Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, disclosed the development at the university’s 18th Congregation, describing the incident as a serious breach of the institution’s academic integrity.

According to him, some students connived with individuals to manipulate the university’s information technology system and alter their academic results.

“Some unscrupulous students and some unscrupulous individuals breached our system by hijacking our system and changing results in our system,” he said.

Prof. Mawutor said the university’s ICT team worked intensively to trace and restore every affected result, commending the Director of ICT, James Amena, and his team for their efforts.

He revealed that the investigation had identified the culprits, with some students admitting that they paid money to have their results altered.

“I’ve been informed that over 500 results were changed by 178 students and after the investigations a number of them have come to confess that indeed they paid money to unscrupulous people to change their results.

“Others also denied, whilst others also confessed that they collected money from their colleagues,” he added.

Prof. Mawutor said the university considers the conduct unacceptable and warned that it would not compromise on the integrity of its academic processes.

“This is highly unacceptable, especially at UPSA,” he stressed.

He further disclosed that some of the students implicated in the case were scheduled to graduate at the congregation but had their graduation withheld following the investigations.

“Some of these culprits were supposed to graduate today, but through the hard work of our ISTD team and the investigative committee, we have withheld their graduation until further notice.”

“Some unscrupulous students and some unscrupulous individuals breached our system by hijacking it and changing results in our system.”

— UPSA Vice Chancellor, Professor Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, as UPSA uncovers mass results manipulation involving 178 students and over 500 changed… pic.twitter.com/AIi5hEC7GB

— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) September 26, 2026

The Vice-Chancellor also said the ICT team had endured weeks of intense work to resolve the breach and identify the altered results.

“There were moments for one whole week we have to be speaking around midnight and have to keep them awake to get the system back from those unscrupulous young ones of college,” he said.

He assured the university community that management would continue to take steps to protect the credibility of UPSA’s academic records and preserve the integrity of the institution.

The trailer, with registration number WR 294-16, reportedly lost control and fell on the taxi, trapping the occupants inside.

According to reports, four persons, including the taxi driver, have lost their lives in the tragic accident.

Road users who were around at the time of the incident rushed to the scene to help rescue those trapped under the trailer while awaiting the arrival of the emergency services.

The accident caused heavy traffic on the mountain road as onlookers gathered at the scene.

Police and emergency teams are expected to clear the road and convey the bodies to the morgue while investigations commence into the cause of the accident.

Also read:

• 49 out of 100 road deaths caused by motorcycle accidents – MTTD

• Ahafo Ano South West MP survives near-fatal accident (Video)

Speaking to Ghanaians in New York on Friday, September 25, Mr Mahama said although emergency powers could be used to confront serious national challenges, they should remain a measure of last resort.

“They said I said a state of emergency. I never ever said that. I never ever said I’ll declare a state of emergency,” President Mahama said.

He questioned the practicality of applying such a measure to illegal mining, which he said has affected 10 regions across the country.

According to him, a state of emergency would ordinarily be more effective when limited to a specific area, allowing government to concentrate resources and operations there before lifting the measure once the problem is addressed.

“But states of emergency are useful, but you declare them as a last resort. If you declare a state of emergency, you normally declare it in an isolated area and you deal with the issue.

“You concentrate all your energy there, deal with the issue, and you finish it, and you lift the state of emergency,” he added.

President Mahama said government already has the necessary powers to deal with illegal mining and is using targeted operations in identified galamsey hotspots.

He acknowledged the difficulty of tackling the illegal mining menace but reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing its impact on Ghana’s environment and affected communities.

Also read:

• Paediatric Society urges Mahama to declare galamsey public health emergency

• National Security Council believes we can tackle galamsey without state of emergency – Mahama

He is now 16.

For eight years, his mother says, her son has lived at the facility without a clinical diagnosis.

When his behaviour becomes erratic, she says, he is chained.

“He doesn’t even speak, stands often in his own world,” she said. “But this helped me a lot because I am very much assured that he will not wander off and end up getting hurt or killed.”

Hafiz became increasingly difficult to manage after the death of his twin brother. He destroyed things, once stole a neighbour’s chicken and often attacked his mother.

She said she did not understand what was wrong with him.

“I tried herbal remedies and spent money I did not have. Over eight years, my savings are exhausted.”

“Where else do I turn to? I put my faith in Allah,” she said.

Her story points to a wider problem: for some Ghanaian families, the first response to unexplained or disturbing behaviour is not a mental-health clinic but a church, prayer camp or traditional healer.

Clinical psychologist and University of Ghana lecturer Emmanuel Asampong says this is partly rooted in how illness is understood.

“We have usually, if you like, relied on what we would say is a biopsychosocial approach to seeking health,” he said.

“When things happen to people, and they are not able to explain it easily, then they are quick to attribute it to some spiritual dimension.”

For children whose conditions require professional assessment, that can mean being treated elsewhere — sometimes for years.

Inside Nyinbonya

At Nyinbonya, children and adults were seen walking barefoot. Some appeared malnourished and disassociated. A child believed to be no more than 10 was being held tightly by an adult.

Staff were seen pinching and slapping patients to make them behave or stop screaming. Three visibly naked people were also seen walking around the facility.

Access was tightly controlled. To enter, the reporter had to pretend to be visiting a patient.

A caregiver, who spoke anonymously, said the facility was doing its best and could accommodate almost 200 patients.

Hafiz’s mother said keeping him there gave her some reassurance that he would not wander into danger. But the arrangement has also meant that a child who entered at eight has spent half his life at the facility without the clinical diagnosis his mother says she never knew how to obtain.

When trauma is mistaken for possession

Sarah Adjei was seven when she was sexually assaulted by a family acquaintance.

Afterwards, she developed severe distress, waking at night, screaming and sweating. Her parents took her to a church to pray because they believed she had a spiritual problem.

She remained there for years.

“I was subjected to intense prayer, healing and deliverance every day,” Sarah recalled. “We would fast. I remember the first time I fasted was when I was nine years old. I fasted for 24 hours.”

Now 21 and studying psychology at the University of Ghana, Sarah believes she needed professional mental-health support.

“What happened to me was unfortunate, and I think I could have gotten better help than I did in a mental health institution or a health professional than the church,” she said.

She stressed that she still believes in prayer.

“I don’t believe the solution is completely to reject faith because spirituality is deeply important to recovery for many Ghanaians,” psychiatrist Dr Abigail Harding of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital said.

“But we have to insist that this recovery must never come at the cost of an individual’s human rights or their dignity.”

Harding said unusual behaviour in Ghana is often interpreted as witchcraft, a curse or possession rather than a medical condition.

The result, she said, is that some people turn first to prayer camps and deliverance centres, where some facilities lack trained mental-health professionals.

She said practices such as chaining, forced fasting and isolation can further traumatise patients and delay effective treatment.

“Mental illness is a medical condition, point blank, and as such the treatment should be humane; it should be evidence-based and definitely should be aligned with Ghana’s mental health acts,” she said.

The problem is not only belief. It is access.

Sarah’s mother, Mary Adwoa Adjei, said she initially believed her daughter’s condition was spiritual.

“I actually thought it was a spiritual problem because I’m a very, very spiritual woman,” she said.

But when asked why she did not take Sarah to a mental-health clinic, her answer revealed another barrier.

“I actually didn’t know where to go, where the mental health clinic was or the number of mental health clinics we had in the country,” she said.

She first tried a herbalist before taking Sarah to church.

Her experience illustrates why simply telling families to seek medical care may not be enough.

Dr Josephine Stiles Darko, deputy head of communications at Ghana’s Mental Health Authority, said the country does not have enough mental-health professionals. She said there are a little over 80 psychiatrists in the country, with most based in Accra.

The solution, she said, is to bring mental-health care closer to communities.

“You don’t have to travel all the way to Accra, especially for those outside Accra, because most of the few psychiatrists we have are in Accra,” she said.

“The Mental Health Authority and Ghana Health Service, with support from the World Health Organisation, are training district health personnel so that some conditions can be identified and treated at primary level, with severe cases stabilised and referred to specialist facilities.”

She added that the Authority will soon conduct specialist outreach clinics, taking professionals into selected districts and handing patients over to local health workers for continued care.

A system that can work with faith

Asampong says the answer is not to pretend religious and traditional providers do not exist.

“People go to them anyway, whether we like it or not,” he said.

He compared the approach to the way traditional birth attendants were brought into Ghana’s health system and trained to recognise warning signs and refer patients.

“I think that is the approach we need to use for mental health,” he said.

“We need to bring on board all these relevant stakeholders because people go to them anyway.”

Harding said some churches already refer severe cases to psychiatrists and psychologists and invite clinicians to train prayer teams in mental-health first aid.

She also pointed to the M-HEALER project, which trains traditionalists and prayer-centre operators as part of efforts to foster collaboration.

“Ultimately, we do need stronger regulation of faith-based centres, more public education and more accessible psychiatric services,” Harding said.

“When people understand that faith and medicine can coexist, that you can pray and still take your medication, we’ll see better outcomes for people living with mental illness in Ghana.”

What the law promises

Ghana’s Mental Health Act, 2012 (Act 846), does not leave people with mental-health conditions without legal protection.

The Act establishes protections for people receiving mental-health care, including children, and provides for humane treatment, dignity and the least restrictive you environment. It also regulates restraint and establishes Mental Health Visiting Committees to inspect facilities, receive complaints and examine conditions, including at spiritual mental-health facilities.

For children, the Act says psychiatric treatment should, as far as possible, take place in the least restrictive environment and that children admitted for treatment should be separated from adults and have their developmental needs addressed. Restraint is permitted only in tightly defined circumstances involving imminent danger, rather than as a routine form of management.

But the existence of these protections does not automatically mean they are reaching every child.

Darko acknowledged that Mental Health Visiting Committees do not yet exist everywhere they are supposed to.

“I have to admit we don’t have it all around the country like it’s supposed to be, but we have started and are gradually picking up,” she said.

She said the committees visit places where children with mental-health conditions are managed and check whether facilities are acting according to the law and in the best interests of patients.

“If something is not going right and they have to, they give their reports, they comment on it, they come back to make sure that you are doing the right thing,” she said.

The Authority could not provide a figure for registered or accredited prayer camps and spiritual healing centres under its oversight.

That leaves an important accountability question: how many such facilities are operating, which ones are subject to oversight, how often are they inspected, and what happens when children are found in unsafe conditions?

Making the protections usable

Lawyer Lady Ann Essuman says part of the problem is that families do not know what legal avenues are available.

