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German President Steinmeier Ends Ghana Visit with Asantehene Meeting and €65 Million Aid Pledge

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German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier concluded his three-day state visit to Ghana with a poignant courtesy call on Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, at the historic Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

The meeting symbolized the deepening cultural and diplomatic ties between Germany and Ghana, while Steinmeier’s earlier announcement of over €65 million (approximately GH¢823 million) in development aid underscored Berlin’s commitment to sustainable partnership in West Africa. The visit, marking the 50th anniversary of bilateral development cooperation, highlighted themes of mutual respect, youth empowerment, and economic growth amid global challenges.

Key Moments

Manhyia Palace- Opemsuo Radio

Manhyia Palace- Opemsuo Radio 

  • Courtesy Call at Manhyia Palace: Steinmeier was warmly received by the Asantehene in a traditional ceremony, where Otumfuo Osei Tutu II gifted him a carved stool bearing the Asante emblem—a profound symbol of honor and enduring friendship in Akan culture. The two leaders discussed strengthening bilateral relations, with emphasis on cultural exchanges, education, and Germany’s role in supporting Ghana’s stability as a regional hub. Steinmeier, speaking through an interpreter, praised the Asantehene’s wisdom and Ghana’s vibrant heritage, noting how such engagements foster “human connections that outlast formal diplomacy.” The event drew widespread acclaim on social media, with videos capturing the regal welcome and exchanges going viral among Ghanaian users.

 

  • Aid Pledge Announcement: During a joint press briefing with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House, Steinmeier revealed Germany’s renewed €65 million commitment for 2025 development cooperation, pending Bundestag approval. The funds target renewable energy transitions, youth skills training in health, pharmaceuticals, and digital sectors, and vocational programs to create jobs. “Ghana is an ideal partner—educated, English-speaking, and strategically located,” Steinmeier said, highlighting last year’s €2.5 billion trade volume and Germany’s support for 200 new nurses annually via a Kumasi-based school starting in 2026.

 

  • Kumasi Engagements (Morning): Before the palace visit, Steinmeier performed a sod-cutting for expansions at the Kumasi Technical Institute, a German-funded vocational hub launching new programs next year. He also toured the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), engaging with staff, alumni, and students on collaborative research in health and technology, and visited the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research to explore joint ventures in infectious diseases.

 

  • Arrival and Accra Highlights (November 2-3): Steinmeier landed in Accra on November 2, greeted by Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and German Ambassador Frederik Landshöft. The itinerary included a Guard of Honour, closed-door talks with Mahama on ECOWAS stability and AfCFTA opportunities, a wreath-laying at Kwame Nkrumah’s Mausoleum, and a state luncheon. A business delegation from Germany—spanning infrastructure, medtech, and satellites—accompanied him to scout investments.

Broader Context and Impact

This visit reinforces Germany-Ghana ties established since 1957, with Berlin viewing Accra as a key ally in Sub-Saharan Africa’s fastest-growing economy. Steinmeier emphasized equality in partnerships, countering narratives of aid dependency by focusing on trade and skills transfer. The Asantehene meeting added a cultural layer, bridging Europe’s industrial prowess with Ghana’s rich traditions, and was seen as a nod to decentralized diplomacy involving traditional leaders.

Stats Overview: Ghana-Germany Partnership Snapshot

Aspect Details
Trade Volume (2024) €2.5 billion (Germany’s top SSA partner)
Aid Pledge (2025) €65 million (renewables, skills, health)
Key Sectors Energy transition, vocational training, digital economy
Youth Impact 200 nurses/year; new tech programs at KTI/KNUST
Cultural Exchange First presidential palace call since 2018

The pledge awaits parliamentary nod but signals robust momentum. As Steinmeier departed Tuesday evening, his visit leaves a legacy of goodwill, with follow-up consultations planned. For Ghana, it’s a timely boost amid economic recovery; for Germany, a strategic foothold in Africa’s renaissance.

