In a historic reversal of a 30-year trend, the Ghana cedi has concluded the 2025 fiscal year with a performance that has stunned global economists and local traders alike.

Breaking a cycle of annual decline that had persisted since the early 1990s, the local currency capitalised on a surge in bullion prices and a retreating U.S. dollar to reclaim its seat as a heavyweight in the foreign exchange market.

According to year-end market data, the cedi posted a remarkable 41% appreciation against the greenback over the past twelve months, according to Bloomberg.

This surge represents the currency’s first annual gain since at least 1994—the year Bloomberg first began compiling comprehensive exchange data for the country—marking a definitive end to three decades of consistent depreciation.

Defying Thirty Years of Gravity

Since the mid-90s, the cedi has been synonymous with vulnerability, often ranking among Africa’s most volatile currencies.

However, 2025 became the year the pacesetter spirit of the nation translated into fiscal resilience.

The cedi’s rally was not merely a local victory but a global phenomenon.

In a year defined by volatile emerging market trends, the cedi emerged as the best performer among 144 currencies tracked by Bloomberg, surpassed only by the Russian ruble.

The ‘Golden’ Catalysts of 2025

Analysts attribute this unprecedented gain to a perfect storm of favourable conditions:

• The Gold Boom: As Africa’s largest producer of the precious metal, Ghana benefited immensely from historic highs in global gold prices, which touched record peaks throughout the year.
• Dollar Vulnerability: The Bloomberg Dollar Index is currently headed for its worst decline since 2017, as shifts in global trade and U.S. monetary policy cooled the greenback’s long-standing dominance.
• Domestic Resilience: Strategic interventions by the Bank of Ghana, including the “Gold for Oil” and “Gold for Reserves” programmes, helped stabilise foreign exchange supply at critical intervals.

Impact on the “Ground”: A Mixed Paradox

While the macroeconomic data paints a picture of triumph, the impact on everyday Ghanaians remains a topic of intense debate.

The 41% climb has begun to stabilise the prices of imported essentials like fuel and electronics, but many households are still navigating the price stickiness of retail goods.

Sustainability: A New Chapter or a “Nine-Day Wonder”?

The Finance Ministry has been quick to assure stakeholders that this appreciation is “not a nine-day wonder” but the result of deliberate policy.

With the next major debt restructuring payments due in mid-2026, the current strength of the cedi provides a crucial buffer for the nation’s treasury.

As the first sun of 2026 rises, the narrative of the cedi has officially changed. For the first time in an entire generation, the local currency hasn’t just survived the year; it has conquered it.

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.

André Ayew finds a club again. Free since June and the end of his contract at Le Havre, the Ghanaian striker has signed for the Dutch club NAC Breda. The former Marseillais initialed a six-month lease. The 36-year-old player will have as his mission to help his team maintain their position in the first division, while they are currently last.

«In the fight to remain in the Eredivisie, NAC has recruited André Ayew (36 years old), a new striker, to strengthen its squad. The experienced Franco-Ghanaian striker has signed a contract until the end of the current season, with an option for an additional season in Breda,” 

says the club via a statement. To note that the Ghanaian had scored 4 goals and 1 assist in 27 games last season.

The Founder and Leader of Prophetic Hill Chapel, Prophet Nigel Gaisie, has released a series of prophecies set to unfold in the year 2026.

Speaking to his congregants during his church’s December 31, 2025, Watch Night service, the prophet shared that these prophecies were revealed to him by God and have global implications.

He urged prayers to avert some of the more unfortunate and negative events.

Despite some of the prophecies indicating doom, he assured Ghanaians that 2026 would be a good and prosperous year, yielding great results, unlike previous years.

Spanning across politics, security, and traditional institutions, here are the 2026 prophecies highlighted by Nigel Gaisie:

1. 2026 will be a year of unprecedented prosperity and economic transformation

Prophet Nigel Gaisie said that 2026 will be one of the best years of prosperity the country has ever seen.

According to him, the country will see unprecedented progress under the National Democratic Congress government of President John Dramani Mahama, with the country’s currency appreciating further to GH¢8.

He urged the president to strengthen the security of Sammy Gyamfi, the Chief Executive Officer of the GoldBod; the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Atto Forson; and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Asiama, whom he hinted will champion Ghana’s economic transformation.

Economic stress on Italy

Gaisie also prophesied that there would be some economic turmoil in the European nation, Italy.

“I saw in a realm of the spirit, the Lord took my spirit to Italy, and I saw a little bit of stress in Italy. So let’s pray for Italy. Let’s pray for Italy. Italy will go through a little bit of stress, but we’ll keep praying for Italy,” he said.

3. Attack on Donald Trump, America crying after September, and the fate of Joe Biden

The third prophecy of Nigel was on United States President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden.

He said that President Trump would be attacked again, adding that country.

“I still see an attack on the President of the United States of America. Let’s pray for Donald Trump against every attack on his person.

“Again, I saw America crying. I saw America crying prophetically after September. Let’s pray for Joe Biden,” he said.

4. Coup d’état in Ivory Coast

He also said that there is likely to be a military takeover in Ivory Coast in 2026.

“Let’s pray for the Ivory Coast and let the security apparatus and the president of Ivory Coast be on serious alert. I saw military instability in Ivory Coast.

“I saw a coup d’état prophetically, spiritually, in Ivory Coast. If they don’t act on it, if they don’t pray and physically act on it, it will come to pass,” he said.

5. Paramount Chief of Techiman must pray

Nigel also said that he saw something bad happening to the Paramount Chief of Techiman.

“The Lord carried me to Techiman. I didn’t like what I saw about the paramountcy of Techiman. Let the paramount chief of Techiman be watchful, more wishful, and prayerful,” he said.

6. Agradaa

He also prophesied that Patricia Asieduaa, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, who has been jailed for a number of crimes, will be released in 2026.

“I saw Agradaa’s release. I don’t know how it’s going to happen. On December 22, I was sleeping, and the Lord carried me into a vision. Then I saw, and I heard on the radio in a local language that she had been released.

“So when I was about to get out of my vision, I saw white handkerchiefs. I don’t know when. I don’t know how, but as a prophet of the Lord, who says and it cometh to pass, I’ve seen spiritually that Agradaa will be released,” he said.

7. Bawumia winning NPP presidential primaries

He also prophesied that former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will win the upcoming presidential primaries of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He said that Dr Bawumia, who was the flagbearer of the NPP in the 2024 presidential election, will snatch the victory from another contender in the race he called “Mr Tesite.”

“The Spirit of God carried me. The Spirit of God carried me. And when the Spirit of God carried me, I saw Mr Tesite leading and seemingly as though he has won. Then I saw lamentations. I saw pleadings. I saw lamentations. I saw pleadings.

“Then I saw that the win that is for Mr Tesite, I saw another take it. I saw Dr Bawumia take it. I saw the perfect will of God turning into the permissive will of God. I had a lot to talk there. I had a lot to speak to about that, but I’m being guided. But I’ve spoken the mind of God,” he said.

8. Postponement of World Cup

Nigel also said that the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is likely to be put on hold.

“I saw in America a lot of jets—a lot of jets in the space of America. If we don’t pray, the World Cup may not come on, or maybe we may postpone it, or there will be a problem with the America one.

“The LORD carried my spirit, and I saw planes in the space of America. I will pray and we will avert it because prayer can avert the black stars of Ghana,” he said.

9. Black Stars will be in the finals of the World Cup

He also prophesied that Ghana’s men’s national football team, the Black Stars, will do very well at the 2026 World Cup and will even reach the final of the event.

