Sports News of Monday, 12 January 2026Source: bbc.comBarcelona edged past Real Madrid in a five-goal thriller to win back-to-back Spanish Super Cup finals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It marked a 16th triumph in the tournament for Hansi Flick's side, with Barcelona also beating Los Blancos in last year's final. Brazilian forward Raphinha's floated shot in the 73rd minute proved to be the winner after a frantic ending to the first half. Late chances at both ends made for a nervy finale with Marcus Rashford shooting wide when clear, while Alvaro Carreras and then Raul Asencio both shot straight at goalkeeper Joan Garcia. But Barca held on to secure a second consecutive title for the first time since 2011.

“The Government of Ghana, under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, has decisively resolved the crippling energy sector debt that posed one of the gravest risks to Ghana’s financial stability,” the ministry stated. “The Partial Risk Guarantee was a critical safeguard that enabled nearly US$8 billion in private sector investment into Ghana’s energy sector through the Sankofa Gas Project. Beneficiaries included Karpowership, Cenpower, Twin City Energy, Early Power, BXC, Meinergy, Sunon Asogli, AKSA Energy, and Cenit Energy. “Altogether, the Ministry of Finance has paid approximately US$1.470 billion in the 2025 fiscal year to rescue and restore Ghana’s energy sector,” the statement concluded. MAHAMA ADMINISTRATION PAYS US$1.470 BILLION TO CLEAR ENERGY SECTOR DEBT AND RESTORE WORLD BANK GUARANTEE WITHIN FIRST YEAR1.The Government of Ghana, under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, has decisively resolved the crippling energy sector debt that posed one of… pic.twitter.com/HTn8q8rHPU — Cassiel Ato Forson (PhD) (@Cassielforson) January 12, 2026MA/AE

Business News of Monday, 12 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Ghana cedi opened the second week of January 2026 trading at GH¢10.70 to the US dollar on the Bank of Ghana’s interbank foreign exchange market. Data released by the central bank on Monday, January 12, 2026, showed the dollar buying at GH¢10.69 and selling at GH¢10.70 to US$1. The euro traded between GH¢13.60 and GH¢14.50, and the pound sterling between GH¢15.70 and GH¢16.50, highlighting significant differences from interbank rates. The slightly higher bureau rates reflect strong demand for foreign currency and limited supply, especially as the new financial year begins. Exchange Rates:Bank of Ghana interbank market rates:- Dollar: Buying at GH¢10.69, Selling at GH¢10.70- Pound: Buying at GH¢14.36, Selling at GH¢14.38- Euro: Buying at GH¢12.46, Selling at GH¢12.47Forex bureau rates:- Dollar: Buying at GH¢11.90, Selling at GH¢12.25- Pound: Buying at GH¢15.70, Selling at GH¢16.50- Euro: Buying at GH¢13.60, Selling at GH¢14.50

General News of Sunday, 11 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Bank of Ghana has issued a revised and stricter Supervisory Guidance Note, making the Ghana Card the mandatory identification document for all banking transactions. The directive, issued in the last quarter of 2025, takes immediate effect and makes the Ghana Card the compulsory means of identification for customers of all accountable institutions. “Accountable Institutions (AIs) shall use only the Ghana Card to identify and verify all customers,” the notice stated. Customers without a Ghana Card, Non-Citizens Identity Card, or Refugee Identity Card will not be permitted to conduct any transactions with financial institutions. The Ghana Card has increasingly become the primary source of identification in the country, having been integrated into Ghana’s telecommunications and financial systems.

Business News of Monday, 12 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comChairman of the Coconut Farmers Association Volta (COFAG) and CEO of Volta Coconut Industries & Resort Ltd, Togbe Dunyo, has launched a 1,000-acre investment project in the Volta Region, urging locals to invest and help create jobs for the youth. He explained that 1,000 acres of land has been acquired in the Volta Region, which will be made available to investors. Coconut Federation Ghana leads farm inspection under presidential initiative in Bono RegionHe added that the initiative aims to leverage government support currently being provided to coconut farmers through the Coconut Farmers Association. Togbe Dunyo noted that many citizens want to farm but are unable to do so due to location constraints. He urged citizens from the Volta Region and other parts of Ghana to take a serious interest in investing with Volta Coconut Industries & Resort Ltd.“Investors should consider that the Volta Region is peaceful, land is litigation-free, and the area is galamsey-free.

Crime & Punishment of Monday, 12 January 2026Source: GNAAn Accra Circuit Court has sentenced a tailor to a fine of 1,000 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢12,000, for false publication about the Tradition Rice brand on TikTok. The Court ruled that failure to pay the fine would result in a 50-day prison term for the convict, Francis Amofa. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Emmanuel Nyamekye, presenting the facts, said the complainant, Dilip Chandwani, is Director of DKC 2015 Limited, importers and distributors of the Tradition Rice brand, with an outlet at Kaneshie, Accra. Further investigations established that Tradition Rice is a duly vetted and approved imported food product, certified by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) as safe for human consumption and issued with an FDA Registration Number. The prosecution said the false publication had negatively affected sales of the Tradition Rice brand nationwide and was likely to injure the reputation and business of Chandwani.

