Ghana Today News, Morning 20th August 2025: EC Prints Ballots for Akwatia By-Election Amidst National Mourning
Welcome to your Wednesday morning news briefing. Today’s headlines are marked by significant political preparations as the nation continues to navigate a period of mourning. The Electoral Commission moves forward with the Akwatia by-election, while internationally, major conferences and digital platform changes take effect. Here is the essential news roundup from Ghana for August 20, 2025.
Top National Headlines for August 20
The domestic news landscape is focused on electoral processes and the ongoing response to the tragic loss of key government officials earlier in the month.
Electoral Commission Begins Printing Ballots for Akwatia By-Election
The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has officially announced it will commence the printing of ballot papers today, Wednesday, August 20, 2025, for the upcoming by-election in the Akwatia constituency. The election is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, following the death Office of the Special Prosecutor sitting Member of Parliament, Ernest Yaw Kumi.
Benjamin Bano Bioh, the Director of Electoral Services at the EC, confirmed that all necessary procurement and preparations are complete. “As of now, we will start printing the ballots from tomorrow. We have procured all the materials required for the election, so we are ready,” he stated, urging all political stakeholders to adhere to electoral regulations to ensure a smooth and credible process.
Nation Continues to Mourn Fallen Ministers
While official activities resume, Ghana remains in a state of mourning following the tragic helicopter crash on August 6 that claimed the lives of Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and six other officials. President John Mahama has assured the nation of a full and transparent investigation into the cause of the crash. Investigators have successfully retrieved the flight data and cockpit voice recorders, commonly known as “black boxes,” which are crucial for the inquiry.
Other Developing Stories Across Ghana
Several other key issues are capturing public attention today:
- There is increasing pressure on the government to arrest Ralph Agyapong, an NDC affiliate, over an alleged attack on a nurse.
- The death of a 17-year-old is being blamed on shoddy bridge construction, raising concerns about infrastructure safety.
- Allegations have surfaced regarding top COCOBOD directors being ordered to stay home while NDC affiliates assume their roles.
- The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is reportedly prosecuting eight major corruption cases and investigating 67 cases involving both state and private institutions.
International News with Local Impact
On the global stage, several events occurring today have relevance for Ghana’s economic, technological, and diplomatic future.
9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) Begins
Today marks the start of the 9th Tokyo Tokyo International Conference on African Development on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama, Japan, running from August 20 to 22. As a major co-organizer, the World Bank will participate in discussions focused on mobilizing private capital, building resilient infrastructure, and enhancing food self-sufficiency across Africa. The conference is a key platform for shaping development policy and fostering partnerships between Japan and African nations, including Ghana.
Amazon Discontinues Appstore for Android
Effective today, August 20, 2025, Amazon is discontinuing support for its Appstore on Android mobile devices and its Amazon Coins program. While developers could submit updates until this date, no new apps have been accepted since February. This change may affect Ghanaian developers and users who utilized the platform for app distribution and in-app purchases.
