Newspaper Headlines, September 14, 2026

This is what the papers say:

Daily Graphic

1. LEAD STORY: Govt commits special funding to Free SHS

Sub-headline: Double track to end 2027 — President Mahama

Summary: President John Dramani Mahama says government has created dedicated funding for Free SHS to address delays in release of funds to schools. He says the arrangement has improved food supply and reduced complaints from SHS heads. The government is also working with the World Bank to mobilize a $300 million facility to end the double-track system in SHSs by the end of 2027. Scrapping the double-track will allow all students to attend school at the same time and increase contact hours. He disclosed this at a town hall meeting in Wa, Upper West Region last Saturday.

2. Collective action needed to tackle plastic menace — Page 16

Summary: The story on page 16 calls for a joint effort from government, private sector, and citizens to fight plastic pollution in Ghana.

3. Stakeholders agree to decongest Tema Port — Page 13

Summary: Shipping and port stakeholders have agreed on measures to reduce congestion at Tema Port and improve efficiency.

4. President assures Upper West of improved roads by 2027 — Page 13

Summary: President Mahama has assured residents of the Upper West Region that major roads in the region will see significant improvement by 2027.

Ghanaian Times

1. MAIN STORY: Flood control measures: Kpeshie Lagoon buffer zone cleared: Over 20 structures demolished at Laboma – Page 12

Summary: As part of government flood control measures, authorities have cleared the buffer zone of the Kpeshie Lagoon at Laboma. Authorities demolished over 20 illegal structures built on the waterway to allow free water flow and prevent flooding in Accra.

2. GRA proposes new tax policy under MTS

Summary: The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has proposed a new tax policy under its Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) to improve revenue mobilization.

3. 583 adolescents treated for suicide-related cases in 2 yrs: Academic pressure, bullying among key triggers — GHS — Page 13

Summary: The Ghana Health Service (GHS) reveals 583 adolescents have been treated for suicide-related cases in the last two years. Key causes cited are academic pressure and bullying in schools.

4. 110 children receive lifesaving heart care: As Medical Trust Fund transforms cardiac treatment — Page 3

Summary: 110 children have received life-saving heart surgeries/care under the Medical Trust Fund, which is transforming access to cardiac treatment in Ghana.

5. No Cabinet approval for Chinese, Arabic in schools — Pres Mahama — Page 15

Summary: President John Mahama says Cabinet has not approved the introduction of Chinese and Arabic languages as subjects in basic schools, dismissing reports.

Daily Guide

1. MAIN HEADLINE: National Cathedral Brouhaha – NDC Must Apologise To NPP Over Corruption Claims – Gbande

Summary: Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Mustapha Gbande (pictured), says the NDC must apologise to the NPP after corruption claims made against the National Cathedral project were found to be untrue. Full story on page 3.

2. Bawa-Rock Donates GH¢1.5m To Obuasi Fire Victims

Summary: Eric Addae Boating, aka Bawa-Rock, has donated GH¢1.5 million in cash and items to victims of the recent Obuasi fire. Photo shows him handing over to Faustilove Appiah Kannin. Story on page 7.

3. 4 More Ghanaian Languages Developed – BGL Boss

Summary: The Bureau of Ghana Languages (BGL) boss Ebenezer Ahiator says 4 more Ghanaian languages have been developed and added to the curriculum. Story on page 6.

4. Remove Upper Denkyira West DCE – Traditional Council To Govt

Summary: The Traditional Council of Upper Denkyira, led by Barima Sarpin II (2nd L), is calling on the government to remove the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Upper Denkyira West. They addressed a press conference.

5. Adu-Boahene Trial: No Assets Of Accused Persons Linked To GH¢49.1m

Summary: In the ongoing trial of Kwabena Adu-Boahene, it has emerged that no assets of the accused persons have been linked to the GH¢49.1m in question.

The Daily Statesman

1. MAIN HEADLINE: FRANCE SEIZES €225M COCAINE SHIPMENT FROM GHANA

Summary: French customs at Dunkirk port intercepted a massive cocaine shipment worth €225 million hidden in a container that departed from Ghana. The container was declared as plastic waste. This is the same seizure cited by the Minority in Parliament last Saturday (they quoted $260m). The paper says details on page 2.

2. NPP must unite behind Bawumia – Annoh-Dompreh

Summary: Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh is calling on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rally and unite behind former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the party’s flagbearer going into the 2028 elections.

3. Asuman-Frimpong wins Forty Under 40 Award

Summary: Asuman-Frimpong has been recognized at the Forty Under 40 Awards, an awards scheme that celebrates young Ghanaian achievers under the age of 40 excelling in various industries.

4. Adu Boahene trial: Prosecution closes case with Gh¢49.1m asset trail untraced

Summary: In the ongoing trial of Kwabena Adu Boahene, former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), the prosecution has closed its case. According to the paper, the State’s fourth and final witness (PW4), a Financial Intelligence Centre investigator, testified that a Gh¢49.1 million asset trail linked to the accused remains untraced. Full story on page 2.

