The Ghana Police Service has launched investigations into the death of three children at Kobilmahigu in the Northern Region, with Inspector-General of Police (IGP) deploying a special team to assist with the probe.

The development has drawn attention to the circumstances surrounding the deaths, as investigators work to establish what happened and determine whether any criminal wrongdoing was involved.

Special Team Deployed

The IGP has directed a specialised police team to support the local investigators handling the case.

The team is expected to assist with the ongoing investigation and ensure that all relevant circumstances surrounding the deaths are thoroughly examined.

Police Probe Underway

The Police Service has not disclosed further details about the circumstances leading to the deaths.

Investigators are expected to gather evidence, speak to relevant witnesses and examine other information that could help establish the cause and circumstances of the incident.

The Police have urged the public to remain calm while the investigation continues.

Further details are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.

Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive Ebi Bright has accused Tema Central Member of Parliament Charles Forson of repeatedly refusing to engage her office and the Tema Metropolitan Assembly on development matters.

Speaking on October 5, 2026, Bright said she had made several attempts to establish communication with the MP since assuming office, but claimed those efforts had yielded little progress.

Mayor Raises Concern Over Development Coordination

According to Bright, the lack of engagement is affecting coordination on development projects within the metropolis.

She said some projects captured in the Assembly’s annual action plans were being undertaken separately, creating concerns about possible duplication.

Bright also stressed the need for discussions on projects involving government reserves and open spaces, saying such developments require coordination among the relevant authorities.

Mayor Alleges Assault on Driver

Bright further alleged that one attempt to engage Forson at Parliament resulted in her driver being physically assaulted.

She said another attempt to reach the MP through his office also allegedly resulted in a member of her staff being assaulted.

The Mayor said the matter has come to the attention of some parliamentary leaders and expressed hope that the dispute would be resolved.

MP Denies Assault Allegation

Forson has denied the assault allegation and offered a different account of the dispute.

The Tema Central MP accused the Mayor of interfering in matters concerning his office and the management of resources allocated to him as an MP, including his share of the District Assemblies Common Fund.

Forson also alleged that documents relating to projects funded from his allocation had remained unsigned at the Mayor’s office, preventing further processing.

The disagreement comes amid wider tensions over development projects and institutional responsibilities in the Tema Metropolis, with both sides presenting competing accounts of how the impasse should be resolved.

The National Identification Authority (NIA), in collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), has resumed the Ghana Card registration exercise for children aged between 6 and 14 years in the North East and Upper East Regions.

The exercise officially began on Monday, October 5, 2026, as part of the NIA’s phased rollout of Ghana Card registration for children within the specified age group.

In a statement dated September 28, 2026, the NIA announced that the exercise would continue in the two regions following earlier registration activities conducted in other parts of the country.

“The National Identification Authority (NIA), in collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), will continue the Ghana Card registration exercise for children aged 6 to 14 years in the North East and Upper East Regions, effective Monday, 5th October 2026,” the statement said.

The child registration exercise first began in the Volta and Oti Regions in May 2026 before being extended to the Northern Region.

Under the latest phase, registration teams will visit public and private schools to register eligible children. The exercise will be conducted between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Children who are not enrolled in school will also be eligible to register. Such children may complete the process at designated schools or other approved registration points within their communities.

Parents or guardians who present children for registration are required to provide an original birth certificate, a valid Ghanaian passport, or a Certificate of Acquired Citizenship.

Where none of these documents is available, the NIA says a parent, relative or legal guardian may complete an Oath of Identity form on behalf of the child.

For children who have no known relatives, two Social Welfare Officers may serve as witnesses or vouch for the child to facilitate the registration process.

The NIA is also encouraging parents and guardians to provide the child’s NHIS card or NHIS number, where available

According to the NIA, the person presenting a child must be a Ghanaian citizen, be 18 years or older, be of sound mind, and possess a valid Ghana Card.

The NIA has also cautioned children who participated in the 2024 pilot registration exercise but have not yet received their Ghana Cards not to register again.

Instead, the Authority has directed such persons to visit the NIA District Office where the child was originally registered to facilitate the issuance of the outstanding card.

The NIA is urging parents, guardians, schools and other stakeholders in the North East and Upper East Regions to support the exercise and help ensure that all eligible children are registered.

The Authority has further warned that providing false information or deliberately facilitating the registration of a non-Ghanaian constitutes an offence punishable under the law.

The statement was signed by Williams Ampomah Emmanuel Darlas, Head of the Corporate Affairs Directorate of the NIA.

