Sports News of Thursday, 22 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Black Stars are set to take on Austria in an international friendly as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The game against Austria will take place in Vienna at the Ernst Happel Stadium on March 27, 2026, as the team assesses its players and overall strength ahead of the Mundial. US Embassy congratulates Black Stars on 2026 World Cup qualificationThree days later, the Black Stars will face Germany in Stuttgart on March 30, 2026, in their final friendly of the international break. Germany have been drawn into Group E for the 2026 World Cup, which includes Curaçao, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ecuador. The Black Stars on the other hand are in Group L alongside England, Panama, and Croatia.

Politics of Thursday, 22 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Chairman of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Presidential Election Committee, Joseph Osei-Owusu, popularly known as Joe Wise, has explained that the peace pact being introduced for the party’s presidential aspirants is aimed at safeguarding unity and confidence in the internal electoral process. He noted that the NPP expects all aspirants to commit to accepting the outcome of the contest and supporting whoever eventually wins. Joe Wise explained that such a commitment would give party members the confidence to participate freely in campaigning and voting without fear of division or post-election tensions. He further stressed that the peace pact is not a mere formality but one that should be treated seriously by all involved. MAG/MAFamily gives blow-by-blow account of why former NPP PC stabbed his wife

NPP Presidential primaries: Voting underway in Koforidua as 1,030 delegates voteAccording to a citinewsroom.com report on January 22, 2026, Osei-Owusu said constituencies with more than 1,000 delegates have been allocated additional voting points within the same locality. This arrangement, he said, resulted in the creation of 333 polling centres nationwide, including one at the party’s headquarters in Accra. According to him, the party worked closely with the EC to identify voting centres, with each constituency generally having one polling station. Results will be declared at polling centres, collated at regional centres and finally announced at the party’s headquarters in Accra, where the winner will be officially presented to the public. The five aspirants contesting the NPP presidential primaries are Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Dr Bryan Acheampong, and Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum.

Sports News of Thursday, 22 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comCristiano Ronaldo's statue has been set ablaze by a man who filmed the incident and posted it online. In the viral video, the suspect is seen pouring a flammable liquid over the bronze statue outside the CR7 Museum in Funchal before igniting it with a lighter. Madeira police confirmed they had identified the suspect, noting that he was already known to authorities for involvement in similar incidents. Reports later indicated that Portuguese authorities made an arrest in connection with the case, with investigations ongoing to assess the damage to the statue and any potential legal consequences. Watch the video below:FKA/JEMeanwhile, watch as Ghanaians celebrate Senegal's AFCON triumph

Her lawyer, Gary Nimako Marfo, told the court that the defence could not finalise its witnesses until it had fully assessed the prosecution’s evidence. The judge rejected the explanation, stressing that court orders are compulsory and cannot be obeyed at convenience. Oware-Mensah has pleaded not guilty to charges including willfully causing financial loss, money laundering, stealing, and using public office for profit. The case follows charges filed on October 13, 2025 by the Attorney General against Gifty Oware-Mensah and former NSA Executive Director, Osei Assibey Antwi. The total value of offences linked to him is estimated at GH¢615 million, while Oware-Mensah faces five counts related to stealing and willfully causing financial loss.

Business News of Thursday, 22 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe National Identification Authority (NIA) has announced an adjustment in the prices of some of its services, according to a public notice issued by the Authority. In the notice titled “Notice of Price Increment,” the NIA said the adjustment will affect the cost of several services offered to the public. “We wish to respectfully inform the general public that there will be an adjustment in the prices of the following services,” the notice stated, before listing the affected services. The authority explained that the price adjustment has become necessary to help it maintain and improve the quality of services it provides to the public. The NIA did not state the new prices on the flyer but appealed to the public for understanding and support.

Now, those conversations have moved politicians who are regarded as the elite class of Ghanaian society, and who have found themselves in the hands of US law enforcement agencies for various legal breaches. Ken Ofori-Atta:Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana’s longest-serving Minister of Finance, is one of the notable Ghanaians who is in the grips of US law enforcement agencies. The former minister was detained by officials of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for allegedly overstaying in the US. Government files extradition request for Ken Ofori-AttaSedina Tamakloe-Attionu:Former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, is the second Ghanaian politician in the hands of a US law enforcement agency. It is also believed to likely be in relation to an extradition request filed by the government of Ghana after her conviction in 2024.

Politics of Thursday, 22 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe National Democratic Congress (NDC) has scheduled February 7, 2026, for its parliamentary primary to select a candidate for the Ayawaso East Constituency by-election. In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the party outlined procedures for nominations, filing, vetting, and the conduct of the primary. In the statement, aspirants and stakeholders were urged to respect the timelines and uphold decency, unity, and fairness throughout the process. According to the NDC, nomination forms will cost GH¢5,000, while the filing fee has been pegged at GH¢40,000. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) further indicated that a certified copy of the delegates’ list will be provided to aspirants once payment of the filing fee has been verified.

