Newspaper Headline, October 1, 2026
This is what the front pages of the papers say:
Daily Graphic
1: Tullow to cough up $393m tax
Summary: Tullow Ghana Limited loses legal battle against the GRA as the International Court of Arbitration of the ICC dismisses its challenge to a $393m tax assessment and penalty
2: GoldBod generates $1.8bn in foreign exchange in September
Summary: The Ghana Gold Board exceeded its September target by $471m, generating $1.8bn in foreign exchange
3: Ghana Law Society launched at maiden annual conference
Summary: The Ghana Law Society has been officially launched at its maiden annual conference
4: Review offshore gold reconnaissance licences
Summary: CSOs urge government to review offshore gold reconnaissance licences
Ghanaian Times
1: Be judges, but remain human — Chief Justice
Summary: Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie urges judges to uphold justice while maintaining humanity
2: Take action to protect your heart – Cardiologist
Summary: A cardiologist advises the public to take proactive steps to protect heart health
3: GoldBod exceeds September FX target by $471m
Summary: The Ghana Gold Board exceeded its September foreign exchange target by $471m
4: Teachers’ strike hits students, vendors
Summary: The ongoing teachers’ strike is affecting students and vendor
Daily Guide
1: GoldBod Bags $1.871bn FX Sept., Targets $1.5bn Oct.
Summary: GoldBod generated $1.871bn in foreign exchange in September and targets $1.5bn for October
2: Court Grants EOCO Warrant To Arrest NPP MP
Summary: Court authorizes EOCO to arrest Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah
3: Man Swallows 5 SIM Cards After Arrest
Summary: A man swallowed 5 SIM cards following his arrest
4: Ghana Emerges As Heroin Transit Hub – Report
Summary: A report identifies Ghana as emerging as a heroin transit hub
5: NPP Announces Schedule For National Election
Summary: The NPP has announced the schedule for its national election
The Chronicle
1. MAIN HEADLINE – Agyarko Warns NDC: WE WON’T SIT DOWN FOR YOU TO BULLY US
Summary: NPP National Chairman hopeful Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko has accused the governing NDC of using state institutions to intimidate opposition members. Citing the recent EOCO attempt to arrest Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court, he warned that the NPP will not sit idly by and will resist any attempt to bully its members through lawful means.
2. GoldBod Generates $1.87bn Forex In September
Summary: The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) generated US$1.871 billion in foreign exchange from its artisanal and small-scale mining gold trade operations in September 2026, exceeding its monthly target of US$1.4 billion. Of the total, the Bank of Ghana sold US$701.3 million to authorized commercial banks to support FX market stability, while it provided US$1.17 billion to the Bank of Ghana for reserve accumulation.
The Metro Lens
1. MAIN HEADLINE – NHIS Inter-School Quiz Competition Launched – Page 8
Summary: The Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Victor Asare Bampoe, has launched the NHIS Inter-School Quiz Competition and a nationwide sensitisation exercise on September 29, 2026, at Kintampo Senior High School in the Bono East Region. The initiative, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service, will involve 48 Senior High Schools (3 from each of the 16 regions) to deepen students’ knowledge of NHIS policies, benefits, digital services and responsibilities.
2. GoldBod Generates US$1.87bn In FX In September, Exceeds Monthly Target – Page 9
Summary: The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) generated US$1.871 billion in foreign exchange from artisanal and small-scale mining gold trade in September 2026, exceeding its US$1.4 billion target. It sold US$701.3 million to commercial banks to stabilize FX, while US$1.17 billion went to the Bank of Ghana to build reserves.
3. Stop Turning Investigation Into Punishment – OccupyGhana To EOCO, NIB – Page 5
Summary: Civil society group OccupyGhana has accused EOCO, the NIB and other investigative bodies of turning investigations into punishment. Citing the PDS Ghana Ltd probe where about 66 accounts have been frozen since April 2026, steep bail increases from GH¢50m to GH¢100m, and thrice-weekly reporting for 5 months without charges, the group urged agencies to charge suspects or lift restrictions and operate within constitutional limits.
4. Martin Amidu Fires JM, CJ Baffoe-Bonnie – Page 4
Summary: Former Attorney General and Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu has accused Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie of being President John Mahama’s surrogate in a long game to control the judiciary. In an article dated September 28, 2026, Amidu criticised comments attributed to the Chief Justice praising Mahama’s agenda, arguing they raise questions about judicial independence and separation of powers.
