53, DIES WHILE PERFORMING TAWAF AT HOLY KAABA The Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG) has confirmed the death of a Ghanaian prospective pilgrim, Musah Sidi, aged 53, who collapsed while performing the sacred ritual of Tawaf at the Grand Mosque in Mecca and passed away shortly afterwards. In a press release issued on Friday, May 22, 2026, the PAOG announced the sad news with the Islamic declaration: "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un" – To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return. According to the Office, the deceased collapsed at the Haram during Tawaf, the ritualistic act of walking in a circular path around the Kaaba – a central rite of the Hajj pilgrimage. He died shortly after the incident. The bereaved family has been duly informed of his demise. The body is being prepared for Janaza prayers, which are scheduled to take place after Jummah prayers, following which interment will be conducted in accordance with Islamic traditio The PAOG noted that passing away while performing Tawaf is considered a profound blessing and a sign of a beautiful ending for a blessed Muslim. In Islamic tradition, a pilgrim who dies in a state of worship and in Ihram is promised immense spiritual honour in the hereafter," the statement read. The Office extended its deepest condolences to his immediate family, sympathisers, and loved ones, praying that Allah forgives his shortcomings and grants him Jannatul Firdaus – the highest level of paradise. The statement was signed by Mohammed Amin Lamptey, Director of Communications of the Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana. 24th May,2026

ATTEMPTING TO ASSASSINATE PRESIDENT TRUMP A gunman burst out of a hotel doorway and charged through a security checkpoint in just four seconds as President Donald Trump was attending a press gala, according to new footage released by prosecutors. The CCTV video appears to show a security agent opening fire in the direction of the sprinting gunman, who is carrying a long-barrelled weapon, though it is unclear if he discharges it. Cole Tomas Allen, 31, is charged with attempting to assassinate President Trump at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner. He has not yet entered a plea. The US justice department says the video also shows Allen "casing the area" at the hotel on the day before the dinner, when he allegedly checked in as a guest. He is seen walking down a Washington Hilton corridor on the eve of the gala and popping into the hotel's gym, according to prosecutors. The defendant is accused of carrying a semi-automatic handgun, a pump-action shotgun and three knives as he ran through a terrace level, one floor above the basement ballroom where the high-profile press gala was unfolding. Trump, Vice-President JD Vance, cabinet members and other White House officials were rushed from the venue after gunfire rang out. The new video, posted on X on Thursday by US Attorney for Washington DC Jeanine Pirro, appears to be a higher quality version of a clip shared by Trump on social media in the aftermath of Saturday's incident. The latest footage shows nearly a dozen security agents gathered around a security checkpoint at the hotel. A man wearing a long dark coat walks through the corridor and disappears into a doorway. A moment later the gunman, having shed his coat, re-emerges and sprints through a metal-detector with both hands on what appears to be a gun. His coat was concealing a 12-gauge shotgun, according to an affidavit filed by prosecutors. The footage appears to show an officer fire his handgun at the suspect. Prosecutors have said the agent was hit by gunfire, but the alleged assailant was not shot. A Secret Service spokesman told the BBC on Thursday: "The officer was struck in the ballistic vest, but was not seriously injured." Ballistics experts have been investigating whether the Secret Service officer was hit by a bullet fired by the suspect, or by other law enforcement at the scene. Pirro said in Thursday's post on X: "There is no evidence the shooting was the result of friendly fire." However, a memo filed by prosecutors on Wednesday, asking a judge to hold Allen in custody pending trial, makes no mention of any officer being shot. It says that as the suspect ran through the checkpoint, a Secret Service officer "observed the defendant fire the shotgun in the direction of the stairs leading down to the ballroom". Earlier statements in charging documents alleged that one officer was hit in the ballistic vest by a single shot fired by the suspect. Defence lawyers for Allen have questioned prosecutors' claims that their client opened fire. On Thursday the director of the US Secret Service told Fox News that the suspect had fired at a Secret Service agent at "point-blank range". "All the evidence that I've seen, the suspect shot our officer point-blank range with a shotgun," Sean Curran told the network. Our officer heroically returned fire while being shot point-blank range in the chest with a shotgun, he was able to get off five shots. It appears that the suspect hit his knee, while being engaged by the officer, on one of our magnetometer boxes and began to fall to the ground. "That's what appears to be, and at that moment is when officers and agents were able to subdue him and pile on top of him." Allen faces additional charges, including transportation of a firearm between states to commit a felony and discharging a firearm in a crime of violence - both of which have maximum sentences of 10 years. 1st May,2026