She described a previous case in which her firm obtained an involuntary court order so a child could receive treatment at Korle Bu.

“The rights are available to people,” she said. “That is why I’m advocating more on how policy should be generated so that people can understand better.”

She said families, police officers, or concerned citizens can seek intervention where a person may pose a danger to themselves or others, subject to the legal requirements.

Her argument is not that faith should disappear from Ghanaian life.

Instead, she says churches and other religious institutions need to stop treating every mental-health condition as exclusively spiritual.

“The church now has to have the responsibility of not over-spiritualising everything,” Essuman said.

She also supports greater integration between faith and medicine.

“The more work we do in promoting this advocacy, the better we destigmatise the field, and we integrate faith and science to give people the care they need,” she said.

What would change for children like Hafiz?

The experts interviewed for this story point to a system that does not have to choose between faith and medicine.

It can educate families about mental illness and where to find help. It can train pastors, prayer-camp workers and traditional healers to recognise warning signs and refer people for professional assessment.

It can expand mental-health services at district and primary-care level, so families do not have to travel to Accra. It can strengthen inspection of spiritual mental-health facilities and ensure that children are seen privately and their rights protected. And it can make legal remedies understandable and accessible to families.

Darko said implementation of the Mental Health Act remains an ongoing process.

“There is still a deficit,” she said. “We are hoping that going forward with the advocacy from journalists like yourself, the visiting committee, and all those things, the tribunal being established, people will know that there are legal repercussions to some of these things.”

For Hafiz, those protections have so far remained largely abstract.

He entered Nyinbonya at eight.

He is now 16.

His mother says he has never received a clinical diagnosis.

And after eight years, the question is no longer simply why families turn to prayer camps.

It is whether Ghana’s health, social welfare, and oversight systems can reach children before they spend their childhoods inside them.

Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Randy Abbey, announced the new price at a press briefing on Thursday, September 24.

The new price takes effect immediately and represents an increase from the GH¢2,587 per 64kg bag paid during the 2026 light crop season. The previous price translated to GH¢41,392 per tonne.

Dr Abbey said the new price was determined following consultations among key stakeholders in the cocoa sector.

The adjustment comes as COCOBOD implements reforms aimed at improving the financial sustainability of the cocoa sector while ensuring that farmers receive a significant share of the value of their produce.

The 2026/2027 season therefore begins with changes to cocoa pricing and financing arrangements as government seeks to support cocoa farmers and strengthen the financial sustainability of the sector.

READ ALSO:

Gov’t to announce new cocoa producer price today

COCOBOD engages international trading partners ahead of 2026/27 cocoa season

The operation was conducted by the Office of the Special Operations Assistant to the Inspector-General of Police (SOA), in collaboration with the National SWAT.

According to the Police, the operation followed complaints from residents about suspected criminal activities at the lounge and its surrounding areas, including the alleged open display and possible trading of firearms.

During the operation, officers identified a blue, unregistered Acura vehicle with a pistol holster inside. The vehicle was impounded and conveyed to the Police Headquarters for further investigations after no one at the scene claimed ownership of the holster.

The Police also arrested a suspect identified as Theophilus Ashon, who allegedly claimed to be a Police officer attached to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Operations.

Checks established that he was not a serving Police officer, the Police said.

A search of Ashon reportedly led to the recovery of a Smith & Wesson pistol loaded with six rounds of 9mm ammunition.

Further investigations led officers to Atico, where another suspect, Michael Emmanuel Kingsley Mills, was arrested.

A search of his residence resulted in the recovery of three pump-action guns, four pistols, 62 AA and BB cartridges, 54 rounds of .40-calibre ammunition and other exhibits.

The 64 suspects are currently in Police custody assisting with investigations.

The Police said the suspects will be put before the court after investigations are completed.

READ ALSO:

Galamsey: NAIMOS arrests 13 in Osino; destroys equipment (Photos+Video)

Manhyia South NPP condemns alleged botched EOCO arrest attempt on MP

The mason from Sefwi said he had travelled to Osino because work at home had dried up, and a friend already at the site had called him over.

“I told my friend business wasn’t going well, so if he had any job, he should call me. He called me to come, and when I got here and found out this was the job, I said to myself that if I’m caught doing this, it won’t be good for me, because I don’t have anyone to help me in life, and I’m also not financially stable. So I planned to leave after receiving my wages for the day, only for the raid to happen.”

The mason was among the 13 people arrested when the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) raided an illegal mining site at Osino in the Eastern Region. Others arrested included a former construction worker and a 15-year-old boy, each with a different story of how they ended up there.

The former construction worker said he came to Osino two days earlier. He could only apologise for getting involved, struggling to find the right words to explain why he was there.

Fifteen-year-old Bernard said he was brought to the site by someone to work and raise money to support his education. Bernard, who is from Navrongo, said he arrived at the site and started work this morning.

Bernard isn’t the only student caught at the site as another young man said he is in SHS 3 and had come to work to get some money for school as his father is an old man who can’t do anything to help him.

Another man, who said he came from Kumasi three days ago, defended his decision to work there despite knowing it was illegal. To him, making about GH¢300 a day at the galamsey site is better than stealing.

“I know it’s not good, but when we stay home, we don’t earn anything, and coming here to get something small is better than stealing, and that is why we are here,” he said. “I make about GH¢250 or GH¢300 when I come here.”

He said he had noticed the site had been raided before he arrived, but had not realised how frequently it happened.

“When we came, we saw some ‘changfan’ machines had been destroyed, and when we asked, we were told there was a raid, but it doesn’t happen every day.”

He appealed to the authorities for leniency, promising not to return to the site.

NAIMOS said the Osino operation, in which mining equipment was destroyed, marked a return to the same site raided just days earlier, with officials finding illegal miners back at work despite the earlier crackdown.

Spokesperson for NAIMOS, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, said the recurrence underlines the need for a permanent security presence at illegal mining hotspots rather than periodic operations.

“It’s not the first day of an operation like this. We got the indication they were here four days ago, and they returned again,” he said.

He said communities around such sites remain divided, with some residents benefiting from the activity and others opposed to it, but that those against galamsey have continued to provide intelligence that helps enforcement teams identify operations.

According to her, at a time when she was grieving, a man came to her house claiming that her husband was not actually dead and could be brought back to life.

“One person came and said, my husband is not dead. We should take him to the mortuary and he will resurrect my husband,” she recounted.

The bizarre suggestion left those around her stunned, with her son eventually intervening to have the man removed from the house.

Mrs Amissah-Arthur said the incident was one of several unusual experiences she encountered after her husband’s passing, revealing that bereaved families can become vulnerable to people who seek to take advantage of their grief.

She noted that some people may approach grieving families with questionable suggestions or claims, knowing that the emotional state of the bereaved can make them more susceptible.

“When you are bereaved, you are vulnerable. You are so vulnerable that if you don’t take care, people will push you to do things,” she said.

For this reason, she said it is importance to have trusted people around a bereaved person to provide guidance and help them make sound decisions during such a difficult period.

Mrs Amissah-Arthur also observed that some people visit bereaved families out of genuine concern, while others may simply come to satisfy their curiosity or gather information to share with others.

Reflecting on the wider cultural attitude towards death, she said society often avoids conversations about mortality, which contributes to the mystery and vulnerability surrounding bereavement.

The task force destroyed equipment found at the illegal mining site.

The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by the government to tackle illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, which continues to threaten communities and the environment.

The latest operation comes just days after a similar exercise was conducted at the same location, with NAIMOS officials returning to find illegal miners back at the site.

Some of the miners say it was their first time at the site and that they were there to earn their daily survival.

Among them is a 15-year-old only known as Bernard, who said he was brought to the site by someone to work and raise money to support his education.

Bernard, who is from Navrongo, said he arrived at the site and started work this morning.

Speaking to JoyNews’ Stephen Mensah on September 25, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, Spokesperson for NAIMOS, said the recurrence demonstrates the need for a permanent security presence at illegal mining hotspots.

“It’s not the first day of an operation like this. We got the indication they were here four days ago, and they returned again.”

He said the situation reinforces the government’s strategy of maintaining permanent deployments in areas affected by illegal mining.

“This basically affirms why the permanent deployment forms part of government’s core strategies.”

According to Mr Schandorf, the task force had already flushed out illegal miners from the area several days earlier, but their return demonstrates the difficulty of sustaining the gains of periodic operations.

“You saw when we arrived how all of them have put together their equipment, and then they are back at the very same place they were flushed out.”

He said the recurrence gives further justification to calls for a more permanent security presence.

“It gives credence to the Minister’s proposition that a permanent deployment is the way to go.”

NAIMOS says the government intends to invest more resources into permanent deployment arrangements to prevent illegal miners from returning to cleared sites.

Mr Schandorf also called for stronger local enforcement, arguing that communities with Police stations should be able to respond quickly to illegal mining activities.

“It shouldn’t even take NAIMOS to come all the way from the NAIMOS headquarters for some of these operations to be conducted.”

He said better coordination between local security agencies and national enforcement teams would help sustain the fight.

The NAIMOS spokesperson acknowledged the support of the police, National Security and other state agencies in the ongoing operations.

“The Police have been very cooperative. The National Security has been extremely supportive. All the relevant state agencies have been very supportive.”

He, however, said more effort is required from all stakeholders, including residents of affected communities.

According to him, local intelligence remains an important component of the operations, although communities are often divided over illegal mining because some residents benefit from the activity.

“There are those who are beneficiaries, and then there are those who are against the whole fight. And so it’s a divided front.”

Mr Schandorf said residents who oppose illegal mining have continued to provide information to the authorities, helping security agencies identify illegal operations.

He believes the persistent nature of galamsey means the fight cannot be left solely to national agencies.

“The illegal mining becomes an item of national concern.”

He said the presence of houses, shops and other activities close to illegal mining sites demonstrates how deeply the practice has become embedded in some communities.

NAIMOS says the latest Kyebi operation, including the arrests and destruction of mining equipment, is intended to disrupt the activities and prevent the miners from immediately returning to the site.

Also read:

• NAIMOS arrests 10 illegal miners, seize equipment near Gbinyiri

• Forestry Commission arrests 12 illegal miners in Atewa Forest

Abdulai Seidu and Karim Yakubu were asked by the presiding judge, His Lordship Livingston Lartey Yao Ameevor, why they could not stand upright when their names were called.

The two reportedly told the court that they had been subjected to beatings by police officers since their arrest and during their time in custody.

The court subsequently directed the accused persons to remove their shirts, allowing the judge to examine their alleged injuries.

