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Police in the Central East Region have rescued 46 suspected human trafficking victims, among them a three-year-old child, during an intelligence-driven operation in Buduburam, Gomoa East District.
Authorities said the victims, mostly from neighbouring Francophone countries, were deceived with promises of better living conditions and overseas opportunities.
Investigators claim that the victims were then detained in a tough residential facility with no access to basic essentials like food and communication.
Police say the rescue was carried out after a relative of one of the victims reported the case, prompting rapid action by the Police Intelligence Department.
One suspect is in custody, while police continue efforts to arrest others connected to the suspected trafficking operation.
Confirming the incident, DSP Victor Dosoo said police are pursuing further investigations while taking steps to safeguard the victims and identify all those behind the alleged trafficking operation.
Ghana’s former MASLOC Chief Executive, Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, has been taken into custody by US authorities in connection with an extradition request submitted by the Government of Ghana.
Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, confirmed in a statement dated January 15, 2026, that she is being held at the Nevada Southern Detention Center in Pahrump.
The statement said Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu was arrested by US Marshals on January 6 after Ghana’s extradition request from July 2024 was acted upon.
She is currently being held while awaiting a court appearance on the extradition process.
A former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre, Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu oversaw a government agency that supports small businesses through microcredit financing.
She was convicted in absentia by an Accra High Court in April 2024 on 78 counts, including financial loss to the state, stealing, money laundering, conspiracy, and breaches of procurement laws over alleged misuse of MASLOC funds.
Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu was sentenced to 10 years in prison with hard labour after fleeing the country while on medical leave. Her co-accused, Daniel Axim, received a five-year sentence.
Ghana requested her extradition from the United States, where she had been living. US Marshals arrested her on January 6, 2026, and she is currently in custody awaiting extradition proceedings.
Women and children are emerging as the hardest hit victims of Ghana’s deepening transport crisis, as chaotic scenes at major lorry stations continue to disrupt daily life, endanger the vulnerable and erode productivity across the country.
At the Kwame Nkrumah Circle – one of Accra’s busiest transport hubs – the struggle for public transport has turned into a daily battle of physical strength, leaving women, children and the elderly at a severe disadvantage. At the footbridge loading stop near Circle Ebony, long queues collapse into disorder the moment a vehicle arrives, with boarding determined not by order, but by force.
Atinka TV’s Ebenezer Madugu, reporting live from the scene, witnessed a heated confrontation between a male passenger and a woman who had been patiently waiting in line.
“He pushed me off the line and I couldn’t enter the bus and another person has taken the seat. He wanted to overtake me. If you (Michel Ofori) try, I will slap you,” the woman, identified as Maa Agnes, told Madugu in distress. According to eyewitness Kwaku Pastor, a loading assistant, the incident reflects a broader pattern of abuse against women amid the transport shortage.
“The man thought the woman can’t fight him. He thought she was weak and wanted to bully her. But the woman also pushed him to prevent him from entering. Now they all couldn’t go because they are now fighting,” – he explained. He added a plea to authorities: “We beg the government to do something about this because there are few cars in town.” Beyond physical confrontations, the crisis is taking a heavy toll on family life and health, especially for working mothers.
Madam Adelaide Boateng, a stranded passenger standing with her school-going son, said she had been waiting for over an hour. “We normally get home after 10pm and wake up at 4am. I hardly make time for his sister these days. I am really struggling,” – she lamented.
She appealed directly to the government: “I am begging government to quickly fix the broken Ayalolo and Metro Mass to end all these challenges. We beg him (President Mahama).”
Nearby, Julie Adom, a trader who had just closed from selling buff loaf and was carrying a sieve with leftover goods, stood helplessly as vans arrived and left without her. “I have been here for over 30 minutes. I believe I will get some later though I am in a hurry,” – she said quietly. When Madugu asked why she was not attempting to board when vehicles arrived, her response captured the silent suffering of many women.
“I don’t have that strength and I am carrying load. If it pours on the ground, I’m dead,” she replied emotionally. As transport shortages persist, workers across Accra and other major cities are arriving home late, waking up exhausted, and risking long-term health consequences.
