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Today, March 3, 2026, 49,966 registered voters in the Ayawaso East Constituency are casting ballots across 113 polling stations to elect a new Member of Parliament. The contest primarily features Baba Jamal of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Yussif Baba Ali of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The Electoral Commission has deployed a significant security presence, with up to 80 police officers per station, to ensure a peaceful process following the January passing of sitting MP Mahama Naser Toure.
This by-election is the first major electoral test since the 2024 general election. A victory for the NDC would consolidate the Mahama administration's legislative support, while an NPP win in this traditional NDC stronghold would signal shifting national sentiment.
Ayawaso East has historically leaned toward the NDC since the start of the Fourth Republic in 1992. The vacancy created by Baba Jamal’s run has already led to diplomatic shifts, with businessman Baba Sadiq Abdulai Abu appointed as the new High Commissioner-Designate to Nigeria.
The Accra High Court has ordered activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor to pay GHc5 million (~$454,545 USD) in general damages to former National Security Minister Albert Kan-Dapaah. The ruling found that Barker-Vormawor's unsubstantiated public claims—alleging the Minister offered him a $1 million bribe to cease activism—were defamatory. In addition to the payout, the court imposed GHc100,000 (~$9,091 USD) in legal costs and mandated a formal public apology.
This landmark judgment sets a high bar for the burden of proof required when making corruption allegations against public officials. It underscores the legal risks of social media-driven activism without verifiable evidence.
Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem has announced that Ghana will resume issuing long-dated domestic bonds this month, following the expiration of restrictions under the 2023 Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP). This move is intended to reduce the government's heavy reliance on short-term Treasury bills. Simultaneously, Ministry advisor Dr. Theo Acheampong is urging the government to leverage current high gold prices to build an economic 'war chest,' noting a 0.64 correlation between gold performance and Ghana's gross international reserves.
Transitioning to long-term debt helps smooth out the government's repayment schedule and reduces the risk of frequent domestic 'debt traps.'
The return to the bond market signals a normalization of Ghana's credit environment. Watch for primary market auctions in late March as a gauge of institutional appetite and confidence in the Mahama administration's fiscal discipline.
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has adjusted the price floors for the first half of March 2026. The price floor for petrol has risen to GHc10.46 (~$0.95 USD) per litre, while diesel has increased to GHc11.42 (~$1.04 USD) per litre. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) saw a minor reduction to GHc9.38 (~$0.85 USD) per kilogram. These adjustments follow global crude trends and price hikes at Nigeria's Dangote Refinery.
Increasing fuel costs often correlate with rising food and transport prices back home. If you are sending remittances for family business or household support, factor in these energy-driven inflationary pressures.
Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an urgent advisory for citizens to defer Umrah pilgrimage travel due to volatile security conditions in the Middle East following Iranian military strikes. Flight cancellations have exceeded 4,000 daily across the Gulf, with 71% of flights to the UAE affected. High-profile Ghanaians, including actor Kwaku Manu and blogger ZionFelix, remain stranded in Dubai, while the Black Queens national team is reportedly confined to their hotel for safety.
Monitor airline status updates daily. British and European carriers have begun rerouting through African airspace, which may increase transit times for flights between Accra and London/New York.
Controversial figure Nana Agradaa (Mama Pat) is expected to be released today, March 3, following the standard remission of her 12-month sentence for fraud. In a separate case, three suspects were arraigned in Accra for the mob killing of Austin Tengeeh, a Liberian national in Lashibi. Meanwhile, a 25-year-old woman in Koforidua, Vera Asare, has been found guilty of manslaughter following a fatal acid attack on her boyfriend.
Mob justice remains a significant challenge in Ghana. The police have issued a 'stern warning' against vigilantism following the Tengeeh case, where a false accusation of theft led to the fatal assault.
Former GFA Vice President George Afriyie has warned that the pool of 46 players used during the qualifiers will be cut to a 26-man squad by the June 1 deadline. Competition is intensifying with high-profile European-based talents like Callum Hudson-Odoi and Eddie Nketiah considering international switches to join the Black Stars ahead of their June 17 opener against Panama.
Black Stars context: Ghana is drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama. The team will be based at Bryant University in the USA for the tournament.
Bibiani Gold Stars are now just one point behind league leaders Medeama SC following a historic 2-1 victory over Accra Hearts of Oak. This was the club's first-ever win against the Phobians since their promotion.
Actress and producer Patricia Osei Boateng has been remanded in custody by a Kumasi High Court for her alleged involvement in a violent robbery and the murder of Andrew Amankwa. Authorities allege she provided intel for a gang led by her husband.
The case has sent shockwaves through the Kumawood industry, highlighting the personal and professional risks public figures face when linked to criminal networks.
Today we covered the crucial Ayawaso East by-election, Ghana's strategic return to the long-term bond market, and the unfolding travel crisis in the Middle East affecting Ghanaians abroad. Thank you for reading the Ghana News AI Daily Brief!
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