The sight of wounds on their backs reportedly left the courtroom in shock, prompting the judge to immediately order the police to take the two men to hospital for medical attention.

Seidu and Yakubu were arrested by the Police Intelligence Department (PID) on August 18, 2026, at Kintampo.

The two, residents of Salaga in the East Gonja District of the Savannah Region, are being held in connection with investigations into a robbery on the Salaga-Bimbila highway.

The case follows investigations launched by the National and Savannah Regional PID into reported robbery incidents in the Salaga area.

According to information presented in court, the police arrested the two suspects at Kintampo after receiving information believed to be linked to the robbery investigations.

Meanwhile, concerns are growing among some residents over alleged police brutality against suspects and accused persons in the Savannah Region.

Some residents, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that several people had died following similar incidents of alleged brutality in the region.

However, the Savannah Regional Police Command has yet to publicly comment on the allegations.

Also read:

• NUGS demands probe into police assault on Techiman-Krobo nursing students

• Six injured, 4 arrested after alleged police assault on Kokrobite taxi drivers

The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Coalition of Concerned Teachers, Ghana (PRETAG) announced the strike in a joint statement dated September 25.

According to the unions, the decision follows growing frustration among teachers over the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department’s (CAGD) handling of issues relating to their conditions of service.

The statement signed by GNAT General Secretary Thomas T. Musah, NAGRAT President Jacob Aanaba and PRETAG President King Ali Awudu highlighted three major concerns behind the industrial action.

They said negotiations for a new Collective Agreement have stalled despite the expiration of the existing agreement and an earlier expectation that the process would have been completed by June 2026.

They are also demanding the automatic placement of newly promoted teachers who successfully completed aptitude tests in December 2025 and February 2026.

The unions said the failure to implement the agreement between the Ministry of Education/Ghana Education Service and CAGD has left the affected teachers without placement on their respective salary scales with arrears dating from January 2026.

“Another major concern is the non-implementation of the Deprived Area Allowance.

“The 2024 Collective Agreement requires the Ministry of Education and GES to review the Deprived Area Report and subsequently negotiate the allowance with the FWSC,” the statament read in parts.

They accused the FWSC of failing to act on the provision and said teachers working in deprived or hard-to-reach areas are yet to receive the 20 percent allowance of their basic salaries.

The unions described the situation as having created widespread dissatisfaction, anger and disillusionment among teachers.

They said the continued delays and what they consider unfulfilled commitments have left them with no option but to embark on the industrial action to press home their demands.

Also read:

• Teacher unions give government September 24 deadline to resolve promotion arrears

• Teacher unions demand apology from Interior Minister over remarks on forged WASSCE results

Read the full statement below:

Parliament said the MP received immediate assistance after he suddenly became unwell during the event and was subsequently taken to a medical facility for further medical attention.

In a statement signed by its Director of Media Relations, David Sebastian Damoah, Parliament confirmed that Mr Sosu remains under the care of his medical team.

“The Honourable Member received immediate assistance at the event and was transferred to a medical facility, where he is receiving medical attention.

“Parliament is pleased to confirm that Hon. Sosu is in stable condition and is under the care of his medical team,” the statement read in parts.

The incident occurred while the Madina MP was speaking at the GIMPA event, where he was sharing his experiences on leadership and public service.

Members of the protocol team reportedly stepped in to prevent him from falling and quickly escorted him from the stage for medical attention.

A video of the incident subsequently circulated widely on social media, triggering concern among members of the public.

Parliament expressed appreciation to GIMPA management and staff, the medical personnel who attended to the MP and others who responded promptly to the situation.

It also thanked the public for the prayers and goodwill messages following the incident.

The legislature, however, urged the public and media organisations to stop circulating the video and refrain from speculating about the cause of Mr Sosu’s condition, citing respect for his privacy and that of his family.

The MP’s office also issued a separate statement indicating that he was doing well and had received the necessary medical attention, while urging the public to disregard unverified reports about the incident.

Also read:

• Madina MP Francis Sosu slumps while delivering speech at GIMPA

• Francis Sosu doing well after GIMPA incident – MP’s office

The announcement comes as efforts intensify to secure funding for the upcoming season and ease liquidity pressures confronting Ghana’s cocoa sector.

As part of preparations, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has been engaging major international cocoa trading companies in London.

The discussions covered the newly passed Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026, a proposed financing framework for the cocoa sector and preparations for the new cocoa season.

COCOBOD and the trading companies also considered plans to raise funds through commercial paper and bond financing, as well as liquidity arrangements for the 2026/2027 season.

The engagements further explored private-sector financing support for Licensed Buying Companies and Ghana’s preparedness to comply with the European Union Deforestation Regulation.

For the 2025/2026 light crop season, the government opted to maintain the existing producer price despite a fall in international cocoa prices.

The price was kept at GH¢1,241.76 per 30-kilogramme load for Grade I and II cocoa beans, equivalent to GH¢2,587 per 64-kilogramme gross bag.

That translates to GH¢41,392 per tonne, based on 16 bags.

The new producer price will determine the returns cocoa farmers receive in the 2026/2027 season and could have wider implications for farmer incomes, cocoa purchasing operations and the financial health of the sector.

Also read:

• COCOBOD engages international trading partners ahead of 2026/27 cocoa season

• Ghana shifts cocoa dynamics with over GH¢1,035 premium farmgate price over Ivory Coast

His office, in a statement signed by his Chief of Staff, Ivan Dzakpasu, assured the public that the MP is in good condition while appealing to the public to disregard unverified reports and speculation circulating on social media.

“The Office of the Honourable Member of Parliament for Madina, Dr Francis-Xavier Sosu, has taken note of reports, videos, and other content circulating on social media concerning an incident involving the Honourable Member during a speech at GIMPA today,” the statement said.

The office expressed appreciation to constituents, supporters and well-wishers for their concern, prayers and messages of support following the incident.

It also urged the public to remain calm, stressing that further information would be communicated through the MP’s official channels when necessary.

The statement comes after Dr Sosu appeared to lose his balance while delivering a speech at GIMPA.

The MP had been speaking about his journey into leadership and his opportunities to serve, recounting his early days at St John’s Grammar School, where he served as a class captain before rising through various student leadership positions to become SRC General Secretary and later Senior Boys Prefect.

During the address, his movement became unusual and his speech appeared difficult to follow. Two people close to him quickly moved to support him as he appeared to slump and almost fell to the floor.

He was subsequently assisted out of the auditorium as the atmosphere in the room shifted from anticipation to concern.

The circumstances surrounding the incident have not been disclosed by his office, which has instead emphasised that the MP is doing well after receiving medical attention.

His family confirmed the development in a statement, saying he was found but was not alive.

“It is with profound sadness that we share that, after his disappearance, Nana Yaw Kyere has been found. Regrettably, he was not found alive,” the family said.

The family has appealed for privacy as investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death continue.

Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports allege that Dinero was kidnapped, murdered and buried after being lured to the location.

According to an account attributed to his colleague, who was reportedly the last person to communicate with him, Dinero sent a WhatsApp message around midnight on Sunday claiming that he had been “set up” by a girl in a room.

He reportedly sent a photograph of the room and a location indicating Teshie.

His colleague reportedly became suspicious during the exchange because the messages did not appear consistent with Nana Yaw’s usual style of communication.

A subsequent message allegedly indicated that Nana Yaw had been released and had left the location.

However, concerns grew when he failed to return home and attempts to reach him by phone reportedly proved unsuccessful.

His car has since been retrieved, while three suspect have reportedly been arrested as investigations continue.

The family has expressed gratitude to everyone who assisted with the search and offered prayers following his disappearance.

Speaking about her experience after the death of her husband, former Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, Mrs Amissah-Arthur said she does not subscribe to the common expression that someone has lost a loved one.

She also questioned the widespread use of the expression “the late” when referring to someone who has died.

“I don’t like ‘I lost my husband.’ I didn’t lose my husband. My husband died. The one I hate is, ‘the late, he’s late’. He’s late where? Where is he going that he’s late?” she asked.

For Mrs Amissah-Arthur, these expressions reflect a broader discomfort with death in Ghanaian society, where people often avoid speaking about demise directly.

“You see, we don’t talk about death in this part of the world. So death is a mystery. Elsewhere, death is a common thing to talk about,” she explained.

She believes this reluctance can extend into the grieving process, with families sometimes avoiding mentioning the names of loved ones who have died or speaking openly about their memories.

She argued that rather than avoiding such conversations, people should be encouraged to acknowledge the death and talk about the person they have lost.

According to Mrs Amissah-Arthur, openly confronting the reality of death can be therapeutic and help people work through their grief.

“We need to confront things as they are. We need to confront. And you see, it’s good for us if we do that. It helps the healing. It’s therapeutic,” she said.

For Mrs Amissah-Arthur, being more direct about death is therefore not about being insensitive. It is about acknowledging reality and giving people the space to grieve openly.

The new notes, to be known as the Heritage Series, will be officially launched on November 3, 2026, at the Bank Square in Accra.

Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama, announced the initiative on Thursday, September 24, at the end of the 132nd Monetary Policy Committee meeting.

According to the Governor, the redesign has become necessary as the existing banknotes have been in circulation for more than two decades, while technology and global security standards continue to evolve.

“The upgraded banknotes incorporate enhanced security features, improved durability, and modern designs that reflect Ghana’s heritage and Ghana’s aspirations,” he said.

Dr Asiama explained that the new series is expected to strengthen the fight against counterfeiting, withstand prolonged use and help the central bank manage currency more efficiently and cost-effectively.

The Heritage Series will also feature elements intended to celebrate Ghana’s history, culture and national identity, including recognition of national heroes.

The BoG has clarified that the introduction of the new notes will not render the existing cedi banknotes invalid.

The two series will circulate alongside each other, meaning members of the public will not be required to exchange their existing notes when the Heritage Series is introduced.

“There is no need for the public to rush to exchange or to withdraw existing notes solely because of the introduction of the new Heritage Series,” Dr Asiama said.

He encouraged the public and businesses to continue using the current notes alongside the new ones.

The Governor also appealed to traders, businesses, financial institutions and the general public to handle banknotes properly to extend their lifespan and reduce the cost of replacing damaged currency.

He specifically cautioned against crumpling, writing on, stapling or using banknotes for decorative purposes, including money bouquets and spraying.

“Proper handling will help preserve the quality of our banknotes. It will reduce replacement costs for the central bank and it will support efficient currency management,” he said.

Dr Asiama described the protection of the integrity of the Ghana cedi as a shared responsibility and urged the public to embrace the Heritage Series while adopting better practices in handling the currency.

