Grace Aseidua Benyin, a Ghanaian midwife and mother of four living in Ireland, was found dead weeks after she was reported missing. Her body was discovered near the Holy Year Cross in County Tipperary in December 2025 and later confirmed through DNA testing.

Irish police (Gardaí) have described the incident as a personal tragedy and say investigations are ongoing to establish the exact cause of death.

Grace had moved to Ireland for work and later sponsored her husband, Frederick Amofa, and their children to join her at great personal cost.

Sources familiar with the family say the relationship later became strained, reportedly over financial issues.

It is alleged that Grace sought legal protection, citing concerns for her safety. She is also said to have taken compassionate leave from work shortly before her passing due to stress.

An autopsy has been conducted, but official findings from the state pathologist and coroner are still pending.

While preliminary information circulating suggests natural causes, questions remain, and authorities have urged the public to allow the investigations to run their course.
Tributes continue to pour in from colleagues, friends, and the Ghanaian community, who remember Grace as a dedicated health professional and loving mother.

She left behind four children aged 5, 7, 9 & 15 years), her husband, and her extended family are in Ghana.

The Member of Parliament(MP) for Tolon, Alhaji Habib Iddrisu, has mocked a Tamale-based Journalist Hamza Lansah of Sagani TV and colleagues who repeatedly attacked New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs) during the 2024 campaign season but have since been sidelined by the current government.

According to the Tolon MP, the Sagani TV presenter in particular was denied a DCE position by the NDC because they did not have confidence in him despite the hatchet job he did for the current government.

“You wanted a DCE position, but the NDC denied you that, which means they don’t have confidence in you,” he said.

“You remember when you (Lansah), Safianu, Sadik Gariba and Luckman came to my office in Accra,  I urged you journalists, not to attack our opponents, the NDC MPs, as you did with us, because Northern MPs need your support and not the attacks,” he added.

He said the journalists should have gotten appointments from the government such as CEO positions but they have instead been sidelined regardless of what they did to better the chances of the current administration.

“You journalists who attacked the NPP MPs to date, what has the NDC rewarded you with?” he asked.

He questioned whether the NDC had compensated them for their work during the 2024 campaign season.

“You journalists championing the agenda of the NDC, tell me what the NDC has done for you since they took office. Look at your colleagues in the South, people like Randy and Annie Ampofo who have all received good appointments from the government,” he gave examples

“All we in the North seem to do is attack and insult one another, pulling ourselves down. Some of you who attacked the NPP MPs now regret it”, he added.

He urged journalists in the Northern region to uphold journalistic ethics.

“You journalists should practice objective journalism and be professional in your work,” he advised

President John Dramani Mahama is scheduled to mark one year in office today, January 7, with a non-denominational thanksgiving service at the forecourt of Jubilee House in Accra.

The ceremony, scheduled for 8:00 a.m., is expected to bring together religious leaders, senior state officials, members of the diplomatic community, and guests.

Organised under the theme “Resetting. Rebuilding. Renewing.”, the service forms part of activities commemorating the administration’s first anniversary since returning to power.

The event is intended to offer prayers of gratitude and reflect on the government’s direction as it enters its second year.

President Mahama was elected in the December 7, 2024, general election after securing 6,328,397 votes, representing 56.55 per cent of valid votes cast. His closest contender, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party, obtained 4,657,304 votes, accounting for 41.61 per cent.

At the time the Electoral Commission declared the results, 11,191,422 valid votes had been recorded from 267 out of 276 constituencies. Ghana’s registered voter population stood at 18,774,159, with a voter turnout of approximately 60.9 per cent.

The 2024 election marked President Mahama’s return to the presidency, having previously served a full term from 2012 to 2016.

Journalist Gordon Asare-Bediako has challenged the growing obsession with New Year’s Eve prophecies, questioning why spiritual leaders wait until the final hours of the year to deliver messages that often carry heavy political undertones.

Speaking on Movement TV monitored by MyNewsGh.com, Asare-Bediako offered a candid critique of the 31st Night phenomenon, urging Christians to prioritise a consistent relationship with God over annual prophetic spectacles.

Asare-Bediako expressed scepticism regarding the sudden influx of divine messages during December 31st services, suggesting that the practice lacks logical spiritual consistency.

