The 2026 JoyNews Impact Makers Awards ceremony recognised twelve individuals and organisations driving meaningful change across Ghana in sectors including health, education, disability inclusion, girl child development, water and sanitation, youth development, and community transformation. The awards celebrate grassroots innovators who address social challenges through self-driven solutions.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Nana Oye Bampoe Addo praised Multimedia Group Limited for its role in shaping national discourse and amplifying citizen-led development through journalism. She emphasised that the JoyNews Impact Makers Awards recognise the value of ordinary citizens' contributions to national development.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Founder of the Smiles of Hope Foundation, Valeria Adzo Adzatia, has been named Overall Impact Maker of the Year at the 2026 JoyNews Impact Makers Awards for her work supporting amputees through counselling, rehabilitation, and peer mentorship across Ghana.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's Ministry for the Interior has announced that Wednesday, May 27, 2026, will be observed as a statutory public holiday across Ghana to commemorate Eid-Ul-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice celebrated by Muslims worldwide.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
An Italian parents' movement and families sued Meta and TikTok in Milan's business court, seeking to require stronger age-verification systems for users under 14, remove manipulative algorithms, and provide transparent information on harms of overuse. MOIGE says about 3.5 million Italian children aged 7 to 14 are illegally active on these platforms.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Screening tests for breast cancer, cervical cancer, skin cancer, and other conditions can detect diseases early when they are easier to treat. Recommended screenings vary by age, family history, personal health history, and risk factors.
15 May 2026 · The Chronicle →
Consolidated Bank Ghana Limited held a free health screening exercise for nearly one thousand women in Adaklu Ayaafo, checking for blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels as part of corporate social responsibility and Mother's Day celebrations. Those with conditions received free medication or referral to hospital for further treatment.
15 May 2026 · Business & Financial Times →
Federated Commodities PLC (FEDCO) donated GH₵200,000 to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund to support healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes across the country. The Fund said the contribution would help advance its mission of improving access to healthcare.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Emmanuel Yeboah, a 38-year-old self-styled Ghanaian pastor based in Barrie, Ontario, was sentenced to 18 months in prison by a Canadian court for sexual assault, sexual interference, and assault involving a 13-year-old congregant. The court found that Yeboah, a trusted family friend, had engaged in grooming behaviour including offering to take the teenager to a piano lesson before the abuse occurred.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Inspire 2026 was a one-day immersive workshop for young women in science (ages 19–25) that provided mentorship, career direction, LinkedIn training, and scientific problem-solving guidance. The program was curated by Maame Ekua Acquah, a recipient of the L'Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Saharan Young Talents Award 2025, and held on 2 May at the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, bringing together 20 participants and 9 mentors.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Individuals and organisations making a difference across Ghana will be honoured at the 2026 JoyNews Impact Makers Awards tonight at Labadi Beach Hotel (7 PM). Past recipients say the recognition has expanded their reach and secured partnerships that enhanced their community work.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The National Security Monitoring and Evaluation Team arrested commercial drivers and conductors for imposing unauthorised transport fare increases, including charges of up to GH₵20 for journeys between Circle and Kasoa. The arrests follow complaints of fare hikes that caused confusion at terminals and left some commuters stranded.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh disclosed that only five per cent of Ghana's health facilities currently have the full range of medical equipment required for quality healthcare delivery. He attributed the shortage of essential equipment as a pressing challenge inherited by the current administration, while noting that the government has begun procuring and distributing medical equipment across facilities nationwide.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The Bono Regional Minister Joseph Addae Akwaboa has called on chiefs and residents to arrest anyone claiming to operate under the instruction or protection of government appointees to engage in illegal mining, warning that no individual or group will be spared if found engaging in the practice.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The Member of Parliament for Madina has appealed to the Health Minister to prioritise the redevelopment of Pantang and Danfa hospitals, saying the two facilities have not undergone major renovation since establishment and this is affecting healthcare quality. The MP noted years of neglect of mental health infrastructure, particularly at Pantang Hospital.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The Director of the Medical Training and Simulation Centre at the University of Ghana Medical Centre has called for Essential Emergency and Critical Care to be incorporated into the government's Free Primary Healthcare initiative to strengthen emergency response and reduce preventable deaths. He stated that integrating EECC into the policy framework would improve healthcare delivery at district, regional and tertiary facilities by equipping health professionals with necessary systems, coordination and training.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The 1996 year group of Keta Senior High School will hold a three-day homecoming celebration July 3–5 on the school campus to reconnect three decades after graduation. The event includes a girls' dormitory washroom facility commissioning, durbar, cultural activities, and thanksgiving service.
