The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), in collaboration with the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), has arrested a key suspect in connection with an ongoing investigation into a 320-kilogram methamphetamine shipment linked to Australia.

According to NACOC, the drugs, estimated to have a street value of $296 million, were traced to a storage facility in Girraween, Australia, in April 2026. The arrest marks the first breakthrough in efforts to identify and dismantle the syndicate behind what the Commission described as a record-breaking drug haul.

In a statement issued on June 24, NACOC said investigators are working closely with international partners to track down other suspects believed to be part of a wider transnational criminal network involved in the movement and diversion of narcotics.

The Commission described the arrest as a significant step in a coordinated international operation aimed at disrupting sophisticated drug trafficking networks operating across multiple jurisdictions.

NACOC noted that intelligence gathered from the arrest is expected to assist authorities in identifying and apprehending additional members of the syndicate. The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with international partners to combat large-scale drug trafficking and safeguard the region from organised criminal activities.

The statement added that further arrests are expected as intelligence-led investigations continue.

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the growing challenge of child hawking and streetism across the country.

Addressing Parliament during Question Time on Wednesday, June 24, the sector Minister, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, expressed concern about the increasing number of children living and working on the streets, stressing that the primary responsibility for removing them rests with local government authorities.

She cited Section 16(1) of the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560), which mandates Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to safeguard the welfare and promote the rights of children within their jurisdictions, as well as coordinate child protection efforts with relevant agencies.

“The direct responsibility for removing children from street situations, including child hawking, lies primarily with the MMDAs in collaboration with other stakeholders,” the Minister stated.

Despite this decentralised responsibility, she noted that the Ministry continues to play a coordinating, policy, and advocacy role. It is currently working with MMDAs, the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, the Ghana Police Service, civil society organisations, and development partners to strengthen systems for identifying, rescuing, rehabilitating, and reintegrating vulnerable children.

She further identified poverty as a key driver of child hawking, noting that government is implementing several social protection interventions to reduce household vulnerability and discourage child labour. These include the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, the School Feeding initiative, and complementary livelihood support schemes for low-income families.

The Ministry and its partners are also intensifying public education campaigns on the dangers of child labour and the importance of education, while reinforcing enforcement of child protection laws, including the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560) and the Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694).

The Minister emphasised that addressing streetism requires a sustained multi-sectoral effort involving government institutions, families, traditional authorities, civil society, and development partners, with the ultimate goal of ensuring all children are protected, remain in school, and are given the opportunity to thrive in safe environments.

A prison officer has been remanded into custody after he was allegedly caught attempting to bring a substance suspected to be Indian hemp into the Kete-Krachi Local Prison.

The officer, identified as Chief Officer Michael Osei-Bonsu of the Ghana Prisons Service, was arrested during routine security screening at the prison gate before reporting for his night shift on June 19, 2026.

According to the Ghana Prisons Service, alert officers on duty intercepted the suspected narcotic substance during standard checks, preventing it from entering the facility.

Following the discovery, the officer was handed over to the police for further investigations and was later arraigned before the Kete-Krachi District Magistrate Court. The court subsequently remanded him into custody for two weeks, with the case adjourned to July 8, 2026.

The Ghana Prisons Service has since interdicted the officer pending the outcome of both the criminal case and internal disciplinary proceedings.

The Service reiterated its commitment to maintaining discipline and security within correctional facilities, stressing that it has a zero-tolerance policy towards drugs, mobile phones, and all other forms of contraband.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has directed all market operators, fintech firms, and operators of online investment and trading platforms to complete their registration and licensing with the Commission by August 31, 2026.

The directive forms part of efforts to strengthen investor protection, improve regulatory oversight, and ensure the integrity of Ghana’s growing digital investment ecosystem.

In a notice issued on June 23, 2026, the SEC stated that all entities operating investor-facing investment technology platforms, online trading applications, and digital intermediary platforms involved in SEC-regulated activities must obtain the appropriate registration and licensing approval from the Commission.

According to the regulator, the move has become necessary due to the increasing number of unregistered online investment and trading platforms offering access to securities markets both in Ghana and abroad.

The SEC explained that the directive is aimed at protecting investors from fraudulent and unregulated schemes while promoting confidence in the securities market.

