President John Dramani Mahama has explained why Ghana declined to sign a proposed health compact with the United States, citing concerns over health data, counterpart funding and the regulatory treatment of medical products.
Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on September 25, 2026, Mahama said Ghana’s Ministry of Health reviewed the proposed compact and flagged several provisions before the matter went before Cabinet.
Mahama Explains Why Ghana Rejected Proposed U.S. Health Compact 2
According to the President, one concern involved provisions he said would require Ghana to provide its pathogen profile and medical records. He also said the proposal required Ghana to commit counterpart funding and raised concerns about whether medical products entering Ghana under the programme would be subject to inspection by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
Mahama said Cabinet rejected the proposal and subsequently instructed the Health Minister to communicate Ghana’s position to the U.S. Ambassador. He said Ghana would instead manage its health priorities while continuing to engage with international partners.
The proposed arrangement was linked to changes in U.S. international health assistance following the reduction and restructuring of USAID-related funding. Ghana had previously raised concerns about sensitive health-data provisions in the proposed bilateral arrangement.
The decision comes as Mahama promotes his broader Accra Reset agenda, including the concept of greater health sovereignty. In September, he launched the A Sovereign Future for Health report, which proposes measures aimed at strengthening domestic health systems and reducing dependence on external funding.
Ghana’s position does not mean an end to international health cooperation. The government has continued pursuing partnerships, including Ghana’s participation in an Africa CDC pooled procurement mechanism intended to improve access to vaccines and pharmaceuticals.
The Government of Ghana is preparing to introduce a Legal Practitioners’ Standards Board Bill aimed at reforming professional standards and disciplinary procedures within the legal profession.
Government to Introduce Legal Practitioners’ Standards Board Bill in Ghana 4
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Dr Dominic Ayine announced the proposed legislation during the 2026 Ghana Bar Association Conference in Ada. The proposal would establish an independent statutory body responsible for setting and maintaining standards of professional conduct and continuing competence for lawyers.
According to the Attorney-General, the proposed body would operate at arm’s length from his office and the government. A separate Independent Disciplinary Committee would handle complaints against legal practitioners.
The proposed framework would also provide procedural safeguards for lawyers facing disciplinary proceedings, including the right to know the allegations against them, the right to be heard and the right to appeal sanctions before the courts.
Dr Ayine said the reform is intended to address concerns over delays and the operation of the existing disciplinary system. He also said the proposed structure would give the legal profession greater ownership of professional regulation.
The announcement comes as Ghana’s legal profession continues discussions about professional independence, disciplinary accountability and the relationship between regulatory institutions and the state.
The government is expected to undertake stakeholder consultations before the proposed legislation proceeds through the legislative process.
For more developments on Ghanaian legislation, constitutional matters and major legal developments, visit the Policy & Law Hub on GhanaMedia.net.
The attempted arrest of Manhyia South Member of Parliament Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) at the Accra High Court has triggered renewed debate over parliamentary privilege, due process and the powers of state investigative agencies.
EOCO Attempted Arrest of Manhyia South MP Triggers Constitutional Questions 6
EOCO said the attempted arrest on September 23, 2026, formed part of lawful steps to secure the MP’s attendance in an ongoing investigation. According to the agency, Baffour Awuah had been invited twice in February but did not honour the invitations.
The agency said the operation was not completed after the situation escalated and officers assessed that further action could endanger public safety. EOCO also said it recognised the constitutional privileges and immunities of Members of Parliament and would operate within the Constitution and applicable laws.
Baffour Awuah, who is also a lawyer, gave a different account. He said the woman who identified herself as an EOCO official did not provide identification, proof of authority or an arrest warrant when requested. He said he offered to drive himself to EOCO to verify the invitation.
The Ghana Bar Association has subsequently called on EOCO and other state institutions to exercise their powers responsibly, fairly and in accordance with due process. The association said alleged abuses of power and violations of human rights must be avoided.
The incident has placed parliamentary privilege and the procedures for compelling a sitting legislator to cooperate with investigations at the centre of a wider legal discussion. The precise legal issues remain subject to the applicable constitutional and statutory provisions.
For more developments on Ghanaian legislation, constitutional matters and major legal developments, visit the Policy & Law Hub on GhanaMedia.net.
Entertainment pundit MC Yaa Yeboah has called for the removal of veteran musician and music industry executive Rex Omar following comments he reportedly made about the affordability of concerts and the Black Star Experience.
MC Yaa Yeboah Calls for Rex Omar’s Removal Over Concert Comment 8
According to MC Yaa Yeboah, Rex Omar’s position that people who cannot afford food should not expect to attend concerts has sparked concerns about the relationship between entertainment events and the economic realities facing ordinary Ghanaians.