Day Break
1. MAIN HEADLINE – Diesel @ GH¢22 Gov’t Pauses GH¢1 D-Levy
Summary: Government will suspend the GH¢1-per-litre Energy Sector Shortfall and Debt Repayment Levy (D-Levy) on diesel for October and November to cushion consumers. The total intervention remains GH¢2 per litre – GH¢1 from reduced statutory margins and GH¢1 from the D-Levy suspension. This follows COPEC projections that diesel will rise 22.91% from GH¢18.24 to GH¢22.42 per litre from October 1, driven by higher international prices and cedi depreciation.
2. September Boom: GoldBod Nets US$1.87bn From Small-Scale Gold
Summary: The Ghana Gold Board generated US$1.871 billion in foreign exchange from artisanal and small-scale gold trade in September 2026, exceeding its US$1.4 billion target. CEO Sammy Gyamfi announced US$701.3 million was sold to commercial banks for FX stability and US$1.17 billion to the Bank of Ghana for reserve accumulation.
3. Tameklo to Tanker Drivers: Your Concerns Will Be Fixed
Summary: NPA Chief Executive Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, Esq., has assured the Ghana National Petroleum Tankers Drivers Union of action on welfare concerns during an emergency meeting on September 30, 2026. The drivers, who had suspended strike actions, raised issues over the deplorable Tema Oil Refinery-Kpone road, deteriorating BOST yard, oil loss control, and allowances for long hours on rough roads.
4. CJ: Call It Mischief, I’m Still Human
Summary: Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has responded to criticism over his recent public comments, saying judicial office should not strip judges of their humanity. Speaking at the 45th Annual Conference of the Judges and Magistrates Association, he described some reactions as bordering on pure mischief, stressing that the robe requires restraint but must never require judges to cease being human.
The Dispatch
1. MAIN HEADLINE – GHANA REJECTED NEW U.S. HEALTH COMPACT AID BECAUSE THE CONDITIONS WERE HUMILIATING – MAHAMA – See Page 12
Summary: President John Dramani Mahama has revealed why Ghana rejected the proposed US health compact valued at about $109 million over five years. Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on September 25, 2026, he said Cabinet threw out the compact in record time because it demanded Ghana hand over its pathogen profile and national medical records, commit counterpart funding, and exempt US medical products from FDA inspection. He described the conditions as humiliating and an affront to sovereignty.
2. DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT INTEGRITY WILL NOT BUILD THE GHANA WE WANT – JULIUS DEBRAH – See Page 2
Summary: Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has urged Ghanaians to embrace ethics, accountability and shared values as pillars of national development. Speaking at the National Development Conference, he stressed that progress depends not only on economic growth and infrastructure but on the character of citizens, integrity of institutions, and commitment of leaders to serve with honesty.
3. I DON’T MIND BEING INSULTED; I HAVE CROCODILE SKIN – PREZ MAHAMA – See Page 2
Summary: President Mahama says he is unfazed by personal insults on social media, citing his experience of vilification and being voted out of office. Speaking to the Ghanaian diaspora in New York, he called for a national stakeholder forum by the GJA and MFWA to decide on regulation of TikTok and new media, cautioning against disproportionate arrests over insults.
4. NPP WILL WIN 2028 ELECTIONS IF I AM ELECTED NATIONAL CHAIRMAN – PAUL AFOKO – Story on Page 11
Summary: Former NPP National Chairman Paul Afoko has pledged the party will return to power in 2028 if he is elected chairman. Outlining his 3Rs Blueprint – Reunite, Rebuild and Recapture Power – he said unity is the key ingredient missing and promised to rebuild grassroots structures ahead of the October 3 election in Kumasi.
5. POLICE RE-SCHEDULE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF TRAFFICTECH GH TO NOVEMBER 1, 2026 – See Page 2
Summary: The Ghana Police Service has postponed full implementation of the automated traffic enforcement programme TRAFFICTECH-GH from October 1 to November 1, 2026. The MTTD says the extra month will allow extensive public education on operations, detectable offences, and Electronic Notices of Violation (ENV) to be issued to offending motorists.
