Denies Bail to Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta

A United States immigration court has denied bail to former Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, who has been in ICE custody at the Caroline Detention Facility since January 6, 2026. On February 19, 2026, Judge David Gardey rejected the application, ruling that adequate medical care is available at the facility despite arguments from Ofori-Atta’s lawyers for release to access better treatment. He remains detained ahead of a deportation hearing set for April 27, 2026.
Read the full story here
Government Eyes Local Reinvestment of Petroleum Funds to Boost Energy and Industry
The Ghanaian government is pushing to reinvest portions of the Ghana Petroleum Funds domestically into energy and industrial projects, such as thermal power plants and gas facilities, to enhance energy reliability, create jobs, and support the 24-Hour Economy initiative. Technical Advisor to the Finance Ministry Dr. Theo Acheampong highlighted this shift during a February 23, 2026, roundtable, noting proposed amendments to the Petroleum Revenue Management Act would allow initial allocation of 40% from merged stabilisation and heritage funds to local projects, with safeguards against risks. While proponents see diversification benefits, critics warn of political interference and fiscal risks.
Read the full story here
Senegal’s Gold Surge Narrows Trade Deficit to $2.4 Billion Amid Persistent Import Reliance
Senegal’s booming gold exports, fueled by a 41% global price rise and strong demand, drove a 51% increase in total exports to $10.67 billion in 2025, significantly narrowing the trade deficit from $5.76 billion in 2024 to $2.4 billion. Despite this improvement and gains in crude petroleum exports, the deficit persists due to heavy reliance on imported fuel, machinery, and manufactured goods, with imports edging up to $13.09 billion. The trends underscore commodity-driven external account gains but highlight structural import dependencies. (Published February 23, 2026)
Read the full story here
Foreign Affairs Ministry Shuts Down Premium Passport Centres in Accra and Kumasi
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has closed the Premium Passport Application Centres in Accra and Kumasi effective February 20, 2026. Applicants are directed to use Regional Passport Application Centres instead, with assistance available via the Passport Office Client Service Unit at 0302-754-200. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to efficient passport services amid the change. (Announcement February 23, 2026)
Read the full story here
Tomato Prices Set to Stabilise Gradually After Burkina Faso Supply Disruptions
Tomato prices in major Ghanaian markets like Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi remain elevated due to supply shocks from a February 14, 2026, terrorist ambush in Titao, northern Burkina Faso, which killed at least seven Ghanaian traders and halted imports. Nana Tuffuor of the Ghana National Tomato Traders and Transporters Association predicts gradual stabilization as trade normalizes and supply resumes, emphasizing that demand-supply dynamics will drive prices down naturally once safety and flows are restored.
Read the full story here
CDD Lauds Mahama’s Administration for Exceptional Macroeconomic Stability

The Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) praised the John Mahama II Administration’s first-year achievements in a report launched in Accra on February 23, 2026, highlighting significant reductions in food inflation (from 28.3% to 4.9%), fuel prices, and transport fares, alongside cedi appreciation that lowered import costs. While urban areas saw rising disposable incomes, northern regions lagged due to logistics issues. The report also noted governance challenges like low public trust, vigilante violence, and transparency concerns, but commended anti-corruption measures and investments in education, health, and social programs, urging focus on debt sustainability.
Read the full story here
Student Injured in Clash at Agona Swedru District Schools Athletics Games
A violent altercation erupted between students from Obrachire Senior High Technical School and Swedru School of Business during the District Schools Athletics Games in Agona Swedru, Ghana, on February 19, 2026. The incident involved an attack with sticks and stones, leaving one student from Obrachire injured and requiring medical treatment. Police have launched an investigation amid growing concerns over violence at inter-school sports events, following a recent stabbing at a similar festival in Koforidua.
