Ghana Politics News

The latest Ghana politics coverage in one place: government and parliament, elections, policy, and the people shaping national life, from Accra to the regions. Stories are curated from Ghana's leading newsrooms and refreshed through the day, newest first.

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Uganda Implements Restrictions Ahead of January Elections Amid Rising Tensions

As Uganda approaches its January 15 elections, the government has enacted significant restrictions, including a ban on live broadcasts of riots and unlawful processions. This decision, announced by the Ministry of Information, aims to prevent potential violence and panic as President Yoweri Museveni seeks to extend his 40-year rule. In the lead-up to the elections, hundreds of opposition supporters have been detained, with human rights organizations accusing security forces of a brutal crackdown against supporters of opposition leader Bobi Wine. Previous elections have seen deadly violence, with over 50 casualties reported during similar crackdowns. In a related development, Ugandan authorities have denied rumors of a planned internet shutdown during the elections, reassuring voters that connectivity will remain stable. The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) confirmed there are no intentions to disrupt internet services, despite recent restrictions imposed by Starlink. In response to concerns about communication disruptions, the National Unity Platform has introduced an offline vote-monitoring app. However, Amnesty International has reported ongoing intimidation tactics employed by security forces against opposition supporters, raising alarms about the electoral environment as tensions escalate ahead of the vote.

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Tributes Pour In for Late Ayawaso East MP Naser Toure Mahama

Naser Toure Mahama, the 60-year-old Member of Parliament for Ayawaso East, has passed away on January 4, 2025, after being hospitalized at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Mahama, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), had been serving in Parliament since 2012 and was in his fourth term. He held the position of Vice Chairman of the Energy Committee and was also a member of the Roads and Transportation Committee, recognized for his commitment to public service. Born on March 17, 1965, in Nima, Accra, Mahama was well-educated, holding a Master’s in Business Administration from Doshisha University in Japan. He is survived by his wife and two children. His burial is scheduled for January 5, 2026, in accordance with Islamic traditions. Colleagues and constituents have expressed their condolences and shared tributes honoring his legacy and contributions to the community.

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Nicki Minaj's Political Transformation: From Trump Critic to Supporter

Nicki Minaj has undergone a significant political transformation, shifting from a vocal critic of Donald Trump's policies to a supporter, recently praising him and Vice President JD Vance at the AmericaFest convention. In the past, Minaj openly criticized Trump's anti-immigration stance, expressing empathy for immigrant children and highlighting issues such as family separations at the border. However, her recent comments, where she referred to Trump as 'handsome,' mark a stark departure from her previous views, leading to mixed reactions from her fan base. This change in alignment has surprised many, particularly given her earlier stance against Trump's policies. During the pandemic, Minaj began to embrace themes associated with the MAGA movement, including anti-vaccine sentiments, which further distanced her from her previous political positions. The rapper's shift has not only sparked backlash from some fans, who are distancing themselves due to her newfound political ties, but it has also coincided with her decision to halt the release of her planned album for March 2026, suggesting a potential pivot in her career focus towards political engagement.

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Government Initiatives to Boost Local Development and Economy in Ghana

In a bid to enhance local development and economic growth in Ghana, key government officials have proposed significant initiatives aimed at empowering communities and improving market infrastructure. Mahama Ayariga, the Majority Leader in Parliament, has called for an increase in the allocation of national revenue to the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF). Speaking at the Azuko Festival in Sirigu, he emphasized the importance of grassroots development, stating that Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are crucial in addressing local needs. Ayariga praised the current policy of directing 80% of DACF allocations to district assemblies, which has reportedly improved their financial capabilities, leading to job creation and poverty reduction. In a complementary effort, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, introduced a new 24-hour market initiative designed to bolster local economic development. This program aims to increase income for traders, particularly benefiting youth and women, while also enhancing urban sanitation and safety. Key features of the initiative include extending trading hours, upgrading market facilities, implementing CCTV systems for security, and promoting digital payment methods. Ibrahim highlighted the necessity for collective commitment from all stakeholders, including traditional authorities and the private sector, to ensure the success of this program and foster unity in leveraging chieftaincy and religion for national development.

