Michel Camp was named after the late Brigadier Joseph Michel who died in an air crash
Michel Camp is a key Ghana Armed Forces base that also serves as a living tribute to a soldier who helped shape Ghana’s early military and international reputation.
Many have wondered how the camp got its name. Well, it is named after Brigadier (now Brigadier-General) Joseph Michel, one of the most senior Ghanaian soldiers in the years following independence, whose life and career, though cut short, were marked by exceptional service at both national and international levels.
From Queues to Coffins: The tragedy of Ghana’s military recruitment
Brigadier Michel was born to a French father and a mother from the Volta Region in Ghana. Before putting on a military uniform, he was a trained teacher who taught at the Kpando Presbyterian School.
His transition from the classroom to the military reflected a deep commitment to service and leadership, qualities that quickly distinguished him within the Ghana Army.
His professionalism earned him appointment as Aide-de-Camp to Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, placing him at the centre of the country’s early post-independence administration.
In 1959, his reputation extended beyond Ghana when he was selected as Equerry to Queen Elizabeth II and stationed at Buckingham Palace.
He was also scheduled to accompany the Queen and Prince Philip on their 17-day tour of Ghana, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia.
However, it was his role in international peacekeeping that firmly etched his name into history. Brigadier Michel served with distinction as leader of the Ghanaian contingent under the United Nations Operations in the Congo (UNOC).
His leadership was so highly regarded that the United Nations, with the approval of President Nkrumah, selected him to become Chief of Staff of the UN Forces in the Congo, a rare honor for a Ghanaian officer at the time.
Tragically, Brigadier Michel never assumed the role.
In 1961, as he prepared to depart for the Congo assignment, he died in an air crash in Kumasi at the age of 44.
In recognition of his outstanding service and the promise of a career that symbolised Ghana’s early contribution to global peacekeeping, the Ghana Armed Forces named Michel Camp in his honour.
Suspended military recruitment exercise in Accra set to resume
The camp stands today as a reminder of a soldier whose dedication transcended borders and whose legacy continues to inspire generations of officers and men.
In ancient Rome, going to the arena was not only about watching gladiators fight.
For thousands of spectators packed into amphitheatres such as the Colosseum, entertainment also meant witnessing real people die, sometimes in carefully staged scenes that resembled dramatic performances.
Historians say that during the midday portion of Roman games, known as the meridiani, condemned criminals were brought into the arena to be executed in front of the crowd.
These executions were not always carried out simply or quietly. Instead, they were often designed as theatrical spectacles, with the prisoners forced to take part in reenactments of famous myths or symbolic stories.
In some cases, a prisoner might be dressed as a legendary figure from Roman or Greek mythology, such as Orpheus or Hercules, and made to act out the character’s final moments.
But unlike in a stage play, the ending was real. The person would be killed by wild animals, burned alive, or executed by soldiers, all while the audience watched.
Roman writers, including the poet Martial, recorded scenes in which criminals were punished in this way. These performances blurred the line between punishment and entertainment, turning executions into dramatic shows meant to shock, impress and please the crowd.
Experts explain that this was part of a broader Roman culture that celebrated public spectacle.
Executions were used not only to punish crime, but also to send a message about the power of the state. By turning death into entertainment, the authorities reinforced their control and reminded citizens what happened to those who broke the law.
However, historians stress that this was not the same as normal theatre, where trained actors performed scripted plays. Professional theatre existed separately in Roman society.
The arena spectacles were more brutal, combining punishment, violence and storytelling into a form of mass entertainment.
Today, the idea that people were forced to die as part of a public “performance” continues to shock modern audiences.
But in ancient Rome, it was seen as a normal and even exciting part of public life.
President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to establish a 24-Hour Authority to drive the implementation of the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy policy, a move aimed at stimulating economic activity, expanding job creation, and attracting investment across the country.
The President made the disclosure on Thursday, January 8, during a visit to the Ghana Publishing Company, where he commended management for adopting forward-looking operational strategies, including a two-shift system, in anticipation of the policy’s rollout.
According to him, the proposed Authority will serve as the central coordinating body for the 24-Hour Economy, with responsibility for registering participating businesses, setting operational guidelines, and administering incentives to encourage round-the-clock economic activity.
President Mahama said the initiative is expected to boost productivity, unlock employment opportunities, and position Ghana as a competitive hub for continuous business operations.
“I like the innovative thinking that you have brought into this establishment. Of course, the 24-Hour Initiative is one of the flagship economic policies of this government. I am happy to note that the committee has finished considering it and it is supposed to go to the floor of parliament to set up the 24-Hour Authority which would then open the way for implementation and registration of businesses that would be involved in the 24-Hour Economy. It will also spell out what kind of incentive that can be given,” he stated.