Read the full story here
24-Hour Economy Will Be Driven by Incentives, Not Compulsion – Goosie Tanoh
Goosie Tanoh, Presidential Advisor on Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy, clarified in a GBC interview that the policy—enacted via a bill signed by President John Dramani Mahama on February 19, 2026—relies on voluntary business participation through incentives rather than mandates. Emphasizing productivity, industrial capacity, and investment appeal, Tanoh stated that extensions beyond standard hours would be based on economic viability to boost exports and employment.
Read the full story here
Ex-Soldier, Pastor Jailed for Death of Man Over Alleged Fake GH¢50 Claims
In a 2018 incident in Accra, Ghana, retired military officer Joseph Abusah and pastor Benjamin Kofi Agbetiafah were convicted of conspiracy and manslaughter for chasing and assaulting Solomon Dapaah, who died from severe injuries after they suspected a GH¢50 note he used was counterfeit. The High Court, under Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, sentenced them to six months imprisonment each (concurrent) following a jury trial, factoring in their first-offender status and trial duration.
Read the full story here
Government Will Not Appoint More Than 60 Ministers – Ayariga
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga assured Ghana’s Parliament on February 23, 2026, that the government would adhere to its opposition-era pledge by limiting ministerial appointments to no more than 60, promoting efficiency and accountability. Amid debates on government size, he accused the Minority of potential politicization, while civil society and opposition groups advocate for leaner structures to reduce costs.
Read the full story here
CEMSE: Ghanaians Overpaid GH¢1.5bn for Power, Demands 11% Tariff Cut
The Centre for Environmental Management and Sustainable Energy (CEMSE) revealed in a policy review that Ghanaian electricity consumers overpaid about GH¢1.5 billion in Q4 2025 due to the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission’s inflated exchange rate (projected GH¢12.3715 vs. actual GH¢10.8733) and inflation assumptions (12.43% vs. 6.6%). Applied to 6,459 GWh of consumption, this led to over-recovery, prompting CEMSE to demand an 11% tariff reduction in Q1 2026 to restore public confidence.
Read the full story here
Ghana’s Tomato Crisis Deepens as Farmers Abandon Fields
A perfect storm of broken irrigation infrastructure, staggering post-harvest losses, and a dangerous reliance on imports from Burkina Faso has plunged Ghana’s tomato sector into a deep crisis, leaving farmers impoverished and traders counting their losses. Despite being a staple of the Ghanaian diet, the country’s domestic tomato industry is in steep decline. The Business & Financial Times reports that while attention often focuses on production deficits, the core issues are a collapse in the supply chain. Key irrigation dams in the north, such as Tono and Vea, are broken, forcing farmers to abandon tomato cultivation for less perishable crops like pepper and rice. This has left the market heavily dependent on imports from Burkina Faso, a journey that takes up to five perilous days. Read the full story here
Ghana News
MTN Ghana Reveals Massive Fiber Cable Sabotage Crisis Disrupting 157 Network Sites
Accra, Ghana – MTN Ghana’s Chief Executive Officer Stephen Blewett has raised serious concerns about the escalating wave of fiber-optic cable sabotage and damage, revealing that recent incidents have knocked 157 network sites offline and severely degraded service for millions of customers across the country.
Speaking at the MTN Ghana Accra Media and Stakeholder Forum on April 17, 2026, Blewett described fiber cuts as one of the biggest operational challenges currently facing the company.
He explained that because fiber cables serve as the critical backbone linking multiple cell towers to the core network, a single cut — often caused by road construction or deliberate theft — can trigger widespread connectivity failures across entire suburbs and commercial areas.
“It’s not really just talking about cutting fiber to someone’s home,” he said. “When you cut fiber, you bring down all those sites, and that’s problematic.”
The disruptions are driven by two main factors: uncoordinated road expansion works and acts of vandalism or theft. Blewett noted that such incidents are not minor inconveniences but major threats to reliability, affecting businesses, hospitals, emergency services, and everyday users.
Despite MTN’s heavy investment in 4G and 5G infrastructure, the physical vulnerability of the fiber network continues to undermine service quality.
