Sports News of Wednesday, 18 February 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comIn a bid to curtail racial abuse in football, governing bodies introduced the anti-racism protocol to deal with offenders. It empowers players and referees to halt matches if racial abuse occurs and gives referees the authority to suspend or even abandon games if the abuse continues. The Three Steps:Initial Warning: The referee stops the game when reports of racist behavior emerge. The Vinícius Jr alleged racial abuse by Gianluca PrestianniThe match between Benfica and Real Madrid at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, was halted for 10 minutes after Vinícius reported racial abuse by Prestianni to referee François Letexier. The referee then consulted officials from both clubs, and play resumed with the matter referred to UEFA’s disciplinary board for further investigation.

Sports News of Wednesday, 18 February 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comFormer English footballer, Micah Richards has criticised Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni for covering his mouth while allegedly racially abusing Real Madrid forward Vinícius Jr. The match between Benfica and Real Madrid at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, was halted for 10 minutes after Vinícius reported racial abuse by Prestianni to referee François Letexier. You must have said something because you can’t go to Mbappé and say you didn’t say anything. Meanwhile, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has launched a probe into the case, with possible sanctions expected if Prestianni is found guilty. Watch the video below:SB/JEMeanwhile, watch GhanaWeb’s exposé on the ‘dark side of Kayamata’ and its devastating impact

General News of Wednesday, 18 February 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comSeveral women affected by the ongoing intimate-content scandal involving a foreign national have formally lodged complaints with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), as authorities move to trigger international enforcement processes. The development was shared by the Minister of Communication and Ningo-Prampram MP, Samuel Nartey George, on February 18, 2026. Russian National Sex Scandal: Details of Ghana's meeting with Russian AmbassadorProviding an update at a press briefing in Accra, the lawmaker said the complaints are being processed by the CID in collaboration with relevant state agencies, with steps underway to secure an international arrest warrant. “A number of the ladies have formally filed complaints that are being processed by the CID, and CID is working with us to escalate this to INTERPOL to issue an international arrest warrant for the gentleman,” he said. According to him, authorities are pursuing multiple legal avenues simultaneously to ensure accountability, even if the suspect remains outside Ghana’s jurisdiction.

Entertainment of Wednesday, 18 February 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comErnestina Fosuh, sister of the late highlife legend Daddy Lumba, has disclosed that she was denied access to view her brother’s body at the funeral home following his death. However, according to Ernestina Fosu, the funeral home’s manager, informed them that the family head had instructed that she should not be allowed to view the body. “The manager of the funeral home informed us that the Abusuapanyin had instructed them not to allow me to see him,” she stated. Ernestina further disclosed that she sought legal redress at the High Court in Accra, hoping the court would grant her access. “I placed my hope in the High Court in Accra, believing that justice would allow me that final moment.

General News of Wednesday, 18 February 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comMember of Parliament for New Juaben South, Michael Okyere Baafi, has visited one of the two Ghanaian survivors of the recent terrorist attack in Burkina Faso, following her successful medical evacuation to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra. The survivor, a native of Koforidua, was among Ghanaian traders caught up in the deadly incident that has left several families in mourning and sparked national concern over the safety of Ghanaian traders operating across the country’s northern borders. Speaking after the visit on Tuesday evening, Baafi expressed gratitude to God for preserving the survivor’s life despite the tragic circumstances surrounding the attack. The recent attack in Burkina Faso has renewed discussions around regional security cooperation and the protection of Ghanaian nationals operating in high-risk areas within the West African sub-region. Meanwhile, medical officials at the 37 Military Hospital are expected to continue monitoring the survivor’s condition as she begins her recovery process.

Business News of Wednesday, 18 February 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has paid GH¢237 million to cocoa farmers for 50,000 metric tonnes of cocoa. In a post on his Facebook page on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Jerome Sam, Head of Public Affairs at COCOBOD, said the payment is intended to bring relief to farmers. “I’m happy to report COCOBOD has started payment for the 50,000 metric tonnes. An amount of GH¢237 million has been paid,” he posted. Here's how much COCOBOD will save monthly from salary cutsThe payment comes at a time when Ghana’s cocoa sector is facing financial constraints, with calls from industry players, cocoa farmers, and the Minority in Parliament over arrears owed to farmers.

Addressing the matter on February 18, 2026, Sam George said authorities are in possession of the man’s Russian passport. Russian National Sex Scandal: Details of Ghana's meeting with Russian Ambassador“We have his passport, which we will be sharing with the media, his Russian passport,” he said. Details on the passport identify the individual as Vladislav Aleksandrovich Liulkov, a Russian Federation national born on September 19, 1989. Sam George stressed that investigations so far indicate that several women whose images circulated online were not involved in any intimate encounters with the man. “However, he splashed their images as though he had intimate encounters with all of these ladies.