The 24-Hour Economy policy is a central pillar of the Mahama administration’s economic agenda, targeting growth in both the formal and informal sectors. Once established, the 24-Hour Authority is expected to play a regulatory and facilitative role in ensuring the effective and sustainable implementation of the policy nationwide.
Fred Opare Ansah (L) has accused Bryan Acheampong of hurting NPP’s fortunes in the Eastern Region
Former Member of Parliament for Suhum, Fred Opare Ansah, has accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Dr Bryan Acheampong, of causing harm to the fortunes of the party in the run-up to the 2024 election.
According to him, Bryan Acheampong, who is the Member of Parliament for Abetifi, had issues with the paramount chief of Kwahu (Kwahumanhene), Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng III, which he said affected the party’s campaign in the Eastern Region.
Opare Ansah claimed that Bryan once threatened to boycott the NPP’s campaign in the Eastern Region if a delegation of the party in the region visited the Kwahumanhene.
“Bryan helped us in the Eastern Region, but he also caused harm at some point. On the day we were going to Abetifi, the regional chairman sent me a message saying that if we made the mistake of going to greet the Kwahumanhene, he (Bryan) would boycott both Kwahu and Abetifi programmes.
“If you remember, there was a fight between Bryan and the Kwahumanhene, and this had entered our politics,” he said in a video clip from a recent interview on Asempa FM.
What Bryan said about paying NPP executives $1,500 each for Bawumia to win NPP primaries
The government has secured a US$200 million World Bank facility, with plans to scale it up to US$250 million, to upgrade selected Category B and C Senior High Schools (SHSs) to Category A status as part of efforts to expand access to quality secondary education.
The funding will also be used to expand infrastructure in some existing Category A schools, addressing capacity challenges and improving learning conditions across the country.
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, disclosed this on Friday, January 9, 2026, during the commissioning of the Gloria Boatema Dadey–Nifa Basic School at Adukrom in the Okere District of the Eastern Region. The school was constructed by the KGL Foundation.
According to the minister, about 30 Category C schools, along with several Category B schools, are expected to benefit from the upgrade programme once the funding is fully rolled out. He explained that the intervention goes beyond infrastructure expansion and is aimed at improving overall teaching and learning outcomes.
“We have received funding from the World Bank of about US$200 million, and we are informed that this amount may be increased to US$250 million to convert a number of Category C and B schools to Category A, while expanding infrastructure in some Category A schools,” he stated.
Mr Iddrisu noted that the upgrades would be matched with quality-enhancing measures, including the deployment of qualified teachers, the provision of adequate learning materials, and improved teaching aids.
He said the initiative forms part of broader government efforts to reduce disparities among senior high schools and ensure that students, regardless of location, have access to improved educational facilities and opportunities.
The Ghanaian economy is currently navigating a critical phase of recovery, marked by a decisive shift towards fiscal consolidation and monetary easing.
The net effect of recent policy changes specifically; the increase in utility tariffs, stabilization of the cedi, reduction in fuel prices, and comprehensive tax reforms (including the removal of the flat 3% VAT rate and the COVID-19 levy), is a projected stabilization of the macroeconomic environment.
While the upward adjustment of utility tariffs introduces inflationary pressure, this is largely counterbalanced by the positive impacts of a stable currency, declining inflation, and a subsequent reduction in interest rates, which collectively foster a more favourable climate for private sector growth and investment.
Macroeconomic Context and Trends
The economic outlook for Ghana is characterized by a strong disinflationary trend and a return to moderate, sustainable growth. The data below illustrates the projected trajectory of key indicators.
Indicator
2024 (Actual/Est)
2025 (Forecast)
2026 (Forecast)
Primary Driver
Real GDP Growth
5.7%
4.0%
4.4%
Fiscal consolidation and private sector recovery [4]
Average Inflation
23.0%
15.2%
10.6%
Monetary policy tightening and cedi stability [5]
Monetary Policy Rate
29.0%
18.0%
15.0%
Response to falling inflation [6]
Cedi Stability
Volatile
Improving
Stable
Improved reserves and debt restructuring [7]
The most significant development is the rapid deceleration of inflation, which fell to 6.3% in late 2025, a level not seen since early 2019 [8]. This success has enabled the Bank of Ghana to implement aggressive cuts to the Monetary Policy Rate, which stood at 18% in November 2025, signaling a lower cost of borrowing for businesses and consumers in 2026 [6].
