Democracy is not, at its core, a system of ballots, constitutions, or institutions. It is a conversation. It lives or dies by the quality of dialogue among citizens—by their willingness to listen, to reason, to disagree without dehumanizing one another. Long before democracy became a system of government, it was a moral practice: the habit of speaking and being heard among equals.

In earlier societies, this conversation took place face-to-face. One spoke carefully because words had weight, and because one would meet the other again in the market, the square, or the home. Today, that restraint has dissolved. Technology has stretched our voices across vast distances while severing them from accountability. The result is a public sphere where speech travels farther than responsibility, and where anger travels fastest of all. This is the environment in which what may be called the rage machine thrives.

The rage machine is not a conspiracy, nor is it a single institution. It is a system formed by the convergence of human psychology and digital design. Social media platforms, driven by algorithms that reward engagement above all else, amplify content that provokes strong emotional reactions. Anger, fear, and outrage outperform reflection and nuance. They travel faster, spread wider, and keep users locked in place.

What emerges is a distortion of public discourse. The most provocative voices rise to the top. The most thoughtful sink quietly below. Over time, outrage becomes currency. Insult becomes influence. And reason, though still present, struggles to be heard.

In Ghana, this global phenomenon takes on a particular intensity. Our society is deeply relational, emotionally expressive, and politically charged. Social media enters this environment not as a neutral tool but as an accelerant. Ethnic sensitivities, political grievances, religious identities, and economic frustrations become raw material for digital conflict. The line between criticism and contempt erodes. What begins as a debate becomes a spectacle.

Those who master this new grammar of outrage often gain large followings. They speak with certainty in a world of confusion. They offer enemies instead of explanations. For many, especially those who feel marginalized or unheard, this provides both a sense of belonging and power. The rage is not merely emotional—it is social capital.

However, this dynamic carries a grave cost. When public discourse is driven by anger, the possibility of collective reasoning collapses. Dialogue gives way to performance. Persuasion gives way to provocation. Truth becomes secondary to attention. The very habits that sustain democratic life—patience, good faith, mutual recognition—are slowly eroded.

This is not simply a problem of manners; it is a threat to democratic stability. A society cannot deliberate on its future if its citizens cannot speak without contempt. It cannot govern itself if disagreement is treated as betrayal. When outrage becomes the default language, the space for compromise, reform, and shared purpose shrinks.

Technology did not create this moral weakness, but it magnifies it. Algorithms reward intensity, not integrity. They do not ask whether a statement builds understanding, only whether it keeps eyes on screens. In such a system, outrage is not a side effect—it is the product.

However, this does not absolve individuals of responsibility. The machinery of amplification works only because people participate in it. Each click, share, and retweet feeds the cycle. To recognize this is not to excuse the system but to reclaim agency within it.

A healthy democracy requires more than free speech; it requires disciplined speech. It demands citizens who can disagree without dehumanizing, argue without destroying, and criticize without contempt. This is not a call for silence, but for seriousness, not for politeness, but for moral restraint.

The future of democratic life depends not merely on laws or platforms, but on the character of its citizens. If we allow rage to become our everyday language, we will inherit a public square that is loud, fractured, and incapable of self-government. But if we recover the habits of thoughtful disagreement—listening, patience, humility—we may yet restore the possibility of genuine dialogue.

Democracy, after all, is not sustained by noise. It is sustained by conversation. And conversation, unlike outrage, requires the courage to listen as well as the courage to speak.

By Simon Asare
 
Accra, Jan. 2, GNA – Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has called on stakeholders to embrace unity and professionalism as the country’s football governing body targets major strides in 2026. 
 
“This new year presents us with fresh opportunities and a collective responsibility to build on the progress we have made at all levels,” Mr Okraku said in a new year statement. 
 
He pledged to strengthen domestic competitions, nurture young talent and ensure national teams “continue to compete with distinction on the continental and global stage”. 
 
