General News of Tuesday, 20 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comDr Gladys West, the pioneering mathematician whose work laid the foundation for modern Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, has died at the age of 95. Through exceptional academic achievement, she graduated first in her high school class and earned a scholarship to Virginia State College, now Virginia State University. Those calculations ultimately formed the backbone of GPS technology, now critical to aviation, shipping, emergency response, telecommunications, smartphones, and everyday life across the globe. Despite the global impact of her work, West remained largely unknown for many years. Announcing her death, Plitt described West as ‘petite in stature but gigantic in impact.’Beyond her scientific achievements, West was devoted to her family.

General News of Tuesday, 20 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comNew Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential hopeful, Kwabena Agyepong, has outlined plans to place structured urban development and rural renewal at the centre of his governance agenda if elected president. “These professionals are my colleagues, and they understand what it takes to fix the challenges we see in our cities today,” he noted, stressing that technical competence would guide policy decisions. Agyepong also underscored the need to refocus national development on rural areas, stating that sustained investment in rural infrastructure and services would help improve livelihoods and reduce excessive migration to urban centres. “My government will work with built environment professionals to turn our chaotic urban sprawl into well-planned, liveable cities, while revitalising rural communities with modern amenities to improve livelihoods,” he said. Watch the video belowKwabena Agyei Agyepong holds Policy Day EventMRA/EBHow can we honour an overthrow at the door of the Republic – Odarteifio asks

Business News of Tuesday, 20 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comGhana and China have signed a US$30 million grant agreement to support the construction of a university in Damongo. The agreement was signed during a meeting between the Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, and the outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa. He noted that although Ambassador Tong’s tenure was brief, it coincided with the conclusion of two significant grant agreements for Ghana. The funding for a multipurpose market in Aflao and the US$30 million grant for the construction of the university in Damongo. He assured the outgoing Ambassador that these discussions would be pursued at the policy level, including engagement with the Bank of Ghana.

General News of Tuesday, 20 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comAn early morning fire that ravaged several wooden shops and structures at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle Tip Toe Lane market has left many victims distraught and devastated. No casualties recorded during Tip Toe Lane market fire – GNFS PROA visit to the scene by GhanaWeb’s Mandy Agyemang revealed victims with despair and hopelessness in their eyes, some in tears, while others tried every possible means to salvage what remained of their burnt properties. In interviews with some of the affected victims, they lamented their losses and voiced deep concern about how they would rebuild their lives after the tragedy. One of the traders, a Nigerian woman who said she has lived in Ghana for 10 years, could barely speak through her tears. It's only this cloth that is on my body [left].” - Affected victim recounts losses in Circle Tip Toe Lane fireRead more here: https://t.co/LDFwmLiob6#ghanaweb#ghanawebtv pic.twitter.com/YpOkV8j3ib — GhanaWeb (@TheGhanaWeb) January 20, 2026MAG/MA

The explosion was caused by a truck carrying explosives to a mining site in the community. Here is how the BBC reported the Appiatse disaster:Ghana blast: Many feared dead after huge explosion near BogosoAt least 13 people have been killed in a huge explosion near a mining town in south-western Ghana, officials say. A truck carrying explosives to a gold mine crashed with a motorcycle near the town of Bogoso, according to police. "It's almost like a ghost town," Sedzi Sadzi Amedonu, a senior official from the country's disaster management agency, told the AFP news agency. The impact of the explosion has left a crater on the major highway, forcing the police to divert traffic, our reporter says.

Regional News of Tuesday, 20 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe newly installed paramount chief of Asante Mampong (Mamponghene), Daasebre Osei Bonsu III, pledged his allegiance to the king of Asanteman, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on Monday, January 20, 2026. Before Daasebre Osei Bonsu III pledged his allegiance, the Asantehene urged him to emulate his predecessor, the late Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, who passed away in April 2025, particularly the late paramount chief’s good conduct, humility, selflessness, and service. I am aware,” the Asantehene said to the new paramount chief of Asante Mampong. After the Asantehene’s admonition, Daasebre proceeded to pledge his allegiance to the Asantehene, Asanteman, and the Golden Stool (Sikadwa Kofi). Watch as the new Mamponghene, Asanteman’s second-most powerful ruler, is sworn in/a>Watch the video below:BAI/EBOne year on: Watch what some Ghanaians are saying about ORALMeanwhile, watch as Ghanaians respond to Ofori-Atta's detention

Speaking during a heated discussion on Joy News on Saturday, January 10, 2026, Egyapa Mercer challenged critics to point to a specific law that mandates former public office holders to present themselves for questioning in the absence of any criminal charge. “Show me the law that says that when you serve in public office, when you finish, you have to account,” he said. If he's not minded to do it, go ahead with your case.”'Where is the law that says public officers must account'? The Asset Declaration lawAdditionally, Article 286 of the Constitution also mandates public office holders to declare their assets after they leave office, which is on its own a form of accountability. In conclusion, although the laws that border on this matter do not explicitly use the phrase “former public office” or “public officers who have left office”, it would be misleading to say that such persons are not required to account for things that happened under their tenure.