“I’ve seen that they will go to the finals, finals. Listen, the Black Stars will do extremely well at the finals. I saw it. Black Stars of Ghana will do extremely well at the finals,” he said.

BAI

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said a peace agreement to end the war with Russia is “90% ready”, in a New Year address that largely focused on resistance to Moscow’s full-scale invasion.

Zelensky said the remaining 10% of the agreement to end nearly four years of conflict would “determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe”.

In his own New Year speech, Russian President Vladimir Putin told his troops that “we believe in you and our victory”.

Earlier on Wednesday, Moscow also released what it said was evidence of Ukraine using drones to target Putin’s private home on Lake Valdai in north-west Russia, allegations Kyiv has strenuously denied.

It included a map allegedly showing that the drones were launched from the Sumy and Chernihiv regions of Ukraine and a video of a downed drone lying in snowy woodland. A serviceman standing next to the wreckage claims it is a Ukrainian Chaklun drone.

The BBC hasn’t been able to verify the footage, and it is not possible to locate where it was shot.

Russia would review its position on the ongoing peace negotiations as a result of the alleged incident, the Kremlin said.

However, Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, on Wednesday described the Russian claims as a “deliberate distraction” and an attempt to derail the peace process.

In his 20-minute address to the nation, Zelensky said that Ukraine did not want peace “at any cost”, adding that “we want the end of the war – not the end of Ukraine”.

He said that a Ukrainian withdrawal from the eastern Donbas region means “everything will be over”, a reference to Russia’s maximalist demand that Moscow secure full control of the industrial area in any peace agreement.

Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk. The two regions are known collectively as Donbas.

Its fate has been a major obstacle throughout negotiations, with Russia consistently unwilling to compromise on its aim to seize full control of Donbas.

In the address, Zelensky thanked leaders that have supported Ukraine, but said that “intentions must become security guarantees, and therefore – be ratified”.

Following talks between Zelensky and his US counterpart Donald Trump in Florida earlier this week, the Ukrainian leader said Washington had offered security guarantees for 15 years – but a time frame for their implementation is not yet clear.

“Signatures under weak agreements only fuel war,” Zelensky said in his address. “Either the world stops Russia’s war, or Russia drags the world into its war.”

By comparison, Putin’s New Year address was much shorter.

Addressing the war in Ukraine, which Moscow describes as a “special military operation”, Putin said: “We strive to bring joy and warmth through our care for those in need of support and, of course, to stand by our heroes – the participants in the special military operation – in both word and deed.”

Separately, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un used his New Year message to praise the “invincible alliance” between Pyongyang and Moscow, while praising soldiers who are fighting in “alien lands”.

North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid Russia in its invasion, along with missiles and long-range weapons, South Korean officials have said.

At least 600 of those soldiers have died, according to South Korean estimates.

Zelensky has expressed a desire for peace negotiations to resume and accelerate this month with the involvement of both US and European officials.

French President Emmanuel Macron said European states and allies who are due to meet in Paris on 6 January “will make concrete commitments to protect Ukraine and ensure a just and lasting peace on our European continent”.

On Wednesday, Trump’s advisers held talks with Zelensky and national security advisers from the UK, France and Germany about ending the war in Ukraine.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff said they discussed “strengthening security guarantees and developing effective deconfliction mechanisms to help end the war and ensure it does not restart”.

But any deal will ultimately need Russian buy-in, which does not seem forthcoming – and which the alleged drone incident over Putin’s residence may have pushed further into the distance.

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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.

Senegal underlined their TotalEnergies CAF AFCON title credentials with a commanding 3-0 victory over Benin in their final Group D encounter, in an entertaining contest played in Tangiers on Tuesday evening.

The former African champions made a purposeful start and were rewarded in the 38th minute, when Abdoulaye Seckrose highest to power home a header from Krépin Diatta’s well-delivered set piece, giving Senegal a deserved lead at the interval.

Benin showed greater urgency after the restart, testing Édouard Mendy through efforts from Aiyegun Tosin and Junior Olaïtan, but Senegal remained well organised at the back and clinical in their attacking play.

Senegal doubled their advantage in the 62nd minute, with star forward Sadio Mané turning provider, slipping a neat pass into the area for Habib Diallo, who made no mistake with a composed left-footed finish from close range.

The match took a dramatic turn in the 71st minute when captain Kalidou Koulibaly was shown a red card following a VAR review, forcing Senegal to see out the contest with ten men for the final quarter of an hour.

Benin pushed forward in search of a response and forced Mendy into a series of saves, but their hopes were extinguished deep into stoppage time. 

In the 97th minute, substitute Cherif Ndiaye calmly converted from the penalty spot after Ibrahim Mbaye was brought down in the area, sealing a comprehensive scoreline.

The result sees Senegal finish top of Group D, while Benin, despite the defeat, progress to the Round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams.

Group D concludes with Senegal at the top, followed by DR Congo who cruised past Botswana in a simultaneous match along with Benin as one of the best third place finishers.

Reactions

MOM Abdoulaye Seck

“I am delighted to have won the award but for me it was a collective team effort that led to this. We knew from the start that the match was not going to be easy because Benin came out to fight. But the effort of everyone ensured that we secured this victory despite playing with ten men later on in the game.”

Benin coach Gerrit Rohr:

 “This was a very difficult match against a highly experienced team like Senegal. Even though they were down to ten men it was difficult to break through their defence because they were compact. We also wanted to avoid a situation where we could get some cards that would have ruled out some of our players in the knock out stage and this made us a bit cautious. These are some of the mistakes we will correct before we play in the knockout stage and we will fight to go as far as possible in the competition.”

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw:

“The players deserve all the praise for their performance in this difficult match that we played with ten men for some parts of the game. We faced a very determined Benin team but we managed to achieve our main objective of finishing top of the group. Our next objective is to correct the mistakes we made in our group stage match before we go into the Round of 16 because on that stage there will be no rooms for errors which will be published. We will use the next few days to address these problems.”

DR Congo 3-0 Botswana

Gael Kakuta delivered a masterclass performance, scoring twice and providing an assist as DR Congo secured second place in Group D of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco 2025 with a commanding 3–0 victory over Botswana at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat.

The result confirms a mouth-watering Round of 16 showdown for Les Leopards against Algeria, who finished top of Group E.

Kakuta was at the heart of everything good for DR Congo. His audacious backheel assist released Nathaniel Mbuku to break the deadlock, before the experienced playmaker calmly converted a penalty and later completed his brace to cap a dominant display.

Mbuku opened the scoring after 31 minutes, finishing off a flowing team move with a stretched effort inside the area after Kakuta’s clever backheel had split the Botswana defense.

The goal was a deserved reward for DR Congo’s positive start, having pressed high and attacked with intent from the opening exchanges.

Charles Pickel twice threatened from range, his first curling attempt drifting narrowly wide before his second sailed over the bar. Fiston Mayele also went close, flashing a header wide at the near post from a left-wing delivery, as the Leopards continued to apply pressure.

Their dominance was further rewarded just before the interval. A VAR review confirmed a handball by Thabo Leinanyane as he attempted to block a cross from Meschack Elia, and Kakuta stepped up to dispatch the resulting penalty with authority.

DR Congo comfortably went into the break with a deserved two-goal advantage.

After the restart, the Congolese side showed no signs of easing off. On the hour mark, Kakuta struck again to make it 3–0, controlling Theo Bongonda’s cross inside the box before calmly picking his spot to complete his brace.

Mayele thought he had added a fourth minutes later, but celebrations were cut short following another VAR intervention. The forward was adjudged to have handled the ball as he attempted to head home from close range.

Botswana, already eliminated after defeats in their opening two matches, struggled to mount any meaningful response. DR Congo, composed and disciplined, managed the closing stages with maturity to close out a comprehensive and well-executed victory.