The CEO called for fiber-optic cables to be classified as Critical National Infrastructure to impose stricter legal penalties and urged better coordination between construction agencies and telecom operators.
As Ghana pushes its Digital Ghana agenda, analysts say resolving this “perennial headache” is essential for maintaining a robust and reliable digital economy.
Ghana News
Woman Demands GH¢150,000 from UK ‘Borga’, MTN Reveals Massive Fiber Sabotage and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today
We are bringing you the most relevant stories from Ghana today to keep you updated. Stories include an interesting dispute between a woman and her UK-based partner, revelations about major telecom infrastructure sabotage, health alerts on Mpox, and other key national developments.
Woman Demands GH¢150,000 from UK ‘Borga’ After He Allegedly Failed to Marry Her
Esther Latebia, a mother of two from Kasoa, is demanding GH¢150,000 in compensation from Mr Osei, a UK-based Ghanaian known locally as a “borga,” after he allegedly failed to honour his promise of marriage following a six-year romantic relationship conducted mainly through video calls. According to her account shared on Nhyira FM’s Obra Show, Mr Osei promised to build her a house, buy her a taxi for work, waive her rent until the house was completed, and support her two children until they completed tertiary education or found jobs. He also promised to marry her as his second wife. After six years, he reportedly changed his mind and withdrew all commitments, leaving her feeling used and seeking redress.
Read the full story here
A Muslim Woman’s Vision of the Second Coming of Jesus: A 30-Year Burden Finally Told
A 69-year-old Muslim woman from Ghana has finally shared a powerful spiritual vision she received in the 1990s about the second coming of Jesus Christ, a 30-year secret she kept due to fear, community pressure, and misunderstanding from both Muslims and Christians. In the vision, she stood in a massive global market where people were trading gold, diamonds, and engaging in various activities when a divine presence behind her instructed her to tell the world that “Jesus Christ is coming — very soon.” Despite the urgent message echoing across the market, no one seemed to notice or listen. The experience left her in uncontrollable tears the next morning, leading to years of isolation as she struggled to understand why, as a Muslim, she would receive such a message.
Read the full story here
157 Sites Disrupted – MTN CEO Reveals Massive Scale of Fibre Cable Sabotage
MTN Ghana CEO Stephen Blewett has revealed that recent fibre-optic cable sabotage has knocked 157 network sites offline, causing widespread connectivity failures across multiple suburbs and affecting millions of customers. Speaking at the MTN Ghana Accra Media and Stakeholder Forum on April 17, 2026, he described fibre cuts — caused by uncoordinated road construction and deliberate theft or vandalism — as a “serious threat” to seamless service delivery. The interconnected nature of the infrastructure means a single cut can bring down numerous cell towers, disrupting businesses, hospitals, and emergency services. MTN is advocating for fibre-optic cables to be classified as “Critical National Infrastructure” to impose stricter penalties and is calling for better coordination of construction schedules.
Read the full story here
CHASS Warns Schools May Shut Down Over Free SHS Feeding Crisis
The Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) has warned that many Senior High Schools could be forced to shut down if the current crisis in the Free SHS feeding programme is not urgently addressed. School heads report severe delays in the release of feeding grants, leaving them unable to provide meals for students and forcing some schools to rely on credit from suppliers. The situation has created significant operational challenges and raised concerns about the sustainability of the flagship education policy. CHASS is calling on the government to release outstanding funds immediately to prevent further disruption to academic activities.
Read the full story here
Ghana’s NTEs Hit $5.006 Billion in 2025
Ghana’s Non-Traditional Exports (NTEs) reached a record $5.006 billion in 2025, representing a more than 30% increase compared to the previous year, according to the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare. Launching the 2025 Ghana Export Promotion Authority report in Accra, the minister described the growth as strong evidence that the country’s export diversification agenda is gaining momentum. NTEs now account for about 16% of Ghana’s total export earnings, signalling a gradual shift away from heavy dependence on traditional commodities like gold, oil, and cocoa. The government continues to support exporters through improved production capacity, quality standards, and access to finance via the Ghana EXIM Bank.