For women – especially traders, mothers and caregivers – the crisis is not just about delayed journeys, but daily humiliation, physical danger and lost dignity.
At Kwame Nkrumah Circle, the message from commuters is clear: until public transport systems like Ayalolo and Metro Mass Transit are restored and expanded, the struggle for survival on Ghana’s roads will continue — with women paying the highest price.
Private legal practitioner Justice Agbezudze has observed that countries affected by the recent United States visa suspension, including Ghana, have limited leverage to directly challenge the decision.
Speaking on the Morning Target Show, Justice Agbezudze said the affected nations may find it difficult to confront the U.S. over the policy.
“Affected countries lack the leverage to challenge the United States over the visa suspension,” he stated.
Despite this, he expressed confidence that diplomatic engagement remains the most viable path forward.
“Ghana and the other 74 affected countries will find a way to negotiate,” he added.
Justice Agbezudze’s comments come amid growing public debate over the impact of the U.S. visa suspension on travel, education, and business relations between the United States and the affected countries.
Real Madrid’s first match following the dismissal of head coach Xabi Alonso ended in shock and embarrassment, as the Spanish giants suffered a stunning 3–2 defeat to second-tier Albacete in the Copa del Rey round of 16 on Wednesday.
The result marked a humiliating debut for former Real Madrid defender Álvaro Arbeloa, who was handed the reins after Alonso’s sacking. Arbeloa selected a largely second-string side, but his team struggled throughout the night against spirited lower-league opposition.
Substitute Jefte Betancor emerged as the hero for Albacete, scoring twice to cap a dramatic comeback and send the hosts into the quarter-finals at the expense of the 14-time European champions.
Real Madrid took the lead early, but Albacete responded with intensity and belief, eventually overwhelming their illustrious opponents. A thick fog that blanketed large portions of the stadium added to the surreal atmosphere of one of the competition’s biggest shocks in recent years.
Several key Real Madrid stars were absent, including Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, Thibaut Courtois, and Aurélien Tchouaméni, as Arbeloa opted to rotate heavily.
The new coach handed first-team opportunities to right-back David Jiménez and midfielder Jorge Cestero, both promoted from the club’s Castilla reserve side, while Vinícius Júnior led the attack as the central forward.
Despite moments of quality, Real Madrid lacked cohesion and control, allowing Albacete to capitalise on defensive lapses and secure a famous victory that will be remembered as one of the club’s greatest cup triumphs.
For Real Madrid, the defeat deepens scrutiny on the club during a turbulent transition period, while Albacete march on with renewed confidence and belief in their Copa del Rey dream.
Passengers in Kumasi are facing growing transportation challenges following a shortage of trotro vehicles, leading to long waits, overcrowding, and rising commuter frustration.
Speaking on the Morning Target Show on Bullet TV, the Public Relations Officer of the Concerned Drivers Association, David Agboado, criticised what he described as a lack of coordinated action to address the crisis.
“We are not thinking collectively; everyone is focused on their individual interests,” Mr. Agboado said.
He argued that government efforts to deploy Metro Mass Transit buses and Ayalolo services are insufficient to resolve the problem, stressing that the scale of the vehicle shortage requires broader engagement with transport operators.
“The deployment of Metro Mass and Ayalolo alone cannot solve the problem,” he noted.
Mr. Agboado also accused the Ministries of Trade and Transport of failing to treat the issue with the urgency it deserves. According to him, the sector has suffered from a lack of stakeholder engagement since the current administration took office.
“The minister and his deputy have failed to engage transport operators since assuming office over a year ago and must be held responsible,” he stated.
Touching on safety and regulation, Executive Secretary of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Dr. Adam Bona, assured the public that strict procedures are followed before licences are issued.
“We conduct thorough background checks before issuing licences,” Dr. Bona said.
The ongoing vehicle scarcity continues to affect workers, traders, and students in Kumasi, with commuters calling for urgent government intervention to stabilise public transportation and ease daily hardships.
The Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association (GNACOFA) has threatened to embark on a nationwide demonstration if the government fails to address long-standing welfare concerns affecting cocoa farmers across the country.