REACTIONS

Gael Kakuta, man of the match: 
“All glory be to God. I wasn’t supposed to be in the starting 11, and here I am being named Man of the Match. I would like to highlight our collective strength. Today, we had many changes, but we stayed the course.”
Morena Ramoreboli, Botswana head coach:
“We are leaving the competition, but I really liked my players’ attitude today; they gave everything right until the end, repelling the Congolese attacks late on. They did not make it easy for the opponents and caused them problems.”

Morena Ramoreboli – Botswana’s Head Coach

“We are leaving the competition. I really liked the attitude of my players today; they gave their all until the end, countering the Congolese attacks at the finish. They didn’t let themselves be pushed around and caused problems for the opponent.”

Tanzania 1-1 Tunisia
Goalscorers : F. Salum 47′ / I.Gharbi 43′

Tanzania reached the knockout stage for the first time in their history after holding Tunisia to a 1-1 draw at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.

The Taifa Stars came from a goal down to equalize to advance 

Tunisia enjoyed early control of possession but struggled to raise the tempo. After a series of attacks and threat at goal from Ismael Gharbi, including a cracking left foot curler that struck the post, the Carthage Eagles were eventually rewarded in the 42nd minute. 

Hazem Mastouri was fouled in the box by Bakari Mwamnyeto and following a lengthy VAR review, Tunisia was awarded a penalty. Gharbi stepped up to convert, giving Tunisia a deserved lead. 

The North Africans went into the break 1–0 ahead after a first half that was low on rhythm but comfortably managed.

After the restart, Tunisia opted to protect their advantage rather than push on. That cautious approach gradually invited Tanzania back into the game, with the Taifa Stars growing in confidence and intent. 

The ambitious Tanzanians finally found their moment in the 54th minute. Feisal Salum curled a fine effort from the edge of the area, the bounce catching goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen off guard as the ball nestled into the net.

The closing stages lacked intensity, as both sides made multiple substitutions and appeared content with the outcome. Tanzania, aware that the point could place them among the best third-placed teams, managed the clock intelligently. 

The 1–1 draw officially secured Tunisia’s qualification to the Round of 16 on second place in the group, while Tanzania preserved a strong chance of progression as one of the best four third placed ranked teams.

Post-match reactions

Sami Trabelsi – Tunisia Coach : “The most important thing was to secure qualification. We have not done well in this competition in recent years and that is why qualification is so important. We may not have played the best way possible, but we are very happy to have qualified. We will be playing against stronger opposition in our upcoming games and will really need to play better because the level of competition will be even higher and requires us to improve” 

Miguel Gamondi – Tanzania Coach  : “I didn’t have enough time to prepare the team, but we worked together with the management and federation and feel very proud. Not just for myself but for the country. I wanted to change this mentality of underdogs. To qualify is a great learning for Tanzania who must be proud. I hope this will be a reminder to these players and the next generation of players on the potential of Tanzanian football”

Uganda 1-3 Nigeria

Goalscorers : P.Onuachu 28e, R. Onyedika 62e, 67e / R.Mato 75e

Nigeria confirmed their place at the top of Group C with an emphatic 3-1 victory over Uganda in their final group match played on Tuesday at the Complexe Sportif de Fès in Fès, officially ending Uganda’s campaign in the competition.

The Super Eagles entered the contest following two victories over Tanzania and Tunisia, while Uganda had an open chance but needed maximum points.  

It was the 2023 edition runners-up, Nigeria who took the lead in the 28th minute when Paul Onuachu finished from close range, steering the ball into the bottom left corner after a precise assist from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. The goal followed sustained Nigerian pressure and came shortly after Uganda goalkeeper Denis Onyango had produced a fine save to deny the same striker.

Uganda made multiple changes at the start of the second half, but their task became more difficult in the 56th minute when Salim Magoola was shown a red card for handball. Nigeria capitalised on their numerical advantage soon after.

In the 62nd minute, Raphael Onyedika doubled Nigeria’s lead with a composed right-footed finish from the right side of the box, assisted by Samuel Chukwueze. Just five minutes later, Onyedika struck again, this time finishing from the centre of the area to make it 3-0, once more following a Chukwueze assist.

Despite being reduced to ten men, Uganda continued to push forward and were rewarded in the 75th minute when Rogers Mato pulled one back, slotting home from the centre of the box after being played through by Allan Okello.

Nigeria responded by managing the closing stages professionally, making several substitutions to see out the match.

The result sees the Super Eagles finishing top of the group with three wins in as many games, while the Uganda Cranes see the campaign come to an end. 

Post-match reactions 

Raphael Onyedika – TotalEnergies Man of the Match : “Thank you everyone . I feel very happy and I can’t really explain how I feel in this moment. These are moments I’ve been working towards all my life, and I’m happy that things are starting to come under control. It’s the same as for any other player—when you’re not playing, you have to stay focused, keep working hard and wait for your opportunity. It’s about being ready when that opportunity comes, performing whenever the coach calls on you, because in the end it’s the coach who decides who plays. It feels good, but it’s also tough because of the standards and demands we set in training and in games. Eric Chelle expects a lot from the players and we push everyone. It’s amazing.”

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.

Ghana’s local currency, the Ghana cedi (GH¢), has, for the first time in about three decades, made an annual gain against the United States dollar ($).

According to a report by Bloomberg, the Ghana cedi appreciated by 41% against the dollar for the year 2025, making it (the cedi) the best performer among 144 currencies tracked by Bloomberg after the Russian ruble.

The report indicated that the performance of the cedi against the dollar in 2025 has never been seen since Bloomberg began compiling the data in 1994.

“Ghana’s currency posted an annual gain against the dollar for the first time in more than three decades as Africa’s biggest gold producer benefited from rising prices of the metal and the greenback’s weakness.

“The cedi has appreciated 41% against the dollar this year, the first time it has risen since at least 1994 when Bloomberg began compiling the data. That made it the best performer among 144 currencies tracked by Bloomberg after the Russian ruble. The Bloomberg Dollar Index is headed for its worst decline since 2017,” part of the report reads.

The report indicated that the performance of the cedi is expected to continue in 2026, noting that one of the reasons for the appreciation of the cedi is the purchase of gold by the Bank of Ghana, which increased the country’s gross international reserves by 24% to $11.4 billion as of October 2025.

It added that the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) to regulate the purchase of gold in the country played a key role in the cedi’s performance.

“Ghana’s central bank has been increasing purchases of bullion, helping lift gross international reserves by 24% to $11.4 billion as of October, from the start of the year. In May, the government established an institution known as GoldBod to buy the metal from small-scale mines, a move that has helped direct their output into the formal economy and curb smuggling.

“‘Improved official gold flows via the GoldBod and rising reserves’ played a key role in supporting the currency,” said Sam Singh-Jami, head of Africa research and strategy at Rand Merchant Bank, the report reads.

Read the full report below:

BAI

Meanwhile, watch as Acting Defence Minister Ato Forson inaugurates 9-Member Ministerial Advisory Board

At the stroke of midnight, the Ghanaian sky ignited in a symphony of fireworks and prayer as millions of citizens transitioned into 2026.

From the coastal vibrations of James Town to the cool, breezy hills of Tamale, the ‘Crossover’ into the New Year was marked by a unique blend of high-octane celebration and sombre reflection.

While 2025 was a year of economic recalibration and intense digital growth, the dawn of 2026 felt notably different—characterised by a collective sense of resilience and an all-out return to massive public gatherings.

The Altar of the Nation: Stadiums and Sanctuaries

Religion remained the focal point of the transition.