Under the new requirements, licensed market operators must obtain SEC approval for every investment technology platform used to conduct regulated activities. Fintech companies and individuals providing online investment and trading services are also required to secure the necessary licences before continuing operations.

The Commission further noted that digital platforms acting as intermediaries within the securities market value chain must be duly registered and licensed.

To comply with the directive, affected entities must complete a registration process that includes submitting an application form, demonstrating their platform to the SEC, receiving regulatory guidance, paying the required fees, and obtaining a registration or licensing certificate.

The SEC warned that any person or entity operating an unapproved, unlicensed, or unregistered online investment or trading platform must immediately cease such activities.

It also advised the investing public to verify the legitimacy of investment products and platforms through the Commission’s official communication channels before committing funds.

The regulator cautioned that non-compliant entities could face sanctions under the Securities Industry Act, 2016 (Act 929), as amended, as well as other applicable laws.

According to the SEC, the directive takes immediate effect and will remain in force until otherwise amended, revised, or revoked by the Commission.

The Ministry of Education has directed immediate action following the circulation of a viral video showing a student allegedly assaulting another student.

The incident, which has sparked public concern and debate over discipline in schools, has been formally brought to the attention of the Ministry. The footage has since been forwarded to the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) for further investigation and appropriate action. “I’ve since forwarded it to the Director General of GES for action,” he said.

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, confirmed the development, stating that the Ministry is treating the matter with urgency given its implications for discipline and safety within the educational system.

He assured the public that the Ministry remains firmly committed to maintaining order in schools and will not condone any form of indiscipline or violent behaviour among students. “On behalf of the Honourable Minister for Education, I wish to assure the public that we will not tolerate acts of lawlessness and indiscipline in our educational system,” the Minister said.

Dr. Apaak emphasised that the government expects all educational institutions to uphold standards of discipline and responsible conduct, adding that swift action will be taken to ensure accountability.

According to him, the Ministry, through the GES, will ensure that all individuals found culpable in the incident face the necessary sanctions in line with established disciplinary procedures.

He further stressed that indiscipline in schools will not be tolerated, reiterating that the education sector must remain a safe and conducive environment for teaching and learning.

The Ministry of Education has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Ms. Innocentia Avinu, a Level 200 student of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), and has ordered an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding her passing.

In a statement issued on June 14, 2026, the Ministry confirmed that the student died at a beach in Cape Coast, describing the incident as tragic and deeply distressing.

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has directed the leadership of UCC to collaborate closely with the Ghana Police Service to conduct a thorough investigation into the exact circumstances leading to her death.

The statement, signed by the Minister’s Press Secretary, Hashmin Mohammed, extended condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and the university community, urging them to remain strong during the difficult period.

The Ministry also called on the public to remain calm and allow security and university authorities to carry out their investigations without interference.

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has called for renewed national and global commitment to ending child labour, describing the practice as a serious violation of children’s rights and a major obstacle to their education, protection and development.

In a statement marking the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour, observed under the theme “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults,” CHRAJ said child labour continues to deprive millions of children worldwide of their right to a safe, dignified and productive childhood.

The Commission noted that protecting children’s rights remains a fundamental measure of any society’s commitment to human dignity and social justice. However, it said child labour remains one of the most pressing child rights challenges both in Ghana and across the world.

According to CHRAJ, child labour violates several legal protections, including Ghana’s Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560), the 1992 Constitution, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

The Commission expressed concern over the scale of the problem, citing global estimates that approximately 138 million children remain engaged in child labour, with nearly 54 million involved in hazardous work that threatens their health, safety and development.

In Ghana, CHRAJ referenced recent data from the Ghana Statistical Service, which indicates that more than 1.1 million children aged between 5 and 17 years were engaged in economic activity in 2023. Of this figure, over 458,000 children were reportedly not attending school.

The Commission warned that the situation continues to deny many children access to education and opportunities that could help break the cycle of poverty and secure a better future.

CHRAJ urged government institutions, employers, communities, parents and other stakeholders to strengthen efforts aimed at eliminating child labour and ensuring that every child enjoys their rights to education, protection, development and dignity.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to promoting and protecting children’s rights and called on all sectors of society to work together to create a safer and more inclusive environment for Ghana’s children.