Okraku said the GFA would remain “resolute in enforcing robust judicial process, integrity standards and regulatory frameworks to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability across all competitions and governing structures.” 
 
Reflecting on 2025, he highlighted key achievements, including the Black Stars’ qualification for the 2026 World Cup, the Black Queens’ third-place finish at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and the Black Starlets’ qualification for the Africa U-17 Championship, among others. 
 
“Despite the challenges faced in 2025, lessons learnt have informed improvements that will be experienced in our journey ahead.Together we must uphold the integrity of the game we all love,” he said. 
 
Mr Okraku expressed gratitude to fans, officials and partners for their contributions to the sport’s growth and wished “greater success, unity and joy” for Ghanaian football in the year ahead. 
 
GNA  

Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade 

Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has called on supporters of former Anambra State governor Peter Obi to join the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. Okonkwo described Obidients who have yet to register with the ADC as disObidients.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Friday, Okonkwo said he was pleased that Obi had changed his earlier strategy of allowing supporters to join any political party. “When I was in the Labour Party, I said it was a tactical mistake, telling your followers they can join all political parties, and I’m very glad that my brother, Peter Obi, has changed the tactic,” he stated.

According to Okonkwo, Obi directed his supporters during an interview on X Space to register as members of the ADC. “If you listen to his interview on X Space, he said all the Obidients should go and register as members of the ADC. So if you are an Obidient and you’re not in the ADC, sorry, you’re not an Obidient, you are a disObidient,” he added.

The lawyer praised the ADC as a credible opposition platform, describing it as the vehicle of good people with strong backing in the South East. He emphasized that anyone joining the party must be a true democrat, noting that internal democracy and adherence to democratic principles remain non negotiable values.

Okonkwo claimed that the South East has now embraced the ADC, adding that any politician in another party is working for President Bola Tinubu. He stressed that no leader was permitted to impose conditions before joining the party, highlighting discipline and a solid foundation as key requirements.

Welcoming Obi’s recent defection to the ADC, Okonkwo pledged to support whoever emerges as the party’s presidential candidate in 2027. The ADC chieftain, who serves on the party’s National Working Committee, noted that officials have not yet decided on zoning the presidential ticket. “He is an ADC member. We work with every ADC member. Rest assured, whoever emerges as the presidential candidate of the ADC, I will work for the person. I don’t have any personal rift with any person,” he stated.

Peter Obi officially left the Labour Party (LP) for the ADC on December 31, 2025, during an event at Nike Lake Resort in Enugu. The former governor said his decision was aimed at transforming and rescuing Nigeria, declaring that 2026 would mark the beginning of a rescue journey for the country.

Featured

GraphicOnline

Dec – 31 – 2025 , 15:47

1 minute read

The Director of Operations and Investment, Alhaji Rashid Adam,Apsonic Motors symbolic presenting the items to the elders of Gbewaa Palace

The Northern Regional Branch of the Apsonic Motors has presented 50 bags of cement, Motoking, 100 branded Apsonic T-shirts,100 raincoat and 100 of branded Apsonic 2026 calendars to support the construction of new Gbewaa Palace.

The presentation on Thursday, January 1, 2026, formed part of the Apsonic broader contribution towards infrastructural growth and community development in Dagbon and their operational areas across the country.

At a short ceremony here in Yendi for the presentation,the Director of Operations and Investment of the Apsonic Motors, Alhaji Rashid Adam, said the donation was part of their commitment to the development of Dagbon and northern region at large.

He stated that the idea to support the project was to strengthen the bond between the palace and the Apsonic Motors

Alhaj Rashid added that, this was also to promote the cultural identity and foster unity among communities they operate as company

He said the Gbewaa Palace was a symbol of hope for every individual living in Dagbon soil hence the presentation

The Director also added that the construction of the new Gbewaa after its completion would go a long way to promote more cultural heritage in the Dagbon Kingdom.

He said the structures of the company was also to ensure peace be in the area for them run their business without any hitches across their operational jurisdictions.

