K9 dog sniffs out 72lbs of prohibited Ghanaian food items at JFK

October 2, 2026

• The Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF) has provided critical medical equipment to nine additional hospitals as part of its first-anniversary 'Day of Giving' initiative.
• The equipment includes ultrasound machines, oxygen concentrators, an oxygen plant, and X-ray machines, aimed at strengthening diagnostic capacity and emergency response.
• Beneficiary hospitals are located across various regions, including Volta, Western North, Bole, Greater Accra, Oti, Upper West, Ashanti, Eastern, and Northern.
• Hospital managements expressed appreciation, highlighting the equipment's role in improving service delivery and easing pressure on healthcare workers.
• The GMTF Administrator affirmed the Fund's commitment to continued engagement with health facilities to address pressing needs and make measurable differences in healthcare delivery.

October 1, 2026

• Pentecost University in Ghana is set to host the third International Conference on Environmental, Social Governance and Sustainable Development of Africa (ICESDA 2026) from October 22-23.
• The conference, co-organised by Green Communities International, anticipates 700 participants from over 15 countries to deliberate on ESG and sustainable development in Africa.
• It aims to help African countries build capacity for global ESG requirements and promote sustainable economic growth, acknowledging that current standards may not fully reflect Africa’s economic realities.
• A key objective is to examine how international ESG standards affect African businesses and identify approaches that align with the continent’s development priorities.
• Themed “The Africa We Want,” the event will focus on areas like agriculture, green energy, digital infrastructure, and business systems, bridging academic research with practical policy solutions.

October 1, 2026

• Ghana-linked cocaine seizures totaled approximately 16 tonnes, valued between $1.3 billion and $1.7 billion, from March 2025 to September 2026.
• A significant majority (over 12 tonnes) of this cocaine was seized abroad, mainly in Europe, highlighting Ghana's role as an origin or transit point.
• Ghana ranked fifth among countries of origin for cocaine seized at Belgium's port of Antwerp in 2025, the only non-South American country in the top five.
• Ghanaian authorities acknowledge a growing drug threat, including rising local consumption and increased use of maritime routes, with drug-related arrests surging by 197% in 2025.
• President Mahama has responded by directing an inter-agency task force to develop a roadmap, restoring NACOC to joint container inspections, and pledging resources to enhance anti-narcotics efforts.