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In the wake of the 2024 power shift, the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is intensifying its search for a 2028 flagbearer. Former Tourism Minister Andrew Egyapa Mercer has publicly endorsed Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, predicting he will secure nearly 70% of the votes in the upcoming primaries. Mercer highlighted Bawumia’s national appeal and his track record in digitalization as critical tools for the party’s return to power. Meanwhile, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged all aspirants to respect a signed peace pact ahead of the January 31 primaries, emphasizing that party cohesion is more vital than individual ambitions.
On the national stage, President John Dramani Mahama addressed the Accra Reset Davos Convening, urging African leaders to prioritize education aligned with modern economic demands. He warned that without investment in digital skills and regional manufacturing hubs, the continent risks alienating its youth and remaining dependent on external suppliers.
The NPP leadership race will determine the tone of the opposition for the next four years. Bawumia’s potential 70% mandate would signal a unified party front, though the transition from the Akufo-Addo era remains a delicate internal process.
President Mahama was inaugurated on January 7, 2025, following the NDC’s victory. The NPP is currently in a period of intense introspection as it adapts to its role as the minority in Parliament and prepares for the 2028 cycle.
Hajia Amina Adam, the widow of the late Ayawaso East MP Mahama Naser Toure, has officially declared her candidacy for the by-election scheduled for March 3, 2026. The NDC has also set its parliamentary primary for February 7, with nomination forms priced at GHc50,000 (~$4,660 USD) and a filing fee of GHc40,000 (~$3,728 USD).
The NDC's ability to retain this seat will be an early test of the Mahama administration’s local popularity since taking office a year ago.
President Mahama has signed the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Bill, a pivotal move to modernize Ghana’s financial ecosystem. The law provides a compliant environment for banks to engage with digital assets and enables the tokenization of illiquid assets, such as real estate. This regulatory certainty is intended to reduce fraud and facilitate capital flow into the digital economy.
This is a major green light. The law moves crypto from a gray area to a regulated sector, likely triggering a wave of fintech investment and making it easier for institutional funds to enter the Ghanaian market.
Tokenization could revolutionize how you invest back home. In the future, you may be able to buy fractional ownership of Ghanaian commercial property or infrastructure through regulated digital tokens.
Starting February 1, 2026, all marine cargo must be insured by local companies under Section 222 of the Insurance Act. This aims to reduce the drainage of foreign exchange. However, internal industry tensions remain; Star Oil was recently suspended from the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) following disagreements over petroleum price floor policies. Meanwhile, former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has warned that recent macroeconomic stability—including a stabilized cedi—may be at risk if the government continues to rely on foreign reserves rather than fundamental structural reforms.
The local insurance mandate could save millions in forex, but for importers, it may initially cause administrative bottlenecks as the market adjusts.
If you are shipping vehicles or personal goods to Ghana, ensure your clearing agent is prepared for the new local insurance requirements to avoid port delays after February 1.
Ghanaian authorities have reported several security successes. In Ablekuma, a self-styled fetish priest, Josiah Elorm Kwame Amezado, was arrested with counterfeit $100 USD bills (equivalent to ~GHc1,073 each) and an unauthorized firearm. In the Northern Region, police arrested Hoyeefe Amadu, a key suspect in the Wapuli kidnapping case where a victim was previously held for a GHc100,000 (~$9,320 USD) ransom. Additionally, the IGP Special Operations Team conducted a massive drug bust in Tamale, arresting individuals with illegal substances and addressing safety concerns at Tamale Technical University.
The Northern Region and the Tamale Metropolis have seen increased security presence lately to prevent spillover from regional instability. While the Wapuli case is a kidnapping-for-ransom, it occurs in a broader context of security challenges in the North, often conflated with the Bawku chieftaincy dispute, though these specific arrests appear related to organized crime.
The prosecution of the Ablekuma suspect may reveal a larger network of counterfeiters targeting the Accra business district.
In Kumasi, Emmanuel Frimpong was sentenced to 10 months for stealing GHc12,000 (~$1,118 USD) from a mobile money vendor. Meanwhile, TikToker Ekow Black was granted bail of GHc30,000 (~$2,796 USD) following a viral video showing him assaulting his girlfriend.
The Ekow Black case has ignited a national conversation on domestic violence and the role of social media in ensuring police accountability.
Ghanaian fans recently marked the two-year anniversary of the 2023 AFCON heartbreak, where a last-minute draw against Mozambique effectively ended the Black Stars' campaign. The memory resurfaces as King Mohammed VI of Morocco celebrates the success of AFCON 2025, which saw Morocco solidify its place in the global top eight. Domestically, Medeama SC coach Ibrahim Tanko is praising the competition in his squad ahead of Sunday's clash with Karela United at the TnA Stadium.
Black Stars context: As the national team looks toward 2027 qualifiers, the focus remains on fixing defensive lapses that have plagued recent tournaments.
Former captain Asamoah Gyan shared his fulfillment regarding his #13 million GBP move to Sunderland in 2010. Inspired by Tony Yeboah, Gyan’s career path remains the blueprint for young Ghanaian players currently in Europe.
Rapper Kwesi Arthur is currently locked in a $150,000 USD dispute with his former management, Ground Up Chale. The label is reportedly demanding the sum for the continued use of his image and intellectual property. Arthur's father has publicly criticized the move, claiming the label is unfairly restricting his son's career.
This case highlights the precarious nature of early-career music contracts in Ghana and could lead to calls for more standardized artist protections.
Today we covered Ghana's major leap into digital asset regulation, the intensifying NPP leadership race, and a significant shift in marine cargo insurance policies. Thank you for reading the Ghana News AI Daily Brief!
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