Alhaji Rashid also assured Ya-Na that, the company was there to provide quality motor bikes to the good people of Dagbon.

He also stated that they would continue to support the palace anytime as part of their social corporate responsibility

The Overlord of Dagbon, Ndan Ya-Na Mahama Abukari applauded the Apsonic motors for the gesture

He acknowledged them for their continued partnership and commitment to dagbon progress.

Ndan Ya-Na added their significant of collaboration between corporate entities and traditional authorities was a driving sustainable development for the local population across the Dagbon

He, however appealed to them to continue with the good work as they were doing well in the motorbikes industry in the country.

FROM YAHAYA NUHU NADAA, YENDI

The buying rate stood at GH¢10.4448 and the selling rate at GH¢10.4552

The Ghana cedi maintained its firm position against the United States dollar on Friday, January 2, 2025, with the central interbank rate holding around GH¢10.45 to $1, according to the latest Daily Exchange Rates published by the Bank of Ghana.

On the Bank of Ghana’s market, the buying rate stood at GH¢10.4448 and the selling rate at GH¢10.4552, signalling continued stability in the early days of 2026.

On the forex bureau market, the cedi traded stronger, with a buying rate of GH¢11.85 and a selling rate of GH¢12.35 to the dollar.

The performance comes on the heels of a strong year-end showing in 2025, when the cedi closed at roughly GH¢10.45 to the dollar on the interbank market.

That year-end close marked a notable rebound from rates above GH¢11.00 earlier in the fourth quarter, driven by improved economic sentiment and foreign exchange liquidity.

Cedi ends 2025 selling at GH¢10.45 to the dollar on the interbank market

Analysts say the steady start to 2026 could help ease import costs for essential goods and services, support consumer purchasing power and provide some relief on imported fuel pricing factors that are closely watched by Ghanaian businesses and households.

For other major currencies, the pound sterling and euro also showed moderate spreads, with the interbank buying and selling rates indicating relatively stable currency conditions at the start of the year.

Overall, the cedi’s ability to hold its value reflects a continuation of one of the currency’s best annual gains in recent history, building on the momentum established in the latter part of 2025 when the local currency posted one of its most compelling performances against the dollar in years.

Bank of Ghana interbank market rates:

Dollar – Buying at GH¢10.44, Selling at GH¢10.46

Pound – Buying at GH¢14.05, Selling at GH¢14.07

Euro – Buying at GH¢12.27, Selling at GH¢12.28

Forex bureau rates:

Dollar – Buying at GH¢11.85, Selling at GH¢12.35

Pound – Buying at GH¢15.70, Selling at GH¢16.70

Euro – Buying at GH¢13.70, Selling at GH¢14.70

See the image below:

ID/AE

Reforms restore confidence

Aduana FC will be eager to arrest a slight dip in form when they welcome Vision FC to the Nana Agyemang Badu Stadium in Dormaa Ahenkro on Sunday for matchday 17 of the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League.

The Ogya Boys’ title ambitions have taken a minor setback in recent weeks, having managed just one victory in their last five league outings.

A run that has also produced three draws and a defeat has slowed their momentum, but Aduana remain firmly in the title conversation.

Sitting fourth on the league table and only two points adrift of the summit, a return to winning ways could quickly propel them back into the thick of the title race.

Playing at home will be a major boost for Aduana, who traditionally make the Nana Agyemang Badu Stadium a difficult hunting ground for visiting sides.

Vision, however, travel to Dormaa Ahenkro with renewed confidence after ending a seven-match winless run last weekend.

Their narrow 1-0 home victory over Nations FC was timely, snapping a sequence that included four draws and three defeats. That result lifted some pressure, but Vision’s situation remains precarious.

They just one point above the relegation zone, and another slip could see them dragged back into danger.

The ‘Eewo Keke’ boys will be desperate to build on last week’s success and pick up a positive result away from home, even against formidable opposition.

