••
Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch) has formally petitioned Chief of Staff Julius Debrah to halt the payment of GHc600 million (~$55.9 million USD) in foreign scholarship debts owed to universities in the UK and US. Executive Director Kofi Asare warned that the current system is "unsustainable," leaving many Ghanaian PhD and Master's students at risk of homelessness and deportation due to unpaid stipends. The organization is calling for a "Recall and Transition" strategy to redirect these funds toward strengthening domestic educational programs.
The financial strain on the scholarship secretariat threatens Ghana's human capital development and international academic reputation. Transitioning to local funding could save millions while expanding capacity within Ghanaian universities.
Families with students currently abroad on government scholarships should prepare for potential policy shifts. The proposed transition to local funding may limit future government-sponsored opportunities for studying in the UK or US.
In a move to prevent internal friction, presidential aspirants for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) signed a peace pact on January 22, 2026. High-profile candidates, including Dr. Bryan Acheampong and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, committed to a fair and unified campaign process. Dr. Acheampong has positioned himself as the "unifier" capable of reclaiming power, while Kwabena Agyapong defended the integrity of the pact against claims of errors by fellow contender Kennedy Agyapong.
As the NPP transitions into the opposition role following the January 2025 inauguration of President John Mahama, maintaining party unity is essential for their 2028 comeback strategy.
The NPP is currently navigating a period of internal restructuring after losing the 2024 general elections. Historically, internal primaries in Ghana have been characterized by intense rivalry that can spill over into national stability.
Ahmed Hassan Abdul Razzaq has been remanded by the Adenta Circuit Court after posting a TikTok video claiming that military officers were plotting to assassinate President John Mahama. Razzaq admitted to creating the content but could not provide a source beyond social media rumors. He is scheduled to reappear in court on February 9, 2026.
This case serves as a high-profile deterrent against the spread of "fake news," which the government views as a significant threat to national security and social cohesion.
President Alassane Ouattara has appointed his brother, Tene Birahima Ouattara, as Vice Prime Minister while retaining his role as Defense Minister. This move highlights a strategy of stability in the world's largest cocoa-producing nation.
Political stability in Ivory Coast is vital for regional trade and global cocoa prices, which directly impact Ghana's own cocoa-driven economy.
Access Bank Ghana and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have signed a $134 million risk-sharing agreement to support Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs). The Bank of Ghana's Second Deputy Governor, Mrs. Matilda Asante-Asiedu, noted that the deal allows the IFC to absorb 50% of the credit risk, enabling lower interest rates for LBCs. This comes as inflation has cooled to 5.4% as of January 2026.
This private sector-led financing model reduces the state's burden in funding the cocoa crop and ensures that smallholder farmers are paid promptly, which is essential for rural economic health.
This marks a significant shift away from the traditional Cocobod-led syndicated loan model toward private sector commercial bank participation in the cocoa value chain.
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has increased the annual VAT registration threshold from GHc200,000 (~$18,639 USD) to GHc750,000 (~$69,897 USD). Businesses falling below this new mark will be transitioned to the Modified Tax Scheme (MTS), which offers simpler compliance through fixed quarterly payments or a 3% turnover tax.
This move targets the "informalization" of small businesses by reducing the administrative costs of tax compliance, while having a minimal impact on revenue since 90% of VAT is collected from large taxpayers.
If you are running or investing in a small business back home, this change significantly reduces the accounting overhead required for tax filing.
Financial analyst Senyo Hosi has clarified the position of Star Oil following their suspension of membership from the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC). The dispute centers on the National Petroleum Authority's (NPA) bi-weekly price floor regulations, which critics argue prevent consumers from benefiting from favorable exchange rate movements.
The tension between regulation and price flexibility in the petroleum sector remains a key risk for oil marketing companies (OMCs) operating in Ghana.
The Enchi District Magistrate Court has remanded 13 individuals, aged 17-29, for illegal mining (galamsey) within the Boi Tano forest reserve. Authorities destroyed five water pumping machines and four makeshift structures during the intelligence-led operation.
The case is being escalated to a higher court. This operation signals the Mahama administration's continued commitment to using the military and police to clear forest reserves of illegal activity.
Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, John Dumelo, has vowed to advocate for a footbridge on the N1 highway following the death of Nelson Blay Nokotey, a UniMAC-IJ journalism student. The highway is notorious for high speeds and lack of safe crossings near Dzorwulu.
Road safety remains a critical urban planning failure in Accra, where high-speed motorways frequently bisect densely populated residential and student areas.
EN Analytics has released the 2025 Top 100 Senior High Schools list, with Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School (PRESEC-Legon) retaining the top spot. The rankings heavily weight performance in the National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ).
The NSMQ has become a major cultural phenomenon in Ghana, often serving as the primary metric for school prestige among the middle class and diaspora.
Ghanaian international Antoine Semenyo netted his first Premier League goal for Manchester City in a 2-0 win over Wolves. Manager Pep Guardiola praised Semenyo’s "incredible energy" following his 65 million transfer from Bournemouth. Semenyo now has three goals and one assist in his first four appearances.
Black Stars context: Semenyo's elite form at the world's top club is a massive boost for Ghana's preparations for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Hearts of Oak defeated Eleven Wonders 3-0 at the University of Ghana Stadium, with goals from Mawuli Wayo, Martin Karikari, and Kelvin Asibey. The win moves the Phobians to second place in the Ghana Premier League standings.
Afrobeats titans Wizkid and Asake have released a joint four-track project featuring the focus track "Turbulence." The EP, produced by Magicsticks and 4Tunes, blends the "Starboy" melody with Asake’s signature energetic rhythmic style.
Collaborative projects between top-tier Nigerian artists often set the trend for the entire West African music market, including Ghana's entertainment scene.
Diana Antwi Hamilton shared a moving account of watching her father pass away via Skype while she was in London. The experience inspired her hit song "Yehowah bəhwə," highlighting the emotional realities of the Ghanaian diaspora.
Today we covered the GHc600 million (~$55.9 million USD) scholarship debt crisis, a major $134 million boost for the cocoa sector, and Antoine Semenyo's historic goal for Manchester City. Thank you for reading the Ghana News AI Daily Brief!
Have feedback or suggestions? We'd love to hear from you at info@ghananews.ai