IRAN SAYS IT WILL RESPOND IF US RENEWS ATTACKS Iran says it will respond with “long and painful strikes” on US positions across the Gulf region if Washington renews attacks, and has restated its claim to the Strait of Hormuz, complicating the plans of the United States for a coalition to reopen the waterway. Two months into the US-Israel war on Iran, the strait remains closed, choking off 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas supplies. That has sent global energy prices surging and heightened concerns about the risks of an economic downturn. Pakistan-led efforts to resolve the conflict have hit an impasse. Despite a ceasefire in place since April 8, Iran continues to block the strait in response to a US naval blockade of its ports, preventing oil exports – Tehran’s economic lifeline. Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei defended the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. “This is because of the war and the defence of our right – that is, according to international law, it is legitimate, legal, and accepted,” he said on Thursday night, Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported. He accused the US of “exploiting a waterway” of which Iran is the coastal state. “In such circumstances, you cannot allow this waterway to be misused,” he said. Two months into the US-Israel war on Iran, the strait remains closed, choking off 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas supplies. That has sent global energy prices surging and heightened concerns about the risks of an economic downturn. Pakistan-led efforts to resolve the conflict have hit an impasse. Despite a ceasefire in place since April 8, Iran continues to block the strait in response to a US naval blockade of its ports, preventing oil exports – Tehran’s economic lifeline Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei defended the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. “This is because of the war and the defence of our right – that is, according to international law, it is legitimate, legal, and accepted,” he said on Thursday night, Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported. He accused the US of “exploiting a waterway” of which Iran is the coastal state. “In such circumstances, you cannot allow this waterway to be misused,” he said. 1st May,2026

TRUMP WARNS STRAIT OF HORMUZ DEADLINE United States President Donald Trump intensified his rhetoric against Iran on Sunday, promising a devastating military campaign if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened to international traffic by Tuesday. The President issued a series of blunt warnings via social media, specifically targeting Iran’s power grid and transportation networks. The ultimatum marks a sharp escalation in a conflict that has now entered its second month, with the global economy feeling the strain of disrupted energy corridors. “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!” Trump stated in a Truth Social post. The President characterized the Iranian leadership as “crazy bastards” and vowed they would be “living in Hell” should the deadline pass without compliance. The President’s plan to target civilian infrastructure has drawn immediate fire from legal experts and political opponents. International humanitarian law generally prohibits the destruction of facilities essential to the civilian population, and critics warn such strikes could be classified as war crimes. Senator Tim Kaine, D-Va., lambasted the administration’s approach during an appearance on reporters’ programs. Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, described the President’s rhetoric as “embarrassing and juvenile.” He argued that such aggressive posturing endangers American service members who may be captured in the future. “If you send the message that there’s no quarter for the folks on the other side, that really encourages them to mistreat our folks,” Kaine said. He further criticized the White House for what he described as “the absence of a plan, the absence of a clear rationale, no effort to get allies on board The diplomatic heat coincides with high-stakes military operations. President Trump confirmed Sunday that the United States successfully rescued a “highly respected Colonel” who had been missing since his F-15E Strike Eagle was downed over Iran last week. The President hailed the mission as “one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History.” While the U.S. celebrated the recovery of the “seriously wounded” officer, Tehran offered a different narrative. Iranian state television broadcast images of wreckage, claiming they shot down a transport plane and two helicopters during the rescue. Separately, U.S. officials confirmed the pilot of an A-10 Warthog was forced to eject over Kuwait after being hit by Iranian fire. Iran’s military joint command countered by claiming four U.S. aircraft were destroyed during the rescue operation. A spokesman warned via IRNA news agency: “If you commit aggression again and strike civilian facilities, our responses will be more forceful.” A regional intelligence official, speaking to the media on condition of anonymity, contradicted Tehran’s claims regarding the rescue mission. The official stated the U.S. military intentionally blew up two of its own transport planes due to technical malfunctions to protect sensitive technology The conflict is no longer confined to U.S.