The chaotic scenes erupted at the Vicsem Hotel in Ogbojo, a suburb of Accra, as Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) officers forcibly evicted over 20 West African nationals—deportees from the United States—leading to physical confrontations and at least one medical emergency.

The incident, captured in widely shared videos, highlights escalating tensions in Ghana’s role as a “third-country” landing point for U.S. deportations under a controversial bilateral agreement.

Deportees, many fearing return to unstable homelands, resisted relocation, with officers resorting to dragging some individuals across the floor amid pleas for mercy.

The agreement, announced in early October 2025 by Ghanaian President John Mahama, allows the U.S. to deport non-Ghanaian West Africans (primarily from Nigeria, Togo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia) to Ghana instead of their countries of origin, citing “pan-African empathy” and regional free movement protocols. No financial incentives are involved, but Ghana commits to temporary housing before onward transfers—often secretive and criticized as abandonment.

Deportees arrive shackled on U.S. military flights after U.S. immigration hearings, then face Ghanaian military camps with reported substandard conditions: limited healthcare, poor sanitation, and inadequate water.

Previous incidents have fueled outrage:

• In late September 2025, a group of six deportees (five Nigerians and one Liberian) was moved from a Ghanaian camp under false pretenses of “better accommodation,” only to be secretly bused across the border to Togo and left near Lomé without passports, funds, or notification to Togolese authorities—allegedly after bribing local police.
• A September lawsuit by U.S.-based lawyers represents 11 deportees, alleging rights violations including 16-hour flights in straitjackets, illegal detention, and family separations (e.g., leaving behind U.S.-born children and homes). Similar suits target Ghana for complicity.
• Human rights groups decry the policy as a U.S. “dumping ground” tactic, evading direct repatriation to nations like Nigeria, which has rejected such returns over persecution fears (e.g., for activists tied to groups like the Yoruba Self-Determination Movement). Ghana’s opposition demands parliamentary ratification, warning of becoming a “transit hub for undesirables.”

The eviction aimed to relocate the group from the hotel—temporary quarters after initial camp stays—for final transfers home. Witnesses described a step-by-step escalation:

1. Arrival and Resistance: GIS officers entered the hotel around midday, ordering immediate evacuation. Deportees, including long-term U.S. residents, protested, citing no family ties or safety in their origin countries.
2. Confrontation: A Sierra Leonean woman, a registered nurse who lived in the U.S. for 35 years, begged officers: “I have no relatives in Sierra Leone—please let me stay in Ghana.” Her pleas were ignored, triggering an asthma attack.
3. Use of Force: Videos show officers dragging her and others to the ground, with physical scuffles involving shoving and restraint. No arrests were reported, but the woman’s health scare prompted brief intervention; she received unspecified aid on-site.
4. Outcome: Most deportees were loaded into vehicles for dispersal, though exact destinations remain unclear. No official GIS statement has been issued, but sources indicate the action aligns with the agreement’s repatriation timeline. The hotel, a modest facility, was secured post-incident.

The 29th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards took place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the historic Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, this years award  marked a significant shift as the event moved outside Accra for the first time to promote national inclusivity.

The awards was held under the patronage of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, which drew a constellation of dignitaries, including President John Dramani Mahama as the special guest and keynote speaker, Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, and KGL Group Executive Chairman Alex Apau Dadey.

The theme, “Safeguarding Ghana’s Future: The Role of the Media in Promoting Peace, Security, and the Fight Against Galamsey,” underscored the media’s pivotal role in tackling environmental degradation, social stability, and governance challenges posed by illegal small-scale mining (galamsey).

Key Highlights from the Ceremony

Awards and Winners: From 321 competitive entries, standout honorees included:

• Journalist of the Year: Godwin Asediba (TV3/3FM), recognized for his investigative human-interest stories amplifying marginalized voices.
• Sports Journalist of the Year: Muftawu Nabila Abdulai (JoySports), securing the award for the second consecutive year.
• Student Journalist of the Year: Clinton Yeboah (Luv FM), repeating his win from the previous edition.
• Best Illegal Mining Reporting: Ohemeng Tawiah (Luv FM), for impactful coverage on galamsey’s toll.
• Best Radio/TV Programme in Ghanaian Languages: Ekosiisen (Asempa FM).
• The Multimedia Group Limited (MGL) dominated with multiple wins across categories like current affairs, sports, and investigative journalism, reinforcing its leadership in Ghanaian media.

The evening opened with a somber minute of silence for journalists killed in the line of duty and those injured in recent anti-galamsey operations. Notably, three MGL journalists were hospitalized following an attack by illegal miners during an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) raid in Obuasi, Ashanti Region.

The GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour highlighted these perils, calling for government support for medical bills and safety protocols. President Mahama directed his Chief of Staff to cover the costs, emphasizing: “My administration will not tolerate any form of intimidation or attacks on journalists.”