“I don’t put my hope in 31st night prayer because we have the whole year to make things right with God,” he stated. “Relying on the 31st night only does not make sense to me. Do the pastors record all the year’s prophecies and say them on the 31st night? Why do they have to wait till the 31st before they bring out all these prophecies?”

The journalist also took aim at specific claims made by high-profile clergy, specifically referencing Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah’s alleged influence over electoral outcomes. He questioned why such purported spiritual authority is not applied to help their own close associates in local elections.

“If Rev. Owusu Bempah claims he has the spiritual power to reduce NPP’s vote in the Ashanti region, why could he not increase Charles Owusu’s, a leader at his church, vote at Nkoransa?” Asare-Bediako asked.

He further noted his surprise at the increasingly partisan nature of modern prophecy. “I am just surprised that the pastors who claim they are not politicians are always bringing political prophecies.”

While affirming his Christian faith and his belief in the supernatural, Asare-Bediako cautioned against “blind faith” in prophetic utterances, noting that dreams and visions are often subjective.

“I know for a fact that people dream and it comes true, and others dream and they do not come true; same applies to prophecies by these pastors,” he explained. “Even though I am a Christian, I do not fully believe in prophecies. If I am prophesied to, and it does not come to pass, I am okay. If it does, I am also okay.”

Asare-Bediako referenced Dr Tamakloe, urging prophets to stop making false prophecies about the political future of former President John Mahama. He joined the call for an end to speculative predictions that suggest unconstitutional outcomes.

“Pastors prophesying that President Mahama will go for a third term should stop,” he remarked, noting that while these instances are not new, they have persisted for too long in the Ghanaian religious space.

The journalist’s takeaway was a plea for discernment and a focus on core spiritual values rather than the sensationalism of the pulpit.

“I believe in spirituality,” he concluded, “but we do not have to put all our faith in these prophecies.”

Popular historian Opanin Yaw Kyere has offered a historical account of how prostitution became associated with Kumasi-Adum, attributing its emergence to social developments dating back to the era of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

Speaking on Ezra FM monitored by MyNewsGh.com, Opanin Kyere said many towns in Ghana are known for particular social or economic characteristics, and according to him, Adum in Kumasi gradually became known for commercial sex activities.

“Every town has something that makes it popular, and with Kumasi-Adum, it is prostitution,” he stated.

He contrasted Adum with other communities within the Kumasi metropolis, noting that similar activities were not prominent in places such as Bantama and Asafo.

“Prostitutes abound in Kumasi-Adum, but in areas like Bantama and Asafo, you do not find such things there,” he explained.

According to the historian, the practice in Adum can be traced to a woman popularly known as Maame Ataa Basie. He explained that in Akan culture, prostitution is traditionally referred to as “tutuu”, while in Ashanti specifically, the term “Basie bra” became associated with the practice because of the originator’s name.

Opanin Kyere said Maame Ataa Basie introduced the lifestyle during the time of President Kwame Nkrumah, recalling a public incident that later gained historical significance.

“During one of Kwame Nkrumah’s rallies in Adum, on a very hot afternoon, she mounted a platform and publicly announced that she wanted a man to spend the night with her,” he recounted.

He explained that although no man responded to her announcement at the time, the incident marked a turning point.

“After that, she went ahead to commercialise the act by renting out rooms in her house to people who later began engaging in such activities,” he said.

Opanin Kyere noted that Maame Ataa Basie herself was not actively involved in prostitution, largely due to her age, but became a central figure in organising and facilitating the practice.

“She was an older woman, so she was not directly involved, but she became known as the ‘Tutuu Hemaa’, the Queen of Prostitutes, because she controlled and managed the system,” he explained.

He added that Maame Ataa Basie hailed from Dabaa and was widely known at the time, describing her as a charismatic figure whose actions left a lasting imprint on the social history of Kumasi-Adum.

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has praised the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, for what he described as exemplary leadership during a visit to the Police Headquarters in Accra on January 6.

Addressing police personnel following a visit he paid to the Police Headquarters in Accra on January 6, the Asantehene expressed appreciation for the reception accorded him and his delegation.

“I appreciate the warm welcome accorded me and my entourage. I admire the women parade in their uniforms,” he said, drawing light laughter when he added, “Mr IGP please prepare a

Police uniform for me so that next time when I am coming, I will be in my Police dress.”

