AFCON 2025: Knockout Dreams and Continental Heavyweights Collide

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations enters its most unforgiving phase as the Round of 16 brings together proven champions, dark horses and history-makers, all chasing a place in the quarterfinals. With margins tightening and pressure peaking, every fixture across four gripping days promises drama, intensity and defining moments.

The Ghana Police Service, through the Special Support Unit, has arrested three suspects in connection with a string of robbery incidents reported in Afienya, Atadeka, Apollonia, and surrounding communities in the Greater Accra Region.

In a nationally televised New Year’s address on Thursday evening, President John Dramani Mahama declared that Ghana is steadily recovering from economic distress and firmly charting a path of renewal.

President John Dramani Mahama has declared that Ghana is “rising again” after a year of economic stabilisation and reforms, pledging an accelerated expansion of social, economic and governance programmes in 2026 under his Reset Agenda.

The National Communications Authority (NCA), in a multi-agency collaboration, has announced a fresh offensive against internet streaming piracy of pay-TV content, citing severe financial losses to the state and creative sector, alongside heightened cybersecurity threats to consumers.

British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has been discharged from hospital in Nigeria days after a fatal car accident that killed two of his close friends.

The year 2025 will be remembered as a defining period for Ghana’s education sector—a year marked by difficult choices, honest national reflection, and the beginning of a deliberate reset under President John Dramani Mahama.

When President Mahama and his Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, assumed office, they inherited an education system burdened by deep structural challenges. Years of accumulated debt, weak investment in basic education, unpaid statutory obligations, stalled infrastructure projects, and unresolved teacher welfare issues had significantly constrained service delivery and threatened the quality and sustainability of education at all levels.

Ghanaians welcomed the New Year with vibrant street parties, fireworks, and massive church watchnight services, blending spiritual reflection with festive celebration as families cleaned homes, shared meals, and gathered for crossover services filled with prayer and hope for blessings and prosperity in year 2026.

Senegal underlined their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title credentials with a commanding 3-0 victory over Benin in their final Group D match, played in Tangiers on Tuesday, December 30.

The former African champions started purposefully and were rewarded in the 38th minute when Abdoulaye Seck rose highest to power home a header from Krépin Diatta’s well-delivered set piece, giving Senegal a deserved lead at the break.

Benin showed greater urgency after the restart, testing Édouard Mendy with efforts from Aiyegun Tosin and Junior Olaïtan. However, Senegal remained well organised defensively and clinical in attack.

...Many robbery, arms, and impersonation suspects also arrested in major crime crackdown

The Ghana Police Service has recorded a series of major operational successes in the fight against violent crime, armed robbery and the proliferation of illegal firearms, following sustained intelligence-led operations conducted between November and December of 2025. 

The Jasikan District Police in the Oti Region have arrested a 23-year-old man, Innocent Owusu, for the alleged murder of his 59-year-old father, Peter Owusu. The incident occurred on December 30, 2025, at the family residence in Likpe Abrani.

The Ghana Police Service has assured the public of heightened security nationwide as Ghanaians mark activities associated with Wednesday, December 31, and usher in the New Year.

Mali and Burkina Faso say they will bar US citizens from entering their countries in response to a similar move by the Trump administration.

Abubakari Sadick, popularly known as "Cyborg," the man who brandished a semi-automatic 12-gauge shotgun at a public event and fired warning shots as a gun salute to Nigerian music star Asake, at the El Wak Stadium in Accra, has been convicted and fined on his own guilty plea.

The Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has called on Ghanaians to place national interest above parochial considerations and recommit to the principles of integrity, accountability, and selfless service.

She was speaking at the 44th anniversary of the 31st December Revolution.

• 44th anniversary of 31st December Revolution marked at Ada 

The anniversary celebration, held in  Ada in the Greater Accra Region on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, was held under the theme “Consolidating the Reset Agenda: Reflections on the Gains of the 31st December Revolution.”

A durbar has been held at Ada in the Greater Accra Region to commemorate the 44th anniversary of the 31st December Revolution, an event organisers say remains a defining moment in Ghana’s political history.

The commemorative activity included the lighting of the perpetual flame, a ceremonial durbar, and wreath laying, as well as speeches reflecting on the legacy and relevance of the revolution led by the late Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings (Rtd).

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has kick-started a nationwide exhibition of its voter register for the party's presidential primary scheduled on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

The exercise which started Wednesday, December 31, 2025, will end January 5, 2026. The register is on exhibition at all 276  constituencies in the country.

BMW is launching a voluntary safety recall covering certain 2025–2026 BMW X3 models after identifying a software weakness in the steering system that, in rare cases, can lead to unintended steering wheel movement while the vehicle is stationary. 

The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has advised that people should verify all parcel delivery and clearance messages with courier companies before making any payments, following a rise in fraudulent parcel delivery and clearance scams during the festive season.

Giving a child a phone before the age of 13 could be dangerous, leading to worse sleep, obesity and even depression, according to a new study.

President John Dramani Mahama has ruled out any special consideration in the case of a man arrested for firing a gun at a public event in Accra, making it clear that legal procedures will be allowed to run their full course.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, has inaugurated a Passport Application Centre (PAC) in Techiman, the Bono East Regional capital.

The new centre is expected to improve access to passport services for residents in the region.

The government of Ghana has settled a US$709 million Eurobond obligation ahead of its due date, the Ministry of Finance said in a statement issued on December 31, 2025.

Goldbod: Loss or no loss? The price of everything and the value of nothing

As a father of two with others I care for, I am clear that my spending is not aimed at generating profit for myself. Instead, it is to ensure these dependants have a social, economic, and spiritual life that makes them impactful and productive members of society. 

As an entrepreneur, my expenditure is to deliver responsible profits for myself and my shareholders, along with a constructive economic impact that often requires patience to realise. I prioritise value delivery and development, focusing on short-term financial sustainability, with the hope that it will serve as a foundation for medium- to long-term profits. Although these goals are different, they are similar in that both aim to achieve their respective objectives.