The court reportedly held that the case involves cyber-related investigations and that releasing Ms Bafoh at this stage presents a real risk of her interfering with witnesses.

The court has, however, directed the prosecution to expedite its investigations.

Ms Baffoe was arrested in September and subsequently arraigned before the Adentan Circuit Court, where she pleaded not guilty to a charge of abetment of crime, specifically the alleged publication of false news under Sections 20(1) and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

The prosecution alleges that Ms Bafoh acted as a liaison for UK-based TikTok personality Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, popularly known as “Ghana Jollof,” and assisted in recruiting people to redistribute videos produced by her on various social media platforms.

Police have also alleged that investigations uncovered financial transactions between the two women, with Ms Kodua allegedly sending money to Ms Bafoh to facilitate the distribution of the videos.

The Police say portions of the money were subsequently distributed to other people involved in circulating the content.

The Police have been investigating Ms Kodua over alleged publication of false news, inciteful comments and offensive conduct. Authorities have also declared her wanted as investigations continue.

Ms Baffoe was initially denied bail by the Adentan Circuit Court and remanded into police custody for two weeks. She is scheduled to reappear before that court on September 30, 2026.

The allegations against Ms Baffoe have not been established by the court, and she has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr Kwakye Ackah said he had spoken to his brother on Friday, only to receive the heartbreaking news of his death the following morning.

He said he initially struggled to believe the news and even asked relatives to check his brother’s pulse before accepting that he had died.

“He died last Saturday, and I had spoken to him on Friday. So when they called on Saturday morning that he had passed, I didn’t believe it and asked that they check his pulse.”

Mr Kwakye Ackah said he was in Tarkwa at the time and immediately travelled to their hometown, where he confirmed that his younger brother had indeed passed away.

He described Nana Kwadwo Atobrah as a much-loved member of the family, particularly to their mother.

Mr Kwakye Ackah said the family has scheduled the one-week observation for October 9, 2026, with further funeral arrangements to be announced later.

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• Amenfi Central: I will knock you down – Joana Cudjoe tells Kwakye Ackah

A notice issued by the Office of the Speaker on Thursday, September 24, said the sitting will begin at 12 noon at Parliament House in Accra.

The notice, however, does not state the specific business for the emergency sitting.

The recall follows a request by the Minority in Parliament for an extraordinary sitting to examine what it described as urgent national security concerns arising from the drug seizures.

The Minority had invoked Article 112(3) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 53 of Parliament’s Standing Orders, arguing that the scale of the incidents required Parliament’s immediate oversight.

Among the cases cited is the seizure by French authorities of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at the Port of Dunkirk on September 10, 2026, from a container that had departed Ghana.

The Minority has also referenced other narcotics seizures since 2025, which it says collectively involve consignments worth more than US$1 billion.

They therefore want Parliament to examine how the shipments were processed, inspected and cleared, as well as the roles played by relevant state and security agencies.

The caucus has called for officials from institutions including the Narcotics Control Commission, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority and National Intelligence Bureau, as well as relevant Ministers, to account to Parliament.

The proposed recall had generated differing views among MPs. Some Majority lawmakers argued that the ongoing investigations should be allowed to proceed, with parliamentary committees already having the mandate to scrutinise matters relating to the drug seizures.

Wa West MP and Vice Chairman of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Peter Lanchene Toobu, had questioned the need for a full parliamentary recall, saying existing committees could undertake the necessary oversight while the House remained on recess.

South Dayi MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor also described the recall demand as misplaced, arguing that Parliament should not duplicate investigations being conducted by agencies mandated to deal with narcotics offences.

Also read:

• Minority petitions Speaker to recall Parliament over Ghana-linked drug seizures

• Do you have the capacity to investigate narcotic seizure? – Majority questions Minority’s recall…

The three Freda Owusu, her husband Emmanuel Acheampong, and Mr. Osei Kuffour, a relative of Freda Owusu, were picked up after they identified a baby found with a traveler, Aliya Salomey, as their missing child, and circulated the claim on social media.

A subsequent identification parade conducted at Ejisu proved that the baby in Aliya Salomey’s custody was not theirs, leading to their arrest for false information and defamation.

Police have now released the trio after preliminary screening.

In a new development, however, the police have arrested the woman under whose care Freda Owusu reportedly left her child before the baby went missing at the Asafo Market.

The woman, whose name has been withheld for investigations, is currently in custody and assisting police with enquiries.

“The parents and the uncle of the missing child have been released after interrogation, but the woman who was allegedly entrusted with the baby before it went missing has been arrested to assist with further investigations,” Ejisu Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Samuel Kofi Gamson told Nhyira News.

The baby was reportedly stolen from the Cape Coast Bus Terminal section of the Asafo Market, at the area known as Opera Site, in the early hours of Sunday, September 20, 2026.

How False Accusation Arose

The case took a dramatic turn when the Ejisu Divisional Police arrested Aliya Salomey, who was travelling with a baby on board a VIP bus heading towards Accra after fellow passengers became suspicious of her interaction with the infant and reported her at Ejisu.

She was granted police enquiry bail after her husband appeared at the station and testified that she was his wife and that the baby belonged to them.

According to the Ejisu Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Samuel Kofi Gamson, no official report of a missing child had been filed at Ejisu at the time she was granted bail.

The parents of the missing baby later went to Ejisu, identified a photograph of the baby and the suspect as their missing child and his abductor, and posted the claim on social media, prompting police to re-arrest Aliya Salomey.

After the identification parade, the family admitted the baby was not theirs.

Case Transferred

Meanwhile, arrangements are in place to conduct a DNA test on the baby found with Aliya Salomey to scientifically establish maternity before she is formally cleared of the child-stealing allegation.

The entire case has now been transferred to the Asokwa Police Station for further investigation, where the parents initially reported the theft of their child.

“We have transferred the case to the Asokwa Police Station, where the parents first reported their child’s disappearance, for further investigation,” the Commander confirmed.

Police say investigations are ongoing to trace the missing infant and to establish the circumstances under which he went missing while under the care of the newly arrested caretaker.

Also read:

• Police launch manhunt for suspect as five-month-old baby is stolen at Asafo market

• Asafo Market baby theft: Police search for suspect after granting her bail; family wants…

In the petition dated Wednesday, September 23, 2026, Mr Awingobit expressed concerns about the location of the development at 10 Giffard Road in the Airport Residential Area, citing its proximity to military, defence and aviation installations.

The project, being developed by Sentuo Group, is expected to feature about 582 premium apartments, a 600-room hotel, a 2,500-capacity conference facility, healthcare facilities, a shopping mall and other commercial and recreational facilities.

Mr Awingobit said his concerns were not about the investment itself or Chinese participation in Ghana’s economy, but rather the strategic location and scale of the proposed development.

“My concern is specifically about the strategic location of this particular development and the possible national-security implications of placing a very large, high-rise, mixed-use private development in close proximity to sensitive national-security, defence and aviation infrastructure,” he said.

Calls for security assessment

The petitioner is asking the government to establish whether the Ghana Armed Forces, Ministry of Defence, National Security, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant institutions have undertaken a comprehensive security assessment of the project.

He wants such an assessment to examine the height and design of the proposed structures, technological infrastructure, access arrangements and their potential implications for nearby strategic installations.

Mr Awingobit has also raised questions about the management of surveillance and security systems within the development.

These include CCTV networks, security-control rooms and data infrastructure, as well as the systems that would govern access to sensitive areas and security facilities.

He is calling for appropriate oversight by Ghanaian security agencies over the security arrangements at the complex.

He also wants security personnel who may be deployed to the development to undergo the necessary vetting.

Airport security concerns

Mr Awingobit further wants the government to assess the project’s proximity to Kotoka International Airport and examine potential security scenarios that could arise from its location.

Among his key demands is an immediate suspension of further construction until an independent, multi-agency security assessment is conducted.

He proposed that the assessment involve the Ministry of Defence, Ghana Armed Forces, National Security, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and Ghana Airports Company Limited.

He is also seeking a strategic land-use review and a counter-surveillance assessment, alongside enhanced checks on beneficial ownership and the source of funds for the project.

Mr Awingobit further called for a review of the proposed tenancy arrangements and mechanisms for vetting future occupants of the development.

‘Not anti-China’

The petitioner stressed that his concerns should not be interpreted as opposition to Chinese investment or the Sentuo Group.

“This petition is not anti-China. It is not anti-investment. It is not an objection to foreign direct investment,” he said.

He argued that Ghana’s pursuit of economic development must be balanced with the protection of national security.

Mr Awingobit is therefore urging President Mahama to direct an immediate and comprehensive national security assessment of the project before additional construction work is undertaken.

He said addressing potential security concerns after the development has been completed could prove more difficult and costly.

According to him, EOCO’s claim that he was invited to assist with an investigation is false, insisting that the invitation in February 2026 was directed to a law firm he previously worked with and not to him in his personal capacity.

Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Mr Baffour Awuah said he was no longer the senior partner of the law firm at the time the invitation was issued because he had become a Member of Parliament.

“Whatever EOCO said is not true. I was never invited by EOCO. It was the law firm I previously worked with, but I am no longer a senior partner, that was invited in connection with a case involving Equity Savings and Loans,” he said.

He explained that in February, EOCO wrote to Sarkodie Baffour Awuah and Partners, requesting to meet the senior partner of the firm in connection with a matter involving SIC Savings and Loans and Equity Finance.

Mr Baffour Awuah said he initially believed the invitation was directed at him and therefore informed EOCO that, as an MP, he would comply with the established parliamentary protocols.

He said he subsequently realised that EOCO was seeking information from the law firm regarding a case it had handled, rather than seeking his personal involvement.

“I figured for me as an MP, I was no longer the senior partner for the firm, so I asked my managing partner to respond on the time we would go to EOCO, which she did,” he explained.

According to him, the managing partner subsequently engaged EOCO and provided the information required as part of its investigations.

“From that time, they were dealing with her and not me,” he said.

Mr Baffour Awuah maintained that he is a law-abiding citizen and has no reason to fear an invitation from a state investigative agency.

“During Akufo-Addo’s regime, I was not an employee of the state, so it is not like I have gone to do something that will make security agencies be interested in me. I am a very law-abiding citizen, so I am not scared of EOCO’s invitation,” he said.

His comments follow a confrontation at the Accra High Court on Wednesday involving the MP and a woman who identified herself as an EOCO official.