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II also used the occasion to announce a new initiative aimed at strengthening cultural awareness within the Service.

“I would like to announce that the Police administration will introduce a course on tradition and culture in our training programmes,” he stated.

He explained the purpose of the proposed course, noting that “this is to ensure that our officers understand the cultural context within which they operate.”

Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has spoken highly of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, during his royal visit to the Police Headquarters in Accra on January 6.

The police boss signalled out his role in mediating conflicts and promoting peace across the country.

“Your exceptional mediation skills, which have restored peace in numerous conflicts across our nation, compel me to describe you as the King Solomon of our time,” Mr Yohuno said.

He attributed the resolution of several long-standing disputes to the Asantehene’s leadership and personal authority.

“Your wisdom, patience and moral authority have brought calm where tension once prevailed and unity when division once threatens our peace,” the IGP added.

During the engagement, it was also announced that the Police Service would take steps to deepen officers’ understanding of Ghana’s social environment.

“I would like to announce that the Police administration will introduce a course on tradition and culture in our training programmes.

“This is to ensure that our officers understand the cultural context within which they operate,” Mr Yohuno stated.

In response, the Asantehene commended the Inspector-General of Police for what he described as exemplary leadership, acknowledging the role of the Police administration in maintaining law, order and public confidence.

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has called for the immediate removal of DO II Desmond Ackah, the Head of Public Relations for the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), following the alleged assault of journalist Samuel Addo.

Albert Dwumfuo, GJA President, spoke to journalists in Accra on January 6, saying, “We also call for the immediate dismissal or removal of the PRO of the GNFS from the position because our interactions with him on the case shows that he is unfit to be in charge of communication for the Fire Service.”

The association criticized the GNFS for offering an explanation they consider inadequate. “The claim that the officers did not assault the journalist but merely seized his phone because he was recording an altercation without permission is untenable, misleading and offensive to basic intelligence,” Dwumfuo stated.

He described the conduct of the fire personnel as reflecting a “dangerous culture of impunity” that must be confronted decisively. “No emergency or security institution has the authority to intimidate, assault or obstruct journalists under the guise of operational control,” he said.

The GJA President urged that the case be treated as a criminal matter to serve as a clear deterrent. “Internal disciplinary measures alone are insufficient. This is a criminal matter that must be tested in a court of law,” he explained, noting that Addo had formally filed a report at the Kasoa New Market Police Station.

Dwumfuo also recognized those who publicly condemned the assault. “We commend government through the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, for the condemnation of the assault on Samuel Addo. We pray to see swift action on the case,” he said.

He further praised Class Media Group for their support of the journalist. “We also applaud the management and the CEO of Class Media Group, Seidu Adongo, for coming out boldly with a statement to condemn the attack,” Dwumfuo added.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has promoted thirty officers in recognition of their performance in operations that led to the seizure of 2,600 AK-47 rounds and the dismantling of a robbery syndicate in the Ashanti Region.

The promotions, announced on 5th January 2026 via the Ghana Police Service social media handle, were given to officers involved in the Kantanso Asankare Police Barrier operation and intelligence-led activities across Antoakrom–Manso Nkwanta and surrounding areas.

“The officers’ professionalism, vigilance, and commitment to duty have contributed significantly to public safety,” the IGP stated.

During the Kantanso Asankare operation, police officers conducted a search of a bus and recovered two containers concealing 2,600 rounds of AK-47 ammunition. They also found a bag under the driver’s seat containing two bulletproof plates, a black helmet, and a pair of long boots.

Officers promoted for the Kantanso Asankare operation include C/Inspector Tibim Acheampong Solomon, Inspector Sarfo Adu Daniel, and several constables, including Saeed Frimpong, Sremsei Simon, and Christian Buaben Kwadzo Addo.

An additional twenty officers from the Intelligence Department of the Ashanti and Ashanti South Regional Commands received promotions for their role in disrupting armed robbery activities, recovering firearms and ammunition, and preventing planned attacks on commuters.

The IGP, together with members of the Police Management Board, commended the officers for their courage and alertness. “Your actions prevented dangerous weapons from falling into criminal hands,” he said, urging all personnel to maintain high standards of professionalism. He added that the Police Administration will continue to acknowledge and reward diligent service.