15 May 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
The National Health Insurance Authority has suspended three pharmacies—Deldem Pharma Limited in Weija, PARAMEDICA Pharmacy in Ablekuma, and DESH CHEMIST in Amasaman—from the NHIS following a routine claims verification exercise that identified material irregularities and suspected fraud. The suspended pharmacies are barred from providing services or dispensing medicines under the scheme during the suspension.
15 May 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Ghana's Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection marked the 2026 International Day of Families on May 15, calling for renewed commitment to building stronger families and safer communities for children. The Ministry noted that families face challenges including poverty, unemployment, domestic violence, child labour, and limited access to healthcare and education, and stated that the Government remains committed to strengthening families through programmes like LEAP, School Feeding, and the National Parenting Strategy.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The National Health Insurance Authority paid over GH¢157 million in claims to healthcare providers in April 2026, including outstanding accrued claims dating back to 2019. Private facilities received the largest share, with high-volume facilities accounting for 64 percent of the payments.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The Ghana Education Service has assured qualified 2026 BECE candidates of placement into Senior High and Technical Schools, dismissing media reports that about 72,000 students could miss out, and said adequate infrastructure and facilities are available nationwide for admissions when schools reopen in September 2026.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Operatives of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat arrested three Chinese nationals during a riverine operation targeting illegal mining along the Tano River in Amenfi West District on 14 May 2026. The suspects were found overseeing miners operating Changfan machines on floating platforms and were handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Traders at 31st December Makola Market planned a protest march to the Jubilee House to present a petition to President Mahama against proposed relocation by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, citing inadequate consultation and lack of an alternative trading location.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh disclosed that only 5% of Ghana's health facilities have the full range of medical equipment needed for quality healthcare, citing equipment shortage as a pressing challenge affecting hospitals and clinics nationwide. He said the government has begun procuring and distributing medical equipment to facilities across the country to strengthen healthcare delivery.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The Member of Parliament for Ayawaso East, Baba Jamal, has donated about 1,000 desks to the Ayawaso East Municipal Assembly for distribution to schools in the area to improve teaching and learning. The Municipal Director of Education said the furniture would improve learning outcomes and ensure pupils have proper seating and writing space.
15 May 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Ghana Water Ltd announced that technical challenges at the Weija Water Treatment Plant have caused erratic supply and low pressure in parts of western Accra, including Dansoman, Mamprobi, Laterbiokorshie, Korle Bu, and surrounding communities. The company said engineers are working to restore normal supply and advised residents to store water and remain calm.
15 May 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
The Western Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service has begun a "Catch Them Young" sensitisation programme in basic schools, teaching students about safe handling of naked flames, use of liquefied petroleum gas, electrical safety, and daily fire safety practices. The service is in talks with the Ministry of Education to include fire safety in the school curriculum.
15 May 2026 · Daily Guide →
The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Office of NADMO has classified 88 properties as unsafe and liable for demolition or remedial intervention, following assessments that found structural defects including cracks, exposed reinforcement bars, and deteriorated roofing. The affected properties—residential, schools, recreational centres and commercial premises—include structures that remain occupied despite safety risks.
15 May 2026 · Daily Guide →
A 2026 WASSCE candidate at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Senior High School died on the second day of examinations after a short illness. School management said 1,022 candidates are sitting the exam, and that counselling support is being offered to students as examinations continue.
15 May 2026 · Daily Guide →
The Sweden-Ghana Medical Centre has officially commissioned a Nuclear Medicine facility featuring a Cyclotron and Positron Emission Tomography (PET-CT) scanner, the first of its kind in the West African sub-region. President Mahama attended the commissioning, calling it a transformative shift in cancer and complex disease management and marking a new chapter in Ghana's healthcare innovation.
