Ghana Minute.
Wednesday, 7 October 2026
Ghana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Wednesday, 7 October 2026
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Ghanaian press · Place

France

Also known as: French

2026-04-252026-10-07

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. September 2026
  2. Joy Online

    … His comments follow the reported interception of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at the Port of Dunkirk in France in September 2026. …

    NPP links resurgence of drug trafficking cases to NDC’s return to power
  3. Joy Online

    … Read also: 3.9 metric tonnes of cocaine bust in France a national embarrassment to Ghana – Kofi Bentil “It appears that he (President John Mahama) doesn’t care,” he said. …

    NPP alleges illicit drug-processing laboratories operating at Ghana’s main ports
  4. Joy Online

    … Mr Boakye linked the alleged activities to drug seizures involving consignments traced to Ghana in countries including Australia, France and South Africa. …

    NPP accuses Mahama government of allowing Ghana to become drug transit hub
  5. Daily Guide

    … In July, French customs officers at the port of Dunkirk seized nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine, valued at more than US$260 million, concealed in a container of plastic waste that had departed Ghana. …

    Cocaine Transit Crisis: Another Shipment Pops Up In SA
  6. Joy Online

    … Their comments follow the recent seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine in France, allegedly concealed in a container of plastic waste from Ghana. …

    Catholic Bishops welcome task force to tackle drug menace, acknowledge inter-agency efforts
  7. Joy Online

    … The Bishops said the recent seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine in France, allegedly concealed in a container of plastic waste from Ghana, underscored the need for stronger surveillance and accountability at the country’s ports, airports and borders. …

    Ghana Catholic Bishops demand urgent action against drug trafficking
  8. Joy Online

    The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) says preliminary checks have found no evidence that any of the suspects in its custody over the €225 million cocaine seizure in France is a presidential escort. …

    NACOC: We’ve found no presidential escort among suspects in €225m France cocaine case
  9. Joy Online

    … The 50-year-old was born in a West African nation but later represented France, winning the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship with Les Bleus. …

    Senegal job an ‘absolute dream’ for new boss Vieira
  10. Joy Online

    … Jacquet, 21, has started every Premier League game since making the £60m move from Rennes in the summer and is poised to make his France debut over the international break after getting the call-up from boss Zinedine Zidane. …

    Impressive defence behind Iraola’s solid Liverpool start
  11. Joy Online

    Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Bernard Bediako Baidoo, got into a heated exchange with lawyer and Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, over the circumstances surrounding the seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of suspected cocaine in France from a consignment that originated …

    VIDEO: Akwatia MP ‘clashes’ with Kofi Bentil over 3.9-tonne cocaine seizure
World & Region

France sees violent education protests, 15-year-old injured

The News

Tens of thousands of students and activists across France are protesting government education policies, with demonstrations turning violent in several cities as police deploy tear gas and protesters light fires. A 15-year-old lost his hand during clashes in northern France on Monday, and nearly 2,000 high schools have been blockaded or closed.

9 hours ago · The Chronicle →

Today

  1. France sees violent education protests, 15-year-old injured

    Tens of thousands of students and activists across France are protesting government education policies, with demonstrations turning violent in several cities as police deploy tear gas and protesters light fires. A 15-year-old lost his hand during clashes in northern France on Monday, and nearly 2,000 high schools have been blockaded or closed.

    9 hours ago · The Chronicle →

Yesterday

  1. School protests spread across France amid police clashes

    Hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated across France as high-school pupil protests expanded to include parents, university students, and unions, with police using tear gas in Paris and Marseille and water cannon in Rennes. The government reported disruptions in 891 high schools on Tuesday and more than 250,000 demonstrators on the streets, while students' unions put the number at 450,000 demonstrators and 1,800 blockaded schools.

    13 hours ago · Joy Online →

Monday 5 October

  1. Olise scores twice as France rally past Belgium in Nations League

    France scored four goals in the final 13 minutes to overcome Belgium 4–1 in a Nations League match under Zinedine Zidane. Michael Olise scored twice in the comeback, while Rayan Cherki and Desire Doue also contributed, with France topping Group A1 on 10 points.

    5 October 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. France closes hundreds of schools amid student protest clashes

    Up to 500 French schools will be partially or totally closed on Monday after recent clashes between riot police and student protesters over education standards. The education minister said 24 schools have been burned or ransacked, 78 staff members have been wounded, and the protests, which began last week, have spread beyond Paris to cities including Montpellier, Nantes, and Marseille.

    5 October 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. France pledges increased Ebola funding for eastern Congo

    France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot visited Bunia in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo and announced increased support for Ebola eradication efforts, warning the virus could resurge without sustained vigilance. France allocated €13.4 million to the fight between January and July and said it would propose additional humanitarian funding during upcoming budget discussions.