Speaking on the matter, MC Yaa Yeboah argued that Rex Omar should be “sacked” over the remarks, bringing renewed attention to the ongoing conversation about the accessibility and pricing of entertainment events in Ghana.
The comments have also drawn attention to the Black Star Experience, a major entertainment and tourism initiative that seeks to promote Ghana’s cultural identity and creative economy.
The discussion highlights broader questions about how the entertainment industry can balance commercial considerations with accessibility for the public. The full context of Rex Omar’s remarks and any response from him would be important in assessing the ongoing debate.
Police officers stationed at Denu have arrested a 27-year-old man identified as Ahiatsi Macbeth over the alleged theft of a Chevrolet Spark vehicle at Sakumono Beach in Accra.
According to reports, the vehicle, bearing registration number AT 2663-26, was allegedly stolen at Sakumono Beach before the suspect reportedly attempted to transport it towards Aflao, a border town in the Volta Region.
27-Year-Old Suspect Arrested Over Alleged Chevrolet Spark Theft 10
Macbeth is alleged to have intended to sell the vehicle for about GH¢35,000. Police subsequently apprehended him as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the alleged theft continue.
The arrest forms part of ongoing law-enforcement efforts to investigate vehicle theft and protect motorists and property owners. Police are expected to establish the full circumstances of the incident and determine whether other individuals may have been involved.
The suspect remains an alleged offender at this stage, and the allegations will be subject to due legal process as investigations and any subsequent proceedings continue.
A mechanic’s prompt action has reportedly helped police in the investigation into the death of Circle-based phone dealer Nana Yaw Kyere, popularly known as Terry Dinero, after suspects allegedly brought a vehicle linked to the case to his workshop.
Mechanic’s Account Adds New Details to Terry Dinero Case
According to an account attributed to the mechanic, two main suspects and another person pushed the vehicle to his shop and requested repairs. The mechanic reportedly became suspicious after one of the suspects later contacted him and claimed that the vehicle, which he said he had purchased, was suspected to be stolen and needed to be resprayed.
The development reportedly prompted the mechanic to report the matter to the Manet Police, contributing to the subsequent arrest of suspects linked to the investigation.
The account has emerged amid investigations into the death of Terry Dinero, whose case has drawn public attention. One of the suspects has reportedly denied killing Dinero, saying there was a fight and that he later learned the man had died.
Reports surrounding the case have also drawn comparisons with the July 2024 death of Sowutuom-based musician Nana Yaw Appiah, popularly known as Wyllbee. However, the circumstances of the two cases remain separate matters under investigation.
The latest account highlights the role of the mechanic, whose decision to alert police after becoming suspicious reportedly provided investigators with information about a vehicle believed to be relevant to the case.
Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding Terry Dinero’s death remain ongoing, and allegations against suspects should be treated as unproven unless established by a court.
AfroQuality, a multi-country physical retail and distribution platform focused on showcasing authentic African brands, has officially opened its flagship store in Accra, marking a major expansion of its Pan-African retail and distribution network.
The Accra store opened on Friday, September 25, 2026, at A&C Mall, following the company’s retail expansion into Kigali, Rwanda, Dakar, Senegal, and Nairobi, Kenya. AfroQuality is also scheduled to open in Lusaka, Zambia, on October 1, further strengthening its five-country retail network.
Saint Doe Tamakloe, CEO and Founder, AfroQuality
The platform provides manufacturers, designers, publishers and artisans with physical retail and distribution infrastructure designed to help African brands reach consumers and markets beyond their home countries.
Connecting Commerce With African Cultural Identity
The new Accra flagship features a curated selection of apparel, footwear, accessories and literature from independent producers across Africa. Ghanaian brands represented at the store include BLKSTAR UTD, Wear Ghana, Love Ankara, Gold Coast Tokota, Cheery Concepts, Horseman, Fish & Plankton Books and Kwadwoan Story Books.
The store also features continental brands including Enda Sports Shoes, Ikojn and Sandstorm from Kenya, Piesco Memory from Togo, Sonia Mugabo from Rwanda, and Aramweer Organics and KELAM from South Sudan, among others.
Aura Abena Agyeman, CEO of Wear Ghana and Republic of Africa
AfroQuality Founder Saint Doe Tamakloe described the Accra opening as both an economic milestone and a cultural celebration, saying the company is building physical retail infrastructure to help African manufacturers expand across borders.