15 May 2026 · Daily Guide →
Nana Asiedu Keteke I, newly enstooled Nkosuohene of the Kyidom Divisional Council of Agona Kwanyarko, has expressed gratitude to paramount chiefs, government officials, clergy, elders, family and well-wishers who attended his coronation on Saturday, 9th May, 2026. The ceremony marks the second honour he has received this year, following his appointment in February as President-General of the Eminent West Africa Nobles Forum.
15 May 2026 · The Chronicle →
The Ghana Bar Association, led by President Efua Ghartey, donated assorted items to Pantang Psychiatric Hospital as part of Mother's Day celebrations and the association's annual outreach programme. The gesture was intended to demonstrate the legal profession's compassion and commitment to supporting vulnerable groups in society.
15 May 2026 · The Chronicle →
Frederick Kwasi Darteh, Samuel Nyarko, Mohammed Amin and Richmond Attuah, who studied through Aspire Executive Institute, all scored above 100 out of 150 in the Strategic Case Study Exam, the final assessment for the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) Professional Qualification.
15 May 2026 · Business & Financial Times →
According to a 2025 Food and Drugs Board Authority report analysing 392 turmeric samples from open markets, retail shops, supermarkets and malls across Ghana, 42.09 percent contained unsafe levels of lead, with imported turmeric showing higher contamination (55.56%) than locally sourced (41.78%). Greater-Accra recorded the highest failure rate at 84.53 percent, and supermarkets and malls reported the highest contamination among retail categories at 91.67 percent.
15 May 2026 · Business & Financial Times →
The Medical Laboratory Professional Workers' Union has renewed calls for the immediate reinstatement of Dr. Michael Amo Omari, whose appointment as Head of Laboratory Services at the Sub-BMC was revoked, amid an ongoing leadership dispute at the Central Medical Laboratory of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. The union says it remains concerned about prolonged uncertainty surrounding the laboratory's management and its implications for patient care and service delivery.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
A health article highlights that chicken franks and sausages widely consumed in Ghana contain high levels of nitrates, nitrites, salt, sugar, fat, and artificial dyes linked to carcinogen exposure, hypertension, hyperactivity, and foodborne illness risks in children.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The Korle Bu Polyclinic and Family Medicine Department has received eight anti-decubitus mattresses donated by the Drewgees Foundation to support care of bedridden patients and prevent pressure ulcers, particularly for stroke survivors in recovery.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The Ghana Medical Trust Fund received a combined donation of GH₵200,000 from the Quartey-Papafio Medical Foundation and the Reroy Group on May 15 in support of healthcare delivery in Ghana.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
A fire outbreak destroyed Monte Carlo, a food and drinking spot at Tema Community 10, early Friday morning, starting in the computer room and spreading rapidly through the facility. The Ghana National Fire Service and police responded to the blaze, which a worker suspects may have been triggered by a power surge following a brief electricity outage.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection marked the 2026 International Day of Families under the theme "Families, Inequalities and Child Wellbeing," calling for stronger support systems to address inequalities affecting children and vulnerable families. The Ministry cited challenges including poverty, unemployment, domestic violence, child labour, human trafficking, and limited access to healthcare and education as pressures that weaken families' ability to provide safe and nurturing environments.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Lighthouse Chapel International visited Winneba Local Prison on May 14 to mark Bishop Dag Heward-Mills' birthday through an outreach programme that included donations of food items, fellowship, and spiritual encouragement focused on rehabilitation and hope.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
A Food and Agriculture Organization report cautions that poorly managed recycling systems and alternative food contact materials pose food safety risks, as recycled plastics may release harmful substances including metals, flame retardants, and persistent organic pollutants.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection reaffirmed the country's commitment to protecting children and supporting vulnerable families on International Day of Families, citing poverty, unemployment, domestic violence, child labour, human trafficking, and limited access to healthcare and education as major challenges affecting families.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that passport applications left incomplete for more than two months after submission will be automatically cancelled, with no refund of fees paid. Applicants must restart the entire process if their application is cancelled.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The Ashanti Regional Health Director has backed a Prisons Service initiative to launch a Medicine and Equipment Supplies Bank in Kumasi on June 25, aimed at ensuring steady supply of medicines and medical equipment to prison facilities in the region. The visit signals growing collaboration between health and prison sectors to improve healthcare for inmates.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The Governing Council of the University of Cape Coast has appointed Professor Denis Worlanyo Aheto as the institution's new Vice-Chancellor, effective August 1, 2026. Aheto is currently serving as Acting Vice-Chancellor and Pro Vice-Chancellor.