In the capital, the Accra Sports Stadium became the epicentre of spiritual fervour. Tens of thousands of ‘Alpharians’ and members of various orthodox and charismatic denominations filled these venues to capacity.

The atmosphere was electric as pastors delivered ‘Watch Night’ messages focused on national prosperity and personal breakthroughs.

In a symbolic gesture seen in some churches, congregants turned off the main lights at 11:59 PM, ushering in the New Year with only their phone flashlights—a visual representation of carrying one’s own light into 2026.

Detty December Peaks: Osu and East Legon Erupt

For the youth and the diaspora community, the New Year was welcomed with the rhythmic pulse of Afrobeats and Highlife.

The ‘Beyond the Return’ and ‘December in GH’ initiatives saw a record influx of visitors this year, turning Osu’s Oxford Street and the East Legon entertainment strip into 24-hour festival zones.

Nightclubs and open-air concerts featured A-list Ghanaian artists, while local bars and high-end restaurants reported record-breaking attendance.

“2025 taught us to be tough; 2026 is for us to thrive,” shouted a reveller at the Shornaa Island Amusement Park at Labadi. “We are not just crossing over; we are taking over!”

In contrast to the booming basslines of the capital, many in the Western and Northern Regions opted for a more traditional and communal welcome.

In Wa and Bolgatanga, families gathered for communal meals, while local chiefs led traditional libation ceremonies to seek the protection of the ancestors for the coming farming season.

Police reported a relatively peaceful transition, credit to ‘Operation Father Christmas’. The visibility of law enforcement officers was at an all-time high, with personnel stationed at major intersections.

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.

A simmering leadership crisis within the Muslim community of the Volta regional capital has reached a boiling point following a directive from the Volta Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to shut down the Ho Central Mosque.

The closure for a duration of two weeks was ordered in consultation with the Ministry for the Interior.

However, the Ulema of the Ho Zongo Community has reacted with fierce opposition, characterising the move as an affront to the rights of a peaceful congregation.

The Ulema maintains that for decades, the Ho Central Mosque has been a beacon of tranquillity.

According to their statement, the current unrest was not a spontaneous community brawl but a calculated intrusion by an outside faction.

The community alleges that a group—backed by armed men—forcefully breached the mosque’s perimeter.

Reports of gunshots fired within the sacred premises have particularly incensed the leadership, who argue that the sanctity of their place of worship was violated by criminal elements.

In a strongly-worded communiqué signed by the Secretary of the Ho Zongo Community, Abdul-Razak Abubakar, the leadership questioned the logic behind punishing the entire worshipping body for the actions of a violent few.

The Ulema raised three critical concerns regarding the REGSEC directive:

1. Security vs. Closure: Why authorities opted for a shutdown instead of stationing adequate security to protect peaceful worshippers.
2. Lack of Accountability: The perceived failure of the police to arrest and prosecute the individuals who brought firearms into the mosque.
3. Neutrality: Allegations of “selective actions” by regional authorities that appear to tilt the scales in favour of one faction rather than upholding the rule of law.

The Regional Security Council defended the two-week cooling-off period, citing the need to prevent potential bloodshed during the ongoing leadership dispute.

Such closures are often used as a “stop-gap” measure under the Public Order Act to de-escalate tensions in volatile religious or chieftaincy conflicts.

However, the Ho Zongo leadership remains unconvinced.

“Muslims in Ho have worshipped peacefully at the mosque for many years without incident,” the statement reminded the public, placing the blame squarely on the “armed group” that initiated the fracas.

The Ho Zongo Community is now looking beyond the regional administration for a resolution.

They have appealed to the National Peace Council, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and the media to scrutinise the handling of the dispute.

The statement concluded with a plea for transparency:

“The appropriate authorities, civil society organisations and the media [must] take a keen interest in the matter to ensure fairness and justice prevail.”

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Prophet Nigel Gaisie (L) says Dr Bawumia will win NPP presidential primaries but…

The founder and leader of the Prophetic Hill Church, Prophet Nigel Gaisie, has prophesied that former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will win the upcoming presidential primaries of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Delivering his prophecies at his church’s December 31, 2025, Watch Night Service, the prophet asserted that Dr Bawumia, who was the flagbearer of the NPP in the 2024 presidential election, will snatch the victory from another contender in the race he called “Mr Tesite”.

“The Spirit of God carried me. The Spirit of God carried me. And when the Spirit of God carried me, I saw Mr Tesite leading and seemingly as though he has won. Then I saw lamentations. I saw pleadings. I saw lamentations. I saw pleadings.

“Then I saw that the win that is for Mr Tesite, I saw another take it. I saw Dr Bawumia take it. I saw the perfect will of God turning into the permissive will of God. I had a lot to talk there. I had a lot to speak to about that, but I’m being guided. But I’ve spoken the mind of God,” he said.

Nigel indicated that there is likely to be a lot of legal battles after the primaries, saying, “If they don’t take care, the election will end in court. And I saw security problems.”

LIVESTREAMED: 2025 31st Night Prophecies with Prophet Nigel Gaisie

He indicated that the lamentations and pleadings which switched the win in favour of Dr Bawumia were prayers from men of God.

“I repeat the NPP primary, which will be on January 31; they have 30 days more to go. I saw Mr Tesite going as though he has won. And I saw pleadings. I saw men of God praying. I saw speaking. I saw that it was switched, and I saw Doctor Bawumia.

He added, “But Dr Bawumia, there is a lot of work to do, but I have spoken as a Prophet; may the will of the Lord be done.”

BAI

Meanwhile, watch as Acting Defence Minister Ato Forson inaugurates 9-Member Ministerial Advisory Board

Several Ghana Premier League sides underlined their quality on Tuesday as Berekum Chelsea, FC Samartex 1996, Dreams FC, Nations FC and Aduana FC booked their places in the Round of 16 of the Ghana FA Cup with commanding performances across the country.

The most emphatic result came in Sameraboi, where FC Samartex 1996 produced a ruthless display to overwhelm Debiso Soccer Lions 9-1 at the Nsekyire Sports Arena. The Timber Giants wasted no time asserting control, racing into a three-goal lead inside the opening 14 minutes.

Osman Zakaria set the tone early and later completed a brace, while Benedict Afful also struck twice after the interval. Godwin Sefah, Ronald Grippman, Felix Koduah Jnr and Solomon Agyei added their names to the scoresheet as Samartex reached the break with a commanding 5-0 advantage and never looked back.

Nations FC were equally efficient at the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex, scoring three times in the opening 19 minutes to secure a 3-0 victory over FC AshantiGold ’04. Brandon Antwi opened the scoring before Emmanuel Annor netted twice in quick succession to seal progression before half-time.

Former champions Dreams FC maintained their steady cup form with a 2-0 win over Asanka FC. Goals from Aminu Adams and Abdul Razak Salifu ensured the ‘Still Believe’ side advanced, continuing their positive run after edging Semper FI in the previous round.

At the Berekum Golden City Park, Aduana FC recorded a controlled 2-0 win against Berekum Arsenal, with Richard Yeboah and Ben Dauda Sidibe scoring in either half.

Earlier in the day, Attram De Visser edged Port City 4-2 on penalties after a goalless draw, keeping alive their hopes of another deep FA Cup run.

A long-standing family dispute over a piece of land took a horrific turn on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, leaving two people dead and two others in police custody.

The Upper West Regional Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation into the violent clash, which has left the local community in a state of shock as they usher in the New Year.

Confirming the casualties in an official briefing, the Regional Police Commander, DCOP Francis Yiribaare, expressed deep regret over the loss of life, describing the escalation of the family feud as a preventable tragedy.

