Newspaper Headlines, November 2, 2026
This is what the papers say:
Daily Graphic
1. MAIN HEADLINE: TraffiTech-GH comes alive – Police hopeful system will result in drastic drop in road fatalities
Summary: The Motor Traffic and Transport Department has started full operation of TraffiTech-GH from Sunday Nov 1, 2026. It’s an automated traffic enforcement system using cameras mounted on police vehicles and tripods at key intersections. The system detects speeding and other violations, then sends an electronic violation notice via SMS with video/photo evidence, time, location, and registration number. Police say it will reduce face-to-face enforcement and improve road safety. Initial focus is speeding – 50km/h in towns, 90km/h on highways, 100km/h on motorways. Owners have 14 days to pay the fine or contest in court. Over 70,000 caution notices were issued between Sept 10 – Oct 31 during the education phase. Transport unions had threatened to suspend services over the rollout.
2. Mahama, Putin bilateral talks: Russia signs off on several projects for Ghana
Summary: President John Mahama met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, Oct 28-29. According to Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana secured 6 commitments:
3. Gambia, Zoomlion sign waste management deal
Summary: The Government of The Gambia and Zoomlion Ghana Limited signed a $46 million concession agreement on Oct 28 at State House in Banjul, witnessed by President Adama Barrow. The Integrated Waste Management Project covers Banjul, Kanifing and Brikama. Phase 1 includes financing, designing and building a Mechanical Biological Treatment plant and transfer stations, collection and transport of municipal solid waste, recovery of plastics/metals, and decommissioning of Bakoteh and Mile 2 dumpsites. Phase 2, after 2 years will include liquid waste management and expansion to other regions.
4. GCB growth broadens – Lower rates reshape earnings mix
Summary: GCB Bank is reporting broader growth despite falling interest rates on government securities. The bank is shifting from reliance on T-bills to lending to SMEs and the private sector to sustain earnings.
5. MIIF commissions 5-year project to restore 50-hectare degraded forest
Summary: The Minerals Income Investment Fund has launched a 5-year restoration project to reclaim 50 hectares of degraded forest land affected by mining. The project involves reclamation, tree planting and environmental sustainability in mining communities.
Ghanaian Times
1. MAIN HEADLINE: Alleged student abuse: CRI takes Bolga Girls SHS to CHRAJ
Summary: The Executive Director of Child Rights International, Mr Bright Appiah, has petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice to investigate alleged abuse of a 14-year-old student with special needs by two security personnel at Bolgatanga Girls SHS. The petition also challenges the school’s decision to change the student’s boarding status to day student after its internal investigation, describing her as guilty of sexual misconduct under the GES Code of Conduct. CRI wants CHRAJ to check if due process was followed and if the student’s rights were protected. The two security men, aged 72 and 38, have been arrested and arraigned. The Ministry of Education has condemned the act and ordered medical and counselling support for the student.
2. Northern Ashanti Mines’ lease saga: Asante Akyem chiefs back revocation
Summary: Chiefs in the Asante Akyem area including Konongohene Nana Dr Awuah Abedimisa II have backed the Minerals Commission’s decision to revoke the mining lease of Northern Ashanti Mines. The Commission says the company failed to pay mineral right fees and failed to develop the concession since 2010. The chiefs say no company should be shielded from accountability.
3. Apology without reparatory justice not enough — Pres Mahama
Summary: President John Dramani Mahama has responded to the UK Prime Minister’s openness to a formal apology for the transatlantic slave trade. As AU Champion on Reparations, Mahama said apology alone is not enough. He outlined five priorities for talks with the UK, AU, CARICOM and the diaspora: a formal apology, dismantling systemic racism and Afrophobia, targeted investments in education, health, youth and climate resilience, restitution of stolen cultural artefacts, and strategic development partnerships to fix inequitable global economic systems. The statement follows a Ghana-led UN resolution declaring the slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity.
4. Zoomlion signs waste management deal with Gambia
Summary: The Government of The Gambia and Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of the Jospong Group, signed a $46 million concession agreement on October 28 at State House in Banjul under President Adama Barrow. The Integrated Waste Management Project will cover Banjul, Kanifing and Brikama. Phase 1 will involve Zoomlion financing, designing and building a Mechanical Biological Treatment plant and transfer stations, collecting municipal waste, recovering recyclables, and decommissioning the Bakoteh and Mile 2 dumpsites. Phase 2 after two years will add liquid waste management and expansion to other regions.
