Miners call on lawmakers to focus on supporting Sammy Gyamfi’s Goldbod
The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) has issued a caution to Parliament, urging it to protect the recent progress made in the domestic gold market and not allow it to be undermined by external influences or short-term political interests.
The call follows a recent press conference by the Minority in Parliament, which questioned aspects of the national gold trading programme.
In a press statement released today, Thursday, January 1, 2025, GNASSM expressed deep concern over the political debate, stating that it is creating adverse effects and derailing miners from their core work of contributing to the national economy.
“GNASSM urges all political actors to safeguard the hard-won gains made in the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) gold trade rather than undermine them for short-term political interests,” the statement said.
According to the miners, the system has been successful in its implementation.
It cited changes including the exclusion of foreign traders from direct dealings, support for ASM miners, competitive market pricing and real-time pricing, all of which the association argues serve the interests of ASM miners.
Sammy Gyamfi responds to Minority over alleged $214 million BoG losses
General Secretary Godwin N. Amarh, who signed the statement, highlighted the broader benefits of the current system.
He noted that the Goldbod’s structure has enhanced national capacity to purchase gold locally, which in turn helps reduce smuggling and associated illegal activities such as money laundering.
“Today, the ASM gold market and the small-scale mining space are largely controlled by Ghanaians, facilitating the build-up of domestic capital.
“In the medium term, this will support the growth and expansion of small-scale mines into larger operations, thereby strengthening the national economy and improving the social conditions of Ghanaians,” the statement read.
The association urged lawmakers to focus on supporting Goldbod and related institutions to strengthen Ghana’s foreign exchange reserves and economic space, rather than engaging in debates that destabilise the market.
“GNASSM therefore respectfully cautions politicians on all sides: allow miners and legitimate gold traders to conduct their business within the current orderly and transparent framework.
“We therefore don’t expect a debate at this stage but support to build the gold and related sector. We also expect a united front that focuses on support for the Goldbod and other institutions to address our foreign exchange and reserves needs to give us the space to develop Ghana,” it added.
The body thus called on politicians to allow miners and legitimate traders to operate within the existing orderly framework for the benefit of the nation.
Read the full statement below:
ID/BAI
Meanwhile, watch as Acting Defence Minister Ato Forson inaugurates 9-Member Ministerial Advisory Board
Miners call on lawmakers to focus on supporting Sammy Gyamfi’s Goldbod
The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) has issued a caution to Parliament, urging it to protect the recent progress made in the domestic gold market and not allow it to be undermined by external influences or short-term political interests.
The call follows a recent press conference by the Minority in Parliament, which questioned aspects of the national gold trading programme.
In a press statement released today, Thursday, January 1, 2025, GNASSM expressed deep concern over the political debate, stating that it is creating adverse effects and derailing miners from their core work of contributing to the national economy.
“GNASSM urges all political actors to safeguard the hard-won gains made in the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) gold trade rather than undermine them for short-term political interests,” the statement said.
According to the miners, the system has been successful in its implementation.
It cited changes including the exclusion of foreign traders from direct dealings, support for ASM miners, competitive market pricing and real-time pricing, all of which the association argues serve the interests of ASM miners.
Sammy Gyamfi responds to Minority over alleged $214 million BoG losses
General Secretary Godwin N. Amarh, who signed the statement, highlighted the broader benefits of the current system.
He noted that the Goldbod’s structure has enhanced national capacity to purchase gold locally, which in turn helps reduce smuggling and associated illegal activities such as money laundering.
“Today, the ASM gold market and the small-scale mining space are largely controlled by Ghanaians, facilitating the build-up of domestic capital.
“In the medium term, this will support the growth and expansion of small-scale mines into larger operations, thereby strengthening the national economy and improving the social conditions of Ghanaians,” the statement read.
The association urged lawmakers to focus on supporting Goldbod and related institutions to strengthen Ghana’s foreign exchange reserves and economic space, rather than engaging in debates that destabilise the market.
“GNASSM therefore respectfully cautions politicians on all sides: allow miners and legitimate gold traders to conduct their business within the current orderly and transparent framework.
“We therefore don’t expect a debate at this stage but support to build the gold and related sector. We also expect a united front that focuses on support for the Goldbod and other institutions to address our foreign exchange and reserves needs to give us the space to develop Ghana,” it added.
The body thus called on politicians to allow miners and legitimate traders to operate within the existing orderly framework for the benefit of the nation.
Read the full statement below:
ID/BAI
Meanwhile, watch as Acting Defence Minister Ato Forson inaugurates 9-Member Ministerial Advisory Board
Miners call on lawmakers to focus on supporting Sammy Gyamfi’s Goldbod
The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) has issued a caution to Parliament, urging it to protect the recent progress made in the domestic gold market and not allow it to be undermined by external influences or short-term political interests.
The call follows a recent press conference by the Minority in Parliament, which questioned aspects of the national gold trading programme.
In a press statement released today, Thursday, January 1, 2025, GNASSM expressed deep concern over the political debate, stating that it is creating adverse effects and derailing miners from their core work of contributing to the national economy.
“GNASSM urges all political actors to safeguard the hard-won gains made in the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) gold trade rather than undermine them for short-term political interests,” the statement said.
According to the miners, the system has been successful in its implementation.
It cited changes including the exclusion of foreign traders from direct dealings, support for ASM miners, competitive market pricing and real-time pricing, all of which the association argues serve the interests of ASM miners.
Sammy Gyamfi responds to Minority over alleged $214 million BoG losses
General Secretary Godwin N. Amarh, who signed the statement, highlighted the broader benefits of the current system.
He noted that the Goldbod’s structure has enhanced national capacity to purchase gold locally, which in turn helps reduce smuggling and associated illegal activities such as money laundering.
“Today, the ASM gold market and the small-scale mining space are largely controlled by Ghanaians, facilitating the build-up of domestic capital.
“In the medium term, this will support the growth and expansion of small-scale mines into larger operations, thereby strengthening the national economy and improving the social conditions of Ghanaians,” the statement read.
The association urged lawmakers to focus on supporting Goldbod and related institutions to strengthen Ghana’s foreign exchange reserves and economic space, rather than engaging in debates that destabilise the market.
“GNASSM therefore respectfully cautions politicians on all sides: allow miners and legitimate gold traders to conduct their business within the current orderly and transparent framework.
“We therefore don’t expect a debate at this stage but support to build the gold and related sector. We also expect a united front that focuses on support for the Goldbod and other institutions to address our foreign exchange and reserves needs to give us the space to develop Ghana,” it added.
The body thus called on politicians to allow miners and legitimate traders to operate within the existing orderly framework for the benefit of the nation.
Read the full statement below:
ID/BAI
Meanwhile, watch as Acting Defence Minister Ato Forson inaugurates 9-Member Ministerial Advisory Board
Around 40 people were killed and 115 injured when a fire ripped through a crowded bar during a New Year’s Eve party in the upscale Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, officials said on Thursday.
Police said the fire broke out at 1:30 a.m. (0030 GMT) as revellers were celebrating in a bar called Le Constellation in the resort in southwestern Switzerland, which locals said was popular with teenagers.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin described the disaster as “one of the worst tragedies our country has ever known” and said most of the dead were young people.
The cause of the blaze, which was initially reported as an explosion, remained unclear but authorities said the fire appeared to be an accident rather than an attack.
Authorities warned that naming the victims or establishing a definitive death toll would take time because many of the bodies were badly burned. Experts were using dental and DNA records to try to identify the dead.
SCENES OF PANIC
Video footage verified by Reuters showed fire spreading from the building, and witnesses described scenes of panic and confusion as people rushed to get out.
“There were people screaming, and then people lying on the ground, probably dead,” said 21-year-old Samuel Rapp, who saw the aftermath of the fire. “They had jackets over their faces.”
The head of the local canton’s police, Frederic Gisler, said around 40 people were presumed to be dead and 115 were injured, most of them seriously. He said it was too early to give details on the identity of the dead and injured but Italian authorities said 6 Italians were still missing and 13 in hospital.
Two young French women who said they were in the bar told France’s BFM TV that they saw the fire start in the basement section of the club after a bottle containing “birthday candles” was held up too close to the wooden ceiling.
“The fire spread across the ceiling super quickly,” one of the two women, who identified themselves as Emma and Albane, told BFM TV. The pair said they were able to climb a narrow staircase to the ground floor and escape the building. Minutes later, the fire had reached the ground floor too,” they said.
BFM showed video of a waitress carrying a champagne bottle with a lit “fountain candle” through the bar, one of many in Crans-Montana, a fashionable ski centre with an array of boutiques, luxury hotels and restaurants. But the footage did not show the fire breaking out.
Local prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud said an investigation had been opened into the blaze at the bar, which Swiss company records showed was owned by a French couple, but she said it was too early to comment on any possible safety failures.
“There are still many circumstances to be clarified… The most likely scenario at present is that a widespread fire caused an explosion,” she told a press conference.
VICTIMS FROM SEVERAL COUNTRIES
Witnesses said many of those celebrating in the bar appeared to be from different countries. Foreign governments were calling around to establish whether their nationals were among the victims but were facing a lengthy process because the severity of the burns had rendered identification challenging, one European official said.
“We met the families this afternoon and it’s terrible because to be in front of them with all their fear and apprehension and terrible anxiety and we don’t have all the answers. And we won’t have them straight away because identifying them will take time. It’s a terrible situation on the ground. Unimaginable,” Mathias Reynard, president of the Valais cantonal government, told Reuters, his voice breaking.
Eight French people were missing, the French foreign ministry said, adding that it could not rule out that French nationals were among the dead.
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to his Swiss counterpart to offer assistance. Three survivors of the fire have been moved to French hospitals and further transfers were under way, the ministry added.
Italy’s ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, told Sky TG24 that local authorities had told him the fire was started by someone letting off a firework inside the bar.
Witnesses described the injured being treated in improvised triage centres set up in a nearby bar and in a branch of UBS bank and said many suffered after coming out of the heat of the bar into the freezing night air.
“And then it was just ambulances coming back and forth as much as possible,” said Dominic Dubois, who witnessed the frantic scenes as the bodies were brought out.
Video footage showed lines of ambulances queuing and helicopters landing to take victims to nearby hospitals and specialist burn units in other Swiss cities, including Lausanne and Zurich. Switzerland’s neighbours, France, Germany and Italy, also offered to treat victims in their own centres.
On Thursday morning, footage from the street outside showed the area cordoned off, with forensic tents behind white screens set up in front of the bar.
Hundreds of people paid their respects to the victims at the top of the road in front of the scene on Thursday evening. Dozens left flowers or lit candles on a makeshift altar in front of the police cordon as a large crowd stood in silence in the frosty night.
Crans-Montana is due to host next year’s Alpine World Ski Championships. Swiss officials said the fire was unprecedented in Switzerland.
“What was meant to be a moment of joy turned, on the first day of the year in Crans-Montana, into mourning that touches the entire country and far beyond,” Parmelin said on the social media platform X.
The fourth edition of the Boxing Ghana Awards has secured corporate sponsorship from six organizations, with Cartel Foundation leading the effort to honor distinguished figures across Ghana’s boxing community when the ceremony takes place Saturday at Idrowhyt Events Centre in Dansoman.
Joining Cartel Foundation as sponsors are Idrowhyt Events Centre, Prince De Henry Educational Complex, PKO Foundation, Box Office Promotions, and BJ Wise Electronics and Electricals. The event, recognized by the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF), and National Sports Authority (NSA), will celebrate 30 personalities who have distinguished themselves in various aspects of the sport during 2025.
The awards ceremony features multiple categories including Best Professional Boxer, Best Fan, Best Dressed Boxer, Best Amateur Boxer, Best Referee or Judge, Best Ring Announcer, Best Boxing Media Personality, and Best Coach. The event also includes a special promoter category where both Legacy Rise Sports Promotions and Bishop Boxing Promotions have earned nominations for their outstanding work organizing boxing events throughout 2025.
Lifetime Achievement Awards will recognize several veterans whose contributions have shaped Ghana boxing over decades. The honorees include ring official Ataa Eddie Pappoe, coach Kwatelai Quartey, timekeeper Edward Addo, coach and referee Naa Amerley Turkson, and the late Freeman Kwame, known as Promoterhene.
Coach Kwatelai Quartey, affectionately called Wutor and recognized as The Father of Bukom Boxers, will receive special recognition for his pivotal role in Ghana boxing history. In 1976, Quartey helped reconstruct the Bukom Boxing Club with support from then Secretary for Youth and Sports Amarkai Amarteifio. The gym, dating back to the 1950s under management of Nii Nai Sackeyfio, has produced some of Ghana’s finest fighters including Olympic medalist Clement Ike Quartey Senior and celebrated fighter Floyd Quartey.
As elder brother of Ike Bazooka Quartey, Coach Kwatelai trained alongside the late Alfred Cobra Kotey from a young age. Throughout his career, he has nurtured accomplished fighters including Ike Quartey, Alfred Kotey, Joshua Clottey, Emmanuel Clottey, Steve Dotse, James Bukom Fire Armah, and Abraham Osei Bonsu, guiding them onto the international stage. In 1988, several of his protégés earned places in the Black Bombers squad for the Seoul Olympic Games before transitioning to professional ranks. Under his guidance, Alfred Kotey became World Boxing Organization (WBO) Bantamweight Champion in 1994.
Legacy Rise Sports Promotions earned its nomination after staging The Showdown at University of Ghana Sports Stadium in December 2025, an event that brought together President John Dramani Mahama, Sports Minister Kofi Adams, and business mogul Ibrahim Mahama among other dignitaries. The event featured standout Ghanaian fighters and marked a significant milestone for professional boxing promotion in Ghana.
Bishop Boxing Promotions, founded by American businessman Dave Bishop, has made substantial impact since launching Best of Bukom in August 2025 at Bukom Boxing Arena. The promotional outfit staged multiple successful events throughout the year featuring both rising stars and established fighters. Bishop, who holds Ghanaian citizenship and was enstooled as Nana Ekow Amu I, Development Chief of Nyanfeku Ekroful in the Central Region, requires all fighters on his cards to complete eight hours of community service and has announced plans to establish a full-scale boxing academy in Accra.
The third edition of Boxing Ghana Awards held in January 2025 saw Joseph Commey, known as Jaguar, dominate proceedings by winning Boxing Personality of the Year 2024, Elite Amateur Boxer of the Year, and Most Promising Boxer honors. Ghana Olympic Committee President Ben Nunoo Mensah praised the awards for their motivational impact on boxers and stakeholders, emphasizing that recognition drives athletes to perform at their best.
Cartel Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Cartel Group whose subsidiaries include real estate, construction, and logistics companies, focuses its mission on improving living standards for vulnerable people in deprived communities across Ghana. Founded by Henry Halm Owoo, the foundation provides support including access to quality education and healthcare, as well as provision of basic human needs and social amenities.
The Boxing Ghana Awards represents an increasingly important fixture on Ghana’s sporting calendar, providing structured recognition for athletes, coaches, officials, media personalities, and promoters who contribute to the sport’s development. As corporate sponsorship grows and the event gains prominence, stakeholders hope it will continue motivating excellence across all levels of Ghana boxing while attracting greater investment into the sport’s infrastructure and promotion.
The Ghana Police Service has arrested a suspect in connection with a violent daylight armed robbery in which GH₵7.5 million was stolen from a vehicle transporting proceeds from a gold transaction in Adabraka, Accra, authorities announced Wednesday.