Macroeconomic Trends Visualization
The following chart visualizes the projected convergence of the Monetary Policy Rate and Inflation, a key indicator of economic normalization.
Analysis of Policy-Specific Impacts
The net effect on the economy is a result of the interplay between contractionary and expansionary forces from the new policies.
Tax Reforms: Removal of Flat 3% VAT Rate and COVID Levy
The government’s “Fiscal Reset” includes a comprehensive overhaul of the Value Added Tax (VAT) regime, effective from 2026 [1].
Policy Change
Direct Impact
Economic Effect
Abolition of COVID-19 Levy
Removes a 1% levy on the supply of goods and services.
Reduces the effective tax burden on businesses and consumers, contributing to disinflation [1].
Removal of Flat 3% VAT Rate
Reverses the flat rate regime, allowing businesses to claim input VAT deductions.
Eliminates the cascading effect of taxes, lowering the cost of production and improving business competitiveness [1].
Effective VAT Rate Reduction
Overall effective VAT rate reduced from ~21.9% to 20%.
Increases disposable income for households and stimulates consumption [1].
The net effect of these tax reforms is expansionary and disinflationary, providing relief to the private sector and supporting the government’s goal of improving the ease of doing business.
Tariff Increases and Fuel Price Dynamics
A major counter-inflationary force is the increase in utility tariffs, which is necessary for the financial viability of the energy sector.
Utility Tariffs: Electricity and water tariffs saw significant hikes in early 2026 (9.86% and 15.92% respectively), following cumulative increases in 2025 [9]. These increases raise the cost of living and production.
Fuel Prices: Conversely, fuel prices have seen a marginal decline in early 2026, driven by the appreciation of the Cedi and stable global oil prices [10].
Net Effect: The reduction in fuel prices, a major component of the transport and logistics cost structure, acts as a crucial offset to the inflationary impact of higher utility tariffs. The overall impact on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is likely to be dampened by the fuel price relief.
Stable Currency (Cedi)
The stability of the Ghanaian Cedi is arguably the most critical factor in the current economic outlook.
Impact: A stable Cedi reduces the cost of imported goods, particularly fuel and raw materials, which are major drivers of domestic inflation [7]. This stability reinforces the disinflationary trend and allows the central bank to continue its rate-cutting cycle.
Net Effect: The stable currency provides a strong anti-inflationary anchor for the entire economy, mitigating the price pressures from domestic tariff increases.
Overall Net Effect
The overall net effect is a positive shift towards macroeconomic stability, driven by the successful implementation of the IMF-backed program and prudent monetary policy. The policy mix, while containing the short-term pain of utility price adjustments, is structurally beneficial. The tax reforms are designed to boost the supply side of the economy, while the stable Cedi and falling interest rates are stimulating demand and investment.
The following qualitative assessment summarizes the directional impact of the key policy components:
The analysis suggests that the combined effect of the policies will lead to a more stable and predictable economic environment in 2026, with lower inflation and interest rates paving the way for sustained GDP growth.
[9] MyJoyOnline. New Year begins with 15.92% water and 9.86% electricity tariff hikes. [https://www.myjoyonline.com/new-year-begins-with-15-92-water-and-9-86-electricity-tariff-hikes/]
[10] GBC Ghana Online. Fuel pump prices set for marginal decline as Cedi gains. [
By : Emmanuel Danso-Boafo
The writer is a financial professional.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Prophet Telvin Adjei Sowah is the leader of the Prophetic Life Embassy
A prophecy by Prophet Telvin Adjei Sowah, the leader of the Prophetic Life Embassy, has gone viral following the detention of former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, by immigration officials of the United States of America.
In the said video, Prophet Adjei Sowah is heard saying that the former finance minister, who is a suspect in several corruption investigations, will certainly be brought back to Ghana.
He foretold that Ofori-Atta would be brought back to Ghana on the 16th of a month to face justice.
“I have seen him being handled in court… 16th, 16th, 16th, the number I’m looking at is the 16th of a month; he will be before us in Ghana.
“There is a situation that will happen. I am not seeing how they found him, but I’m seeing airport restriction. That airport restriction is what caused two days’ travelling into Ghana. So it took him two days to get to Ghana, so let’s say 14th, 15th, 16th, he is here,” he said.
Ofori-Atta is a suspect in multiple criminal investigations by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor, which declared him wanted and placed him on an Interpol Red Notice.
See details of the US ICE facility where Ken Ofori-Atta is being held
Below are the cases the OSP has declared Ofori-Atta wanted for:
Contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority, aimed at enhancing revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and the minerals and metals resources value chain.
