Newspaper Headlines, October 16, 2026

This is what the front pages say:

Daily Graphic

1. SHS students involved in galamsey – President Mahama worried

President John Dramani Mahama has expressed deep concern over the growing involvement of young people, including Senior High School students, in illegal mining (galamsey). Reporting from Jubilee House, Kester Aburam Korankye writes that the President warned that enforcement alone cannot solve the galamsey crisis. He said the government is therefore pursuing a dual strategy of law enforcement and alternative livelihoods, with the proposed $10 billion New Economy Policy at the centre of efforts to wean the youth off illegal mining. President rolls out $10bn jobs plan to lure youth

2. Ghana’s economic recovery gains momentum – BoG Governor assures investors at IMF & World Bank Annual Meetings

Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama has assured investors that Ghana’s economic recovery is gaining momentum. He was speaking at the IMF & World Bank Annual Meetings.

3. COCOBOD partners Chrysfibre to push new nursery technology – Page 13

Ghanaian Times

1. Afienya Industrial Park project takes off

Summary: President John Mahama has cut the sod for the Afienya Industrial Park. At the same event, he unveiled a US$10 billion New Economy Plan aimed at boosting industrialization and creating jobs for the youth. Full story on Page 13.

2. Police arrest 8 in anti-narcotics operation at Okaishie

Summary: Eight people have been arrested in a police anti-narcotics swoop at Okaishie in Accra. The operation is part of efforts to clamp down on drug peddling in the commercial centre. Full story on Page 3.

3. Develop home-grown solutions to challenges – Sam Jonah

Summary: Business mogul Sir Sam Jonah has called on Ghana to develop indigenous, home-grown solutions to its economic and developmental challenges, rather than over-reliance on external prescriptions. Page 12.

4. Court sets Nov. 4 for Wontumi bail ruling

Summary: The court has fixed November 4 to rule on the bail application of former NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Chairman Wontumi, who is facing trial. Page 3.

5. Audit irregularities drop 62.9% to GH¢7.69bn – Dep. Finance Minister

Summary: Deputy Finance Minister Mr. Nyano Ampem says financial irregularities flagged in the Auditor-General’s report have dropped by 62.9% to GH¢7.69 billion, indicating improved public financial management. Page 12.

Daily Guide

1. MAIN: NPP Exposes World Cup Visa Cover-Up

Summary: The NPP, through Miracles Aboagye, is alleging a cover-up in the issuance of visas for the World Cup. The party claims there are irregularities that the government is hiding. Details on Page 3.

2. Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints Pushes Skills, Education For Youth

Summary: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, through Elder Clark G. Gilbert, is promoting skills training and education initiatives to empower Ghanaian youth. Page 6.

3. Wontumi’s Temporary Freedom In Limbo

Summary: The temporary freedom of former NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) is uncertain as his bail application hangs in the balance. Page 3.

4. Timber Road Cocoa Farmers Demand Better Compensation For Land Takeover

Summary: Cocoa farmers at Timber Road are protesting and demanding fair compensation over what they say is a forceful takeover of their farmlands. They were pictured protesting the move. Page 6.

5. Africa Must Develop Local Technologies – Sam Jonah

Summary: Business icon Sam Jonah is urging African countries to invest in and develop their own local technologies to solve the continent’s problems, rather than depending on imported solutions. Page 6.

The Ghanaian Publisher

1. MAIN: NPP Demands Inquiry Into WC Visa Scandal

Summary: The NPP is demanding a full inquiry into the World Cup visa scandal involving the former NSA boss Mr Ampofo Ankrah, Ghana Tourism Authority CEO Maame Efua Houadjeto, and Sports Minister Kofi Iddie Adams. The party says there must be accountability. See Page 3.

2. Mahama’s Hypocrisy Exposed Over EC Appointment

Summary: The paper alleges hypocrisy on the part of President John Mahama regarding a recent Electoral Commission appointment. It claims his current action contradicts his past position. See Page 2.

3. Wontumi Bail Ruling Set For Nov 4

Summary: The court will on November 4 rule on the bail application of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi). See Page 2.

4. GoldBod Pledges GH¢35m For Galamsey Forest

Summary: GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi has announced that GoldBod is committing GH¢35 million to reclaim forest areas destroyed by illegal mining (galamsey). See Page 3.

5. SkyTrain Trial: The Facts, Misconceptions And How Ameyaw-Akumfi Is Wrapped In $2m Payment

Summary: A breakdown of the ongoing SkyTrain trial, clarifying facts vs misconceptions, and how former GIIF Board Chair Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi is linked to the alleged $2 million payment. See Page 4.

The Metro Lens

1. MAIN: Cape Coast Reckless Pragia Riders Endanger Lives

Summary: Reckless riding by Pragia (tricycle) riders in Cape Coast is causing accidents and endangering lives. Residents are calling for stricter regulation. Page 10.