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Global Reactions to US Military Operation and Capture of Venezuelan President Maduro

In a dramatic turn of events, U.S. forces successfully captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife during a covert military operation named "Operation Absolute Resolve" on January 3, 2026. The operation involved extensive planning by elite U.S. troops and intelligence agencies, including the CIA, and was marked by airstrikes on military targets in Caracas. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would oversee Venezuela until a proper political transition is established, raising concerns about international law and sovereignty. Ghana's Minister of Communication, Samuel Nartey George, expressed apprehension about the implications of the U.S. intervention, drawing parallels to previous international crises in Libya and Iraq. He highlighted the potential violation of Venezuela's sovereignty and questioned the legality of the military action. Global reactions have been mixed; while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer showed no remorse for Maduro's capture, leaders from Latin America, Russia, and China condemned the U.S. actions as unacceptable aggression and violations of international law. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also voiced deep concern over the situation. The Pentagon had increased military presence in the region prior to the operation, which culminated in Maduro's capture amid heavy fire, with U.S. forces sustaining no major casualties. Trump later shared a photo of Maduro in custody aboard the USS Iwo Jima, marking a significant military achievement for the U.S. government. However, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer criticized the lack of congressional authorization for the military action, adding to the controversy surrounding the operation.

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Controversy Surrounds Ghana's Gold-for-Reserves Program Amid Claims of Mismanagement and Monopoly

The Gold-for-Reserves program in Ghana is facing intense scrutiny following claims of significant financial losses and allegations of unfair practices favoring a state-designated aggregator. Dzifa Gunu, Acting CEO of Ghana Digital Centres, criticized Kojo Oppong Nkrumah for his absence from a JoyNews program where he was expected to address concerns about the program, which reportedly incurred $214 million in losses, as highlighted by the IMF. Gunu accused Nkrumah of 'chickening out' from defending the government's policy amid rising public concern. Bright Simons, Vice President of IMANI Africa, echoed these concerns, stating that the program disproportionately benefits Bawa Rock Limited, the only aggregator licensed under the scheme, due to its access to interest-free funding from the Bank of Ghana. This financial advantage allows Bawa Rock to operate at lower costs, undermining competition and disadvantaging private aggregators who must rely on commercial loans at higher interest rates. Simons criticized the lack of transparency in the aggregator selection process, which he believes could erode public confidence in the program. In response to the criticisms, Sammy Gyamfi, CEO of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), defended the program, asserting that the reported losses are by design and not due to mismanagement. He explained that the Gold-for-Reserves initiative, introduced in 2022, aims to enhance foreign exchange reserves and is not a reflection of GoldBod's operational failures. Gyamfi also clarified that the licensing process for gold aggregators was rigorous, with Bawa Rock being the only company to meet eligibility criteria out of 31 applicants, thus dispelling claims of monopoly. As the debate continues, stakeholders are calling for greater transparency and fairness in the Gold-for-Reserves program to ensure a level playing field for all participants in Ghana's gold sector.

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Suspicious Aircraft Landings in Paga Raise Alarms Over National Security

Residents of Paga in the Upper East Region of Ghana are expressing serious concerns following the repeated landings of a suspicious aircraft at the local airstrip. Between December 28 and 31, 2025, an aircraft identified by tail number 60171 made three landings, prompting security personnel to attempt engagement, which ultimately failed. On December 31, authorities intervened to prevent the aircraft's takeoff, but the occupants allegedly refused to cooperate with security forces. Reports suggest that the aircraft may be linked to the U.S. Army and could be transporting arms, raising alarms about potential threats to national security. The Paga Youth Movement has demanded explanations from security officials, highlighting that local authorities were not informed about the aircraft's activities. This situation has intensified concerns regarding national sovereignty and the effectiveness of local security measures. Efforts to obtain comments from regional officials have so far been unsuccessful, leaving the community anxious about the implications of these incidents.

