Politics of Friday, 23 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comFormer Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is currently leading the race to become the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) next presidential candidate, according to a new nationwide opinion poll released by the Center for Public Opinion and Awareness (CenPOA). The poll, conducted between December 16, 2025, and January 9, 2026, places Dr Bawumia at the top with 42% of stated voting intentions among NPP delegates, ahead of former Assin Central MP, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, who secured 34% support. “Key findings from the poll indicate that Dr Mahamudu Bawumia currently leads with 42% of stated voting intentions, followed by Hon Kennedy Ohene Agyapong with 34%,” CenPOA stated. Regionally, the poll revealed varying strengths and vulnerabilities for the leading contenders, with several delegate-heavy regions emerging as critical swing battlegrounds. CenPOA stressed that the study is not intended to predict the final outcome of the NPP presidential primaries but rather to provide data-driven insight into current trends and competitive dynamics within the party.

Crime & Punishment of Friday, 23 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comOfficers of the Ghana Police Service at the Volta Regional Police Command have reportedly rejected a $20,000 bribe from an alleged Nigerian drug dealer. When confronted, the suspect allegedly offered a $20,000 bribe to the officers but they rejected the offer outright. IGP Special Operations Team arrests military officers for possession of substancesAccording to a senior police source at the Volta Regional Police Headquarters, the operation was based on actionable intelligence. The suspect remains in custody as investigations continue, while the Jeep has been impounded at the Volta Regional Police Headquarters in Ho. AMOne year on: Watch what some Ghanaians are saying about ORALMeanwhile, watch as Ghanaians respond to Ofori-Atta's detention

Entertainment of Friday, 23 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe son of late gospel legend, Yaw Sarpong, has disclosed that his father passed away without knowing about the demise of his close associate, Maame Tiwaa. According to him, although news of Maame Tiwaa’s death was widely circulated on social media, Yaw Sarpong remained unaware because he was not active online. Everything was going on social media, but because he wasn’t active, he didn’t know about it,” he said. Why Yaw Sarpong was moved from Bishop JY Adu’s home before demise - Son explainsHe explained that the decision to keep the news from his father was taken because of the deep bond Yaw Sarpong shared with Maame Tiwaa, which spanned several decades. “The reason why we didn’t inform him was that my father and Maame Tiwaa knew each other from their young age till they grew old.

General News of Friday, 23 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Minister of the Interior, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, has renewed the curfew hours imposed on Sampa Township in the Jaman North District of the Bono Region. The curfew will now run daily from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM, taking effect from Thursday, January 22, 2026. This decision was made on the advice of the Bono Regional Security Council and enacted through an Executive Instrument (EI). Curfew imposed on Nalerigu townshipAdditionally, a complete ban remains in place on the possession of arms, ammunition, or any offensive weapons by any individual within Sampa Township. The details of the curfew states that anyone found in violation will face immediate arrest and prosecution.

The president began his remarks by touting the economic achievements of his one-year-old government. Mahama went on to open up about the one thing that troubles him, despite his government's achievements. He indicated that Ghana's success would be meaningless unless it is tied to the success of the entire African continent, a point championed by Ghana's first president, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah. “But here's what keeps me up at night: Ghana's success alone is not enough. However admirable Ghana's turnaround story is, we cannot be a jewel in the dust.

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Sports News of Friday, 23 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Algerian Football Federation is preparing to take legal action against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over heavy sanctions imposed on them for indiscipline. During Algeria’s defeat in the quarter-final game against Nigeria, some players and team officials engaged in a brawl that breached disciplinary codes. In response, CAF’s Disciplinary Committee handed down financial penalties amounting to $100,000, alongside sporting sanctions targeting key members of the Algerian squad. The Algerians also stated that they will take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) if the appeal fails. SB/JEMeanwhile, watch as Ghanaians celebrate Senegal's AFCON triumph

Politics of Thursday, 22 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comFormer Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, has urged presidential aspirants of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to conduct themselves honourably in the party’s upcoming flagbearer contest to safeguard its traditions and preserve internal unity. “Please do something honourable for the New Patriotic Party and our tradition,” he said, adding that such challenges in previous contests had destroyed or shaken the unity. Reject aspirants who work against the interest of NPP - Professor Mike OquayeThe peace pact, he explained, was therefore necessary to ensure discipline and mutual respect among the aspirants and their supporters. The NPP presidential primary will be contested by Kennedy Agyapong, Dr Bryan Acheampong, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum and Kwabena Agyei Agyepong. MRA/AMHow can we honour an overthrow at the door of the Republic – Odarteifio asks