Daily Guide
1. MAIN HEADLINE: Northern Ashanti Mines Lease Revocation – Asante-Akyem Chiefs Back Government
Summary: Chiefs in the Asante-Akyem enclave including Konongo Chief Nana Awuah Abedimisa II and Mennamhene Nana Tweneboah Kodua Bempah have backed the Minerals Commission’s decision to terminate the mining lease of Northern Ashanti Mines (formerly Owere Mines). The Commission says the company acquired 595 blocks in 2010 but failed to pay Annual Mineral Right fees, accumulating over $8.33m in debt. The company, which says it invested over $200m, has sued to block the takeover, but the chiefs say the revocation is justified and are demanding transparency for a new investor. thecustodianghonline.com
2. Syrian Arrested In Lebanon With 40kg Cocaine From Ghana
Summary: Lebanese authorities arrested a Syrian passenger, identified as B.H., at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport on Saturday Oct 31, in the largest drug bust in the airport’s history. He arrived from Accra on Middle East Airlines flight MEA 576 with two bags containing 40 packages of suspected cocaine, about 40kg – Lebanese Customs put it at 46.7kg. Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) says it was a coordinated controlled delivery with Lebanese authorities and it is now hunting accomplices in Ghana.
3. ‘Govt Issues Service Passports To 6 With Fake Titles’ – Justin Kodua Frimpong
Summary: NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong has petitioned the US Chargé d’Affaires in Ghana, Rolf Olson, to suspend diplomatic courtesies for 6 service passport holders. In letters dated Aug 6 and 7, 2026, the Foreign Ministry approved passports for 3 people as NADMO officials and 3 as Fisheries Commission officials. NPP claims other officers hold those positions or that they don’t exist, and says the passports are irregular because they rest on misdescribed titles. The party wants enhanced verification for all Ghanaian diplomatic/service passports issued since Jan 7, 2025.
4. Mfantsipim Celebrates Alex Dadey, Others At 150th Anniversary Dinner
Summary: Mfantsipim School held its 150th Anniversary Awards and Fundraising Dinner on Saturday Oct 31, 2026. KGL Group Executive Chairman Alex Apau Dadey was honoured with the Partner of Impact Award and a special recognition award. The gala also honoured teaching and non-teaching staff and other alumni, featured a live auction of custom Caveman watches and an anthology, and raised funds for legacy infrastructure projects.
5. Stop Personal Attacks Over Nawara Licence Cancellation – CMS-PRO Tells Kpebu
Summary: Related to the mining lease disputes in the Akyem Abuakwa area, the Operations Director of CMS-PRO / AA Southern Industries has called for an end to personal attacks following the revocation of the Nawara/Narawa mining licence. The company says it legitimately took over after the Minerals Commission revoked the previous licence, and disputes claims of illegal mining and harassment linked to the concession.
The Ghanaian Publisher
1. MAIN HEADLINE: NAML Revocation – Asante Akyem Chiefs Back Action
Summary: Traditional authorities in Asante Akyem, led by the Chief of Konongo Nana Awuah Abedimisa II, have endorsed the Minerals Commission’s revocation of Northern Ashanti Mines Limited’s mining lease. The chiefs say the company failed to meet statutory obligations, including payment of mineral right fees and development of its Konongo concession. The Commission says the lease reverted to the state and will be reallocated after following due process.
2. GoldBod Targets Reforms In 6 Months
Summary: CEO of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, says under the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), GoldBod will organize eligible informal small-scale miners into cooperatives and complete their formalization and licensing within six months. The miners will get training in sustainable mining, mercury-free processing and land reclamation, and will be allocated approved mineralized areas. The programme has Cabinet approval and is in an amendment bill to the Minerals and Mining Act.
3. GCB Bank Posts Strong 9-Month Growth
Summary: GCB Bank has posted strong performance in the first 9 months of 2026. Despite lower rates on Treasury securities, the bank grew by expanding private sector and SME lending and growing digital banking income.
4. Minerals C’ssion Cleared Narawa Leases – CMS-PRO, A&A Insist
Summary: CMS-PRO Construction says the Minerals Commission lawfully cleared and revoked the previous leases at Narawa in the Akyem Abuakwa area before granting them to CMS-PRO. The company says it holds valid documents and denies accusations of illegal takeover.
