Sports News of Thursday, 15 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Ministry of Youth, Sports, Cultural Outreach and the Arts in Gabon has announced the reinstatement of the national team and lifted the ban on some players. Recently, Gabon endured a disastrous AFCON campaign, losing all three group-stage matches and failing to progress to the knockout stage as anticipated. From Meme to Mastermind: Éric Chelle’s redemption with Nigeria at AFCON 2025In response to the poor performance, the government announced the dissolution of the entire technical staff and suspended the national team until further notice. The sports ministry also noted that captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bruno Ecuellé Manga would be expelled from the national team, without specifying the reasons for the decision. Following deliberations with government and sports stakeholders, Kessany announced that the ban has been lifted and the team will resume full operations.

General News of Thursday, 15 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comGhanaian refereeing had once reached the very top, producing officials respected across Africa. Several referees were implicated in corruption, many were banned, and the reputation of Ghanaian officials took a severe hit. Watch highlights of Nigeria's penalty shootout defeat to MoroccoHis dedication gradually restored confidence, both in his abilities and in Ghanaian refereeing. By the time AFCON 2025 arrived, Laryea had proven himself ready for the continent’s biggest stage. But in Ghana, Laryea became something else that night: a symbol of how far Ghanaian officiating has come.

General News of Thursday, 15 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comGhana's Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, has clarified that the recent Trump administration decision to temporarily halt immigrant visa processing does not affect non-immigrant visa categories. According to him, short-term travel visas to the US remain fully operational. Ghana's Ambassador to the United States of America, Victor Emmanuel Smith, clarifies uncertainties surrounding recent US visa restrictions by the US government," the statement read. This clarification follows concerns over the suspension of immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Ghana and Nigeria. US to halt visa processing for applicants from 75 nations including Ghana, NigeriaTWI NEWSThe suspension by the US State Department is expected to take full effect on January 21, 2026, and will remain in place until further review.

Sports News of Thursday, 15 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comSenegal international, Sadio Mane is set to bow out of the Africa Cup of Nations as he gears up for his final continental tournament. Speaking to RTS after the match, Mane, who secured the Man-of-the-Match award, confirmed that he will play his last Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday, January 18, 2026. Sadio Mané breaks Egypt’s hearts again to send Senegal into the 2025 AFCON final“I will be happy to play my last final in the Africa Cup of Nations. Mane previously won the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal, marking the first continental title in the country’s history. Senegal have now reached the AFCON final for the fourth time, having previously contested the 2002 final (losing to Cameroon on penalties) and the 2019 final (losing 1-0 to Algeria), in addition to their 2021 triumph over Egypt on penalties.

General News of Thursday, 15 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe government has established a 12-member Presidential Advisory Group on the Economy, bringing together seasoned experts from academia, public service, and the private sector to provide strategic guidance on national economic issues. The group, which will serve as a non-partisan advisory body, will offer guidance on macroeconomic management, fiscal consolidation, debt sustainability, and the coordination of fiscal and monetary policy. It will also provide advice on structural transformation, industrial development, competitiveness, and export-led growth. Government settles US$1.470 billion energy sector debt within first yearVice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang is a member of the group, which also includes distinguished economists and private sector leaders such as Kwame Pianim and renowned industrialist Sir Samuel Esson Jonah. The group aims to help navigate current economic challenges while positioning Ghana for long-term growth and resilience.

General News of Thursday, 15 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has disclosed that its oversight work has contributed to the recovery of nearly GH¢12.7 billion in public funds. She noted that details would be made available to the public when Parliament resumes. She explained that the PAC’s core mandate is to safeguard public resources, promote transparency and enforce accountability in public financial management. She stressed that citizens have a right to know how public funds are spent and whether any violations have been identified. She also called on the public to support efforts to retrieve state funds that remain unaccounted for by officials entrusted with them.

General News of Thursday, 15 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comGhana’s education system has repeatedly faced heated debates over curriculum content, particularly on issues relating to sexuality and gender. This GhanaWeb article explores the two times LGBTQ+ content have appeared in Ghana’s school curriculumComprehensive Sexuality Education Sparks National Outcry in 2019In September 2019, the rollout of a new standards-based curriculum for basic schools was overshadowed by allegations that it introduced Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE). The backlash was swift, with critics accusing the Ministry of Education and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) of attempting to “smuggle LGBTQ education” into Ghana’s schools. NaCCA withdraws SHS teachers' manual over gender identity concernsThe then Minister of Education, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, responded that “At no point has the government approved any curriculum that teaches children about LGBTQ lifestyles. Gender Identity Definition Withdrawn from SHS Manual in 2026Seven years later in January 2026, Ghana has faced another curriculum storm, forcing NaCCA to order the withdrawal of the Senior High School Physical Education and Health teachers’ manual after backlash over its definition of gender identity.