The suspect, identified as Salim Mohammed, also known as Fawata, was apprehended on November 20, 2025, at a hospital in Ashaiman where he had gone to seek medical attention. The arrest, announced by the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department, Commissioner of Police Lydia Yaako Donkor, came after months of intelligence-driven operations and marks what police describe as a significant breakthrough in the case.
The robbery occurred on November 2, 2024, when armed men attacked a vehicle carrying cash from a gold transaction that was being transported to a bank. The assault happened in broad daylight at Adabraka Market, sending shockwaves through one of Accra’s busiest commercial districts.
Preliminary investigations reveal that Mohammed and his accomplices, armed with AK-47 assault rifles, intercepted the victim’s vehicle and fired multiple shots to disperse bystanders. During the attack, the driver of the vehicle sustained injuries, allowing the assailants to escape with the cash. Eyewitnesses reported that approximately four masked and heavily armed men carried out the operation, with some describing how the robbers scattered money in the air to create confusion and keep people away from the scene.
Police say the suspect is currently in custody assisting with investigations. A nationwide manhunt has been launched to apprehend the remaining suspects, while efforts are ongoing to recover the stolen funds. Authorities have appealed to the public to provide any credible information that could help arrest the remaining accomplices, requesting that such information be reported to the nearest police station.
The case highlights persistent security concerns surrounding cash-in-transit operations in Ghana, particularly within sectors handling high-value commodity transactions. The gold trade, a major driver of Ghana’s economy, relies heavily on physical cash movements, creating vulnerabilities that criminal networks have repeatedly exploited.
For businesses operating in the jewellery and precious metals sectors, the incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced security protocols. Industry stakeholders have called for stronger collaboration between commercial enterprises, financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies to address gaps in cash-handling practices. Security experts advocate for increased use of secure cash-in-transit services, comprehensive insurance coverage, and accelerated adoption of digital payment alternatives to reduce exposure to violent crime.
The arrest comes during a period of heightened police focus on armed robbery syndicates operating across the Greater Accra region. On the same day police announced the Adabraka robbery arrest, authorities revealed they had also detained five members of a separate armed robbery syndicate involved in street, residential, and workplace robberies across multiple communities including Oyibi, Spintex, East Legon Hills, Ashaiman, and Kasoa.
The gold sector’s growth trajectory makes such security improvements increasingly critical. As investment flows into gold mining and trading operations, the industry faces mounting pressure to modernize security infrastructure and reduce reliance on vulnerable cash-based transaction systems. Financial technology providers have begun offering specialized solutions for the precious metals trade, including real-time tracking systems, secure digital payment platforms, and blockchain-based verification tools designed to reduce both fraud and physical security risks.
For Ghana’s business climate, the successful arrest demonstrates the capacity of intelligence-led policing to tackle sophisticated criminal operations, yet the year-long gap between the robbery and the breakthrough also illustrates the challenges law enforcement faces in preventing such attacks. The case serves as a stark reminder that as Ghana’s gold industry expands, security infrastructure must evolve in parallel to protect both businesses and the broader economy from organized criminal threats.
Worshippers gathered at ICGC Christ Temple East on the night of December 31 for the church’s 2025 Crossover Service, ushering in the new year in an atmosphere of thanksgiving, worship, prayer, and spiritual consecration.
Delivering the New Year Message, Pastor Mensa Otabil reminded congregants that God’s presence remains constant in every season of life, assuring them of divine protection, guidance, and hope as they stepped into 2026, which he declared the Kingdom Year.
Declaring 2026 as the Kingdom Year, Pastor Otabil called on believers to align their lives with God’s rule, authority, and purpose. He urged congregants to make God’s Kingdom central in every area of life—personal decisions, family, work, and relationships—assuring them that when God’s reign is prioritized, His will, provision, and order are manifested.
The service opened with a call to thanksgiving drawn from Psalm 136:1–9, which Pastor Otabil described as a biblical pattern for expressing gratitude to God. Leading the congregation through the passage, he highlighted its repeated refrain—“for His mercy endures forever”—and encouraged worshippers to offer their own heartfelt thanksgiving in recognition of God’s goodness and faithfulness.
Expounding on the declaration “God Is With Us,” Pastor Otabil addressed the realities of life’s changing seasons, noting that while God’s presence is often easily recognized in moments of joy, progress, and abundance, it remains just as real during times of difficulty, uncertainty, and challenge.
He explained that God’s assurance to His people is revealed in two key ways: God holds His people, and God leads them. According to him, God’s “holding” represents a firm and protective grip that keeps believers safe even in the most difficult situations, while God’s “leading” involves granting wisdom, direction, and insight to navigate out of adversity.
Referencing Psalm 46:1, Pastor Otabil reminded the congregation that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,” urging worshippers to enter the new year without fear and with confidence in God’s unfailing care.
He further encouraged congregants not to interpret hardship as abandonment, emphasizing that God often guides His people through challenges by ordering their steps and providing wisdom, strategy, and timely ideas rather than instant deliverance.
Drawing on the message of Christmas, Pastor Otabil reminded worshippers that Jesus Christ, Emmanuel—God with us—is the ultimate expression of God’s nearness, assuring believers that God’s presence is personal, active, and enduring.
The service climaxed with intense worship, Holy Communion, and an Anointing Service, as individuals and families consecrated their lives, plans, and aspirations to God for the year ahead.
Crossover 2025 at ICGC Christ Temple East was more than a transition into a new calendar year; it was a powerful declaration of faith, gratitude, and confidence in God as a refuge, a guide, and an ever-present help for His people throughout 2026 and beyond.
Ghanaian businesses are entering 2026 navigating a blend of tax relief and rising operational expenses, as Value Added Tax (VAT) reforms take effect alongside significant electricity and water tariff increases announced by regulators.
The year opens with inflation at 6.3 percent in November and the cedi trading at approximately GH₵10.51 per U.S. dollar on January 1, offering relative stability after months of currency volatility. For companies and investors, these indicators provide clearer ground for planning, yet the first quarter brings immediate financial pressures.
VAT reforms, effective January 1 under the Value Added Tax Act 2025, raise the registration threshold for businesses from GH¢200,000 to GH¢750,000, eliminate the COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy, and recoup the National Health Insurance Levy and Ghana Education Trust Fund levies into the VAT base. The Ghana Revenue Authority describes the changes as measures designed to ease compliance, improve cash flow, and encourage formal sector participation. For small and medium enterprises, these reforms bring tangible administrative relief and lower effective tax rates at the start of the fiscal year.
However, the relief arrives with offsetting costs. The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission has implemented its 2026 to 2030 Multi-Year Tariff Order, and electricity and water bills are rising sharply. Electricity rates for lifeline users consuming between zero and 30 kilowatt hours per month have climbed 9.86 percent to 88.37 pesewas per kilowatt hour, while water charges for households consuming up to five cubic meters have jumped 15.92 percent to 612.25 pesewas per cubic meter. For businesses and consumers, the new year begins with higher operating and living costs, challenging budgets from day one.
Stakeholders across sectors have raised concerns about the tariff increases. Labour groups warn that rising utility bills could erode the 9 percent wage adjustment approved for public sector workers in 2026. The Trades Union Congress issued an ultimatum this week demanding government revise the wage package upward to offset utility costs, threatening nationwide mobilization if authorities refuse. Consumer advocates call for efficiency improvements within utilities before imposing additional financial burdens on households already stretched by inflation.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission defended the tariff adjustments as necessary to support utility investment needs, maintain sector financial stability, and ultimately protect consumer interests. Commission officials argue that without adequate tariff levels, electricity and water providers cannot fund infrastructure improvements, maintain existing systems, or expand service coverage to underserved communities. The regulator said quarterly reviews will continue throughout the five-year period to account for factors including fuel prices, exchange rate movements, and changes in power generation mix.
For the Ghana Revenue Authority, the VAT reforms represent a comprehensive restructuring of the country’s consumption tax framework. The International Monetary Fund has advocated for these changes as part of broader fiscal consolidation efforts under Ghana’s Extended Credit Facility program. By raising the registration threshold substantially, authorities expect to concentrate enforcement resources on larger taxpayers who account for the bulk of VAT collections, rather than pursuing small traders whose contributions remain minimal relative to administrative costs involved.
The timing of both reforms coincides with Ghana’s broader economic recovery efforts following debt restructuring and fiscal adjustments implemented during 2024 and 2025. Government officials describe the VAT overhaul as essential to creating a business-friendly environment that encourages investment and economic expansion while maintaining revenue adequacy.
For Ghanaian businesses, the start of 2026 presents a balancing act. Companies must navigate VAT relief, monitor utility costs, and factor in inflation and currency stability as they plan operations and investments. The nation’s economic story at the dawn of the year is one of contrasts, where relief is intertwined with fresh pressures, creating what industry observers call a true mixed package for Ghana’s businesses and households.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) have agreed to deepen collaboration to address the impact of the 2026 to 2030 Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) on workers and the Ghanaian economy. The agreement follows meetings held on December 11 and 30, 2025, where both institutions deliberated on PURC’s announcement of the new MYTO, which takes effect on January 1, 2026.
Ghana’s public utilities regulatory commission has approved a 9.86 percent increase in the electricity tariff and a 15.92 percent increase in the water tariff, effective January 1, 2026, under its 2026 to 2030 MYTO. The PURC conducted a mandatory major Multi-Year Tariff Review for the 2026 to 2030 period, as required every three to five years under the PURC Act, 1997 (Act 538).
In a joint statement, the TUC and PURC said discussions centred on the implications of the tariff adjustments for the cost of living, electricity supply stability, and investment in the power and water sectors. The joint statement was signed in Accra on December 30, 2025, by TUC Secretary General Joshua Ansah and PURC Executive Secretary Shafic Suleman.
The PURC emphasised that reversing the tariff decision could compromise its independence and affect the stability of the energy and water sectors, as well as the broader economy. The Commission maintained that cost reflective tariffs are necessary to ensure reliable service delivery, maintain infrastructure, and attract investment into the utilities sector.
However, the Commission acknowledged the concerns raised by the TUC and pledged to consider them during the next tariff review. The regulator offered assurances that affordability considerations remain part of the regulatory process going forward.
The TUC emphasized the immediate impact of the tariff adjustments on workers and stated it will continue to monitor their effects on salaries and wages. The Congress indicated that the outcome of this monitoring exercise will inform its subsequent course of action.
The Secretary General of the TUC, Joshua Ansah, had earlier stated that the Steering Committee of the TUC deliberated extensively on the tariff increment decision, including the processes followed by the PURC. Ansah questioned why workers should pay for the new tariff increment that comes into effect on January 1, 2026, when their meagre nine percent pay adjustment will be paid at the end of January.
The joint statement indicated that the TUC shall engage the government on the current wage levels and their impact on the cost of living circumstances of the Ghanaian worker. This underscores concerns that wage growth has not kept pace with rising utility and household costs.
Both parties highlighted the importance of ongoing dialogue to ensure tariff decisions balance affordability, electricity stability, water access, and economic growth for Ghanaian workers. The engagements highlighted the importance of continued dialogue and collaboration to ensure that tariff decisions are made in a manner that safeguards electricity stability, improves water access, economic stability, and affordability while addressing the concerns of workers.
According to the PURC, the increase was necessary to align tariffs with the investment needs of the Volta River Authority (VRA), the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) and other utilities. The Commission evaluated each utility’s regulated asset base to determine the capital expenditure (CAPEX) required between 2026 and 2030, ensuring providers can maintain infrastructure and improve service reliability.
The PURC used an exchange rate of GH¢12.0067 per United States dollar and an inflation benchmark of eight percent for the 2026 to 2030 period, compared to the 2025 baseline of GH¢12.3715 and 12.43 percent inflation. The share of thermal power will rise from 70.75 percent in 2025 to 78.79 percent during the tariff period, while the share of hydro power will fall from 28.80 percent to 20.90 percent.
The 2026 to 2030 MYTO introduces the integration of mini grids into the national tariff framework, reflecting the PURC’s goal of expanding universal access to electricity, especially in island and lakeside communities. Quarterly adjustments will continue during the tariff period to account for variables beyond utility control, currency stability, inflation, fuel prices and the generation mix.
Despite PURC’s justification, many consumers and civil society groups have voiced strong opposition to the increases. Residents at public hearings argued that higher tariffs would worsen the cost of living, strain small businesses, and disproportionately affect low income households.
The agreement between TUC and PURC represents an effort to balance worker welfare with the financial sustainability of the energy and water sectors. Both institutions have committed to continued collaboration as the new tariff cycle takes effect, with the TUC maintaining its position that wage adequacy must be addressed alongside utility cost increases.
The Ghana Cedi has closed 2025 with a performance that confounded market analysts and research institutions, appreciating significantly against major currencies after predictions of steep depreciation. The United States dollar to Ghana Cedi exchange rate fell to 10.95 on December 30, 2025, with the Ghanaian Cedi strengthening 3.46 percent over the past month and up by 25.51 percent over the last 12 months.
Fitch Solutions predicted the Ghana Cedi would end 2025 at GH¢15.50 to one US dollar, with an annual average of GH¢15.30 per dollar. This was far higher than the GH¢14.00 end of year forecast by Absa Bank. Databank Research projected the cedi would close 2025 around GH¢17.70 with a potential deviation of plus or minus GHp20.
However, the currency defied these projections dramatically. The official Bank of Ghana rate stands around GH¢10.45 to the dollar as the new year begins, while forex bureau rates average approximately GH¢12.10. The currency is perceived to have appreciated by over 30 percent in 2025, making it one of the world’s best performing currencies for the year.
Fitch Solutions later revised its end of 2025 forecast of the cedi to dollar rate to GH¢13.0, from its previous projection of GH¢15.5 to one American greenback. According to the United Kingdom based firm, its assumption was based on the local currency appreciating by 16 percent between late April 2025 and the middle of May 2025.
The remarkable turnaround represents a departure from the currency’s historical pattern of depreciation. For years, analysts and research institutions expected the cedi to lose significant value by year end, basing their models on past performance and structural economic challenges. The 2025 outcome has forced a reassessment of these assumptions.
In its report dubbed High Gold Prices Will Shield Ghanaian Economy From Tariff Fallout, Fitch Solutions said it expected the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to focus on keeping the cedi stable, facilitated by elevated gold prices. The firm forecast that gold prices would average a record US$3,100 per ounce in 2025.
Coupled with a lower energy import bill due to declining oil prices, Fitch Solutions said this would drive Ghana’s current account surplus to an all time high of 6.9 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025. It expected foreign exchange reserves to increase from US$6.4 billion to US$11.5 billion.
Databank Research attributed the cedi’s expected stability to three key factors: Ghana’s gold reserves projected to strengthen after the 2024 elections, anticipated credit rating upgrades likely to boost investor confidence, and political stability expected to attract foreign direct investment and portfolio inflows.
The currency’s strength was not a temporary rally but sustained performance throughout a challenging year. Market participants cite tighter fiscal discipline, better coordination between fiscal and monetary policy, improved confidence in the broader economy, and stronger foreign exchange inflows that reduced panic demand for dollars.
Following Ghana’s Eurobond debt restructuring in 2024, Moody’s and Fitch upgraded the country’s ratings, with Moody’s moving its issuer rating from Caa3 to Caa2 and assigning a positive outlook. Databank predicted further upgrades as economic indicators improve, strengthening the cedi.
The cedi’s 2025 story demonstrates that economies can still surprise market forecasters. Forecasting currencies remains notoriously difficult, especially in economies exposed to global shocks, but the local currency’s performance serves as a reminder that structural reforms and policy discipline can produce measurable results.