5. GH¢49.1m Trial: Why Adu-Boahene Could Walk Free
Summary: Former National Signals Bureau Director-General Kwabena Adu-Boahene and two others are on trial over alleged diversion of GH¢49.1m meant for a $7m cyber defence system. The prosecution has closed its case after four witnesses. The defence filed a no-case submission arguing the state has weak, inconsistent evidence – including that the prosecution’s own finance head described the payments as genuine special operations transactions, that accounts called personal were actually operational national security accounts, and that the cedi/dollar conversion does not match. The AG says evidence points decisively to guilt. The court will rule on the no-case submission on Nov 5, 2026.
6. NEIP Rolls Out CREATE, EMPOWED Initiatives
Summary: Under Deputy CEO Joan Selasie Ahiawordor, NEIP has launched two initiatives under the Ghana Women and Youth Employment and Social Cohesion Project. CREATE, launched Oct 28 in Tamale, trains youth 18-35 in digital skills and content creation to promote tourism and cultural heritage. EMPOWED, launched Oct 30 in Bolgatanga, targets women 16+ and persons with disabilities, providing vocational training, equipment, funding and business development services. The GWYESCO project will run 2026-2028 in seven regions – Upper East, Upper West, Northern, Northeast, Savannah, Central and Eastern.
The Chronicle
1. MAIN HEADLINE: Asante Akyem Chiefs Back Revocation …Of Northern Ashanti Mines Lease
Summary: Traditional authorities in Asante Akyem, including Konongohene Nana Dr. Awuah Abedimisa II, have backed the Minerals Commission’s decision to revoke the mining lease of Northern Ashanti Mines Limited (NAML), formerly Owere Mines. The chiefs say the company held 595 blocks at Konongo since 2010 but failed to pay Annual Mineral Right fees and failed to invest in meaningful mining. The Commission terminated the lease on April 30, 2026 under the Minerals and Mining Act, Act 703, saying mineral rights have reverted to the state. NAML, which claims $110m-$200m investment, has filed a judicial review and injunction in Accra High Court against the takeover.
2. NSB Case: Adu-Boahene’s Lawyers Challenge Prosecution’s Evidence
Summary: Lawyers for former National Signals Bureau boss Kwabena Adu-Boahene and his wife Angela Adjei Boateng have filed a submission of no-case in the GH¢49.1m cyber defence procurement case. The defence argues the prosecution’s case is weak and inconsistent. Key witness Edith Ruby Opokua Adumuah, Head of Finance at NSB, testified that operational cash movements in “Ghana Must Go” bags were routine for special operations and that accounts described as personal were actually NSB operational accounts. The defence also points to discrepancies in cedi/dollar conversion and says the state has not proved criminal intent. The state closed its case after four witnesses. The Attorney-General’s office says evidence points to diversion of funds for personal use. Ruling on the no-case submission is set for November 5, 2026.
3. CMS-PRO, A&A Southern Deny Alfred Mahama’s Involvement In Nawara Concession Revocation
Summary: CMS-PRO Construction Ltd and A&A Southern Industries have denied claims that Alfred Mahama, brother of President John Mahama, influenced the revocation of mining leases at Nawara/Nawara in the Akyem Abuakwa area. The companies insist the Minerals Commission independently revoked the previous holder’s leases for non-compliance before allocating the concession to them. They say all documentation is lawful and due process was followed, and they have not received political protection or interference.
The Daily Searchlight
1. MAIN HEADLINE: Narawa Saga – TWO MINING COMPANIES CHARGE ON MARTIN KPEBU!
Summary: CMS-PRO Industries & Construction Ltd says it rejects claims made by lawyer Martin Kpebu that the company used armed men and National Security deployment to take over the Narawa/Nawara concession in Akyem Abuakwa. The company says the Minerals Commission lawfully revoked the previous holder’s leases before allocating them, and the takeover was done with proper Minerals Commission procedure, not with soldiers. CMS-PRO and A&A Southern Industries say the statements by Kpebu are defamatory and they threaten legal action.
2. Eight Killed, 21 Injured In Gory Accident!
Summary: Eight people died and 21 were injured after an Ivorian-registered passenger bus with number AB-415-AN, heading towards Benin, rammed into a parked Burkinabe bus KJA-5604J at Azuletti near Samenye on the Elubo-Takoradi Highway on Thursday October 29 at 7:26pm. The Ghana National Fire Service Elubo station said the parked bus was blocking one lane. Seven died on the spot and one died later in hospital. Preliminary investigations point to speeding and obstruction.
