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The New Patriotic Party (NPP) conducted its internal presidential election today, January 31, involving 211,849 accredited delegates across 16 regions. The race featured five key contenders: former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, and Kwabena Agyei Agyepong. To prevent vote-buying and ensure secrecy, the party enforced a strict ban on mobile phones and cameras in voting booths, with security exclusively managed by the Ghana Police Service to prevent the use of private vigilante groups.
This primary determines the opposition's direction for the next four years. A decisive win could unify the party, while a narrow margin may deepen internal rifts exposed during the 2024 transition. For the broader electorate, this signals the NPP's policy shift as they attempt to challenge the current NDC government in 2028.
This is the first major internal election for the NPP since the January 7, 2025, inauguration of President John Mahama. The party is currently navigating its role as the minority in parliament while trying to retain its core voter base in the Ashanti and Eastern regions.
President John Dramani Mahama attended the Ghana Military Academy officer commissioning ceremony wearing the sky-blue ceremonial uniform of the Air Force, a move praised for boosting troop morale. However, the event was marred by a physical altercation involving Deputy Chief of Staff Stanislav Dogbe and a military officer, resulting in a public apology from the presidency. On the legal front, the ECOWAS Court has allowed former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo to amend her lawsuit against the state, adding twelve new claims regarding her removal from office.
The ECOWAS Court's final ruling on Justice Torkornoo could set a major precedent for judicial independence in West Africa. If she wins, the state may face significant compensation requirements.
The La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LaDMA) has announced plans to rezone the Kpeshie Lagoon buffer enclave to regularize existing luxury residential developments. Municipal Chief Executive Alfredos Nii Anyetei stated that the assembly will issue retrospective building permits to formalize properties that survived recent demolitions, using the revenue to fund drainage infrastructure. Environmentalists have condemned the move, arguing it rewards developers who ignored ecological protections.
This move highlights the tension between high-end real estate demand and environmental safety in Accra. Regularizing construction in a flood-prone wetland may increase the risk of catastrophic flooding during the 2026 rainy season.
Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare addressed the British International Investment (BII) Board, highlighting Ghana’s recovery from a 54% inflation rate in 2022 to just 5.4% by December 2025. With GDP growth at 5.5% and the Cedi performing strongly, the government is urging UK investors to target pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, and automotive manufacturing. Bilateral trade between the two nations reached 1.5 billion (~$1.9 billion USD) by mid-2025.
The stabilization of the Cedi and lower inflation means that the cost of living for family members in Ghana is finally stabilizing after three years of extreme volatility. Now may be a strategic time to consider property or business investments before the planned London Investment Forum later this year.
Ghana's emergence as the gateway to the $3.4 trillion AfCFTA market, combined with specific fiscal reforms in the 2026 budget, signals a lower-risk environment compared to the 2022-2023 debt crisis period.
Spot gold prices have crossed the $5,000 per ounce threshold, briefly touching $5,500. The rally is driven by central banks (particularly China) diversifying away from the USD and high demand for safe-haven assets amid conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
Ghana regained its position as Africa’s top gold producer in recent years. This price surge significantly boosts government royalties and corporate tax revenue from major miners like Newmont and Gold Fields, though it may also increase illegal 'galamsey' activity as the value of the mineral rises.
A 10-year-old pupil at Falahiya Primary School required emergency surgery after being flogged into semi-consciousness by teacher Fatawu Wumenaya for scoring 2/8 on a homework assignment. The teacher used a heavy-duty knapsack cable, causing severe trauma to the boy's hand. The Ghana Education Service (GES) has launched an investigation, but the teacher remains in hiding.
Whether the GES and police will successfully apprehend the teacher and if this case triggers a stricter nationwide enforcement of the 2017 ban on corporal punishment.
Over 200 people, including miners and children, are feared dead following a landslide at the Rubaya mine in eastern DRC. The mine, which produces 15% of the world’s coltan, is currently under the control of M23 rebels, complicating rescue efforts.
Coltan is essential for smartphones and electric vehicle batteries. This disaster highlights the 'blood mineral' trade and the lack of safety oversight in artisanal mines that supply global tech giants.
Former international Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has urged the Black Stars to ignore the prestige of matches against England and instead focus entirely on their 2026 World Cup opener against Panama. Badu also defended Thomas Partey against public criticism from his Villarreal coach, Marcelino, calling the manager's comments "unnecessary."
Black Stars context: National team selection for the World Cup is reaching a critical stage; Badu's call for 'fitness over reputation' suggests a potential shake-up in the veteran core of the squad.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) joint-service team secured 3rd place at the 2026 US Army Best Medic Competition in Italy. Sergeant Cornelius Adagbe (Army) and Leading Seaman Ato Amonoo-Rockson (Navy) scored 2,789 out of 3,000 points, outperforming elite teams from across the globe.
Ghanaian-American model Abena Christine Jon'el made waves at 'Rhythms on the Runway' by wrapping her prosthetic leg in vibrant Kente and African prints. A cancer survivor and amputee since age two, Jon'el moved to Ghana in 2021 to advocate for disability visibility in the creative arts.
Her visibility challenges deep-seated societal stigmas in Ghana, where disability is often associated with pity rather than ambition. Her success marks a shift toward a more inclusive Ghanaian fashion industry.
Today we covered the historic NPP presidential primary, the massive surge in global gold prices to $5,000, and Ghana's impressive economic recovery as the government woos British investors. Thank you for reading the Ghana News AI Daily Brief!
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