Under its founding ethos, “Buy African, Build Africa,” AfroQuality aims to bring regional brands together within a retail network that can help them test new markets, reach new customers and grow revenues without having to independently establish distribution routes in every country.
What AfroQuality Means for Ghanaian Designers and Brands
Tonyi Senayah, CEO of Horseman
The Accra launch included pop-up sales featuring Wear Ghana, Republic of Africa and Horseman, three brands retailing through AfroQuality.
Horseman Founder and Chief Executive Officer Tonyi Senayah said AfroQuality addresses one of the major challenges facing African retail entrepreneurs: accessing markets outside their home countries.
Senayah explained that expanding into other African markets can involve complex distribution, retail, logistics and market-access challenges. Through its partnership with AfroQuality, Horseman is now able to tell customers that its products are available in Kigali, Nairobi and Dakar.
Awura Abena Agyeman, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Wear Ghana and Republic of Africa, similarly highlighted the importance of stronger distribution infrastructure for African fashion businesses seeking to scale.
According to Agyeman, AfroQuality’s distribution model can make it easier for African brands to reach consumers across the continent. She said the partnership brings Wear Ghana and Republic of Africa closer to their Pan-African vision of “Africans clothing Africans.”
Building a Pan-African Retail Network
With the addition of Accra and the planned Lusaka opening, AfroQuality is positioning its physical stores as a connected retail network through which African brands can access multiple markets.
The company says its model is designed to reduce the barriers individual entrepreneurs face when attempting to establish a presence in new countries, while giving consumers greater access to African-made products, fashion, literature and lifestyle brands.
The Accra flagship therefore represents more than a new retail location. It forms part of AfroQuality’s broader effort to connect African producers with African consumers through a structured cross-border commercial network.
The Council of Ewe Associations of North America (CEANA) has concluded its 33rd Annual Convention with a renewed commitment to cultural preservation, healthcare development, youth empowerment, diaspora investment and stronger institutional accountability.
CEANA Concludes 33rd Annual Convention With Renewed Commitments to Culture, Healthcare and Diaspora Development 18
The five-day convention, held from September 3 to 7, 2026, at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Bethesda, Maryland, was hosted by the Ewe Association of Washington, DC Metro Inc. under the theme “Preserving Culture, Inspiring Generations.”
CEANA Concludes 33rd Annual Convention With Renewed Commitments to Culture, Healthcare and Diaspora Development 19
According to the official communiqué issued by the CEANA Secretariat, the gathering brought together members, delegates and distinguished guests for discussions focused on sustainable development, community upliftment and the preservation of Ewe identity across Ghana, Togo and Benin.
CEANA Pledges Stronger Governance and Accountability
Governance and accountability featured prominently during the Friday Town Hall and Saturday Congress of Associations. Members engaged in discussions on CEANA’s governance structures, project impact and long-term strategy.
CEANA Concludes 33rd Annual Convention With Renewed Commitments to Culture, Healthcare and Diaspora Development 20
CEANA said it would strengthen its accountability architecture by assigning clear responsibility for projects and financial decisions, while institutionalising transparent communication and regular reporting.
Cancer Research and Treatment Centre Planned for Ho
Healthcare development was another major focus of the convention, with CEANA presenting plans for a modern Cancer Research and Treatment Centre in partnership with the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ho.
The organisation said the next phase of the project will involve advancing structural design, medical partnerships, financing and regulatory processes, with progress to be communicated to the wider community.
CEANA Targets Greater Diaspora Investment
Business Forums held during the convention examined ways of transforming the expertise and resources of the Ewe diaspora into productive investment and cross-border collaboration.
CEANA said it intends to pursue credible partnerships that can support diaspora investment, professional exchanges and entrepreneurship while creating opportunities for Ewe professionals around the world to contribute to development in their homelands.
Cultural Preservation Remains a Core Priority
The convention also placed Ewe culture at the heart of its activities. Events including the Masquerade and Cultural Night, Kente Ball, Thanksgiving service and community picnic provided opportunities for delegates to celebrate their heritage.
CEANA reaffirmed its commitment to language preservation, cultural education and artistic expression as key pillars of future conventions and community engagement.
Youth Empowerment Through CEANA Noviwo
Youth participation featured prominently through CEANA Noviwo, which organised a parallel programme featuring a career panel, cookout, field day, diaspora brunch and discussions under the theme “Ewe by Day, American by Night.”
Young leaders also participated in planning and executing the convention, with CEANA pledging to expand mentorship, leadership participation and opportunities for cultural grounding among younger members of the community.