As Ghana enters 2026, economists emphasize that maintaining the cedi’s strength will require continued government spending discipline, sustained policy coordination, boosted local production to reduce import pressure, and resistance to currency substitution at the first sign of uncertainty. The challenge now shifts from achieving stability to protecting it against complacency.
The unexpected performance has implications for inflation management, debt servicing capacity, and investor confidence. Ghana’s ability to maintain this trajectory will depend on whether the fiscal and monetary policies that supported the turnaround remain consistent throughout 2026.
AfroFuture Festival has issued a statement clarifying that a widely reported firearm incident did not occur on festival grounds, following the conviction of a man who fired shots during Nigerian artist Asake’s street tour in Accra. The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service confirmed that Abubakar Sadick, widely known as Cyborg, was convicted and fined GH¢24,000 for unlawfully firing a firearm.
The festival organizers stated unequivocally that the discharge of a firearm did not occur at AfroFuture, and there was no security action or disruption related to firearms on festival grounds at any time. The statement emphasized that AfroFuture operates with comprehensive safety protocols, including professional security teams, coordinated emergency response planning, and close collaboration with local authorities.
The incident occurred during activities surrounding the AfroFuture Festival held at El Wak Stadium, where Asake was the headline performer, but took place following his concert performance when the Nigerian artist embarked on a post festival street tour through several Accra neighborhoods including New Town and Nima. Massive crowds gathered during his street tour across Accra neighborhoods.
According to a press release issued by the CID on December 30, 2025, the arrest was carried out by the Police Cyber Vetting Team after footage circulated widely on social media showing Sadick discharging a firearm on December 28, 2025. The suspect was arrested on December 29, 2025, at Adenta for the unlawful possession and discharge of a firearm, in violation of the Firearms Act, 1962 (Act 118) and the Public Order Act, 1994 (Act 491).
Sadick admitted in footage that his actions were illegal but claimed they were done in honor of Asake, who performed at the festival. Addressing the media on Wednesday, December 31, CID Director General, COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, said the court imposed fine has been fully settled and further disclosed that the court has withdrawn Sadick’s firearm license.
According to the CID, investigators retrieved the weapon seen in the video, a Derya MK 12 firearm, which has been secured as evidence. Police added that the gun is registered, but stressed that lawful ownership does not permit indiscriminate use.
President John Dramani Mahama weighed in on the case during a brief exchange with Asake at the Supercar Spectacle Sponsors Appreciation event on December 30. The President’s position was conveyed during the light exchange, days after the incident sparked public concern and police action. As President Mahama greeted Asake and members of his entourage at the event, he recalled the incident and asked if Asake was the one the guy fired the gun for, adding that the person ended up in trouble, triggering laughter among the gathering.
Asake pleaded with the President on behalf of Cyborg, explaining that the firearm was discharged in the excitement of the moment, and asked for leniency. President Mahama acknowledged Asake’s appeal but reiterated that no special treatment would be given and that the rule of law must prevail, saying the law is the law.
COP Donkor emphasized that the use of firearms in public spaces, even by licensed holders, is a serious violation of the law. She stressed that firearm licenses do not grant individuals the freedom to use weapons at public events and gatherings, noting that such actions pose grave risks to public safety.
AfroFuture stated it understands that misinformation can spread quickly and has since communicated to the Ghana Police Service that this incident did not happen at AfroFuture Festival. The organization wanted to reassure its community that AfroFuture remains a safe, family friendly environment rooted in celebration, culture, and joy. The festival expressed pride in the professionalism of its operations team and gratitude to everyone who helped ensure another successful and secure AfroFuture Festival.
The clarification comes as Culture Management Group LLC, the parent company for AfroFuture Festival, an annual festival located in Accra previously known as Afrochella, seeks to distinguish between incidents that occur on festival grounds under their security protocols and events that happen in public spaces outside their venue. The festival noted that the safety and well being of guests, artists, staff, and families is its highest priority, and it takes that responsibility extremely seriously.
Videos from the street tour showed the singer tossing cash to supporters and engaging with excited crowds as he moved through different communities. Asake’s visit to Ghana for the AfroFuture Festival generated significant excitement among fans of Afrobeats music.
Worshippers gathered at ICGC Christ Temple East on the night of December 31 for the church’s 2025 Crossover Service, ushering in the new year in an atmosphere of thanksgiving, worship, prayer, and spiritual consecration.
Delivering the New Year Message, Pastor Mensa Otabil reminded congregants that God’s presence remains constant in every season of life, assuring them of divine protection, guidance, and hope as they stepped into 2026, which he declared the Kingdom Year.
Declaring 2026 as the Kingdom Year, Pastor Otabil called on believers to align their lives with God’s rule, authority, and purpose. He urged congregants to make God’s Kingdom central in every area of life—personal decisions, family, work, and relationships—assuring them that when God’s reign is prioritized, His will, provision, and order are manifested.
The service opened with a call to thanksgiving drawn from Psalm 136:1–9, which Pastor Otabil described as a biblical pattern for expressing gratitude to God. Leading the congregation through the passage, he highlighted its repeated refrain—“for His mercy endures forever”—and encouraged worshippers to offer their own heartfelt thanksgiving in recognition of God’s goodness and faithfulness.
Expounding on the declaration “God Is With Us,” Pastor Otabil addressed the realities of life’s changing seasons, noting that while God’s presence is often easily recognized in moments of joy, progress, and abundance, it remains just as real during times of difficulty, uncertainty, and challenge.
He explained that God’s assurance to His people is revealed in two key ways: God holds His people, and God leads them. According to him, God’s “holding” represents a firm and protective grip that keeps believers safe even in the most difficult situations, while God’s “leading” involves granting wisdom, direction, and insight to navigate out of adversity.
Referencing Psalm 46:1, Pastor Otabil reminded the congregation that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,” urging worshippers to enter the new year without fear and with confidence in God’s unfailing care.
He further encouraged congregants not to interpret hardship as abandonment, emphasizing that God often guides His people through challenges by ordering their steps and providing wisdom, strategy, and timely ideas rather than instant deliverance.
Drawing on the message of Christmas, Pastor Otabil reminded worshippers that Jesus Christ, Emmanuel—God with us—is the ultimate expression of God’s nearness, assuring believers that God’s presence is personal, active, and enduring.
The service climaxed with intense worship, Holy Communion, and an Anointing Service, as individuals and families consecrated their lives, plans, and aspirations to God for the year ahead.
Crossover 2025 at ICGC Christ Temple East was more than a transition into a new calendar year; it was a powerful declaration of faith, gratitude, and confidence in God as a refuge, a guide, and an ever-present help for His people throughout 2026 and beyond.
Chelsea expect to appoint a new head coach who would succeed Enzo Maresca by continuing to work in the same system to avoid the need to make major changes mid-season, according to reports.
Chelsea had a project in place before hiring Maresca to replace Mauricio Pochettino in 2024, and it is expected to remain in place after they announced the decision to part ways with the Italian on New Year’s Day.
According to the Daily Mail, whoever takes over the Chelsea hot seat will be expected to work under the same system at the club.
This makes perfect sense, since the lack of influence that Maresca had at Chelsea outside his role as a head coach was reportedly among the reasons for his departure in the first place.
BBC Sport mentions that sources close to Maresca said the Italian felt he deserved backing similar to that enjoyed by Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, and even Ruben Amorim at Manchester.
IMAGO / LaPresse
This would have included a say in shaping the Chelsea project, similar to how Arteta has a huge influence on Arsenal’s transfer policy.
For Chelsea, however, the project is “king”, and the club are said to be more comfortable appointing a new head coach rather than ceding any control.
This is nothing new in football, even at Chelsea. Head coaches or managers wanting more control on shaping the future of the club, clashing with the club hierarchy, often do not end up well.
That said, this also implies that Chelsea will be looking for a new head coach who would agree to work within the constraints of the club project.
This could be part of the reasons why Chelsea are reportedly not in the market for high-profile head coaches, such as Zinedine Zidane or Jurgen Klopp, as recently reported by The Telegraph.
IMAGO / Sportimage
While it is not necessarily a bad thing to prioritise the project, this would likely limit Chelsea’s options in appointing a successor to Maresca.
The likes of Liam Rosenior (Strasbourg) and Francesco Farioli (FC Porto) have been mentioned among potential candidates. Meanwhile, who will be in charge of the team on the touchline for the clash with Manchester City on Sunday remains unclear.
The Telegraph adds that Chelsea are working quickly to appoint a permanent replacement rather than searching for an interim for the remainder of the season.
Marcel is a writer who is passionate about most movies and series. He will watch anything that’s good. He is a content manager by day and a videographer when needed. Marcel used to work at a major streaming service based in Asia Pacific as a Content Specialist and was the Distribution Manager for a local movie distribution company.
Accra, Jan 1, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has highlighted his Government’s achievements over the past year, saying Ghana is rising again following difficult but necessary reforms.
“At the dawn of the New Year, I stand before you to say our beloved nation, Ghana, is rising again. We have accomplished a lot together in the past twelve months,” President Mahama stated in his New Year message broadcast to the nation on Thursday night.
He said prudent economic management had reduced inflation from distressing levels of about 23 per cent at the end of 2024, expressing confidence that the country would end 2025 with single-digit inflation, slightly above five per cent.
The President said Ghana had achieved relative currency stability and was on track to be ranked among the world’s best-performing currencies in 2025.
“We are accelerating economic growth and creating more opportunities for our young people,” he said. President Mahama said business confidence had been restored, resulting in a significant increase in both domestic and foreign direct investment.
He said the Government had restored Ghana’s credibility with international partners and successfully renegotiated debt obligations on terms that protected national sovereignty while ensuring sustainability.
The President said Ghana had begun the process of exiting the International Monetary Fund programme with dignity, not as a supplicant, but as a partner.
“Our young people are Ghana’s greatest resource,” President Mahama said, adding that construction, manufacturing, agriculture and services were recording significant growth.
He said the improved sectoral performance was creating new opportunities for decent employment, noting that infrastructure remained the backbone of development.
President Mahama said the Government had begun the rehabilitation of more than 2,000 kilometres of roads nationwide and restored a consistent electricity supply, while expanding rural electrification to over 1,000 additional communities.
He said Ghana’s image in the international community had been boosted by the world-acclaimed Reset Agenda, which represented a new approach to domestic governance and global engagement.
“Domestically, our Reset Agenda is restoring faith in our democracy, delivering a leaner and more efficient administration, strengthening accountability and reinvigorating the fight against corruption,” he stated.
The President recalled that at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, he used the global platform to share Ghana’s vision with the world.
He said the Accra Reset Initiative was a comprehensive framework for the sustainable transformation of the global governance system, aimed at addressing inequalities and creating greater opportunities for Africa and countries of the Global South.
President Mahama said Ghana’s call for a global reset sought to confront the interconnected challenges of the time, adding that he remained committed to leading the effort with other world leaders.
“This is our moment. This is Ghana’s moment to lead,” he said, adding that Ghana’s story formed part of Africa’s broader renaissance and shared future.
Accra, Jan 1, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has urged Ghanaians to enter the New Year with hope and a renewed spirit of national unity, noting that the country’s progress depends on a shared sense of purpose.
“We are one people with a shared destiny. Whether you voted for me or not, whether you supported the NDC or not, we are all Ghanaians, and this reset is for all of us,” President Mahama stated in his New Year message broadcast to the nation on Thursday night.
He emphasised that Ghana must rise above partisan divisions, stressing that there was only one Ghana.
“There is no NPP Ghana. There is no CPP Ghana or NDC Ghana. There is only one Ghana – the one our forebears fought for and shed their blood to give us our freedom,” he said.
President Mahama urged citizens to reject the politics of division and embrace patriotism and nation-building.
“Let us disagree without being disagreeable. Let us compete in the marketplace of ideas without treating our opponents as enemies,” he stated.
The President said the challenges confronting the nation were too urgent, and the opportunities before it too precious, for Ghanaians to waste time and energy on needless conflict.
He outlined his vision of a Ghana where every child, regardless of background, could dream and achieve those dreams, and where hard work was rewarded, merit triumphed over mediocrity, integrity was celebrated, and corruption was punished.
President Mahama said he envisaged a country where young people would no longer risk their lives crossing the Sahara or the Mediterranean in search of opportunities because opportunities would abound at home.
He said he saw a Ghana where senior citizens lived in dignity, the sick were cared for and the vulnerable were protected.
The President said Ghana would be respected on the global stage for the quality of its democracy, the vibrancy of its economy and the character of its people, describing the country as a light unto Africa and a beacon unto the world.
“This is not wishful thinking. This is the Ghana we are building together. This is the Ghana that is within our reach,” he said.
As the country entered 2026, President Mahama urged Ghanaians to move forward with confidence, determination and faith – faith in God, faith in Ghana and faith in themselves.
He urged citizens to build on the foundation laid, work harder, dream bigger and achieve greater things, adding that the promise which inspired the nation’s founding fathers remained a prophecy waiting to be fulfilled.
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Nigerian Movie Starring; Chigozie Nwoye, Geraldine Ejiogu, Amraanne Promzy
The Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong, and his wife, Dr Mrs Adelaide Siaw Agyepong, provided essential food items and transportation cash to over 5,000 Ghanaians at their Accra residence on New Year’s Day January 1, 2026), continuing a decade-long tradition of festive season support.
Over 5,000 Ghanaians from far and near gathered at the couple’s Accra residence to receive essential food items and drinks.
In a notable and practical addition to this annual gesture, the Agyepongs also provided cash gifts for transportation, directly assisting beneficiaries with their travel costs and further easing the financial burdens of the season.
Speaking to the media after the donation, the Public Relations Manager of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Ernest Morgan Acquah, provided details on the longstanding initiative.
”As the New Year begins, the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies continues his long-standing tradition of giving back to the community,” he stated.
”Usually on New Year’s Eve, we receive people from within the community and even beyond. People come from Kasoa, Madina, and other surrounding enclaves. When they arrive, the Executive Chairman extends a kind gesture by presenting them with New Year gifts.”
Acquah confirmed the scale of this year’s outreach, noting, “We are looking at more than 5,000 people. The initial phase covered about 4,500 individuals, but we later expanded the exercise, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to over 5,000.”
He detailed the contents of each package, which included: tin tomatoes, one litre of cooking oil, 5 kilogram of rice, Mackerel, a soft drink, and some cash to cover transportation
Explaining the motivation behind the event, Acquah said, “This initiative is his way of saying thank you to the people and wishing everyone a Happy New Year… This act of giving is rooted in biblical principles—when you have, you should extend a hand to those who do not.”
The PR Manager highlighted the growth of the program, revealing it has run for “about eight to ten years now,” with beneficiary numbers increasing from approximately 4,500 last year to over 5,000 this year.
The event underscored the business leaders’ deep-seated commitment to community support and shared prosperity, ensuring many started the new year with both nourishment and a tangible show of care.
LIVE | Chief Executive Officer of Zoomlion Ghana Limited and the Jospong Group of Companies, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyapong, donates various items and cash as a large crowd gathers at his residence as part of his annual January 1 philanthropic initiative pic.twitter.com/LDhQQmWaYc
The Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, and his wife, Dr. Mrs. Adelaide Siaw Agyepong, provided essential food items and transportation cash to over 5,000 Ghanaians at their Accra residence on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026, continuing… pic.twitter.com/4Si4hzvnY8
Plans are underway to establish a dedicated Remand Centre in Bolgatanga to address mounting operational and justice delivery challenges confronting the Ghana Prisons Service in the Upper East Region.