Crime & Punishment of Monday, 12 January 2026Source: GNAA wildlife resource guard has been shot dead by suspected poachers at the Kalakpa Resource Reserve in Abutia, Ho West District of the Volta Region. The deceased, Raphael Ganyo, served as a Resource Guard with the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission at the reserve. He was fatally shot in the early hours of Tuesday, January 6, 2026, while on routine patrol near Zitoe Camp within the reserve. Reports indicate that at about 0600 hours, a wildlife patrol team moved to investigate suspected poaching activities in the protected area. In the ensuing confrontation, Ganyo was shot in the chest by the suspected poacher and was pronounced dead at the scene.

However, the footage raised eyebrows online after some social media users noticed an unfamiliar badge on his right arm resembling the standard emblem of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) New York Field Office. Checks conducted by GhanaWeb indicate that IGP Yohunu has no prior service history with the FBI nor any publicly documented training or employment with the US agency. What emerged from further inquiry is that in October 2025, IGP Yohunu led a high-level delegation of Ghana Police Service senior officers to the FBI’s New York Field Office. According to sources, the badge worn by the IGP is not an operational FBI credential but rather a commemorative pin presented during the October 2025 visit to the FBI New York Field Office. See the video below:The IGP shows off his moves on the dance floor at the Ghana Police End-of-Year Party “WASSA 2025,” happening live at the Police Headquarters.

The suspects were said to have demanded a ransom of GH¢400,000 from the victims’ family before their release. Police dismantle deadly highway robbery syndicate linked to multiple attacks“The suspects were tactically lured to a joint near the Suhum Roundabout, where a joint operation involving officers from Nsawam and Suhum led to their arrest,” a police source said. The five suspects, identified as Suleman Salifu, Godfred Owusu, Antwi Bismark, Anas Salis and Gyamfi Isaac, were arrested while in an unregistered Acura 4×4 vehicle. The two victims, Seidu Sambiane, 28 and Ibrahim Alhassan, 42, were rescued unharmed. AMAlso, watch below Amnesty International's 'Protect the Protest' documentary as the world marks International Human Rights Day 2025

Entertainment of Monday, 12 January 2026Source: legit.ngFans of skit maker Esther Sunshine Thomas were thrown into mourning after one of her friends, who acted in skits with her, announced that she had passed on. According to Madu, Sunshine had been complaining of stomach pain, which later became severe, forcing them to visit a hospital. In the video, Madu further disclosed that after discovering doctors were on strike, he moved Sunshine to a private facility, Havilah Hospital, where she underwent surgery. Veteran singer Panam Percy Paul lost his son, Samuel, while Nigerian writer Chimamanda Adichie also recently announced the death of one of her twin sons and later shared details of his final moments. Here is the Instagram video made by Madu about Sunshine:

Regional News of Monday, 12 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Adwoa Safo Foundation has donated assorted food and household items to the Hopeway Ministries Orphanage as part of its annual Christmas support initiative. Presenting the items, the founder of the Adwoa Safo Foundation and former Member of Parliament for the Dome/Kwabenya Constituency, Hon. Adwoa Safo further highlighted that the Adwoa Safo Foundation (ASF) undertakes several programmes annually, including the Orphanage Donation Initiative, the ASF Pad a Child Programme, the ASF Leadership and Mentoring Programme, and the ASF Educational Material Support Programme. Adwoa Safo for her consistent support. Hopeway Ministries Orphanage currently caters for about 30 children, comprising the needy, persons living with disabilities, and vulnerable children from surrounding communities who visit the home daily for meals.

General News of Sunday, 11 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has confirmed that investigations separate from the SML case into the activities of former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, are ongoing. According to him, the probe involves both local and foreign investigators tracking offshore dealings linked to the former minister. Dr Ayine emphasised that the current probe is separate from other high-profile investigations previously associated with the former finance minister. Though he did not provide any details regarding the investigations, he described them as 'potentially mind-blowing.' “It's different, totally different [from the SML investigations] and potentially mind-blowing, but I will not give any details at this point in time,” he added.

Sports News of Sunday, 11 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comAsante Kotoko return to action on Sunday, January 11, 2026, as they welcome Berekum Chelsea to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in the Ghana Premier League. It will be the first meeting between the sides in four months. Their last encounter, played on September 13, 2025, ended in a narrow 1-0 victory for Asante Kotoko, continuing a recent trend that has largely favoured the Porcupine Warriors. Across their last six meetings since December 2023, Kotoko have won four, Chelsea one, with one draw, scoring six goals to Chelsea’s three. Follow and watch live updates of the game below:FKA/AE

Business News of Sunday, 11 January 2026Source: thebftonline.comKristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), announced on Thursday, January 8, 2026, that Abebe Aemro Selassie intends to retire as Director of the African Department (AFR) on May 1, 2026. “As Director of AFR since 2016, Abe has guided the department through a period of profound change and challenge,” said Ms. Georgieva. Under his leadership, AFR helped reinforce the Fund’s role as a trusted partner to our African members. During his tenure, the Fund also added a 25th chair to its Executive Board, increasing the voice of sub-Saharan Africa. “Abe championed tailored policy advice and capacity development for sub-Saharan Africa, deepened engagement in key countries, and helped roll out additional resources to support fragile and conflict-affected states.

Import-centric partnership ties and lack of diversification make these African countries committed to import-dependent structures. A classical example that readily comes to mind is Ghana, and other West African countries. The supplies include grains, but also vegetable oils, meat and dairy products, fish and finished food products have significant potential for Africa. Major Exporters: Russia poultry companies are focused on increasing generally their African exports, with Ghana being a major destination. Therefore, Russia to continue expanding food exports to Africa explicitly reflects a calculated economic and geopolitical strategy.