CEANA Signs MoU With Bank of Ghana Hospital
One of the convention’s major milestones came on Monday, September 7, when CEANA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bank of Ghana Hospital to facilitate the exchange and deployment of skilled healthcare professionals.
Under the commitment outlined in the communiqué, CEANA and the Bank of Ghana Hospital will work on an operational framework aimed at mobilising diaspora doctors, nurses, specialists and technicians to support healthcare delivery in Eweland.
CEANA Looks Ahead to Boston 2027
CEANA expressed appreciation to the Ewe Association of Washington, DC Metro Inc., as well as volunteers, speakers, traditional leaders, artists, sponsors, partners and attendees who contributed to the convention.
The organisation described the commitments made in Bethesda as binding promises to the Ewe community and said it would carry the momentum into the next convention in Boston in 2027.
The 33rd Annual CEANA Convention therefore ended with a renewed emphasis on preserving Ewe heritage while strengthening healthcare, youth leadership, economic participation and community development across the diaspora and Eweland.
20-year-old Justina Aba Afful has reportedly been missing for close to a month after she went to Madina Market in Accra to sell and did not return home.
According to information provided by her family, Justina Aba Afful, aged 20, left home for Madina Market, where she was expected to sell, but has reportedly not returned since then.
20-Year-Old Justina Aba Afful Reportedly Missing After Going to Madina Market 22
Her prolonged absence has raised concern among her family, who are seeking information that could help establish her whereabouts and facilitate her safe return home.
Information contained in a missing-person notice identifies Madina Market, Accra, as the last known location where Justina was seen.
The notice also appeals to members of the public who may have information about her whereabouts to contact the relevant authorities or report to the Madina Police Station.
Anyone with credible information that may assist in locating Justina Aba Afful is encouraged to contact the Madina Police Station or the emergency number 112.
The family is appealing for the public’s assistance as efforts continue to establish what happened to the 20-year-old and bring her home safely.
GhanaMedia.net will continue to follow developments concerning the reported disappearance of Justina Aba Afful.
The Ministry of Education is scheduled to meet the three pre-tertiary teacher unions on Monday, September 28, 2026, in an effort to resolve outstanding concerns that have triggered a nationwide strike by teachers.
Teacher Unions Strike: Education Ministry to Meet GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG on Monday 24
The meeting follows the decision by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) to begin nationwide industrial action over unpaid promotion-related arrears, delays in negotiations and other outstanding demands.
Education Ministry Seeks Talks With Teacher Unions
The Ministry’s Press Secretary and Spokesperson, Hasmin Mohammed, said Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu would engage the unions and other relevant institutions on Monday in an attempt to resolve the dispute and encourage the unions to call off the strike.
The discussions are expected to involve the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, as the Ministry says the issues cannot be resolved by the Education Ministry alone.
Why Teachers Declared the Strike
The three unions announced the nationwide industrial action on Friday, September 25, 2026, after a deadline given to government to address their concerns passed without the issues being resolved to their satisfaction.
Among the concerns raised by the unions is the delay in negotiating a new Collective Agreement. They say the existing agreement has expired and that negotiations for a replacement, which they expected to have been completed by June 2026, remain outstanding.
The unions are also demanding the automatic placement of teachers who successfully passed promotion examinations in December 2025 and February 2026 onto their appropriate salary scales, together with payment of arrears dating back to January 2026.
Deprived Area Allowance Also Unresolved
Another issue raised by the unions is the implementation of the Deprived Area Allowance for teachers working in deprived and hard-to-reach communities.
The unions have referred to provisions in their 2024 Collective Agreement concerning a review of the Deprived Area Report and subsequent negotiations on the applicable allowance. They say the process has not yet been completed.
Recent reporting on the dispute also indicates that the unions have raised concerns about the financial treatment of newly promoted teachers and the implementation of agreed allowances.
Ministry Warns of Possible Impact on Academic Calendar
The Education Ministry has expressed concern about the potential effect of the industrial action on the academic calendar, particularly as efforts have been made to restore a harmonised school calendar following previous disruptions.
Mr Mohammed said the government wants the relevant institutions and teacher unions to use Monday’s meeting as a platform to address the outstanding matters and find a way forward.
Strike Remains in Force Pending Resolution
The teacher unions’ action follows prolonged engagement between the unions and government over promotion placement, arrears, conditions of service and allowances. The unions have maintained that delays and unfulfilled commitments contributed to their decision to withdraw their services.
The outcome of Monday’s engagement between the Education Ministry, the teacher unions, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department will determine the next stage of the dispute.
GhanaMedia.net will continue to follow developments concerning the teacher strike and the negotiations between the unions and government.