Termination of a contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC) for the Distribution, Loss Reduction, and Associated Network Improvement Project.
Procurement of contractors, materials, and payments related to the National Cathedral project.
Activities and payments associated with a contract awarded by the Ministry of Health (initially commenced by the Ministry for Special Development Initiatives) to Service Ghana Auto Group Limited for the purchase and after-sales service and maintenance of 307 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 305 CDI ambulances for the National Ambulance Service.
Payments and utilisation of funds from the Tax Refund Account of the Ghana Revenue Authority.
Watch the video below:
BAI
You can also watch more videos from Naser Toure’s funeral below:
The Trump administration has once again threatened to take control of Greenland either by acquiring it or through the use of military force to “deter our adversaries in the Arctic region.”
Greenland, which is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, already hosts the Pituffik Space Base, which the US operates in coordination with Danish authorities. Both the US and Denmark are founding members of NATO, the most powerful military alliance.
European and Canadian leaders have jumped to support Denmark and Greenland, saying they are working on a plan in the event the United States follows through with its threats.
Analysts have said that any attempt by the US to seize Greenland would be an unprecedented move in NATO’s history and raise serious questions about the survival of the alliance and the limits of Article 5, which was designed to defend against an external aggressor.
What happens if one NATO member attacks another?
Collective defence is NATO’s governing principle, where Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty states that an armed attack against one NATO member is considered an attack against all.
This has been a binding pledge since 1949, when the alliance came together and one that has forged solidarity between North America and Europe.
Because Article 5 requires unanimous agreement from all members to be invoked, a conflict between two members would lead to an impasse, as the alliance cannot vote to go to war against itself.
The only time Article 5 has been invoked was following the September 11, 2001, attacks in the US.
[Al Jazeera]
In this timeline, Al Jazeera examines the closest instances when NATO members have faced potential conflict with each other.
(Al Jazeera)
Limited military confrontations
1958–1976 – The UK and Iceland fishing dispute
The Cod Wars (1958–1976) were a series of escalating disputes between the UK and Iceland over North Atlantic fishing rights.
While the conflict never became a full-scale confrontation, it did involve a series of naval confrontations, including the ramming of ships and diplomatic friction between the two NATO members.
Fearing the loss of the Keflavik airbase in Iceland, which was essential for monitoring Soviet submarines in the northern Atlantic Ocean, NATO and the US pressured the UK to concede. The dispute ended in 1976 with a key diplomatic win for Iceland, establishing the 200-mile (322km) limit that remains the global standard today.
Royal Navy frigate HMS Brighton criss-crosses in front of gunboat Thor off the coast of Iceland during an incident where Thor cut the trawling wires of a British trawler, which occurred during a dispute known as the ‘Cod Wars’. Date unknown [AP Photo]
1974 – Greece and Turkiye over Cyprus
The 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus is the closest NATO has come to its members engaging in full-scale war. Following a Greek-sponsored coup in Cyprus, Turkiye launched a military intervention that nearly sparked a direct conflict between the two NATO members.
In protest of NATO’s perceived failure to restrain Turkiye, Greece withdrew from the alliance’s military structure from 1974 until 1980.
Given that this was during the Cold War, both members were imperative to NATO’s collective front against the Soviet Union. Despite some military action between Greece and Turkiye, the alliance was able to prevent a direct war.
Turkish Cypriots hurling stones against Greek Cypriots entering the buffer zone in Derinya, while the Turkish Cypriot police using shields try to stop them during a clash between Turkish and Greek Cypriots [Reuters]
1995 – Canada and Spain fishing dispute
In 1995, Canada and Spain came close to a naval conflict during the “Turbot War”. Canada had imposed restrictions to protect fish stocks, including a species of fish named turbot, leading to accusations that EU boats were overfishing just outside Canada’s exclusive economic zone.
Tensions escalated when Canadian Coast Guard vessels fired warning shots over a Spanish trawler and arrested its crew. Europe threatened sanctions, but the UK vetoed them, siding with Canada alongside Ireland. In response, Spain deployed naval patrols, and Canada authorised its navy to fire on trespassing vessels, bringing NATO members dangerously close to conflict.
The crisis ended following EU mediation, resulting in Canada withdrawing its enforcement actions and the establishment of a joint regulatory framework.
Turbot is a flatfish known for its delicate flavour and firm white flesh, often considered a culinary delicacy [File: Bas Czerwinski/AP Photo]
Disputes over war engagements
NATO has also faced internal divisions over when and how to engage militarily, with some members often wanting to avoid direct military action.
1956 – France, UK and US over the Suez Crisis
During the 1956 Suez Crisis, France and the UK formed a secret alliance with Israel to invade Egypt following Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser’s nationalisation of the Suez Canal.