Mr Donatus Atanga Akamugri, the Upper East Regional Minister, announced this during the biennial congress of the Bolgatanga, Nangodi, Bongo and Tongo (BONABOTO) Traditional Area, held at Damolg-Tindongo in the Nabdam District, which also coincided with BONABOTO’s 25th anniversary celebration.
Mr Akamugri said the initiative was necessitated by persistent difficulties in transporting remand prisoners from Navrongo to courts in Bolgatanga, the growing congestion at the Navrongo Central Prison, exacerbated by the protracted Bawku security situation, and the absence of any prison facility in Bolgatanga despite its status as a regional capital.
Apart from the Navrongo Central Prison and the Bawku Local Prison, which houses only second-degree and misdemeanour offenders, the region, including Bolgatanga, does not have any other prison or remand centre.
Additionally, due to the Bawku conflict, all convicted prisoners and persons on remand are compelled to be housed at the Navrongo Central Prison, a situation that has led to overcrowding and placed a huge financial and logistical burden on the Government in transporting remand prisoners for court hearings in Bolgatanga.
According to the Regional Minister, these challenges continue to place a heavy logistical and operational burden on the Ghana Prisons Service and contribute to delays in court proceedings, with implications for the rights and welfare of persons on remand.
“This initiative is expected to ease the logistical burden on the prison administration, reduce delays in court proceedings, and ultimately enhance the administration of justice for remand prisoners,” the Minister noted.
He explained that discussions had already commenced with the Ghana Prisons Service and the Ministry of the Interior to facilitate the establishment of the Remand Centre, describing the move as a critical step towards strengthening justice delivery in the region.
As part of the process, Mrs Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, the Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, he said, paid a courtesy call on him on December 22, 2025, during which a proposed site for the facility was jointly inspected.
While the inspected site could serve as a temporary location, Mr Akamugri noted that a larger and more suitable parcel of land within the Bolgatanga Municipality would be required to fully implement the project.
He, therefore, appealed to BONABOTO to leverage its influence as a key advocacy and stakeholder body to engage traditional authorities and other stakeholders to help identify and secure appropriate land for the facility.
Mr Akamugri stressed that the proposed Remand Centre aligns with the Resetting Agenda of President John Dramani Mahama, which emphasises access to justice, respect for human rights and improved justice delivery, particularly in underserved regions.
He expressed optimism that with collective support, the Remand Centre would be realised to enhance security, reduce trial delays, and promote the effective administration of justice in the Upper East Region.
“The initiative is fully aligned with the Resetting Agenda of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, which prioritises access to justice, respect for human rights and the improvement of justice delivery across the country, particularly in underserved regions,” he added.
Professor Smauel Awinkine Atintono, National President of BONABOTO reiterated the commitment of the Association to advancing development of the region through advocacy and dialogue.
The Congress was held on the theme “Our Legacy, Unity, Advocacy, Culture and Impact – The Journey Continues.”
President John Dramani Mahama during his address on Thursday, January 1, 2026
President John Dramani Mahama delivered a New Year’s message to the people of Ghana on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
In his address, the president touted the achievements of his one-year-old government, citing the state of the country he inherited and the successes thus far.
He, however, noted the achievement of this government in 2025 was a foundation for what is yet to come.
“My dear compatriots, as satisfying as our achievements of 2025 are, they are but the foundation. The architecture of the Ghana we want must now be built on this foundation,” he said.
The president went on to “vision” for the year 2026 as follows:
“In 2026, we shall accelerate and expand.
Every child deserves a world-class education. We will continue digitalising our schools and ensure every classroom has the tools for 21st-century learning.
We shall operationalise Universal Health Coverage through the Free Primary Health Care Programme, ensuring that no Ghanaian is denied care due to inability to pay. Through the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, we will stretch a hand of support to our people suffering from non-communicable diseases.
We shall make Ghana food self-sufficient and transform agriculture from subsistence to a thriving commercial enterprise through mechanisation, value addition, and market access. We are working to achieve a 30% share of renewable energy in our national energy mix, reducing costs and protecting the environment.
We shall deliver social housing units through public-private partnerships.
We shall intensify the fight against corruption with no sacred cows. Every cedi belongs to the people and must be accounted for.
We will implement the recommendations of the Constitution Review Committee to make our 1992 Constitution an even greater guide for the consolidation of our democracy.”
LIVESTREAMING: President Mahama delivers New Year Message to Ghanaians
The President went on to call on every Ghanaian to support the government in its efforts to build the nation, saying:
“Ladies and gentlemen, governments do not build nations alone. They do that with the citizenry. As we enter 2026, I call upon each one of you:
Our young people: You are not the leaders of tomorrow. You are the leaders of today. Take ownership of this Reset Agenda. Innovate. Create and Build. Ghana needs you64844661r energy, your ideas, your commitment.
To our entrepreneurs and business leaders: Invest in Ghana. Build businesses that create jobs and wealth for yourselves and for the economy. I pledge to maintain a conducive environment for your businesses to thrive; your commitment must be to seize the opportunities that we create.
To our civil society, media, and watchdog institutions: Continue to hold us accountable. A vibrant democracy needs your critical voice. We may not always agree, but we shall always respect the role you play in strengthening our nation.
To our traditional leaders and faith-based communities: You are the custodians of our values and the anchors of our communities. Help us build social cohesion and national unity. Help us nurture the moral fabric that holds our society together.
To the public servants: Yours is a noble calling. Serve with integrity, efficiency, and dedication. The people’s trust in government depends on your daily conduct.
And to our diaspora community: You are Ghana’s global ambassadors. Continue to make us proud. When you can, bring your skills, resources, and networks back home. Ghana needs you.
We are one people with a shared destiny. Whether you voted for me or not, whether you supported the NDC or not, we are all Ghanaians, and this reset is for all of us. There is no NPP Ghana. There is no CPP Ghana or NDC Ghana. There is only one Ghana. The one our forebears fought for and shed their blood to give us our freedom.”
Read his full speech below:
BAI
Meanwhile, watch as Acting Defence Minister Ato Forson inaugurates 9-Member Ministerial Advisory Board
Plans are underway to establish a dedicated Remand Centre in Bolgatanga to address mounting operational and justice delivery challenges confronting the Ghana Prisons Service in the Upper East Region.
Mr Donatus Atanga Akamugri, the Upper East Regional Minister, announced this during the biennial congress of the Bolgatanga, Nangodi, Bongo and Tongo (BONABOTO) Traditional Area, held at Damolg-Tindongo in the Nabdam District, which also coincided with BONABOTO’s 25th anniversary celebration.
Mr Akamugri said the initiative was necessitated by persistent difficulties in transporting remand prisoners from Navrongo to courts in Bolgatanga, the growing congestion at the Navrongo Central Prison, exacerbated by the protracted Bawku security situation, and the absence of any prison facility in Bolgatanga despite its status as a regional capital.
Apart from the Navrongo Central Prison and the Bawku Local Prison, which houses only second-degree and misdemeanour offenders, the region, including Bolgatanga, does not have any other prison or remand centre.
Additionally, due to the Bawku conflict, all convicted prisoners and persons on remand are compelled to be housed at the Navrongo Central Prison, a situation that has led to overcrowding and placed a huge financial and logistical burden on the Government in transporting remand prisoners for court hearings in Bolgatanga.
According to the Regional Minister, these challenges continue to place a heavy logistical and operational burden on the Ghana Prisons Service and contribute to delays in court proceedings, with implications for the rights and welfare of persons on remand.
“This initiative is expected to ease the logistical burden on the prison administration, reduce delays in court proceedings, and ultimately enhance the administration of justice for remand prisoners,” the Minister noted.
He explained that discussions had already commenced with the Ghana Prisons Service and the Ministry of the Interior to facilitate the establishment of the Remand Centre, describing the move as a critical step towards strengthening justice delivery in the region.
As part of the process, Mrs Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, the Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, he said, paid a courtesy call on him on December 22, 2025, during which a proposed site for the facility was jointly inspected.
While the inspected site could serve as a temporary location, Mr Akamugri noted that a larger and more suitable parcel of land within the Bolgatanga Municipality would be required to fully implement the project.
He, therefore, appealed to BONABOTO to leverage its influence as a key advocacy and stakeholder body to engage traditional authorities and other stakeholders to help identify and secure appropriate land for the facility.
Mr Akamugri stressed that the proposed Remand Centre aligns with the Resetting Agenda of President John Dramani Mahama, which emphasises access to justice, respect for human rights and improved justice delivery, particularly in underserved regions.
He expressed optimism that with collective support, the Remand Centre would be realised to enhance security, reduce trial delays, and promote the effective administration of justice in the Upper East Region.
“The initiative is fully aligned with the Resetting Agenda of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, which prioritises access to justice, respect for human rights and the improvement of justice delivery across the country, particularly in underserved regions,” he added.
Professor Smauel Awinkine Atintono, National President of BONABOTO reiterated the commitment of the Association to advancing development of the region through advocacy and dialogue.
The Congress was held on the theme “Our Legacy, Unity, Advocacy, Culture and Impact – The Journey Continues.”
Actress Moyo Lawal has broken her silence on her leaked intimate tape, revealing that her former partner blamed her for the incident.
According to the actress, her ex-partner accused her of being responsible for the leak because she did not post him on her social media platforms, questioning whether she had ever posted anyone online.
Authorities at the Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly in the Ashanti Region have declared a renewed and relentless crackdown on what they describe as growing indiscipline in the municipality’s physical and spatial planning space.
Officials have warned that firm action will be taken against individuals who indiscriminately put up structures in unauthorized areas, particularly along waterways.
The Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly has recently embarked on demolition exercises as part of efforts to sanitize the municipality and send a strong signal to individuals intending to build in unauthorized locations.
Speaking in an interview with Citi News, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Asokore Mampong, Ben Abdallah Alhassan, cautioned residents to immediately halt such developments or face strict sanctions, including the demolition of affected structures.
He emphasized that there are clear guidelines in the laws of Ghana on how land should be acquired and how structures should be put up, and that these procedures must be strictly adhered to by the public and residents.
“At every opportunity we get, we try to sensitize the public on the need to always get in touch with the Assembly to know where to properly acquire land and to confirm whether such land falls within the approved planning scheme of the Assembly. We also encourage prospective developers to visit the Physical Planning Department for assistance in applying for development permits or planning approvals.
“Once an application is submitted, the Technical Subcommittee reviews it and makes recommendations to the Spatial Planning Committee. If the application meets the approved criteria, the permit is granted. The applicant then pays the required development fees and proceeds with development. This is a fight we are not going to relent on. We will continue to ensure discipline and order within our spatial planning space.”
Beyond spatial planning challenges, sanitation remains one of the major issues confronting the municipality.
Most communities are grappling with choked drains filled with empty plastic bottles and bags, a situation often attributed to some residents intentionally littering the environment.
The MCE revealed that the Assembly successfully prosecuted about 21 sanitation-related cases in 2025 as part of efforts to enforce cleanliness and public health standards.
Mr. Abdallah Alhassan also explained that the Assembly is adopting a dual approach of public education and strict enforcement of sanitation by-laws to address the situation.
He further said, “Gradually, we are getting the buy-in of the people. Anytime we go out to conduct sanitation exercises, there is a strong outpouring of support, with people turning up in large numbers to support the cause.A lot of sensitization and public education is also ongoing. Whenever I have the opportunity to engage the media, I ensure that I emphasize the need for a collective approach towards improved sanitation.
“We are combining education and sensitization with strict compliance and enforcement of our bylaws. As a result, several prosecutions are currently ongoing.”
He further disclosed that the Assembly is intensifying engagements with religious and traditional leaders to support public sensitization efforts and promote responsible behaviour among residents.
The Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong
The Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, has assured that beginning from today, 1st January 2026, the Ghana Revenue Authority is charging the new VAT rate of 20 percent instead of the old rate of 21 percent.
He explains that the move is aimed at making VAT payment simple for businesses and service providers as well as boosting revenue mobilisation.
Speaking to Joy Business in an interview, he said, “Based on the many reforms and adjustments made to the tax law in order to simplify payment, it will be a game changer for revenue mobilisation in the short term.”
“To bring parity to the system, we have removed the flat rate so that everyone consuming will be eligible to pay the standard rate. We believe that with a lot of administrative measures and reforms in the new system, VAT is going to be the game changer as far as revenue generation in this country is concerned, and we are looking forward to working with businesses to equip taxpayers to ensure that we understand the tax obligation on VAT and every consumer in this country will demand a VAT receipt whenever making a purchase,” he added.
VAT rate cut to 20%, COVID Levy gone as new tax act takes effect January 2026
This follows the passage and subsequent presidential assent given to the VAT Bill 2025.
This development marks a significant overhaul to simplify the country’s tax system, consolidate laws, abolish the COVID-19 levy, and improve compliance through digitisation in revenue administration.
The law is also aiming for greater fairness and economic growth as the country makes progress to enhance domestic tax mobilisation.
The reform is part of the recommendations from the International Monetary Fund to reduce bureaucracies in tax collection.
Key changes include unifying the flat-rate system, reducing effective rates, allowing deduction of GETFund/NHIL as input tax, and boosting revenue efficiency.
This will also include the deployment of digital channels like the E-VAT for accurate collection.
Meanwhile, in a New Year message to the country, the Commissioner General stressed collaboration between the business community and tax officials to ensure a mutual agreement on enhancing revenue for development.
This marks the second lawsuit in recent months against the filmmaker
Tyler Perry was sued for sexual assault by an actor who appeared in “Boo! A Madea Halloween,” marking the second lawsuit in recent months accusing the filmmaker and studio mogul of leveraging his power in Hollywood to make sexual advances.
Mario Rodriguez filed the lawsuit Thursday in California, alleging Perry subjected him to repeated unwanted sexual advances over several years, including sexual battery and assault at Perry’s Los Angeles home.
Rodriguez is seeking at least $77 million in damages and also has sued Lionsgate, which distributed the 2016 film, accusing the studio of turning a blind eye to Perry’s alleged misconduct.
Lionsgate did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
In a statement, Perry’s lawyer denied the allegations.
According to the complaint, Rodriguez was approached in 2014 by a trainer at an Equinox gym in Los Angeles who said Perry wanted his phone number to discuss an acting role.
Perry later encouraged Rodriguez to audition for “Boo! A Madea Halloween,” telling him, “I’m not a bad person to know and have in your corner,” the lawsuit claims.
After Rodriguez was cast, he was invited to Perry’s home, where Perry allegedly touched him inappropriately while they watched a movie.
The lawsuit describes additional alleged incidents in 2016, 2018 and 2019, including one encounter in which Perry allegedly attempted to unbuckle Rodriguez’s pants and another in which Perry placed Rodriguez’s hand on his genitals.
The complaint says Perry gave Rodriguez $5,000 on multiple occasions following the encounters.
Rodriguez says he resisted the advances and ultimately decided to file suit after learning of similar allegations made by another actor, Derek Dixon.
Dixon sued Perry in June, alleging the filmmaker groped him while Dixon worked on Perry’s television series “The Oval” and “Ruthless.”
That lawsuit, which was originally filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, has reportedly since been moved to federal court in Georgia, where Perry’s studio is based.
Rodriguez’s lawsuit includes claims of sexual assault, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
President John Dramani Mahama has declared that Ghana is firmly on a path of recovery, one year after his administration inherited what he described as a nation in deep economic and social distress.
Reflecting on the state of the country at the time his government assumed office, President Mahama said Ghana faced an economy “on its knees,” with unemployment weighing heavily on the youth, deteriorating infrastructure, eroded public trust, and a growing sense of despair among citizens.
“We were told that recovery would take a generation,” the President recalled. “But I knew something our critics did not. I knew the resilient spirit of the Ghanaian people.”