The Spyder
1. MAIN HEADLINE – NPP Chairmanship Race Heats Up: Bawumia ally backs Afoko, Survey backs John Boadu …Ahead of Saturday’s Showdown
Summary: Private legal practitioner and National Chairman of Friends of Bawumia, Charles Owusu Juanah, has thrown his weight behind former National Chairman Paul Afoko, saying he is best to unite the party’s warring factions ahead of 2028. Meanwhile, a Political Environment Assessment Survey by Prof. Smart Sarpong and Feedback Africa of 9,882 respondents puts former General Secretary John Boadu in commanding lead with 46.5%, ahead of Boakye Agyarko 24.8% and Afoko 9.1%, ahead of Saturday’s National Delegates Conference in Kumasi.
2. “Roads, Schools, Hospitals Mean Nothing without Morals” – Dr Debrah – See page 3
Summary: Chief of Staff Julius Debrah warns that billions in infrastructure will yield little if those who manage them are corrupt. He stressed development without integrity and morals cannot build the Ghana Ghanaians want, urging ethics and accountability as pillars of national life.
3. High Court Orders Arrest of Manhyia South MP – See page 6
Summary: The Accra High Court has granted EOCO a warrant to arrest Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah and seize relevant documents. EOCO told the court it exhausted all means to secure his voluntary attendance over alleged financial irregularities linked to SIC Life Savings and Loans. The court directed execution through the Speaker of Parliament.
4. Tullow Fumes! Oil giant “disappointed” as ICC tribunal upholds Ghana’s US$393M tax bill – See page 5
Summary: An ICC arbitral tribunal in London has dismissed Tullow Ghana Limited’s claims and upheld in full the GRA’s US$393,091,993.70 tax assessment on business interruption insurance proceeds. The tribunal found no breach of Petroleum Agreements, with penalty properly applied. Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson hailed the September 29, 2026 award as vindication that all companies are subject to Ghana’s laws.
5. Ghana Law Society Proposes National Service, Mandatory Pro Bono for Lawyers – See page 7
Summary: Ghana Law Society President Rockson-Nelson Etse Dafeamekpor has proposed mandatory 10-hour annual pro bono service for every lawyer and National Service postings for newly qualified lawyers to district assemblies, Legal Aid offices and district courts. He said Ghana has fewer than 8,000 lawyers with active certificates, with over 190 districts lacking a single law firm, describing it as a crisis in access to justice.
The Daily Banner
1. MAIN HEADLINE – Armah Buah Has Not Resigned From Goldbod Board – Lands Ministry – See Pgs 9 & 10
Summary: The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has denied reports that Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has resigned from the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod). In a September 29, 2026 press release, the Ministry said he initially served personally on the Board and in January 2026, nominated Chief Director Marcus Haligah to represent him due to a demanding schedule handling two ministries. It stressed the move was purely administrative, consistent with GoldBod governance, with no disagreement.
2. Maiden Black Star Fashion Week To Highlight Ghana’s National Fashion Platform
Summary: Ghana will stage its maiden Black Star Fashion Week as a two-day national experience in Accra on November 4 and Senchi on November 7. Organised by the Presidency-backed Black Star Experience Secretariat led by Rex Owusu Marfo, with Tourism Ministry support, it features a Fashion Summit, 16-Region Designer Programme, masterclasses and workshops on branding, textile innovation, e-commerce and sustainability to showcase Ghanaian fashion globally.
3. Fans call for GFA Dissolution After Ghana’s 4-2 Defeat
Summary: Fans have called for the dissolution of the Ghana Football Association and dismissal of GFA boss Kurt Okraku after the Black Stars surrendered a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2 to The Gambia in a 2027 AFCON qualifier at Accra Sports Stadium. The defeat leaves Ghana bottom of Group C with zero points from two games, sparking demands from supporters, MP Kwame A-Plus and Minister Sam George for a complete rebuild.
4. NPP Announces Voter ID Requirements …Ahead of October 3 National Elections
Summary: The NPP National Officers Elections Committee has announced voting arrangements for the October 3, 2026 National Delegates Conference. Constitutional amendments start at 9:00 a.m., voting for nine national officers across 31 polling stations starts at 12:00 p.m. Delegates must be on the official register and present a Voter ID card, Ghana Card or NPP party card for EC verification.
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