Corruption Watch has uncovered ownership disputes, procurement irregularities, and privatization of stadium lands in the One Constituency, One Astroturf programme launched in 2017, with investigations focusing on sports facilities at Hohoe and Agogo constructed with public funds valued at more than GH₵17 million. The initial exposé is the first in a nationwide investigative series examining 169 astroturf and sports infrastructure projects representing public investments estimated to exceed GH₵1 billion.
19 hours ago · Joy Online →
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has called for a national dialogue to address Ghana's growing culture of political insults, arguing that arrests and prosecutions alone will not resolve the problem. He said the issue cuts across Ghana's political divide and requires collective action beyond legal measures.
23 hours ago · Joy Online →
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed a detailed financial breakdown of the GH¢49.72 million evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa following xenophobic attacks, with GH¢27.18 million spent on chartered flights—the operation's single largest expenditure. The exercise brought 1,964 Ghanaians home between 27 May and 4 September 2026, with additional costs covering commercial airline tickets, ground transportation, food, accommodation, and medical services.
16 hours ago · Joy Online →
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has submitted a 200-page report to the parliamentary minority detailing the evacuation of 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa between May and September 2026, which cost GH¢49,721,786 in total government and private sector spending.
16 hours ago · Joy Online →
President Mahama has ordered a review of Senior High School menus to improve meal quality, while the Education Minister announced plans to increase the feeding grant from GH¢8 to GH¢15 per student. The government allocated GH¢4.2 billion for feeding Free SHS students in 2026 and has established dedicated funding arrangements to address previous shortages.
19 hours ago · Joy Online →
US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he is "immediately" banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, accusing the outlets of writing or reporting fiction or lies about his administration without providing examples. CNN and Politico have both rejected the move as an illegal assault on press freedom, and it remains unclear how the ban would be enforced or whether it will withstand legal challenges.
19 hours ago · Joy Online →
The government is reviewing the GH¢25,000 fee for acquiring Ghanaian citizenship after members of the diaspora raised concerns that the cost may discourage formalizing ties with Ghana. The Director of the Diaspora Affairs Office said the matter had been raised with the Interior Minister and would be considered through appropriate processes, as the government does not want citizenship costs to become a barrier.
19 hours ago · Joy Online →
Akwatia MP Bernard Bediako Baidoo has attributed rising cocaine seizures from Ghana to the exclusion of the Narcotics Control Commission from routine port inspections, citing a 2018 directive that reduced checks at the country's ports.
12 hours ago · Joy Online →
Lawyer Kofi Bentil questioned President Mahama's purpose in meeting with security officials over nearly 3.9 tonnes of suspected cocaine seized by French customs at Dunkirk in September, which departed from Ghana. Bentil argued the focus should instead be on how the shipment left Ghana and on accountability within port and border-control systems, noting scanning procedures at Tema Port and six people, including four customs officers, have been denied bail in connection with the case.
12 hours ago · Joy Online →
Kofi Bentil, Vice President of IMANI Africa, has cautioned the public against surrendering access to their mobile phones to police without a court order, stating that investigators must obtain court authorization before searching or accessing a suspect's phone contents, as phones contain sensitive personal and third-party information including financial, medical and professional records.
13 hours ago · Joy Online →
Kofi Bentil, Senior Vice President of IMANI Africa, says the state should draw a clear distinction between objectionable conduct and criminal conduct, cautioning against using state institutions to address matters considered insulting or offensive rather than criminal.
13 hours ago · Joy Online →
Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, MP for Assin South, has accused the government of applying Ghana's false publication laws selectively after nursing officer Salomey Awiti Bafoh was arrested and remanded over alleged links to the "Ghana Jollof" TikTok account. Bafoh pleaded not guilty to abetment of crime charges and was denied bail on September 13, with the case adjourned to September 30.
14 hours ago · Joy Online →
Constitutional adviser Oliver Barker-Vormawor has urged Ghanaian courts to exercise greater vigilance in protecting constitutional rights in cases involving social media speech, citing the case of nursing officer Salomey Awiti Bafoh, who was arrested on September 13 and remanded for two weeks on charges of abetting crime through publication of alleged false news.
14 hours ago · Joy Online →
Rev. John Ntim Fordjour has questioned whether Section 208 of the Criminal Code is being applied selectively in the case of nursing officer Salomey Awiti Baffoe, arrested over alleged links to UK-based TikTok user Barbara Asantewaa Kodua. He criticized the CID for publicly showing Baffoe's video while failing to take similar action against others he says have circulated comparable content.
14 hours ago · Joy Online →
Parliament's Defence and Interior Committee will invite the CID Director-General to explain how the Ghana Police Service is handling cases involving offensive social media content, and to address incidents and investigations not covered in a recent press conference.