Scanty Explores has reached a major milestone, emerging as one of the biggest winners at the Pulse Influencer Awards 2025, taking home two prestigious awards after an impressive four nominations.

• The YouTube-based travel and exploration brand won:
• YouTube Channel of the Year
• Travel Creator of the Year

This remarkable achievement highlights the growing impact of Scanty Explores in telling authentic African stories, spotlighting hidden destinations, and documenting real-life experiences across Ghana and beyond.

From Nominations to Victory

Scanty Explores entered the awards night with four nominations, a clear recognition of the consistency, creativity, and influence the brand has built over time. Securing two major wins not only validates the hard work behind the scenes but also cements Scanty Explores as a leading force in Ghana’s digital travel and documentary space.

The Team Behind Scanty Explores

At the heart of Scanty Explores is a dedicated team whose shared vision has driven the platform’s success:

• Redeemer Apoh, popularly known as Eii Scanty – Creator
• Moro-Abdul Latif – Core team member and contributor
• Albert Essel – Core team member and contributor

Together, the team has built a channel known for authenticity, storytelling, and meaningful engagement with communities often overlooked.

A Win for Storytelling and Exploration

These awards are more than trophies—they represent the power of grassroots storytelling and the importance of showcasing culture, people, and places through a genuine lens. Scanty Explores’ wins reflect a growing appreciation for content that educates, inspires, and connects audiences to real experiences.

Looking Ahead

With this recognition, Scanty Explores is poised for even greater impact. As the journey continues, the team remains committed to exploring untold stories, traveling deeper into communities, and raising the standard for African travel and documentary content on YouTube.

Congratulations to Scanty Explores on this well-deserved achievement.

The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has announced plans to criminalise child fishing activities at the expense of schooling within the Ga State.

Speaking at the 2026 Kinka Blonya, an annual New Year children’s celebration on Thursday, January 1, 2026, the Ga Mantse said parents who allow or engage their children in fishing, once the by-law is passed, will be arrested and prosecuted.

Accra, Jan. 2, GNA – Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, and his wife, Dr Mrs Adelaide Siaw Agyepong, have donated food items and cash to residents within their locality.  

The gesture formed part of the couple’s annual festive outreach programme.  

A release copied to the Ghana News Agency and signed by Mr Ernest Morgan Acquah, Public Relations Manager of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, said about 5,000 people benefited from the exercise.  

He said the packages included cooking oil, rice, mackerel, soft drinks, and cash to cover transportation costs.  

“The initial phase covered about 4,500 individuals, but we later expanded the exercise, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to over 5,000,” Mr Acquah said, adding that beneficiaries were drawn from Kasoa, Madina and surrounding communities.  

According to him, the initiative was a way of expressing gratitude to the people and wishing them a Happy New Year.  

“This act of giving is rooted in biblical principles—when you have, you should extend a helping hand,” he stated.  

Mr. Acquah described the outreach as part of Dr Siaw Agyepong’s commitment to community support and shared prosperity, noting that about 4,000 people benefited from a similar exercise last year.  

Residents from far and near gathered at the couple’s residence in Accra on Wednesday, January 1, 2026, to receive the items.  

Dr Siaw Agyepong, a devout Christian and an elder of the Church of Pentecost, believes that acts of kindness help draw people closer to Christ.   

He is also a successful entrepreneur with interests in waste management, information and communication technology, and banking.  

GNA  

Edited by Kenneth Sackey  

A Communication Team member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Abdulai Sakra Alhassan, has commended the government for what he describes as strong fiscal discipline, arguing that prudent economic management has played a key role in stabilising the economy over the past year.

Speaking on JoyNews‘ AM Show on January 2, 2025, Mr. Alhassan said the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline has resulted in a significant reduction in inflation, which he says has now dropped to single-digit levels.

He explained that throughout last year, the government exercised restraint in public spending, avoiding what he described as unnecessary payments and expenditures that had previously placed pressure on the economy.