Mr Baffour Awuah, who is representing social commentator Salomey Baffoe in court, said the woman asked him to accompany her to the EOCO office but failed to provide identification or an arrest warrant when he requested one.

He subsequently left the court premises.

The MP accused EOCO of attempting to link him to wrongdoing without evidence, alleging that some officials had been looking for grounds to implicate him because of his outspoken political activities since entering Parliament.

“Since going to Parliament I have been vocal, so they have been desperately looking for something to tag me with,” he alleged.

He questioned how EOCO could claim that he had signed documents or acted on behalf of someone as a lawyer when, according to him, he was no longer serving as the firm’s senior partner.

“They are running on complete falsehood. Since February, after we lodged a police report on EOCO, there has not been any invitation. We cannot run this country on falsehood,” he said.

EOCO, however, has maintained that the attempted arrest formed part of lawful steps taken in connection with an ongoing investigation.

The Office said Mr Baffour Awuah had been invited twice in February 2026 to assist with the investigation but did not honour the invitations.

Mr Baffour Awuah disputed that account, arguing that if an arrest was intended, the appropriate legal procedures should have been followed.

He said an invitation that is not honoured could be followed by an application to court for an order, rather than an attempt to arrest someone without producing the relevant warrant.

“A lawful arrest in this instance would have been for them to produce an arrest warrant, but there wasn’t any,” he said.

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In a statement posted on his social media on Wednesday, September 23, Mr Dafeamekpor said law enforcement agencies must follow the constitutional procedures applicable to Members of Parliament when seeking to arrest or serve processes on them.

He referred to Article 117 of the 1992 Constitution, which provides protections regarding the service of civil or criminal processes on the Speaker, Members of Parliament and the Clerk to Parliament while they are on their way to, attending or returning from parliamentary proceedings.

Mr Dafeamekpor argued that the established procedure requires matters involving the arrest of a sitting MP to be channelled through the Speaker of Parliament.

He described the reported attempt to arrest Mr Baffour Awuah within the precincts of the court as “absolutely unacceptable” and cautioned EOCO and other law enforcement agencies against actions that could undermine the authority and dignity of Parliament.

He said Parliament and state institutions, including EOCO, must maintain the cordial relationship that exists between the various arms and institutions of the state while ensuring that the law is followed.

“Where a law provides a procedure for a right to be exercised, it’s only that procedure that must be followed,” Mr Dafeamekpor stated, citing the case of Boyefio v NTHC.

He further warned that parliamentary leaders would resist any attempt to breach what he described as established protocols governing the treatment of MPs.

His comments followed a confrontation at the Accra High Court on Wednesday involving Mr Baffour Awuah and a woman who identified herself as an EOCO official.

The Manhyia South MP, who is also representing social commentator Salomey Baffoe in court, said the woman asked him to accompany her to the EOCO office but failed to provide identification or an arrest warrant when requested. He subsequently drove away from the court premises.

EOCO, however, has said the attempted arrest was part of lawful steps taken in connection with an ongoing investigation. The Office said Mr Baffour Awuah had been invited twice in February 2026 to assist with the investigation but did not honour the invitations.

Mr Dafeamekpor also expressed concern about the timing of the incident, noting that Parliament was hosting an ECOWAS Parliament conference in Accra.

He said what he described as procedural improprieties could affect Ghana’s image both locally and internationally.

“If the Hon. Baffour-Awuah is alleged to have committed any offence, for which EOCO requires his presence, by all means, let the law speak but let the law follow lawful procedure in Article 117 in doing so,” he stated.

See the post below:

HON. BAFFOUR & THE ATTEMPTED ARREST BY EOCO WITHIN THE PRECINCTS OF COURT
——————————————

1. Article 117 provides a terse procedure as to how The Speaker, MPs and the Clerk to Parliament shall be served with any Civil or Criminal processes.

2. This Constitutional protection…

— Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Esq. MP. (@etsedafeamekpor) September 23, 2026

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EOCO explains attempted arrest of Manhyia South MP Baffour Awuah

According to EOCO, its officers attempted to arrest the MP on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, as part of an ongoing investigation.

In a statement, the Office said its officers were acting in the lawful discharge of their statutory responsibilities.

EOCO said it had previously invited Mr Baffour Awuah on two occasions in February 2026 to assist with the investigation, but the invitations were not honoured.

“The Office has since taken steps to secure his attendance in accordance with the law and the attempted arrest today represents one of the lawful steps,” EOCO stated.

Arrest attempt unsuccessful

The Office explained that the situation escalated during the attempted arrest, forcing its officers to abandon the operation.

“During today’s attempted arrest, the situation escalated and the arrest was not successfully completed as officers assessed that a counter action would have endangered public safety,” EOCO said.

The Office also said it had identified two individuals who, based on the circumstances captured in video footage, allegedly intervened to facilitate the MP’s escape.

According to EOCO, the conduct of the two individuals is being assessed, after which the Office will take any lawful steps deemed appropriate.

Parliament sanctuary

EOCO further confirmed that Mr Baffour Awuah subsequently proceeded to the precincts of Parliament to seek sanctuary, although Parliament is currently on recess.

The Office said it recognises and respects the constitutional privileges and immunities enjoyed by Members of Parliament.

It assured that its operations would be conducted strictly within the Constitution and applicable laws.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Membership of Parliament does not, by itself, bring an investigation to an end or place an individual beyond the reach of the law,” EOCO stated.

“At the same time, EOCO will not take any step that is inconsistent with parliamentary privilege or any other protection provided by the Constitution.”

Investigation ongoing

EOCO said the investigation remains active and that it will carefully review the circumstances surrounding Wednesday’s incident, including available video evidence, to determine its next steps.

The Office reaffirmed its commitment to discharging its statutory responsibilities while respecting the Constitution, the rule of law and the institutional privileges of Parliament.

According to the MP, the woman could not provide identification or an arrest warrant to establish her authority, prompting him to fear for his safety.

“I told her, ‘Go, I will follow you,’ but she said she would forcibly take me into their vehicle. At that point, she could not produce any evidence that she was indeed from EOCO,” he said.

He said he also asked whether she had an arrest warrant but she was unable to produce one.

“It became obvious to me that it was one of the recent kidnappings that have been happening. It is true. I had to defend and protect myself for the benefit of the good people of Manhyia South, my children, and my whole family,” he added.

Mr Baffour Awuah said he subsequently drove to Parliament, where he sought safety and joined his colleagues while also attending to scheduled committee work.

“I needed to put myself at a place where I would be safe so that I could also protect and defend the interest of my client for the benefit of her children, particularly the four-year-old who is waiting for the release of her mother. And that is why I had to drive to safety,” he explained.

“I’ve come to Parliament, my colleagues are behind me, and I thank them very much.”

The MP further alleged that the woman attempted to take him away while he was travelling to Parliament.

“So from there, I had to drive to Parliament because I was also required to do committee work in Parliament. And so, she attempted to kidnap me whilst I was on my way to Parliament,” Mr Baffour Awuah narrated at a press briefing in Parliament shortly after the incident.

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The development occurred after proceedings in the bail application involving Ms Baffoe, who is facing a charge of abetment of crime in connection with the alleged publication of false news linked to the “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account.

The exact reason for the EOCO invitation remains unclear.

A video obtained by Adomonline.com captured Nana Baffour Awuah in a heated exchange with a woman said to be an EOCO official.

The woman had blocked his car, and the lawyer, who was visibly furious, pushed her aside to access his vehicle and drove off.

Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah had been in court for the hearing of his client’s bail application, which was subsequently adjourned to Thursday, September 24, after the prosecution requested more time to respond to the application.

The defence opposed the adjournment, arguing that the matter concerned Ms Baffoe’s liberty and should therefore be treated with urgency.

The court eventually directed the prosecution to file and serve its response by 9:00 a.m. ahead of the next hearing.

The reported EOCO development involving the lawyer has since generated confusion at the court, with details of what prompted the invitation yet to be established.

Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, has been leading the defence team for Ms Baffoe since her arrest and has publicly challenged aspects of the case against his client.

Ms Baffoe was remanded by the Adentan Circuit Court after pleading not guilty to the charge of abetment of crime, to wit, publication of false news.

Police allege that she assisted Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, whom they identify as the operator of the “Ghana Jollof” account, in distributing online content and recruiting others to circulate the material.

The defense has, however, rejected the allegations.

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• Ghana Jollof: Court adjourns Salomey Baffoe’s bail hearing

Ms Baffoe is facing an allegation of abetting the publication of false information linked to social media personality Ghana Jollof.

Accra-based Citi News reported that an Assistant State Attorney, Carl Afedzi Forson, told the court that he was not the substantive lawyer handling the case and had only been informed that the Attorney-General’s Office received the bail application on Friday.

He explained that Monday was a public holiday and the application had therefore not yet been assigned to a lawyer within the office.

The prosecution subsequently asked the court for a short adjournment to enable it to prepare its response.

Defence counsel Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah opposed the request, arguing that the application concerned the liberty of his client and should therefore be treated with urgency.

He maintained that the State had been served with the application and had not claimed that it was served insufficiently.

Counsel further argued that bail applications involving the liberty of an accused person could be heard even during weekends, stressing that the time available to the State to respond should not be extended unnecessarily.

He cautioned that further delays could undermine the purpose of the application, particularly as his client could have spent almost the entire two-week remand period in custody before the prosecution responds.

In its ruling, the court acknowledged that the applicant’s liberty was at stake and stressed that the State could not treat the matter casually.

The court subsequently adjourned proceedings to September 24 and directed the Republic to file any processes it intends to rely on and serve them by 9:00 a.m.

The adjournment means the High Court will consider the prosecution’s response before determining the next step on Ms Baffoe’s request for bail.

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• Ghana Jollof case: Police case against Salomey Baffoe “founded on lies” – Lawyer

The funeral rites will begin on Saturday, September 26, 2026, with a pre-burial service at the Forecourt of the State House, Osu, at 7:30 a.m., followed by a burial service at 9:00 a.m.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Calvary Methodist Church, Adabraka in her honour.

As the founder and CEO of Padiki Art Gallery, she gained international recognition after setting the Guinness World Record for the largest leaf-print painting.

She created a 54.33-square-meter artwork made entirely from natural leaves to depict the Ghanaian flag.

The achievement showcased her innovative approach to art while highlighting the beauty and sustainability of natural materials.

Padiki was widely admired for her unwavering commitment to preserving Ghana’s cultural heritage and nurturing emerging artists.

Through her gallery and numerous artistic initiatives, she championed creativity, mentorship, and the use of art as a powerful tool for storytelling and cultural expression.