General News of Friday, 23 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe High Court (Commercial Division) in Accra has ordered 2024 presidential candidate for the New Force, Nana Kwame Bediako, popularly known as Cheddar, to pay more than US$14.9 million, plus interest and costs, to Cola Holdings Limited, a UK-based company. The enforcement follows a judgment issued by the High Court of England and Wales against Chadder, who also doubles as a business mogul. The original judgment was delivered by Deputy Master Sabic KC of the High Court of England and Wales on January 23, 2025, with subsequent variations granted. 'Invest in assets, not banks' - Nana Kwame Bediako opinesThe total sum remains subject to further increase as interest continues to accrue until the debt is fully settled. As of December 23, 2025, the accrued interest alone amounted to US$1,092,834.64.

General News of Friday, 23 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comA photo has emerged of the 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the Klottey Korle Constituency, Valentino Nortey, after his detention in the United States (US) for allegedly stabbing his wife. The photo, which was shared by wgal.com, a US-based news portal, showed Valentino Nortey in what looked like a prison uniform. The 2024 NPP parliamentary candidate had a shaved head, a full beard with some greying, and was wearing a serious, neutral expression. According to the family of the victim, Gilda Nortey, a US-based nurse, was stabbed three times by her husband. What we know so far about the arrest of 2024 NPP parliamentary candidate in the USBAI/AMFamily gives blow-by-blow account of why former NPP PC stabbed his wifeWhy we picketed against Ofori-Atta not Sedina Tamakloe, others – Arise Ghana explains

Entertainment of Friday, 23 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe father of Ghanaian rapper Kwesi Arthur has added his voice to the ongoing “battle” between the artiste and his former management. On January 22, 2026, GhanaWeb reported that Kwesi Arthur shared a post on social media accusing Ground Up and its CEO of extortion, threats, financial demands, and attempts to block his independent music releases. He stated that since he cannot buy back Kwesi Arthur’s freedom, the label should also produce the sperm from which the musician was conceived. But I am putting it to Kwesi’s management that they should bring back my sperm. I fulfilled all contractual obligations under the label – Kwesi Arthur“I think, as a father, I have to push to every extent possible to get the truth out.

Politics of Friday, 23 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comDr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2024 running mate, has appealed to party members and supporters to keep internal campaign activities peaceful, respectful and focused on issues, warning that tensions must never be allowed to escalate into insults, aggression or violence. Such conduct has no place in our party and does not reflect our values,” he said. “We must do what is necessary to contest ideas and positions, but we must also leave room for reconciliation. When the internal campaign ends, we must be able to return to one another as one party, united in purpose and ready to move forward together,” Dr Opoku Prempeh stated. Dr Opoku Prempeh concluded by calling on all stakeholders to commit to peaceful politics and teamwork, emphasising that the party can only succeed when members build together and protect the bond that holds them together.

Entertainment of Friday, 23 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comIt has been barely a week since Ghanaian gospel legend Yaw Sarpong passed on. Bishop JY Adu, the leader of the New Jerusalem Chapel, who is no stranger to Yaw Sarpong, has shared insights into the final days of the gospel musician. Bishop Adu had been taking care of Yaw Sarpong during his period of illness. Bishop JY Adu additionally shared that the sister of the late gospel musician had built a house for Yaw Sarpong to stay in once he had fully recovered. - Bishop J.Y Adu, Leader of the New Jerusalem Chapel #TheBigAgenda ♬ original sound - AdomTVJHM/SSM

Sports News of Friday, 23 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comJanuary 22, 2024, a night that still lingers painfully in Ghanaian football memory. The shot that followed was poor, flying well over the crossbar and clearly heading out for a goal kick. All Ghana needed was that goal kick. But in a moment that continues to haunt fans, goalkeeper Richard Ofori inexplicably stretched to touch the ball, despite defenders urging him to leave it. Others, however, are still quietly licking the wounds of a night that changed everything in a split second.

In a series of social media posts on January 22, 2026, Kwaw Kese said supporters should stop “making noise” and urged them to help to pay the amount for Kwesi Arthur if it is legitimately owed. Make you people stop making noise and pay for Kwesi Arthur, period,” he posted. Kwaw Kese, in another post, dismissed critics as reacting on emotions rather than understanding the business side of the music contracts. According to Kwaw Kese, this course would allow Kwesi Arthur to move forward with his career. Make you people stop making noise and pay for Kwesi Arthur , period ✌️ — KING KESE (@kwawkese) January 22, 2026You guys just Dey talk out of emotions.