“At the dawn of the New Year, I stand before you to say, our beloved nation, Ghana, is rising again,” he declared.
According to the President, the past 12 months have been marked by prudent economic management and difficult but necessary reforms aimed at stabilising the economy and restoring confidence.
He revealed that inflation, which stood at distressing levels of 23 per cent and above at the end of 2024, has been significantly reduced. Government, he said, is hopeful of ending 2025 with inflation in single digits, slightly above five per cent.
President Mahama also pointed to relative currency stability, noting that Ghana is on track to be ranked among the world’s best-performing currencies in 2025—an achievement he attributed to disciplined fiscal and monetary coordination.
Beyond macroeconomic indicators, the President said his administration is accelerating economic growth and expanding opportunities for young people through targeted interventions across key sectors.
He added that business confidence has been restored, leading to a significant increase in both domestic and foreign direct investment.
“Our policies are working because investors believe once again in the Ghanaian economy,” he said.
On the international front, President Mahama announced that Ghana has regained credibility with its global partners, successfully completing the renegotiation of its debt obligations.
He stressed that the renegotiation was carried out on terms that protect Ghana’s sovereignty while ensuring long-term debt sustainability.
In addition, the President disclosed that Ghana has begun the process of exiting the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme “with dignity,” emphasising that the country is engaging international partners not as supplicants but as partners.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Students of the University of Ghana are expressing concern following a significant increase in academic fees for the 2025/2026 academic year, with increments exceeding 25 percent across all colleges.
Although university management is yet to officially explain the reasons behind the sharp rise, the provisional schedule of academic fees for the 2025/26 academic year shows substantial upward adjustments affecting both fresh and continuing students.
At the College of Humanities, approved fees indicate that Level 100 students will pay GH¢3,110 for the 2025/26 academic year, representing a 34 percent increase from the GH¢2,319 charged in the 2024/25 academic year. Continuing students at the college will pay GH¢2,253, reflecting a 27 percent increase from the previous GH¢1,777.
Similarly, at the University of Ghana School of Law, undergraduate freshers under the College of Humanities will pay GH¢3,226, a 33 percent increase from GH¢2,435 last academic year. Continuing law students will also see their fees rise from GH¢1,890 to GH¢2,396.
Other colleges, including Health Sciences, Basic and Applied Sciences, and Education, have also recorded fee hikes ranging between 25 and 35 percent. The increases have generated agitation among students and parents, many of whom say the changes were introduced without prior notice.
The new fee structure also highlights a sharp rise in third-party fees, which appear to be a major contributor to the overall increase. While third-party fees stood at GH¢255 during the 2024/25 academic year, they have increased to GH¢767 for freshmen and GH¢455 for continuing students for the 2025/26 academic year.
A breakdown of these charges includes an SRC Hostel Development Levy of GH¢300, a GH¢100 contribution towards the university’s 75th Anniversary Legacy Project, SRC welfare dues of GH¢50, and reprographic fees of GH¢5. Fresh Level 100 and diploma students are also required to pay GH¢312 for a Telecel data package, while continuing students may opt into a Telecel data and airtime package at GH¢10.22 per month.
Students are calling on university authorities to provide clearer justification for the sudden fee hikes, warning that the increases could place additional financial strain on students and their families.
Chioma Adeleke, popularly known as Chef Chi, has warmed hearts on social media after sharing a touching video highlighting her most memorable moments from 2025. The video, posted on her Instagram page as the year drew to a close, offered fans a glimpse into a year filled with love, celebration, and family milestones.
The carefully curated recap featured scenes from her glamorous wedding ceremony with Nigerian music star Davido, intimate romantic outings with her husband, and joyful family gatherings with members of the Adeleke family. The video reflected a year of personal fulfillment and happiness, reminding followers of the significant events that shaped her journey throughout 2025.
In the caption accompanying the post, Chioma expressed deep gratitude, writing, “Thank you God for everything!” The simple but heartfelt message resonated strongly with fans, many of whom praised her for acknowledging faith and gratitude despite the public scrutiny that often surrounds her life.
The post quickly attracted widespread attention online, with fans and well-wishers flooding the comment section with messages of love and admiration. Many noted her radiant happiness and described her as stronger and more confident, while others applauded the visible bond she shares with Davido, describing the couple as a symbol of enduring love.
Adding to the excitement, Davido himself reacted to the post with a loving comment that further thrilled fans. His public expression of affection for Chioma sparked more positive reactions, with many followers hailing the couple’s relationship and celebrating their journey together.
Chioma Adeleke’s end-of-year reflection not only highlighted cherished personal moments but also reinforced the admiration she continues to enjoy from the public. The post served as a warm reminder of gratitude, family, and love, as fans joined her in celebrating a fulfilling year and looking ahead to a hopeful 2026.
The Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong
The Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, has assured that beginning from today, 1st January 2026, the Ghana Revenue Authority is charging the new VAT rate of 20 percent instead of the old rate of 21 percent.
He explains that the move is aimed at making VAT payment simple for businesses and service providers as well as boosting revenue mobilisation.
Speaking to Joy Business in an interview, he said, “Based on the many reforms and adjustments made to the tax law in order to simplify payment, it will be a game changer for revenue mobilisation in the short term.”
“To bring parity to the system, we have removed the flat rate so that everyone consuming will be eligible to pay the standard rate. We believe that with a lot of administrative measures and reforms in the new system, VAT is going to be the game changer as far as revenue generation in this country is concerned, and we are looking forward to working with businesses to equip taxpayers to ensure that we understand the tax obligation on VAT and every consumer in this country will demand a VAT receipt whenever making a purchase,” he added.
VAT rate cut to 20%, COVID Levy gone as new tax act takes effect January 2026
This follows the passage and subsequent presidential assent given to the VAT Bill 2025.
This development marks a significant overhaul to simplify the country’s tax system, consolidate laws, abolish the COVID-19 levy, and improve compliance through digitisation in revenue administration.
The law is also aiming for greater fairness and economic growth as the country makes progress to enhance domestic tax mobilisation.
The reform is part of the recommendations from the International Monetary Fund to reduce bureaucracies in tax collection.
Key changes include unifying the flat-rate system, reducing effective rates, allowing deduction of GETFund/NHIL as input tax, and boosting revenue efficiency.
This will also include the deployment of digital channels like the E-VAT for accurate collection.
Meanwhile, in a New Year message to the country, the Commissioner General stressed collaboration between the business community and tax officials to ensure a mutual agreement on enhancing revenue for development.
President John Dramani Mahama has declared that Ghana is firmly on a path of recovery, one year after his administration inherited what he described as a nation in deep economic and social distress.
Reflecting on the state of the country at the time his government assumed office, President Mahama said Ghana faced an economy “on its knees,” with unemployment weighing heavily on the youth, deteriorating infrastructure, eroded public trust, and a growing sense of despair among citizens.
“We were told that recovery would take a generation,” the President recalled. “But I knew something our critics did not. I knew the resilient spirit of the Ghanaian people.”
“At the dawn of the New Year, I stand before you to say, our beloved nation, Ghana, is rising again,” he declared.
According to the President, the past 12 months have been marked by prudent economic management and difficult but necessary reforms aimed at stabilising the economy and restoring confidence.
He revealed that inflation, which stood at distressing levels of 23 per cent and above at the end of 2024, has been significantly reduced. Government, he said, is hopeful of ending 2025 with inflation in single digits, slightly above five per cent.
President Mahama also pointed to relative currency stability, noting that Ghana is on track to be ranked among the world’s best-performing currencies in 2025—an achievement he attributed to disciplined fiscal and monetary coordination.
Beyond macroeconomic indicators, the President said his administration is accelerating economic growth and expanding opportunities for young people through targeted interventions across key sectors.
He added that business confidence has been restored, leading to a significant increase in both domestic and foreign direct investment.
“Our policies are working because investors believe once again in the Ghanaian economy,” he said.
On the international front, President Mahama announced that Ghana has regained credibility with its global partners, successfully completing the renegotiation of its debt obligations.
He stressed that the renegotiation was carried out on terms that protect Ghana’s sovereignty while ensuring long-term debt sustainability.
In addition, the President disclosed that Ghana has begun the process of exiting the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme “with dignity,” emphasising that the country is engaging international partners not as supplicants but as partners.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Prophet Eric Boahen is the founder and leader of Reign House Chapel
A spiritual protégé of Prophet Owusu Bempah and renowned seer, Prophet Eric Boahen, popularly referred to in prophetic circles as Uche, has declared that Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, former Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, will emerge victorious in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential flagbearership race slated for January 31, 2026.
The prophecy was delivered during Prophet Eric Boahen’s all-night service, which ushered members of his congregation into the new year, 2026.
According to him, it is puzzling that some prophets continue to mention other contestants as potential winners, questioning the source of such revelations.
He maintained that the outcome of the contest has already been divinely settled, stressing that Dr Bawumia is already “on the seat” and that no prophecy or human intervention can change what God has ordained.
“If the NPP were to hold the elections today, Dr Bawumia would win. He has already won, and nobody can change that. Bawumia is already on the seat, and it will be very difficult to change that. It is sealed,” he declared.
Prophet Eric Boahen further questioned whether, with just 31 days left to the elections, Kennedy Agyapong could do anything to alter the status quo.
He disclosed that he had earlier advised Kennedy Agyapong to seek spiritual direction, but said the advice was not heeded, raising doubts about whether any meaningful change could occur now that the contest is so close.
Prophet Eric Boahen, who is widely known as a spiritual protégé of Prophet Owusu Bempah, noted that his mentor has never doubted his prophetic accuracy and foresight.
He added that many of his past prophecies have proven precise and timely, a track record he believes explains why they continue to come to pass.
Watch the video below:
Meanwhile, watch as Rev Owusu-Bempah drops major prophecies for 2026
The Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong
The Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, has assured that beginning from today, 1st January 2026, the Ghana Revenue Authority is charging the new VAT rate of 20 percent instead of the old rate of 21 percent.
He explains that the move is aimed at making VAT payment simple for businesses and service providers as well as boosting revenue mobilisation.
Speaking to Joy Business in an interview, he said, “Based on the many reforms and adjustments made to the tax law in order to simplify payment, it will be a game changer for revenue mobilisation in the short term.”
“To bring parity to the system, we have removed the flat rate so that everyone consuming will be eligible to pay the standard rate. We believe that with a lot of administrative measures and reforms in the new system, VAT is going to be the game changer as far as revenue generation in this country is concerned, and we are looking forward to working with businesses to equip taxpayers to ensure that we understand the tax obligation on VAT and every consumer in this country will demand a VAT receipt whenever making a purchase,” he added.
VAT rate cut to 20%, COVID Levy gone as new tax act takes effect January 2026
This follows the passage and subsequent presidential assent given to the VAT Bill 2025.
This development marks a significant overhaul to simplify the country’s tax system, consolidate laws, abolish the COVID-19 levy, and improve compliance through digitisation in revenue administration.
The law is also aiming for greater fairness and economic growth as the country makes progress to enhance domestic tax mobilisation.
The reform is part of the recommendations from the International Monetary Fund to reduce bureaucracies in tax collection.
Key changes include unifying the flat-rate system, reducing effective rates, allowing deduction of GETFund/NHIL as input tax, and boosting revenue efficiency.
This will also include the deployment of digital channels like the E-VAT for accurate collection.
Meanwhile, in a New Year message to the country, the Commissioner General stressed collaboration between the business community and tax officials to ensure a mutual agreement on enhancing revenue for development.
President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians to rise above partisan divisions and embrace a shared national identity, stressing that the country’s future depends on unity, mutual respect and collective nation-building.
In a New Year message to the nation on Thursday, January 1, 2026, President Mahama said Ghana’s development agenda must transcend political affiliation, noting that regardless of how citizens voted in past elections, they remain bound by a common destiny.
“We are one people with a shared destiny, whether you voted for me or not, whether you supported the NDC or not. We are all Ghanaians, and this reset is for all of us,” he stated.
He underscored that Ghana’s identity should not be reduced to party colours, insisting that the nation belongs equally to all its citizens. According to him, the freedoms Ghanaians enjoy today were secured through the sacrifices of the country’s forebears, who shed their blood for independence and national sovereignty.
President Mahama urged citizens to reject politics that thrive on division and hostility, calling instead for a renewed commitment to patriotism and constructive engagement. He said political competition must be anchored in ideas and policy alternatives, not personal attacks or the demonisation of opponents.
“Let’s reject the politics of division and embrace the patriotism of nation-building. Let us disagree without being disagreeable. Let’s compete in the marketplace of ideas without treating our opponents as our enemies,” he said.
He noted that Ghana faces pressing challenges that require collective effort and unity of purpose. He warned that excessive political conflict risks diverting attention and resources from addressing urgent national priorities and fully exploiting the opportunities available to the country.
“The challenges that we face are too urgent, and the opportunities before us are too precious for us to waste our time and energy in needless conflict” he added.
President Mahama concluded by appealing to Ghanaians to channel their energy towards building a stronger and more inclusive nation, stressing that unity remains the most powerful tool for overcoming the country’s challenges and securing a better future for generations to come.
Beyonce now stands alongside Taylor Swift, Rihanna and Jay Z
Beyoncé has joined the ranks of billionaires, according to Forbes, becoming the fifth musician to be crowned with the elite status.
The Grammy Award-winning superstar now stands alongside Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, and her husband, Jay-Z, according to a report published by the outlet Monday.
The 44-year-old’s financial ascent follows a landmark year in her career. Beyoncé took home the industry’s top trophy, winning Album of the Year at the 2025 Grammy for her country album “Cowboy Carter,” released the year prior. She also made history as the first Black woman to win the award for Best Country Album.
With 35 Grammy wins and 99 nominations, she is the most-awarded artist in the history of the awards, including those she won with Destiny’s Child, a chart-topping girl group that helped launch her storied career.
The “Cowboy Carter Tour” grossed more than $400 million, making it the highest-grossing country tour in history, Reuters reported, citing Live Nation.
In 2024, music charting site Billboard named her the greatest pop star of the 21st century, highlighting “her full 25 years of influence, impact, and evolution,” Billboard’s Andrew Unterberger wrote.
Her 2023 “Renaissance World Tour” drew massive crowds, with fans – known collectively as the BeyHive – flocking to see her perform across Europe and North America.
In Stockholm, where she kicked off the tour, fanfare drove up hotel and restaurant prices and even slowed down Sweden’s declining inflation, according to economists.
In addition to her musical achievements, Beyoncé has built a diverse business empire. She has launched successful clothing and hair care lines, and expanded into the beverage industry with a whisky brand named after her great-grandfather, SirDavis. Her entrepreneurial ventures have contributed to her growing fortune.
Beyoncé’s road to superstardom began in the early 1990s, when she appeared on “Star Search” as part of Girl’s Tyme, a six-member group. She later joined Destiny’s Child, which became one of the best-selling girl groups in the late 90s and early 2000s.
The group’s other members, Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland, reunited with her on stage earlier this year during her “Cowboy Carter” tour in Las Vegas.
Since Destiny’s Child announced its hiatus in 2001, Beyoncé has released a series of acclaimed solo albums, starting with “Dangerously in Love” in 2003, which won five Grammy Awards the following year.
She has headlined major music festivals, including becoming the first woman of color to lead the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2018.
In 2023, she surpassed conductor Georg Solti to become the most awarded artiste in Grammy’s history.
Ghana’s democratic journey has always been defined by respect for institutions, inclusivity, and the honoring of past leaders. Yet under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, many citizens and observers argue that these values have been eroded by arrogance, exclusion, and insensitivity.