The funeral is expected to bring together family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers to pay their final respects to the late record holder and celebrate her life and legacy.

The application, filed on Friday, is scheduled for hearing at 9:00 a.m. at the High Court Complex, as the defence seeks her release from custody.

Salomey’s lawyer, Nana Adjei Baffour Awuah, says the legal team is confident that the court will grant her bail and allow her to reunite with her children.

“It was filed on Friday, and the date for hearing is Wednesday at 9 o’clock at the High Court Complex. We are very confident that she’ll be released to go and enjoy life and take care of her children, who have not had their mother for the last 10 days,” he said.

The defence maintains that there is no basis for keeping Salomey in custody, arguing that the police investigation has effectively been completed.

“Demonstrably from the government’s own statement, there’s no outstanding investigation to be conducted. So why is she being held?” the lawyer asked.

Salomey is facing a charge of abetment of crime, to wit, publication of false news. She has pleaded not guilty after the Adentan Circuit Court remanded her for two weeks on Friday, September 18.

Police allege that she assisted Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, whom they identify as the operator of the “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account and who is believed to be in the United Kingdom, to distribute videos and recruit others to circulate the content.

According to the Police, forensic analysis of Salomey’s phone, including audio and video files, as well as mobile money records, uncovered alleged financial links between her and Ms Kodua.

The bail hearing comes as Salomey’s continued detention has attracted growing attention, with her lawyers challenging both the basis for her remand and aspects of the investigation.

She is expected to return to the Adentan Circuit Court on September 28 for further proceedings in the substantive case.

Today’s High Court hearing will determine whether she remains in custody pending trial or is released on bail.

Also read:

• ‘Salomey Baffoe keeps saying she is unwell, but I have no proper access to…

• Ghana Jollof case: Police case against Salomey Baffoe “founded on lies” – Lawyer

The Manchester City forward had been included in Carlos Queiroz’s original 24-man squad for this month’s games against Ivory Coast and The Gambia, as well as an international friendly against Morocco.

However, the 25-year-old has now pulled out due to an injury, with the Ghana Football Association expected to name a replacement in the coming days.

Semenyo’s withdrawal is the latest disruption to Queiroz’s plans before his first competitive matches in charge of the Black Stars.

He joins Mohammed Kudus and Nathaniel Adjei who have both withdrawn from the squad due to injury concerns.

The Portuguese coach has already been forced to reshape his squad, with nine players added after fitness concerns surrounding members of the original selection.

Ghana will continue preparations at the Accra Sports Stadium before travelling to Côte d’Ivoire for their Group C opener.

The Black Stars begin their qualifying campaign away to Ivory Coast at Stade de la Paix in Bouaké on 24 September, before hosting The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium three days later.

They will round off the international window with a friendly against Morocco at the Grand Stade de Tanger on 4 October.

The adjustment was reached after weeks of consultations between the Ministry of Transport and major transport unions over the 2026 fare review.

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) had called for an upward adjustment, citing rising operating costs faced by commercial transport operators.

During an initial meeting with the Ministry on September 8, the unions presented their proposals, while government outlined measures to cushion operators and passengers. These included a GH¢2 reduction per litre on diesel.

A joint technical team comprising representatives of the Ministry of Transport, GPRTU and GRTCC was subsequently established to assess the various cost components and make recommendations on the appropriate fare adjustment.

The consultations were also accompanied by calls for drivers and transport operators to continue charging existing fares until an official decision was reached.

As of September 16, both the GPRTU and the Progressive Transport Owners’ Association (PROTOA) had maintained that no new fares had officially been approved.

With the latest agreement, commuters are expected to begin paying the revised fares from September 26.

The 8% adjustment will apply to commercial public transport services, including trotros and shared taxis, with operators expected to implement the new rates according to the agreed fare structure.

The review follows concerns from transport operators over rising expenses related to vehicle maintenance, spare parts, fuel and other operational costs.

The consultations were intended to strike a balance between the increasing cost of running commercial transport services and the financial burden on commuters.

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The suspects, identified as Mark Bangel, a trader from Kpandai in the Oti Region, and Zakaria Arafat, a mechanic who resides in Kpando in the Volta Region, reportedly appeared at the Accra Regional Police Headquarters after a truck they claimed belonged to them was intercepted.

According to the Greater Accra Regional Police Relations Officer, Superintendent Juliana Obeng, the incident occurred on Friday, September 11, 2026, when officers of the Bravo SWAT Unit, acting on intelligence, intercepted a Kia Rhino truck with registration number GN 5581-13 at Abofu, near Achimota.

The vehicle was reportedly travelling from Kpandai and was suspected of transporting and distributing narcotic substances in Accra.

Police said the occupants abandoned the truck and fled after allegedly spotting the officers.

A search of the vehicle subsequently led to the recovery of 175 compressed slabs of dried leaves suspected to be narcotic drugs.

The substances were allegedly concealed in three sacks and three “Ghana Must Go” bags.

The truck and the recovered items were taken to the Accra Regional Police Headquarters for further investigation.

During the investigation, Bangel and Arafat reportedly showed up at the police headquarters and claimed ownership of both the vehicle and the recovered substances.

Police alleged that the two subsequently attempted to influence the Bravo SWAT Unit Commander by offering him GH¢30,000 to secure the release of the truck and the suspected narcotics.

The two were arrested and the alleged bribe money was retrieved by the police.

Supt. Obeng said investigations had also established that the suspects mentioned a third individual, identified only as Salam, who allegedly drove the truck and the suspected narcotic substances from Kpandai to Accra.

The police said efforts were underway to locate and arrest Salam.

The two suspects are assisting with investigations, while the truck and suspected narcotic substances remain in police custody as exhibits.

The allegations against the suspects have not yet been tested before a court.

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16 arrested, over $5.8m in counterfeit currency seized in NSCS crackdown

Five arrested as police seize pistols, narcotics in Tamale

The arrests followed six intelligence-led operations conducted between June 12 and July 24, 2026, targeting groups allegedly engaged in the production, possession and distribution of counterfeit Ghanaian and foreign currencies.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 22, the NSCS said the operations resulted in the seizure of four currency-printing machines, six vehicles and two motorcycles allegedly linked to the activities of the syndicates.

Security operatives also recovered counterfeit currencies amounting to US$543,000, GH¢196,600 and CFA60,000 that were allegedly ready for circulation.

In addition, counterfeit currency coupons reportedly awaiting processing and printing were seized. They included US$5.29 million, GH¢19.55 million and CFA623.55 million.

The NSCS said the operations were conducted following months of covert intelligence gathering into reports of counterfeit currency being introduced into commercial centres, foreign exchange markets and financial networks.

According to the security agency, the suspected criminal groups operated through organised networks involving technical printing specialists, cross-border facilitators and commercial dispatch riders who allegedly transported counterfeit currencies to buyers.

In one operation targeting a suspected transnational criminal network, seven people comprising three Ghanaians and four foreign nationals were arrested. Three vehicles and counterfeit notes worth US$65,900 were also recovered.

At Amuzu, near Kasoa, operatives arrested another suspect and seized a currency-printing machine, counterfeit gold bars, mobile phones and quantities of suspected fake currency.

Five suspects were also arrested during an operation in Lashibi and Klagon, where investigators reportedly uncovered printing equipment and a storage facility containing large quantities of counterfeit currency materials.

Another operation at Lakeside Estate led to the arrest of a suspected distributor and the seizure of five boxes containing counterfeit GH¢200 notes with an estimated face value of GH¢12.42 million. Two motorcycles were also confiscated.

The NSCS further disclosed that some of the suspected syndicates allegedly used religious and administrative premises as fronts for printing and storing counterfeit currency.

It said all 16 suspects had been remanded into state custody, while case dockets had been forwarded to the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice.

Prosecution proceedings are currently before the Accra High Court, with security agencies continuing efforts to apprehend other suspects identified during the investigations.

The NSCS added that processes had begun to seek the forfeiture of vehicles, printing equipment and mobile devices allegedly used in the operations.

The agency urged financial institutions, property owners and administrators of religious facilities to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious large-scale printing activities and unusual foreign-currency transactions to the appropriate security authorities.

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Five arrested as police seize pistols, narcotics in Tamale

22-year-old woman arrested for allegedly faking own kidnapping, collecting ransom

Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) National Headquarters and Ministries stations responded to the fire outbreak on Tuesday, September 22, and managed to bring it under control.

According to the GNFS, firefighters retrieved some cash from the property during the operation and handed it over to the owner.

The Service said the act demonstrated the professionalism and integrity expected of its personnel, who are tasked with protecting lives and property while maintaining honesty and dignity in the line of duty.

The cause of the fire and the extent of damage to the property have not yet been established.

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Speaking at a press conference, the party’s National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, popularly known as Nana B, alleged that the operations are taking place under the watch of President Mahama.

“The intelligence we have picked is that these drug traffickers have established laboratories here for processing of illicit drugs and narcotics under the watch of President Mahama. And it appears that he doesn’t care,” he said.

He claimed this explains why volumes of drugs continue to surface in shipments and in the luggage of passengers from Ghana passing through Sydney and Dunkirk.

“That is the reason why volumes of drugs keep surfacing in the form of ships and the luggage of passengers in Sydney, Dunkirk, and Johannesburg. Because the processing is happening right here in Ghana,” he said.

Nana B went on to allege that government officials are facilitating the transit of drugs processed in the country.

“They have laboratories right here in Ghana, clandestine laboratories where illicit drugs, cocaine, are being processed, and government officials aiding the smooth transit of these drugs outside of this jurisdiction,” he alleged.

The comments come weeks after French customs seized nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine, worth an estimated €225 million (about US$261 million), at the port of Dunkirk on September 10.

The shipment, concealed in a container of plastic waste exported from Ghana, was partly destined for Antwerp, Belgium, and has been linked to the network of Dutch fugitive Jos Leijdekkers, also known as “Bolle Jos.”

Several suspects have been arrested and arraigned by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) in connection with the case.

The baby was reportedly taken from the Cape Coast Bus Terminal section at the market, specifically at the Opera Site, on Sunday, September 20.

According to family members, the suspect, described as a dark, short woman believed to be in her late 30s, has since fled the area with the child, leaving the parents traumatised.

Speaking to Joy News, the uncle of the missing child, Osei Kuffour, said the baby’s mother, 25-year-old Freda Owusu, is a food vendor at the market and had reported to work with the baby at dawn.

He explained that at about 5:00 a.m., while preparing food for sale, Madam Owusu left the baby sleeping on a bedsheet in the care of her sister, who was within the same enclave running errands.