14 hours ago · Joy Online →
Assin South MP Rev. John Ntim Fordjour has appealed to religious leaders, chiefs, journalists and other influential voices to speak out against what he describes as selective application of Ghana's laws, citing the case of senior nursing officer Salomey Awiti Bafoh, who was arrested over alleged involvement in activities of UK-based TikTok user Barbara Asantewaa Kodua ("Ghana Jollof"), and arguing the rule of law must apply equally regardless of political affiliation.
14 hours ago · Joy Online →
Member of Parliament for Assin South Rev. John Ntim Fordjour expressed concern that a culture of insults and offensive political commentary has become increasingly attractive in Ghana, particularly among young people on social media, who use abusive language to gain visibility and political recognition. He contrasted this with earlier political practice, citing figures such as Koku Anyidoho and Kwesi Pratt as examples of those who offered forceful criticism while maintaining decorum.
14 hours ago · Joy Online →
Private legal practitioner Samson Lardy Anyenini has warned the government against demolishing the Polo Beach Club at La Beachfront before the courts determine the ongoing land dispute, distinguishing it from the recent Laboma Beach demolition carried out as part of a flood-mitigation programme.
14 hours ago · Joy Online →
Constitutional rights advisor Oliver Barker-Vormawor has criticized what he describes as inconsistent application of laws governing false publication and offensive speech in Ghana, saying law enforcement must apply the same standards to similar conduct regardless of political affiliation. His comments follow the arrest of a nursing officer accused of links to a UK-based TikTok user and helping distribute content alleged to contain false news.
14 hours ago · Joy Online →
Constitutional Rights and Policy Strategy Advisor Oliver Barker-Vormawor has questioned why individuals identified by police as high-profile sponsors of Ghana Jollof activities have not been arrested, following a CID press conference stating investigators had uncovered financial transactions linking such persons to the platform. Police said forensic analysis revealed significant transfers to a Techiman nurse arrested in connection with the case, who allegedly redistributed funds to others involved in circulating videos produced by Ghana Jollof.
14 hours ago · Joy Online →
The Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority called for stronger cooperation among African tax administrations to enhance domestic revenue mobilisation and support sustainable development, citing governments' growing public financing needs and debt vulnerabilities across the sub-region.
14 hours ago · Joy Online →
Legal practitioner Oliver Barker-Vormawor has argued that conduct considered wrong under the NPP administration should not become acceptable under the NDC government, rejecting attempts to justify present police actions by reference to past abuses.
14 hours ago · Joy Online →
Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested the Auditor-General to conduct a special audit of government-funded emergency evacuation exercises since 2017, including evacuations from COVID-19 (2020), Ukraine (2022), Sudan (2023), and South Africa (2026), to assess how public funds were used and identify lessons for strengthening future emergency preparedness.
15 hours ago · Joy Online →
Ghana's evacuation of 1,964 citizens from South Africa between May and September 2026 cost GH¢49.72 million, with GH¢27.18 million spent on chartered flights alone. Additional costs included GH¢9.42 million for commercial airline tickets, GH¢997,644 for ground transportation, GH¢634,350 for food, and smaller amounts for accommodation, medical services, and communications.
16 hours ago · Joy Online →
The EU Ambassador to Ghana met with the Inspector-General of Police to strengthen cooperation on police training, forensic investigations, cybersecurity, community policing, and crime scene management. Both officials expressed commitment to deepened collaboration on emerging security challenges and capacity-building.
8 hours ago · Joy Online →
Prof. P.L.O. Lumumba, speaking at NkrumahFest 2026 in Nkroful, warned that Africa's continued reliance on foreign powers for medicines, food, technology and narrative represents an unfinished chapter of Dr Kwame Nkrumah's Pan-African vision. Lumumba said the most meaningful way to honour Nkrumah was to confront the challenges preventing African countries from becoming genuinely self-reliant.
8 hours ago · Joy Online →
Professor P.L.O. Lumumba has called for renewed commitment to President Kwame Nkrumah's Pan-African ideals, arguing that the continent's political and economic liberation remains unfinished. Speaking at a ceremony marking Nkrumah's 117th birthday anniversary at Nkroful, Lumumba noted that Nkrumah distinguished himself by linking Ghana's independence to the liberation and unity of the entire continent.
8 hours ago · Joy Online →
The Ghana Navy's School of Maritime Operations completed the Seaman Gunners First Class Specialist Qualification Course 1-26, equipping personnel with knowledge in naval gunnery, weapons systems, maritime security, and leadership through theoretical instruction and practical exercises including sea-firing and range work.
9 hours ago · Joy Online →
At the 2026 NkrumahFest, Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah urged Ghanaians and Africans to move beyond ceremonial remembrance of Ghana's first President and translate his ideals of self-determination, Pan-Africanism, and self-reliance into substantive action, assessing his legacy through enduring institutions and infrastructure rather than monuments alone.
9 hours ago · Joy Online →
Veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has questioned aspects of Ghana's 2018 Defence Cooperation Agreement with the United States, arguing that provisions regarding compensation claims for property damage and free use of national frequencies by US soldiers raise concerns about Ghana's sovereignty and national interests.