-Iranian exchanges. Iran has expanded retaliatory strikes to Gulf Arab states hosting U.S. military installations. On Saturday, a projectile struck an auxiliary building near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant, killing one person, though operations were unaffected. Subsequently, Russia’s Rosatom evacuated 198 staff members from the site. On Sunday, Iranian drone attacks targeted petrochemical plants and power facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. The disruption has sent shockwaves through energy markets. The spot price for current physical cargoes of Brent crude oil soared Thursday to $141.36 (approx. GH¢1,556.37), the highest level since the 2008 financial crisis. The spot price reflects demand for Brent oil to be delivered in the next 10 to 30 days. The high price of immediate oil deliveries points to current physical supply constraints due to the huge disruption triggered by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The price was $32.33 (approx. GH¢355.95) higher than the Brent crude futures contract for June delivery, which closed at $109.03 (approx. GH¢1,200.42) on Thursday The escalating tension in the Middle East has triggered immediate economic repercussions across Africa. In Ghana, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) recently reported a surge in fuel prices, with petrol rising to GH¢13.30 per litre and diesel to GH¢17.10 per litre. Experts warn that a prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could increase Ghana’s annual oil import bill by $2.4 billion (approx. GH¢26.42 billion), potentially reversing recent gains in inflation management. The African Union (AU) has called for “urgent de-escalation,” warning that the conflict threatens food security and economic resilience across the continent, as 20% of the world’s oil supply remains at risk. Despite the looming deadline, some diplomatic threads remain active. Oman’s foreign ministry reported meeting with Iranian officials to discuss visions for ensuring transit. “During the meeting, experts from both sides presented a number of visions and proposals that will be studied,” the Omani statement on X read. Concurrently, Iran’s foreign minister has, in principle, left the door open for peace talks with the U.S. amid ongoing mediation from Pakistan. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed gratitude for the efforts in Islamabad but gave no indication of Tehran’s willingness to bow to Trump’s specific demands. “We are deeply grateful to Pakistan for its efforts and have never refused to go to Islamabad. What we care about are the terms of a conclusive and lasting END to the illegal war that is imposed on us,” Araghchi said on X. In a supporting statement on Saturday, Pakistani officials told the media that efforts to broker a ceasefire are “right on track Closing the Window for Negotiation The window for these diplomatic efforts is rapidly closing. On March 26, President Trump extended a pause in attacking Iran’s energy facilities by 10 days to April 6 at the request of the Islamic Republic’s government. In a televised address from the White House on Wednesday, the President told Americans he expects the war to last another two to three weeks but insisted the conflict was nearing its conclusion. “We are going to finish the job, and we’re going to finish it very fast,” he said. With the 48-hour countdown under way, the President’s patience appears to have reached its limit. “Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign [sic] down on them,” Trump warned Saturday in a Truth Social post. He is scheduled to speak from the Oval Office on Monday at 1 p.m. ET (5 p.m. GMT). As the deadline approaches, the international community remains caught between the White House’s demand for an immediate reopening of the Strait and Tehran’s insistence on ending what it terms an “illegal war.” With global markets and regional stability hanging in the balance, the coming 48 hours represent a critical juncture that will determine if diplomacy can still avert a total regional conflagration. 6th April,2026

LAKE BOSOMTWE SHOWING GOLD GLITTERS Anyone who has visited Lake Bosomtwe before, especially at the Abono town side may have heard the famous oral narrative of how the lake was discovered in relation to the hunter called 'Bompe', his dog 'Daakye' and the hunt for an antelope (Otwe). It is interesting especially hearing the narrative from the children at the Abono side of the lake explaining that the hunter, Bompe was on a hunting spree one night with his dog - Daakye - and they came across an antelope (Otwe). He reportedly fired at the antelope and thought he had hit it, but the wounded antelope fled the scene. The hunter is said to have followed the blood droplets presuming the angle at which, he hit the antelope, it was going to drop dead nearby. According to the narrative, the hunter followed and saw the antelope resting near a small body of water, but when he made an attempt to approach it, the antelope reportedly jumped into the water and was not seen again. The hunter thinking the pond was too small for the antelope to drown reportedly jumped into the water but did not find it. Since he could not find it, he reported back to his village/cottage folks who concluded the pond was a sacred site believed to be housing a god [Bosom]. According to the narrative, the small magical body of water rapidly swell into the lake we see today. A combination of the word Bosom in relation to the sacred site for the god [Bosom] and the antelope (Otwe), gave the name Bosomtwe [antelope god - Otwe Bosom otherwise referred to as Bosomtwe] According to NASA's Earth Observatory, the Lake Bosomtwe area is also considered a "place where souls bid farewell to Earth before entering the afterlife." The scientific narrative of a meteor slamming into planet earth In reality, modern-day geologists have a more fiery, explosive explanation for the lake’s origin. Scientific analysis shows that an asteroid about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) wide slammed into the African rainforest just over 1 million years ago, leaving one of the youngest and best-preserved complex impact craters on Earth. Meaning, the lake actually formed around 1 million years ago, when a roughly 3,300-foot-wide (1 km) meteor slammed into planet earth, creating "arguably the best-preserved complex young impact structure known on Earth," according to the International Commission on Geoheritage. The catastrophic collision likely triggered "a blinding flash