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Welcome to this week’s edition of Your Weekly Pulse, your trusted round-up of the major stories shaping headlines across Ghana. Whether your week has been a whirlwind or you are simply catching up, here are the key events you need to know.
1. ‘No convicted hardened criminals will be accepted’ – Ablakwa on US deportations
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has assured Ghanaians that no convicted or hardened criminals will be admitted into the country under the agreement to receive deported West Africans from the United States of America.
According to him, all potential deportees will undergo independent vetting and background checks to ensure they pose no security threat before being accepted into Ghana.
Speaking during the Government Accountability Series on Monday, 15 September, Mr Ablakwa explained that the agreement reflects Ghana’s commitment to human rights and Pan-African solidarity, while also acknowledging that some deportees had been detained in harsh and distressing conditions.
ALSO READ: ‘No convicted hardened criminals will be accepted’ – Ablakwa on US deportations
2. Galamsey: Catholic Bishops urge President Mahama to urgently declare state of emergency
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called on President John Mahama to urgently declare a state of emergency in areas ravaged by illegal mining, citing the poisoning of water bodies and the destruction of forest reserves.
In a statement dated Monday, 15 September, and signed by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, the Conference described illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, as a national security threat and a “cancer in the national soul.”
Their demand comes amid public agitation over President Mahama’s earlier remarks at a Presidential Media Encounter on 10 September, where he expressed reluctance to declare a state of emergency in tackling the menace.
ALSO READ: Galamsey: Catholic Bishops urge Pres. Mahama to urgently declare state of emergency
3. Government to permanently station soldiers in 44 galamsey hotspots
The Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has announced that government will permanently deploy soldiers to forty-four areas identified as galamsey hotspots.
He explained that the decision reflects the administration’s renewed commitment to protecting Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves, as illegal mining continues to pose severe environmental and social challenges.
Speaking in an interview with Channel One TV on Tuesday, 16 September, Kwakye Ofosu stressed that this new approach would ensure a stronger and more sustainable fight against galamsey, amid growing public calls for the declaration of a state of emergency.
ALSO READ: Gov’t to permanently station soldiers in 44 galamsey hotspots and water bodies
4. Full details of reliefs sought by former CJ Torkonoo in suit to quash her removal
Former Chief Justice of Ghana, Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo, has filed an application at the Accra High Court challenging her recent removal from office.
In her certiorari application filed on 17 September 2025, she is asking the court to declare that the Warrant of Removal issued by the President on 1 September 2025, which dismissed her as Chief Justice and as a Justice of the Superior Court of Judicature, is unlawful, null, void and of no effect.
ALSO READ: Full details of reliefs sought by former CJ Torkonoo in suit to quash her removal
5. 11 West Africans deported from US drag Ghana government to court over alleged rights breaches
Eleven West African nationals, including citizens of Nigeria, Liberia, Togo, The Gambia, and Mali, have filed a lawsuit against the government of Ghana, alleging unlawful detention after being deported from the United States.
The applicants argue that their fundamental rights were breached, noting that they had previously secured protection against removal through American immigration courts.
According to a report by Starrfm.com.gh, the case has been filed at the Human Rights Division of the High Court in Accra. The Attorney General, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Comptroller General of the Ghana Immigration Service have all been named as respondents.
ALSO READ: 11 West Africans deported from US drag Ghana gov't to court over alleged rights breaches
Conclusion
From diplomatic assurances on deportations and rising pressure to declare a state of emergency on galamsey, to military deployments, a controversial sentencing, and a legal challenge against the state, this week’s developments underline the complex interplay of governance, security, and justice in Ghana. Stay with Your Weekly Pulse for clear, concise updates on the stories shaping the nation.