3. Judicial Service Appeals To JUSAG To End Strike As Salary Negotiations Continue
Summary: Management of the Judicial Service, through Judicial Secretary Musah Ahmed, has appealed to the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana to suspend its indefinite strike declared from Monday November 2, 2026. JUSAG says government failed to approve the Judicial Council’s recommendations for the 2026 salary review and to pay arrears from January to October by end of October. Management says it is in high-level, good-faith negotiations with government stakeholders and asks staff to return to work in the national interest while talks continue. JUSAG General Secretary Abdulai Yakubu says they will attend a meeting with the Labour Ministry on Nov 2 but will not compromise on demands.
4. Two Techiman SHS Teachers In Hot Waters! As GES Probes Assault On Final Year Student
Summary: The Ghana Education Service is investigating two Techiman Senior High School teachers, Jerry Jones Owusu Bekoe and Adusa Ameyaw, after a viral video showed them assaulting final-year Agric Science student Seedorf Abeka Ampah, including stepping on his head. On the instruction of Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, Deputy Minister Dr Clement Apaak referred the case to the GES Director-General for urgent investigation. GES says the school disciplinary committee has held an initial hearing and will forward findings through the Regional Directorate. The student has received medical attention and is responding to treatment.
5. Trump & Mamdani Intervenes To Secure US Visa For Mother Of Ghanaian Teenager Shot Dead In New York
Summary: US President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani have intervened to secure an immediate US visa for Doris Gyamfi, mother of 15-year-old Ghanaian student Javits Frimpong who was shot dead on his way to school in the Bronx on Thursday Oct 29. Javits, a 10th-grade student at DreamYard Preparatory School, moved from Ghana in October 2025 to join his father. Mayor Mamdani said after a phone call, Trump agreed to grant the visa so the mother in Kumasi can travel to say goodbye to her son. NYPD is hunting three teenage suspects. Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says government will cover travel and assist with funeral arrangements.
The Daily Statesman
1. MAIN HEADLINE: 9% PAY RISE INSULT TO WORKERS – Minority demands review
Summary: The Minority Caucus on Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions, led by Ranking Member Mavis Nkansah-Boadu MP for Afigya Sekyere East, has rejected the Multi-Year Public Service Remuneration Agreement signed October 28, 2026. The deal gives public sector workers 9% total remuneration in 2027 (8% base pay + 1% conditions of service) and 10% in 2028. The Minority calls it an insult and a direct assault on dignity, saying 10% in 2025 and 9% in 2026 already lagged behind living costs. They argue electricity tariffs have risen about 29% since start of 2025 and water about 18%, plus 8% transport fare hike from September 2026, wiping out pay gains. They demand immediate reconvening of the Public Services Joint Standing Negotiating Committee to negotiate a living wage and want Organised Labour to publish its proposals and explain why it accepted a two-year lock-in.
2. Mfantsipim marks 150 years with awards and fundraising dinner
Summary: Mfantsipim School held its 150th Anniversary Awards and Fundraising Dinner on Saturday October 31, 2026. KGL Group Executive Chairman Alex Apau Dadey was honoured with the Partner of Impact Award and a special award. The event celebrated distinguished old boys, staff and sponsors like KGL Group and Margins Group, and raised funds through an auction of custom Caveman watches and an anniversary anthology to support legacy infrastructure projects.
3. Don’t stay silent on corruption – COKA tells churches
Summary: Leading NPP member Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, known as COKA, has charged churches not to stay silent on corruption and national governance issues. He says the clergy, like Biblical prophets, must be the moral conscience of society and speak against corruption, injustice and poor governance regardless of which party is in power, instead of only focusing on prayers and fasting.
4. Courts face shutdown …as JUSAG begins indefinite strike today
Summary: The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has declared an indefinite nationwide strike effective today, Monday, November 2, 2026, over government’s failure to approve the Judicial Council’s recommendations for salary review and allowances for 2026. General Secretary Abdulai Yakubu says the deadline for approval and payment of arrears from January expired on October 30. Judicial Secretary Musah Ahmed, on behalf of Judicial Service management, has appealed to JUSAG to return to work, saying high-level good-faith negotiations are ongoing with government stakeholders to reach a fair outcome. Courts are expected to be heavily affected if the strike continues.
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