    5 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Sunday 4 October

  1. France closes 400–500 schools amid student protest clashes

    Up to 500 French schools will be partially or totally closed on Monday after clashes between riot police and student protesters over education standards. The French education minister said 24 schools had been burned or ransacked since protests began last week, and 78 education staff members have been wounded.

    4 October 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Canada prepares for low-risk US invasion scenario under Trump

    Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he has prepared contingency plans for a US invasion, which he described as low-risk and highly improbable, citing his responsibility to consider all possibilities as the US-Canada relationship changes under the Trump presidency. Trump's global tariffs and stated desire to make Canada the 51st state prompted the war gaming, though Trump has said an invasion is "highly unlikely" and that he would rely on economic pressure instead.

    4 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 3 October

  1. Bawumia calls for probe into cocaine shipment financiers

    NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has called for investigations into the individuals and entities financing cocaine shipments linked to Ghana, saying the arrest of couriers alone is insufficient and authorities must establish who is financing and organising the shipments and how large consignments continue to pass through Ghana's ports undetected. His remarks come after several drug seizures abroad involving consignments traced to Ghana, including a September 10 seizure in France of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine concealed in a container carrying plastic waste from Ghana.

    3 October 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. France and Ghana explore cooperation on women's economic empowerment

    The French Embassy and Ghana's Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection have begun discussions to strengthen cooperation on women's economic empowerment, with focus on entrepreneurship, agriculture, and gender-responsive development. Both sides identified women's entrepreneurship and agriculture as areas with strong potential for collaboration, particularly in promoting innovation, food security, and economic opportunities for women.

    3 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 2 October

  1. Oil prices rise slightly amid mixed supply signals

    Oil prices drifted slightly higher on Friday after China halted fuel exports and the US reported sending more troops and carriers to the Middle East. Brent crude rose 0.28% to $102.60 per barrel, while traders weighed offsetting signals from Saudi exports and geopolitical tensions.

    2 October 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Putin warns Russia ready to use all weapons for Kaliningrad

    Vladimir Putin said Russia will use all weapons at its disposal if Kaliningrad comes under direct attack, insisting Moscow is responding to Western statements about preparing for war in 2029 or 2030. Russia has accused NATO of preparing to blockade the Baltic exclave, warning it would use nuclear weapons if the West cut off Kaliningrad from the rest of Russia.

    2 October 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. France faces Italy in UEFA Nations League Group 1

    France and Italy meet in a UEFA Nations League League A Group 1 fixture on Friday in Paris. Both teams won their second game earlier in the week, with France enjoying a flawless start under new manager Zinedine Zidane, while Italy bounced back from a defeat to Belgium with a 4-1 win over Turkey.

    2 October 2026 · The Chronicle →

Thursday 1 October

  1. UK Conservative leader backs ban on protest face coverings

    Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she would support a police-requested ban on face coverings at protests, citing concerns about people using disguises to commit crimes. She linked the issue to broader border and immigration concerns, saying the UK should leave the European Convention on Human Rights to enable deportations.

    1 October 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Minority calls for real-time drug seizure data publication

    Ghana's Parliamentary Minority has called on the government to publish in real time full and verifiable data on drug seizures, arrests and prosecutions since January 2025, citing concerns about major drug seizures involving consignments linked to Ghana that were intercepted and announced by foreign authorities.

    1 October 2026 · Daily Guide →

  3. Government pledges no political protection for drug trafficking suspects

    Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu rejected claims that political considerations are influencing drug trafficking investigations, stating the government will not protect anyone involved in drug trafficking regardless of political affiliation. His comments follow a Minority motion seeking to recall Parliament over concerns that Ghana is becoming a drug transit hub, and come amid several drug seizures including a cocaine shipment intercepted in France.

    1 October 2026 · Joy Online →

  4. Interior Minister's remarks on security officials in drug probe clarified

    The Interior Minister's reference to "involvement of some people within the system" in a drug probe was about officials within security agencies being investigated, according to government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu. The clarification was made in Parliament after the comments raised concerns.

    1 October 2026 · Joy Online →

  5. Government acknowledges inter-agency rivalry undermining port security

    Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu has admitted that rivalry among security agencies is undermining efforts to secure Ghana's ports against drug trafficking, with some agencies competing for control of port operations instead of sharing information and working together. The acknowledgment comes amid concerns over Ghana's emergence as a transit point for narcotics, including the seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine in France from a container that departed Ghana.

    1 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 30 September

  1. Ghana must close gaps allowing drug trafficking, says minister

    Dr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, Minister of State at the Presidency, has called for urgent action to close gaps that may allow drug trafficking through Ghana, saying authorities must determine whether the country is being used as a transit point for narcotics and that investigations should identify those responsible.