The Metro Lens

1. MAIN HEADLINE: $1 Billion Drug Busts! – Minority asks: How Much Cocaine Is Passing Through Ghana Undetected? [Page 8]

Summary: This is the lead story on the Minority’s press statement. The paper reports that drug seizures linked to Ghana in the last 18 months have hit over $1 Billion, including the recent €225M France seizure, the $261M Australia meth seizure, and local busts like the $350M Pedu Junction cocaine. Minority Ranking Member John Ntim Fordjour (pictured) is asking how much is passing through Ghana’s ports and airports undetected, since only 10% of drugs are intercepted globally.

2. “NDC Has Deceived Ghanaians” – “Let’s Unite for Victory in 2028,” Annoh-Dompreh Tells NPP Members [Page 4]

Summary: Nsawam Adoagyiri MP and Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh (pictured) says the NDC government has deceived Ghanaians since taking office, and is urging NPP members to put aside differences and unite for victory in the 2028 elections behind Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

3. Police Interdict Officer Over Death of 23-Year-Old Ivan Baidoo [Page 9]

Summary: The Ghana Police Service has interdicted a police officer in connection with the death of 23-year-old Ivan Baidoo. The paper says full details are on page 9.

4. ‘Life Is Short’ Hitmaker Bernice Offei Dies at 63 [Page 2]

Summary: Ghanaian Gospel legend Bernice Offei (pictured), known for her hit song ‘Life Is Short’, has died at age 63. The story is on page 2.

The New Publisher

1. MAIN HEADLINE: Excuses Will Not Educate A Child

Sub: Afenyo-Markin Tells Gov’t To Fix The Crisis

Summary: Minority Leader Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin is urging government to stop making excuses and address the current crisis in the education sector.

2. 12 Months Of Cocaine Deals – Minority Demands Probe

Summary: The Minority in Parliament says the last 12 months have seen a surge in cocaine deals linked to Ghana, with seizures worth over $1 Billion including the recent €225M France bust, and is demanding a full parliamentary probe.

3. Bernice Offei Is Dead

Summary: Legendary Ghanaian gospel musician Bernice Offei, known for the hit song ‘Life Is Short’, has passed away.

4. Diesel to hit GH¢19.07, Petrol, GH¢16.26

Summary: Fuel prices are expected to go up in the next pricing window, with diesel projected at GH¢19.07 per litre and petrol at GH¢16.26.

5. Laboma Beach Demolished!

Summary: Over 20 structures at Laboma Beach in Accra have been demolished by authorities at the Kpeshie Lagoon buffer zone as part of measures to allow free flow of water and control flooding.

The Daily Searchlight

1. MAIN HEADLINE: PETROL, DIESEL PRICES GOING UP? …COPEC Projects Fresh Fuel Price Surge

Summary: The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) is projecting a fresh surge in fuel prices in the next pricing window, with petrol and diesel expected to go up.

2. GNAPS Demands Complete Abolition of 15 Percent SHS Priority Placement Allocation as Placement Crisis Deepen

Summary: The Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) is demanding the complete abolition of the 15% priority placement for public schools, as the SHS placement crisis deepens. Page 10.

3. Probe Military Killing of Lecturer! – Kusaug Youth Demand

Summary: Youth of Kusaug are demanding a probe into the alleged killing of a lecturer by military personnel. Page 9. Photo shows military convoy.

4. Mahama Says Christians Can Fund National Cathedral as He Rejects Tax-payer Financing

Summary: President John Mahama (pictured) says Christians can fund the National Cathedral project themselves, as he rejects using taxpayer money for it. Page 7.

Daily Democrat

1. MAIN HEADLINE: GCB Staff Transform Oblogo School Nursery Block

Summary: Staff of GCB Bank have renovated and transformed the nursery block of the Oblogo school. The photo shows pupils and teachers in front of the refurbished building. Story on pages 2,3,4,10 & 11.

2. Dampare Declares Bid for Fanteakwa South NDC Chairmanship

Sub: Unveils “Resetting Fanteakwa South” agenda ahead of 2028

Summary: Dampare (pictured in NDC shirt) has declared his intention to contest for the Fanteakwa South NDC Constituency Chairmanship, unveiling his “Resetting Fanteakwa South” agenda ahead of the 2028 elections.

3. Dr. Ofori Sarpong Hails PRESEC After Historic Ninth NSMQ Triumph

Summary: Businessman Dr. Ofori Sarpong has congratulated PRESEC Legon for winning a historic 9th National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) title.

4. Banner: GRA announces new policy proposal under MTS initiative

Summary: The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has announced a new policy proposal under its Modernization and Transformation Strategy (MTS) initiative.

The Informer

1. MAIN HEADLINE: Majority Accuses IMF Of Sabotage, Doing NPP Bidding …Says Its Reports Are Anti-Govt

Summary: The NDC Majority in Parliament is accusing the IMF and its Country Director to Ghana, Dr. Adrian Alter (pictured middle), of sabotage and doing the bidding of the NPP, claiming recent IMF reports are deliberately anti-government. Story on Page 3. Photo right is Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Dafeamekpor.

2. National Cathedral Not My Priority – Mahama Declares

Summary: President John Mahama says the National Cathedral project is not his priority. Page 4.