PRESS-RELEASE-NIA-

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has commenced investigations into an alleged extortion incident involving a Customs officer stationed at the Accra International Airport (AIA).

The investigation follows a video circulating on social media in which TikToker Lady Rev. Adwoa Pretty alleged that a Customs officer at the airport collected GH¢600 from her without issuing an official receipt.

In the video, Lady Rev. Adwoa Pretty raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding the payment and questioned the conduct of the officer involved.

The allegation has since generated attention on social media, prompting the GRA to issue an official response and assure the public that the matter is being investigated.

In a public notice statement, the GRA said it had taken note of the video and the allegations made by the TikToker.

“The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has taken note of a video circulating on social media by a TikToker called Lady Rev. Adwoa Pretty. In the video, she alleges that a Customs Officer stationed at the Accra International Airport collected GH¢600 from her without issuing a receipt,” the Authority stated.

The GRA said it has commenced investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged payment and the conduct of the officer involved.

“The GRA wishes to assure the public that the Authority has commenced an investigation into the matter and will update the general public on the findings when completed,” it added.

The Authority, however, did not disclose the identity of the Customs officer allegedly involved in the incident.

It also did not provide further details on why the GH¢600 was allegedly collected or the circumstances under which the payment was made.

The GRA stressed that its operations are guided by principles of integrity, accountability and professionalism, noting that it remains committed to ensuring that these standards are upheld by its officers.

“The GRA remains committed to upholding integrity, accountability, and professionalism in the discharge of its mandate,” the Authority said.

The investigation is expected to determine the facts surrounding the allegation and establish whether any officer breached the Authority’s procedures or professional standards.

A call has been made for Ghana to establish a One District, One Rabies Desk as part of urgent measures to prevent deaths from rabies following dog bites.

The call was made by Seth Afum A. Dankwah of J. G. Knol Technical Institute, Adukrom-Akuapem in the Eastern Region, in a detailed public health advocacy statement dated Saturday, October 3, 2026.

The appeal follows a viral video involving a young Ghanaian girl who reportedly struggled to breathe after being bitten by a dog, an incident which triggered concern and prayers from many Ghanaians.

According to Mr Dankwah, while the video generated public sympathy, it also highlighted a recurring public health problem that often goes unnoticed until it is too late.

He said children are frequently bitten by dogs, with the wounds sometimes healing and families forgetting about the incidents, only for symptoms of rabies to appear weeks or months later.

Rabies remains a deadly threat

Mr Dankwah described rabies as a “silent killer” and said Ghana is not doing enough to prevent infections.

He noted that stray dogs remain common in many Ghanaian communities, with large numbers roaming freely and relatively few receiving regular rabies vaccinations.

He questioned whether Ghana has an accurate estimate of its dog population and how many of the country’s dogs are vaccinated annually.

According to him, although the law requires dogs to be vaccinated and licensed annually, enforcement remains weak.

He said District Veterinary Officers are often too few and lack essential resources, including vehicles, cold-chain facilities and adequate supplies of vaccines.

Mr Dankwah warned that this creates a dangerous situation where unvaccinated dogs live close to children and other vulnerable members of communities.

He explained that rabies is caused by a virus carried in the saliva of infected animals, particularly dogs and cats.

Unlike diseases that primarily spread through the bloodstream, he said the rabies virus enters the nerves after an infected animal bites or scratches a person and gradually travels towards the brain.

The incubation period can vary significantly, meaning an infected person may appear healthy for weeks or even months after the bite.

Mr Dankwah said the wound may heal during that period, causing families to forget about the incident.

However, once the virus reaches the brain and symptoms begin to appear, the disease is almost invariably fatal.

He listed symptoms including painful spasms of the throat when attempting to swallow water, known as hydrophobia, extreme agitation, fear of air, confusion, sleeplessness, excessive saliva and restlessness.

He stressed that medical intervention must happen before symptoms develop, describing prevention and timely post-exposure treatment as the critical opportunity to save a person’s life.

Mr Dankwah also raised concern about cultural and spiritual interpretations of rabies symptoms.

He said when a person begins behaving strangely, becomes agitated or develops difficulty swallowing water months after a dog bite, families may forget the bite and attribute the behaviour to witchcraft, spiritual attacks or poisoning.

He cited expressions such as “Y’abɔ no dua”, meaning the person has been cursed, and “Wɔato no aduro”, referring to spiritual poisoning, as examples of beliefs that could delay medical attention.