A Leadership Style Marked by Arrogance
Critics describe Akufo-Addo’s leadership as “Napoleonic—conceited, short-fused, and dismissive.” His governance style, they argue, has fostered division rather than unity. Instead of embodying humility and service, he is often portrayed as wielding power with a sense of entitlement.
Disrespect Toward Former Presidents
The treatment of Ghana’s former leaders has been a flashpoint. Jerry John Rawlings, Ghana’s longest-serving head of state, was reportedly denied VVIP access and stripped of certain presidential privileges. Similarly, John Dramani Mahama has faced restrictions under Akufo-Addo’s watch.
Such actions raise troubling questions: Does Ghana still honor its tradition of respecting past presidents, or has political rivalry overridden statesmanship?
The Democratic Deficit of SALL Perhaps the most glaring example of exclusion is the denial of parliamentary representation to the people of Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lolobi, and Likpe (SALL). Despite constitutional guarantees, these communities were left voiceless in Parliament.
This is not merely an administrative oversight—it is a democratic injustice. Advocacy groups have rightly called it “a scar on Ghana’s democracy.”
Insensitivity Toward Regional Communities
Following the Akosombo Dam spillage, Akufo-Addo’s reported derogatory remarks about Voltarians deepened perceptions of ethnic bias. At a time when communities were suffering displacement and loss, such insensitivity struck many as callous.
As one civic leader put it: “Leadership is tested not in comfort, but in compassion. Akufo-Addo failed that test.”
Advocacy for Justice and Inclusion
These patterns of exclusion and arrogance feed into a broader narrative of elite impunity. Ghana cannot afford leaders who treat constitutional rights as optional or who dismiss the dignity of citizens based on political or ethnic lines.
Civil society must respond with vigilance. Advocacy campaigns must remind Ghanaians that democracy is not a gift from leaders—it is a right of the people. As the proverb says: “The axe forgets, but the tree remembers.” Citizens remember, and they demand accountability.
President Akufo-Addo’s legacy will be judged not by rhetoric, but by the lived experiences of those denied representation, dignity, and respect. Ghana deserves leadership that unites rather than divides, honors rather than belittles, and protects rather than excludes.
The call to action is clear: restore representation, respect diversity, and rebuild trust in our democracy.
In a nationally televised New Year’s address on Thursday evening, President John Dramani Mahama declared that Ghana is steadily recovering from economic distress and firmly charting a path of renewal.
Marking the approach of his administration’s first anniversary, the President outlined what he described as significant progress in economic stabilisation, infrastructure rehabilitation and the restoration of international credibility under the Reset Agenda.
Speaking from the seat of government, President Mahama recalled the solemn covenant he made with Ghanaians on January 7, 2025, to reset the nation, insisting that his administration had begun to deliver on that promise despite inheriting a country “in distress”.
“We were told that recovery would take a generation. But I knew something our critics did not. I knew the resilient spirit of the Ghanaian people,” President Mahama said.
He added, “At the dawn of the New Year, I stand before you to say, our beloved nation, Ghana, is rising again.”
Economic indicators
A central focus of the address was the reported reduction in inflation from over 23 per cent at the end of 2024 to a projected single-digit figure of just above five per cent by the end of 2025.
The President also cited relative currency stability, stating that the cedi was poised to rank among the world’s top-performing currencies.
He announced the successful renegotiation of Ghana’s debt obligations and confirmed the start of what he described as a dignified exit from the International Monetary Fund programme.
“We are exiting not as supplicants, but as partners,” he stated, linking the development to restored business confidence and a notable increase in both domestic and foreign investment.
Development
On infrastructure, President Mahama said rehabilitation works had commenced on more than 2,000 kilometres of roads nationwide.
He further reported the restoration of consistent electricity supply and the ongoing expansion of rural electrification to over 1,000 additional communities.
The President explained that the Reset Agenda operates on two fronts. Domestically, it is promoting a leaner administration, enhanced accountability and a revitalised fight against corruption.
Internationally, he said it is being advanced through the Accra Reset Initiative, a framework for reforming global governance systems, which he presented at the United Nations General Assembly.
“This is Ghana’s moment to lead,” he declared.
Looking ahead to 2026, President Mahama described the gains of the past year as a foundation for accelerated action.
Key priorities include the operationalisation of Universal Health Coverage through the Free Primary Health Care Programme, efforts to achieve national food self-sufficiency and the delivery of social housing through public-private partnerships.
He also pledged to intensify the fight against corruption with “no sacred cows” and to implement the recommendations of the Constitution Review Committee.
President Mahama issued a unifying call to action, addressing various segments of society. He urged young people to lead today, entrepreneurs to invest in the economy, civil society to continue holding government accountable and members of the diaspora to bring their expertise and resources home.
He appealed for an end to political division, stressing, “There is no NPP Ghana. There is no CPP Ghana or NDC Ghana. There is only one Ghana.”
The President concluded with an optimistic vision of a future where opportunities abound at home and Ghana stands as a beacon on the African continent.
“This is not wishful thinking. This is the Ghana we are building together,” he said, before wishing Ghanaians a prosperous, peaceful and progressive 2026.
David and Victoria Beckham’s long-running feud with son Brooklyn refuses to heal – but sources claim the row doesn’t extend to some other family members
Brooklyn Beckham is at the centre of a feud with his family (Image: WireImage)
Posted just hours before midnight, the black-and-white photo was simply captioned: “I love you all so much.” In it, David and Brooklyn Beckham stand together, an arm lovingly draped around a shoulder.
It is the kind of post many make as the clock ticks towards a new year and we reflect on the past 12 months. But David’s choice of photo harks back to a relationship now lost. Those close to the family say relations between Brooklyn and his parents are now “non-existent”.
And if David had hoped the photo to be an olive branch to Brooklyn, ultimately it was a futile gesture. It’s unclear if Brooklyn will even see the snap given he has blocked his father, mum Victoria and brothers Cruz and Romeo from his social media accounts.But friends of the Beckhams say David and Victoria will “never give up” hope of reconciliation.
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David’s olive branch to Brooklyn (Image: INSTAGRAM)
The New Year message, described by one source as David’s “boldest olive branch yet”, marked David setting “for the record his love for his son.” One source said: “David and Victoria will never give up trying to secure a reconciliation between them and their son. Nothing will change that, and they live in hope. He will always be their son, and they are not going to stop putting on record their feelings.”
Heartbreakingly, David also put together a montage of events of the last year, which didn’t feature Brooklyn, as his eldest son shunned the family. A source added: “David has enjoyed an incredible year work-wise with his success in the States with his football team, and his knighthood. But this is a lingering sadness for him, and has undoubtedly overshadowed things. It’s all very upsetting.”
For Brooklyn, insiders in his camp point to the fact that there are still “communication lines” between him and his grandparents, on both sides. A source said: “While things between him and his parents are over…..Brooklyn is still very fond of his grandparents.” While blocking his parents and brothers, some point to the fact that Brooklyn still follows his grandparents on Instagram.
The source added: “There is a lot of love for them, and that has never faltered.” Brooklyn has previously reached out to his grandma, Sandra, who is dad David’s mum. Last June he posted online: “Happy birthday nanny xx love you so much.” It was the first – and perhaps last time – he publicly acknowledged his family.
It came around the same time Brooklyn visited the UK for a photoshoot without visiting his parents. They only learned about it when he posted a picture of him at a pub in central London. Friends say that the Beckhams are “not expecting the situation to change” going into 2026 but will always remain hopeful.
Brooklyn with wife Nicola Peltz
However there is still a deep unease about Nicola’s friends saying how his new wife helped Brooklyn “see the emotional abuse and toxic behaviour within his family”. It was described as “deeply unpleasant and patently untrue” by the Beckham’s friends at the time. A source said: “That was a low blow but they will always be there for their son.”
For Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz, they have historically found David and Victoria’s postings to be grating. Brooklyn in particular feels triggered by the outpourings of affection. One insider has even previously labelled their posts “performative.” It’s not known what they think of David’s New Year’s Eve post, if in fact they have even seen it.
Many believe that there is too much bad-blood on both sides to move on.Nicola’s side are still upset at being painted as controlling, as well as being responsible for Brooklyn isolating himself from his own family.
“It’s classic misogyny – blame the woman. In fact Brooklyn is quite capable of making his own mind up and this is very much led by him,” said a source. They added: “She is not isolating him at all. He is free to do what he wants and he loves his wife and they are happy together. They are each other’s family.” The Beckhams know this all too well. A particular low point to the feud was when Brooklyn renewed his wedding vows to Nicola – after inviting none of his family to the service.
The Beckhams in happier times (Image: WireImage)
The first they heard of the service was when they read about it in media reports. Nicola then posted a series of pictures of the event, including a family line-up. One picture appeared to show her dad Nelson officiating the service. A source said at the time: “It must have been very upsetting to find out this way.”
Brooklyn, 26, and Nicola, 30, have only been married three years. Speaking about the ceremony last August, Brooklyn said: “We just wanted a really beautiful experience — a really cute memory.”
He added: “To be honest, I could renew my vows every single day with her. I think the most important thing that someone can do is find that person that they’re going to spend the rest of their life with. It definitely shapes you as a person. Yeah, it was really, really cute. It was really fun.”
When asked about married life with Nicola, Brooklyn previously told People magazine it was like “a never-ending play date.” “We don’t like to go out for dinner, really,” he said “We don’t like to party or anything like that. When we are together, which is a lot of the time, we just hang out with our four dogs, and drink wine at home.”
Sources close to Nicola have previously insisted there is no chance of reconciliation with David and Victoria at the moment given the “highly charged atmosphere.”
President John Dramani Mahama has outlined an ambitious roadmap for Ghana in 2026, signalling an acceleration of reforms and development programmes aimed at deepening social protection, transforming the economy, and strengthening democratic governance.
In his New Year Message to the Nation on January 1, 2026, the President said the gains made in 2025 provide a foundation for building the Ghana that citizens desire, stressing that the focus in the coming year will be on expansion and delivery.
He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to providing quality education, announcing plans to continue the digitalisation of schools to ensure every classroom is equipped for 21st-century learning.
On healthcare, President Mahama said the government will operationalise Universal Health Coverage through the Free Primary Health Care Programme, ensuring that no Ghanaian is denied medical attention because of financial constraints. He added that the Ghana Medical Trust Fund will be used to support people living with non-communicable diseases.
The President also outlined measures to boost food security and agricultural productivity, stating that agriculture will be transformed from subsistence farming into a commercially viable sector through mechanisation, value addition and improved access to markets.
In the energy sector, he disclosed that the government is working towards achieving a 30 per cent share of renewable energy in the national energy mix, a move he said will help reduce energy costs while protecting the environment.
President Mahama further announced plans to deliver social housing units through public-private partnerships to address housing challenges across the country.
On governance, he pledged an intensified fight against corruption, declaring that there would be no “sacred cows” and that every public cedi must be properly accounted for.
He also revealed that his administration will implement the recommendations of the Constitutional Review Committee to strengthen Ghana’s 1992 Constitution and further consolidate the country’s democratic gains.
According to the President, these initiatives reflect a renewed determination to build a fairer, more inclusive and prosperous Ghana in the years ahead.
President John Dramani Mahama has outlined an ambitious social and economic agenda for 2026, pledging major reforms in education, healthcare, agriculture, energy, housing and governance as part of his New Year Message to the Nation.
Delivering the address on January 1, 2026, the President said his government will prioritise inclusive development and social protection, with a strong focus on ensuring that no Ghanaian is left behind as the country deepens its recovery and reform efforts.
“Every child deserves a world-class education,” President Mahama said, announcing plans to further digitalise schools and equip classrooms with tools suited for 21st-century learning.
He noted that education remains central to Ghana’s long-term development and competitiveness in a rapidly changing global economy.
On healthcare, the President disclosed that the government will operationalise Universal Health Coverage through a Free Primary Health Care Programme, aimed at removing financial barriers to basic medical services.
“No Ghanaian should be denied care because they cannot afford to pay,” he stressed.
He also highlighted the establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, which will provide financial support to people living with non-communicable diseases, a growing public health concern in the country.
Turning to food security, President Mahama reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming agriculture from subsistence farming into a commercially viable sector.
He said this will be driven by mechanisation, value addition and improved access to markets, to make Ghana’s food self-sufficient.
In the energy sector, the President announced that the government is working towards achieving a 30 per cent share of renewable energy in the national energy mix. According to him, this shift will help reduce energy costs while protecting the environment and supporting Ghana’s climate commitments.
Housing also featured prominently in the address, with President Mahama stating that social housing units will be delivered through public-private partnerships to help address the country’s housing deficit, particularly in urban areas.
On governance and accountability, the President pledged an intensified fight against corruption, insisting there will be “no sacred cows.” “Every cedi belongs to the people and must be accounted for,” he declared, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to transparency and prudent public financial management.
He further announced plans to implement the recommendations of the Constitution Review Committee, describing the reforms as necessary to strengthen Ghana’s democratic framework and make the 1992 Constitution “an even greater guide for the consolidation of our democracy.”
President Mahama expressed confidence that the policies outlined for 2026 will translate into tangible improvements in living standards and renewed trust in public institutions.
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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians to rally behind his reset agenda, stressing that his vision for national transformation is inclusive and transcends political affiliation.
In his New Year message to the nation on Thursday, January 1, 2026, the President urged citizens to reject divisive politics and work together to build a united and prosperous Ghana.
Mr. Mahama noted that the reset agenda is not limited to supporters of his party but is meant to benefit every Ghanaian, regardless of how they voted in the 2024 elections.
“We are one people with a shared destiny, whether you voted for me or not, whether you supported the NDC or not. We are all Ghanaians, and this reset is for all of us,” the President said.
He cautioned against political division, saying the country cannot afford unnecessary conflict at a time when urgent national challenges demand collective action.
“There is no NPP Ghana. There is no CPP Ghana or NDC Ghana. There is only one Ghana that our forebears fought for and shed their blood to give us our freedom,” Mr. Mahama stated.
The President said unity, tolerance and cooperation are critical as the country enters a new phase of development, adding that nation-building requires the active participation of all citizens, institutions and communities.
He urged young people, business leaders, civil society groups, traditional authorities and the diaspora to take ownership of the reset agenda and contribute to national progress.
Mr. Mahama further expressed confidence that with shared purpose and commitment, Ghana can overcome its challenges and emerge stronger in 2026 and beyond.
Worshippers from all walks of life converged at the OIC Park for the Watchnight Service of Cedar Mountain Chapel, Assemblies of God (CMC), East Legon, dubbed “Crossing Over on Eagle’s Wings.”
The service was led by Rev. Stephen Wengam, General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Ghana, and Lead Pastor of CMC. Congregants were ushered into the new season through intense prayers, anointed praise and worship, and a sermon titled “The Faith of Our Fathers.”
In his message, Rev. Wengam called on Christians to emulate the authentic faith of Abraham, urging believers to “believe boldly and radically, model godly living, and defend the legacy of faith handed down to us.”
He explained that such faith would produce citizens who are patriotic, shun corruption, and demonstrate a positive work ethic—values he said are critical for national development and economic growth.
Rev. Wengam also revealed that 2026 would bring greater prosperity and favour, but was quick to caution that the year would not be without challenges.
He advised Christians to exemplify radical faith in God, noting that such faith would provoke the divine blessings needed to overcome difficult moments.
The event was attended by the Managing Director of Citi FM and Channel One TV, Samuel Attah-Mensah, staff of the media organisations, and the Burkinabe Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. David Kabre.
During the service, the General Superintendent also announced that the 2026 National Week of Fasting will be observed from Monday, January 6, to Sunday, January 11, 2026.
