You’ve probably seen the headlines flashing across your phone this morning, but honestly, there is a lot more moving under the surface in Accra right now than just the traffic. Between the sudden transport chaos and some massive shifts in the economy, today—Saturday, January 17, 2026—is shaping up to be one of those days where the country feels like it's shifting gears.
Basically, if you’re trying to get anywhere or spend any money today, things look a bit different than they did even a week ago.
The transport breakdown: Why drivers and the Ministry are at odds
If you’ve tried to catch a trotro or a taxi in Kumasi or Accra this morning, you already know the vibe is tense. We are currently in the middle of a massive commercial transport crisis. It’s not just "usual traffic" anymore.
Drivers are furious.
They’ve started hiking fares arbitrarily, and the government is threatening a major crackdown. The Ministry of Transport, led by Ofosu Kwakye, just issued a stern warning: they are going to start clamping down on "errant drivers" who are essentially creating an artificial shortage to drive up prices.
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But the drivers have a different story. They’re pointing at the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA), claiming there are multi-million euro transport plans just sitting on a shelf while the roads crumble. It’s a mess.
- Taskforce officers and drivers are literally clashing in the streets of Kumasi over these fare increases.
- The government is trying to rush 300 new Isuzu buses into the Metro Mass Transit fleet to break the monopoly of the private unions.
- There’s a high-stakes meeting scheduled for later today to see if they can stop a total terminal shutdown.
The $1 Billion Cedi play: What the Bank of Ghana is actually doing
You might have heard the news that the Cedi was one of the best-performing currencies in the world last year. It sounds like a fever dream considering where we were in 2023, but the data is real—it gained over 40% in 2025.
Now, the Bank of Ghana is trying to keep that momentum from evaporating.
They just announced they are dumping $1 billion into the FX market this month alone. Why? Because January is usually the month when businesses go crazy buying dollars to pay for imports, which usually kills the Cedi. By injecting this much cash, they’re trying to keep the exchange rate from spiking.
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It’s working, mostly. Inflation is down to about 5.4%, a four-year low. This is the stuff that actually matters for the price of kenkey and fuel. Speaking of fuel, GOIL just dropped petrol prices to single digits (GHS 9.99) at about 150 stations. If you’re at the pump today, look for the new pricing; it’s finally starting to reflect that "macroeconomic turnaround" the politicians keep talking about.
The NPP vs. Frimpong-Boateng: A party in turmoil
On the political front, things are getting ugly. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has officially started the process to expel Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng.
It’s a huge deal.
The world-renowned heart surgeon called the party leadership "fake," and the NPP isn't taking it lying down. They’re calling it a matter of "party discipline," while his supporters say the party is just trying to gag internal critics. This is all happening while the race between Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Kennedy Agyapong for the future of the party heats up. Honestly, the internal friction is starting to look like a terminal threat to their cohesion for the 2028 cycle.
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Crime and Justice: The Adabraka robbery and a US detention
The Ghana Police Service finally had a win this week. They recovered that Toyota Highlander used in the Adabraka Gold Jewellery shop robbery. You remember the video—it was everywhere. They’ve got a suspect in custody now, and they’re tracing the rest of the gang.
But the bigger legal story today is happening across the ocean. Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, the former MASLOC boss, is currently sitting in a US detention center. The extradition process has officially begun. It looks like the US isn't going to block it, which means we might see her back on Ghanaian soil to face that 10-year sentence sooner than anyone expected.
Sports: The Black Stars' path to redemption
Let's talk football for a second because we need a break from the heavy stuff.
The Black Stars are officially heading to the 2026 World Cup in North America this summer. After the absolute disaster of missing the 2025 AFCON, Coach Otto Addo is under a mountain of pressure. We’ve been drawn into Group L with England, Croatia, and Panama.
- The Dangerman: Antoine Semenyo is the name everyone is watching. He’s just signed an $87 million deal to join Manchester City.
- The Return: We’re all crossing our fingers that Mohammed Kudus is fully fit by June.
- The Strategy: If we can beat Panama and snag a draw against one of the "big boys," we actually have a shot at the knockout rounds.
Practical steps for today
If you’re navigating the latest ghana news today, here’s how to handle the current situation on the ground:
- Check the Pump: Don't just pull into any station. GOIL has hit the GHS 9.99 mark at specific locations; use their station finder or just look for the updated digital boards to save a few Cedis.
- Transport Timing: If you’re using public transport, leave an hour earlier than usual. The "taskforce vs. driver" friction in Kumasi and Accra is causing localized delays that Google Maps isn't picking up fast enough.
- Digital Plates: The DVLA is rolling out new digital plates. If you haven't onboarded your vehicle yet, get to a center before the end-of-month rush.
- Health Alert: The Ghana Health Service has issued a red alert for meningitis in the northern belt. If you're traveling up north, stay hydrated and avoid overcrowded, unventilated spaces where possible.
The country is in a weird spot. The economy looks "good" on paper with the Cedi stabilizing, but the tension in the transport sector shows that the average person is still feeling the pinch. Keep an eye on the transport negotiations this afternoon; that’ll determine if Monday morning is a breeze or a total nightmare.