Read the full story here
Vice President Opoku-Agyemang in Spain to Participate in Fourth High-Level Meeting
Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has arrived in Barcelona, Spain, to participate in the Fourth High-Level Meeting of the Initiative “In Defence of Democracy.” She was received by members of the Ghanaian community in Spain, led by Ghana’s Ambassador to Spain, Madam Kalsoume Sinare Baffoe. The Vice President is expected to join global leaders in high-level discussions focused on strengthening democratic governance and advancing collective efforts to safeguard democratic values worldwide.
Read the full story here
Ghana Health Service Confirms Over 1,000 Cases of Mpox
The Ghana Health Service has confirmed four new cases of Mpox, bringing the national total to 1,062 as of April 11, 2026. No new hospital admissions have been recorded, while the death toll remains at eight. Surveillance is ongoing across all 16 regions, with health teams actively monitoring to prevent further spread. Mpox is transmitted mainly through close physical contact, and the public has been advised to maintain strict hygiene, avoid contact with unusual rashes, and seek early medical care for flu-like symptoms.
Read the full story here
Ghana News
Ghana to Open New Embassy in Singapore in Bid To Strengthen Trade Ties with Asia
Accra, Ghana – The Government of Ghana has formally initiated high-level diplomatic engagements with Singapore to establish a permanent embassy in the Asian financial and technology hub, marking a strategic expansion of its global diplomatic presence.
The announcement follows a working visit by a Ghanaian delegation led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs James Gyakye Quayson to Singapore from April 10 to 15, 2026.
During discussions with Singapore’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Social and Family Development, Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, Ghana officially conveyed its intention to open a resident mission.
The proposed embassy aims to enhance consular services for Ghanaian nationals, facilitate trade and investment flows, and deepen institutional cooperation in technology, capacity building, and economic development.
This move forms part of a broader foreign policy drive by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish new diplomatic missions and permanent chanceries in strategic locations, while reducing heavy reliance on rented premises that currently cost the state around $15 million annually.
Earlier commitments outlined at the 2025 Conference of Heads of Mission include opening missions in Massachusetts (USA), Dublin (Ireland), Lisbon (Portugal), and Singapore by 2026. Recent developments under this agenda include the opening of a new chancery in Ethiopia in February and planned missions in Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Serbia, and Hungary.
Singaporean authorities welcomed the proposal and expressed strong commitment to expanding bilateral ties with Ghana. Officials from both sides see the new mission as a platform to boost South-South cooperation and tap into Asia’s dynamic economic opportunities.
The establishment of the embassy is expected to be completed within the government’s 2026 diplomatic expansion timeline.
-
Ghana News6 hours agoWoman Demands GH¢150,000 from UK ‘Borga’, MTN Reveals Massive Fiber Sabotage and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today
-
Ghana News24 hours agoPope Leo XIV Strongly Criticises Foreign Exploitation of Africa During Visit to Conflict-Hit Cameroon
-
From the Diaspora24 hours agoGhana High Commissioner Assures UK Scholarship Students of Structured Payment Plan to Clear £32 Million Debt
-
Africa Watch2 days agoPresident Mahama Arrives in Brazzaville for N’Guesso’s Inauguration as Re-Elected Leader of Congo
-
Ghana News24 hours agoGhana to Open New Embassy in Singapore in Bid To Strengthen Trade Ties with Asia
-
Global Update2 days agoSouth Africa’s Political Landscape Shaken After Julius Malema Sentenced to Five Years in Prison
-
Ghana News1 day agoMorocco Gifts 2,000 Metric Tons of Fertilizer to Ghana Amid Global Shortage
-
Global Update23 hours agoOil Prices Fall By Over 10% as Iran Declares Strait of Hormuz Open