The violence erupted in the late afternoon of Tuesday when members of the same family, reportedly divided over the ownership of a specific plot of land, transitioned from verbal arguments to a physical confrontation.

“This is a very unfortunate situation here. We all have the information that just in the latter part of the day yesterday, there was a clash of the family over a piece of land,” DCOP Yiribaare stated.

Upon receiving distress calls, the police command activated its Quick Response Team (QRT).

However, the speed of the violence outpaced the arrival of the authorities. By the time the QRT reached the scene, the disputed land had become a crime scene.

“On arrival, we discovered that the clash had gone too far, resulting in the death of one person right on the spot,” the Regional Commander revealed.

A second victim was discovered alive but unconscious amidst the chaos. Despite the efforts of the police to provide a rapid medical evacuation, the injuries proved too severe.

“One that we met at the scene was also unconscious and was immediately rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately, he also passed,” DCOP Yiribaare added, bringing the total death toll to two.

Forensic teams and investigators spent the night and the early hours of the next morning combing the area for evidence.

The Commander noted that the investigation has been aided by the willingness of local residents to provide information.

“The general public has been very cooperative since we started. We have processed the crime scene, and the management team covered and processed every particle that mattered in the issue,” he said.

Two suspects have been secured by the police so far:

1. Suspect One: Currently on admission at a regional health facility, receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the clash while under heavy police guard.
2. Suspect Two: Apprehended in a dawn raid and currently held in a police detention facility.

“So far, one person is on admission but under police guard as a suspect, under arrest. We have one other individual who was also arrested in the latter part of the dawn of this morning and is also in detention,” the Commander confirmed.

A major road passing through the vicinity of the clash was temporarily cordoned off to preserve the integrity of the crime scene and prevent further reprisal attacks.

DCOP Yiribaare assured the public that traffic would be restored shortly.

“We are still processing a few issues and once that is done, we should be able to open it up,” he assured.

Beyond the immediate legal action, the Commander used the tragedy as a stark reminder of the dangers of bypassing lawful dispute resolution mechanisms.

He urged families to use the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) systems or the traditional councils rather than resorting to “jungle justice”.

“I want to encourage the family to continue to resort to the police for every other issue surrounding this land or to the locals for a very peaceful resolution of the matter,” he advised. “In matters like this, we should try to use peaceful means rather than violence. In so doing, we continue to preserve the peace and stability of the region and also create a safer community for development and social activities to go on.”

The police have vowed that the perpetrators of the violence will face the full rigours of the law.

“We are leaving no stone unturned in getting to the bottom of it and ensuring that justice takes its own course,” DCOP Yiribaare concluded.

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President John Dramani Mahama has extended warm New Year greetings to Ghanaians, expressing optimism that 2026 will bring prosperity, peace and national progress.

In a New Year message released to mark the beginning of the year, the President encouraged citizens to embrace hope, unity and a shared commitment to national development as the country charts its course for the months ahead.

“May the new year, 2026, bring us all prosperity, peace, and progress,” the message said.

The President’s remarks, delivered a few minutes into the new year, come at a time when many Ghanaians are reflecting on the challenges of the previous year and looking ahead to renewed opportunities for economic recovery, social cohesion, and inclusive growth.

The message underscores the importance of collective effort and national solidarity in achieving shared goals.

The New Year greeting also reaffirmed the government’s focus on building a stable and peaceful society while pursuing policies aimed at improving livelihoods and strengthening Ghana’s democratic and development institutions.

As Ghanaians usher in 2026, the President’s message has resonated as a call for renewed commitment to hard work, unity and optimism, with the hope that the year ahead will deliver meaningful progress for individuals, communities and the nation as a whole.

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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.

Ebo Noah claimed that the world will end on December 25

The Ghana Police Service has reportedly arrested self-acclaimed prophet Evans Eshun, who gained public attention after claiming to have received a divine vision predicting a global flood on December 25, 2025.

According to multiple reports, Prophet Ebo Noah, who is popularly known as Ebo Noah, was picked up by the GPS Special Cyber Vetting Team on December 31, 2025.

A photo of the arrest, which has gone viral, shows Ebo Noah in handcuffs at what looks like a police facility.

The self-proclaimed Ghanaian prophet made headlines, especially on social media, for constructing a modern-day Noah’s ark.

Explaining his motive for building the ark, Ebo Noah claimed that God had warned him that the world would end on December 25, 2025, coinciding with Christmas Day.

In describing his vision, he stated that God would bring about great destruction, with heavy rains and floods devastating the earth.

He further explained that he had been instructed by God to build the ark to rescue souls who wished to be saved, just as described in the biblical story of Noah and the flood.

In many of his clips, Ebo is seen showing off the boats or building materials, claiming that he has built ten arks.

Who is Ebo Noah and why is he building an ark like the biblical Noah?

In a video titled “What Will Happen and How It Will Happen,” posted on YouTube in August, Ebo claimed to have received a divine vision from God, who said it would rain for three years beginning on December 25.

He planned to live on the ark for three years during this predicted mass flooding.

Ebo’s construction of the ark has generated both local and global attention, with his videos garnering millions of views and engagements on social media.

It, however, turned out that the supposed ark, which were actually boats, did not belong to him, and on December 25, 2025, there was no flood.

BAI

The British boxer Anthony Joshua has been discharged from hospital, Nigerian authorities said on Wednesday night. The two-time former heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist was involved in a car accident near Lagos on Monday which killed two of his close associates and team members.

The 36-year-old had been under observation while recovering from minor injuries, his promoter had said on Monday.

The Lagos state commissioner for information and strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said in a statement on X that Joshua had been discharged from the Duchess international hospital in Ikeja on Wednesday afternoon as he was deemed clinically fit to “recuperate at home”.

“Anthony and his mother were at the funeral home in Lagos this afternoon to pay their final respects to his two departed friends as they were being prepared for repatriation scheduled for later this evening,” Omotoso said.

Latif Ayodele, a personal trainer for Joshua, and Sina Ghami, a strength and conditioning coach, died in the crash on 29 December. Omotoso said that the boxer was “heavy-hearted and full of emotions over the loss of his two close friends”. Just hours before the crash, Joshua and Ayodele posted clips on social media of them playing table tennis together.

The crash has elicited growing concerns about road safety in Nigeria, where accidents are common. The west African nation recorded 5,421 deaths in 9,570 road accidents in 2024, according to data by the country’s federal road safety corps. Its data showed 340 more people were killed in road accidents last year compared to 2023.

Joshua had recently won a bout against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on 19 December, marking his return to the ring after a 15-month absence.

ABUJA, Nigeria — British boxer Anthony Joshua has been released from hospital, Nigerian authorities said late Wednesday night.

The two-time former heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist was involved in a fatal road crash near Lagos on Monday which killed two of his close associates and team members.

Joshua had been under “observation” at Lagoon Hospital in Lagos while recovering from minor injuries, his promoter said Monday.

The Lagos state commissioner for information, Gbenga Omotoso, said in a statement on X that Joshua was discharged late Wednesday afternoon after being deemed clinically fit to recuperate from “home.”

“Anthony and his mother were at the funeral home in Lagos this afternoon to pay their final respects to his two departed friends as they were being prepared for repatriation scheduled for later this evening,” Omotosho said.

Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele were killed in the crash. Ghami was Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach while Ayodele was a trainer. Just hours before the crash, Joshua and Ayodele posted clips on social media playing table tennis together.

The accident has elicited growing concerns about road safety in Nigeria, where accidents are common.

The West African nation recorded 5,421 deaths in 9,570 road accidents in 2024, according to data by the country’s Federal Road Safety Corps. Its data showed 340 more people were killed in road accidents last year compared to 2023.

