Author: Political Desk

Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta was detained by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on January 7, 2026. While this has fueled speculation about his potential extradition to Ghana amid ongoing corruption investigations, the primary reason for his detention is unrelated to the extradition request. Instead, it comes on the back of concerns over his immigration status in the US, specifically allegations of overstaying his visa. His legal team has clarified that he is cooperating with authorities and has a pending petition for adjustment of status, which legally allows him to remain in the country beyond his visa’s…

Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been detained by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over concerns regarding his visa status, according to a confirmation from his legal team. In a statement released on the matter, Mr Ofori-Atta is said to be fully cooperating with ICE authorities as his lawyers work to resolve the issue promptly. The statement clarified that Mr Ofori-Atta has a pending petition for adjustment of status, a standard U.S. immigration process that permits an individual to maintain legal presence in the country after the expiration of an initial visa. His legal representatives described this…

A 53-year-old Ghanaian immigrant, George Ennin, was fatally stabbed in an unprovoked attack while walking to work in the Bronx, leaving his family and community in shock. The incident occurred on Monday, January 5, 2026, around 2 p.m. local time, in the Melrose section of the Bronx near Third Avenue and East 157th Street. According to reports, surveillance footage captured the assailant attempting to kick Ennin, who blocked the attack but stumbled and fell due to uneven pavement. The suspect then charged at him, grabbed his arm, and stabbed him multiple times before fleeing the scene. Ennin, despite his injuries,…

The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Frimpong Kodua, has stated that the party will contest the upcoming Ayawaso East by-election and is confident of victory. Speaking in an interview on JoyNews on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Mr Kodua said the NPP has already begun the process of selecting a suitable candidate for the seat. “Why shouldn’t we contest?” he asked. “The New Patriotic Party will contest the Ayawaso East by-election, and as I speak to you, we are doing our own candidate search to get a very good, well-accepted candidate to contest.” Mr Kodua first extended…

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has urged the leadership of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to devise innovative strategies to significantly lower interest rates, aiming to boost domestic private investment and foster a self-reliant economy. The monarch described the prevailing high cost of credit as a major obstacle hindering economic progress. The call was made during a historic courtesy visit to the Central Bank’s headquarters in Accra on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. While commending recent advancements in controlling inflation and stabilizing the exchange rate, the Asantehene emphasized that these achievements would be insufficient without a bold adjustment in monetary…

The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Asiamah, has cautioned that the recent stability and strengthening of the Ghanaian cedi should not be viewed as a permanent achievement, emphasizing the need for ongoing economic discipline and productivity to ensure long-term currency stability. The remarks were made on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, during a courtesy visit by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to the Central Bank’s headquarters in Accra. Addressing a prior question from the Asantehene posed at Manhyia Palace regarding the cedi’s performance, Dr. Asiamah provided an optimistic yet prudent update. “We are happy to report that…

President John Dramani Mahama has urged government appointees to avoid complacency and to exercise their authority with humility, empathy, and a profound sense of responsibility towards the people, emphasizing that leadership is not permanent. The President delivered this message during his First Anniversary Non-Denominational Thanksgiving Service held at the forecourt of the Jubilee House on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. He stressed that thanksgiving should extend beyond mere expressions of gratitude and manifest in a renewed dedication to ethical governance, national unity, and serving the vulnerable. President Mahama highlighted that the coming year would challenge the resolve, patience, and discipline of…

 The Member of Parliament for Karaga, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, has cautioned that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) could face up to 12 years in opposition if it decides to replace Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as its flagbearer in the upcoming presidential primaries. In an interview on Joy News on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Dr Amin Adam drew on historical precedents within the NPP to bolster his position, emphasizing that candidates given a second chance after an initial defeat have historically succeeded. He referenced past leaders, stating, “We repeated Kufuor and Akufo-Addo for a second time, and they won, so why…

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has formally appealed to the United Kingdom to exempt Ghanaian students and professionals from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) requirement and its associated fees when applying to study or work in the UK. The request was made during a bilateral meeting with the British High Commissioner to Ghana, His Excellency Christian Rogg, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. The discussions centered on enhancing Ghana-UK relations, with emphasis on deepening cooperation in key areas such as security, trade, job creation, health, education, governance,…

Burkina Faso’s military junta has announced that it has foiled a sophisticated plot to assassinate its leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, with accusations pointing to involvement from neighbouring Ivory Coast. In a late-night broadcast on national television, Security Minister Mahamadou Sana revealed that the plan was allegedly orchestrated by Lieutenant Colonel Paul Henri Damiba, the former military officer who was ousted by Traoré in a coup in September 2022. “Our intelligence services intercepted this operation in the final hours. They had planned to assassinate the head of state and then strike other key institutions, including civilian personalities,” Sana stated, adding that…