As Ghana begins a new year, moments of transition invite more than celebration; they demand reflection. Beyond the usual rhythms of political debate, the start of a new year offers an opportunity to reconsider how we discuss the policies that shape our collective future.
Few issues demand such sober reflection as education, particularly the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy.
As Ghana enters another year of democratic contestation and national reflection, the debate around education—particularly the Free SHS policy—continues to generate intense political emotions.
Yet, if we are honest with ourselves, much of this debate has remained trapped in slogans, counter-slogans, and partisan defensiveness. What is required at this moment is not louder noise, but more profound clarity.
Education policy, more than most public interventions, carries a moral burden. It is not merely about the numbers enrolled, the infrastructure completed, or the budgets allocated.
It is about the kind of society a nation seeks to build, the opportunities it creates for its young people, and the values it transmits across generations.
For this reason, the Free SHS policy deserves to be discussed not only as a political programme, but as a nation-building project.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) made a bold moral claim when it implemented Free SHS: that the economic circumstances of their birth should limit no Ghanaian child’s future. This claim goes beyond electoral cycles.
It speaks to the long-standing Danquah–Busia–Dombo tradition that places human development, individual potential, and social mobility at the centre of national progress.
However, as with all ambitious reforms, access alone is not enough.
The real conversation Ghana must now confront—calmly and honestly—is the relationship between access, quality, and equity.
Expanding access was the urgent, necessary first step. But sustaining public confidence in the reform requires a more mature explanation of the challenges that inevitably accompany scale: infrastructure pressure, teacher deployment, learning conditions, discipline, and the relevance of educational outcomes.
Acknowledging these challenges is not an admission of failure. Instead, it is a sign of political seriousness.
Unfortunately, political communication around education has too often swung between two extremes. On one side, there is an uncritical celebration that leaves citizens feeling unheard.
On the other hand, there is relentless dismissal that ignores the social gains Free SHS has already delivered, particularly for students from rural and low-income households. Neither posture advances the national interest.
What is needed—especially from governing parties—is explanatory leadership.
Governing is not only about implementing policy; it is also about helping citizens understand trade-offs.
A policy that absorbs hundreds of thousands of additional students into the secondary education system will inevitably strain facilities that were never designed for such numbers.
The question, therefore, is not whether challenges exist, but whether there is a credible long-term strategy to address them—and whether that strategy is communicated honestly and with humility.
Education reform is cumulative. The benefits are rarely immediate, and the costs are often visible before the gains fully materialise. This is why serious political communication must resist the temptation to oversimplify complex realities. Citizens deserve more than talking points; they deserve context.
Beyond infrastructure and financing, there is also a deeper issue that deserves attention: the purpose of education itself. Education is not only about certification and employment, important as these are.
It is also about character formation, discipline, civic responsibility, and critical thinking in a democratic society. A system that expands access but neglects these foundational elements risks producing credentials without competence and schooling without social cohesion.
Here, again, the NPP’s ideological tradition offers valuable guidance. Education has always been understood within this tradition as a tool for self-reliance, national discipline, and responsible citizenship—not as a means of dependency. Communicating this philosophy clearly matters, especially at a time when public trust in institutions is fragile.
For the diaspora community, particularly those of us observing Ghana from abroad, the responsibility is even greater. Diaspora political communication must rise above emotional partisanship.
It must model restraint, evidence-based argument, and respect for dissenting views. When political debate becomes abusive or dismissive, it weakens the credibility of the very causes it seeks to defend.
The new year, therefore, presents not just another political season, but an opportunity to reset the tone of our national conversation on education.
If the Free SHS policy is to endure as a unifying national intervention rather than a perpetual partisan battleground, the tone of its defence must evolve.
This does not mean abandoning conviction; it means strengthening it with explanation. It means moving from reaction to reflection, from defence to direction.
Ultimately, the success of education reform will not be judged solely by enrolment figures, but by whether it produces young people who are skilled, disciplined, confident, and prepared to contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s development. That outcome requires patience, continuous reform, and above all, political honesty.
As the new year unfolds, Ghana’s education conversation must mature. Those entrusted with governance—and those who communicate on their behalf—must recognise that the moral burden of education policy cannot be carried with slogans alone. It demands clarity, humility, and a long view of the nation we are collectively building.
Author Bio
Michael Ampadu is a UK-based Ghanaian doctoral researcher in education policy, leadership, and equity. His work focuses on education reform, quality, and governance in Ghana, with particular attention to the social and moral dimensions of public policy. He is an active member of the Ghanaian diaspora and writes in his personal capacity.
President John Dramani Mahama says Ghana’s internationally acclaimed Reset Agenda is restoring public trust in the country’s democratic system while strengthening accountability and governance.
In his New Year’s message to the nation on January 1, 2026, President Mahama said the Reset Agenda represents a fundamental shift in how Ghana approaches governance, both at home and on the global stage.
According to the President, the initiative is already delivering tangible domestic results, including a leaner and more efficient public administration, improved accountability in government, and a renewed, aggressive fight against corruption.
He said these reforms have led to a resurgence of faith among citizens in Ghana’s democratic institutions, helping to rebuild public confidence after years of decline.
President Mahama also highlighted the international impact of the Reset Agenda, noting that Ghana’s image within the global community has significantly improved as a result of the reforms.
He disclosed that at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, he used the global platform to present Ghana’s vision for a fairer and more inclusive international system through what he described as the Accra Reset Initiative.
The initiative, he explained, is a comprehensive framework aimed at transforming global governance by addressing deep-rooted inequalities in the current system and creating greater opportunities for Africa and other countries in the Global South.
President Mahama said Ghana is committed to working with like-minded global leaders to push for reforms that respond to today’s interconnected global challenges.
“This is our moment. This is Ghana’s moment to lead,” the President declared, reaffirming his administration’s determination to position the country as a voice for reform, fairness and democratic renewal on the world stage.
Read also
NPP’s strength in unity, not factions – Kodua Frimpong to aspirants
As 2026 begins today, it is a moment to pause and look back at a year that stirred emotions in the entertainment industry.
In 2025, celebrities experienced different realities. While some enjoyed major wins and public applause, others were pulled into the spotlight by personal struggles that reminded fans how vulnerable life can be behind the fame.
Music, Nollywood, comedy and broadcast journalism all reflected the emotional weight of 2025.
Those who said, ‘Goodbye’
Big Bolaji
The entertainment industry was forced to confront grief repeatedly in 2025 as death claimed several familiar faces. The year opened with the loss of veteran Nollywood actor Asa Koko, who died on January 30 after battling illness for over two years. A prominent figure in the Yoruba film industry, he built a career that spanned more than a decade.
February proved especially heavy. Actress Patience Ugwu, popularly known as Sugar Girl, died at 35. Days later, actor and academic Columbus Irosanga passed on.
That same month, Nigeria lost a broadcasting pioneer. Anike Agbaje Williams, the first face on African television and first voice on Africa’s first commercial radio station, died at 88 in Ibadan.
March brought another painful moment with the death of actress Nkechi Nweje, while April saw the gospel music community mourn Bolaji Olanrewaju, popularly known as Big Bolaji.
In June, filmmaker and theatre producer Kayode Peters passed on. August followed with the death of veteran Yoruba actor Olusegun Akinremi, popularly known as Chief Kanran.
Movie producer Kayode Peters has died in Canada
September recorded the death of comedian Adetola Samad, known as Sanku, in a road accident. That same month, broadcast journalist Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu of Arise TV died at 29.
The year closed on a sombre note with the death of Nollywood actress and producer Allwell Ademola on December 27.
Women who drove Nollywood in 2025
Beyond grief, 2025 showed the growing influence of women filmmakers whose projects performed well in cinemas and on digital platforms.
Kemi Adetiba’s Netflix series To Kill a Monkey drew attention for its layered storytelling and production quality. Omoni Oboli connected with digital audiences through Love in Every Word, sparking conversations around modern relationships.
A tense scene from To Kill a Monkey, directed by Kemi Adetiba
Toyin Abraham strengthened her presence behind the camera with Iyalode and her directorial project Oversabi Aunty.
In September, Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, Bisola Aiyeola, Wumi Toriola and Bolaji Ogunmola collaborated on the action-comedy Gingerrr, which became one of the year’s most successful releases.
December saw Ini Edo release A Very Dirty Christmas. While the title drew criticism from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the actress clarified that the film was not intended to disrespect Christianity.
Funke Akindele maintained her box office dominance, with Behind The Scenes recording high earnings shortly after release.
Celebrity break-ups of 2025
Love stories also unravelled publicly in 2025, turning private heartbreak into national conversation.
Fans were stunned in January when music legend 2Baba, born Innocent Idibia, announced the end of his marriage to actress Annie Macaulay Idibia after nearly 12 years. Conflicting posts, a hacking claim and later confirmation via video kept the separation firmly in the spotlight.
Annie and 2Baba Idibia
Public intrigue deepened when 2Baba introduced Natasha Osawaru as his new partner. Viral confrontations, family reactions and fresh controversies ensured the saga remained one of the year’s most discussed celebrity separations.
Comedian Ijoba Lande and his estranged wife Dara also saw their marriage collapse publicly, following interviews, counter-accusations and the involvement of actor Baba Tee, who later admitted to a brief encounter with Dara.
Social media influencer Peller and his girlfriend Jarvis ended their relationship after a distressing livestream and police arrest, while street-pop singer Portable and his estranged wife Queen Dami resumed their online feud months after their earlier split.
Toward the end of the year, Nollywood actress Anita Joseph confirmed the end of her marriage to MC Fish.
Reconciliation & family healing
Amid the controversies, 2025 also delivered moments that softened public sentiment.
Singer Asake, born Ahmed Ololade, warmed hearts on Christmas Day after reuniting with his daughter Zeenat and her mother Adijat, months after public family tensions dominated headlines. Later comments from his father, Fatai Odunsi, suggested that peace had been restored within the family.
The festive season also saw Asake visit the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and return to Obafemi Awolowo University, where he performed for students and observed the institution’s traditional protocol of respect.
New beginnings and growing families
Beyond heartbreak and controversy, 2025 also recorded joyful additions to the families of celebrities. Gospel singer Mercy Chinwo and her husband, Pastor Blessed Uzochikwa, welcomed their second child, a baby girl, in August.
Actress Iyabo Ojo cradles her grandson as daughter Priscilla Ojo smiles from her hospital bed after welcoming a baby boy with Tanzanian singer Juma Jux. Photo: Instagram/Iyabo Ojo
Gospel artiste Moses Bliss and his wife Marie began the year on a joyful note, announcing the birth of their first child, a baby boy, in January.
Media personality Toke Makinwa also made headlines in August after announcing her pregnancy in a deeply personal post, describing motherhood as a new chapter.
Comedian Real Warri Pikin shared her joy with fans after revealing she was expecting her fourth child, while actress Chika Ike welcomed her first child, a baby girl, in March.
Real Warri Pikin and her husband, Ikechukwu Asuoha, pose joyfully with their children as they welcome the newest family member.Photo credit: @realwarripikin on Instagram
Gospel singer Prudent Gabriel and her husband welcomed a son in August, while comedian Lasisi Elenu and his wife celebrated the birth of their second child, a baby boy, in October.
Those who broke records and still drew controversy
In 2025, Burna Boy stood at the centre of both triumph and backlash.
The Grammy-winning singer, born Damini Ogulu, became Africa’s highest-grossing touring artiste after his I Told Them world tour earned $30.5m across Europe and North America.
Burna Boy
The success came alongside criticism during his No Sign Of Weakness US tour, following onstage confrontations and cancelled shows.
Despite the backlash, Burna Boy later addressed fans during a sold-out concert in Toronto, while also earning further Grammy recognition that pushed his career tally to 13 nominations.
President John Dramani Mahama says Ghana’s internationally acclaimed Reset Agenda is restoring public trust in the country’s democratic system while strengthening accountability and governance.
In his New Year’s message to the nation on January 1, 2026, President Mahama said the Reset Agenda represents a fundamental shift in how Ghana approaches governance, both at home and on the global stage.
According to the President, the initiative is already delivering tangible domestic results, including a leaner and more efficient public administration, improved accountability in government, and a renewed, aggressive fight against corruption.
He said these reforms have led to a resurgence of faith among citizens in Ghana’s democratic institutions, helping to rebuild public confidence after years of decline.
President Mahama also highlighted the international impact of the Reset Agenda, noting that Ghana’s image within the global community has significantly improved as a result of the reforms.
He disclosed that at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, he used the global platform to present Ghana’s vision for a fairer and more inclusive international system through what he described as the Accra Reset Initiative.
The initiative, he explained, is a comprehensive framework aimed at transforming global governance by addressing deep-rooted inequalities in the current system and creating greater opportunities for Africa and other countries in the Global South.
President Mahama said Ghana is committed to working with like-minded global leaders to push for reforms that respond to today’s interconnected global challenges.
“This is our moment. This is Ghana’s moment to lead,” the President declared, reaffirming his administration’s determination to position the country as a voice for reform, fairness and democratic renewal on the world stage.
Read also
NPP’s strength in unity, not factions – Kodua Frimpong to aspirants
It was late on New Year’s Eve when Chelsea’s patience ran out. They knew that Enzo Maresca was attempting to engineer an exit from the club and now they were ready to call his bluff. Midnight was approaching and the fireworks at Stamford Bridge were about to erupt.
A baffling story soon had a familiar, predictable ending. Maresca, who is not the first manager to run out of friends at Chelsea, had taken the provocations too far. There was surprise when he told staff that he did not want to conduct his post-match press conference after the disappointing 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday night. The official explanation was that Maresca was too unwell to talk in public, despite having just spent the evening coaching on the Stamford Bridge touchline, but the friction was palpable and it was never going to sit well with the Chelsea hierarchy when it took less than 24 hours for reports to emerge that the sickness line was a red herring and their head coach had actually decided not to meet the media because he needed time to consider his options. It was further confirmation that this was someone who wanted to be sacked. Maresca dared Chelsea to act and will have been the least surprised person in the world to find himself unemployed less than a day into 2026.
This is where it was heading from the moment Maresca started his rebellion against the Chelsea project after last month’s otherwise unremarkable win over Everton. The 45-year-old was asking for trouble when he made those cryptic comments about experiencing his “worst 48 hours” at the club. Chelsea hated the volatility. After the 2-2 draw with Newcastle on 20 December, one source said Maresca’s position would quickly become untenable if he kept acting up.
It is not as if Chelsea had peak José Mourinho or Thomas Tuchel in charge. Maresca is talented but imperfect. He is in his third year of management and his behaviour has betrayed his inexperience. There were wry smiles when Maresca talked about his love for the fans and thumped the badge on his chest after beating Cardiff City last month. Sources have claimed that Maresca tried to use interest from Juventus and Manchester City this season as leverage for a new deal. The brazenness infuriated Chelsea.
It has been a sharp decline since they were talked up as title contenders at the end of November. A subsequent run of one win in seven league games did not go down well given Maresca’s antics, while concerns over his tactical choices have grown because of Chelsea dropping 20 points from winning positions in all competitions this season. Other issues include fans struggling to warm to Maresca’s cautious, positional-based game. Chelsea have been exhilaratingly direct against tough opponents but they have often been ponderous against deep defences. They could not beat Ipswich last year and have dropped points at home to Brighton, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Sunderland this season.