 

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Mahama Tours Media Houses, Condemns Assault on Reporter

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Pres. John Mahama
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On January 8, 2026, President John Dramani Mahama began a nationwide tour of selected media houses in Ghana, starting with a visit to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) in Accra. The tour aims to promote accountability, strengthen public trust, and enhance cooperation between the government and the media.
During the visit, President Mahama strongly condemned recent attacks on journalists, particularly the assault on a Class Media Group (Class FM) reporter, Samuel Addo, allegedly by personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) on January 5, 2026. As a trained journalist himself, Mahama described such violence as “unacceptable” and stated that it “has no place in a democratic society.” He emphasized that his administration will not tolerate assaults on media professionals performing their duties.
He confirmed that the involved GNFS officers have been identified and interdicted, with ongoing investigations to ensure accountability. The President vowed to crack down on attacks against journalists and pledged a safe working environment for media practitioners.
This incident and Mahama’s response have drawn widespread support, including from organizations like the Global Media Foundation (GloMeF), which praised his prompt action.

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Mahama’s New Year Address Calls for Unity and 2026 Reforms

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On January 1, 2026, President John Dramani Mahama delivered his New Year’s message to the nation from the Jubilee House in Accra, reflecting on the progress made in his administration’s first year in office (following the 2024 elections) and outlining an ambitious vision for the year ahead.

The President declared that Ghana is “rising again” after inheriting a nation in economic distress in January 2025.

He highlighted achievements such as sharp reductions in inflation (projected to end 2025 in single digits around 5%), relative currency stability, restored business confidence, and prudent debt renegotiations, all under the government’s Reset Agenda.

A central theme was national unity. President Mahama passionately urged Ghanaians to transcend partisan divisions, stating:
“There is no NPP Ghana. There is no NDC Ghana. There is only one Ghana.”

He called for rejecting divisive politics, embracing mutual respect, and focusing on collective nation-building, emphasizing that “we are one people with a shared destiny” and that the Reset is for all citizens, regardless of political affiliation.

Looking to 2026, Mahama unveiled a bold roadmap for accelerated reforms and development, including:

  • Strengthening social protection and universal health coverage via free primary healthcare.
  • Economic transformation through job creation, agricultural mechanization, and value addition.
  • Affordable social housing via public-private partnerships.
  • 30% renewable energy in the national mix to reduce costs and promote sustainability.
  • Intensified anti-corruption efforts with “no sacred cows.”
  • Implementation of Constitutional Review Committee recommendations to deepen democracy.
  • Continued digitalization in education and infrastructure improvements.

The address positioned 2026 as a year of scaling up initiatives for inclusive growth, accountability, and positioning Ghana as a leader in African democratic renewal through initiatives like the Accra Reset Initiative presented at the UN.

The message resonated widely, with analysts noting its focus on governance reset and shared responsibility, concluding with a call for hope, prosperity, peace, and progress in 2026.

 

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Ghanaian Prophet Predicts Black Stars World Cup Finals Glory

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Renowned Ghanaian prophet Nigel Gaisie has declared during his church’s 31st-night crossover service on December 31, 2025 (into January 1, 2026), that Ghana’s Black Stars will reach the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

He stated confidently: “The Black Stars will reach the final of the 2026 World Cup,” envisioning a historic performance for the team in the tournament co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

This comes as Ghana is drawn in a tough Group L with England, Croatia, and Panama, and is set for their fifth World Cup appearance after qualifying.

The prophecy has generated buzz across Ghanaian media and social platforms, with many fans excited about the prospect of glory—especially after past disappointments like early exits in 2014 and 2022.

 

The big questions

The Ghana Police Service (GPS) has consistently warned religious leaders against delivering prophecies that cause fear, alarm, or panic during crossover (31st-night) services, a policy in place for several years under Ghanaian law (e.g., offenses related to false publications or misleading communications, punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment).

While no new explicit police statement was issued specifically for December 31, 2025, the longstanding caution remains in effect.

This was reinforced through actions like the arrest of self-proclaimed prophet Evans Eshun (aka Ebo Noah) on December 31, 2025, for his doomsday flood predictions that caused widespread public panic.

Ebo Noah

Evans Eshun (aka Ebo Noah)

Additionally, the National Peace Council urged prophets in late December 2025 to deliver messages “tactfully” and measurably to avoid disturbing public peace.

Regarding Prophet Nigel Gaisie’s prophecy about the Black Stars reaching the 2026 World Cup final (delivered during his 31st-night service), it appears to have been a positive, hopeful declaration rather than one inducing fear. Such uplifting prophecies typically do not fall under the police’s primary concerns, which focus on doom, death, or disaster predictions.

No reports indicate police action against Nigel Gaisie for this specific prophecy. He has historically pushed back against such warnings, often proceeding with his declarations (sometimes in coded form in past years).

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