••
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is facing a crisis of cohesion as it prepares for its presidential primary on January 31, 2026. Founding member Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe has publicly criticized the party's current leadership for failing to adopt a bottom-up strategy for rebuilding following the 2024 election loss. Meanwhile, internal voices like Joseph Osei Owusu have suggested the party look to the NDC's disciplined leadership structure for inspiration. Despite the friction, a Global Info Analytics poll of 10,000 respondents places former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the clear frontrunner with 57% support.
The NPP's ability to unify will determine its viability as an opposition force or future contender. The January 31 primary is a litmus test for whether the party can reconcile its elite leadership with its grassroots base.
Ghana transitioned to the Fourth Republic in 1993, and the NPP and NDC have alternated power every eight years until the 2024 election, which saw the NDC's John Mahama return to the presidency. The NPP is now in a rare position of restructuring while in opposition.
Minister Ahmed Ibrahim has announced a significant boost in state support for traditional leaders. Quarterly adjudication allowances will rise from GHc30,000 (~$2,796 USD) to GHc50,000 (~$4,660 USD) effective April 1, 2026. This initiative is a pillar of President Mahama’s 'Reset Agenda,' designed to strengthen the judicial capacity of chiefs and queen mothers in settling local disputes. The government also plans to integrate these leaders into the new 24-Hour Model Market initiative to stimulate local commerce.
Traditional authorities remain the most accessible form of governance for many Ghanaians. Increasing their funding enhances local stability and decreases the burden on the formal court system.
In Ghana, traditional rulers (Chiefs and Queen Mothers) hold significant social and land-custodial power. The 1992 Constitution protects the institution of chieftaincy but bars them from active partisan politics.
Two major lawsuits are currently challenging institutional authority in Accra. The Vehicle Embossment Manufacturers Association (VEMAG) is suing the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) over an exclusive contract awarded to a single company for digital number plates. Simultaneously, the Ghana Law Society (GLS) faces a lawsuit seeking to halt its operations, with critics arguing its recent accreditation by the General Legal Council creates an illegal 'multi-bar' system that undermines the Ghana Bar Association (GBA).
The High Court is set to resume the DVLA case on February 6, 2026. A ruling against the DVLA could disrupt the national rollout of new vehicle identification systems.
Simon Madjie, CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), met with Japanese officials to emphasize that Ghana’s legal framework provides absolute protection against expropriation. He highlighted that the hosting of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in Accra gives investors located in Ghana duty-free access to a market of 1.3 billion people.
Ghana is signaling a 'return to stability' message following the debt restructuring of 2023. The emphasis on AfCFTA makes Ghana a strategic manufacturing hub for the rest of the continent.
Regional Minister Donatus Atanga Akamugri reported that government interventions, including the Feed Ghana Programme, have led to a 5% increase in cultivated land and an 8% rise in livestock production in the Upper East. The government has distributed over 19,000 bags of fertilizer and secured modern LOVOL farming equipment to boost local rice and maize yields.
Improved food security in the north can help stabilize domestic food prices, reducing the cost of living for family members. There are also growing opportunities for investment in rice processing and cage fishing in the region.
Professional photographers at Kintampo Falls report a significant decline in revenue, with some seeing weekly earnings drop from GHc1,500 (~$140 USD) to negligible amounts. The primary cause is the ubiquity of high-quality smartphone cameras, which has led tourists to abandon professional photography services in favor of personal devices.
This reflects a broader digital disruption in the informal economy. While tourism remains strong at the falls, the secondary service providers must adapt to new business models to survive.
The IGP's Special Operations Team arrested notorious drug dealer Kasim Abdul Fataw and two others in Tamale and Yendi. The suspects were caught with large quantities of Indian hemp. Fataw admitted to his involvement but claimed he had been trying to scale back due to increased police visibility in the region.
Northern Ghana has seen a surge in security presence recently, partly due to concerns over regional stability and cross-border crime involving illegal trade routes.
The University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) is in mourning after student Nelson Blay Nokotey was killed in a hit-and-run involving an unregistered vehicle near the Dzorwulu intersection. The university has lowered its flag to half-mast as police hunt for the driver who feigned concern before fleeing.
The National Road Safety Authority is now collaborating with UniMAC to implement new safety measures at the Dzorwulu intersection, a known high-risk area for students.
Asamoah Gyan, Africa's highest World Cup scorer, recently reflected on the psychological pressure of playing for the Black Stars. Gyan noted that his record 51 goals were fueled by a 'mental resilience' developed to handle the extreme expectations of Ghanaian fans, where the line between hero and villain is determined by a single match.
Black Stars context: As the national team prepares for future qualifiers, Gyan's reflections highlight a perceived lack of clinical finishing in the current squad, leading to calls for his involvement in coaching or mentoring roles.
Bechem United aims to extend their four-match home winning streak as they host Heart of Lions today. Bechem sits in 14th place with 22 points, while the Lions are struggling to find form in away matches, having won only once on the road this season.
The family of Highlife legend Daddy Lumba (Charles Kwadwo Fosu) is embroiled in a dispute over his burial. While claims were made that a will prohibited the public display of his body, court documents have recently confirmed that no will was officially filed, leading to a public retraction by the family head.
As one of Ghana's most culturally significant artists, the management of Lumba's estate and legacy is a matter of national interest and sets a precedent for the intellectual property of highlife icons.
Today we covered the escalating internal politics of the NPP, the government's major financial boost for traditional rulers, and the GIPC's renewed push for foreign investment. 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