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea stint started strong, winning the Conference League and Club World Cup in his first season. Photograph: Dénes Erdős/AP
For his part, Maresca felt a young squad was not good enough to challenge on four fronts. He did a fairly good job after replacing Mauricio Pochettino in the summer of 2024. He guided Chelsea back into the Champions League before ending his first season by winning the Conference League and Club World Cup. He leaves with Chelsea in fifth place in the league and still in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. Yet cracks appeared when the Italian responded to losing Levi Colwill to a knee injury before the start of the new season by demanding a new centre-back. This is not a club where the manager calls the shots. Chelsea are not going to change a structure with a focus on buying young players on long contracts. They trust the recruitment team, Paul Winstanley, Laurence Stewart, Dave Fallows, Joe Shields and Sam Jewell. Behdad Eghbali, the co-controlling owner, is a leading voice in club strategy.
Yet Maresca felt there was too much interference from above. It has emerged that his comments about not receiving support from “many people” before the Everton game related to tension over advice on load management from the medical department. Chelsea maintain that Maresca has never been told what tactics to use. The idea he had no say in recruitment is also laughed off. What Chelsea did want Maresca to do, though, was rotate. They were scarred by a heaving treatment room under Pochettino in the 2023-24 season. They modernised the medical team and tried to ensure that fragile players such as Reece James, Pedro Neto and Wesley Fofana have been able to cope with the rigours of a packed calendar.
For Maresca the problem is that some of his best players are those who struggle to play multiple games in a short space of time. Cole Palmer has fallen into that category because of a groin issue this season and Maresca faced external criticism after rotating during defeats to Leeds and Atalanta last month. Injuries to Roméo Lavia and Dário Essugo have led to an overreliance on Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández in midfield. João Pedro has had to play too much because of Liam Delap’s stop-start season.
Chelsea were unhappy with Enzo Maresca’s insistence of playing injury-prone players like Reece James during a packed schedule. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA
But rotation was the policy throughout Maresca’s 18 months in charge. Why only challenge it now? The theory is that Maresca, who was booed by supporters when he substituted a tiring Palmer against Bournemouth, could not handle the outside noise. Chelsea, though, were fine with him resting players if it kept them fresh. When they actually had a problem it was because James had played three full games in a week last month.
Yet Maresca dropped hints about not believing in his backup players. He questioned whether Andrey Santos was ready to start when Caicedo was suspended last month. He talked about Chelsea’s lack of experience after the draw with Newcastle. It was another red flag. It is true that Chelsea remain too inconsistent for a title challenge but they have a talented team and do not want their head coach to question it.
Chelsea did not like Maresca being touted as a potential replacement for Pep Guardiola should he leave City at the end of the season. It has since emerged that Maresca informed his bosses that he had spoken to people associated with City about replacing Guardiola on three occasions this season. The pieces have fallen into place.
Timing is everything: Chelsea visit City without Maresca on Sunday. They are likely to turn to Liam Rosenior, manager of Strasbourg, their partner club. When it comes to the PR war, Maresca’s supporters will argue that Pochettino, Tuchel and Graham Potter all struggled to work within Chelsea’s setup since the takeover by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, the private equity firm run by Eghbali and José E. Feliciano.
But Maresca toed the line until it was convenient to do otherwise. He had just led Leicester to the Championship title when Chelsea came calling. His stock is higher now and he is hoping to capitalise. Time will tell if Maresca, seen as a mini Guardiola, has played the game well enough. Wherever his career takes him next, though, Chelsea have no regret over seeing him go.
It was late on New Year’s Eve when Chelsea’s patience ran out. They knew that Enzo Maresca was attempting to engineer an exit from the club and now they were ready to call his bluff. Midnight was approaching and the fireworks at Stamford Bridge were about to erupt.
A baffling story soon had a familiar, predictable ending. Maresca, who is not the first manager to run out of friends at Chelsea, had taken the provocations too far. There was surprise when he told staff that he did not want to conduct his post-match press conference after the disappointing 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday night. The official explanation was that Maresca was too unwell to talk in public, despite having just spent the evening coaching on the Stamford Bridge touchline, but the friction was palpable and it was never going to sit well with the Chelsea hierarchy when it took less than 24 hours for reports to emerge that the sickness line was a red herring and their head coach had actually decided not to meet the media because he needed time to consider his options. It was further confirmation that this was someone who wanted to be sacked. Maresca dared Chelsea to act and will have been the least surprised person in the world to find himself unemployed less than a day into 2026.
This is where it was heading from the moment Maresca started his rebellion against the Chelsea project after last month’s otherwise unremarkable win over Everton. The 45-year-old was asking for trouble when he made those cryptic comments about experiencing his “worst 48 hours” at the club. Chelsea hated the volatility. After the 2-2 draw with Newcastle on 20 December, one source said Maresca’s position would quickly become untenable if he kept acting up.
It is not as if Chelsea had peak José Mourinho or Thomas Tuchel in charge. Maresca is talented but imperfect. He is in his third year of management and his behaviour has betrayed his inexperience. There were wry smiles when Maresca talked about his love for the fans and thumped the badge on his chest after beating Cardiff City last month. Sources have claimed that Maresca tried to use interest from Juventus and Manchester City this season as leverage for a new deal. The brazenness infuriated Chelsea.
It has been a sharp decline since they were talked up as title contenders at the end of November. A subsequent run of one win in seven league games did not go down well given Maresca’s antics, while concerns over his tactical choices have grown because of Chelsea dropping 20 points from winning positions in all competitions this season. Other issues include fans struggling to warm to Maresca’s cautious, positional-based game. Chelsea have been exhilaratingly direct against tough opponents but they have often been ponderous against deep defences. They could not beat Ipswich last year and have dropped points at home to Brighton, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Sunderland this season.
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea stint started strong, winning the Conference League and Club World Cup in his first season. Photograph: Dénes Erdős/AP
For his part, Maresca felt a young squad was not good enough to challenge on four fronts. He did a fairly good job after replacing Mauricio Pochettino in the summer of 2024. He guided Chelsea back into the Champions League before ending his first season by winning the Conference League and Club World Cup. He leaves with Chelsea in fifth place in the league and still in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. Yet cracks appeared when the Italian responded to losing Levi Colwill to a knee injury before the start of the new season by demanding a new centre-back. This is not a club where the manager calls the shots. Chelsea are not going to change a structure with a focus on buying young players on long contracts. They trust the recruitment team, Paul Winstanley, Laurence Stewart, Dave Fallows, Joe Shields and Sam Jewell. Behdad Eghbali, the co-controlling owner, is a leading voice in club strategy.
Yet Maresca felt there was too much interference from above. It has emerged that his comments about not receiving support from “many people” before the Everton game related to tension over advice on load management from the medical department. Chelsea maintain that Maresca has never been told what tactics to use. The idea he had no say in recruitment is also laughed off. What Chelsea did want Maresca to do, though, was rotate. They were scarred by a heaving treatment room under Pochettino in the 2023-24 season. They modernised the medical team and tried to ensure that fragile players such as Reece James, Pedro Neto and Wesley Fofana have been able to cope with the rigours of a packed calendar.
For Maresca the problem is that some of his best players are those who struggle to play multiple games in a short space of time. Cole Palmer has fallen into that category because of a groin issue this season and Maresca faced external criticism after rotating during defeats to Leeds and Atalanta last month. Injuries to Roméo Lavia and Dário Essugo have led to an overreliance on Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández in midfield. João Pedro has had to play too much because of Liam Delap’s stop-start season.
Chelsea were unhappy with Enzo Maresca’s insistence of playing injury-prone players like Reece James during a packed schedule. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA
But rotation was the policy throughout Maresca’s 18 months in charge. Why only challenge it now? The theory is that Maresca, who was booed by supporters when he substituted a tiring Palmer against Bournemouth, could not handle the outside noise. Chelsea, though, were fine with him resting players if it kept them fresh. When they actually had a problem it was because James had played three full games in a week last month.
Yet Maresca dropped hints about not believing in his backup players. He questioned whether Andrey Santos was ready to start when Caicedo was suspended last month. He talked about Chelsea’s lack of experience after the draw with Newcastle. It was another red flag. It is true that Chelsea remain too inconsistent for a title challenge but they have a talented team and do not want their head coach to question it.
Chelsea did not like Maresca being touted as a potential replacement for Pep Guardiola should he leave City at the end of the season. It has since emerged that Maresca informed his bosses that he had spoken to people associated with City about replacing Guardiola on three occasions this season. The pieces have fallen into place.
Timing is everything: Chelsea visit City without Maresca on Sunday. They are likely to turn to Liam Rosenior, manager of Strasbourg, their partner club. When it comes to the PR war, Maresca’s supporters will argue that Pochettino, Tuchel and Graham Potter all struggled to work within Chelsea’s setup since the takeover by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, the private equity firm run by Eghbali and José E. Feliciano.
But Maresca toed the line until it was convenient to do otherwise. He had just led Leicester to the Championship title when Chelsea came calling. His stock is higher now and he is hoping to capitalise. Time will tell if Maresca, seen as a mini Guardiola, has played the game well enough. Wherever his career takes him next, though, Chelsea have no regret over seeing him go.
President John Dramani Mahama has assured Ghanaians that the country is steadily recovering from the economic and social difficulties it faced a year ago, declaring that Ghana is “rising again” after 12 months of reforms and prudent management.
In his New Year’s message to the nation on January 1, 2026, President Mahama stated that his administration inherited a country in distress, characterized by a struggling economy, high unemployment, crumbling infrastructure, eroded public trust, and fading hope among citizens.
Despite predictions that recovery would take a generation, he said his government believed in the resilience of the Ghanaian people and set out to reverse the decline.
According to the President, significant progress has been made within the past year, including a sharp reduction in inflation from levels above 23 percent at the end of 2024 to a projected single-digit rate of about 5 percent by the end of 2025.
He noted that the country has achieved relative currency stability and is on course to be ranked among the world’s best-performing currencies in 2025.
President Mahama also said economic growth is picking up, creating new opportunities for young people and restoring confidence in the business environment.
The President highlighted increased domestic and foreign direct investment as evidence of renewed trust in the economy, adding that Ghana has regained credibility with international partners.
He said the government has successfully renegotiated the country’s debt obligations in a manner that safeguards national sovereignty while ensuring long-term sustainability.
President Mahama further indicated that Ghana has begun the process of exiting the International Monetary Fund programme, stressing that the country is doing so with dignity and as an equal partner, not as a dependent.
He called on Ghanaians to remain hopeful and united as the country continues on its path of recovery and growth in the new year.
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A spiritual protégé of Prophet Owusu Bempah and renowned seer, Prophet Eric Boahen, popularly referred to in prophetic circles as Uche, has declared that Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, former Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, will emerge victorious in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential flagbearership race slated for January 31, 2026.
The prophecy was delivered during Prophet Eric Boahen’s all-night service, which ushered members of his congregation into the new year, 2026.
According to him, it is puzzling that some prophets continue to mention other contestants as potential winners, questioning the source of such revelations.
He maintained that the outcome of the contest has already been divinely settled, stressing that Dr Bawumia is already “on the seat” and that no prophecy or human intervention can change what God has ordained.
“If the NPP were to hold the elections today, Dr Bawumia would win. He has already won, and nobody can change that. Bawumia is already on the seat, and it will be very difficult to change that. It is sealed,” he declared.
Prophet Eric Boahen further questioned whether, with just 31 days left to the elections, Kennedy Agyapong could do anything to alter the status quo.
He disclosed that he had earlier advised Kennedy Agyapong to seek spiritual direction, but said the advice was not heeded, raising doubts about whether any meaningful change could occur now that the contest is so close.
Prophet Eric Boahen, who is widely known as a spiritual protégé of Prophet Owusu Bempah, noted that his mentor has never doubted his prophetic accuracy and foresight.
He added that many of his past prophecies have proven precise and timely, a track record he believes explains why they continue to come to pass.
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Meanwhile, watch as Rev Owusu-Bempah drops major prophecies for 2026
The legally installed Chief of Omanjor-Dwenewoho in the Ga North Municipality, Nii Ayitey Tackie I, has extended heartfelt New Year 2026 greetings to residents of the community, while expressing deep concern over what he describes as the slow pace of police action in arresting and prosecuting perpetrators involved in the deadly violence that occurred during the 2025 Homowo Festival.
In a New Year message issued on Thursday, the Ga traditional office holder wished residents good health, prosperity, and hope, while reflecting on collective efforts made toward community development over the past year.
“As we usher in the New Year, I extend my warmest greetings and best wishes to the cherished people in our community. Through collective efforts, cooperation, and commitment, we made meaningful progress in advancing development, improving service delivery, and strengthening our community,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to elders, religious leaders, security agencies, development partners, the youth, women, and all stakeholders whose support contributed to these achievements.
Nii Ayitey Tackie I urged residents to remain calm during the festive period, stay safe, and focus on their individual pursuits.
“Please stay safe and think before you drink. God bless each and every one of you, and I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,” he added.
Concerns Over Delay in Arrests
While extending his New Year greetings, the chief reiterated his concern about the delay in arresting all individuals involved in the deadly violence that occurred during the Homowo Festival celebrations at Omanjor on Saturday, August 30, 2025.
He commended the Municipal Chief Executive of the Ga North Municipal Assembly, Mr. Akwetey Agbo, and the Ghana Police Service, including the Greater Accra Regional Police Command, for restoring calm after the violent clash.
The incident resulted in the deaths of two of his followers—Theophilus Amu and Nii Dodoo Donkor —who were reportedly ambushed at Olebu while returning home.
According to the chief, Theophilus Amu and Nii Dodoo Donkor were shot dead, while three others sustained critical injuries and were rushed to the Ridge Hospital.
Despite the tragic loss, Nii Ayitey Tackie I acknowledged the swift police deployment that prevented further escalation and ensured relative peace in the area.
“Although I lost some of my followers, I am relieved that heavy police presence has since been maintained in Omanjor-Dwenewoho,” he said.
Call for Justice and Calm
The chief appealed to residents and grieving families to remain calm, assuring them that his office remains committed to ensuring justice.
“In 2026, we are still working tirelessly to restore calm and peace to the Omanjor community. We are hopeful that all the perpetrators—including Asaa Brother, Kojo Oblahia Mantse, Ayitey UN, Nii Okai Amass, Asaa Bongo, Asaa Larry, Johnny, Guntu, and Amuzu Reverend—will be brought to book. The law must deal with these violent individuals to deter others from engaging in unlawful acts,” he stated.
He cautioned families against taking the law into their own hands, stressing that the matter remains under active police investigation.
“I will not relent in my efforts to ensure justice is served. I urge the families to stay focused and allow the police to carry out their professional duties,” he said.
Nii Ayitey Tackie I also reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the bereaved families and mourning with them, pledging continued humanitarian assistance.
Allegations Against Police
The chief accused the police of failing to act decisively despite being provided with detailed information and video evidence allegedly capturing some of the armed men involved in the violence.
He claimed that some of the suspects, including a key figure known as Asaa Brother, continue to move freely in Accra, while individuals aligned with his faction—whom he insists had no involvement—are being arrested instead.
“This loud silence is creating room for unnecessary speculation, and I do not want to believe it is influenced by persons in the corridors of power,” he warned.
Unauthorized Land Activities
Nii Ayitey Tackie I further complained that some members of the violent groups are still carrying out activities on unauthorized lands at Omanjor, despite repeated warnings.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police to intervene swiftly and bring such groups under control.
Background
The violent clash occurred during the kpokpoi sprinkling ceremony, a key component of the Homowo Festival, when rival factions reportedly clashed over a disputed ceremonial route.
The incident was linked to a long-standing land boundary dispute and tensions over traditional pathways between the Omanjor and Sowutuom communities, resulting in multiple casualties and deaths.
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