9 hours ago · Joy Online →
At Ghana's 117th NkrumahFest commemoration in Nkroful, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah called on Ghanaians and Africans to recommit to Nkrumah's ideals of self-determination, Pan-Africanism, and self-reliance, arguing the legacy should be measured by enduring institutions rather than monuments alone.
9 hours ago · Joy Online →
Former Energy Minister Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh said at Nkrumah's 117th birthday commemoration that all Africans should learn from Ghana's first President's inspiration and legacy despite political differences. He argued that while Ghanaians may disagree on governance and economic policy, Nkrumah's fundamental contributions to nation-building and Pan-Africanism should rise above partisan politics.
9 hours ago · Joy Online →
President John Dramani Mahama travelled to New York to participate in the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where he will deliver Ghana's statement at the main General Debate and host two high-level side events on African renewal, global development, and cultural heritage restitution.
10 hours ago · Joy Online →
The Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) says omissions in the Auditor-General's COVID-19 expenditure audit are worrying for Ghana's anti-corruption efforts, given that civil society organisations, Parliament and citizens rely heavily on the Auditor-General's reports to monitor public funds and pursue accountability.
10 hours ago · Joy Online →
Ghana's 2026 Nkrumahfest drew political leaders, government officials, and Pan-African advocates to commemorate Ghana's first President and discuss his vision for African unity, economic independence, and industrialisation. The event featured speakers including Prof. P.L.O. Lumumba, Samia Nkrumah (the late leader's daughter), and officials from both ruling and opposition parties.
10 hours ago · Joy Online →
Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has supported calls for a forensic audit into Ghana's COVID-19 expenditure, particularly the estimated GH¢780 million spent on fumigation, questioning why government agencies spent hundreds of millions on fumigation when existing contracts and capacity were already available and scientists said it was unnecessary.
10 hours ago · Joy Online →
An NPP Legal Team member says Ghana's growing association with cocaine trafficking is damaging the country's international reputation, citing the seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of suspected cocaine in France from a Ghana-bound container and describing the perception that Ghana is becoming a major transit point for the illicit drug trade.
11 hours ago · Joy Online →
The Bono East Regional Minister has warned that the contractor for Sene West District's 24-hour economy market project in Kwame Danso will have its contract terminated if work does not improve within a month, citing unacceptable progress of only about 5 percent against an expected 20 percent output. The contractor attributed delays to unpredictable weather conditions.
11 hours ago · Joy Online →
Samia Yaaba Nkrumah, daughter of Ghana's first President, asked Ghanaians to forgive the Nkrumah family for staying away, attributing their prolonged absence to trauma from assassination attempts on their father and political upheavals that forced him from office. She said the family is now ready to reconnect with Ghana and contribute to the country's progress.
8 hours ago · The Chronicle →
Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has expressed concern over deliberate attempts to diminish the legacy of Ghana's first President Kwame Nkrumah, arguing that his contributions went beyond political independence to transforming ordinary Ghanaians' lives through policies such as free compulsory education.
10 hours ago · The Chronicle →
Member of Parliament for Akwatia Bernard Bediako Baidoo and lawyer Kofi Bentil disagreed on Saturday over a consignment of nearly 3.9 tonnes of suspected cocaine that originated from Ghana and was seized in France, with Bentil questioning how it passed through Ghana's port while Baidoo rejected what he called premature blame of the government before investigations conclude.
4 hours ago · Joy Online →
NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia attributed his education and current position to former President Kwame Nkrumah's free compulsory universal basic education policy, which he said gave him the opportunity to attend school rather than remain with relatives who wanted him to inherit family responsibilities and a cocoa farm. Speaking at NkrumahFest 2026 in Nkroful, he said the policy's impact on his life made him an "unrepentant Nkrumahist" committed to preserving Nkrumah's legacy.
5 hours ago · Joy Online →
National Democratic Congress Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia has questioned why Ghanaians are not giving Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah the same level of recognition he has received across Africa and the world, arguing that Nkrumah's leadership brought together the separate territories that now constitute Ghana.
6 hours ago · Joy Online →
Ranking Member of Parliament Vincent Ekow Assafuah has questioned payments allegedly made to officials who accompanied Ghana's Black Stars to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including reported payments of $10,000 to purse holders and payments to chefs, caterers, and security officers, following the Sports and Recreation Minister's appearance before Parliament's Select Committee on Sports.
7 hours ago · Joy Online →
CNN and MS NOW journalists were denied access to the White House after US President Donald Trump announced a ban on those outlets and Politico, accusing them of writing "fiction or lies." An MS NOW reporter and photographer had their badges disabled on Saturday morning, as did a CNN reporter, while press freedom advocates called the move "unconstitutional."
7 hours ago · Joy Online →
President Mahama has directed the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and sister local authorities to intensify sanitation enforcement and prevent illegal dumping at Agbogbloshie following a waste evacuation exercise. He said the cleared site would support an urban renewal project, including transformation into an industrial area.
7 hours ago · Joy Online →