According to him, families may first turn to prayer camps, herbalists or spiritual leaders, potentially losing critical days before seeking hospital care.

He therefore urged pastors, imams, herbalists, chiefs and community elders to ask a simple question whenever someone develops unexplained difficulty swallowing water or unusual behaviour:

He said a positive history should trigger an immediate referral to a health facility rather than treating the condition solely as a spiritual problem.

Mr Dankwah identified several environments where the risk of dog bites is particularly high.

He said children between the ages of 6 and 15 are particularly vulnerable, especially along school routes where stray dogs may roam.

He also noted that some children hide dog bites or scratches from their parents because they fear being punished.

Markets and food joints, he said, can attract groups of stray dogs because of discarded food.

He further warned about security dogs in compound houses that may roam into neighbouring properties when not properly restrained.

He also raised concerns about people who handle or butcher sick dogs without adequate protection, noting that infected saliva entering an open cut can create a risk.

Another concern, he said, is the practice of treating dog bites at home with substances such as herbs, toothpaste or a black stone before covering the wound.

Call for free mass dog vaccination

Mr Dankwah called on the government to introduce annual free mass dog vaccination campaigns, comparing the initiative to routine childhood immunisation programmes.

He proposed that authorities first provide vaccination free of charge and subsequently enforce existing regulations, including fines for owners whose dogs remain unvaccinated.

He said the approach would help increase vaccination coverage while also improving enforcement of responsible dog ownership.

He also called for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) to be made readily available at district-level health facilities.

PEP is the preventive treatment given after a potentially rabies-exposing bite or scratch to prevent the virus from developing into rabies.

Mr Dankwah argued that PEP should be available in district hospitals and CHPS compounds, rather than being concentrated in major referral facilities.

He further called for the treatment to be provided free to children under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

He said the financial burden of treatment can become a major obstacle for families, particularly those in rural communities.

One District, One Rabies Desk

At the centre of his proposal is the establishment of a One District, One Rabies Desk.

Under the proposal, every district would have a rapid-response team made up of a Disease Surveillance Officer, Veterinary Officer and Environmental Health Officer.

The team would respond when a dog bite is reported, trace the animal involved and quarantine it within 24 hours where necessary.

He said such a system would strengthen coordination between human health, veterinary and environmental authorities and enable suspected rabies exposures to be dealt with quickly.

Mass sterilisation and stray-dog management

Mr Dankwah also called for stronger management of Ghana’s stray-dog population.

He proposed mass sterilisation and vaccination programmes, beginning with pilot projects in major towns and cities.

According to him, controlling the stray-dog population alongside vaccination would reduce the risk of transmission and improve responsible animal management.

Rabies education in schools

He further proposed that rabies prevention and responsible dog ownership be incorporated into Ghana’s pre-tertiary education curriculum.

He said children should be taught how to respond immediately after a dog bite or scratch, including washing the affected area thoroughly with soap and running water and promptly informing a responsible adult.

He also encouraged parents to teach children about rabies prevention in their local languages.

He gave the Twi expression:

“Kraman ka wo a, hohoro na ka kyerɛ obi ntɛm!”

meaning, “If a dog bites you, wash and tell someone quickly.”

Mr Dankwah urged anyone who is bitten by a dog to immediately wash the wound with soap and plenty of running water for about 15 minutes, avoid applying herbs or other substances and seek medical attention the same day.

He urged dog owners to vaccinate their animals every year and prevent them from roaming freely.

Parents, he said, should educate children about what to do after a dog bite and encourage them to report even minor scratches.

He also appealed to pastors, imams, herbalists and traditional leaders to consider a history of dog bites before attributing symptoms such as difficulty swallowing water or unusual behaviour to spiritual causes.

Assembly members, he added, could contribute by working with District Veterinary Officers to organise rabies vaccination exercises within their electoral areas.

We cannot pray away rabies, but we can prevent it

Mr Dankwah said the key lesson from the viral video involving the young girl should not be limited to sympathy and prayers.

He argued that the incident should trigger stronger action to improve dog vaccination, access to PEP, public education and coordination between health and veterinary authorities.

He described rabies as 100% preventable but warned that once clinical symptoms appear, it is almost always fatal.

“The danger is not that dogs are many. The danger is that we don’t vaccinate yearly and we act too late in treatment,” he said.

He urged Ghanaian authorities and communities to treat rabies prevention as a national public health priority rather than waiting for another tragic dog-bite case to generate public attention.