2. US$990,000 Debt Costs NAWARA Mining Its License – Minerals Commission

Summary: The Minerals Commission has revoked the mining license of NAWARA Mining over a US$990,000 debt. The company has lost its right to operate. Page 3.

3. NHIA CEO Commissions New Jomoro Office To Expand Healthcare Access

Summary: The CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority has commissioned a new NHIA office in Jomoro to bring healthcare services closer to residents. Page 5.

4. US$600,000 Visa Scandal: NPP Demands Minister’s Head!

Summary: The NPP is calling for the head of the Sports Minister over the US$600,000 World Cup visa scandal, demanding his resignation. Page 2.

New Weekend Crusading Guide

1. MAIN: Who Ordered Soldiers To Take Over Narawa Mine? – Three Dead, 10 Injured, Gold Worth Millions Missing

Summary: The paper questions who authorized a military takeover of the Narawa Mine, which has allegedly resulted in three deaths, 10 injuries, and missing gold worth millions. See Pages 3, 9 & 10.

2. US$990,000 Debt Caused Nawara Mine Licence Revocation – Minerals Commission

Summary: The Minerals Commission clarifies that the Nawara/Narawa mining licence was revoked due to a US$990,000 debt owed by the company.

3. World Cup Visa Scandal: Sports Minister, GTA Boss Must Step Aside Or Be Sacked – NPP Demands

Summary: The NPP is demanding that the Sports Minister and the GTA Boss step aside or be sacked over the World Cup visa scandal.

4. Eldest Son Of First Prez, Gamal Nkrumah, Dies In Egypt

Summary: Gamal Nkrumah, the eldest son of Ghana’s first President Kwame Nkrumah, has died in Egypt.

5. Cocoa Farmers Allege Unfair Compensation In AngloGold Ashanti Land Dispute

Summary: Cocoa farmers are accusing AngloGold Ashanti of unfair compensation in a dispute over their farmlands.

Daily Analyst

1. MAIN: CODEO urges EC Deputy Chair to resign …Over perceived NDC affiliation

Summary: The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) is calling on the Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Emelia Afi Agbenyo, to resign over alleged perceived affiliation with the NDC.

2. Ako Gunn declares bid for NDC National Communication Officer

Summary: Godwin Ako Gunn, former Deputy National Communication Officer of the NDC, has declared his intention to contest for the substantive NDC National Communication Officer position.

3. Ghana targets $5bn in annual economic gains from AI

Summary: Ghana is targeting to generate $5 billion annually from Artificial Intelligence as part of its new economy strategy.

4. Wontumi’s bail application: Court sets Nov. 4 for ruling

Summary: The court has set November 4 to rule on the bail application of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

5. Kojo Bamba was never my driver or bodyguard – Nana Boakye

Summary: NPP Second Vice Chairman Henry Nana Boakye denies claims that Kojo Bamba was his driver or bodyguard.

Daily Gist

1. MAIN: NPP Rejects Mahama 3rd Term Agenda, Joins Suit At Supreme Court

Summary: The NPP has rejected what it calls President John Mahama’s 3rd term agenda and has joined a suit at the Supreme Court to challenge it. Page 3.

2. Sports Minister, GTA Boss Dragged To OSP In $620,000 World Cup Visa Scandal

Summary: Sports Minister Kofi Adams and GTA Boss Maame Efua Houadjeto have been dragged to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) over the $620,000 World Cup visa scandal. Page 3.

3. Wontumi Bail Pushed To Nov. 4

Summary: The court has pushed the ruling on Chairman Wontumi’s bail application to November 4th. Page 4.

4. EC Deputy Chair Affi Agbenyo Not Fit – Says CODEO

Summary: CODEO says EC Deputy Chair Emelia Affi Agbenyo is not fit to hold the position, citing perceived partisan affiliation. Page 2.

5. Ameyaw-Akumfi Contests Sky Train $2m Trial

Summary: Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi is contesting the $2 million SkyTrain trial in court. Page 8.

The Daily Statesman

1. MAIN: NPP DEMANDS SPORTS MINISTER’S REMOVAL Over World Cup visa scandal

Summary: The NPP, through its National Communications Director Dennis Miracles Aboagye, is demanding the removal of the Sports Minister over the ongoing World Cup visa scandal. Page 2.

2. SkyTrain trial: The facts, misconceptions and how Ameyaw-Akumfi is wrapped in $2m payment

Summary: A breakdown of the SkyTrain trial, explaining the facts and misconceptions and how Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi is linked to the alleged $2 million payment. Page 6.

3. How do we get ministers to work? Patronage, accountability and Ghana’s missing grand strategy

Summary: An opinion/feature piece questioning how to make ministers effective, discussing patronage, accountability and the lack of a national grand strategy. Page 4.

4. Abanga accuses NDC of failing Ghanaian youth

Summary: NPP National Youth Organiser Abanga Yakubu Fuseini accuses the NDC government of failing Ghanaian youth. Page 2.

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