3. Haruna Jabs Adutwum …”You Left Bad Educational System”

Summary: Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has taken a jab at former Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum (pictured), saying he left behind a bad educational system. Page 5.

4. CSSPS Failure: Return School Placement Authority to Headteachers – Ex-GES Boss

Summary: A former GES Boss is calling for the authority for school placements under the CSSPS to be returned to headteachers following failures in the placement system. Page 12.

5. GPRTU Bares Teeth @ Govt …Over 21-Day Auction Rule for Broken-Down Vehicles

Summary: The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) is angry with the government over a new 21-day auction rule for broken-down and abandoned vehicles on the roads. Page 12.

6. Minority Demands Probe Into $1bn …Ghana-Linked Drug Seizures

Summary: The Minority led by Reverend John Ntim Fordjour (pictured) is demanding a probe into over $1 billion worth of Ghana-linked drug seizures in the last 12 months. Page 2.

The Ghanaian Publisher

1. MAIN HEADLINE: Adu-Boahene Trial: Assets Not Linked To GH¢49.1m

Summary: In the ongoing trial of Kwabena Adu-Boahene (pictured), it has been revealed in court that no assets of the accused persons have been linked to the GH¢49.1 million in question. See page 3.

2. $1bn Drug Busts Under Mahama …Minority Demands Answers

Summary: The Minority in Parliament is demanding answers from President John Mahama (pictured) over $1 Billion worth of drug busts linked to Ghana in the last 12 months, including the recent €225M bust in France. See page 2.

3. NPP Warns Of Fresh Energy Sector Debt

Summary: The opposition NPP is warning government of a looming fresh debt crisis in the energy sector. See page 2.

4. GCB Staff Equip Tamale Teaching Hospital NICU

Summary: Staff of GCB Bank have equipped the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Tamale Teaching Hospital with new equipment. See page 6.

Graphic Business

1. MAIN STORY: GH¢225bn in, GH¢234bn out

Sub: Taxes funded 86% of revenue as wages, transfers and debt interest absorbed 80% of spending

Summary: Ghana’s 2025 public finances in detail. Source: Ministry of Finance.

• MONEY COMING IN – GH¢224.88bn total:

Direct taxes GH¢95.24bn, Indirect taxes GH¢74.20bn, International trade taxes GH¢23.30bn, Non-tax revenue GH¢27.87bn, Grants GH¢1.82bn, Others GH¢2.44bn.

Key takeaway: Taxes fund 85% of all income.

• MONEY GOING OUT – GH¢233.78bn total:

Compensation of employees GH¢78.97bn, Grants to other gov’t units GH¢57.72bn, Interest payments GH¢49.89bn, Capital expenditure GH¢20.24bn, Other expenditure GH¢17.87bn, Use of goods and services GH¢6.09bn, Social benefits GH¢2.91bn, Subsidies GH¢0.09bn.

Key takeaway: Debt interest = GH¢22 of every GH¢100 earned. Investment in capex = only 9% of spending.

• SHORTFALL: GH¢8.90bn deficit – Spent GH¢8.98bn more than earned (about 4 pesewas short for every cedi earned).

The story by Suleiman Mustapha says Ghana’s economy is still operating under tight fiscal constraints, with tax revenue carrying most of the burden.

2. Financial sector steps up fight as cyber fraud rises 48% — Page 2

Summary: Banks and financial institutions are intensifying security measures as cyber fraud cases in the financial sector have jumped by 48%.

3. How Ghana’s ageing stadiums keep swallowing money — Back Page

Summary: Investigative piece on how old national stadiums continue to consume huge maintenance funds without generating enough revenue.

Graphic Sports

1. LEAD STORY: £10m Ghana Sunderland deal in limbo

Summary: Ghana’s proposed £10 million (about GH¢153 million) “Visit Ghana” front-of-shirt partnership with Sunderland AFC is in danger of collapse. After six months of negotiations with Visit Ghana and Government of Ghana reps, Sunderland is now proceeding on the assumption that the sponsorship will not happen because they have not received formal approval from Accra. The deal was supposed to give Ghana massive global tourism visibility in the Premier League and included a planned friendly between 2026 Democracy Cup champions Asante Kotoko and Sunderland.

The initiative was spearheaded by Speaker of Parliament Alban S.K. Bagbin — pictured (2nd right) in talks with Sunderland officials in England. Inset shows Justice Baffoe-Bonnie displaying Sunderland jersey with ‘Visit Ghana’.Story by Prince Dornu-Leiku – Continued on back page.

2. Spurs coach to convert Kudus to striker — Page 7

Summary: Tottenham Hotspur coach is planning to convert Ghanaian star Mohammed Kudus [pictured in Spurs kit] from a winger/attacking midfielder to a main striker. Full details on page 7.

3. Osagyefo Fight Night: Allotey, Takyi face defining tests — Page 4

Summary: Ghanaian boxers Allotey and Samuel Takyi [pictured with blue mouthguard] are set for crucial bouts on Saturday at the Osagyefo Fight Night. The fights are described as career-defining tests for both.

About The Author