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Artificial intelligence offers potential to address education gaps across Africa—such as high teacher-to-student ratios and unequal urban-rural access—by acting as a co-pilot that supports teachers and personalises learning. However, foundational barriers including affordability and infrastructure, plus risks of digital elitism and algorithmic bias, require deliberate action to ensure AI benefits all students equitably.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Seidu Sampson Abudu, Council of State Member for Savannah Region, has launched an anti-drug campaign in Tinga, Bole district, targeting substance abuse among youth, particularly use of "Wonim Red," and committed GH₵100,000 to community development through the Tingawura ASSA Foundation.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Nine miners were trapped after a mining pit collapsed on Wednesday evening at Konongo in the Asante Akyem Central Municipality, blocking their exit route. Rescue teams were at the site working to rescue the victims, though no one had been rescued at the time of reporting.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Allied Health Professionals at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital staged a protest demanding the establishment of a directorate for their Central Laboratory department and the reinstatement of a former Head of Department, arguing that they contribute to about 70 per cent of patient diagnoses and are qualified to manage their own affairs without external interference.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
Prof. Vincent Boima of the University of Ghana Medical School has called for a shift in chronic kidney disease treatment across Africa, proposing a "Genes–Mind–Community" model that combines genetics, mental health, and community-based healthcare. He warned that hypertension and diabetes are the leading causes of kidney disease in Ghana, and that many cases could be prevented through earlier intervention rather than relying solely on dialysis.
15 May 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
The World Health Expo (WHX) in Lagos (2–4 June 2026) will host a Hospital Investment & Buyer Leadership Forum to connect healthcare leaders and suppliers, addressing West Africa's medical equipment and pharmaceutical import dependency and supply-chain vulnerabilities.
15 May 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
The National Health Insurance Authority has temporarily suspended Deldem Pharma Limited, Paramedica Pharmacy and Desh Chemist from providing services under the NHIS following a routine claims verification exercise that uncovered material irregularities and raised reasonable suspicion of fraud and abuse. The suspension took immediate effect from May 14, and the NHIA warned that healthcare providers convicted of NHIS fraud face fines, imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both.
15 May 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Ghana's Fam Affair 2026, a family-focused event curated by KMT Versatile Bureau, takes place July 3rd at the University of Ghana Campus. This year's theme explores how digital innovations shape family interactions, with sessions covering economic stress, mental health access, health screening, and youth employment.
15 May 2026 · Business & Financial Times →
The chair of the judges committee for the JoyNews Impact Makers Awards says the quality of submissions demonstrates many Ghanaians remain deeply committed to community development and civic responsibility, with judges finding the selection process difficult because nearly every nominee had demonstrated meaningful impact in their communities.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has urged Ghanaian youth and students to reject corruption and unethical leadership as the country approaches 70 years of independence, cautioning them not to admire wealth, power or success without examining how they were acquired and who suffered for them.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The 2026 JoyNews Impact Makers Awards is underway at Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, honouring individuals and organisations driving meaningful change in communities across Ghana through self-driven initiatives that address social challenges.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
President John Mahama called for a coordinated national response to drug abuse, urging traditional leaders to work with youth groups and police to dismantle networks supplying illicit drugs like tramadol. He stressed that drug users should be treated as victims of suppliers who profit from addiction, not as criminals.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
President John Mahama says the government will prioritise completing 35 Agenda 111 hospital projects in a phased approach, citing the original simultaneous start of 111 hospitals as imprudent. Several facilities remain at foundation level or were abandoned after contractors received mobilisation payments but failed to report to site, with the Economic and Organized Crime Office pursuing those contractors.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The Bono East Regional Command of NACOC carried out a special enforcement and public sensitisation operation at Akrofrom on the Techiman–Wenchi highway on Wednesday, May 6, targeting tricycles, motorcycles, and taxis suspected of transporting illicit drugs hidden in charcoal. About 200 tricycles, more than 100 motorcycles, and five taxis were stopped, profiled, and searched, while officers educated transport operators on the dangers and legal consequences of drug trafficking.
15 May 2026 · Joy Online →