Mahama’s Vow: A Crackdown on Galamsey

In his keynote address, President Mahama recommitted to an unrelenting battle against galamsey, describing it as an existential threat to Ghana’s water bodies, forests, and public health. He pledged “bold, irreversible actions” including:

• Deployment of advanced surveillance tech and dedicated anti-galamsey task forces.
• Establishment of special courts for swift prosecution of offenders.
• Enhanced protection for whistleblowers and journalists covering the issue.

Mahama also defended pending legislation like the Cybersecurity and Misinformation Bills as tools to combat falsehoods, not stifle press freedom, while vowing to shield media workers from harassment. His words resonated with the theme, framing journalism as a bulwark against environmental sabotage.

Broader Calls to Action

GJA President Dwumfour amplified the urgency, urging:

• The Asantehene to wield his influence for community-led anti-galamsey drives.
• Police to expedite probes into attacks on reporters and officials, demanding public briefings from the Inspector General.
• A national policy shift toward “irreversible” commitments, beyond rhetoric.

The event, preceded by a welcome reception at Lancaster Hotel on November 7, blended celebration with advocacy, signaling a media landscape more intertwined with Ghana’s sustainability struggles.

As galamsey continues to ravage rivers like the Pra and Ankobra, the awards serve as both a beacon of journalistic valor and a rallying cry for collective resolve.

In a case that has ignited national outrage and sparked a viral social media campaign, Ghanaians are demanding swift accountability for the alleged sexual abuse and death of 16-year-old aspiring footballer Ransford Owusu Ansah.

The teenager, from Asamankese in the Eastern Region, died in March 2025 after reportedly suffering prolonged sodomy by his coach at the Siano Soccer Academy in Amasaman, Accra, which led to severe health complications including a kidney infection.

On November 7, 2025, the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection announced that the case docket has been transferred to the Homicide Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for deeper probe, signaling renewed momentum in the pursuit of justice.

The Heartbreaking Story of Ransford’s Ordeal

Ransford joined the Siano Soccer Academy three years prior, drawn by dreams of a professional football career. Described by family as a talented and ambitious young athlete, he trained rigorously under Coach Ibrahim Anyass, unaware of the abuse that would follow.

According to reports from his mother, Joyce Boateng, Ransford endured repeated sexual assaults starting shortly after enrollment. He became withdrawn, frequently ill, and physically weak—symptoms she initially attributed to the rigors of training.In early 2025, Ransford confided in his mother about the abuse. She reported it to the Amasaman Police and the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), but investigations stalled, with no immediate arrest of the coach. Ransford collapsed in March and was rushed to a hospital in the Ashanti Region, where he succumbed after weeks of treatment. Preliminary medical findings linked his death to complications from the assaults, including internal injuries and infection. Devastated, Boateng publicly offered a GHC 5,000 bounty for information leading to Anyass’s arrest, pleading in a viral video: “Ghanaian leaders, I brought the coach to you for justice, but nothing has come out of it, and now my son is dead.” Anyass reportedly fled after the initial complaint and remains at large, though he was summoned to appear before the CID on November 7.

Public Outcry and the #JusticeForRansford Movement

The case resurfaced intensely on November 7, 2025, fueled by media exposés and social media amplification. The hashtag #JusticeForRansford trended across platforms, with users sharing Ransford’s photos in academy kits alongside calls for reform. Prominent voices, including journalists and activists, highlighted systemic failures in youth sports oversight.

• Online Petition: Launched on Change.org by Gifty Saah Osei, it has amassed over 1,400 signatures in hours, urging:

• Immediate arrest and prosecution of Coach Anyass.
• Lifetime ban from coaching and revocation of licenses.
• Suspension of Siano Soccer Academy operations pending inquiry.
• Enhanced child protection policies by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and Ministry of Youth and Sports.
• Psychosocial support for the family and potential other victims.
  • Social Media Echoes: Posts on X (formerly Twitter) feature emotional tributes, such as one user stating, “An innocent 16-year-old Ransford Owusu Ansah from Amasaman had dreams of becoming a great footballer. But those dreams were cut short after he was allegedly abused by his coach, Mr. Ibrahim Anyass. #JusticeForRansford.” Another shared images of the coach with young players, warning, “Allegedly this is the face of the Coach Ibrahim who [abused] Ransford to his death.”

The academy has suspended Anyass and pledged cooperation with authorities, but critics argue this comes too late after months of inaction.Official Response and Broader Implications.

The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection expressed deep empathy for the family, stating: “Crime has no expiration and therefore remains committed to pursuing justice for the victim and his family.” Since February 2025, Minister Lariba Zuweira Abudu has pushed the GFA for stronger safeguards, including accountability in academies.

The transfer to the CID’s Homicide Unit marks a shift from initial DOVVSU handling, aiming for a thorough criminal probe into abuse and manslaughter charges.This tragedy underscores vulnerabilities in Ghana’s grassroots football ecosystem, where thousands of boys chase dreams amid limited oversight.

Activists call for mandatory background checks, whistleblower protections, and trauma counseling in sports programs. As the investigation unfolds, Ransford’s story has united Ghanaians in grief and resolve—reminding that no child’s aspiration should end in silence or suffering. The family awaits closure, but the nation’s demand is clear: justice, now.