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May 10, 2026
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Army parachutes onto remote island to help Briton with suspected hantavirus
Key Points
- British Army medics parachuted onto the remote island of Tristan da Cunha to assist a British national suspected of hantavirus, who had disembarked from the MV Hondius cruise ship.
- The MV Hondius has been linked to a deadly hantavirus outbreak, with three deaths and six confirmed cases, including two other Britons being treated elsewhere.
- Oxygen supplies were also dropped onto Tristan da Cunha, which has no airstrip and limited medical facilities, by an RAF A400M.
- The British man on Tristan da Cunha reported symptoms weeks after leaving the ship and is in stable condition, while the vessel has arrived in Tenerife for repatriation of over 100 passengers.
- This is the first time the UK military has parachuted in medical personnel for humanitarian support, highlighting the UK's commitment to its overseas territories.
Why This Matters
This article holds minimal direct relevance to Ghana. It details a specific medical emergency and military operation concerning a British national on a remote British overseas territory and a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, with most affected individuals being repatriated to Europe or South Africa. Ghana is not mentioned and is not directly impacted by these events.
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August 24, 2026
GoldBod denies GH¢1bn BoG overdraft claim, demands retraction and apology from Boako
- The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has vehemently denied claims by MP Dr. Gideon Boako that it owes the Bank of Ghana (BoG) a GH¢1 billion overdraft.
- Dr. Boako, a Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Finance Committee, questioned GoldBod's reported GH¢907 million profit, stating an outstanding overdraft would reflect a loss.
- GoldBod labeled Dr. Boako’s claim as “totally false,” a “deliberate and malicious smear campaign,” and demanded a retraction and apology.
- This dispute is set against a broader political and economic debate concerning GoldBod’s financial performance and the accounting treatment of GH¢22 billion losses from the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP).
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GoldBod losses remain key on Minority agenda as Parliament reconvenes – Afenyo-Markin
- The NPP Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, reaffirmed the caucus's commitment to investigate a reported US$1.7 billion loss linked to the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme and the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).
- This commitment was reiterated after Afenyo-Markin met with NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in Accra.
- Dr Bawumia commended the Minority Caucus for its accountability efforts and encouraged their continued work.
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Why celebrate $2.62bn FDI while losing $1.7bn under the Domestic Gold Programme? IERPP asks
- The Institute of Economic Research and Public Policy (IERPP) welcomes Ghana's US$2.62 billion Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as a sign of investor confidence.
- However, IERPP tempers this optimism with concern over an estimated GH¢22 billion (US$1.7 billion) loss from the Domestic Gold Purchase Program (DGPP).
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- IERPP emphasizes that while FDI is crucial, it cannot substitute for prudent management and protection of existing public resources.
- The Institute calls for greater transparency, a clear breakdown of DGPP losses, and intense scrutiny from accountability institutions, Parliament, and civil society.