Joshua had recently won a bout against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on Dec. 19, a fight he used to improve fitness in a bid to contest future top-flight boxing titles.

The newly installed chief of Okobeyeyie, near Samsam, Nii Patapaa I, has outlined an ambitious development agenda aimed at transforming the community and improving the livelihoods of residents.

Speaking after his installation, Nii Patapaa I said his topmost priorities include the construction of a modern market and a police station for the area. According to him, these projects will stimulate economic activity while also enhancing security within the community.

The chief explained that a well-structured market will create opportunities for traders, boost local commerce, and make Okobeyeyie more vibrant economically. He added that the establishment of a police station will help reduce crime and ensure the safety of residents and businesses.

Nii Patapaa I further emphasized the need to empower the youth, noting that development cannot be achieved without their active involvement. He called on young people in the community to engage in productive ventures that would help shape a better and more sustainable future for themselves and the area as a whole.

He appealed to stakeholders, including government agencies, development partners, and indigenes of Okobeyeyie both home and abroad, to support his vision for rapid development.

Residents have welcomed the chief’s commitments, expressing hope that his leadership will usher in a new era of growth, opportunity, and peace for the community.

Haruna Mohammed, Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of failing to fulfil its promises, arguing that Ghanaians are worse off economically under the party’s stewardship in 2025.

Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Wednesday, December 31, Haruna Mohammed criticised what he described as deteriorating living standards, particularly among workers, and pointed to deepening challenges in the agricultural sector.

He maintained that unfulfilled promises and poor economic direction have contributed to growing hardship across the country.

“Indeed Ghana is an interesting place for us at the moment. The Almighty God has tested the people of Ghana with regards to the deception of the NDC. The promises that have been given by the NDC today are questionable, the standard of living of the people has worsened, more especially the Ghanaian workers.

“The most important aspect is the agricultural aspect… For me there is all sense of hopelessness, no direction, deception has taken over and all the promises given to the people of Ghana have fallen down,” Mohammed said.

Read also

Police arrest suspect in GH¢7.5m Adabraka robbery

Energy expert, Kwadwo Nsafoah Poku

Energy expert, Kwadwo Nsafoah Poku, has expressed concern over the state of the economy, saying conditions on the ground do not reflect government claims that the economy is improving under the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to him, economic activities in the markets remain slow, with ordinary Ghanaians struggling to cope with the high cost of living.

“Things are very tough. When you go to the market, you realise that business is very slow. The government says the economy is doing well and that there is no hardship but that is not the situation on the ground,” he said.

Kwadwo Nsafoah Poku questioned official inflation figures, arguing that regardless of the percentages announced, prices of basic goods remain high.

“They talk about inflation, whether it is 6 percent or 24 percent but inflation is inflation. The reality is that prices are still high,” he stated.

Using food prices to illustrate his point, he noted that expectations of relief under the government’s much-publicised reset agenda have not materialised.

“I thought by now kenkey would be selling at two cedis but it is still five cedis. This is the first Christmas under this government, yet some people cannot even afford to buy fowl. We are not feeling the reset agenda. Things are still hard,” he added.

The Ghana Police Service has stated that it has intensified efforts to disrupt and dismantle illegal arms supply networks operating across the country.

The assurance comes amid a series of intelligence-led operations that have led to the arrest of suspected robbers, arms dealers and a man accused of impersonating a military officer.

Addressing a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, December 31, Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, said recent arrests demonstrate the Service’s resolve to tackle organised crime.

“We are working deliberately to dismantle the illegal arms supply network in this country and to prevent the circulation of prohibited weapons within the country,” she said.

She further disclosed that eight suspects were arrested in connection with a violent residential robbery at Apollonia, a suburb of Accra, following intelligence-led investigations.

According to the CID, the suspects allegedly attacked residents in their homes, ransacked rooms and made away with valuables, with items such as helmets, cutlasses, boots and a body armour vest retrieved to aid investigations.

In a separate operation, the Police arrested a suspect for unlawfully impersonating a soldier across parts of the Greater Accra, Ashanti and Eastern regions.

The suspect was found in full military camouflage, with firearms, ammunition and other items retrieved, with preliminary investigations suggesting the impersonation was used to intimidate members of the public and facilitate criminal activities.

COP Yaako Donkor further revealed the arrest of an arms dealer in Accra after intelligence indicated he was attempting to sell an assault rifle.

The suspect, identified as Abdullah Ibrahim, was arrested at the point of sale, with investigations linking him to the trafficking of firearms to parts of northern Ghana.

The CID Director-General assured the public that investigations are ongoing and urged citizens to cooperate with the Police by providing timely information to support crime prevention efforts.

Anthony Joshua has been discharged from hospital days after a car crash in Nigeria that killed two of his close friends.

The British-Nigerian boxing star is now recovering at his home in the country, according to a statement from the regional governments of Lagos and Ogun states.

Joshua was travelling in the back of a black SUV when it hit a stationary truck on a major road near Lagos, killing his friends Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami.

The 36-year-old two-time world champion and his mother paid their respects to them at a funeral home on Wednesday afternoon ahead of their repatriation to the UK, the statement added.

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The year 2025 will be remembered as a defining period for Ghana’s education sector—a year marked by difficult choices, honest national reflection, and the beginning of a deliberate reset under President John Dramani Mahama.

When President Mahama and his Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, assumed office, they inherited an education system burdened by deep structural challenges. Years of accumulated debt, weak investment in basic education, unpaid statutory obligations, stalled infrastructure projects, and unresolved teacher welfare issues had significantly constrained service delivery and threatened the quality and sustainability of education at all levels.

From the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme and special needs education to expired teacher recruitment windows, struggling nascent public universities, unpaid obligations to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), and delays in promotions and allowances for teachers, the scale of inherited difficulties was enormous.

A National Conversation to Reset Education

Recognising the urgency and complexity of the situation, President Mahama and the Education Ministry convened a historic National Education Forum in Ho, in the Volta Region. The forum brought together key stakeholders—teachers, unions, parents, academics, students, civil society organisations, policymakers, and the President himself—for a frank and solutions-oriented dialogue on the future of Ghana’s education system.

The outcome of the Ho Forum was a set of practical recommendations that now form the backbone of ongoing reforms, implemented alongside the President’s manifesto commitments and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s broader human capital development agenda.

Education as a Budgetary Priority

A clear test of any government’s commitment to transformation lies in how it allocates resources. From the outset, President Mahama demonstrated this commitment by prioritising education in his maiden budget.

In the 2025 Budget Statement, education received one of the largest sectoral allocations, aimed at stabilising the system and laying the foundation for long-term reform.

Historic Investment in Basic Education

For the first time in over five decades, basic education received a historic allocation of GHC 9.1 billion—the highest in 50 years. This decisive investment reflects a renewed focus on foundational learning, which had suffered years of neglect despite being the most critical stage in a child’s educational journey.

The funding is already supporting classroom infrastructure, learning materials, sanitation, and teacher support at the basic level nationwide.

Resetting Free SHS: From Access to Quality

While the Free SHS policy succeeded in expanding access, it was inherited in a form that prioritised enrolment over quality, resulting in overcrowding, infrastructure deficits, and the controversial double-track system that reduced teacher–student contact hours.

President Mahama’s administration has embarked on a reset—maintaining Free SHS while transforming it into a sustainable and high-quality programme for national development.

In 2025, Free SHS received GHC 3.5 billion under GETFund, the highest allocation since the programme began. This funding has strengthened student feeding, logistics, and learning conditions. Notably, about 100 double-track schools have already been converted to single-track, with a firm commitment to abolish the system entirely.

