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With the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primaries just days away on January 31, 2026, former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has proposed a 'one constituency, ten appointments' initiative. The plan promises to allow local constituencies to recommend candidates for approximately 3,000 of the 7,000 available national-level roles, including ministerial and ambassadorial positions. Recent polling from Global InfoAnalytics places Bawumia in the lead with 57% of projected votes, followed by Kennedy Agyapong at 28% and Dr. Bryan Acheampong at 13%. Acheampong, however, remains confident, citing his extensive nationwide campaign as a strategic advantage.
This proposal seeks to institutionalize grassroots participation in governance, but it also raises questions about meritocracy versus political patronage. The outcome of this primary will determine the NPP's direction for the 2028 general elections.
The voting process on January 31 involving over 8,500 delegates in the Upper East Region and across the country. Any significant deviation from polling results could trigger internal party friction.
Matthew Nyindam has been officially reinstated as the Member of Parliament for Kpandai following a 4-1 Supreme Court decision. The ruling overturned a previous High Court annulment based on alleged irregularities. Nyindam expressed significant emotional and financial relief, admitting that the year-long legal battle had left him 'broke' but vindicated. While the New Patriotic Party (NPP) celebrates maintaining its hold on all 87 seats, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged supporters to remain calm while they explore further legal options.
The Kpandai seat was an NDC stronghold for two decades until Nyindam first won it in 2013. The legal challenges reflect the high-stakes nature of parliamentary control under the Mahama administration.
Board Chairman of the GETFund, Emmanuel Kwesi Bedzrah, announced that education now receives over 34% of the national budget, the highest allocation of any sector. A significant 45% of the GETFund's resources are dedicated to the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy. Recent infrastructure projects, including new dormitories at Afife Senior High Technical School (ASSETS), aim to transition technical schools into fully operational boarding facilities.
This massive fiscal commitment underlines the government's strategy to use technical and vocational education as an engine for youth employment and industrialization.
Economist Dr. Frank Bannor is demanding transparency from the Bank of Ghana (BoG) after reports indicated that gold reserves dropped from 37.1 tonnes in September 2025 to 18.6 tonnes by December 2025. This 50% decline occurred despite Ghana's Gross International Reserves increasing from $9.11 billion to $13.83 billion in the same window. Dr. Bannor questioned whether the gold was used for off-market swaps, sales, or collateral, noting that the previous administration had left reserves at 30.5 tonnes.
Gold is a critical anchor for currency stability. A sudden, unexplained halving of reserves could spook international markets and impact the cedi's long-term value.
Monitor the Governor's upcoming response. Lack of clarity could signal institutional risk or unpublicized debt obligations.
Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama confirmed that the government will provide financial support to recapitalise the Bank of Ghana following heavy losses tied to the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP). Meanwhile, the commercial banking sector is showing signs of life; 21 out of 23 banks met capital adequacy standards by year-end 2025. In a bid to stimulate growth, the BoG recently slashed the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) from 18% to 15.5%.
Improved liquidity means banks are actively seeking to lend. If you are looking to finance local projects or property through Ghanaian banks, the current environment of lower interest rates and increased loan offers is the most favorable in years.
The DDEP was a core component of Ghana's debt restructuring under the IMF program, which significantly impacted the balance sheets of both the central bank and private financial institutions.
At the Africa Trade Summit 2026 in Accra, President John Mahama described the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as the most ambitious project in the continent's history. He called for a shift from 'mere agreements' to 'actionable implementation,' focusing on reducing non-tariff barriers and improving digital trade logistics for the market of 1.3 billion people.
AfCFTA presents a massive manufacturing opportunity within Ghana, which serves as the host of the AfCFTA Secretariat. Government focus on industrial infrastructure suggests upcoming incentives for export-oriented businesses.
The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) has introduced a new course designed to protect executives from rising global threats including targeted crime, terrorism, and cybersecurity risks. Colonel Lawrence Deku emphasized that in an increasingly complex security landscape, travelers must take personal responsibility for risk assessment.
As you plan visits to Ghana or travel regionally for business, this course provides essential survival skills for navigating high-risk environments and protecting digital assets.
Authorities have ordered the partial closure of the Northern School of Business (NOBISCO) after a fire destroyed the girls' dormitory, displacing 900 students. In law enforcement news, Godsway Dogbey was arrested with 2,028 parcels of suspected Indian hemp valued at GHc1,022,500 (~$95,293.57 USD). Another suspect, Atampugri Akanyani, was arrested at a checkpoint in Bekwai with 713 slabs of narcotics; he allegedly attempted to bribe officers with GHc150,000 (~$13,979.50 USD). Additionally, 27-year-old Emmanuel Mensah was sentenced to 36 months for a theft involving GHc34,000 (~$3,168.69 USD) in items and foreign currency.
The NOBISCO fire investigation and the February 5 court appearance for the Ho narcotics case.
CAF has issued heavy penalties following Senegal's 1-0 victory over Morocco in the AFCON 2025 final. Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw has been suspended for five matches and fined $100,000 for urging his players to walk off the pitch. Morocco's protest to strip Senegal of the title was dismissed, though they were fined $300,000 for various infractions. Amid the chaos, Ghana FA President Kurt Okraku defended the referees, noting the tournament's overall success despite the disciplinary issues.
Black Stars context: While Ghana did not reach the final, the GFA expressed pride in referee Daniel Laryea for officiating the Morocco-Nigeria semi-final, viewing it as a vote of confidence in Ghanaian officiating talent despite social media criticism from Nigerian fans.
In international news, Raheem Sterling (31) has left Chelsea by mutual consent with 18 months remaining on his contract. Sterling, a five-time Premier League champion, is reportedly keen on staying in London despite interest from Juventus.
Abena Christine Jon'el, a 33-year-old Ghanaian-American model, made waves at the Rhythms on the Runway show in Accra by showcasing a prosthetic leg wrapped in Kente fabric. Having lost her leg to cancer at age two, Jon'el's presence on the runway challenged stereotypes about disability in Ghanaian society.
This represents a major cultural shift toward disability inclusion in Ghana's high-fashion industry, blending traditional heritage with modern advocacy.
Nigerian singer Asake has set a new record with 60 entries on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart. Meanwhile, Burna Boy became the first African artist to debut on the Hot 100 for five consecutive years (2021-2025) with his latest track 'WGFT' reaching number 16.
Today we covered the mystery of Ghana's missing gold reserves, the final countdown to the NPP primaries, and the Bank of Ghana's path to recovery. Thank you for reading the Ghana News AI Daily Brief!
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