of light and an immense fireball [that] would have incinerated life for dozens of kilometers," Marian Selorm Sapah, a senior lecturer in the University of Ghana's Department of Earth Science, told the Earth Observatory. If the same event occurred today, it would likely obliterate the city of Kumasi, she added. According to the geologists, the energy released would have generated a massive shockwave, flattening forests and hurling tons of vaporized rock and debris around the crater. Meaning, a similar impact in that same location today would result in the complete destruction of everything within a radius of several hundred kilometers, including major cities like Kumasi, according to Sapah. The volume of dust and aerosols injected into the upper atmosphere would also likely block enough sunlight to lead to an “impact winter” with long-term effects on agriculture. Lake Bosumtwe, a bowl-shaped body of water southeast of the fast-growing city of Kumasi (partially visible in the top left of the photo above), spans 49 square kilometers (19 square miles). The roughly circular body of water, which is up to 240 feet (70 meters) deep, is Ghana's only natural lake. It is in the Bosomtwe district of the Ashanti Region A report on science.nasa.gov on the explosive beginning for Lake Bosomtwe states that the exotic geology has drawn attention to the crater for economic reasons as well. When the asteroid struck, the shockwave fractured the crust around the crater, creating an extensive network of faults and cracks that allowed hot fluids to circulate. The event helped concentrate gold and other minerals from a gold-bearing rock layer called the Birimian Supergroup near the surface and primed the area around the crater to become a target of small-scale gold mining, locally referred to as galamsey (gather and sell). The OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 8 captured December 21, 2024 image of Bosumtwe. The other image captured on December 29, 2015 shows the same area in December 2015. These images, along with a separate analysis by remote sensing experts, show a marked expansion of mining, particularly southwest of the lake, as well as rapid expansion of farmland and villages around the lake in recent decades. The greener water in 2024 is likely due to the lake having a higher concentration of some types of phytoplankton. Phytoplankton in the lake varies seasonally due to changing environmental conditions. Some research suggests that land use change near the lake may be contributing to increased loads of nutrients and making certain types of phytoplankton more abundant. A team of NASA-funded scientists developed an app that uses Landsat images to track the expansion of gold mining in this region and helps distinguish between artisanal and industrial-scale mines. While industrial-scale mining typically occurs within large open pits, artisanal mining is usually more superficial; however, it often leaves swathes of deforested land and mercury-contaminated waterways. Most of the new mining seen around the lake was classified as artisanal. The stark visual evidence of anthropogenic change juxtaposed with a million-year-old geological landmark is striking,” Sapah said. “The clear encroachment of settlements, agriculture, and mining activities right up to the lake’s steep crater rim is a testament to both the image resolution and the scale of the change.” 28th May,2026

300 GHANAIANS EVACUATED FROM SOUTH AFRICA As families and government officials gathered to receive them. the evacuees included 26 persons detained for visa violations in South Africa. They touched down at about 3 p.m. in a chartered Ethiopian Airlines flight amid cheers and relief Many were seen waving the Ghana flag and singing patriotic songs, while others also shed tears of joy, as they stepped on home soil after weeks of uncertainty and fears, having been subjected to ridicule and harassment to return to their countries by Black South Africans, leading the charge of xenophobic attacks on Ghanaians and other African nationals. The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye-Quayson, and the Chief Executive Officer of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Dr Joseph Bikanyi Kuyon, led a government delegation to welcome the returnees. They were joined by officials from the ministry, the Ghana Immigration Service and other security agencies, the Ghana Airport Company Ltd, as well as anxious family members who had waited hours at the arrival hall of Terminal Two. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and gratitude at the arrival hall, where a short ceremony to welcome them took place. They were provided with hot meals as a welcome refreshment, while each would also go home with one bag of food items. Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting Ghanaians abroad. The government also promised to offer the evacuees immediate support. Mr Ablakwa indicated that the evacuation demonstrated the government’s resolve to safeguard the dignity and safety of every Ghanaian, no matter where they were. Today, the Mahama Administration is demonstrating that wherever Ghanaians are, we will make sure you are protected, your dignity is respected, and we will go the length of this world to bring you back home safely,” he said. The Foreign Affairs Minister added that the government would ensure they were not left to struggle alone. Mr Ablakwa assured the returnees that they would receive transportation allowance to reach their hometowns and a special reintegration package to help them restart their lives. President Mahama says that all of you should be given two special allowances--- a transportation allowance and a reintegration allowance--- a special package to help you put your lives back on track,” he said. He credited the successful operation to the collaboration between the Office of the Chief of Staff, NADMO, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the International Organisation for Migration, and the staff of the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Mr Ablakwa also disclosed that the government negotiated with the South African government for the release of the 26 Ghanaian detainees, who were arrested due to visa violations. The Foreign Affairs Minister also thanked Ethiopian Airlines for its cooperation during the evacuation and commended the passengers for their conduct. 28th May,2026