Mr. Alhassan attributed much of the progress to effective leadership, particularly praising the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, for his role in managing the country’s finances.

He noted that strong leadership remains central to economic recovery, adding that President John Mahama’s pledge to free Ghana from economic hardship is gradually being fulfilled through deliberate and disciplined policy decisions.

Highlighting reforms within the revenue mobilisation system, Mr. Alhassan pointed to changes introduced at the country’s ports as a clear example of the government’s commitment to accountability.

He revealed that investigations uncovered that more than US$80 million had previously been transferred out of the country without proper documentation.

According to him, the new measures now require importers and businesses to present valid invoices and appropriate documentation before any transfers or import-related transactions are approved.

He explained that although the relevant laws had long existed, they were often overlooked or poorly enforced, allowing significant sums of money to leave the country without adequate checks.

Mr. Alhassan argued that stricter enforcement under the current administration has helped to plug revenue leakages and restore confidence in the system.

He stressed that achieving such reforms requires discipline and integrity, noting that the gains being recorded did not happen by chance but were the result of deliberate leadership decisions and adherence to the rule of law.

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.

FTSE 100 index climbs above 10,000 points for the first time

The FTSE 100 index has climbed above 10,000 points for the first time, passing a significant stock market milestone, on the first trading day of the year.

Shares included in the index performed strongly in 2025, leaving the benchmark more than 21% higher than a year ago, when it stood at just over 8,260.

Rising share prices are good news for investors, including anyone with a pension or other savings that are invested in the stock market.

But the London index is dominated by large international companies, so is not a direct reflection of the UK economy’s performance.

The FTSE 100 tracks the performance of the the 100 largest companies on the London Stock Exchange. That includes mining firms Antofagasta, Rio Tinto and Peers Endeavour which have been boosted by surging metals prices.

Defence firms also performed strongly, with Bae Systems, Babcock and Rolls-Royce all saw their value increase, as did large banks, including Lloyds, Barclays, Standard Chartered and HSBC.

Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell, said crossing the 10,000-point was a “historic moment” and a New Year’s gift for the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, who has been calling for more people to invest in the share market.

“She has been banging the drum about the merits of investing over parking cash in the bank.

“The FTSE 100’s achievements just go to show what’s possible when buying UK shares,” he said.

The FTSE 100’s had outperformed US’s S&P index in 2025, he added.

While some London-quoted companies were sometimes considered “old and boring” its mix of industries, including mining and banking, appealed to investors seeking stability during uncertain times, he said.

“Investors often seek solace in companies whose goods and services should be in demand no matter what’s happening in the world.

“For example, we all need to pay insurance or water bills, or those in the habit are still likely to buy cigarettes or vapes, and the FTSE 100 has plenty of companies playing on these themes on offer.”

The Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong, and his wife, Dr Mrs Adelaide Siaw Agyepong, ushered in the New Year by distributing food items and cash to more than 5,000 Ghanaians at their Accra residence on Wednesday, January 1, 2026.

The annual gesture, which has become a fixture of the festive season, drew beneficiaries from communities across the Greater Accra Region and beyond, as people gathered from early hours to receive essential food supplies and drinks to support their households at the start of the year.

In a notable addition to the exercise, the couple also provided cash to assist recipients with transportation costs, a move aimed at easing the financial burden associated with travelling to and from the venue.

Speaking to the media after the exercise, the Public Relations Manager of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Ernest Morgan Acquah, said the initiative reflected a long-standing commitment by the Jospong Group Chairman to give back to society.

“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 said. “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.”

Mr Acquah confirmed that the outreach had expanded significantly this year, reaching more people than initially planned.

“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 stated.

He explained that each beneficiary received a package containing tin tomatoes, one litre of cooking oil, five kilogrammes of rice, mackerel, a soft drink and some cash to cover transportation.

According to Mr Acquah, the motivation behind the annual donation was rooted in gratitude and a desire to share with those in need at the beginning of the year.