General News of Thursday, 22 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, has criticised some Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) for failing to properly supervise sanitation contracts. Speaking during a recent inspection tour, she cautioned officials against assigning cleaning work to assembly staff. The regional minister also expressed dissatisfaction with sanitation efforts in Okaikwei North and Gbawe Central, noting that while progress in other areas had been encouraging, performance in these two municipalities remained poor. EXPLAINER: Why government is reintroducing National Sanitation Day“So far, so good, with the exception of Okaikwei North and Ga Central. According to the minister, both municipalities continue to face sanitation challenges because they fail to properly monitor the contractors hired to undertake cleaning activities.

General News of Thursday, 22 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Lead Convenor of Arise Ghana, Bernard Mornah, has taken a swipe at Frank Davies, lawyer for former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, following remarks he believes were directed at him personally. Recently, Frank Davies, in an interview on JoyNews, cautioned Bernard Mornah against making sweeping allegations about his client, Ken Ofori-Atta, without evidence. Frank Davies responds to Bernard Mornah's accusations against Ken Ofori-AttaAccording to Bernard Mornah, Frank Davies has no right to caution him over his choice of words. Bernard Mornah further questioned the integrity of Frank Davies, accusing him of misleading the country about the health condition of the former finance minister. Mornah accuses Ken Ofori-Atta of 'economic miscarriage', demands his return from USHe further questioned the legal practitioner over whether Ken Ofori-Atta, following his arrest and detention by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is currently receiving medical treatment.

General News of Thursday, 22 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) taskforce at Awoshie Market has arrested 15 trotro drivers over allegations of overcharging passengers. Although the identities of the arrested drivers have not been made public, authorities claim they exploited passengers by imposing inflated fares without justification. However, a union representative, in an interview, argued that the drivers did not charge multiple fares and described the arrests as unjust. This crackdown reflects the government’s commitment to protecting passengers and ensuring transparency in the transport sector. The arrested drivers remain in AMA custody for further investigations as authorities work to prevent future incidents of price-gouging and protect commuters from exploitation.

Entertainment of Thursday, 22 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe social media back-and-forth between actress Benedicta Gafah and Florence Obinim, wife of popular pastor Bishop Daniel Obinim, appears far from over, as the actress has made another post. Recently, GhanaWeb reported Florence Obinim’s claim that Benedicta Gafah does not meet her standards and therefore has no reason to undergo plastic surgery to resemble her. In response to those statements and other comments circulating online, Benedicta Gafah has taken a swipe at the gospel musician in a cryptic TikTok post. In the viral video, the actress questioned why Florence Obinim continues to mention her name in interviews even though they are not friends. 'Benedicta Gafah isn't my benchmark' - Florence Obinim fires back at plastic surgery claimsAccording to her, if Florence Obinim does not desist from mentioning her name, she would “forever be her nightmare.”“From the look of things, I think I’ll forever be her nightmare.

General News of Thursday, 22 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Okaikwei North, Christian Tetteh Badger, had a day to forget when Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, paid a surprise visit to his area. The MCE was publicly rebuked by the minister for allegedly failing to ensure proper measures were in place for the observance of “Sanitation Day.”A video of the incident captured Linda Ocloo expressing her displeasure and chastising the MCE. As MCE, you said you don't know that today is Sanitation Day. Here is why Linda Ocloo is vowing to shut down St Olives Grammar SchoolThe regional minister also warned that sanitation will be a key metric by which President John Dramani Mahama will assess local government appointees. Move around in terms of sanitation, and that's the KPI His Excellency will be using very soon,” she added.

Politics of Thursday, 22 January 2026Source: www.ghanaweb.comThe Director of Legal Affairs of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Edudzi Tameklo, says that the case involving former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has gone beyond an immigration matter, following the filing of an extradition request by the government of Ghana. In an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Tameklo explained that during recent court proceedings in the United States, a judge requested a copy of Ghana’s extradition request, a development he said significantly changes the nature of the case. Tameklo recalled that from the outset, Ofori-Atta’s lawyers informed the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) that he was in the United States for medical reasons and provided a timeline for his return. “It’s important to note that the prosecutor handling his case was appointed while Ken served as finance minister. During yesterday’s proceedings, the judge acknowledged that the government of Ghana had submitted an extradition request, which he insisted on reviewing a copy of, which significantly alters the situation.

If Mr Ofori-Atta would not come, go ahead and try him in absentia. He also dismissed claims that Ofori-Atta would face humiliation if he returned to Ghana, arguing that arrest and bail are standard legal procedures. Pratt warned that the case could drag on for years due to Ofori-Atta’s resources and access to top legal representation. - Bernard Mornah claps back at Frank Davies in Ofori-Atta detention saga“This case can drag for 10 years or more given the fact that Mr Ofori-Atta appears to have substantial resources at his disposal. I cannot understand why there is this standoff, him refusing to come and all the drama and so on,” he concluded.