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Author: Enoch Ansong
Ai Transformation Partner | Nationally Recognized Ai Content Creator A |Ai Educator (trained 2000+ teams & Individuals) | Building LLMs, Journalist, Digital Mugol at GhanaMedia.net focusing on Ghana News articles and more.
Ghana — Africa’s top gold producer — is undertaking a major overhaul of the mining sector by scrapping long‑term investment stability pacts and doubling royalty rates, according to regulators. The proposed reforms, expected to be tabled in Parliament by March 2026, aim to ensure Ghana retains a larger share of revenue from soaring global gold prices.
Mining equipment and heavy machinery
Under the plan, traditional stability agreements that locked in tax and royalty terms for up to 15 years will be phased out, starting with the expired Newmont pact and followed by others by 2027. These agreements, once used to attract foreign investment, have faced criticism for limiting government revenue despite rising bullion prices.
Royalty rates under the new regime would start at 9 percent and rise to 12 percent if gold prices exceed $4,500 an ounce — roughly double Ghana’s current 3‑5 percent range. The reforms also include stricter local‑content rules to prioritise procurement from Ghanaian businesses.
Government officials say these changes will boost national benefits from the mining sector while maintaining profitability for foreign firms. However, smaller and emerging miners have expressed concern about potential cost increases under the new structure. Despite this, regulators argue that mining remains lucrative even with tougher terms.
Supporters believe that this policy shift could strengthen Ghana’s economic sovereignty and ensure that the country captures more value from its significant gold resources in a changing global market.
Convicts sentenced to fifteen and twenty five years with hard labour after December 2023 attack
The Ghana Police Service has secured the conviction of two armed robbers following a successful prosecution at the Bekwai Circuit Court.
Two Armed Robbers Jailed by Bekwai Circuit Court Over Obuasi Gold Robbery 5
The convicts, Francis Oppong, popularly known as Kwame Abuu, and Francis Nyamekye, also called Amearo, were found guilty on charges of robbery and related offences. The court sentenced Francis Oppong to fifteen years imprisonment with hard labour, while Francis Nyamekye received a twenty five year sentence with hard labour.
The case dates back to December 2023, when a small scale gold miner was attacked at Kyekyewere, a community near Obuasi in the Ashanti Region.
According to police investigations, the convicts were part of an armed robbery gang that attacked the victim and forcefully robbed him of valuable items. The stolen items included a pump action gun, a Huawei mobile phone valued at one thousand two hundred Ghana cedis, eighteen pounds of gold estimated at about one hundred thousand Ghana cedis, and a cash amount of two thousand Ghana cedis.
Police say some members of the robbery gang are still at large, and efforts are ongoing to track them down and bring them to justice.
The Ghana Police Service has reaffirmed its commitment to fighting violent crime and protecting citizens, particularly small scale miners who often become targets of armed robbery.
The conviction has been welcomed by residents in the area, who believe it sends a strong signal that criminal activities will not go unpunished.
Freshers arrive in their thousands as Ghana’s top universities come alive with excitement, pressure and new beginnings
Every January, Ghana witnesses a familiar but powerful national movement. Between January 3 and January 10, 2026, major highways, bus terminals and university towns were filled with parents, guardians and fresh Senior High School graduates beginning their next chapter as university students.
The Great Academic Migration: Level 100s Flood Ghana’s Universities as 2025/2026 Academic Year Begins 9
From the coastal cities of Cape Coast and Winneba to the energetic streets of Legon and the hilly landscape of Kumasi, thousands of Level 100 students reported to Ghana’s premier universities, officially starting the 2025/2026 academic year.
This annual influx is more than just student reporting. It is a rite of passage that reshapes university towns, boosts local economies and signals hope for the country’s future.
A Nationwide Academic Movement
Across the four major public universities University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University of Cape Coast and University of Education Winneba the scenes were strikingly similar.
Taxi drivers and aboboyaa operators enjoyed brisk business as they transported metal trunks, chop boxes, mattresses and suitcases from bus stations to halls and hostels. Parents patiently navigated long queues, traffic congestion and registration centres, often exhausted but proud.
For many families, this moment marked the fulfilment of years of sacrifice and prayers.
Scenes Across Campuses
At the University of Ghana Legon, the campus experienced heavy vehicular traffic around the Village and traditional halls. Freshers were seen relying on Google Maps and friendly upper year students to locate halls, lecture blocks and registration points within the vast campus.
In Kumasi, KNUST experienced a massive influx of students. While traditional halls filled quickly, surrounding communities such as Ayeduase and Kotei became hotspots for students scrambling for private accommodation, with prices rising rapidly.
In the Central Region, UCC and UEW maintained a lively but structured atmosphere. UCC upheld its reputation for discipline through well organised orientation activities, while UEW welcomed a large number of students enrolling in education focused programmes from across the country.
Accommodation Pressure Returns
Despite the excitement, the annual accommodation challenge once again came to the fore. At most institutions, available beds in traditional halls fell short of the number of admitted students.
Many freshers and their parents spent days searching for affordable hostels, sometimes settling for rooms located far from campus. The In In Out Out policy at some universities also remained a concern, especially for students uncertain about where they would stay in subsequent years.
From SHS to Freedom
Beyond logistics, the reporting period marked a major psychological transition for students. Moving from the strict structure of Senior High School to the independence of university life came with mixed emotions.
Campuses were filled with long administrative queues for medical screening and biometric registration. Religious groups and student associations warmly welcomed freshers, helping them carry luggage and offering guidance. Many students also faced the reality of last minute fees and the cost of living away from home for the first time.
Looking Ahead
As reporting ends and campuses gradually settle, academic life is set to begin. Lectures, quizzes and assignments will soon replace the excitement of arrival.
The massive turnout this January reflects the value Ghanaians continue to place on education. Despite economic challenges and the physical exhaustion of reporting week, the sight of thousands of young people eager to learn offers hope for the nation’s future.
Welcome to the Level 100s. The next generation of Ghana’s leaders has arrived.
The Great Academic Migration: Level 100s Flood Ghana’s Universities as 2025/2026 Academic Year Begins 10
Court orders prison and juvenile custody pending next hearing
The Kade District Court has remanded five students of Kade Senior High/Technical School in connection with the alleged assault of a teacher on campus.
According to court proceedings, four of the students, who are adults, have been remanded into prison custody, while one juvenile has been placed in police custody. The court’s decision is pending further investigations and continuation of the hearing.
The incident, which has sparked public concern, is reported to have occurred within the school environment, raising renewed discussions about discipline, student conduct, and the safety of teachers in educational institutions across the country.
Five Kade SHS Students Remanded Over Assault on Teacher 15
Prosecutors informed the court that investigations are ongoing, and the students are expected to reappear before the court on January 20, when further directions will be given.
Five Kade SHS Students Remanded Over Assault on Teacher 16
Meanwhile, education stakeholders and members of the public have called for calm, urging that due process be allowed to take its course while also advocating for stronger measures to prevent violence in schools.
Five Kade SHS Students Remanded Over Assault on Teacher 17
The case has drawn significant attention, with many emphasizing the need for respect for authority in schools and the protection of teachers who play critical roles in shaping young lives.