She returned moments later to discover that both the baby and a strange woman who had been sitting close to their store were gone.

“The mother is a food vendor and was preparing food around 5 a.m. The child was sleeping, so she left him in front of the store, just at the very place she was working.

“The suspect is a woman we don’t know in the area; she was sitting close to the store. The mother turned to get something but returned to find both the baby and the woman gone,” Mr Kuffour recounted.

He said the woman is not known among traders at the busy market and was only spotted standing close to their workplace around the time the child disappeared.

Mr Kuffour revealed that the mother of the baby and her husband, Emmanuel Acheampong, have lodged a complaint at the Asokwa Police Station.

Police say investigations are underway, with efforts being made to trace and recover the child.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the baby is urged to report to the nearest police station.

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The deceased, identified only as Jennifer, was a well-known pawpaw seller at the busy intersection.

The incident occurred on Monday, September 21, 2026, at about 9:00 a.m., when a forklift travelling from Asokwa towards Atonsu reportedly suffered a brake failure and veered off its lane.

According to eyewitnesses, the heavy-duty machine lost control as it approached the traffic light and headed straight towards a group of traders who were operating by the roadside.

Narrating the harrowing incident, Ama Sefa, a fellow trader and friend of the deceased, said they were both selling along the main road while the traffic light was red.

“When the light turned green, we moved away from the road and stood by the side to wait for the traffic to stop again so we could continue selling,” she recounted.

“It was at that moment that we saw the forklift coming towards us at top speed. The driver was shouting that his brakes had failed.”

Ama Sefa said she managed to jump to safety, but Jennifer was not so lucky.

“She was trapped. The forklift hit her and dragged her. She died at the scene,” she said, fighting back tears.

Other eyewitnesses corroborated the account, describing the scene as chaotic and horrifying. Traders and motorists reportedly rushed to the scene to try to rescue the victim, but she had already succumbed to her injuries.

According to police sources, the driver of the forklift fled the scene immediately after the accident and is currently on the run. The machine has been impounded.

Personnel from the Asokwa Divisional Police Command arrived at the scene shortly after the incident to control the crowd and manage traffic, which had come to a standstill.

The body of the deceased has since been conveyed to the morgue for preservation and autopsy.

Police say efforts are underway to apprehend the driver to assist with investigations.

The incident has reignited concerns about the safety of traders who operate at the Brewery Traffic Light and other major intersections in Kumasi.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr Afoakwa said he can only communicate with Salomey from the counter because she remains in the cell.

“I still don’t have proper access to her because she is in cell and I can only talk to her from the counter,” he said.

According to him, Salomey has consistently complained about her health and was visibly unwell when she appeared in court.

“She keeps saying she is not feeling well. Even the day we went to court, she said she was dizzy, and the judge ordered a swivel chair to be brought for her,” he recalled.

Mr Afoakwa said, “Given that Salomey has pleaded not guilty to the charge against her, he expected the court to consider her health when issuing the remand order.”

“The law states that someone is innocent until proven guilty. So once she has pleaded not guilty and is not feeling well, we were expecting that the court, during the orders for the remand, would have given consequential orders for her to seek medical care,” he stated.

The lawyer expressed concern about what could happen to his client while in custody, warning that the state and the court could be held accountable if her condition deteriorates.

“So if anything happens to her, we would hold the court and the government accountable,” he added.

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Her reported death marks the loss of a prominent figure in Ghana’s banking and insurance industries, where she built a career spanning more than two decades and held senior leadership positions.

The circumstances surrounding her reported death have not been independently confirmed. But the CEO Network Ghana, which confirmed her demise in a statement, said, “It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear friend and distinguished CEO, Patience Akyianu, Group CEO of Hollard Holdings.”

“Her passing is a deeply painful loss to the business community and to all of us who knew and cherished her. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, colleagues, friends and loved ones. May God grant them strength and comfort during this difficult time. Further details will be shared as received from the family. May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace”, it said.

From banking to insurance leadership

Mrs Akyianu built much of her career in banking, serving in senior financial and executive positions before her appointment as Managing Director of Barclays Bank Ghana.

She previously worked as Finance Director at the bank before becoming its Managing Director, a position she held for five years.

According to a profile published by the Ghana Stock Exchange, she had more than 26 years of experience in banking and finance, including 17 years in the banking industry before transitioning to insurance in 2018.

Her academic qualifications included an MBA in Finance and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, specialising in Accounting, both from the University of Ghana Business School.

She was also a certified professional accountant and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana.

Hollard Ghana’s pioneering Group CEO

In October 2018, Mrs Akyianu left Barclays Bank Ghana to become the Chief Executive Officer of Hollard Ghana Holdings, taking charge of the newly established insurance group.

Her appointment followed Hollard’s expansion in Ghana, bringing together Hollard Insurance Ghana, formerly Metropolitan Insurance, and Hollard Life Assurance Ghana.

She became the group’s first CEO, leading its efforts to expand its presence in Ghana’s insurance market and develop consumer-focused insurance solutions.

In a 2021 reflection on her leadership journey, Mrs Akyianu described the move from banking to insurance as a leap of faith.

She said she had been attracted by the opportunity to build Hollard into a household name in Ghana, despite moving into an industry in which she had relatively little experience.

“I saw a great brand with a great purpose, a great vision, and a great business ethos,” she wrote.

She described her years at Hollard as a period of transformation, innovation and growth, while acknowledging the challenges of building a business in a new sector.

A career marked by industry recognition

Mrs Akyianu’s contributions to Ghana’s financial services sector earned her several professional honours.

In May 2025, she received the Millennium Excellence Award for Finance and Capital Market Excellence at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

The award recognised her leadership at Barclays Bank Ghana and Hollard Ghana, as well as her contribution to the development of the finance and capital markets.

The citation highlighted her role in the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards at Standard Chartered Bank and Barclays Bank Ghana, saying it had enhanced transparency and discipline in the banking sector.

She was also recognised for her contributions to leadership and mentorship.

Beyond her executive roles, Mrs Akyianu served on corporate boards and was a founding member of the Executive Women Network and the International Women’s Forum, Ghana.

Commitment to inclusion and customer-focused insurance

At Hollard Ghana, Mrs Akyianu championed efforts to make insurance more accessible to individuals and businesses.

The company introduced products and partnerships aimed at reaching underserved customers and expanding access to insurance.

Among these was the Asomdwee insurance product, launched in partnership with the Ghana Enterprises Agency in 2021 to provide tailored insurance cover for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

She described the initiative as part of a broader effort to support business owners and protect their assets against unexpected events.

Her leadership also coincided with Hollard’s investment in new distribution channels, digital insurance solutions and customer experience.

Hon. Sedik died on the evening of Sunday, September 20, 2026, after participating in a series of engagements with the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, in Kumasi.

The late DCE was among a group of DCEs who met the minister at the Kumasi Kejetia Phase II project site on Sunday as part of engagements with stakeholders on developments at the project.

The group later participated in a stakeholders’ meeting with trader unions at the Kumasi Central Market. The meeting ended at about 5:00 p.m., after which Hon. Sedik and some of the other DCEs proceeded to the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council for another meeting with the minister later in the evening.

It was after these engagements that news emerged of the sudden death of the Ahafo Ano South West DCE.

His passing has since sent shockwaves through the Ahafo Ano South West District, the Ashanti Region and the local government sector, with colleagues and residents mourning the loss of a serving district chief executive.

A statement announcing his death described the passing as a profound loss to his family, the people of Ahafo Ano South West, his colleagues, the Ashanti Region and the government.

Further details about the cause of his death and funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.

His comments came after Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams appeared before Parliament’s Select Committee on Sports to account for expenditure related to Ghana’s World Cup campaign.

In an exclusive interview with Asempa FM, the Old Tafo MP said the minister had sought to compare the payments with previous arrangements but argued that some of the amounts allegedly paid to officials required further explanation.

Assafuah pointed to reported payments of $10,000 or more to individuals described as purse holders, chefs, caterers and security officers.

He questioned why someone responsible for holding money for players and officials would allegedly receive $10,000.

“You take people to the United States and Canada as part of the officials of the Black Stars. Then you pay that person $10,000,” Assafuah said.

He also challenged the reported payments made to other support staff, questioning whether the amounts reflected the length of time they spent with the team.

“You pay a chef 1.2 billion old cedis. You pay a caterer 1.2 billion old cedis. You pay a security officer 120,000. For how many days?” he asked.

Assafuah’s remarks form part of wider concerns raised over spending and accountability relating to officials who travelled with the Black Stars during the tournament.

Ghana played four matches at the 2026 World Cup before their campaign ended with a 1-0 defeat by Colombia in the Round of 32 in Kansas City.

The arrest was made by the South African Police Service (SAPS), with support from the Border Management Authority (BMA), during an intelligence-led operation on Sunday, September 20, 2026.

According to SAPS, the suspect had just arrived from Accra when he was intercepted by police at the airport.

A search of his luggage allegedly led to the discovery of bullet-like objects and blocks containing substances suspected to be heroin.

The suspected drugs have an estimated street value of more than R2 million, equivalent to over GH¢1.4 million or $120,000.

The latest arrest brings to three the number of suspected drug mules arrested at OR Tambo International Airport within the past three weeks, according to SAPS.

The suspect is expected to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court later this week to face drug trafficking-related charges.

Investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the suspected drugs and whether the suspect is connected to a wider drug trafficking network.

SAPS says it will continue to intensify intelligence-led and targeted operations to disrupt drug trafficking syndicates and prevent the movement of illicit drugs through the country’s ports of entry.

The incident occurred around Ebenezer Junction, where multiple containers had been converted into shops and other business spaces.

Three fire appliances from the Trade Fair, Kasapreko and National Headquarters Fire Stations were deployed to the scene to tackle the blaze.

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) says the fire is currently under control, with firefighters carrying out salvaging operations to prevent reignition.

The cause of the fire and the extent of damage are yet to be established.

More details are expected as firefighters complete their operations at the scene.

Speaking at Ivan’s burial service on Saturday, September 19, 2026, Evans Baidoo Esq. said the memory of seeing his son’s lifeless body on a stretcher still traumatises him.

“Seeing your lifeless body on a stretcher still traumatises me. The circumstances of your sudden demise make me…” he said, struggling to express the depth of his pain.

He said his son was murdered by a police officer paid to protect him.

“Your sudden demise has left me inconsolable. You did not die, son; you were murdered. Brutally murdered by a police officer paid with your parents’ taxes to protect you,” he said.