General News of Thursday, 15 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comIt has been one year since the implementation of the Operation Recover Loot (ORAL) initiative, introduced by the John Dramani Mahama administration. The initiative, designed to recover alleged stolen public funds, has remained in the news and continues to spark public discussion. Marking the one-year milestone, GhanaWeb TV took to the streets to engage Ghanaians on their expectations and impressions of the program. ORAL will fail under Ghana's current laws - DomelevoWhile many citizens applauded the government’s efforts, others called for greater transparency and highlighted areas needing improvement. Watch the video below:VKB/MAMeanwhile, watch as Ghanaians respond to Ofori-Atta's detention

This article highlights the major talking points from the game:Daniel Laryea’s OfficiatingGhanaian referee Daniel Laryea’s performance during Morocco’s win over Nigeria sparked heated debate online. After the game, some fans criticised Laryea for what they described as biased and poor officiating, while others defended him for his fairness. Meanwhile, Morocco were more dominant and attacked from all fronts, recording 16 shots with five on target. At one point, Bassey was holding the ball while Díaz tackled from behind and appeared to grab the Nigerian’s jersey. In their furious reaction, some Nigerian fans flooded Laryea’s Instagram comment section with abusive language, while others reported the account for misconduct.

In fact, between 2022 and 2024, there was a 300%+ jump in official ASM gold output despite there being no GoldBod. A sustained high gold price does not just mean more digging; it also means faster digging. Summary of Price Impact on ASM BehaviorBehaviour Factor Low Gold Price Scenario High Gold Price Scenario Impact on Output Reserve Selection Only high-grade veins/riverbeds mined. Since the 1970s the BSP has had a Domestic Gold Purchase Program, buying local ASM gold to build reserves. Country Gold-Purchase Mechanism Annual ASM Gold (approximate) Governance/Standards Purpose & Notes Ghana Single state-backed firm (Bawa Rock) buys ASM gold; funded by BoG credit.

Politics of Thursday, 15 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comA member of the Communications Team of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Roger TD Wills, has argued that the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy was not introduced by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), but rather expanded under the Akufo-Addo administration. In a 3news.com report on January 14, 2026, Wills explained that the Free SHS policy dates back to Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who initiated free secondary education in parts of northern Ghana. 'If Free SHS was such a big winner, why didn't the NPP come back' - Prof Aryeetey“Free SHS was a constitutional mandate, not an NPP initiative. It was started by Dr Kwame Nkrumah and reinforced by President John Dramani Mahama, who extended it to day schools,” Wills stated. “The fact that the NPP broadened and widened the scope does not mean they introduced Free SHS.

Speaking in an interview on Wontumi TV on 14 January 2026, Okyere Baafi said he does not believe anyone is currently scheming to remove Afenyo-Markin from his position. “I don’t believe that anybody wants to remove Afenyo-Markin for now, even though no position in Parliament is permanent,” he said. According to Agyapong, there are individuals within the party who are actively seeking the Effutu Member of Parliament's position as Minority leader. He said he has advised the Minority Leader to relinquish his position and allow those challenging him to take over. “If the NPP has a weak leader like Afenyo-Markin, then it is no surprise the party keeps collapsing,” Owusu remarked.

Business News of Thursday, 15 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe John Mahama government has announced plans to establish its Women’s Development Bank in 2026. This was revealed during the Government Accountability Series on January 14, 2026, where the Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, noted that the 2026 budget had already allocated GH¢401 million for the bank. According to him, the government plans to capitalise the Women’s Development Bank to make it fully operational, with its sole focus on supporting women entrepreneurs in the country. Traders appeal for early establishment of Women's Development BankHe added that the bank is one of the government’s flagship campaign promises made during the 2024 general elections by the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He also noted that the GH¢51 million announced by the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, is still in the coffers to help set up the bank.

Tragedy at Anloga School: 2 students dead, dozens injured in Bee attackA video shared on the X page of JoyNews showed mourners in sorrow as the two young pupils during the ceremony. The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, when a swarm of bees attacked pupils and staff during school hours. Bee attack leaves two paralysed, six hospitalised in Eastern RegionIn an attempt to retrieve it, a stone was thrown, unknowingly disturbing a hidden bee nest. The headteacher of the school, Thywill Deynu, said the bees affected many pupils and teachers, with kindergarten pupils among the most vulnerable, as they were unable to escape quickly. Watch the video below:Joint funeral and burial services for the two pupils of Anloga EP Basic School who died following a bee attack on December 17.#JoyNews pic.twitter.com/ZW5jAenet1 — JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) January 14, 2026JKB/AM

Crime & Punishment of Thursday, 15 January 2026Source: GNAGideon Doe Adifu, a 40-year-old fashion designer from Agbedrafor in the Akatsi South Municipality of the Volta Region, has been slapped with 15 years’ imprisonment for defiling and impregnating his biological 14-year-old daughter. A Sogakope Circuit Court presided over by Joseph Nadaado, sentenced Adifu to 10 years in hard labour for defilement and five years for incest, with both convictions to run concurrently. He said the convict’s wife, the complainant in the case, detected that their daughter was pregnant and upon interrogation, the victim confided in her and narrated her ordeal. Chief Inspector Doho further told the court that the convict, after his arrest, admitted his offense and pleaded guilty. The presiding judge, upon a careful examination of the case, sentenced Adifu on his own plea to the charges of defilement and incest.