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Suspicious Aircraft Landings in Paga Raise Security Alarm

Residents of Paga in the Upper East Region of Ghana are expressing deep concern following the repeated landings of a suspicious aircraft at their local airstrip. The aircraft, identified by tail number 60171, reportedly landed three times between December 28 and December 31, 2025. Local security forces attempted to investigate but were unable to make contact with the aircraft before it departed. On December 31, the situation escalated when the Paga Youth Movement raised alarms, claiming that the occupants of the aircraft refused to disembark. The group alleges that the aircraft is linked to the U.S. Army and that its original identifiers were deliberately concealed. They are demanding public clarification from security officials, expressing concerns that local authorities were not informed about the aircraft's presence. The Paga Youth Movement suspects that the aircraft may have been transporting arms intended for Burkina Faso, calling for a thorough investigation and assurances of safety in the region.

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Prophet ElBernard Declares Kennedy Agyapong as NPP's Future Flagbearer

Prophet Bernard ElBernard Nelson-Eshun, the General Overseer of Spiritlife Revival Ministries, has confidently reiterated his prophecy that Kennedy Agyapong, the former Member of Parliament for Assin Central, will emerge as the next flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2028 elections. This declaration was made during Agyapong's National Praise 2026 event held at the University of Professional Studies in Accra. ElBernard emphasized that his predictions are based on divine revelations from an angel, who has guided him in previous successful prophecies involving notable political figures in Ghana, including the Ga Mantse and former President Laurent Gbagbo. He stated that Agyapong's victory in the NPP primaries, scheduled for January 30, 2026, is assured, and he expects confirmation of this success on January 31, 2026, following the balloting. ElBernard's bold assertions have sparked discussions within political circles, as many await the upcoming primaries to see if his prophecies hold true.

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Ghana Detains 17 Armed Burkinabè Soldiers Following Border Incident

In a significant security incident, Ghanaian forces apprehended 17 armed soldiers from Burkina Faso in Wuru, Upper West Region. The soldiers, aged between 20 and 30, were reportedly setting up a combat position when local residents alerted authorities, prompting a swift ambush by security officials. The soldiers claimed they had accidentally crossed the border during a routine patrol. After several hours of detention, they were released following orders from higher authorities. A delegation from Burkina Faso arrived the following day to retrieve the confiscated weapons and explosive devices. This incident raises concerns about border security and the potential for misunderstandings between neighboring countries.

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Kwaku Azar Interprets Mahama's New Year Address as Call for Governance Reset

In his analysis of President John Dramani Mahama's New Year address for 2026, Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, popularly known as Kwaku Azar, emphasizes that the speech is more about governance than political campaigning. Azar identifies three key themes in Mahama's address: the principle of 'One Ghana,' the framing of corruption as a violation of public trust, and a call for shared national responsibility. He argues that the address advocates for credible institutional behavior to foster unity in a politically polarized environment. Furthermore, Mahama's focus on economic stability, including inflation control and debt restructuring, highlights the need for collective accountability in governance. Azar concludes that the success of these initiatives relies on consistent governance rather than mere rhetoric, framing the address as an invitation for unity and collaborative reform among Ghanaians.

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Tragic Shooting in Uganda: Civilian Killed as Soldiers Open Fire at Political Gathering

A tragic shooting incident unfolded in Orungo County, eastern Uganda, on Thursday, resulting in the death of a civilian identified as Saidi Eteru and injuring at least five others. The violence erupted when soldiers attached to Foreign Affairs Minister Gen Jeje Odongo opened fire during a political gathering that included supporters of rival candidate Teddy Anyuk Osire. The Amuria Resident District Commissioner condemned the incident, emphasizing the need for thorough investigations due to the involvement of military personnel. In light of the upcoming elections scheduled for January 15, 2026, security measures are being intensified in the area, with officials urging for peaceful campaigning amidst rising tensions.