The Association is calling for the introduction of a pension scheme, improved health insurance coverage, and access to quality healthcare for cocoa farmers, arguing that they currently lack adequate social protection despite their critical contribution to Ghana’s economy.
In a statement, GNACOFA appealed to the government to take urgent steps to reform the welfare system for cocoa farmers, stressing that many farmers work under difficult conditions with little or no safety net after retirement.
According to the Association, the absence of a dedicated pension scheme leaves cocoa farmers financially vulnerable in old age, while limited health insurance coverage restricts access to essential medical care.
GNACOFA also raised concerns about delays in payments to farmers after the sale of cocoa beans to licensed buying companies, describing the situation as unfair and financially distressing.
The Association warned that failure by the government to act on these demands will compel cocoa farmers to organise a massive nationwide protest to draw attention to their plight and demand reforms.
Cocoa remains one of Ghana’s most important export commodities, and farmers say improving their welfare is essential to sustaining the industry and protecting livelihoods.
The Akwatia Police Command has arrested a man identified as Coffie Agyemang, a resident of Kwamang, for allegedly attempting to sell his three-year-old son for money.
According to sources, the suspect reportedly confided in a friend that he intended to sell the child due to financial hardship. The information was subsequently relayed to the police, who initiated a covert operation to verify the claim.
Police officers allegedly posed as interested buyers and engaged the suspect in negotiations. After discussions, an amount of GHS1 million was reportedly agreed upon.
Sources say Mr Agyemang later brought the child to a pre-arranged meeting location, where he was arrested by police officers.
Further allegations suggest that the suspect intended for the child to be killed for ritual purposes, after which parts of the body would be taken, and the remains returned to him to make it appear the child had died naturally. These claims, however, remain under investigation.
Attempts by the media to obtain official comments from the police were unsuccessful. The Akwatia Police Command indicated that investigations are ongoing and that further details will be provided at the appropriate time.
The suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue.
Kumasi — The Interim Management Committee (IMC) of Asante Kotoko SC has issued a three-match ultimatum to head coach Abdul Karim Zito, following an emergency meeting held in Kumasi.
Under the directive, Zito must secure positive results in the club’s next three Ghana Premier League fixtures to retain his position, a situation similar to that faced by his predecessor, Prosper Narteh Ogum.
Asante Kotoko currently sit fourth on the league table with 31 points from 18 matches. The IMC has reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with recent performances and is demanding a clear improvement in results and overall team output.
To keep his job, Zito is expected to lead the Porcupine Warriors to victories against Bibiani Gold Stars SC, Basake Holy Stars, and Hearts of Lions FC.
Kotoko’s immediate test comes on Sunday, January 25, 2026, when they host Basake Holy Stars in a matchday 19 fixture of the Ghana Premier League at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 3:00 pm.
The outcome of these matches is expected to determine the future of the coach as pressure mounts from both management and supporters.
The Minister for Government Communications, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, says the Mahama administration is taking carefully planned and deliberate steps toward the implementation of Ghana’s proposed 24-hour economy, including the establishment of a specialised authority to oversee its rollout.
Mr. Ofosu Kwakye, who also serves as Member of Parliament for Abura Asebu Kwamankese, said the government is determined to avoid the implementation challenges that undermined similar initiatives in the past.
“We don’t believe in just sloganeering. When you want to set up a system, it is better to be meticulous and take the time required to set up the structures properly, so that when you take off, you don’t suffer some of the implementation hiccups that other programmes have suffered,” he stated.
According to the Minister, the creation of the 24-hour economy authority will provide the institutional framework needed to engage both public and private sector organisations effectively.
“It is our hope that by the close of this year, more organisations will come on board because the authority has been set up and they will have the capacity to engage,” he said.
Mr. Ofosu Kwakye emphasized that the initiative is largely aimed at addressing youth unemployment by expanding economic activity beyond traditional working hours.
“There are millions of Ghanaian youth who want to work. They are highly educated and want some employment so they can make a meaningful living,” he noted.
“The 24-hour economy is designed to expand the economy and create room for more employment for our youth.”
The government maintains that the policy, once fully operational, will boost productivity, enhance service delivery, and create sustainable jobs across key sectors of the economy.