Senegal have now won their second Africa Cup of Nations trophy, having previously lost in the 2002 and 2019 finals to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and the Desert Foxes of Algeria, respectively. Although all the players gave their best from the goalkeeping department to the attack, three stood out throughout the tournament. The legendary footballer netted two goals and provided 3 assists in seven games to help his country in the tournament. Édouard MendyMendy proved himself as the safest hands for the Teranga Lions, playing a crucial role in their AFCON triumph. The 27-year-old established himself as a formidable defensive midfielder, highly rated among the best in his position in the tournament.

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Entertainment of Tuesday, 20 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comAn injunction application has been granted by the High Court in Accra restraining Valentina Nana Agyeiwaa (Afia Schwarzenegger) and Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr (Shatta Wale) from making further defamatory publications against broadcast journalist, Solomon David Aboagye (Kwasi Aboagye). Shatta Wale sues Blakk Rasta for GH¢100 million over defamationKwasi Aboagye filed a lawsuit following a TikTok live session on May 6, 2024, during which the defendants, Shatta Wale and Afia Schwarzenegger, allegedly made and circulated defamatory statements about him. The comments accused Kwasi Aboagye of criminal behaviour, impotence and infidelity and were further shared across social media platforms, generating negative reactions. After regular service attempts failed, the court authorised substituted service in October 2024, which was carried out. On October 15, 2025, the Court granted Relief 6 of the Plaintiff’s claims, a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from issuing further defamatory comments.

Entertainment of Tuesday, 20 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comA Tema High Court has directed evangelist Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, to pay GH¢100,000 in damages to gospel musician Empress Gifty Adorye following a defamation suit levelled against her. The ruling, reported by GHOne News on January 20, 2026, brings closure to a case that began in May 2025, when Empress Gifty filed a GH¢20 million defamation lawsuit against Agradaa over what she described as slanderous and libelous statements made during a series of live social media broadcasts. Empress Gifty slaps Agradaa with GH¢20 million defamation lawsuitThe suit, filed through Osei Aidoh Akpokavie & Co. at the Tema High Court, also sought a perpetual injunction to restrain Agradaa from making further defamatory remarks, as well as an order compelling her to remove all offending content from her social media platforms. In December 2025, Agradaa formally retracted and disowned all allegations against Empress Gifty, admitting through her lawyers, Agyaa Asamani Law Consult, that the claims were false and made “in the spur of the moment.”Agradaa also issued an unqualified apology to Empress Gifty, acknowledging the damage caused to her reputation, career, and personal life. ID/EBWatch the latest episode of Talkertainment with Elsie Lamar and David Oscar Dogbe below:

Sports News of Tuesday, 20 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has hailed the Teranga Lions following their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph. President Diomaye emphasised that the team’s heroic display in such a chaotic final demonstrated their resilience and determination qualities that others must emulate to bring more glory to the nation. AFCON Final Chaos: 18 Senegalese fans arrested in Morocco"They did it heroically, they played beautiful football, they were incredibly fair and they were exemplary both on and off the field. President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye received the players, the entire technical team and officials at the Presidential Palace to thank them for their services and putting smiles on the faces of the Senegalese people with their victory. Senegal have now joined the list of countries that have won the Africa Cup of Nations more than once.

In a Facebook post on January 19, 2026, Tieku noted that the company’s pricing and market strategies, which prioritise affordability for customers, have drawn criticism and resistance from competitors. We are the most disliked in our industry because of what we do for the customer!,” he said. Fuel could sell for GH¢9.50 without NPA price floor - Star Oil CEO hintsAccording to him, without Star Oil’s intervention in the market, competition would have been severely limited, potentially leading to higher fuel prices and reduced consumer choice. Tieku also dismissed claims by some industry players that Star Oil is seeking to eliminate competitors and establish a monopoly, describing such accusations as unfounded. He stressed that the company’s objective is to create a fair, transparent, and competitive fuel market that benefits the Ghanaian consumer.

General News of Tuesday, 20 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comNew Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Ing Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, is holding an event dubbed ‘Policy Day’ on Tuesday, January 20, 2025. The flagbearer hopeful, who is a former General Secretary of the NPP, is expected to outline his vision for the presidency. He is also expected to outline reasons why he is the best person to lead the opposition NPP into the 2026 general election. He is also expected to touch on the state of his party and stress the need for unity ahead of the 2028 general election. Watch a livestream of the event below:

General News of Tuesday, 20 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the Klottey Korle Constituency, Valentino Nortey, has reportedly been arrested in the United States over a stabbing incident. According to a report by abc27.com, the former parliamentary candidate is accused of stabbing a woman during a domestic incident along Mayfair Drive in Lower Paxton Township in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, January 17, 2026. The report indicated that public records at the Dauphin County Prison show that Nortey was denied bail after he was arraigned before the court. He became the parliamentary candidate of the NPP after beating Philip Kojo Addo Addison and Samuel Nii Adjei Tawiah in the party’s primaries. Online court records show Nortey is in Dauphin County Prison after he was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge David Judy, who denied bail.