“Who did this to you, and what was your crime?” he questioned.

Ivan left his home in Old Ashongman on August 27 to play football with friends at the East Legon Astroturf Park, travelling on a Yango motorbike from Ashongman Estates, but never returned home.

According to the prosecution, the rider, Samuel Wesley Arthur, went through a red light at the UPSA intersection, where General Corporal Robert Katey Koranteng, 34, was on duty.

The officer, who belongs to the Traffic Management Enforcement Unit at Police Headquarters in Accra, pursued the motorbike and signalled the rider to stop, but the rider allegedly carried on through the Okponglo traffic light and the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange onto the Tema Motorway.

After the Old Tollbooth, the prosecution alleges, the officer kicked the motorbike with his leg as he chased it.

The rider lost control and the bike crashed into a concrete barrier, but Corporal Koranteng allegedly did not stop or arrange immediate medical help before speeding away.

Ivan was pronounced dead on arrival at the Tema General Hospital, while the rider was treated and discharged.

The Ghana Police Service has interdicted Corporal Koranteng.

On Tuesday, September 15, he was arraigned before the Adabraka District Court, charged with murder.

The charge is intentionally causing death by unlawful harm, contrary to Section 46 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

Corporal Koranteng has been charged but not convicted, and the allegations against him are those of the prosecution.

Speaking at NkrumahFest 2026 at Nkroful in the Western Region, Mr Asiedu Nketia said he was pained by what he described as attempts to diminish Nkrumah’s image and legacy.

“If the world and Africa have honoured him as the ‘Man of the Millennium’, why are we not doing that as Ghanaians?” he asked.

According to him, Nkrumah deserved to retain the recognition as the founder of Ghana because of his role in bringing together the various territories that now make up the country.

He said before Nkrumah’s emergence, the territories that now constitute Ghana existed as separate political entities, including the Gold Coast Colony, the Ashanti Kingdom, the Northern Territories and Trans-Volta Togoland.

Mr Asiedu Nketia argued that it was Nkrumah’s leadership and political struggle that brought these territories together to form the Ghana that exists today.

“Before Nkrumah came to the scene, there was nothing like Ghana,” he said.

He maintained that the struggles of earlier freedom fighters were largely concentrated in the Gold Coast Colony, while other territories had different political arrangements.

He said Nkrumah’s contribution to the formation of Ghana therefore distinguished him from other nationalists associated with the country’s independence struggle.

“No other politician or nationalist can compare themselves to Dr Kwame Nkrumah,” he said.

Mr Asiedu Nketia also described NkrumahFest as an attempt to “purge” the country of what he considers the shame of denigrating Nkrumah’s image and legacy.

He thanked former Minister for Roads and Highways and Ellembelle MP Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah for bringing the NkrumahFest celebration together and said he had always been part of the event.

NkrumahFest 2026 is being held at Nkroful to commemorate Nkrumah’s 117th birthday and celebrate his enduring legacy.

The Upper East Regional Police Command says the team went to the forest after some of the suspects led investigators to a place where they said the gang had hidden firearms.

On arrival, the team came under fire and three suspects who were with them were injured. The Police identified them as Amadu Apiiga, 33, Philip Vokbilla, 20, and Bilal Adabode, alias Sulley, whom they say led officers to the location.

They were taken to hospital but were pronounced dead on arrival.

The Police say other people believed to have been wounded in the gunfire fled the scene. Two officers were also injured and are receiving medical attention.

The operation follows the dismantling of a suspected gang linked to a series of attacks on motorbike riders and mobile money vendors in Benaba, Binduri, Pusiga, Garu, Zebilla and nearby communities.

The Police has also linked the gang to the killing of a police officer during a robbery attack at Zebilla on February 8, 2026.

After the operation, the Police retrieved two locally manufactured single-barrel guns, two pistols including a BRUNI 92, 11 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 18 live BB cartridges, three cutlasses, four unregistered Yamaha Aerox scooters, a pair of black boots, a motorbike number plate and two mobile phones.

Six other suspected members of the gang, arrested earlier, remain in custody and are helping with investigations. The Police say they are working to identify and arrest other members and to find out where the weapons came from.

The Command has appealed to the public to report anyone found with suspected gunshot wounds to the nearest police station, or to give information that could help investigators.

Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah made the claim on Adom TV’s Nnawotwi Yi, a day after the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, held a press briefing on the case.

Police say Ms Baffoe assisted in spreading videos produced by Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, who is believed to be based in the United Kingdom, by recruiting other persons. She was arrested in a joint operation involving the National Signals Bureau and the Police, and put before the court on a charge of abetment of crime, to wit, publication of false news. She was remanded into police custody and is due to reappear on 30 September.

Mr Awuah told host Abena Pokuaa Ahwenee that his team will answer in public whatever the police say in public.

“Whatever they say in the public we will respond to it because we’re not going to allow them to soil the image of our client in public. So if they come to lie we’ll also come out to explain it,” he said.

He said the police told the court one of Ms Kodua’s videos “bothers on overthrowing the government”, but he questioned whether the video played at the briefing shows her calling for that.

“Did you hear [Ghana] Jollof calling for the overthrow of government in the video they played yesterday?” he asked.

He said the police case is that Ms Kodua “sensationalized or told lies about an attempted coup at Jubilee House which caused fear and panic”, which in his words “is not a coup that was being planned”. That, he said, is why the judge ruled the matter bothered on national security and ordered Ms Baffoe remanded.

Mr Awuah said he told the judge that “if the issue indeed bothered on national security, national security wouldn’t have released [Ms Baffoe] to CID, they would have kept her in their installation for investigation”.

“For them to have released her to the CID it means that there was no national security element,” he said. The judge disagreed and still ordered her remanded.

He also challenged the charge sheet, saying his team was not informed when their client was being taken to court and did not receive a copy.

“When you were taking her to court, you didn’t even inform her lawyers, we heard about it from the grapevine and followed you people there and when we even got to the court you didn’t want to allow us get involved in the case so you didn’t even give us a copy of your charge sheet but the judge had one,” he said.

He said the charge sheet states that Ms Baffoe lives in Accra and committed the offence within the Adentan circuit.

“The police lied that [she] stays in Accra and committed the crime within the Adentan circuit,” he said.

He said she should have been arraigned before a court in the Techiman circuit.

On the alleged link to the videos, Mr Awuah said his junior lawyers reviewed the Ghana Jollof page after the briefing and found that a video she posted had, as of August 2025, over 30,000 views and over 500 shares.

“Are you telling me that Salomey recruited all those people?” he asked.

Even if the police account is true, he said, “does it mean I can be arrested for a crime my friend has committed?”

He said the case shows how desperate the police are to arrest Ms Kodua, and that they are “looking for anything to hang on”.

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South Africa evacuation: Foreign Affairs Ministry answers Minority’s RTI request with 200-page report

School heads who turn away students over trunks, chop boxes risk sanctions – GES warns

In the video, one of the staff is heard saying the student, who is in Form Three, knew the chop box was no longer accepted on campus and that she must get a rubber bag or something else to keep her items in.

The video was shared by Blackjoy TV on Thursday, September 17, 2026 as some students returned to school after vacation.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Education Service (GES) issued a directive on Friday, September 18, telling Senior High and Senior High Technical Schools not to turn away, refuse admission to or deny accommodation to duly admitted students solely because of the trunk, chop box or other storage container they bring.

The directive says the container must be reasonably sized and safe, and must not endanger the health, safety or welfare of other students.

GES said it issued the directive after receiving reports that some schools were refusing to accommodate newly admitted students who arrived with metal trunks, wooden chop boxes or other containers.

Watch the video below

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SA Evacuation Exercise: Detailed breakdown of the GH¢27.18m spent on chartered flights

The figures reported from it show that air travel alone took nearly three-quarters of the GH¢49.72 million spent on the exercise.

According to sources close to the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Ministry sent the report, which contains records on more than 1,900 evacuees, including contact details and signatures, electronically on Friday, 18 September.

The request was filed by the Deputy Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, while the evacuation was still going on.

The Ministry says it could not give a full and final account at that time because the exercise was still ongoing and spending and operational details were not yet complete.

Where the money went

Chartered flights cost GH¢27,183,700, and commercial tickets and layover expenses cost GH¢9,420,463.68, bringing air travel to more than GH¢36.6 million.

Reintegration support came to GH¢10.802 million, made up of GH¢5,000 in reintegration grants and GH¢500 in transportation allowance for each of the 1,964 returnees.

Below is a list of other things which totalled about GH¢2.3 million:

• Ground transportation in South Africa: GH¢997,644
• Food: GH¢634,349.99
• Logistics, including screening equipment, mobile toilets, fumigation and cleaning: GH¢162,917.76
• Communication, including airtime, data and an evacuation centre: GH¢153,728.09
• Hotel accommodation: GH¢141,797.86
• Printing of signs and passport photographs for emergency travel certificates: GH¢98,151
• Repatriation and autopsies for two deceased Ghanaians: GH¢84,274
• Medical services and hospitalisation: GH¢20,148
• Miscellaneous: GH¢22,610.84

How this compares with the Minister’s figures

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the total of GH¢49,721,786 on 7 September, in three groups. GH¢38,835,512 covered flights, tickets, ground transportation, feeding, accommodation and medical care. GH¢10,802,000 went on reintegration and transport allowances, and GH¢84,274 on repatriating the remains of two nationals. The itemised amounts above add up to the same three groups, to within a cedi.

The government paid GH¢33,721,786 of the total, and Engineers and Planners, owned by businessman Ibrahim Mahama, contributed GH¢16 million and the Ministry says the bill has been settled in full.

What the Minority still wants

The Minority requested for the total to be backed by invoices, payment vouchers, receipts, contracts and procurement documents for flights, accommodation, feeding, medical services and reintegration.

Asafo-Adjei has said the Minority is not alleging fraud, but wants discrepancies explained. He has asked in particular for an official passenger manifest for the first phase, which public accounts put at 979 arrivals while the Minister later put it at 926.

The Ministry has also asked for a special audit of government-funded evacuations since 2017, covering the COVID-19, Ukraine, Sudan and South Africa operations.

The South Africa evacuation ran from 27 May to 4 September, when the last 41 evacuees arrived in Accra.

The International Organization for Migration, the National Disaster Management Organisation and the Ghana Red Cross Society also provided returnees psychosocial assistance, logistics, hot meals and water.

The Church of Pentecost provided accommodation for affected Ghanaians in Pretoria, Kempton Park and Johannesburg.