    30 September 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Mahama's airline plans face questions over South America route viability

    President Mahama has proposed that Ghana's planned national airline explore routes to South America and the Caribbean to expand trade and tourism, but analysts question whether passenger traffic data support such expansion, particularly given recent drug-trafficking cases involving Ghana.

    30 September 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. CAS to hear Senegal's AFCON title appeal on October 8

    The Court of Arbitration for Sport will hold a hearing on October 8 in Switzerland for Senegal's appeal of CAF's decision to strip them of the AFCON title and award it to Morocco instead. Senegal won the final 1-0 after a Pape Gueye extra-time goal, but the match was marked by player protests when a penalty was awarded to Morocco; CAF overturned the result in March 2026, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory.

    30 September 2026 · Joy Online →

  4. Morocco names first female prime minister after elections

    King Mohammed VI has appointed Fatima Zahra El Mansouri, 50, as Morocco's first female prime minister following her centrist party's parliamentary victory. El Mansouri, a lawyer and former mayor of Marrakesh, becomes only the second woman to lead a government in the Arab world after Tunisia's Najla Bouden.

    30 September 2026 · Joy Online →

  5. Tolon MP questions Speaker's rejection of drug seizures inquiry motion

    Habib Iddrisu, Deputy Minority Chief Whip, expressed surprise that Speaker Alban Bagbin rejected a Minority motion seeking a parliamentary inquiry into major narcotics seizures linked to Ghana, after Parliament was recalled for an extraordinary sitting to address the issue.

    30 September 2026 · Joy Online →

  6. France detains over 400 in escalating student protests

    More than 400 people, mostly minors, were detained in France on Tuesday during student protests at high schools over overcrowded classes and teacher shortages. At least 10 teachers and several students and 48 law enforcement officials were injured, with at least 400 schools affected and reports of bins set alight and bus stops damaged.

    30 September 2026 · Joy Online →

  7. Tinubu departs Paris after 30-day European absence

    Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ended his working vacation in Europe after spending at least 30 days away from Nigeria, departing Paris for Lagos. His return, originally scheduled for 21 days after departing Abuja on August 30, was rescheduled twice and drew criticism from opposition parties over his extended absence.

    30 September 2026 · The Chronicle →

Tuesday 29 September

  1. Ghana fifth-largest cocaine origin at Antwerp port in 2025

    Ghana ranked fifth among countries of origin for cocaine seized at Belgium's Antwerp port in 2025, the only African nation in the top five dominated by Latin American states. Belgian customs seized nearly 55 tonnes of cocaine at Antwerp last year; Ghana's ranking reflects large seizures in cassava flour and other legitimate exports from Tema.

    29 September 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Minority Leader contests Speaker's dismissal of narcotics inquiry motion

    Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin rejected Speaker Alban Bagbin's decision to dismiss a motion seeking a parliamentary inquiry into major narcotics seizures linked to Ghana, arguing the Speaker erred by citing ongoing criminal proceedings to block Parliament's proposed Ad Hoc Committee investigation into how narcotics consignments were processed, inspected, cleared and exported.

    29 September 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. Advans Ghana doubles client base to 160,000 in five years

    Advans Ghana's client base grew from 75,184 in 2021 to 159,693 in 2026, with 58% of clients being women. The institution operates 21 branches across nine regions and has disbursed over 250,000 loans worth more than GHS4.5 billion since inception.

    29 September 2026 · Joy Online →

  4. Minority demands narcotics data following major cocaine seizure

    Ghana's Parliamentary Minority has raised concerns about weaknesses in the country's security systems and demanded full, verifiable data on narcotics seizures, arrests, and prosecutions since January 2025, following the seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine in a container shipped from Ghana at France's Port of Dunkirk.

    29 September 2026 · Joy Online →

  5. Court denies bail to six in 3.9-tonne cocaine shipment case

    The Kwabenya Circuit Court has denied bail to six persons accused of involvement in shipping about 3.9 tonnes of suspected cocaine from Ghana to France. The judge ordered them to remain in custody, citing the nature of the alleged offence and considerations about whether they would stand trial or interfere with proceedings.

    29 September 2026 · Joy Online →

  6. Court denies bail to six in alleged 3.9-tonne cocaine shipment

    The Kwabenya Circuit Court has denied bail to six persons accused of involvement in the shipment of about 3.9 tonnes of suspected cocaine from Ghana to France. The judge cited the nature of the alleged offence and concerns about whether the accused would stand trial or interfere with proceedings, despite defence arguments that the accused had cooperated with investigators and had health issues.

    29 September 2026 · Joy Online →

France — Ghanaian press coverage · Ghana Minute