This operation caused a severe crisis within NATO, as the United States, fearing Soviet intervention and the alienation of the Arab world, strongly opposed the military action. Despite the lack of agreement, France and the UK went ahead with operations anyway.
The conflict was ultimately resolved by the UN’s first-ever armed peacekeeping mission, the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF), which established the blueprint for future UN peacekeeping operations.
Israeli soldiers in foxholes as they clean their light weapons at a base at the Milta Pass during Operation Kadesh in the 1956 Middle East war. In October 1956, Israel, under continued cross-border commando raids from Egypt, crossed into the Sinai in an audacious plan to take control of the Suez Canal with France and the UK [Reuters]
1960s-1970s – US and European allies over Vietnam War
The Vietnam War saw a significant disagreement between NATO members over US military interventions, where Washington viewed Vietnam as a key front in the Cold War, but key European allies, such as France and the UK, opposed direct military involvement.
France openly condemned the war and ended up leaving NATO’s military command in 1966 to avoid being dragged into future US conflicts. France eventually rejoined the military structure 43 years later in 2009.
The UK opposed sending British troops despite pressure from the US, as the war was widely unpopular with the British public. However, it did provide logistical and intelligence support for the US. Interestingly, given its usual close alliance with the UK, and despite not being a member of NATO, Australia committed troops to the war.
These differences led to tensions among the biggest players in NATO and resulted in the Vietnam War not being mandated under NATO command. It also resulted in NATO’s headquarters moving from France to Belgium, where it remains today.
US Huey helicopters fly in formation over a landing zone in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, date unknown [AP Photo]
1999 – Greece’s opposition to Kosovo air campaign
In 1999, NATO launched an air campaign in response to the ethnic cleansing carried out by Serbian forces in Kosovo.
The alliance conducted an air campaign against Yugoslavia, but met serious reservations from NATO members, such as Greece, which shared close cultural and religious ties with Serbia. Greek protesters physically blocked and targeted British troops and tanks that were travelling to join allied forces.
Greece became the first NATO member to call for a halt to the bombing.
A British military helicopter, painted with tiger stripes, lands near the US Army camp at the Tirana, Albania airbase, Friday, April 30, 1999 [Reuters]
2003 – European allies split over Iraq War
The 2003 Iraq War caused one of the deepest rifts in NATO’s history.
While the alliance supported UNSC Resolution 1441, which gave Iraq “a final opportunity to comply with its disarmament obligations”, three NATO members: France, Germany and Belgium rejected the US claim that it authorised immediate military action, leading to a deadlock.
In the end, the invasion was conducted by a “Coalition of the Willing” rather than NATO itself, and Article 5 remained uninvoked.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair addresses the media as US President George W Bush listens at the White House, January 31, 2003 in Washington, DC [Brad Markel-Pool/Getty Images]
2011 – Disagreements over Libya intervention
During the 2011 intervention in Libya, NATO members had failed to come to an agreement over whether NATO should be in charge of enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya if the US stepped back from leading the operation.
Germany and Poland opposed a military intervention entirely, with Germany refusing to back an UN Security Council resolution authorising NATO action. Turkiye also voiced strong opposition, insisting that any action must avoid occupation and conclude quickly.
France opposed leading the NATO intervention, while Italy said it wanted to take back control of airbases it had authorised for use by allies unless a coordination structure was agreed.
These internal divisions delayed NATO from taking formal command of the air campaign until nearly two weeks after the initial coalition strikes began.
A French Navy Rafale jet fighter prepares to land on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier on April 20, 2011, in the Mediterranean Sea, as part of the military operations of the Nato coalition in Libya [Alexander Klein/AFP/Getty Images]
Other notable disagreements
NATO has faced disagreements over Afghanistan and deployments in Eastern Europe following the Russia-Ukraine war. Some members have limited how and where their military forces will operate.
In addition, there have also been budget disputes and missile defence issues. However, the alliance has never broken apart.
What happens with Greenland now is a test for NATO’s unity.
Michel Camp was named after the late Brigadier Joseph Michel who died in an air crash
![Israeli soldiers in foxholes as they clean their light weapons at a base at the Milta Pass during Operation Kadesh in the 1956 Middle East war. In October 1956 Israel, under continued cross border commando raids from Egypt, crossed into the Sinai in an audacious plan to take control of the Suez Canal with France and Britain. As a result America was forced into a crisis with its closest European allies, and Israel seized control of the Gaza Strip. [Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/suez_canal_photo-1767886927.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C467&quality=80)