Business News of Wednesday, 18 February 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comAfrica’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is putting family front and center in the Dangote Group’s leadership, appointing his three daughters to top positions, signaling a new era of family-led succession and next-generation power moves. Leading the charge is Halima Aliko Dangote, appointed Group Executive Director, Dangote Family Office & International Offices (Dubai & London). Mariya Aliko Dangote completes the trio as Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations – Cement & Foods. Meanwhile, the Dangote Group is pushing forward with a $400-million construction equipment deal with China’s XCMG Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. With these moves, the Dangote Group is clearly stepping on the global growth accelerator as it races toward its $100 billion Vision 2030 goal.

Politics of Wednesday, 18 February 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe National Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced that Umar Sanda has forfeited his membership of the party after deciding to contest as an independent candidate in the upcoming Ayawaso East Constituency by-election scheduled for March 3, 2026. In a letter issued by the party on February 17, 2026, the party said that Sanda's decision violates the party's constitution. "The National Democratic Congress has taken note of your decision to contest as an independent candidate in the upcoming Ayawaso East Constituency by-election. Democracy Hub seeks court injunction to halt Ayawaso East by-electionThe party further clarified the consequences of Sanda's decision. The NDC stressed the need for all members to adhere strictly to the party’s constitution and collective decisions.

General News of Wednesday, 18 February 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has confirmed that the newborn allegedly stolen from the Mamprobi Polyclinic in Accra has been safely recovered, thanks to a timely tip-off from a whistleblower. Speaking to reporters shortly after the infant was retrieved on February 18, 2026, Dr Naa Momo Lartey assured the public that the mother and child are receiving medical attention. Watch the moment Gender Minister reunites stolen baby with motherThe minister commended the swift collaboration between the whistleblower, Ablekuma South MP Alfred Nii Lante Vanderpuye, and the police in locating the baby. Though the suspect is in police custody, the minister said “the ministry will provide support to determine the motive behind the alleged kidnapping." She also emphasised the ministry’s commitment to strengthening security in medical facilities to prevent similar incidents in the future.

General News of Wednesday, 18 February 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe National Service Authority (NSA) has reassured thousands of frustrated service personnel that their long-awaited allowances will be paid by the close of this week. The statement clarified that the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department had advanced funds sufficient to cover two months of allowances last week. The NSA acknowledged the patience and resilience demonstrated by service personnel during this period and emphasised that their contributions to the nation are deeply valued. To provide assurance, the Authority set a firm deadline, stating that all verified and legitimate arrears will be cleared by the close of this week. The announcement comes as welcome news to service personnel across the country, many of whom have been grappling with the financial strain of delayed stipends, which serve as a crucial lifeline during their year of mandatory national service.

General News of Wednesday, 18 February 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comAmbassador of the Russian Federation to Ghana, Sergei Berdnikov, has disclosed that the name Vyacheslav Trahov, used by the man accused of secretly filming Ghanaian women in viral videos, is fake and translates into a vulgar pseudonym. Ambassador Berdnikov acknowledged the seriousness of the matter, noting its broader implications for cybercrime. He further indicated in the statement by the foreign affairs ministry that he was unable to confirm the Russian nationality of the individual at the center of the viral intimate videos. “The Russian Ambassador, however, indicated that he is unable to confirm the Russian nationality of the individual at the centre of the intimate viral videos, and further disclosed that the purported name making the rounds in the media is not a known Russian name and rather represents an inappropriate or vulgar expression in the Russian language,” the statement read. “The government is seeking cooperation from Russian authorities to ensure that justice is served,” the statement added.

Speaking on PM Express on JoyNews on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Kwetey said the NDC cannot promise national transformation while maintaining practices it criticises in others. “You can’t simply be attacking your opponent when you were doing exactly the same thing as your opponent. But it’s a path some of us are willing to fight for even at the cost of my political ambition,” he said. Kwetey argued that the party’s pledge to reset Ghana places an obligation on the NDC to first address its own shortcomings. And to reset the country means business as usual has to be over,” he said.

I'm scared of Stonebwoy - AjagurajahProphet Ajagurajah disclosed that it took him about three months to realise he had been bewitched with Kayamata. According to him, the alleged influence of Kayamata compelled him to sack many of his workers, as he remained under the woman’s control through the charm. She made me sack so many people around me; whatever she said was final,” he said. He added, “I have angels, but they allowed it to happen because they warned me not to eat just anywhere. I didn’t listen, so she mixed it with my food.”JHM/EBMeanwhile, watch GhanaWeb’s exposé on the ‘dark side of Kayamata’ and its devastating impact

General News of Wednesday, 18 February 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Ghana Police Service has seized a truck carrying over 3,000 slabs of suspected narcotic substances in the Greater Accra Region. Two men have been arrested for allegedly trying to bribe police officers in relation to the case. In a statement released on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the Tema Regional Police Command said the operation was carried out in the early hours of February 15, 2026. The truck and its contents have since been impounded at the Tema Regional Headquarters to aid investigations. The Tema Regional Police Command assured the public of its continued efforts to tackle drug-related offences.