GHANAIAN NATIONAL LEAVE SOUTH AFRICA Hundreds of Ghanaians living in South Africa are preparing to return home under a voluntary repatriation exercise, with many citing insecurity, economic hardship and growing uncertainty over the treatment of foreign nationals as reasons for their decision. The first group of Ghanaian nationals is expected to depart South Africa this week after approximately 800 citizens indicated their willingness to return home. The development comes against the backdrop of ongoing debate in South Africa over undocumented migration, tightening immigration enforcement and concerns surrounding xenophobic tensions affecting foreign nationals. Among those preparing to leave is a Ghanaian migrant identified only as Fredrick, who said the dream of finding greener pastures in South Africa had faded after years of hardship and fear. There is no place like home. We came to this country with the intention of greener pastures. But then, we realised that there is nothing much here for us. Coupled with rampant and constant xenophobic attacks and other things that come along with staying here, I felt it is better for me to go home Although he stated that he had not personally suffered xenophobic violence, Fredrick described daily life in Johannesburg as increasingly unsafe and unpredictable. “Even if you are not in danger from xenophobic attacks or riots, there are a lot of things. People can come into your house, point a gun at you and rob you. Even in the streets, you are not safe,” he explained. He argued that frustrations directed at migrants reflected broader systemic failures rather than hostility towards foreigners alone. I do not think it's xenophobia; I think the system has failed. They are angry because the system has failed,” he added. Asked whether he would consider returning to South Africa in future, Fredrick responded emphatically: “Never. I can never come back to South Africa.” Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, has meanwhile called for a more balanced and nuanced approach to discussions surrounding migrants and documentation in the country According to him, while undocumented migration remains a legitimate concern, many Ghanaians living in South Africa have resided and worked legally for years but continue to face bureaucratic delays in renewing permits and residency documentation. “Well, the numbers are quite high for those who are here illegally, and the numbers also for those who are here illegally are quite high. It's for us to determine the terms as to when we say illegal. What do you mean? It's a term that we need to discuss and define,” he said. Mr Quashie explained that some Ghanaian nationals had submitted renewal applications to South African authorities but remained caught in lengthy administrative backlogs. Because you have people from Ghana who have been in this country with work permits for four years, five years down the line. They go to renew it with Home Affairs. I know a lot of them,” he noted. Out of the list, we have about 30 to 40 of them who we have found that they genuinely submitted their documentation for renewal, but the Department of Home Affairs is still working on the process. He added that many Ghanaian migrants contribute to local economic activity through small businesses and employment partnerships with South Africans. “These are people who have small businesses, the salon business, the mechanic businesses, and others,” he said. “So it's a close mix of people who are here, genuinely trying to make ends meet. And for your information, these are people who also work with South Africans. So we see that there should be a balance when it comes to these things.” The repatriation exercise has reignited conversations about migration pressures within Africa, economic opportunities on the continent and the growing challenges faced by migrant communities in host countries amid rising unemployment and social tensions 24th May,2026

CHINESE INVESTORS COURTS FOR INDUSTRIAL PARTNERSHIPS Hon. Ofosu-Adjare said the government’s economic transformation agenda under President John Dramani Mahama is focused on shifting Ghana from exporting raw materials to producing value-added goods. She disclosed that the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Act 2026 had removed minimum capital requirements for foreign investors and shortened investment approval timelines. The Minister also highlighted Ghana’s role as host of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, saying it offers investors access to a market of more than 1.4 billion people across Africa, including the ECOWAS market. She identified agro-processing, textiles, pharmaceuticals, recycling, green manufacturing, digital technology, construction materials, automobile assembly and agri-technology as key sectors with investment opportunities. The Minister also announced the opening of the China-Ghana Trade and Investment Promotion Centre in Jinan to support Chinese businesses interested in investing in Ghana. Speaking at the Ghana-China Investment Forum in Jinan, Shandong Province, on May 21, 2026, the Minister invited Chinese investors to establish and expand businesses in Ghana, citing the country’s stable democracy, strategic location and investor-friendly reforms. 24th May,2026