More than 8,000 Ghanaians who escaped the deadly clashes in Gbeniyiri, located in the Savannah Region, have now made their way back home, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. Speaking exclusively to Joy News during a visit to Vonkoro — a border settlement in Côte d’Ivoire where over 13,000 Ghanaians had taken shelter — the minister disclosed the updated figures. Blessed Sogah, Head of Joy News’ Diplomatic Desk, reported that the purpose of the minister’s trip was to offer assistance and personally encourage the remaining refugees to return. During the visit, Mr. Ablakwa handed over a cash donation...
NPP Youth Wing to March on September 23 Over Alleged Police Intimidation of Party Executives
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has declared its intention to hold a demonstration on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, in opposition to what it claims is state-backed intimidation by the Ghana Police Service targeting some of its members. The announcement was made by the party’s National Youth Organiser, Salam Mustapha, in a Facebook post on Friday, September 12. This decision comes in the wake of the remand of the NPP’s Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe — popularly known as Abronye DC — by an Accra Circuit Court. The court ordered that he remain in police custody for two weeks to give...
NDC Vice Chairman Arrested Over Alleged Assault on NPP Official During Akwatia By-Election
The Eastern South Regional Police Command has confirmed the detention of Alhaji Sofo Azorka, a National Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), in relation to an alleged attack on Alhaji Masawudu Osman, the third National Vice Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), during the Akwatia by-election on September 2, 2025. Alhaji Azorka was taken into custody in Tamale on Wednesday, September 10, as part of ongoing inquiries into the matter. According to a police statement, he was granted bail after providing a caution statement and has been instructed to appear at the Eastern South Regional Police...
Ghana Makes History as First Non-European Chair of GAAMAC
Ghana has made history by taking over the Chairmanship of the Global Action Against Mass Atrocity Crimes (GAAMAC) from Switzerland the first time the leadership of the organization has moved outside Europe. The symbolic handover took place at a ceremony in Accra, marking a milestone in Ghana’s growing role in global peace and security. Pledging Ghana’s full commitment to GAAMAC’s mission of preventing genocide, ethnic cleansing, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak called for stronger preventive measures. “We must strengthen early warning systems, combat hate speech, ensure accountability, and build inclusive societies to reduce the risk...
Interior Minister Inaugurates National Disaster Management Committee to Boost Ghana’s Preparedness
In a decisive move to strengthen Ghana’s disaster preparedness and response, Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak has inaugurated the National Disaster Management Committee under the National Disaster Management Organisation Act, 2016 (Act 927). The Committee is tasked with coordinating disaster management activities nationwide, providing strategic policy direction, harmonizing institutional efforts, and enhancing resilience against hazards such as floods, epidemics, fires, seismic risks, and conflicts. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Accra, Mr. Mubarak underscored the importance of proactive measures over reactive responses. “Investing in preparedness and resilience is far less costly than recovery efforts,” he said. “We must adopt a participatory,...
Bawku Groups in Ashanti Region Ink Peace Deal to Prevent Spread of Unrest
Indigenes of Bawku living in the Ashanti Region have signed a peace pact to prevent the deadly Kusaasi–Mamprusi conflict from spilling over into Kumasi. The mediation, spearheaded by the Ashanti Regional Security Council, followed a string of violent shootings in Asawase and Asokore Mampong that claimed two lives, including that of a local chief, sending shockwaves through the region. Security sources fear the long-running ethnic conflict in Bawku in the Upper East region could ignite chaos in Kumasi if not contained. While the Asantehene–led committee continues its efforts to bring lasting peace to Bawku, the Ashanti Regional Security Council is...
IMF Forecasts Ghana’s Public Debt to Drop to 60% of GDP by End-2025
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) anticipates that Ghana’s public debt will fall to roughly 60 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the close of 2025, crediting the improvement primarily to the nation’s recent debt restructuring initiative. Speaking at a media briefing in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, 11 September 2025, IMF Communications Director Julie Kozack noted that the restructuring process had substantially reduced Ghana’s debt load. “The recent debt restructuring agreement has significantly improved Ghana’s debt service indicators,” she stated, adding that the brighter outlook has opened room for economic recovery and new investment inflows. Mrs. Kozack characterised the progress...
IMF Backs Bank of Ghana’s New Forex Rules to Strengthen Cedi and Boost Market Transparency
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has thrown its support behind the Bank of Ghana’s (BoG) newest foreign exchange regulations, calling them a move toward reinforcing the cedi’s position as Ghana’s exclusive legal tender while enhancing openness in the forex market. During a press conference on Thursday, September 11, 2025, IMF Communications Director Julie Kozack stated that the measures are in line with wider initiatives to protect financial stability and uphold anti-money laundering (AML) protocols. “The Bank of Ghana’s latest directives are intended to reinforce the role of the cedi as the sole legal tender in the country. They’re meant to...
Nine Forests Reclaimed as Gov’t Cracks Down on Galamsey in Reserves
Government has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining, reclaiming nine previously captured forest reserves and pledging to outlaw mining in all reserves. President Mahama disclosed that a repeal of LI-2462 was underway to formally end mining concessions in protected forests. “Not a single license has been issued since I assumed office, and none will be,” he emphasized. He revealed that over 440 excavators and 900 water pumps had been seized, with some pumps handed over to farmers for irrigation. A new “Blue-Water Guard” force of 2,000 personnel is being recruited to protect rivers and forests. “Our Tree for Life initiative...
Big Push Roads Programme Begins Next Week
President John Dramani Mahama has announced the commencement of the long-awaited Big Push programme, with a first phase dedicated to rehabilitating critical road networks across the country. In a highly anticipated media encounter on Wednesday, September 10, President Mahama disclosed that nearly GHC 14 billion of oil and gold revenues had been earmarked for the programme this year, with projects such as the Ofankor and Sawam roads already receiving close to GHC 1 billion to ensure completion by mid-2026. District Assemblies are also set to benefit from increased Common Fund disbursements, with allocations for model markets, boreholes, CHPS compounds and...