Additionally, government plans include upgrading:

10 Category D schools to Category C
10 Category C schools to Category B
30 Category B schools to Category A

while improving infrastructure in existing Category A schools.

Improved Feeding and Student Welfare

Reforms in the management of SHS feeding have led to noticeable improvements, with positive feedback from students, teachers, parents, and school administrators. Government continues to engage stakeholders to further enhance both nutrition and learning outcomes.  At the basic level, GHC 895 million has been paid to support the School Feeding Programme, alongside an increase in the feeding grant per child.

Advancing Girls’ Education

In a major step toward gender equity, government rolled out the free distribution of sanitary pads to school-going girls. Over six million sanitary pads have been distributed to girls in basic and second-cycle schools, reducing absenteeism and helping to keep girls in school.

Clearing Arrears and Supporting Schools

Under the year in review, the Ministry of Education cleared inherited arrears, including:
GHC 72.8 million in Capitation Grant arrears
GHC 122.8 million paid timely for BECE registration
Payment of WASSCE practical fees
Feeding grants for special needs schools
Government has also directed all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to construct a Nursery, Primary and JHS from the 2025 District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF).
Teachers at the Centre of Reform
Teacher welfare featured prominently in 2025. Key achievements include:
Payment of GHC 52 million in Teacher Training Allowance
Restoration of promotion eligibility up to Director rank

Cancellation of the Teacher Licensure Exams requirement that forced trainees to return to campus months after graduation
Placement of over 30,000 diploma teachers who upgraded to degrees onto the appropriate PS salary scale. PTAs have also been reactivated nationwide to strengthen school governance and discipline.

Revitalising Infrastructure and Tertiary Education

All stalled E-Blocks (Community Day SHSs) are being revisited, while tertiary education saw landmark interventions.
Under the No Fees Stress Initiative, the Students Loan Trust Fund reimbursed academic facility user fees for first-year students in public tertiary institutions. Out of 178,745 enrolment records, 152,698 students were successfully validated and reimbursed—removing financial barriers to access tertiary education.

President Mahama also approved the construction of a 600-bed hostel at Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University, addressing a long-standing accommodation challenge.

To strengthen nascent public universities, government released GHC 40 million in seed funding, with GHC 10 million each allocated to:
C.K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences
University of Energy and Natural Resources
University of Health and Allied Sciences
S.D. Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies

Reforming Scholarships

Parliament has passed the Scholarship Authority Bill, now awaiting Presidential assent. The Bill aims to eliminate cronyism and political interference in scholarship awards, promote transparency and fairness, and align scholarships with national skills needs through collaboration with the National Development Planning Commission.

Looking Ahead to 2026

The 2026 Budget has allocated GHC 33.3 billion to education, with priorities including:
Upgrading 30 Category C SHSs to Category B
Completing 30 abandoned E-Blocks
Constructing 200 JHSs, 200 primary schools, and 200 kindergartens
Building 400 teachers’ bungalows
Procuring and distributing millions of curriculum-based textbooks .
Supplying desks, buses, pickups, and administrative vehicles to schools and education directorates

Conclusion

The 2025 year under review confirms that Ghana’s education sector is on a deliberate path of recovery and transformation. Through honest diagnosis, historic investment, and people-centred reforms, President John Dramani Mahama and the Ministry of Education have begun rebuilding confidence in the system—laying a strong foundation for quality, equity, and sustainable human capital development in the years ahead.

The writer, Hashmin Mohammed is a  Press Secretary to the Minister for Education

Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has cautioned against the politicisation of Ghana’s democratic institutions, warning that short-term political gains must never come at the expense of the country’s democracy.

Speaking in a New Year message on Wednesday, December 31, that combined reflection on Ghana’s national journey with commentary on current governance, Dr. Bawumia said the strength of Ghana’s democracy since the advent of the Fourth Republic has rested largely on the independence and credibility of its institutions.

According to him, when political expediency begins to override democratic principles, public trust is eroded and national progress is put at risk.

“Let me stress unequivocally that when institutions are weakened, democracy is weakened. When institutions are politicised, trust is lost,” Dr. Bawumia stated.

The NPP presidential candidate expressed concern that recent developments have created anxiety among sections of the public about the fairness, consistency and independence of state institutions. Such concerns, he noted, should not be dismissed, as confidence is central to social cohesion and economic advancement.

“When citizens begin to worry about fairness, independence and consistency, confidence is affected, and when confidence is shaken, progress becomes harder,” he added.

Dr. Bawumia warned that Ghana must resist any temptation to compromise its democratic values in pursuit of short-term political advantage, stressing that there can be no turning back on the democratic gains made over the years.

“Ghana’s democracy must never be sacrificed on the altar of short-term political advantage. There could be no turning back for our nation,” he said.

The former Vice President also used the occasion to advise President John Dramani Mahama to focus on strengthening, rather than undermining, the institutions that underpin Ghana’s democratic order, arguing that strong institutions remain the surest guarantee of stability, unity and national development.

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A new whitepaper from Frontiers shows that AI has rapidly become part of everyday peer review, with 53% of reviewers now using AI tools. The findings in “Unlocking AI’s untapped potential: responsible innovation in research and publishing” point to a pivotal moment for research publishing.

Drawing on insights from 1,645 active researchers worldwide, the whitepaper identifies a global community eager to use AI confidently and responsibly. While many reviewers currently rely on AI for drafting reports or summarizing findings, the report highlights significant untapped potential for AI to support rigor, reproducibility, and deeper methodological insight.

The survey, conducted in May and June 2025, represents the first large scale study to examine AI adoption, trust, training, and governance within authoring, reviewing, and editorial workflows.

Kamila Markram, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Frontiers, said, “AI is transforming how science is written and reviewed, opening new possibilities for quality, collaboration, and global participation. This whitepaper is a call to action for the whole research ecosystem to embrace that potential. With aligned policies and responsible governance, AI will strengthen the integrity of science and accelerate discovery”.

However, the transformation reveals both promise and limitations. Most usage remains limited in scope, with reviewers primarily relying on AI for drafting reports, improving clarity and summarizing manuscripts. Only about 19 percent use AI to evaluate methodology, statistical validity or experimental design, areas traditionally considered the intellectual core of peer review.

The study shows broad enthusiasm for using AI more effectively, especially among early career researchers, where 87 percent reported use, and within rapidly growing research regions including China at 77 percent and Africa at 66 percent.

Elena Vicario, Director of Research Integrity at Frontiers, said, “AI is already improving efficiency and clarity in peer review, but its greatest value lies ahead. With the right governance, transparency and training, AI can become a powerful partner in strengthening research quality and increasing trust in the scientific record”.

The research reveals what experts call a “trust paradox.” While many scientists agree that AI can improve manuscript quality, 57 percent say they would be unhappy if a reviewer used AI to write peer review reports on their own manuscripts. That number drops to 42 percent when AI is used merely to augment reports.

Additionally, 72 percent of respondents believe they could accurately detect an AI written peer review report on a manuscript they had authored, though research suggests this confidence may be misplaced.

When analyzing responses by career stage, more junior researchers tend to have a more positive view of the impact of generative AI compared with more senior colleagues. In total, 48 percent of junior researchers thought that AI would have a positive impact on peer review compared with 34 percent of more senior researchers.

In a foreword to the paper, Markram says AI is often used in peer review for surface tasks, like polishing language, drafting text or handling administration, rather than for deeper analytical and methodological work where it could truly elevate rigor, reproducibility and scientific discovery.

The report calls for coordinated action across the research ecosystem, urging publishers to embed transparency, disclosure and human oversight into editorial workflows. Universities and research institutions are encouraged to integrate AI literacy into formal training, while funders and policymakers are asked to harmonize standards internationally.

