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Ghana and UAE forge strategic energy pact
Ghana and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have committed to a major expansion of their strategic energy partnership following high-level talks between President John Dramani Mahama and UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The agreement, reached Wednesday on the sidelines of the “Make it in the Emirates 2026” summit, centers on a landmark proposal for the UAE to invest in oil and gas storage infrastructure across Ghana.
The two leaders, meeting at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, signaled a shift toward modernizing their energy sectors.
While reinforcing traditional oil and gas ties, they emphasised a transition toward Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and solar power to reduce a historical over-reliance on crude oil.
During the exchange, President Mahama expressed strong solidarity with the UAE regarding the volatile security situation in the Middle East.
Acknowledging the UAE’s sensitive role as a regional buffer, both leaders called for a swift de-escalation of US-Iran hostilities.
They noted that regional stability is the only path toward allowing the global community to refocus on innovation and sustainable development.
“Ghana remains a peaceful partner and a secure, stable democracy,” Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan stated, noting that Ghana offers significant opportunities for mutual growth.
Beyond energy, the bilateral talks covered a broad spectrum of future-facing industries, including, Artificial Intelligence and Technology, Renewable Energy and Climate Innovation Trade and Investment Diversification.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the deep historical bonds between the two nations.
Both presidents expressed optimism that this renewed partnership will yield immediate, tangible advancements in trade and technology, securing a more prosperous and sustainable future for both Ghanaians and Emiratis.
The Ghana Police Service has arrested four suspected armed robbers following an intelligence-led operation in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.
The suspects, identified as Abdulai Ibrahim, Amadu Rahman, Amadu Sulemana, also known as Saaga, and Adu Yakubu, were arrested on May 5, 2026.
Investigations indicate that on 4th May 2026, the suspects converged at Gbane, a mining community in the Talensi District, after travelling from Yagaba and Fumbisi to carry out a robbery operation, during which they robbed four motorbikes and several mobile phones.
During interrogation, the suspects admitted to a series of robberies within the Talensi District, along the Yagaba Fumbisi road and the Yagaba-Nanguruma road in the North East Region.
They also confessed to a robbery at the Vikandi Phone Shop in Bolgatanga on 22nd March 2025, which was captured in a viral video in which they were seen wielding an AK47 assault rifle.
They further admitted to multiple robberies at Gbane mining sites, where gold and large sums of money were taken from victims.
The suspects later led Police to a farm near Biung, close to Gbane, where the gang leader, Amadu Rahman, had concealed an AK47 rifle.
A search of the area led to the retrieval of the rifle, with serial number 68100563, and eighty-seven (87) rounds of live ammunition hidden in a fertilizer sack.
During the search to retrieve the weapon, suspect Amadu Rahman collapsed and was rushed to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
His body has been deposited at the hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.
The remaining three suspects are in Police custody and will be put before court to face the full rigours of the law.
Fourteen civil society organisations, including CDD, IMANI and 12 other CSO’shave filed an application at the Supreme Court seeking permission to join a constitutional case challenging parts of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959).
The groups want to participate in the case of Adamtey v Attorney-General as amici curiae, meaning friends of the court, to provide legal and policy perspectives to assist the court in its determination.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, May 6, the organisations explained that the case raises important constitutional and public interest issues relating to Ghana’s anti corruption framework and the independence of public institutions.
The coalition includes Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Transparency International Ghana, the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), Democracy Hub LBG, STAR-Ghana Foundation, NORSAAC, Penplusbytes, the Africa Center for Energy Policy (ACEP), Odekro Parliamentary Monitoring Organization, A Rocha Ghana, Parliamentary Network Africa (PN Africa), IMANI-Africa, the One Ghana Movement, and Africa Education Watch.
According to the statement, some of the organisations were directly involved in the drafting and parliamentary approval of Act 959 in 2017 and also campaigned for the establishment of the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
It noted that it jointly submitted what it described as one of the most detailed memoranda to Parliament’s Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee during discussions on the bill.
The coalition commended the Supreme Court for increasingly allowing amicus curiae participation in cases involving major constitutional questions.
According to the statement, such participation has helped to broaden public interest perspectives and strengthen constitutional adjudication in Ghana.
The organisations stressed that their intervention is not politically motivated or directed at any individual involved in the case.
“It is motivated solely by a shared commitment to constitutionalism, accountable governance, anti corruption, institutional integrity, and the preservation of independent public institutions established to serve the Republic,” the statement noted.
The coalition expressed confidence that its participation would provide the court with institutional memory, comparative anti corruption standards and constitutional arguments to support a fair determination of the matter.
The applicants are being represented by Kizito Beyuo, Oliver Barker Vormawor, Samson Lardy Anyenini and Clement Kojo Akapame.
By: Jacob Aggrey