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has launched an investigation into allegations of irregularities in the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) at Buaduyili Primary School in the Nanumba North Municipality.

The move follows media reports and concerns raised by parents and teachers over the quality and quantity of meals being served to pupils under the programme.

In a statement issued by its Public Affairs Unit on June 9, 2026, the Ministry said it is working closely with the Ghana School Feeding Programme Secretariat to establish the facts surrounding the allegations and ensure adherence to the programme’s standards.

According to the Ministry, appropriate sanctions will be imposed on any individual or entity found culpable after investigations are concluded.

The Ministry reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing nutritious meals for schoolchildren in a safe learning environment, describing the School Feeding Programme as a key social intervention aimed at reducing hunger, improving school enrolment and attendance, and enhancing the nutritional well-being of pupils.

It further noted that under the government’s Reset Agenda, measures are being implemented to strengthen the financing, monitoring, and administration of the programme to promote accountability and improve service delivery.

The Ministry stressed that any action or omission that undermines the objectives and integrity of the School Feeding Programme will not be tolerated.

It also called on regional and zonal coordinators, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, community leaders, parents, and the media to support monitoring efforts and help ensure transparency and effective implementation of the programme.

The Hohoe Circuit Court has sentenced a 27-year-old man to four years in prison for breaking into a church and stealing musical equipment.

The convict, identified as Mohammed Rafiu, was found guilty of unlawful entry and stealing following a swift investigation by the Volta North Regional Police Command.

The incident occurred on Friday, June 5, 2026, when Rafiu was spotted behaving suspiciously near the Faith International Ministry Church. Eyewitnesses saw him carrying a heavy sack and attempting to board a vehicle.

Suspicious residents intercepted him and inspected the sack, where they discovered several church-owned audio equipment, including an amplifier, equalizer, mixer, and a cross-over machine.

He was immediately arrested and handed over to the Hohoe Police District. Police said Rafiu later admitted to the offence during interrogation.

Rafiu appeared before the Hohoe Circuit Court on Monday, June 8, 2026, where he pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful entry and stealing.

The court sentenced him to three years for unlawful entry and four years for stealing, with the sentences to run concurrently. He will therefore serve a maximum of four years in prison.

In a statement signed by Inspector Felix Kwao, Public Relations Officer for the Volta North Region, the police commended members of the public for their vigilance in apprehending the suspect.

The Police Command further urged residents to continue reporting suspicious activities promptly to help maintain security in the area.

Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has called on African countries to unite in protecting the continent’s digital resources, warning that Africa faces a new form of exploitation through the unchecked use of data generated by its citizens.
Speaking at the 4th African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family, Sovereignty and Values in Accra, the Minister argued that data has become one of Africa’s most valuable assets in the digital economy, yet multinational technology companies continue to benefit from it without adequate accountability to African governments and citizens.
According to him, while Africa continues to seek justice and reparations for the historical injustices of slavery, it must also confront what he described as the modern-day exploitation of its digital wealth. Samuel George stressed the need for a unified continental approach to data governance, urging African leaders to establish clear frameworks on data ownership, storage and use. He maintained that African nations must retain control over their data and ensure that the benefits derived from it contribute directly to the continent’s development.

Speaking to journalists after his address, the Minister reiterated the importance of digital sovereignty, noting that Africa’s ongoing digital transformation must be accompanied by stronger protections against external exploitation. He further linked data governance to broader discussions on cultural identity and sovereignty, arguing that Africa must safeguard both its resources and its values. The Minister’s remarks come amid growing debate across the continent on data protection, artificial intelligence, digital governance and the influence of global technology companies on emerging economies.

Addressing issues relating to LGBTQ rights, Samuel George said African countries should formulate policies based on their own cultural, religious and societal values. He argued that some Western nations are reassessing aspects of policies adopted over previous decades and urged African leaders to chart an independent course that reflects the aspirations and convictions of their people. According to him, discussions on family values, cultural identity and digital sovereignty are interconnected, and Africa’s future depends on its ability to maintain control over both its resources and its narrative.