Frontiers’ position is that clear boundaries, human accountability and well governed, secure tools are more effective than blanket prohibitions in protecting and strengthening research integrity. The company notes that the greater risk to peer review quality comes from unregulated, opaque or undisclosed AI use, which is already occurring across the research ecosystem.

The quiet revolution inside peer review is already reshaping how science is evaluated, paper by paper, reviewer by reviewer. Whether it strengthens scientific integrity or weakens public trust will depend on whether the global research community can govern AI with the same rigor it demands of evidence itself.

The Ghana Police Service has arrested Evans Eshun, popularly known as Ebo Noah, over his claims of a predicted global flood that caused widespread fear and panic.

Police sources say Ebo Noah was picked up on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, following weeks of public concern over his activities and pronouncements.

Ebo Noah gained attention in August 2025 after claiming he had received a divine instruction to build modern-day arks to save people from a three-year global flood. He said the disaster would begin on December 25, 2025, and urged people to prepare by coming to his designated site.

Reports indicate that hundreds of people, including some from neighbouring countries, abandoned their homes and travelled to the site with personal belongings, raising serious security and humanitarian concerns.

For months, Ebo Noah shared videos on social media showing the construction of wooden structures, which he described as arks. He claimed they were the only means of survival for those who believed his message.

When the predicted flood failed to occur on Christmas Day, he released another video claiming that his prayers and fasting had caused God to delay the disaster.

Public outrage intensified after he appeared on stage at Sarkodie’s Rapperholic 2025 concert, where he told the crowd to celebrate because the doom had been postponed. The appearance triggered strong backlash on social media, with many accusing him of misleading the public and calling for his arrest.

The police have since reiterated that the ban on fake prophecies that cause fear and panic remains in force, especially ahead of December 31 Watch Night services. They warned that anyone who makes claims likely to create public anxiety will be dealt with according to the law.

The man who spent months stirring global anxiety with claims of visions involving a water apocalypse, Evans Eshun, popularly known as Ebo Noah, has been apprehended by the Ghana Police Service.

Police sources indicate that Ebo Noah was detained today, Wednesday, December 31, 2025, following a series of controversial events that began with a failed doomsday prediction on Christmas Day and ended with a bizarre appearance at a high-profile music concert.

Authorities have been particularly concerned by reports of hundreds of people—some travelling from neighbouring countries—abandoning their homes and arriving at his “ark site” with luggage, potentially creating a humanitarian and security crisis.

The ‘Flood of 2025’: A Prophecy That Fizzled

Ebo Noah first captured the world’s attention in August 2025, claiming he had received a divine mandate to build 10 modern-day arks to save humanity from a three-year global flood.

He insisted the rains would commence on December 25, 2025, mirroring the biblical deluge.

For months, his TikTok and YouTube channels were flooded with videos of the 30-year-old in tattered sackcloth, supervising the construction of wooden vessels.

He claimed to have purchased over 250,000 pieces of timber for the project, asserting that these arks were the “only refuge” for the faithful.

However, when Christmas Day passed with clear skies, the self-acclaimed prophet quickly pivoted.

In a viral video, he claimed his intercession and three-week fast had persuaded God to “postpone” the destruction.

From the Altar to the Stage: The Rapperholic Appearance

The situation took a turn for the surreal when Ebo Noah appeared on stage at rapper Sarkodie’s ‘Rapperholic 2025’ concert.

Dressed in his trademark robes, he urged thousands of fans to “party” because the doom had been delayed.

This public display of levity—after months of inducing fear—sparked a massive backlash on social media, with many calling for his immediate arrest for “deceiving the public”.

As the nation prepares for the December 31 Watch Night services, the police have reiterated that the ban against fake prophecies that cause fear and panic remains in effect.

Any prophet who issues declarations that could cause unnecessary exacerbation of tension or panic will face similar legal consequences.

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Published:
Wednesday, 31 December 2025

The fixtures for the Round of 16 at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 have been set following a thrilling group stage campaign that highlighted the world-class quality of football on the continent.

The first knockout stage will be staged from Saturday, 3 January to Tuesday, 6 January, with two matches every day at 17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT and 20h00 local time / 19h00 local time as the remaining sides battle it out for a quarter-final place.  

Hosts Morocco face Tanzania at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat on Sunday (17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT) with an expectant crowd roaring them on as they seek a first continental title in 50 years.

Morocco topped Group A, with Tanzania qualifying as one of the four best third-placed sides out of Group C.

South Africa and Cameroon will lock horns later that same day at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat (20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT), pitting coach Hugo Broos against the side he led to the title in 2017.

Before those fixtures, 2021 winners Senegal take on Sudan on Saturday (17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT) in the first of the Round of 16 games at the Grand Stade de Tangier to kick-off the knockout phase.

Later that evening Mali tackle Tunisia (20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT) at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, with the former seeking a maiden continental crown and Tunisia looking to repeat their 2004 triumph.

Egypt are record seven-time winners of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON but have not lifted the trophy since 2010, a long wait for fans of the Pharaohs. They face Benin on Monday (17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT) at the Grand Stade de Agadir.

Later that evening Nigeria, among the most impressive sides in the group stages, will play Mozambique (20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT) at the Complexe Sportif de Fès as they seek to go one better than their silver medal finish at the 2023 edition. 

Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo meet on Tuesday (17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT) at the Stade Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan in Rabat, before the round concludes in a meeting between defending champions Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso (20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT) at the Grand Stade de Marrakech.

The quarter-finals will be played on 9-10 January, with the final scheduled for 18 January at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah.

TOTALENERGIES CAF AFCON MOROCCO 2025 ROUND OF 16 FIXTURES

Saturday, 3 January 2026
Senegal vs Sudan

17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT
Grand Stade de Tangier

Mali vs Tunisia

20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT
Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca

Sunday, 4 January 2026
Morocco vs Tanzania

17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT
Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat

South Africa vs Cameroon

20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT
Stade Al Medina, Rabat

Monday, 5 January 2026
Egypt vs Benin

17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT
Grand Stade de Agadir

Nigeria vs Mozambique

20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT
Complexe Sportif de Fès

Tuesday, 6 January 2026
Algeria vs DR Congo

17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT
Stade Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan, Rabat

Cote d’Ivoire vs Burkina Faso

20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT
Grand Stade de Marrakech

For more information on the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, visit www.cafonline.com 

Further Inquiries:

[email protected]

CAF | Communication Department

The Ghana Police Service has announced comprehensive security arrangements across the country to ensure the safety of the public during activities marking Wednesday, December 31, as Ghanaians usher in the New Year.

Police personnel have been deployed, and patrols intensified in communities, major towns, entertainment centres, and along key highways to ensure safety and security while maintaining public order.

The Service noted that police visibility will be significantly heightened, particularly around areas expected to record increased human and vehicular movement. To ease traffic and reduce road crashes associated with the festive rush, traffic officers will be stationed at major intersections and along roads leading to watchnight services and social events.

According to the Police, special security arrangements have also been put in place at public gathering venues, including churches, event grounds and other locations anticipated to attract large crowds, as part of measures to prevent crime and respond swiftly to any incidents.

The Service calls on the public to cooperate fully with officers on duty, to remain vigilant, and to be each other’s keeper by looking out especially for neighbours who might not be at home.

The Police urged citizens to promptly report any suspicious activities to the police on 0302773906, 18555, 191, or 112 for immediate action.

The deployment comes as thousands of Ghanaians are expected to attend watchnight services across the country, with churches and public venues preparing for large gatherings to mark the transition into 2026.

The Ghana Police Service wished the public a safe, peaceful, and happy New Year.