“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,” he said.

He further noted that the programme had been running consistently for between eight and ten years, with the number of beneficiaries growing steadily over time.

The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has issued a public weather advisory for the 2025/2026 Harmattan season, warning of an unusually delayed and generally weak dry period, with occasional severe dust episodes expected in the north and lingering rainfall in the south.

In its advisory dated 30 December 2025, the Agency noted that the Harmattan season has been characterised by an unusual delay, with many parts of southern Ghana still experiencing rainfall as of late December, a phenomenon described as “statistically rare for this time of year.” Even northern regions, which typically face peak dryness by now, have recorded occasional rainfall.

Related Articles

Ghanaians urged to take precautions as harmattan season approaches

EPA cautions public against harmattan condition

How to stay healthy during this harmattan

How to protect yourself during harmattan – GMA

GMet attributed the delay to significant fluctuations in the position of the Inter-Tropical Boundary (ITB), which has remained further north than usual, coupled with warm Sea Surface Temperatures in the Gulf of Guinea. “This has allowed moisture to persist over the country, causing these rains,” the advisory stated.

Looking ahead to the first quarter of 2026, the Agency forecasts a transition into a “generally weak Harmattan season,” though the public is urged to remain alert for “occasional episodes of severe conditions.” Northern Ghana is expected to become significantly dry and dusty, with visibility levels “relatively lower than those in the south.” Meanwhile, forest regions and parts of the coast may continue to experience localised rainfall due to ongoing ITB fluctuations and warm ocean temperatures.

The advisory highlighted regional impacts, noting that while northern sectors may face “occasionally intense dust plumes,” coastal and middle belts are likely to experience a mild or weak dry season. Higher humidity levels and fewer hazy days than usual are anticipated in the south, though occasional dust incursions may still occur.

GMet has advised the public to increase daily water intake, wear protective nose masks during dense dust haze, and exercise extreme caution on roads, especially during early mornings and late nights. Motorists are encouraged to use fog lights or headlamps when visibility is reduced.

The Agency also warned against open-air burning and recommended wearing light clothing during the day while keeping warmer garments handy for cooler nights, particularly in the north.

The Ghana Meteorological Agency confirmed it will “continue to monitor these atmospheric changes closely and issue updates when significant changes are expected.”

The advisory was issued by the GMet Public Relations Unit on 31 December 2025.

Security forces in the Sissala East District of the Upper West Region have arrested and detained 17 heavily armed Burkinabè soldiers in Ghanaian territory.

The soldiers, aged between 20 and 30, were found in possession of dozens of military items, including firearms and explosive devices. They were reportedly arrested near the border community of Wuru, about a one-hour drive east of Tumu.

According to officials of the Ghana Immigration Service, the armed men were in the process of setting up a combat position using sandbags when residents spotted them and raised the alarm.

“We received a distress call from community members about armed elements establishing a combat position.

“We responded swiftly, successfully ambushed them, and transported them together with their weapons to our office,” an official said.

During interrogation, the men claimed they were soldiers of the Burkinabè army on routine patrol who had lost their way.

Despite this explanation, they were detained for several hours until about 9:00 p.m., when a directive was received from national authorities ordering their release.

Their weapons were released the following day after a delegation led by staff of the Ghanaian Embassy in Burkina Faso visited.

The Wuru community lies within the Nazinga Forest range. Between 2022 and 2023, residents reported frequent sightings and movements of armed men suspected to be terrorists within farmlands inside the forest.

Residents complained that these activities negatively affected farming, hunting, and other economic activities in the area.

Intelligence reports indicating the return of these suspected terrorists began circulating in December 2025.

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.

This blog is managed by the content creator and not GhanaWeb, its affiliates, or employees. Advertising on this blog requires a minimum of GH₵50 a week. Contact the blog owner with any queries.

Attractive News Blog of Friday, 2 January 2026

Source: Andre Mustapha NII okai Inusah